Proceedings Melbourne

Proceedings of the 67th Annual Conference

Melbourne 7–11 October 2012

Fighting Extinction

Imprint Editor: Gerald Dick, WAZA Executive Office IUCN Conservation Centre Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland Switzerland phone: +41 22 999 07 90

(WAZA Executive Office) Layout &Typesetting: michal@sky.cz Cover photo: Skyline of Melbourne © Gerald Dick, WAZA Edition: © WAZA 2013 In order to make wise use of natural resources, it has been decided to offer the proceedings of WAZA Conferences online only. This saves paper resources and expensive postage costs, thus CO2 emissions.

WAZA thanks for your understanding. www.waza.org (members’ area).

Founding Member

ISSN: 2073-6576

October 2012 | Melbourne

Fighting Extinction Proceedings of the 67th Annual Conference 7–11 October 2012 Hosted by ZoosVictoria

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Editorial Dear WAZA Members and Friends!

I would like to start with a big thank you to our host, Zoos Victoria! Additionally, I wish to congratulate at the occasion of their 150th Anniversary – a nice coincidence with WAZA’s 77th Anniversary.

Our conference was a big success and the focus on “fighting extinction” covered a wide array of topics, ranging from conservation, education to collection sustainability and population management. The keynote presenters underlined the important role of zoos and aquariums and the responsibility of our community in the interaction with about 700 million visitors to zoo and aquarium facilities worldwide.

Many positive examples and success stories were presented and the important link to the decade on biodiversity was underlined by many speakers. Fruitful discussions took place on the cooperation between associations, animal welfare and global species management plans. Welfare and population management as well as associated strategic developments have been identified as focus of work for the coming years. Finally, two resolutions, one on endorsing the new IUCN reintroduction guidelines and one on CO2 compensation while highlighting ocean acidification were adopted.

Thanks again for this highlight in WAZA’s jubilee year and thanks to all members for the ongoing support and active involvement in the global zoo and aquarium community!!

Gerald Dick Executive Director

Legend: Conference Documents DOC

Documents submitted prior to the Conference, like Committee reports, Association reports.

INF

Documents presented at the conference without previous documentation, made available after the Conference

MEM Presentations

of new members ADM

Administrative sessions

COM

Committee meetings at the Conference

WS

Workshop results

RES Resolution

Example Number of Annual Conference

DOC 65.20 Type of document Number of document

The contents of reports are within the responsibility of the authors.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Table of Contents Welcome Address by the Host...................................... 5 Welcome Address by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Victoria, Australia......................................................... 7 Welcome to Our Region...............................................9 Welcome Address by the WAZA President...............................................11

Keynote Addresses............................ 13

The Environmental Crisis – A Question of Leadership........................................... 14 A New Model for Conservation....................................17

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts........ 19 Received Full WAZA Congress Contributions...................... 29

Love your Locals........................................................ 30 Release to the Wild of Charismatic Mega Fauna: the Risks and Successes............................................. 33 Current Conservation Efforts Supported by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums............. 37 Breeding and reintroduction of Ural owls (Strix uralensis)........................................ 39 The Big C – A Discussion on the Allocation of Scarce Resources for Zoo and Aquarium Conservations......... 40 Conservation of Swedish Amphibians – A Success Story?......................................................... 43 Zoos FIGHTING extinction & Zoos FACILITATING extinction................................ 45 Facts and Figures from The Granby Zoo: Increasing Revenues as a Major Player in Social Economy...................................................... 47 Conservation Efforts for the Endangered Ozark Hellbender................................... 52 Managing Toucans and Flamingos at the Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil............. 54 Panama’s Noah’s Ark.................................................. 56 Conservation Medicine: An Approach to Fight the Extinction of All Species.......................... 58 Temaikèn’s Natural Reserve in Misiones, Argentina: Join Us!..................................................... 62 Conserving Madagascar’s Biodiversity, Building Local Capacity and Raising Environmental Awareness of Youth: The cooperative work of zoos for Madagascar – The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group............................................... 64 Unraveling a Mystery!................................................66 Community Conservation – A Peri‑Urban Case Study in Fighting Extinction...........68

1st Plenary......................................... 73

Annual Report by the WAZA President........................74 WAZA Executive Office Report................................... 78 International Relationships Report............................. 84 The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) Report............................................................86 ISIS Report.................................................................88 Amphibian Ark (AArk) Report..................................... 91

New Members Presentations.............. 94

National Zooloical Park New Delhi, India.................... 95 Saigon Zoo – Botanical Garden Company Ltd., Vietnam..............................................96 Papiliorama Foundation, Switzerland.........................96 Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), UK................................. 97 The Portico Group, Inc., USA ...................................... 97 Format International Limited, UK...............................98

2nd Plenary.........................................99

Committee for Population Management (CPM)........ 100 International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) Report........................................... 102 Marketing Committee Report.................................. 104 Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee Report.......... 106 Aquarium Committee Report....................................107 Science & Veterinary Committee Report................... 110 Associations Committee Report................................112

Regional Reports............................. 118

Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) Report................................... 119 The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Report .................................122 Union fo Czech and Slovak ZOO Annual Report........ 124 Verband Deutscher Zoodirektoren e. V. founded 1887 (VDZ) Report...................................... 128 Swedish Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (SAZA) Report ..................................... 129 African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) Report...................................130 South East Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA) Report.........................................................132 South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation (SAZARC) + Zoo Outreach Organisation (Z.O.O.) Report....................................133 Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) Report...................................139 Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) Report............................................................ 140 Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA) Report......................................141 Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ACOPAZOA) Report................................................ 143 Mesoamerican and Caribbean Zoo and Aquarium Association (AMACZOOA) Activities Report............. 144

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1st Administrative Session................. 147

Membership Committee Report ...............................151 Finance Committee Report...................................... 155

2nd Administrative Session................ 161

Conservation and Sustainability Committee Meeting................................................. 164 Science and Veterinary Committee Meeting..............167 Aquarium Committee Meeting..................................170 Associations Committee Meeting..............................172 Marketing Committee Meeting................................. 174 Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee Meeting..................................................175 Committee for Population Management (CPM) Meeting....................................176 Workshop on CITES and the COP 15 in Doha, Qatar...............................................181 IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations......................................187 IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations RES 67.1........223 Emergency climate change resolution RES 67.2....... 224 WAZA Budget 2013...................................................227 The 2012 WAZA Heini Hediger Award....................... 228 Thank You for the Heini Hediger Award.................... 230

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Special Session on Population Management and Ocean Conservation....................................231 Future Proofing Programs – an Australasian approach......................................... 232 Mission of Mermaids (film screening) and Introduction to Ocean Acidification...........................237

List of Participants............................241

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Welcome Address by the Host Kenneth Hinchcliff, Chairman of Zoos Victoria

I would like to thank the Hon. Ryan Smith, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Jörg Junhold, WAZA President and Karen Fifield, Chairperson of ZAA for being here today.

This is not an empty goal or a hollow public relations promise. It’s what we believe needs to happen to prevent some of our most unique native animals from extinction.

And financially, it means we are focused on long­‑term sustainability in all our operations, so that we can deliver increased investment in conservation.

Zoos Victoria is extremely proud to be hosting 200 delegates from the world’s leading zoos and aquariums here in Melbourne.

It is why we have made conservation central to everything we do – whether you run the zoo kiosk or work in the native animal recovery team.

We gather because we are on a shared quest: Fighting Extinction.

We saw the opportunity for Zoos Victoria to play a much larger and more active role in conservation, in Australia and globally.

Conservation requires us all to work with our visitors and the broader community so they are empowered to save species from extinction.

That’s why we focus on working with people and wildlife. Our fresh approach is already leading to some encouraging results. Such as a watershed funding agreement with world fashion brand, Lacoste, to strengthen the recovery of the Philippine crocodile in our Save Your Logo partnership.

And I am absolutely confident that by the end of our week together, we will be inspired with new ideas, experiences and insights, that will help us all play an important role in ensuring our children and grandchildren continue to experience species in the wild, not only in our zoos.

For that is at the very heart of our work at Zoos Victoria.

We have so much to learn from each another this week, but let me take the liberty of touching on some of the work we are doing here in Victoria, home of Australia’s oldest zoo.

At Zoos Victoria, we are now in our third year of a 20-year plan to position ourselves as the world’s leading zoo­‑based conservation organisation.

We saw how important it is to support specialist knowledge in the captive holding and management of threatened native species.

And we saw that it is essential to influence change in human behaviour across the community, so that zoos are not the only places where children will see wild animals in the future.

Fighting Extinction is our number one priority. In practice, it means we want every animal in our collection to have conservation relevance.

For visitors, it means we want to inspire them to become conservation advocates.

For our staff, we want to support their development so they help our organization transition from a traditional zoo to a fully­‑fledged conservation organization.

By thinking outside the square, we’re reaching more people beyond the zoo gates. I hope you get time when you’re in the city to see the incredible street art promoting conservation in one of our celebrated lanes, AC/ DC Lane. Or at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which is the first hospital in the world to permanently exhibit live animals – Melbourne Zoo’s meerkat troupe of nine, who are cheering up the sickest children while teaching them about animals.

6 Over the past two years our Don’t Palm us Off campaign has connected thousands of Australians to the plight of orang­‑utans in South East Asia from unsustainable palm oil production.

Some 160,000 students visit a Zoos Victoria campus each year, making it one of the largest non­‑classroom educators in the State.

Recently, every Victorian school was given the opportunity to design, paint and exhibit one of 55 mini elephants alongside renowned Australian artists, to celebrate Melbourne Zoo’s most famous Asian Elephant calf, Mali.

In our zoos, we have continued to expand our capacity to save priority threatened species by bolstering recovery Programs, such as for Tasmanian Devils at Healesville Sanctuary.

The Tasmanian Devil is threatened by a serious Facial Tumor Disease, a fatal and contagious condition that is spreading rapidly through wild populations. Over the past breeding

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season, 24 Tasmanian Devil joeys were born at Healesville Sanctuary.

This is an outstanding result for our expert keeping team.

Finally let me say how exciting it is to see so many delegates around the world – united in our efforts to Fight Extinction.

We have also taken stock of all of our conservation work and looked at it in the context of what is happening globally. This has led us to unite under a single premise: that Zoos Victoria is fighting, and will continue to fight extinction.

By working together, and with our communities, we will give our most precious creatures a fighting chance.

I hope your time in Melbourne will inspire you on our shared goal of Fighting Extinction.

We are strengthening our efforts to save species from extinction, particularly those that are most at risk in Victoria. We have made a public commitment to ensure that no native terrestrial vertebrate species in Victoria will go extinct within the next five years. We call this our Fighting Extinction Commitment. And we will be taking every opportunity to showcase our work with threatened species and find new and exciting ways to engage our visitors in this critical quest. You will see some of these efforts when you visit Healesville Sanctuary on Wednesday.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Welcome Address by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Victoria, Australia The Hon Ryan Smith

Jörg Junhold – President of WAZA

Karen Fifield – President of ZAA

Playing host to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, with 200 delegates from 35 countries around the world, is a great opportunity for us to learn about global efforts to fight extinction.

Welcome to Melbourne, an exciting city where we are united with your mission and conference theme, Fight‑ ing Extinction.

One thing is startlingly clear: extinction rates across the globe are reaching historic levels. And unfortunately Australia is no exception.

During your week here, I am sure you will fall in love with our native wildlife and help us, as we wish to help you, save species on the edge of extinction.

As an island nation, Australia experiences direct challenges to our unique wildlife. Here in Victoria, bushfires and climate change are a major threat to some of our unique species.

Melbourne Zoo, where you met last night, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

I congratulate the leadership of Zoos Victoria for redoubling its efforts to fight for endangered native species.

Twenty key species at greatest risk of extinction are now receiving the most support, to ensure that no native Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species will go extinct.

Gerald Dick –Executive Director of WAZA

This is an important milestone. As well as celebrating Australia’s oldest zoo and our conservation achievements, we are also using our 150th year to take stock of what is happening globally and in our own backyard.

For Zoos Victoria has an ambitious goal: to be the world’s leading zoo‑based conservation organization within 20 years.

We will not get there without the help of like‑minded organizations like your own.

Hopefully you will get to meet many of these special creatures on Wednesday when you visit Healesville Sanctuary.

Shy characters like the Platypus.

Our rare and endangered Helmeted Honeyeater. And the Tasmanian Devil, that we are trying to protect against a fatal facial tumor disease that is spreading rapidly through wild populations.

Our resolve to strengthen our conservation efforts locally has been spurred by the success of our efforts on international issues such as deforestation in South East Asia.

A successful Zoos Victoria campaign to raise awareness in our community of the effects of unsustainable oil palm farming has led to truth in labeling legislation in our national Senate.

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The Don’t Palm Us Off campaign brought together the voices of 163,000 Australians who were heard in Canberra, demonstrating the power of the community to affect change.

As Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, and Minister for Youth, I am energized by the power of zoos and aquariums to connect children and the community with conservation.

As a father who visits our zoos regularly with my children, I have seen firsthand how they are inspired to act to save wildlife.

It’s so important to give all children the experience of wildlife up close.

As a government, we are pleased to be supporting new interactive exhibits, with funding for the Growing Wild exhibit, to nurture a love of nature and wildlife. This new exhibit with child‑level viewing areas brings kids fact‑to‑face with inquisitive Meerkats and Giant Tortoises.

Engaging the interest of children in nature and wildlife and raising awareness of the importance of looking after the environment, will help us all in our goal, Fighting Extinction.

For instance, many Victorians would not know the endangered Leadbeater Possum is our faunal emblem. So the task for us in Victoria, and the task for all of us committed to fight extinction, is to introduce our threatened animals to the world in every way possible. It’s difficult to expect people to take action to help save animals they don’t know.

That’s why I am extremely proud that our Government has made it free for children to visit our zoos on any weekend or on school holidays.

We are thrilled that through making zoo visits free for children, record numbers of children are visiting our three zoos, where they are learning more about wildlife.

Total zoo visitation last year was 1,890,000 a growth of 10%. Of these 640,000 were children who enjoyed the opportunity of the free zoo provided by the State Policy.

While there are a great many things happening at Zoos Victoria, which you will learn about during the conference, there are also real challenges that we need your help and experience with.

We are very pleased that you have chosen Melbourne for your annual conference.

As like‑minded people committed to global conservation, I am sure you will have a very positive experience here in Victoria, and build friendships that will help in the care of endangered animals the world‑over.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Welcome to Our Region Karen Fifield, President, Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia

Welcome to the land down under, Specifically I would like to mention and the land of the long white cloud the following areas which demonacross the ditch, welcome to the anstrate this trend. tipodes, welcome to country, wominjeka, tena kotou, tena kotou, tena • We have world leading exhibit katoa, greetings, greetings, greetings design and visitor engagement into you all. We are all at this confernovation to connect wild places with ence from all over the world, united in our collections and the emotional conservation. learning experience visitors have • We support scientific and innovative • Over 17 million visitors, visitor research to better under• over 600,000 school students, stand our work and why we do it • over 100 conservation breeding • Our leading edge species manageprograms, ment programs support and sustain • over $2million in funding to uniour precious collections and allow versities and research institutes for ever increasing global cooperation conservation research, both for animals and for support of • and much more financial support conservation programs in the wild for in situ conservation programs in • we have significant conservation wild places, breeding programs such as the Tas• over 14,000 native animals per year manian devil, the regent honeyeater, treated in zoo hospitals, over 1200 corroboree frog, tuatara, grand vertebrate species cared for, and otago skinks and brown kiwi • over 200 native species and 150 programs to name a few exotic species held that are on the • We have agreed to new animal welIUCN red list of endangered species, fare paradigms in the Five Domains • employment of thousands of people developed by Professor David Meland lor from Massey University in New • many more are engaged in commuZealand, which I believe will change nity volunteer programs. the face of our zoo community into the future These numbers are just the tip of • Our well supported community the iceberg that our 87 members of conservation programs change the Zoo and Aquarium Association hearts and minds like They’re CallAustralasia do for conservation and to ing on You and Don’t Palm Me Off fight extinction. The story is all in the programs numbers.

• We support conservation efforts in the field such as the successful TenIn our small region with a population kile Alliance in Papua New Guinea, of around 27 million people across the Philippine Crocodile project and Australia and New Zealand I believe Forest and Bird Places for Penguins our member zoos and aquariums on the south coast of Wellington punch well above our weight in all • We have made a significant investfacets of our work and show leaderment into accreditation of memship as a collaborative community of bers to ensure the best care of our both small and large organisations. animals and professional growth for our member organisations • And we are developing our own standards with government in true partnership

In 2009 a number of members and a few non members of our Association contributed data and financial support to an economic and social value study for zoos and aquariums in Australia which our Association commissioned.

Much of the data from this report can be extrapolated across the region particularly for New Zealand.

The study looked at value for consumers, for conservation, contribution to education, contribution to bio‑security and economic value.

For Australia alone it was discovered that; • For zoos and aquariums the total production added to the economy is $424 million per annum • Zoos and aquariums employ about 5300 people • International visitors to zoos and aquariums create an estimated net benefit to the Australian economy of about $58million • More Australians over 15 years of age visit zoos and aquariums than any other cultural organisation • Government subsidies to zoos are much lower than other cultural activities such as museums despite our growing visitation and scope of our work • Learning with emotional connection is seen as a major reason for people to visit zoos • Insitu and ex situ conservation activities were far ranging both within our region and globally and supported not only financially but by staff resources and ongoing commitment • The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health monitors disease which could be of community concern and zoos and aquariums contribute to this as part of our social commitment

10 These findings give us a snapshot of Australia and give us the information we need to value what we do and to start to understand how much the community values what we do and how much they want to be involved with us. We need to talk about this much more – I think we are often too self effacing about our work and we shouldn’t be – we should use the numbers to say how influential we are.

Australia and New Zealand are both highly urbanised countries – around 89 and 86% respectively. As people in our region search for connections with nature, which I believe is a deep seated human need, our zoos and aquariums will become even more important as living treasures and places of significance.

As an Australian by birth and a New Zealander by choice I have had the privilege to live and work in two of the most unique and marvellous countries on earth.

As President of ZAA it is my pleasure to welcome you to our beautiful part of the world and encourage you to talk lots, make new contacts and enjoy the lovely experiences at Zoos Victoria. Jenny and her talented team have three amazing properties for you to enjoy‑ much of what I have spoken about is clearly visible at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo.

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You are all in for a treat this week.

I am very proud of our member organisations like Zoos Victoria and the work they do to show leadership and innovation for the cause we all believe in.

And as we, as zoos and aquariums, assume leadership in the conservation space of the 21st century we take responsibility to think, act, and speak in a way that inspires people to follow what we say and do. Leadership is not about power and authority it is more than that – it requires a vision of a world that does not exist that inspires people to follow as volunteers for the cause. If we want to take leadership to fight extinction we must inspire action.

It is a game of numbers. Numbers of us, numbers of people we can influence from governments to visitors, number of connections we have worldwide, numbers of animals and wild places we must save, numbers of dollars it will cost, numbers of years left to do it.

Working alone we can not make the amount of critical change required to make our vision of a world without extinction of species a reality despite all our brave individual or organisational efforts but with the 17 million visitors in our region and the over 700 million worldwide we are indeed a powerhouse to explain why we must act together. They are pretty significant numbers and we have to use them.

But the first part of this change in the numbers starts with us and the work that we do in our zoos and aquariums into the future so that our full potential for conservation is realised not just in our Australasian region but the world over.

Have an inspirational and awesome conference and use this conference as a springboard to our future view of our work.

I look forward to talking with all of you over a Yarra Valley vino or two.

Ka kite ano

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Welcome Address by the WAZA President Jörg Junhold – Zoo Leipzig

Honorable Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Ryan Smith; honorable Chairperson of the Australian Zoo Association, Mrs. Karen Fifield; distinguished guests, colleagues and friends; ladies and gentlemen, it is an enormous pleasure for me to welcome you here in Melbourne to this 67th Conference and Annual Meeting of WAZA. My special heartfelt greetings go to our distinguished host Zoos Victoria, represented by the Board Member Mr. Ken Hinchcliff and our esteemed colleague, Jenny Gray.

I am well aware what is means to organize such a prestigious conference and I like to express my particular thanks on behalf of all the 200 participants for your ongoing committment and your tremendous work.

I am especially proud to open this conference as it is the 77th Anniversary of our organization. WAZA has a changeful history and it is with its development also reflecting the change that every single zoo has taken. Starting as an „old boys club “of zoodirectors we came to be the united voice of the worldwide community of zoos and aquariums and a catalyst for their joint conservation action. We should be aware that this does not only mean a remarkable change in our mission but that we have taken over a high degree of responsibility as well. I believe that the international conservation network expects to see zoos taking over an even more perceptible role for wildlife conservation in the future.

Only a few weeks ago in mid‑September Dr Gerald Dick and myself attended the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju, Korea. This congress is the largest and most important conservation meeting on our planet which is held every four years and it was attended by 10‘ 000 participants this time. We were very honoured to officially represent WAZA and thanks to a joint collaboration between our Executive Office and several of our members three sessions were offered which presented and discussed the zoos‘ commitment for conservation and education.

Two memorable events of this conference are that IUCN has released a list of the 100 most threatened species on earth and secondly that the organization will establish a Red List of Threatened Ecosystems next to the existing one for species.

The final congress declaration of Jeju states that biodiversity should not be seen as a problem but as an opportunity for a positive development of society. Nature‑based solutions deliver a broad range of societal benefits – but awareness and knowledge about ecosystem services are the key for their recognition. This is the point where zoos and aquariums are in a priviledged position to support this goal by inspiring their 700 million annual visitors about the value of biodiversity.

This declaration of IUCN reflects the committment of the global conservation community on the implementation of the UN Decade on Biodiversity. And it perfectly fits to our own strategy to implement this important global initiative. As decided during our last Annual Conference, WAZA plans to develop different kinds of communication tools for our members that should be used to inform the public about biodiversity issues.

A group of 32 zoos is already working on this project. Thanks to a proposed generous grant of the Swiss MAVA Foundation we will produce videos, mobile phone apps and website services in different languages. An important part of the project are visitor surveys in order to find out more about what people know about biodiversity and how this knowledge can be improved. Since we have a broad interest in our membership to collaborate in this working group I am sure that this project can really improve our communication and public perception and place us in the front line of the discussion about biodiversity conservation.

12 I like to invite all members to be aware about this important project and to support it later on by using the communication services.

Another remarkable result of this World Conservation Congress is the new elected President of IUCN – Mr. Zhang Xinsheng from China. It has been our long term wish as WAZA and one of the focal points which I have set for the time of my presidency that we increase the number of members in Asia, especially in China.

The European region and also WAZA are already in contact to the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens.

By the end of last year a high‑level delegation of this association visited Europe in order to establish better contact with the international zoo community. They were kindly hosted

by ZSL, BIAZA and EAZA and I was honoured to represent WAZA at this meeting in London, where we had very intensive and fruitful discussions with our Chinese colleagues. My hope is that a Chinese President of IUCN will positively influence this future cooperation within the zoo and aquarium community. The Chinese zoos serve 1.3 billion people which mean a large share of the world population. This underlines the enormous potential that Chinese zoos have for conservation and education and our goal should be to help our Chinese colleagues to make the best use of this chance.

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Dear colleagues – the title of this conference is “Fighting Extinction”. This clarifies in very simple words: Time is running out and the challenges we face in terms of species conservation are huge.

We have a superb variety of speakers and workshops scheduled in the coming days and there are already two important resolutions on the table to be ratified by this Annual Conference.

One on the support of the new IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction and other Conservation Translocations, and the other one on avoiding disastrous and unmanageable climate change effects.

For our committee meetings and working sessions I see three major topics to be discussed: First the implementation of the Decade on Biodiversity, second WAZA’s role to improve the sustainability of our animal collections and third the progress on the ethical framework including a global Strategy on Animal Welfare.

I urge you to use this opportunity for the exchange of ideas and discussions in this global setting that we represent. I am sure that we will have a productive week and that we will share many exciting moments. I declare this 67th Conference and Annual Meeting of WAZA open.

Thank you and Wo Men Chicca!

October 2012 | Melbourne

Keynote Addresses

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The Environmental Crisis – A Question of Leadership Arron Wood, Fire Starters

Introduction

Why Zoos Matter?

2007 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Arron Wood grew up in Mildura spending his early years campaigning to save the River Murray. Rather aptly titled his autobiography‘ Billabong Boy’ was inspired by those early years. Arron is an expert in business sustainability and his company recently won the 2012 Victorian Telstra News Ltd Micro Business of the Year. He is founder of the award‑winning education program Kids Teaching Kids and is the 3AW environment reporter. Arron received The Centenary Medal for outstanding contribution to conservation, awarded by the Governor‑General and completed a Churchill Fellowship to New York with the United Nations. As a past winner of the United Nations Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment Arron was also the 2001 Young Australian of the Year for the environment. He holds a degree in Forest Science and is currently the youngest Board Member of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority.

In what was a huge career highlight Arron’s commitment to the environment was covered on ABC’s Australian Story. From a boy who was told to regularly‘ be quiet’ in school to someone who now uses his voice to inspire others.

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Zoos and Aquaria are very often the first entry point for people to learn about deeper environmental concepts and issues.

Animals can be the tangible, relatable face of ambiguous and complex issues such as climate change.

WAZA members are more than animal exhibitors they are education centres, conservation organisations and they are striving to combat extinction. This is a changed role and therefore the way these organisations operate must also change.

I want to focus on the community and communication component of the role WAZA member organisations play.

Climate Change You can’t talk about conservation without talking about climate change. Climate change has been great at galvanising people but could be dangerous in the longer term: I’m a climate change sceptic. I’m not a sceptic about whether it is happening or whether it is caused by humans, I’m a sceptic in that a single focus on climate change has consumed us when biodiversity, species loss, environmental flows, soil health and a myriad of other issues are looming as even greater threats that will be accelerated by climate change – not to mention social & economic impacts.

A single focus, a single group or a single solution is not the silver bullet answer. When on a Churchill Fellowship to New York and Geneva I struggled with what United Nations meant. How difficult is it to truly unite nations when we are so different?

I came to the conclusion that this environmental crisis could be our biggest opportunity yet because it may demonstrate that it doesn’t matter how old or young, rich or poor, what country or culture, what language you speak or religion you follow we all need to drink clean water and breathe fresh air.

Thinking local, acting local is important.

So what does the future hold?

The shortest distance in the discourse about climate change is that between denial and despair. The head wrested from the sand soon becomes the head in the hands. “Nothing needs doing” slides effortlessly into “nothing can be done”.

Heart, Head and Hand – too often we go for the head first. Sustainability is not a new concept and long before green was the new black we had statements like: We should be using Nature’s inex‑ haustible sources of energy – the sun, wind and tide. I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. | Thomas Edison, 1931

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October 2012 | Melbourne

That is why is important for us to combine passion and understanding with actual action. That is why I founded the Kids Teaching Kids Program.

Children comprise twenty per cent of the population, but are one hundred percent of our future. From my work involving 66,000 students and teachers across Australia in the Kids Teaching Kids Program I also know that young people have so much to offer right now when it comes to solving environmental issues.

13 years and over 2600 workshops with kids teaching kids on energy, water, waste, biodiversity and climate change has resulted in 100’s of on‑ground projects with communities coming together around an issue that unites us all – the environment. All of these workshops are developed in partnership with wonderful adult mentors. However, while the kids remain optimistic and active, the complex negotiations going on globally, the pronouncements by the uninformed, the many different levels of understanding and vested interests in the status quo make me less so.

I can’t help asking, at a time when the Australia’s attention has been so focused on leadership,‘ Who can lead us?’ There are 7 billion people in the world today, of that, 1 billion own 80% of wealth; 2 billion people have no access to clean water, there is a massive and growing gap between rich and poor and we are all facing an uncertain climate future.

The thing that saddens me most is that we have so many of the answers.

We have ordinary homes that use 90% less water and power than the average home, we have modern irrigation techniques that allow enough for agriculture and the environment, we have some of the best scientists and technologies in the world and we have cars that can run on green electricity.

The world obviously needs more leaders that have a social conscience and an innate sense of responsibility for the future of life on this planet.

Education and schools offer a very powerful opportunity to reinstate positive sustainability and community values and can be the catalyst for environmental and social understanding and action in our communities, but they can’t do it alone. Ultimately whether we are teachers, bankers, miners, nurses or even politicians we must all seek a sustainable future -we all need fresh water to drink, clean air to breathe and food to sustain us.

The Resilient Person

If we want student leadership then we must provide them with the necessary social, academic, emotional and practical skills to cope in our increasingly complex society, but we must also embody the values we wish to see. Above all every student needs the motivation to learn and the capacity to take that learning through to action. Hope and a belief in a bright and compelling future is a very big part in keeping young people motivated to want to do more, to learn more. The Kids Teaching Kids Program was designed with exactly these outcomes in mind.

4.

They deserve leadership that is about action and inspiration. I’ve seen the kids that come out of environmental work of many kinds – they are resilient, optimistic, have a sense of future, are capable public speakers and can communicate ideas in many different forms. If the only outcome is that these young people can cope with the ups and downs of life then that is an amazing gift. You can find out more about the Kids Teaching Kids Program by visiting www.kidsteachingkids.com.au

One of the greatest things that WAZA members can do is link habitat conservation and combating extinction with human wellbeing and even human health. There is growing research about the impacts of green spaces, interaction with animals, walking in wild places and the link to human wellbeing and even depression. Given this research we attempted to turn the attributes of the resilient child into learning outcomes.

The attributes are: Problem solving skills: abstract and reflective thinking, flexibility 5. Social competence: pro‑social behaviours such as responsiveness, empathy, caring, communication skills, a sense of humour 6. Autonomy: an internal locus of control, a strong sense of independence, power, self -esteem, and control 7. General characteristics: healthy expectations, goal directedness, orientation to the future, motivation to achieve, persistence, hopefulness, hardiness, belief in a bright and compelling future, a sense of anticipation Mental illness is rapidly becoming one of the greatest human health issues.

• Depression affects 1 in 4 – rural suicide rates in Australia went up during the recent prolonged drought period • Kids as young as 5 suffering clinical depression • 25% of people in our jails are mentally ill One in five children already has a psychological disorder and by 2020, mental illness will be one of the top five causes of death or disability in the young. | United Nations You also need to tell the positive stories. When ABC Australia Story aired the story on my Dad and I my IN box went into melt down with all the congratulatory emails and offers of help. It was simply overwhelming to get such a response.

16 Some Good News – Future We Are Creating Everyday Some of those good news stories include: • The proposal for increasing our network of marine parks.

• I’ve visited homes in suburban Melb that use 90% less water than the average home and are positive energy suppliers • China will purchase $760 billion in renewable energy in the next 20 years – First solar energy billionaire – was the richest man in China • Green buildings are also healthy buildings for people – less sick days, greater well being etc Council House 2 Building in Melbourne The building design cuts C02 emissions by 87%, electricity usage by 82%, gas usage by 87% and water usage by 72%.

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

In Closing When asked if I am pessimistic or opti‑ mistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is • Vect‑sure in Sweden Fossil Fuel Free happening on earth and aren’t pessi‑ by 2025 – “But, the best argument mistic, you don’t understand the data. has always been the economic one,” Edman says. “Clean technology and But if you meet the people who are energy solutions are the biggest working to restore this earth and the emerging global sectors. We can lives of the poor, and you aren’t opti‑ earn a lot of money and create a lot mistic, you haven’t got a pulse. of jobs by being at the frontier”.

• California on track to meet 90% What I see everywhere in the world reduction by 2050 are ordinary people willing to confront • Germany has brought about an 18% despair, power, and incalculable odds reduction in order to restore some semblance of • Green Beer, Leading Edge Houses grace, justice, and beauty to this world. and Farms (9.2 star energy rated Mirvac home) The poet Adrie‑N Rich wrote, • Canberra, ACT on the way to 90,000 households being powered by wind “So much has been destroyed I have cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.”

There could be no better description.

Humanity is coalescing.

It is reconstituting the world, and the action is taking place in schoolrooms, farms, jungles, villages, campuses, companies, refuge camps, deserts, fisheries, and slums. | Paul Hawken

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A New Model for Conservation Martin Copley, Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Introduction

The Extinction Crisis

The Threats in the North

Martin Copley is an Australian conservationalist and philanthropist who established the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, AWC, an organization which purchases and manages large areas of land, mainly former farm land as sanctuaries for the conservation of biodiversity.

Over the last two hundred years Australia has experienced the worst mammal extinction record of any country in the world and biodiversity continues in serious decline.

Iconic Kakadu National Park is a clear example with a 75% decline in small mammal species in the last 12 years.

“Business as usual is not acceptable”.

In the north AWC is fighting that ecological “axis of evil”: feral herbivores, late season unplanned fires and feral predators.

Australia is one of a small number of mega‑diverse nations in the world.

Yet we also have the planet’s worst mammal extinction rate, while a high proportion of our surviving species are on the brink. It is now clear that business as usual in Australia will mean more extinctions. A new model for conservation is required if we are to provide a secure future for Australia’s wildlife: Australian Wildlife Conservancy, AWC, is rolling out such a model, integrating practical innovative and on‑ground action with good science. We manage 3 million hectares – in iconic locations such as the Kimberley, Cape York and Lake Eyre – protecting 83% of native bird species and 67% of Australia’s mammal species. Some of the largest remaining populations of Australian most threatened species, such as Numbats and Bridled Nailtail wallabies, occur on AWC’s properties.

Critical to our ongoing success in developing a new model for conservation are our partners: indigenous organisations, pastoralists, universities, governments and, of course, the zoo industry.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy Background AWC had its origins 20 years ago when I set up a small sanctuary, known as Karakamia, in the Perth Hills. Today there are 23 sanctuaries covering 3 million hectares across the country. The aim is to rebuild our natural capital through on‑ground protection and recovery programs – based on strong science. These sanctuaries now protect 67% of all terrestrial mammal species and 83% of bird species.

• Our work in the Kimberley, AWC’s northern Australia hub, has shown that the exclusion of feral herbivores leads to a dramatic recovery in native wildlife, contrasting strongly with the experience at Kakadu. After experimenting with a 40,000ha exclusion fence at Mornington in the central Kimberley, we have just completed a 100,00ha exclusion fence in the Northern Territory close to Kakadu. We are anticipating an immediate recovery in mammal populations.

• Unplanned hot fires late in the dry season have been burning northern Australia to a cinder. Over the last 8 years, AWC through a program called Ecofire, has established a system of mosaic burning which has limited these fires in the central Kimberley. Flying 24000 Kms by helicopter this year in the early dry season and by dropping 50,000 incendiaries with pin point accuracy, AWC has created a chain of patch burns that have reduced significantly the incidence of hot fires and led to greatly enhanced ecosystems.

• Extrapolating from the cat population at Mornington we estimate feral cats kill 2 million native animals a day in northern Australia alone.

By radio‑collaring cats and dingoes (through the use of tracker dogs), we are gathering data that suggests that cats avoid dingo territory.

We also know that, as generalists and scavengers, dingoes are more benign to our wildlife. The re‑establishment of the dingo may prove to be an effective control of feral cats provided we can prove that dingoes have minimal effect on cattle – at least in the Kimberley.

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The Principal Threat in the South

Recent AWC Initiatives

Two recent initiatives are worthy of In Southern Australia predation from mention: cats and foxes is the most significant threat to wildlife. AWC has responded • The first is a collaboration with the to this by protecting native species state government of Western Ausof mammal behind predator proof tralia in actively managing governfences: an 8000ha enclosure in westment land in the Artesian Range in ern New South Wales, the largest fethe Kimberley. This is a hot – spot ral free area in Australia, two smaller for endemics and a first and signifisanctuaries in SA and WA and the cant partnership with government commencement of a 6000 ha fence for a private sector conservation in the mid‑west of WA. We also have organisation. a 6000ha feral predator free island in • The second initiative is the manageShark Bay. These areas protect and ment of a neighbouring aboriginal build populations of endangered spepastoral lease, where, supported by cies in the wild of which AWC now has WA government funding, AWC is several of the critical populations. managing the lease for conservation and sustainable cattle production. This is an example of the outreach that AWC is now achieving in its areas of operation.

The AWC Model The model that has led to all these outcomes is essentially driven by the strong link between on‑ground science and operations. 80% of our staff, both scientists and on‑ground managers, are located in the bush, often in extremely remote areas. This is the key to understanding and responding to the major threatening processes.

Our effectiveness in delivering incredible outcomes on an annual budget of $10-11m is due to private sector rigour and flexibility, which even governments are now recognising.

Faure Island Finally I would like to show you a slide of Faure Island in Shark Bay WA as an example of collaboration. Faure is the second largest island in the world from which feral cats have been eradicated. This was done through a collaboration with DEC, the WA conservation agency. 3000 sheep and goats were removed with the help of local pastoralists and finally re‑introductions were made with the help of DEC, a salt mining company and Perth Zoo. Faure is now a restored gem in the middle of Shark Bay, a World Heritage Area and a classic example of AWC’s work. Thanks go to all those involved in that project and to you for listening.

October 2012 | Melbourne

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts

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Table of Contents Author

Title

Jenny Gray

Love your Locals – Saving Victorian Species

Susan Hunt

Release to the Wild of Charismatic Megafauna: The Risks and Successes

Markus Gusset

Species Extinct in the Wild: There and Back Again

Kanako Tomisawa

What kind of conservation efforts does JAZA have now?

Steve Taylor

The Big C – Allocation of Scarce Resources for Zoo and Aquarium Conservation

Helmut Mägdefrau

Breeding and Reintroduction of Ural owls (Strix uralensis)

Sumate Kamolnorranath

Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction Programs for Saving “Extinct-in-the-Wild” Species in Thailand

Lena Lindén

Conservation of Swedish amphibians – a success story?

Susie Boardman

Partnerships Needed to Fight Extinction – Forgotten Species, New Friends

Rick Hudson Bernard Harrison

The New Turtle Survival Center: Ensuring the Turtle Survival Alliance’s (TSA) Commitment to Zero Turtle Extinctions Fighting the Extinction of Zoos – Are Zoos Immune to Corporate Extinction?

Sally Walker

Zoos Fighting Extinction v/v Zoos Facilitating Extinctions

Ace Torre

Advocacy through Thematic Design

Joanne Lalumière

Facts and Figures from the Granby Zoo: Increasing Revenues as a Major Player in Social Economy

Becca Hanson

I Can’t Hear You! Rethinking the Zoo’s Acoustic Environment

Cameron Kerr

Know and Understand your Visitor – A Strategy for Improving Experience, Learning and Engagement

Jeffrey Bonner

Captive Propagation, Head-Start and Conservation Program for the Ozark Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi at the Saint Louis Zoo Providing the Necessary Knowledge to Assure Long-term Management of Threatened and Vulnerable Species

Roger Stonecipher Paul Boyle

AZA Sustainability – Update & Progress

Ian Gunn & Ann Clarke

Australia’s Wildlife Gene Bank

Yara Barros

Managing Toucans at the Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil

Jason Watters

Integrating Research and Husbandry to Enhance Animal Welfare at Chicago Zoological Society’s Center for the Science of Animal Welfare Panama’s Noah’s Ark

Bob Chastain Dan Maloney & Pat Janikowski

Beyond Sustainability; Field Lessons Improve Life within the Fence-line

Dalia Conde Eric Miller

Threatened Species in the World’s Zoos: An Initial Assessment of the Complexity of Worldwide Metapopulation Management Conservation Medicine: An Approach to Fight the Extinction of all Species

Damián Pellandini

Temaikèn’s Natural Reserve in Misiones, Argentina: join us!

Alex Rübel Jean Thomas

Conserving Madagascar’s Biodiversity, Building Local Capacity and Raising Environmental Awareness of Youth: The Cooperative Work of Zoos for Madagascar – The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG): Fighting extinction in Papua New Guinea

Lena Lindén

Unravelling a Mystery!

Eric Stephens

Cats of Belize

Shahrir Abdul Samad

In-Situ Conservation in Sabah, Malaysia

Laura Mumaw

Community Conservation – A Peri-urban Case Study in Fighting Extinction

James Musinguzi

Ex situ conservation to In situ conservation

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Love your Locals – Saving Victorian Species Jenny Gray

Release to the Wild of Charismatic Megafauna: The Risks and Successes

Species Extinct in the Wild: There and Back Again Markus Gusset

Susan Hunt In 2011 Zoos Victoria committed that no Victorian, terrestrial, vertebrate species will go extinct on our watch.

Our scientific team assessed the health and viability of Victorian species and found that 16 species were under threat of extinction within 5-10 years if nothing was done to save them. Zoos Victoria has commenced a program to ensure their survival.

We have captive populations secured, recovery teams trained and committed to breeding success, and a strong commitment to engage the Victorian community in saving these unknown, beautiful and interesting species.

Visitors are powerful consumers thus their engagement with our local species is a first step to inspire and empower them to act to help us fight extinction.

Breeding animals in human care followed by reintroducing them back into the wild was one of the most frequently cited conservation actions that led to improvements in conservation status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Species previously classified as Extinct in the Wild on the IUCN Red List that have improved in conservation status thanks to the reintroduction of captive‑bred In November 2006 Perth Zoo and FZS animals include the Arabian oryx released the first Zoo‑born Suma(Oryx leucoryx), black‑footed ferret tran orangutan into the wild at Bukit (Mustela nigripes), California condor Tigapuluh,‘ Temara’ born at Perth Zoo. (Gymnogyps californianus), European Over 140 orangutans have now been bison (Bison bonasus), Przewalski’s released back into the wild at Bukit horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) and Tigapuluh. red wolf (Canis rufus). Currently there are 33 animal species classified as Perth Zoo has continued the FZS Extinct in the Wild on the IUCN Red collaboration, delivering staff training, List. Thirty‑one of these species are ongoing project support and project actively bred in zoos, aquariums and funding. Perth Zoo has supported other animal propagation facilities, construction of infrastructure, wildlife which prevent their outright extincprotection programs, provided tion; 17 species are managed in veterinary care, staff training, funded a studbook‑based breeding proa human‑elephant conflict mitigagramme. Zoological institutions are tion program and a mobile education uniquely placed to contribute to the program for local villagers. Late in conservation of species that are no 2011 another Perth Zoo‑born male longer found in the wild, with reinorangutan,‘ Semeru’ was released to troduction efforts using captive‑bred the wild at Bukit Tigapuluh. animals already being implemented for six species classified as Extinct in What are the lessons learned from the Wild. the Zoo born releases and international partnerships involving charismatic species? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? We speak of‘ intensive conservation’ integrating Zoo breeding programs with on the ground conservation projects, but are we ready as a Zoo community to accept this approach? And how do Zoo patrons respond to farewelling their Zoo babies to the wilds of the jungle?

In 2006 Perth Zoo joined the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) in a partnership to support the ecosystem of Bukit Tigapuluh in Sumatra. A part of the partnership involved an ambitious Sumatran orangutan introduction program (www.orangutan‑lifeboat.de/? id=14&language=en&invali date=true).

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What kind of conservation efforts does JAZA have now?

Breeding and Reintroduction of Ural owls (Strix uralensis)

Kanako Tomisawa

Helmut Mägdefrau

The SSCJ: Species Survival Committee of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) has been making effort for the population management of more than 150 species within entire JAZA member institutions. In this presentation, we would like to introduce you what we have been doing for wildlife conservation, especially for the five prioritized species.

And we also would like to talk about our granted projects/activities include studies on such endangered species.

In Germany, Austria and Czech Republic the Ural owl was extinct since the early 20th century. In 1965 Nuremberg zoo has bred this species first time in the world. In the 70th a reintroduction program was established in the Bavarian Forest National Park and continued in the following decades on the Czech side. As recent genetic studies had shown, these locations must have been an essential former corridor for genetic exchange between the Scandinavian and Slovenian populations. A reintroduction in Austria was established at two sites as an additional step stone for migration. Actual results will be given and the important role of the zoos will be shown. Since 2003 Nuremberg Zoo offered 17 owls for release and gave 5 for the breeding network. In addition the Zoo made substantial financial support for the genetic studies and the monitoring in Austria.

The Big C – Allocation of Scarce Resources for Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Steve Taylor There can be no question that WAZA member zoos and aquariums are all about conservation. What exactly is zoo and aquarium conservation? 1. Is it about educating people about the plight of wildlife around the world?

2. Is it about creating the greenest institutions in the world with zero waste and a small carbon footprint?

3. Is it about breeding endangered species that in some case can augment wild populations? 4. Is it about conservation research and increasing the world’s knowledge about rare and endangered species? Or 5. Is it about funding worthwhile conservation projects in the field? The author will attempt to offer some suggestions on the challenges zoos and aquariums face in allocating resources to all these functions.

Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction Programs for Saving “Extinct-in-the-Wild” Species in Thailand Sumate Kamolnorranath 5 WAZA member zoos are implementing‘ UN Decade on Biodiversity’ Goal C (Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity) to reduce extinction risks. Thai zoos contributions include; 1) maintaining genetic diversity of captive wildlife population of global importance; 2) strengthen research programs on reproductive science and establish genome bank; and 3) reintroduction programs for the‘ extinct‑in‑the‑wild’ Thamin Eld’s deer and Eastern Sarus crane. Successful results demonstrate that released animal are adaptable to forest and wetland ecosystems and coexist with predators and people.

Success stories are shared with visitors and public through education programs and media.

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Conservation of Swedish amphibians – a success story?

Lena Lindén

Partnerships Needed to Fight Extinction – Forgotten Species, New Friends

Fighting the Extinction of Zoos – Are Zoos Immune to Corporate Extinction?

Bernard Harrison

Susie Boardman The Red List index shows that rare and threatened amphibian species in Sweden have had the most positive population results compared to all other taxa of animals and plants.

The reason is a very goal‑oriented, practical conservation strategy with re‑creation of optimal habitats within the historical range of each species, complemented by conservation breeding and restocking or reintroduction in the wild when necessary. One previously nationally extinct species now has one of the best populations in northern Europe and has been removed from the Red List. Another two former threatened species have been removed from the Red List, and four others have been downgraded or maintained the same status. Sweden´s amphibian fauna includes 13 species with different habitat requirements, but all are favored by the small‑scale managed landscape with sunny shallow waters and many small habitat elements.

During the last 50-100 years a major landscape change in structure and man´s use of the landscape has led to a substantial loss of amphibians.

Despite the fact that we have been very successful in changing the negative impact on amphibian populations in Sweden, it must be kept in mind that the Red List criteria reflect present and future trends starting from usually very small populations. Any future positive development requires a continuous interest and economic support to amphibian conservation.

Significant global trends impacting upon our world include climate change; damage and loss of biodiversity; changing dynamics of human population and changing patterns of health and disease. Despite advances in our understanding of the “Web of life” and the value of species and ecosystems to individuals and communities, there is an increasing disconnect between humans and nature. Man depends on nature for our survival, yet over 1,000 species are at risk of extinction. Stakeholders from all committed organisations must recognise the need to stand side by side and work together as partners to fight extinction and connect to nature.

The New Turtle Survival Center: Ensuring the Turtle Survival Alliance’s (TSA) Commitment to Zero Turtle Extinctions Rick Hudson The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) developed in response to the Asian turtle crisis and has grown into a diverse and highly effective global partnership for turtle conservation.

With a bold commitment to zero turtle extinctions, the TSA works in situ, with programs throughout Asia, and in Madagascar, Belize, Colombia and Africa, and ex situ to develop assurance colonies for species that defy recovery efforts in the wild. Captive programs are a cornerstone of the TSA, and the proposed new Turtle Survival Center in South Carolina will help ensure the survival of 17 species ranked Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List, including nine in the Top 25 Most Endangered list.

The future of zoos was the subject of a recent symposium and the possible demise of White Oak Conservation Centre have made a review of their corporate extinction not only topical but also imperative. Zoos are fundamentally managed in three types of ways: Commercial, Society and Government /City. This paper reviews the three models with the view of offering a workable model for zoo survival in the 21st century.

Zoos Fighting Extinction v/v Zoos Facilitating Extinctions Sally Walker A small percentage of estimated 10,000 zoos worldwide actively fight extinction by engaging in difficult and costly programmes that contribute to species survival. Tragically, remaining ~90%+ of zoos (and their government agencies) facilitate suffering, deaths and (in the long term) extinctions due to ignorance, carelessness, and deliberate exploitation of international animal markets. The same agencies refuse to provide funds for training or infrastructure required to maintain animals well or to solve administrative and governance problems that abet it. Responsible zoos need to counter this serious problem by lobbying such governments and engaging dysfunctional zoos with training on welfare, conservation and management.

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Advocacy through Thematic Design Ace Torre

I Can’t Hear You! Rethinking the Zoo’s Acoustic Environment Becca Hanson

Impacts of extinction are hard to fathom for everyone, including zoo/ aquaria guests. Exhibits that truly immerse the guest into realms of species, juxtaposed by man’s presence, help convey these impacts through experiential emotion, a foundation of advocacy for change. The main interpretive theme is environmental stewardship and urgency of conservation.

Exhibits will be shown that promote this emotional experience through history/geographical locations on a visual/auditory/tactile journey, demonstrating that humankind is only but a thread of the web of life, all while enhancing family values, having fun by traveling to places around the world only a few ever get to see.

Facts and Figures from the Granby Zoo: Increasing Revenues as a Major Player in Social Economy Joanne Lalumière In Prague, there were requests for facts and figures on making money.

Since 2004, Granby zoo has managed to obtain 38 M$ Cdn dollars in government grants to improve animal exhibits and overall services. Revenues increased significantly enabling the zoo to increase the number of keepers and educators and support more conservation and research projects.

The presentation will provide tips on securing grants and increasing revenues. Positioning the zoo as a major player in social economy was a key factor with many advantages.

Standards for human acoustic environments get increasing attention as our awareness of potential health impacts grows. In zoos, however, we have come to accept the verbal exuberance of visitors as proof that they are having fun; the clang and rattle of doors and keys as proof that things are secure; and the reflected noise from hard surfaces as a matter of course. The goal of this paper is to expand the definition of animal and human well‑being to focus on the nature and variables of zoos’ acoustic environments, and to learn what we can do with that knowledge.

Know and Understand your Visitor – A Strategy for Improving Experience, Learning and Engagement

Captive Propagation, Head-Start and Conservation Program for the Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) at the Saint Louis Zoo Jeffrey Bonner The Ozark hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi is a large aquatic salamander endemic to the spring‑fed rivers of the Ozark highlands in south‑central Missouri and adjacent north‑central Arkansas. Surveys over the past 40 years indicate that there has been at least a 70% decline in Ozark hellbender populations. The decline is attributed to a combination of factors including habitat degradation, illegal harvest for the pet trade, chemical contamination/water quality degradation and diseases. There has also been a shift in the age structure of the population to larger, older individuals. The limited number of young animals suggests a lack of reproductive success and/or high juvenile mortality.

Cameron Kerr Using a visitor tracking methodology developed by Vision XS, Taronga has developed a deeper understanding of how visitors interact with its sites.

The tracking process has provided Taronga with a democratised data set that is being used to inform decision‑making from a visitor experience, learning and engagement perspective with the ultimate goals of increasing visitor dwell time and encouraging behaviour change. This paper outlines Taronga’s journey with its visitors, including quantitative improvements in visitor experience, learning and engagement since the tracking process commenced in 2010.

As a result of this precipitous decline the Saint Louis Zoo, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Arkansas Fish & Game and United States Fish & Wildlife Service, started a captive propagation and head‑start program for the Ozark hellbender in 2002. While recruitment is low, some egg clutches have been discovered annually in recent years.

Portions of these clutches have been brought to the zoo for head‑start and future release. The larger goal was to provide juveniles for release through captive reproduction, a feat that had never been achieved by any institution before for either subspecies of hellbender.

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DOC 67.3 rev To help reach the goals of the program the Zoo constructed three environmentally‑controlled rooms, two outdoor streams and has dedicated three full‑time keeper staff to this conservation propagation program. Through simulation of natural environmental cycles (i.e. – photoperiod, water temperature, etc.) the hellbenders at the Zoo have cycled at exactly the same time as their wild counterparts and have laid eggs every year since 2007. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that fertilized eggs were achieved. In addition to adequate space, availability of suitable nesting sites and good sex ratios, adjustments to the ion concentration and conductivity of the water are believed to have played a role in this successful reproduction.

The goal of the captive propagation and head‑starting efforts are to ensure the long‑term survival and recovery of the Ozark hellbender by maintaining populations through augmentation and if necessary reintroduction.

Providing the Necessary Knowledge to Assure Long-term Management of Threatened and Vulnerable Species Roger Stonecipher Since 1974, ISIS members have collected basic biologic information on more than 2.6 million animals of 10,000 species. The knowledgebase has been built through the collective efforts of individuals associated with more than 800 organizations in 83 countries. Through ISIS, our community has access to this comprehensive, integrated and current collection of animal, veterinary, husbandry, group and environmental knowledge. Already, we have used this knowledge base to save several species from extinction. Let’s have a conversation about how we bring the rest of the world’s conservation community into our network and use this knowledgebase to affect the survival of more species.

AZA Sustainability – Update & Progress Paul Boyle

Australia’s Wildlife Gene Bank Ian Gunn & Ann Clarke The Animal Gene Storage and Resource Centre of Australia (AGSRCA) was established as a joint venture by Monash University and the Zoological Parks Board of NSW (Tarongra and Western Plains Zoo’s) in 1995 to utilizes developments in reproductive technology to assist in the breeding and conservation of Australian native and exotic endangered wildlife. A major Commonwealth grant ensured the development and operations of the Gene Bank and an active research program. It became a founding member of the international UK based Frozen Ark Project. The Centre at Monash had collected and stored genetic samples (semen, cells, DNA and tissues) from over 100 species when its funding support collapsed in 2006.it now sits in hibernation in a high security facility at Monash.

Managing Toucans at the Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil Yara Barros

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is focusing on increasing the sustainability of North America’s cooperatively‑managed animal populations. AZA’s Sustainability Task Force implemented changes in 2011 intending that: all zoo populations should be managed on some level (institution, consortium, regional, or global); sustainability should be enhanced with incentives; population management processes should be simplified. While the changes to AZA’s Species Survival Programs (SSP’s) have operated for just over a year, we are encouraged by the degree to which the SSP’s and TAG’s are moving to build sustainability. We will provide a sustainability update with examples of progress.

Parque das Aves manages eight species of Ramphastidae, and had breeding success with 5 of them. Pairs are formed using a flocking management and couples are kept on separated facilities, to prevent intra‑specific aggression. Natural trunks are preferred, although toucans accept almost any cavity. A camera monitoring system allows a noninvasive monitoring and record of the parents’ behaviour and nestlings’ development. We have had both hand and parent reared chicks.

Toucans need lots of stimuli and accept many different environmental enrichment techniques. Regarding nutrition toucans can develop iron storage disease; therefore we developed a special diet that minimizes the problem.

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Integrating Research and Husbandry to Enhance Animal Welfare at Chicago Zoological Society’s Center for the Science of Animal Welfare Jason Watters Blending the performance of research and research findings into husbandry practice enhances animal welfare. At Brookfield Zoo we have developed a program that places a cycle of research inquiry into animal husbandry and feeds findings into animal management practice. The program integrates several scientific disciplines – animal behavior, endocrinology, nutrition, and veterinary medicine – into animal husbandry practice. The result is a multi‑angled approach to advancing animal welfare. A parallel training program, designed to give animal managers the tools necessary to empirically address welfare questions and turn new findings into practice, drives us closer to the goal of advancing animal welfare.

Beyond Sustainability; Field Lessons Improve Life within the Fence-line

Conservation Medicine: An Approach to Fight the Extinction of all Species

Dan Maloney & Pat Janikowski

Eric Miller

Field research reveals a predator’s hard‑wired drive to patrol their home range. They reinforce their hunting grounds and protect their territory from intruders. Zoo life eleminates a hunter’s threats and challenges.

Pacing cats are often classified as bored or worse. Staff distract them with novel items, but typically the animals resume their pacing. PJA Architects and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens have designed a new approach that applies field work to zoo habitats. Together, the architect and the zoo professional will describe how they areby providing cats with a unique opportunity to channeling a tiger’s natural tendancy to move and explore walk.

In 2011 the Saint Louis Zoo launched the Institute for Conservation Medicine CICM) to further the Zoo’s mission to conserve animals and their habitats. The ICM takes a holistic approach to research on wildlife, public health, and sustainable ecosystems to ensure healthy animals and healthy people. This research includes 1) studies on diseases of conservation concern; 2) health care for the sustainability of biodiversity; 3) zoo animals as sentinels of disease in urban environments; 4) disease surveillance at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans; 5) comparative medicine; and 6) exploration of the diversity of life.

Panama’s Noah’s Ark

Temaikèn’s Natural Reserve in Misiones, Threatened Species in the World’s Zoos: An Initial As- Argentina: join us! sessment of the Complexity of Worldwide Metapopula- Damián Pellandini tion Management

Bob Chastain

Dalia Conde

In 2004, several zoos responded to the amphibian crisis in Panama by creating ex‑situ assurance colonies of Panamanian amphibians in the USA and Panama. In 2008, chytridiomycosis crossed the Panama Canal, prompting renewed calls from scientists to build in‑country capacity to respond to the crisis. The aim is to build additional ex‑situ capacity to collect and house assurance colonies of frogs from Panama, and develop a country‑wide conservation action plan to prevent extinctions of 20 species of highly vulnerable amphibians. This session will explore why we should care about this crisis, what is being done and some of the early successes and challenges.

As species‑level climate change impact evaluations become more common, the number of species requiring intensive management is likely to dramatically increase. The resultant demands on the zoo and aquarium community are certain to exceed its capacity, and therefore a creative management approach is essential. We assessed the proportion of threatened species within ISIS institutions, and examined the network’s complexity required for zoos to reach a metapopulation of above 50, 100 and 250 individuals. We paid particular attention number of institutions required, and their geographical distribution. We propose further analyses to assess “optimal zoo aquarium‑networks” intensively managed populations of at risk‑taxa.

Osununú is a natural reserve located in San Ignacio, Misiones, Argentina. It preserves a particular ecosystem, the Interior Atlantic forest, which is considered one of the most threatened biomes in the world. It has endemic and unique plant species. We have surveyed and identified 330 plants, 205 birds and 357 diurnal butterflies, but there is more research ahead to know the whole richness of the area.

Because of the high touristic and educational potential of the area, we are developing ecotourism, environmental education programs and establishing a biological station as strategies for its conservation and sustainable management.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

DOC 67.3 rev

Conserving Madagascar’s Biodiversity, Building Local Capacity and Raising Environmental Awareness of Youth: The Cooperative Work of Zoos for Madagascar – The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG): Alex Rübel Celebrating its 25 year anniversary, MFG integrates training with research that has led to documenting new species, identifying the significant threat posed by invasive plants and generating recommendations to conserve Betampona, itself an endangered lowland rainforest in Madagascar, where just 76 frog species have been found, 30% endemic to the site. MFGs innovative education program has led to collaborating with UNICEF’s program: connecting youth, schools and communities for the environment. MFG offers zoos the opportunity to take ownership of a specific project while rightfully taking credit for the entire program by funding the key to the MFG’s success – its staff and infrastructure.

Fighting Extinction in Papua New Guinea

Unravelling a Mystery!

Lena Lindén

Jean Thomas Jim and Jean Thomas originally from Zoos Victoria have been working with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance in the north coast ranges of Papua New Guinea for ten years. Their aim is to protect the critically endangered Tenkile (Dendrolagus scottae) and Weimang (Dendrolagus pulcherrimus) Tree Kangaroos. During this time the Tenkile population has increased from 100 to 300 animals. The project area has increased from 13 to 50 villages and resulted in a major shift in local people’s attitudes and behaviours towards nature conservation. This has come about through a variety of strategies including establishing a hunting a moratorium, introducing alternative protein sources, conservation education programs and community development projects.

Even though it has always intrigued people around the globe the snow leopard is one of the worlds’ most secretive big cats. It is found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia where it is perfectly adapted to a life at high‑altitude in the cold and barren climate. The snow leopard is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and there are only between 4000 and 6500 individuals left in the wild. Despite the hard work of several researchers, the elusiveness of this cat and the rough terrain it inhabits are part of the reason why there are still large gaps in our understanding of its natural history. The two organizations’ Snow Leopard Trust and Panthera therefore started the first long‑term ecological study of wild snow leopards in Mongolia in 2008.

Nordens Ark became involved in the study in 2010 by funding the Swedish PhD student, Örjan Johansson, who is in charge of the field work in Mongolia. His primary task is to capture and fit snow leopards with GPS‑collars.

The GPS‑satellite collar will provide answers to the some of the basic questions about snow leopard ecology such as habitat use, home‑range size, birth and mortality rates, prey preference and daily or seasonal movements. The study also aims to assess the impact of conservation programs and find methods of measuring population size. However to be able to put collars on the cats Örjan first had to learn how to capture them. So far he has managed to capture and collared 18 snow leopards which means that he is now on the way to unravel some of the mystery surrounding this amazing cat.

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Cats of Belize Eric Stephens

In-Situ Conservation in Sabah, Malaysia Shahrir Abdul Samad

This Project in Belize focuses on five Cat Species, one of the very few places in the world where all five occur; Jaguar, Cougar, Ocelot, Margay and Jaguarundi. It is important to study these animals and their relationships to the people who live in the area (camera traps are placed on the property of willing farmers) as well as how the Cats manage to coexist with this many other predators. In partnership with the University of Florida, these studies highlight areas of habitats traveled, activity, prey species, and health issues. In addition, when tracking these Cats, significant work on a variety of reptile species native to the area is also conducted including river turtles and Morelet’s Crocodile. The children of the immediate area are taught to stay away from the edge of close by freshwater pools as they can be dangerous so a visit to a local elementary school, was the first time these children had ever seen the native Crocodile with which they share the countryside.

Community Conservation – A Peri-urban Case Study in Fighting Extinction Laura Mumaw

Sabah is home to many of the charismatic mega species including the Bornean elephants, orang‑utans and Sumatran rhino. Sadly many of these species are confronting extinction in the wild. Sabah is also the largest producer of palm oil in Malaysia.

While palm oil has brought benefits to its rural population, the presence of wild life in its natural setting has also given Sabah its tourism industry.

The challenge for Malaysia is how to pursue development while undertaking conservation. This challenge opens the opportunity for bodies with expertise to participate in in‑situ conservation. One such multi‑stakeholder conservation collaboration involving the Malaysian government, oil palm industry and various NGO’s is underway to conserve key ecological areas along the Kinabatangan River.

The project will involve restoring the identified biodiversity corridor to ensure the conservation of these species.

A case study (Yarra4Life) of fighting extinction in a peri‑urban region adjoining Melbourne City will be presented. Yarra4Life is a collaboration between local, State and regional agencies, landowners and interested community to protect and enhance local native habitat and its iconic wildlife. It includes a zoo based captive breeding, rearing and release program. The case study will describe the statutory environmental strategy for greater Melbourne’s environmental assets. It will also highlight the use of an Australian‑first interactive catchment management website to support adaptive management and connect local agencies, organizations (like zoos), and communities to achieve regional environmental goals.

POSTER PRESENTATION James Musinguzi

Project conducted and authored

by Dr. Frank Ridgley and Mr. Dustin Smith.

Ex situ conservation to In situ conservation: the role of Conservation Education in changing attitudes and behaviors of communities towards Rhino reintroduction in Murchison Falls National Park, Northern Uganda

October 2012 | Melbourne

Received Full WAZA Congress Contributions

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Love your Locals Jenny Gray, Zoos Victoria

Abstract

Background

In 2011 Zoos Victoria committed that Extinction at its current rate is not no Victorian, terrestrial, vertebrate natural and it is not inevitable. Right species will go extinct on our watch. now, in 2012, extinction is a man Our scientific team assessed the made phenomenon and as much as health and viability of Victorian spewe can drive species into extinction cies and found that 16 species were we can also interrupt the process, under threat of extinction within 5-10 slow it and reverse the trend. We can years if nothing was done to save and should fight extinction; because them. Zoos Victoria has commenced once a species is gone, it is gone a program to ensure their survival. forever.

We have captive populations secured, recovery teams trained and commitI propose that there are a number of ted to breeding success, and a strong reasons why we should be Fighting commitment to engage the Victorian Extinction: community in saving these unknown, beautiful and interesting species.

• The threat of extinction in 2012 is Visitors are powerful consumers thus largely man made and a human their engagement with our local driven process. We have made the species is a first step to inspire and mess that threatens to engulf other empower them to act to help us fight animals and it is thus our moral extinction. responsibility to clean it up.

• It is a fight that we can win. Extinction is not inevitable and many examples are available that show that when we put our minds to protecting and recovery species we can.

• We share our environment with the animals that are in trouble. It is not rocket science to understand that the threats to animals are also threats to humans. We need the environment to live and if we are destroying it for others we destroy it for ourselves.

• The animals at most risk are amazing and beautiful and of enormous value in their own right. We should fight their extinction, because without them our planet will be duller and less amazing.

Zoos are well placed to fight extinction and can contribute to conservation outcomes in a number of ways.

Zoos can support International Conservation Programs which protect wild areas, zoos can empower visitors and the wider community to take action and zoos can work with threatened species engaging in captive breeding recovery programs.

This paper will address the third aspect of zoo based conservation, the critical role that zoos should be playing in endangered species recovery programs.

In 2009 Zoos Victoria, Perth Zoo and Taronga Conservation Society, were involved in a program on Christmas Island to try and save the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. Scientists had observed the decline in these small insectivorous bats caused by an invasive pest species, the crazy yellow ant. They estimated that the population may have shrunk to as few as 20 individuals. They were wrong. The recovery team recorded a single male bat over three nights. For the next 5 weeks there was no recording of any bats, across the whole range. A recording on the 26 August 2009 marks the last time the Christmas Island Pipistrelle ever flew. We arrived in time to record the extinction of a species.

We never want to do this again.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Our Fighting Extinction Commitment Based on the experience at Christmas Island Zoos Victoria developed a new approach to conservation. Zoos Victoria decided that it is unacceptable to lose a local species and further committed that “No Victorian, terres‑ trial, vertebrate species will go extinct on our watch”.

The commitment necessitated an investigation into the extent of the threat to Victorian, terrestrial vertebrates. The Conservation Science team at Zoos Victoria undertook an assessment of Victorian species against the question ‘What is the Like‑ lihood of extinction over the coming 10 years’ using the following criteria: • Small population size • Declining population trend • Restricted distribution • Key threatening processes Populations that met the criteria but had good numbers in other states were excluded. The final list of species meeting the criteria was 16 Victoria species. Zoos Victoria was already involved in 4 captive breeding programs which did not meet the criteria but where the Zoos Victoria contribution was considered as important to the ongoing success of the programs. From the combined lists emerged Zoos Victoria’s 20 priority species.

Each of these species is amazing; a hibernating marsupial, a migratory parrot and a lizard that pretends it is a snake. The Zoos Victoria science and life science teams are hard at work bringing these species into our care, at this stage we are working with 17 of the 20 species.

A five year plan has been developed for each species with success indicators for five and 10 years. In all cases success is defined as a secure wild population. In many cases the plans involve the management of the metapopulation plans such that genetics can be managed through transfer between the wild and captive population. Much progress has been made in working with the recovery teams, securing permits and developing husbandry. As success is to secure wild populations, Zoos Victoria is engaging with land holders, support groups and conservation organisations to address the threats to species in their habitat.

Wherever possible, Zoos Victoria will replace common species within our care with the 20 priority species, in education programs and on display. This philosophy means that the threatened species are part of the zoo collection not additional to the collection.

Research programs are being aligned such that they will assist with the unknown issues and improving our chances of success. We are setting the agenda with the Universities and they are absolutely supportive and engaged.

Love Your Locals – Engaging the Community The greatest challenge facing the program is to secure the support of the community of Victoria. If people don’t know and don’t care about species it is unlikely that they will take the steps needed to save them.

As zoos we have spent 150 years telling people how cool elephants and orang‑utans are; now we need to them to fall in love with local species which are small, brown, cryptic and creepy. So we have embarked on an awareness campaign called ‘Love you Locals’.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the threatened species and the actions that people can take to help protect them. At Zoos Victoria we are putting our full weight, skills and commitment into this campaign.

We also recognised that the campaign needs to be fun, engaging and accessible to the target market, kids.

So we called on a friend, a super hero with extra ordinary charisma, Zooperman. Zooperman is joined by the 20 extinction fighters, cartoon representations of the 20 priority species.

Zooperman and the Extinction Fighters are coming to life, to engage kids and to help them take actions that help animals. There is a cartoon in the member magazine, secret missions and retail products.

32 Exhibits are now designed to engage visitors with the priority species.

In April Lunar’s secret forest was launched at Healesville Sanctuary.

Lunar is a Lead Beaters Possum, she is fast and courageous, but not fast enough to out run extinction. This beautiful species lives in a small area heavily impacted by fires and is, plausibly, one fire away from extinction. Underpinning the exhibit is real data and a recovery program, along with the promotion of FSC timber. A behaviour change project has been launched observing changes in consumer behaviour following a visit to the Lunar experience. While early days we can see difference in preference for the FSC product even though it is slightly more expensive than the non FSC by people who have been exposed to the experience in Lunar’s secret forest.

We are putting our threatened species work on display. Instead of hiding our work we are showing people what we do, it is just amazing how they respond. At Healesville we are running a Fighting Extinction Tour, which contributes to our financial sustainability as a not‑for‑profit organisation and shares our love for these incredible species, a passion that is contagious.

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Marketing is aligned with ‘Love your Locals’ with a tram branded, posters in trams and public spaces. We have employed alternate options for spreading the message. We have a graffiti wall of the endangered species, AC/DC lane in the city. Not often you want your brand graffiti in an alley. As part of the 150th celebrations we hosted a comedy debate – who gets on the ark? A group of 6 comedians each defended why their species should get a space on the Ark and I am glad to say the audience threw the humans overboard.

In addition to the awareness is the solid foundation of behaviour change that underpins this strategy. We have strong messaging on actions that the community can take to help wild life, like ‘Wipe for Wildlife,’ a campaign to have visitors switch to recycled toilette paper. Research shows that it is working, with 30 % of people visiting Healesville Sanctuary that do not use recycled toilette paper switching after one visit.

Retail shops are aligned to Fighting Extinction as the shop is often the last contact point in a zoo visit. The retail outlets are an important part of telling the story. In addition to the shop fit out and staff training we are developing a new line of products that support and encourage love for our locals.

Conclusion Globally zoos are a powerful force.

When we put our minds to a project we can achieve so much. Zoos can move elephants around the world; build rainforests in Europe and raise millions of dollars for new enclosures.

Surely we can stem the tide of extinction. Not just saving species but also saving ourselves.

Extinction is not inevitable.

So, which 20 species will you save from extinction?

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Release to the Wild of Charismatic Mega Fauna: the Risks and Successes Susan Hunt, PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Perth Zoo

Abstract

Background

Zoos and Release Programs

In 2006 Perth Zoo joined the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) in a partnership to support the ecosystem and landscape of Bukit Tigapuluh in Sumatra. A part of the partnership involved an ambitious Sumatran Orangutan introduction program (www.orangutan‑lifeboat.de/? id=14 &language=en&invalidate=true). In November 2006 Perth Zoo and FZS released of the first Zoo‑born Sumatran Orangutan into the wild at Bukit Tigapuluh,‘ Temara’ born at Perth Zoo.

This intent of this paper is to reflect on Perth Zoo’s release of two Zoo born Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii) into a Sumatran Orangutan release program run by the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

As the Zoo community we are increasingly speaking of‘ intensive conservation’ or more recently‘ One Plan’ approaches integrating Zoo breeding programs with on‑the‑ground conservation projects. This is such a program.

Perth Zoo has continued the FZS collaboration, delivering staff training at Bukit Tigapuluh, ongoing project support and project funding. Perth Zoo funds have been used to construct infrastructure, support wildlife protection programs, research programs, a human‑elephant conflict mitigation program, a mobile education program for local villagers and a small community development program.

Late in 2011 another Perth Zoo‑born male orangutan was released to the wild.

As a component of a wider project, Local species’ release‑to‑the‑wild the Sumatran Orangutan Conservaprograms are not new for zoos. Perth tion Program, the FZS has worked Zoo has run breed‑for‑release prowith the Indonesian Government’s grams for native Western Australian Department of Forest Protection and species for over 20 years. As it is for Nature Conservation PHKA, Yayasan many zoos, these programs are now Ekosistem Lestari YEL (Foundation a part of our part of our core business. for a Sustainable Ecosystem) and Pan We have bred and released over 2,500 Eco to build a sustainable new wild native WA specimens, working with population in an area where orangureptiles, mammals, amphibians and tans are now extinct in Bukit Tigapumore recently birds in conjunction luh, Jambi Province, Sumatra. With with local wildlife authorities. the support of Perth Zoo and other partners, the Bukit Tigapuluh based While there are risks involved with activities have now grown to incorlocal breed‑for‑release programs and porate broader activities of habitat often a large investment of time and protection, including elephant human resources, the complexities and risks conflict mitigation, community deare now relatively well understood. velopment, research and community This is primarily as a result of: education programs. This work, now badged the Bukit Tigapuluh Wildlife • the local and endemic species’ and Ecosystem Protection Program, focus; is a WAZA branded program and has • species usually do not have regional been since 2008. or global partners and are not a part of management plans involving The FZS introduction program is many partners; thorough and rigorous, developed • stakeholder management is usually consistent with IUCN guidelines and local; with Indonesian Government collabo- • disease risk is understood and bio‑security issues are not complex; ration and approvals. After preparaand tion by experienced staff, orangutans confiscated by Indonesian authorities • species’ knowledge and expertise is usually not in dispute, and is often as illegal pets or rescued as a result exclusive to the one zoo – your own. of dispersal of animals through forest destruction are released into Bukit On the whole, in most zoo based Tigapuluh, an area providing ideal breed for release programs, the risks lowland rainforest habitat. are well understood, controlled and accepted.

34 Sumatran Orang‑utan The conservation status for Sumatran orangutan remains as critically endangered, with and estimated 6,600 animals left in the wild. While protected in Indonesia, the political environment in Aceh Province in Sumatra, which contains the only remaining wild populations is unstable. Major threats for Sumatran orang‑utan remain habitat destruction, poaching, land‑use conflicts and encroachments into protected areas for plantations, mining and farming.

With the longest inter‑birth interval of any mammal, the outlook for Sumatran orangutan appears very bleak, with estimates of wild extinctions within 10 years.

The population of Sumatran orang‑utan in zoos as recorded through ISIS is presently 256, with 18 being held in the Australasian breeding program. The global zoo population of 256 animals are housed in 66 institutions across 5 regions. Of these, 7.13.0 are housed in Australia with 1.2.0 at Adelaide Zoo, 2.2.0 at Melbourne Zoo and 4.9.0 at Perth Zoo. There is also no global program for this species and the opportunities to hold this charismatic species in sufficient numbers to establish a sustainable captive population in zoos are limited.

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Perth Zoo Sumatran Orangutan Program

The Decision for an Integrated Perth Zoo Orang‑utan Program

Perth Zoo’s breeding record and ongoing breeding capacity for this In the context of an assessment of critically endangered species is sound. Perth Zoo’s orang‑utan program There have been 30 Sumatran oranand its future, and in the light of our gutans born at Perth Zoo over the last strategic priorities and the status of 20 years and the Zoo holds a constant this species in the wild, the partnerpopulation of 13 or 14 animals. The ship with the FZS was forged. The methodology of holding orangutan at decision was made to release young Perth Zoo is in small groups in a series female orang‑utan‘ Temara’ into the of enclosures, females housed with wild as a pilot program to test the offspring and males held alone or integration of our Zoo program with with a breeding female. This system the FZS re‑introduction program. provides optimum visual contact This decision was based on: and maintenance of a social system, providing individual territories and • The conservation status of Sumaalso reflecting Sumatran orangutans’ tran orang‑utan was dire; and it was primary solitary nature. confirmed by FZS that even a few breeding animals would make a Up until 2006 Perth Zoo’s conservadifference to the success of the FZS tion emphasis had been on educarelease program; tion and to raise awareness about • FZS was an established conservaorangutans and their threats. Followtion organisation with a high reputaing a new strategic direction for Perth tion; Zoo set through master and strategic • A release to the wild program planning and aligned with the World for Sumatran orang‑utan was an Zoo Conservation Strategy, opporextension of our commitment and tunities for greater conservation expertise with this species. It was involvement in international species the next step; was possible. While the Zoo was • Staff expertise and experience proinvolved in direct conservation of lovided confidence that this would be cal species, the decision was made to successful; support international wildlife projects. • Our community strongly supported the initiative and confirmed that A community fundraising project, this was consistent with its expectaPerth Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Action of Perth Zoo; tion, was founded.

• A Zoo release would assist in raising awareness of the serious situation Also at that time, despite Perth Zoo’s facing Sumatran orang‑utan, of the capacity to continue to successfully FZS program and of the need to breed this critically endangered speprotect Sumatran forests, habitat cies, there was a‘ no breed’ recomand wildlife; mendation from the regional Australasian Species Management Program. • To enable breeding of the Perth Zoo animals was a priority to ensure This was due to a lack of spaces in animal welfare and good health. To receiving zoos. As a result Perth Zoo’s find an option for our animals which breeding females were placed on had a conservation benefit was a‘ contraception indefinitely. win‑win’; • It was‘ authentic’ for us to link our zoo breeding to a wild population.

We were‘ walking the talk’ and delivering on our conservation message.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

It was resolved to manage‘ Temara’ to the FZS program as much as possible as a regular‘ animal transaction’. The process included many of the same processes as sending an animal to another zoo: in terms of health checks, welfare and transport. However, there were significant additional tasks and more complex stakeholder management including:

Outcomes from the Partnership with FZS In 2006 Perth Zoo sent‘ Temara’ to Sumatra where she was released into the Bukit Tigapuluh FZS program.

She was tracked for almost three years in the soft release approach used by the FZS and now she lives independently in the Bukit Tigapuluh forest. This was followed by‘ Semeru’ in late 2011.‘ Semeru’ who was released at a younger age has integrated into the program swiftly and is thriving. The FZS program has grown with the Zoo’s involvement. As at 2012, 140 Sumatran orangutans – confiscated pet trade and orphaned animals along with‘ Temara’ and‘ Semeru’ have been released into Bukit Tigapuluh. FZS has reported that these numbers are at least half way towards a sustainable wild orangutan population for the size of the release area.

• Site visits to Sumatra to ensure the bone fide and to assess the suitability of the on‑the‑ground program; • Application and testing of the project and approach against relevant IUCN Guidelines, Bio‑security & wildlife health conditions relating to releases to the wild; • Engagement with in‑country stakeholders including Government of Indonesia in Jakarta and with local government officials; • Briefing and seeking approvals from the Western Australian Minister for Environment, the Australian GovOver that period, Perth Zoo has ernment and also Zoo stakeholders – become a major partner of FZS, the Zoo Board, the Zoo’s Animal providing ongoing financial support Ethics and Welfare Committee. and resources through staff exchange, Additionally bringing staff, voluntraining and expertise in the areas of teers and Zoo visitors along with our veterinary care and advice on animal vision was an extensive process; husbandry, nutrition, animal enrichment and tracking and telemetry.

• Preparing‘ Temara’for release Perth Zoo staff regularly visit Bukit including introducing her to SumaTigapuluh with a commitment to at tran fruits, termites and giving her least four staff visits annually and access to climbing trees pre‑release to maximise her chance of success FZS staff visit Perth Zoo for training in veterinary care, animal husbandry, in the wild. animal enrichment, training and even office management.

The direct contribution of zoo skills to wildlife conservation should not be under‑ emphasized. For this release program, Perth Zoo’s staff expertise have helped build local capacity in animal handling, animal welfare, enrichment techniques pre release.

Other skills like delivery of zoo veterinary expertise in training local staff in implantation of transponders and assistance with telemetry have been important to the success of the program.

Perth Zoo and FZS have in 2012 signed a second 5-year agreement.

Over the life of the agreement some US $1.2million will go from Perth Zoo to FZS. This is all community fundraising from our Wildlife Conservation Action program. The majority of the funds go to employ local staff in forest protection patrols, local education programs, elephant research, human elephant conflict mitigation and community development programs.

Another benefit from the Zoo’s involvement has been the increased profile for the project. Our involvement brought credibility and profile to the project, locally and in Jakarta.

As Perth Zoo, CEO I was brought into diplomatic discussions in Indonesia advocating for the protection of Bukit Tigapuluh and pressing for the extension of protected areas. We became a mechanism and voice for the program.

Another direct benefit was that the partnership strengthened Perth Zoo’s bona fide credentials in wildlife conservation. Our visitors are demanding; they expect that we take an active role in conserving species and not just talk about it. Through our work, we were proving our authenticity as a conservation organisation.

We were directly contributing to conservation. This also had internal benefits, as staff could see the direct link between their work at the Zoo and the conservation achievements on the ground in Sumatra.

36 Other Lessons learned

• Media interest is transitory. By the time of the second release in late It has now been six years since Perth 2011, there was little media interest.

Zoo released‘ Temara’ to the wild.

It was no longer a big story! Instead In summary, what are the lessons of looking for big splash stories, learned? we used social media and blogs to tell the story of‘ Semeru’s’ release • The profile for the project was and to connect the public. This was greatly enhanced by the involvemore effective and meaningful. ment of a zoo. The fact that a • There was some reputational damZoo‑born orang‑utan were a part of age with zoo colleagues. While the program gave an increased prothe general public and local stakefile and as a result, the likelihood of holders strongly supported us, in the project’s success was increased. some zoo circles there was a mixed Zoos can be powerful advocates and response. This was perhaps partially can actively leverage conservation ill‑informed in confusing the situaoutcomes. tion of Sumatran orang‑utans with • The public interest and support of Borneon orang‑utans, but there our release to the wild of‘ Temara’ was also a broad reticence about and of‘ Semeru’ was predominantly releasing a managed species like a that this type of work was expected Sumatran orang‑utan to the wild. of us as a modern zoo. Our commuI am pleased that with the recent nity expects that we are conservaliterature and growing acceptance tion agents and want us to make a of integrated conservation,‘ intendifference for wildlife. That is why sive management’ and a‘ One Plan’ they support us. approach and with more informa• By sending a Zoo animal to the tion about the FZS and Perth Zoo wild – particularly a charismatic approach, this criticism is now not orang‑utan resulted in increased as prevalent. community involvement and • The financial cost was not high, interest in conservation. Our generally equivalent to the cost of conservation fundraising for the the transaction of a giraffe to a zoo FZS project grew. Our market within Australia. Although the proresearch has shown that awarecess of release to the wild is comness of orang‑utan conservation plex, the financial cost is not high. and of Bukit Tigapulu has grown enormously over the past six years.

By telling the story of‘ Temara’ and‘ Semeru’, we have been able to connect Zoo visitors with the plight of orang‑utans in the wild.

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On reflection, our partnership and the release of‘ Temara’ and‘ Semeru’ have been extremely positive. I believe we have demonstrated that zoo populations can be successfully integrated with wildlife conservation projects – even for complex charismatic species such as Sumatran orang‑utan. It has certainly been worth the risks.

In addition to the many other issues learned in this approach, it has also highlights for me that as a zoo community we need a greater investment in global management programs. Yet this does not exclude the need for us to link such programs to wildlife conservation. In disastrous situations such as those facing Sumatran orang‑utan, we must ensure that population management programs have strong wildlife conservation projects at their centre.

Finally, another short point on visitor engagement – In our social‑media‑savvy world, zoo visitors and the general public have loved the story of‘ Temara’ and‘ Semeru’. You don’t lose visitors by sending animals away from your zoo. You gain a whole new audience – of conservationists.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Current Conservation Efforts Supported by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Shigeyuki Yamamoto, Kazutoshi Arai and Kanako Tomisawa, Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA)

Abstract The SSCJ: Species Survival Committee of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) has been making efforts for the population management of more than 150 species within entire JAZA member institutions. This paper will introduce those activities focused on wildlife conservation. We also would like to talk about our granted projects/activities including studies on such endangered species.

The Species Survival Committee of JAZA

The conservation efforts for ex‑situ and in‑situ

Currently the JAZA membership comprises of 65 aquariums and 86 zoos, totaling 151 member institutions. Relative to the countries land area, the number of zoos and aquariums in Japan is not small. Japan has coexisted with wildlife for a long time and the Japanese lifestyle is deeply related to both of terrestrial and aquatic animals.

Terrestrial

JAZA has been working with143 species as Species Survival Projects. Most of the activities for these species are related to ex‑situ conservation. However, some of them are also working with in‑situ conservation. JAZA is trying to expand its efforts to link to in‑situ conservation more and more, especially for Japanese endemic species.

JAZA has several species that have both ex‑situ and in‑ situ components.

A specific example is the Oriental white stork. The Oriental white stork is an endangered species in East Asia. In Japan, the local conservation project was started in 1955. However, unfortunately the last individual in the wild was lost in 1971. Following this, the Japanese government cooperated together with local community for the reintroduction effort, and JAZA also joined in this project. JAZA members have kept several different species of stork and the husbandry knowledge and skill have been developed. Those experiences were then applied to the husbandry of the Oriental white stork. They experienced a lot of hardship for the captive breeding at first. They achieved success in their breeding finally and subsequently succeeded in the reintroduction of the species to the wild in 2005. The people of Japan can once again see them in Japanese sky.

Aquatic Activities are not only focused on terrestrial animals, but JAZA also supports efforts for aquatic species. Last year, JAZA celebrated its 20th anniversary for freshwater fish conservation.

In Japan, there are more than 15,000 main rivers and there are 400 endemic freshwater fishes. 144 species of them are endangered. The committee for Breeding of Endangered Japanese Freshwater Fishes, JAZA takes the initiative to support biodiversity conservation.

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Wild Animal Conservation Fund

• Research on the rubbing behavior to citrus tree found in Tufted Capuchin (Cebus paella) and consideration JAZA also encourages research about display and explanation activities and supports a wild animal • Development and practice of workconservation fund. All of JAZA memshop on the linking between zoos ber institutions install donation boxes, and wildlife habitats for wildlife and the donated funds and a part conservation of the JAZA budget are used for the • “Crawfish summit in Hokkaido” at fund. Every year JAZA makes grants Maruyama zoo for a variety of research or related • Baseline survey for Hotoke Loach activities. The projects received the (Lefua echigonia) in Tanba region grant in 2012are listed as follows: • An examination for disinfestation of Red‑eared Slider (Testudo scripta • Research on conservation and elegans) reproduction of Japanese Giant • Building the model for international Salamander (Andrias japonicus) transmission of information • Research on captive reproduction of • Support of captive reproduction Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus of Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus muta hyperborea) humboldti) at Santiago Metropolitan • Research on environment for wildZoo in Chile, and the conservation life conservation at the dairy farmactivities for Humboldt penguin in ing villages around Fuurenkawa the wild riverine system • Activities for reproduction of Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) • Genetic analysis of Shinal dwarf gudgeon (Pseudorasbora pumila pumila) for effective genealogical preservation in captivity • Research on the reproductive physi‑ ology and egg shell characteristics of Penguins

Conclusion JAZA has been making efforts for wildlife conservation. However, there are some genetic limitations for many of the species in captivity. More recently JAZA strongly promotes international affairs and to cooperate with regional associations around the world. JAZA keeps 122 regional studbooks and supports them working with the international and other regional studbook keepers. JAZA is keen to cooperate with other regions to have more effective population management.

If other regional institutions are interested to cooperate with JAZA or know more about JAZA, please contact the JAZA office as follows.

JAZA looks forward to working with partners in support of wildlife conservation.

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Breeding and reintroduction of Ural owls (Strix uralensis) Helmut Mägdefrau, Nuremberg Zoo, Germany and Richard Zink, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vienna, Austria

In Germany, Austria and Czech Republic the Ural owl was extinct since the early 20th century. In 1965 Nuremberg zoo has bred this species first time in the world. A reintroduction program was established in the 70th in the Bavarian Forest National Park and continued in the following decades on the Czech side. Some 300 Owls were released on both sides of the border. Observations in the Bavarian National park could record 10 chicks, successfully raised in natural nesting sites in 2012.

As recent genetic studies had shown, these locations must have been an essential former corridor for genetic exchange between the Baltic and Slovenian populations, which show very similar genetic clusters. In 2009 a reintroduction project in Austria was established at two sites as an additional step stone for migration and genetic exchange, where 86 birds were released. According to the mass fructification of beech 9 breeding pairs have raised successfully 30 chicks in artificial nest boxes in 2012.

Since 2003 Nuremberg Zoo made available 17 owls for release and gave 5 additional birds for the breeding network. On the other hand the Zoo made substantial financial support (35.000 €) for the genetic studies and the monitoring of the owls in Austria.

In total 9 WAZA zoos and additional breeding centers as Vienna breeding unit have sent birds for the projects.

© Helmut Mägdefrau Ural owl.

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The Big C – A Discussion on the Allocation of Scarce Resources for Zoo and Aquarium Conservations Steve H. Taylor, Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

There is no question that zoos and aquariums around the world are all about conservation. But what exactly is meant by conservation in zoos and aquariums? Is it educating an endless number of adults and children about the plight of wildlife and encouraging them to do something about it? Is it breeding endangered species in their collections, some of which can be released back into the wild? After all if we do not create sustainable animal collections in zoos and aquariums around world, we won’t even have zoos and aquariums. Is it “walking the walk and talking the talk” by creating the greenest institutions in the world with zero waste and a small carbon footprint? Is it conservation research?

The more we know about a species’ biology and behavior, the easier it will be to save them from extinction.

Or is it about raising and spending millions of dollars for worthwhile field conservation programs outside our walls? Isn’t this the only thing that will directly save wildlife and wild places?

In 2005, the Worlds Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) produce a 70-page booklet with nine chapters entitled, The Zoo and aquarium Conservation Strategy – Building a Future for Wildlife (WZACS). This paper looks at five of those areas that most directly affect the conservation of wildlife and I believe that these five combine to describe a zoo or aquariums total conservation effort.

Conservation education programs at zoos and aquariums should be designed to turn students and other guests into conservation activists.

Recent studies have verified that premises. In the publication, “Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter”, the authors state, “Visit to accredited zoos and aquariums prompt individuals to reconsider their role in environment problems and conservation action, and to see themselves and part of the solutions.” This is confirmed with data from various studies.

In talking about zoos and aquariums, Lees and Wilckens in 2009 stated “To fulfill the full suite of conservation roles required of them, these animal collections must be demographically robust, genetically representative of their wild counterparts and able to sustain these characteristics for the foreseeable future”. Unfortunately, they also realized that very few of the animals in zoo and aquarium collections are sustainable for even 0ne hundred years. Zoos throughout the world have been building facilities to increase collection sustainability, such as the turtle facility in Allwetterzoo in Munster, Germany and The National Elephant Center in Florida, USA. If our animal collections are not sustainable, zoos will just be the largest collection of artificial rocks in the universe!

At all recent meetings of WAZA, the role of zoos and aquariums in environmental sustainability has been a major topic. As Harvard professor E. O. Wilson stated, “At the current levels of consumption of natural resources humanity needs three earth‑sized planets to survive.”

While Wildlife Conservation Society (New York), The Zoological Society of London, Zoo Frankfurt have historically had large commitments to field conservation, it has only been relatively recently that all modern zoos and aquariums have dedicated funds towards these projects. WAZA database now shows 905 field conservation projects and AZA zoos and aquariums spend $134 million a year on 4,000 field conservation projects in more than 100 countries. These numbers are growing every year. It has been estimated that zoos and aquariums worldwide fund $350 million in field conservation programs in the wild.

The WZACS states, zoos and aquariums should be seen “as serious, respected scientific institutions that make significant contributions and sound scientific decisions for wildlife worldwide”. As with field conservation only a few of the largest zoos had research departments in the past, but now most larger zoos contribute greatly to scientific knowledge concerning wildlife.

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The challenge a zoo and/or aquarium director has is to allocate funding for these activities while operating a business at the same time. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo/Cleveland Zoological Society has an annual operating budget of approximately $25 million US. Of that amount $17.7 million (74%) is spent on administration, fund‑raising, marketing, utilities, guest services and basic animal care. That leaves $6.3 million (26%) for Conservation. This amount could be divided as such: $500,000 for field conservation, $2.1 million for education, $3.3 for collection sustainability (50% of animal care budget), $100,000 for green practices and $300,000 for conservation research.

What about conservation and the “mega zoo exhibits” that are popular in every region of the world.

Examples would include Leipzig’s Gondwanaland, Zurich’s Madagascar exhibit, Hannover’s polar bear exhibit and Denver’s new Toyota Elephant Passage. Some would criticize this expense saying that these funds would be better spent on field conservation. However, in every case those funds were not available for field conservation, only for local development. In addition, one can make a good argument that these new large exhibits do much for conservation.

The new $25 million African Elephant Crossing exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is contributing to the Zoo’s conservation efforts if one measures the expense in the following manner. Of the $25 million, $5 million is for conservation education, $200,000 was raised for field conservation, $6 million to increase the herd size of African elephants at the Zoo, thus increasing collection sustainability, $1.5 million spend on green practices (LEED building) and some money spent on associated conservation research programs for a total of 12.7 million (50%) on Conservation.

So how can zoos and aquariums do it all and fund all facets of a total Conservation program. First, it is important that all five areas of zoo and aquarium conservation are integrated. Again, in the case of the African Elephant Crossing, learning about conservation of African wildlife is a major focus of the Zoo’s guest experience. In fact, this exhibit won the top education award by AZA in 2012. This exhibit teaches guests about human/wildlife conflicts and the creation of wildlife corridors. This project is a LEED’s certified as a green building for its construction. During the fund‑raising campaign, the Cleveland Zoological Society raised over $200,000 to support African elephant projects in Tanzania and Botswana. The project increased the Zoo’s capability of breeding African elephant thus improving collection sustainability of African elephants in this region. In addition, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo gives financial support to The National Elephant Center in Florida. And finally, the exhibit has increased opportunities for the Zoo’s researchers to do conservation research on this species. All these activities are documented in the Zoo’s Conservation Report which can be found on the Cleveland Zoological Society’s website (http://issuu.com/ clevelandzoosociety). Many zoos do an even better job of integrating their total conservation efforts. The St. Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute is one such example.

To provide addition funding, there are opportunities to increase funds by letting many education programs pay for themselves and more. Many sleepover programs at zoos and aquariums do just that. Animal interaction programs, such as giraffe and lorikeet feedings, are other examples of ways education can help pay for itself. At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, we have been successful in increasing corporate support for the Zoo’s conservation education programs by explaining to local corporations that the Zoo’s programs are a fun way to teach inquiry‑based science. These skills are important to corporations hoping to get well‑trained young employees with skills necessary for their corporations.

Increasing sustainability of our animal collections is a major challenge to all zoos and aquariums around the world.

Zoos and aquariums must, in certain cases, get help for the private sector, must expand the capacity (space), must expand planning expertise (staff and volunteers), must have more global cooperation (GSMPS) and need to consider increasing the use of management euthanasia. There are many examples of this occurring around the world. While I have mentioned, The National Elephant Center, there are now plans by the Turtle Survival Alliance to create a facility in South Carolina (USA) to raise certain endangered Asian turtles and Madagascan tortoises. In addition, there are several large acreage facilities in North America, African and Australia that have increased capacity to breed large hoof animals and carnivores.

42 Environmental sustainability, in many cases, can pay for itself over time.

Aside from that, it’s just the right thing to do. Most major zoos and aquariums are completely dedicated to recycling just about everything from paper to cell phones. Many institutions have programs that compost much of their waste and use it on their grounds or sell it to the public. The Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit in Denver, Colorado (USA) has a Biomass Gasification System that will turn trash and animal waste into energy (90% of the zoo’s waste make enough energy to power that new exhibit).

Zoos and aquariums around the world are finding new ways to fund field conservation programs when donor funds are not enough. Some zoos use carousel ride income to fund field conservation. Several zoos in the United States add a small fee to admissions and memberships to fund field conservation programs ( “Quarters for Conservation”).

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

And finally, the funding of conserAuthor Kurt Vonnegut once said, vation research is probably best “We could have saved the earth, but achieved through innovative partwe were just too damned cheap”! nerships. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Let’s not let that happen. partners with The Ohio State University in funding a full‑time Epidemiolo- This paper was a result of a panel gist position. Leipzig Zoo partners discussion at the September 2012 with the Max Planck Institute for annual meeting of AZA. Participants Evolutionary Anthropology on chimp included Steve Burns, Director, Zoo research at their zoo.

Boise, Doug Piekarz, VP of Planning and Conservation Programs, As an optimist, I believe zoos and Akron Zoo, Kathy Wagner, Consultaquariums are going in the right ant, Dr. Pam Dennis, Epidemiologist, direction in creating a diverse apCleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Bruce proach to the conservation of wildlife. Bohmke, COO, Woodland Park Zoo, While much of our funding does go to Seattle, Washington. operations (keeping people coming and having a good time), much goes towards Conservation. But we must constantly look for revenue sources to continue zoo and aquarium conservation.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Conservation of Swedish Amphibians – A Success Story?

Lena M Lindén, CEO and founder of Foundation Nordens Ark, Sweden

Three species of amphibians were on the edge to disappear from Sweden.

They have though been saved due to contribution from a group of committed people from authorities, NGO’s, universities and Nordens Ark The amphibians in Sweden have had a far more positive development compared to other threatened species in Sweden. One reason for that is probably because we have focused on a range of conservation actions as captive breeding at the same time as we have restored suitable and healthy environment for each species.

So far we also have been exempt from the fungus as a major problem in Sweden. Globally is though the situation still very troublesome.

The amphibians crises has been discussed for decades but it was not until the publishing of “The Global Amphibian Assessment” 2004 as scientists in general got aware of how serious the situation for amphibians had become.

As a result of this awareness “Amphibian Conservation Summit “was arranged to find a way to understand, stop and turn the negative trend around.

The outcome from the Summit was the action plan which still is the leading star for everybody involved in conservation of amphibians – ACAP – Amphibian Conservation Action Plan”.

This extremely important document emphasize the work in situ, but also ex situ, to secure an assurance population of the most critical endangered species.

The very same year the AArk was launched to coordinate the ex – situ work done mainly by zoos to create assurance populations with high biosecurity wherever it was possible.

In Sweden the Swedish Species Information Centre has done a “red list index” to find out the development and outcome from conservation activities.

They have understood that amphibians in Sweden have done far better than any other threatened species.

Why and how come? Amphibians are not on the top of mind for media or people in general so we had to decide to work in partnership with authorities and other NGO’s and solve the crises.

First of all we had to find out the reason to the declining number of several species of amphibians. How the threat has developed. And the historical reason is of course the draining of lakes and wetlands to get more agriculture and forest land. So between 1950 and 1980 decreased all major populations of amphibians.

Amphibians prefer a mosaik of small wind sheltered biotops with sun and water.

Amphibians do not like large scale productive landscape, polluted and nutritious surface water and they literally hate roads.

So we had to act as a real scientific minded Ark by measuring and restore the environment and at the same time work with captive breeding to have a secure population when the environment was restored.

Where the frogs chose to cross the road – we had to build frog tunnels for them!

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© Claes Andrén Swedish amphibians-frog tunnel.

What have we achieved through all this effort?

One extinct species is now reintroduced and removed from the red list.

Two former critical endangered species now have viable populations established and are removed from the red‑list. And finally four endangered species have stronger populations.

The species that still are on the red list are connected to modern land use and surplus nutrition.

The winners in the tough competition of attention is the Fire‑ bellied toad. It was extinct in 1960 – today there are about 20 000 individuals in the wild.

One reason is the restoring of breeding ponds in the South of Sweden.

They have got several new ponds so the future for the fire‑ bellied toad looks quite good And we have the same bright horizon for Spade Foot Toad. The population is quite strong with 7000 individuals.

And the reason for that achievement is all new ponds dig in an area with a lot of sand.

The real success story is the development of the European Tree Frog with the fantastic number of 40 000 individuals from being very close to be extinct.

Nordens Ark is still struggling with breeding and reintroduction of the Green Toad. We have not been so successful yet but we are working hard and have hope we will be able to build up a sustainable population in their natural environment within a few years.

And we are preparing their arrival to former breeding area by digging several new ponds.

To get some attention to the amphibian crises you have to play on the common peoples’ ground so we arrange “European song contest for frogs” every second year. It is launched a week before the real thing in television and we got a huge media interest and I am proud to say the song of the fire‑bellied toad in the south of Sweden have won the first prize two years in a row but this year the German frogs won the first prize.

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Zoos FIGHTING extinction & Zoos FACILITATING extinction Sally R. Walker, Founder/Director, Zoo Outreach Organisation & Chair, South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation SAZARC

What do we mean by zoos facilitating extinction?

Although nobody really knows the exact number of zoos, estimates range from 8,000-15,000 or (more Bad zoos and their ways actually con- reasonably) 9,000 zoos globally. tribute to the extinction or at least There are about 1000 recognized the wastage of wildlife. They do so or otherwise respectable zoos and through about 9,000 other zoos. Other zoos is a term which refers to substandard • Poor animal welfare, inadequate zoos that are not associated with any veterinary care, inadequate and recognized zoo association. Within poor nutrition leads to high death the 1000 recognized zoos there are rates a few hundred that would not pass • Poor to zero population managethe good zoo test. They are included ment leads to unscrupulous disposi- in the good zoo list because they are tion of surplus linked with countries that have zoo • Uncontrolled visitor behavior – plas- associations, and therefore listed, but tic bags, inappropriate food, teasing, are not necessarily up to good zoo throwing rocks, deliberately giving standards. Because they are linked toxic items (cigarettes, plastic with zoo associations, however, there items), etc. are chances they will improve.

• Inappropriate and dangerous animal shows stressing animals and If we do not act on this problem … putting public at risk consider what is at stake • Wrong messages generating incorrect image of zoos generally 1. The welfare of the animals suf• Dependence on animal dealers, fering and dying in dysfunctional trappers or others including wild zoos catch 2. the welfare of the animals that will • Wild catch leads to depletion of be caught to replace those that wildlife and disturbed habitats die in dysfunctional zoos and the • Etc. 3. obvious conservation issues accompanying the scenario of These actions not only hurt animals. dysfunctional zoos holding threatBad zoos with all their careless, corened species\ rupt and cunning ways give all zoos a bad name. Bad zoos give ALL zoos a bad name.

WAZA, their members and other organisations have tried to improve bad zoos but the rate of improvement is too slow, too costly, too time‑consuming and too unpredictable. Zoos, whether public, private, governmental, or non‑governmental, should be regulated by government.

Government itself knows little about zoo management so good zoos should provide help to governments of countries without zoo legislation and with a significant number of dysfunctional zoos.

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Other considerations

• Zoo legislation can bring significant We are targeting countries that benefits to large numbers of powerless animals in dysfunctional zoo.

• need zoo legislation but do not have • Zoo legislation can be written it… but there are other considerato cover all the zoos in a country tions, e.g., including the vague Animal facili• countries that have it but do not ties, rescue centers, roadside zoos, implement it and animal shows, as well as zoos can be • countries that have useless zoo covered. legislation…

• Working to establish zoo legislation in a country can result in improveCountries that have successful zoo ments to all the zoos of that country legislation, such as Great Britain, for the same investment of time, Australia, India, etc., can provide their money and energy as one or two. legislation and experience as models • Promoting and assisting local auand people to advise. thorities with zoo legislation should be seriously considered as a project by zoos that have a presence in developing countries.

Approaching government agencies There are many ways to approach government agencies. Many will be grateful for your interest, as they might have been facing difficult criticism.

Zoo personnel conducting in situ projects in countries with needy zoos would be very effective. Visiting zoo personnel can approach the relevant government agencies and get a hearing … build a relationship.

Zoo specialists are not viewed as a threat … they are welcomed as colleagues unlike fanatical animal rights or animal welfare advocates. A zoo specialist can introduce the idea of zoo legislation and provide successful examples. They can plant a seed.

Working with government is not that difficult And remember what is at stake if you don’t act…

• welfare of animals suffering and dying in dysfunctional zoos • welfare of animals that will be caught to replace those that die • conservation issues with dysfunctional zoos holding threatened species

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Facts and Figures from The Granby Zoo: Increasing Revenues as a Major Player in Social Economy Joanne Lalumière, Executive Director, Granby Zoo, Quebec, Canada Abstract In Prague, there were requests for facts and figures on making money.

Since 2004, Granby Zoo has managed to obtain $38 M CDN in government grants to improve animal exhibits and overall services.

Revenues increased significantly enabling the zoo to increase the number of keepers and educators and support conservation and research projects. The presentation will provide tips on securing grants and increasing revenues. Positioning the zoo as a major player in social economy was a key factor with many advantages.

What Is Social Economy?

Main Characteristics Social economy is considered one of the three main economic sectors, the private and public sectors being the two other ones. Organizations evolving in social economy distinguish themselves by being mainly mission driven with missions usually based on human, social, environmental, educational or health related activities. However such activities do carry economic components and can play a significant role in the economy of a region.

Key Arguments for Government Grants at the Granby Zoo and A New Master Plan In Granby, the zoo plays an important role in the economy of the region with an estimated $27 M in direct and indirect economic spinoffs in 2004.

This was a driving factor, along with its important conservation and educational mission, in generating $31 M in government grants that allowed a complete new master plan for all of the zoo site and a significant portion of a large modernization project that was a must in order to keep up the economic, conservation and educational roles of the zoo with a particular objective to increase the economic spinoffs.

From 2004 to 2007, the zoo invested $42.9 M CDN to complete approximately 60% of the master plan of which $11.9 M CDN came from the zoo’s own funds with the support of its financial partner. From 2009 to 2012, the successes in attendance and annual surpluses triggered new government grants totalling $7.7 M CDN. Investments at the Zoo now total more than $61 M CDN. The economic spinoffs are now estimated at more than $50 M yearly in the region and it is estimated that the fiscal returns to the governments linked to this economic activity have enabled them to earn back their investment within a scope of 4 to 5 years.

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Financial Results in Facts and Figures Financial Evolution and 2011 Financial Results The financial evolution of the Granby Zoo’s various economic parameters provided more than conclusive information on the real impact of the modernization. Here are a few figures that speak for themselves on the evolution between 2004 (beginning of the investments) to 2011: • 83.8% increase in revenues • 74.9% increase in expenses • 129.4% increase in surpluses before amortization • 174.5% increase in net surpluses

Per capita Revenue 2.7% increase in 2011 over 2010 and 50 % since 2002

Attendance Seasons 2002 to 2011 (summer/fall)

Based on such results it is easy to understand the importance of the Zoo’s contribution to the region’s economy!

The year 2011 was a record breaking one with overall revenues of $22 M CDN and a $4.5 M CDN actual surplus before amortization. Such results now enable the Zoo to look at the future with more optimism and consider a medium to long term investment plan that will ensure ongoing novelties for the visitor and continuous growth for the organization.

Attendance in 2011 As mentioned earlier, 2011 was also a record breaking year for both seasonal and overall yearly attendance. The summer / fall season, which accounts for 118 days of operations welcomed 614,875 visitors, a 6,3% increase over 2010’s 578,326 visitors and a first above the 600 000 figure. By adding the attendance of the winter season and the school programs’ attendance, the yearly attendance missed the 665,000 figure by a few visitors only, “du jamais vu” at the Zoo. A brand new aquarium, a powerful marketing strategy and great weather are considered the main success factors of such a success.

Average of last 5 years = 572,000 visitors

Average of last 10 years = 545,000 visitors

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October 2012 | Melbourne

Conservation Consequences in Facts and Figures

More Staff For The Mission

The following tables will show the importance of sound financial results on our mission related activities. The Zoo was able to hire much more staff in all of its key areas linked to animal care, enrichment, education and conservation as well as in‑situ conservation and research activities. The Zoo was able to showcase the importance of all its mission related activities to the Board members, none of which had any background linked to the Zoo’s activities, to the point where the Board saw the importance of bringing such expertise within its rank. Since April 2012, a retired accredited zoo expert now sits on the Board and will be responsible of a new Board committee dedicated to Research and Conservation. This was more than welcomed by all the zoo staff and is seen as a very important step towards an increasing role of the Granby Zoo in both conservation and research. The educational outreach was also greatly improved with more staff, a new Zoomobile and new programs such as the addition of summer day camps.

Veterinary technicians Veterinary interns Life support technicians Animal Care Management Educators Education students Conservation and Education Management Total

TITLES Keepers

2004 2011 21 regular 32 regular 7 seasonal 8 seasonal 1 vet. technician 2 vet. technicians None 3 every year None 2 life support technicians 3 persons 9 persons 5 full-time educators 8 full-time educators 14 education students 20 education students 1 management position 3 management positions 52 persons 84 persons

More Resources For Research And Conservation TITLES Support for in-situ projects and organisations Dedicated research person Academic partners Nb. of research projects

2004 $4 500 None 1 university 4

2011 $31 000 1 person 5 universities 14

VARIATION 688% 100% 500% 350%

Greater Educational Outreach Title Summer Day Camps Night at the Zoo Adopt an Animal Program

2004 None None $9,000 Approx. 100 parents

2011 9 weeks with 2 groups per week 28 nights $21,600 Approx. 100 parents

Variation $80,000 $79,000 240% Parents give more money

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Some Best Practices

Revenue Strategies

Among the best practices that underlie such results, there were a few strategies that paid off. The initial strategies were mostly to improve the financial results. The deep feeling is that with no money, there is no mission possible! Among the main strategies, there was high retention on the site in order to increase both the attendance and visitor spending on the site. With the investments in modernizing the site, it was then possible to develop high quality products and improve both services and visitor experiences.

Revenue strategies were reviewed and modernized in many aspects and in all possible areas.

High Retention Strategy The high retention strategy started in 1999 with the addition of a water park: the average yearly attendance jumped from 375,000 to over 500,000 visitors, a great boost for the zoo revenues but the site was aging and significant investments were still required to improve animal enclosures and night and winter quarters as well as many guest services facilities. Underground infrastructures also had to be completely redone after 50 years of existence.

Since 2004, over 60 million dollars have been invested to modernize the zoo. This enabled the addition of a winter season in 2007 and an aquarium in 2011 bringing the yearly attendance over 660 000 visitors.

Now, a typical day at the Zoo for our visitors goes as follows: • From 10 am to 2 pm: visit through the zoo • From 2 pm to 4 pm: fun at the water park • From 4 pm to 6 pm: back to the zoo • From 6 pm to 7 pm: finishing the day at the rides With the current diverse offer, the one‑day visit can now move on to a 2-day experience by promoting 4 activities at 1 destination. Here again, the figures talk as the sale of 2-day passes has increased since inception in 2005 from 7,000 to 30,000 passes.

• Admission and amenities Pricing strategies were reviewed.

More lockers and a wider variety of strollers were offered.

• Food Services Many aspects were reviewed such as the variety and the quality of the food. Some novelties were introduced such as a souvenir cup program. A greater attention was paid to facing and theming including active menu screens. Mobile food carts brought the offer closer to the visitors.

• Retail In the retail sector, aspects such as location, presentation and merchandising were reviewed. Novelties and a greater variety of products were introduced such as candy, balloons, jewelry, etc. Demand brought the addition of branded items as well as licensed products.

Portable kiosks were added for high attendance days. Results were astonishing with 30% sales increases in the last 2 years.

• Pricing Strategies Among the pricing strategies, annual passes were introduced with discounts on rides, retail and food.

Family deals became more flexible to deal with the new reality of reconstituted families. As mentioned earlier, the 2-day pass was also added. The daily ticket was cut by 50% after 4 pm or it could be upgraded for 2-day ticket. Finally, combos with other attractions were used in some of the marketing strategies.

• Paid Attractions or Experiences Additional paid attractions or experiences were also available for those who could afford to add a little extra to their visit. In this regard, we can mention the following: • Mechanical rides and monorail • Skill games • Video arcades or coin operated machines • Animal rides • Feeding the rays or animals at the mini‑farm • New technology based experiences (6 XD experience) • Cabanas at the waterpark • Corporate sales and catering • By modernizing the site, corporate sales and catering became possible providing interesting new revenue sources. Space rental and banquet services for parties and weddings, business meetings and professional team building activities as well as special events. These new activities have generated close to 1 million dollars in 2012.

• New Products A whole series of new products were also offered to our visitors and to the public in general. All the new buildings and facilities were planned with the intention of opening the zoo in peak periods of the winter season. Three additional week‑ends were added in October with investments in Halloween decorations.

Spending the night at the zoo in small huts is becoming an increasingly popular feature during the summer. And a special Valentine’s Day experience was also offered in recent years. VIP visits with a guide also prove to be quite popular. The Zoo also acquired a neighbouring Bed and Breakfast and offers special family oriented accommodations with zoo themed rooms and suites which are about sold out in July and August.

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It’s All AboutExperiences

Conclusion: The Positive Spiral

Sponsorships

Good Advertizing

The popularity of the zoo and the quality of the visitor experience has drawn increasing interest from sponsors. In 2011, a record high was reached with over $720,000 in sponsorships a 24% increase over 2010 and 342% over 2003. This is only possible with a great product, an excellent service and a good return in visibility for the sponsor’s investment.

Good advertising is also fundamental in capturing visitors’ attention and bringing a visit at the zoo as a top of mind experience and family outing. Competition to attract families’ leisure money is more and more ferocious and it is imperative to highlight the high quality experience of a visit at the zoo.

Less Pressure on Admission Revenues Adding new revenue sources reduces the pressure on the admission revenues which are highly influenced by the weather factor over which control is difficult.

In conclusion, one must acknowledge that: “Money attracts money”! This is what we could call the positive spiral where: • Quality experiences draw people and media attention • More people and more media attention mean more revenues • More revenues mean more capacity to deliver our mission of conservation and education • More conservation and education impact positively reputation and notoriety • Good reputation attracts people and… money!

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Conservation Efforts for the Endangered Ozark Hellbender Jeff Ettling, Curator of Herpetology & Aquatics and Director, Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation, Saint Louis Zoo | Presented by Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo

Hellbenders are large aquatic salamanders that can reach lengths of 50.8 cm. There are two subspecies of hellbender: the Eastern hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis allegan‑ iensis which has a distribution from southern New York state south to Georgia and west to Missouri and the Ozark hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi which only occurs in the Ozark highlands of south central Missouri and adjacent north central Arkansas. Missouri is the only place in the United States where both subspecies occur. The closest relatives of the hellbender are the Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus and the Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus (Johnson 2000).

Hellbenders live in cool, clear fast‑moving streams. They are perfectly adapted for a fully aquatic existence with a dorsal ventrally flattened body and rudder‑like tail. The conspicuous folds of skin on the sides of body and legs are used to absorb dissolved oxygen from the water.

While they do have lungs, they are small and primarily used to help with buoyancy. They are nocturnal and spend the daylight hours under large rocks on the river bottom. Crayfish make up about 90% of the diet, but they will also eat fish and aquatic invertebrates (Johnson 2000).

Hellbender populations in Missouri have dropped by more than 70% over the past 40 years with a prominent shift in the age structure with reduced or absent younger age classes and a prevalence of larger adult specimens (Trauth et al. 1992, Wheeler et al. 2003). While it has been hard to pinpoint a single cause of the population decline, it appears to be a combination of factors including habitat degradation, disease, degraded water quality, over‑collection, and predation by introduced fish. As a result of this decline the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) listed both the Eastern and Ozark hellbenders as critically imperiled and state endangered in 2003. In 2011 the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Ozark hellbender as federally endangered (USFWS 2011).

While the carrying capacity of Ozark streams has been estimated at 11,000 specimens, current estimates of Ozark hellbenders remaining in Missouri is only 590 individuals. The results of a Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) indicate that over the next 75 years Ozark hellbenders run a high risk of extinction (>96%) unless populations can be bolstered (Briggler et al. 2007). To ensure the long‑term survival and recovery of the Ozark hellbender the Ozark Hellbender Working Group (OHWG), which is composed of State and Federal agencies, universities, zoos, non‑governmental agencies and interested individuals, developed a comprehensive conservation strategy for the subspecies in Arkansas and Missouri (Briggler et al. 2010).

Included in this plan is an extensive section on captive propagation, augmentation and reintroduction. It was determined that captive propagation and head‑starting were required to ensure the long‑term recovery of the Ozark hellbender.

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A captive propagation and head‑start program for the Ozark hellbender was initiated by the Saint Louis Zoo (STLZ) and MDC in 2002 (Briggler et al. 2011). The program was designed to provide stock for increasing wild population sizes through augmentation and if necessary reintroduction. While recruitment is low, some egg clutches have been discovered annually in recent years. Portions of these clutches have been brought to the zoo for head‑start and future release. The larger goal was to provide juveniles for release through captive reproduction, a feat that had never been achieved by any institution before. To help reach the goals of the program STLZ constructed three environmentally‑controlled rooms, an indoor stream (9.7 x 1.7 x 0.6 m) two outdoor streams (11.3 x 1.5 x 1.4 m and 11.7 x 1.8 x 1.4 m) and dedicated three full‑time keeper staff to this conservation propagation program.

To date STLZ has breeding stock from three Missouri Ozark rivers: the North Fork of the White River (n=8; 5 males; 3 females), Eleven Point River (n=8; 5 males; 3 females), and Current River (n=8; 4 males, 4 females). The breeding season for the Ozark hellbender in Missouri is mid‑September through mid‑November (Nickerson and Mays 1973). Seasonal changes in photoperiod, water temperature, and precipitation patterns are thought to trigger breeding activity. Water quality was intensively monitored to ensure animal health and sperm production. Artificial nest boxes were placed in raceways to provide cover and nesting habitat which can be easily accessed for observation and egg collection (Briggler and Ackerson 2012).

Every year since 2007 the female hellbenders at the Zoo have laid eggs, but they weren’t being fertilized by the males. On October 18, 2011 the Zoo discovered two clutches of eggs from its Eleven Point River population, which was the world’s first captive reproduction of the species. The key change which is believed to have resulted in successful reproduction was the addition of nest boxes and adjustments to the ion concentration and conductivity of the water. Between September 22 and October 1, 2012 eight female Ozark Hellbenders laid eggs in artificial nest boxes provided in their simulated stream habitats. All three populations of Ozark Hellbenders maintained at the Zoo produced eggs: Current River – 3 clutches; North Fork of the White River – 3 clutches and Eleven Point River – 2 clutches. Approximately 2,809 fertile eggs resulted from all eight cluthces.

The significance of this second reproductive event was that all three river populations of Ozark Hellbender reproduced including the North Fork of the White River population which has been maintained indoors for the past eight years.

The STLZ has been head‑starting hellbenders for release back into their native habitat since 2002. The first release of captive raised hellbenders occurred in 2008 in the North Fork of the White River. Thirty six juvenile Ozark hellbenders that had been hatched from eggs collected in 2002 and raised at the STLZ were released at two locations with varying rock composition. Over the next year to year and a half these individuals were tracked using radio telemetry to determine the feasibility of head‑starting juvenile hellbenders. The results of the study demonstrated that these captive‑reared hellbenders had high survivorship (75% and 48%), had established home ranges, were growing and demonstrating reproductive cycling at the same time as the wild population (Bodinof 2010). The success of this first release indicates that augmenting wild populations with captive, head‑started animals can be successful and that they can survive in the wild (Briggler et al. 2011).

Literature Cited • Bodinof, C. M. 2010. Translocation and conservation of hellbenders (Cryptobran‑ chus alleganiensis) in Missouri. M. S. Thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia.pp. 169.

• Briggler, J. T. and J. R. Ackerson. 2012.

Construction and use of artificial shelters to supplement habitat for hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). Herpetological Review.

• Briggler, J. T., T. Crabill, K. J. Irwin, C. Davidson, J. Utrup, and A. Salveter (editors). 2010.

Hellbender Conservation Strategy: An action plan for the recovery of the Ozark and Eastern Hellbender in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri and Arkansas. Ozark Hellbender Working Group, Jefferson City, Missouri.59 pp.

• Briggler, J., J. Utrup, C. Davidson, J. Humphries, J. Groves, T. Johnson, J. Ettling, M. Wanner, K. Traylor‑Holzer, D. Reed, V. Lindgren, O. Byers (eds.) 2007. Hellbender Population and Viability Assessment: Final Report. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley, MN. • Briggler, J., M. Wanner, and J. Civiello. 2011.

Hellbender propagation efforts. Missouri Department of Conservation Science Notes.

6 (5).

• Johnson, T. R. 2000. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. Pgs. 40-43.

• Nickerson, M. A. and C. E. Mays. 1973. The hellbenders: North American giant salamanders. Milwaukee Public Museum Publications in Biology and Geology 1: 1−106.

• Trauth, S. E., J. D. Wilhide, and P. Daniel.

1992. Status of the Ozark hellbender, Cryptobranchus bishopi, (Urodela: Cryptobranchidae), in the Spring River, Fulton County, Arkansas. Proceedings of the Arkansas Academy of Science 46: 83−86.

• [USFWS] U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

2011. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; endangered status for the Ozark Hellbender Salamander. Federal Register 76: 61956.

• Wheeler, B. A., E. Prosen, A. Mathis, and R. F. Wilkinson. 2003. Population declines of a long−lived salamander: a 20+ year study of hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis.

Biological Conservation 109: 151−156.

54

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Managing Toucans and Flamingos at the Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil Yara Barros, Zoological Director, Parque das Aves

Parque das Aves manages eight species of Ramphastidae, and had breeding success with 5 of them. Pairs are formed using a flocking management and couples are kept on separated facilities, to prevent intra‑specific aggression. Natural trunks are preferred, although toucans accept almost any cavity. A camera monitoring system allows a noninvasive monitoring and record of the parents’ behaviour and nestlings’ development. We have had both hand and parent reared chicks.

Toucans need lots of stimuli and accept many different environmental enrichment techniques. Regarding nutrition toucans can develop iron storage disease; therefore we developed a special diet that minimizes the problem.

Flamingo management at Parque das Aves is directed towards parent rearing, even when the eggs are artificially incubated. The facility holds Phoenicopterus ruber (43) and Phoe‑ nicopterus chilensis (10). Nests are built with sand, along a mirror wall, to create the illusion of a bigger flock.

Broken eggs are replaced by wooden ones which are incubated by the foster parents until they are exchanged for abandoned eggs from the incubator that are about to hatch. This management allows for an increase in the number of young that can be parent raised, which is better for nutrition, natural immunization and behaviour.

Introduction Parque das Aves is a private zoo in southeast Brazil, specializing in birds.

We hold around 1.000 animals from 140 species. We manage eight species of Ramphastidae, and so far we have had breeding sucess with five of them (toco toucan, red‑breasted toucan, spot‑billed aracari, chestnut‑eared aracari, saffron toucanet). Currently we have 96 Ramphastidae from 9 species in the park.

Husbandry To form pairs, the best strategy is to make a flock and let the birds choose their mates; once the pairs are established, they are kept in separate facilities to prevent intra‑specific aggression. We also have toucans in mixed species aviaries, but in this case sexes must be kept separate.

The aviary must allow the birds to fly, which is important for courtship behaviour, and have different types of vegetation to provide a variety of shelter and perching options, as toucans also use vertical perches.

We use both natural trunks and artificial boxes as nests, as toucans accept almost any cavity. For aracaris, nesting boxes are also used as roosting sites troughout the year.

The genus Ramphastos does not use nesting material, but we observed that when we put small wood pieces inside the cavity, the pair starts to remove this material and clean the cavity, which stimulates breeding activity. This resembles the behaviour in the wild, as they do not build their own nests and use cavities previously occupied by other species.

We prefer to allow the parents to incubate and raise the chicks, but in case it is not possible, we use artificial incubation and hand‑rearing. A camera monitoring system inside the nests allows non‑invasive monitoring and a record of the parents‘ behavior and nestlings‘ development. This tool is fundamental to evaluate the need for intervention.

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Generally, in the last 10 years, we have had the following results:

Nutrition

Enviromental Enrichment

Toucans are omnivorous birds, being Toucans are smart, active and curious primarily frugivorous and opportunbirds. Their acrobatic skills and existic faunivores. There is little inforplorative nature makes them specially mation available about the composireceptive to environmental enrichToco tion of their diet in the wild, but our ment devices, such as fruit kebabs, toucan observations suggest that the protein ice lollipops, paper boxes with food Red-breasted 2 2 (100%) toucan intake might be underestimated. Tak- inside, fake nests with quail eggs, and Spot-billed 4 3 (75%) ing this into account, we developed a corncobs. aracari homemade diet, which includes sevChestnut-eared 11 7 (64%) eral sources of animal protein, such aracari as chicken meat and `Ricotta´ cheese.

Saffron 2 2 (100%) Since toucans are prone to develop toucanet nutritional iron storage disease, care A higher breeding sucess was has to be taken that iron levels in the achieved with aracaris, as around diet do not reach high values. Provid70% of the chicks survive the first year, ing high protein and low iron levels in mostly parent raised. We also had a the same diet is a challenge. Our tousignificant sucess with Toco toucans, can food has 15% of protein, 3% of fat, with 14 young produced from 2 cou76% of carbohydrates, 4% of ash in a ples. Altough we have a high number dry matter basis, with 27ppm of iron. of chicks produced, their survival This protein level has proven itself to still represents a challenge, as many be adequate for the succesfull breed(79%) die during the first 5 weeks of ing of several species. The addition development. The main causes of of canthaxantin in the food provides death are impactation, cannibalism the birds pigments necessary to keep and yolk sac infections. The impaca colourful beak and plumage. This tation can be caused by either food might be important for their breedor plant material, as the response ing behaviour, with regards to mate of the parents to the begging calls selection. of the offspring is offering anything available that resembles food (this behaviour may be one of the causes of cannibalism as well). Therefore, besides the regular diet, it is important to provide them, as often as possible, plenty of live food (moths, crickets, mealworms), specially in the first hours in the morning. We use a incandescent lamp in the aviary during the night to attract insects that can be captured by the parents, and also as an enrichment activity.

Species

Number Number and of eggs (%) of chicks that survival over hatched a year 14 3 (21%)

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Panama’s Noah’s Ark Bob Chastain, Director, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

I think we could all agree these words are all very different especially when it comes to fighting extinction. And they certainly do not function in a straight line: knowledge – motivation – action Today I am going to spend my time on motivation, so let’s get started. I stand here today representing the hard work of the partners who make up the Panamanian Amphibian Rescue. But since I can not speak to what motivated them, I will tell my story of going from knowledge to motivation to action.

I have a saying on my door from the movie The Edge, it says “What one man can do, another man can do”.

Can you say that? My point to that is we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. The hardest part of the equation is deciding what we want to do; whether it is sending a man to the moon or saving frogs.

While it is hard to say exactly where my interest in saving amphibians really began, it could have been at an AZA conference where the director of the National Zoo got up and made an impassioned plea on behalf of frogs, or most likely it started on a trip with my staff somewhere in the middle of Wyoming.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had been breeding and releasing an endangered species of Wyoming toad for years and I decided to go see an introduction back into the wild for myself. It was there that I could not escape the question; is this all we are going to do for frogs around the world in the global amphibian crisis? I heard the call from the amphibian ark a couple of years before that if each zoo around the world would save just one species more we could make a huge impact on this crisis. I had heard the stories about the crisis and seen the papers on the crisis, but as we began to look for projects to save frogs, there did not seem to be many.

We have a saying at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; you can accomplish anything if you don’t care who gets the credit. While that might be true, I want to take a moment and give credit where credit is due. I have to thank the leadership at the Houston Zoo for being one of the only projects we could find back then. I remember being impressed with their work and I still am to this day.

I continued to hear about how many species were being lost and how many were threatened, endangered and data deficient. I had heard how this was far worse than what was happening around the world with both bird and mammal species combined.

So here we are in the middle of Wyoming when the decision to do something is made. When I returned to Colorado I picked up the phone and called the director of the National Zoo. I told him that I had heard him speak and asked if we are going to do anything to save amphibians or if we are just going to sit idly by. After talking, he told me about a project in Panama where they thought we could make a difference but we would be looking at starting a project from scratch with the help of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City. They had been looking at a project and trying to raise the funds. Within a few days we were their first partner to bring a commitment of $50,000 a year for 3 years to the table, plus some money for expeditions. Now let me put this in perspective for you; our entire field conservation program only gave away $7,000 a year up to that point.

So to go from $7000 a year to $57,000 a year was a big deal.

Here was the plan in a nut shell; the deadly Chytrid fungus was sweeping through Mexico to Costa Rica to Panama. The theory at the time was it may stop at the Panama Canal which is where we would start our work. Houston had started their work on the west side of the canal and we would focus on the east side of the canal, where whole ecosystems of frogs were still intact. At this same time we would work with researchers to study the fungus and see if it could be stopped using naturally occurring bacteria to fight it. In short order we had several other partners including the Houston Zoo ready to start work in Panama. Zoo New England and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo would supply the vets, Summit Zoo in Panama would supply a site for the rescue pods, The Smithsonian and National Zoo would supply project leader salaries and equipment and several of us including Africam Safari would supply operating cash. We got together and hired the in‑country expert on Panama’s amphibians, Dr. Roberto Ibanez. We scoured the species prioritization list and selected about 20 target species then geared up for a big job ahead. Before I knew it we were at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute checking out a vehicle and heading into the jungle with all our gear on horseback. After a grueling eight hour walk in the high mountain cloud forest, we arrived at the small research shelter in the middle of the jungle. While it was not luxurious, we did have a roof over our heads; well, at least some of us did, some of us had a floor over our heads.

Before long we were searching for frogs both during the day and night.

And we were finding frogs too, beautiful frogs like the Atelopus limosus.

Upon catching them, the frogs were

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bagged and notes were taken about when and where we found them.

After that, we began the tests to see if any of them had the Chytrid fungus; swabbing them per the developed protocol including the sides, legs and belly. As the days went on we gathered more information including measurements as well as labeling and categorizing all the amphibians we found. The work was long and cramped but rewarding.

Panama was the place where I learned and was told in no uncertain terms by Edgardo Griffith, the director of the El Valle project, that Houston had started a rule that a cooler or ice chest is a seat until it has frogs in it and then under no circumstance is it a seat after the first frog gets packed.

Remember our simple plan was to catch Chytrid before it crossed the Panama Canal? Even though we thought we had 3 to 5 years before the fungus reached this location, I had a bad feeling that we were too late. As a reminder, when Chytrid comes into an area it comes in like a storm. Here is a study that shows healthy frogs being found in a stream in western Panama and then in comes the fungus and the whole population begins to rapidly collapse.

Here is the other way to look at that.

Along this stream almost no dead frogs were found in 1998-2003 and then all of the sudden dead frogs are everywhere. It turns out that we did find that Chytrid was in the area a full 2 to 5 years before we expected it; it had indeed crossed the canal. We were the only project ready and on the ground to help protect frog species in protected breeding colonies as it swept through the area. We quickly turned around and mounted another expedition and then one more. You can see from these results that the average number of frogs from trip one to trip three went from 38 per day to 6.5 per day. We were literally watching species go extinct before our eyes.

Maybe no frog can illustrate this like the one I told you about before. For sake of ease, how about we don’t call it Atelopus limosus, the scientific name, but we call her yellow toes.

Yellow toes could only be found in this localized area and they were currently known only in this valley. They had proven to be disappearing so fast, at one point we only had one female in captivity in the whole world; her situation was bleak. Luckily, we had a few Mr. yellow toes to take care of the male side of the equation. While we were scrambling to get these species into an ark of sorts, our little project was gaining speed. We had fully united the western and eastern Panama projects into a Panamanian amphibian powerhouse. We had raised about $50,000 per partner plus $200,000 in other funding and leverage; all that for a $2 million National Science Foundation Grant. We had begun to breed and had success with other species while we searched from more yellow toes. The western center in El Valle had begun to have their own luck too.

We began to build a strong online presence with 50,000 visits to our web page. We also built a world‑class public relations program with 84 news stories and a feature documentary. The first cure experiments were being done where bacteria isolated from the skin of amphibians was being used to fight the fungus. Early results were showing promise where the bacteria was fighting off the fungus, but it did not prove to be long lasting enough and eventually the frogs that stayed in a Chytrid environment eventually died. We had created a strong volunteer program with over 70 international and local participants.

We outfitted four recue pods using old refrigerated shipping containers from the canal to breed these and future species of frogs. One of them is now outfitted to grow our own frog food in the form of crickets, meal worms and fruit flies.

So what is next for the project? We are moving the pods to the property owned by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, building lab and education space, securing the last of the Mrs. yellow toes, gearing up for more species, continuing the cure research and working toward the future release programs.

You can follow the progress on anphibianrescue.org.

I could not, in good faith, complete this program without mentioning all the work that Dr. Brian Gratwicke has done to make this project run. As a project leader and employee of the National Zoo, he has done much of the leg work needed to make this project successful. Without his help at least one species, if not more, would be on the verge of extinction today.

As I close I think about if this project is more about the frog families or my family. I had a niece named Clair with a brain tumor. I vividly remember a dream I had one night. I dreamt she came and told me she had a brain tumor. In the dream I remember being in shock. I remember her saying to me, Uncle Bob its okay. They found a cure and had isolated it from one of the frogs we had saved. She said to me, you have already done the work to save me. I still remember how relieved I felt, like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. While you all know this was just a dream and they have not found the cure for brain tumors, the day will come when they do or maybe diabetes, AIDS, or heart disease.

Frogs play an important part in our world both for medicine and beauty.

When our kids and our grandkids turn to us when we are old, they will either thank us for the work we have done or ask us why we did not do more.

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Conservation Medicine: An Approach to Fight the Extinction of All Species Sharon L Deem, Saint Louis Zoo, Institute for Conservation Medicine and Eric Miller, Saint Louis Zoo, Director WildCare Institute Abstract

Introduction

In 2011 the Saint Louis Zoo launched the Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM) to further the Zoo’s mission to conserve animals and their habitats. The ICM takes a holistic approach to research on wildlife, public health, and sustainable ecosystems to ensure healthy animals and healthy people. This research includes 1) studies on diseases of conservation concern; 2) health care for the sustainability of biodiversity; 3) zoo animals as sentinels of disease in urban environments; 4) disease surveillance at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans; 5) comparative medicine; and 6) the exploration of the diversity of life.

In this paper we describe the significance of these roles and provide concrete examples of zoos working in conservation medicine to show how this approach helps to fight the extinction of all species.

It is estimated that since 1970 global population sizes of wildlife species have decreased by 30% (World Wildlife Fund, 2010). If one looks at decline by animal taxa, the numbers threatened with extinction are 12% of birds, 21% of mammals, 32% of amphibians, and 27% of reef‑building corals (Marton‑Lèfevre, 2010). Even though the number of species endangered with extinction grows daily, outside the conservation community, little time, money, or energy has been directed towards the conservation of biodiversity. However, within the conservation community, accredited zoological institutions are now

As accredited zoos have become increasingly appreciated for their conservation initiatives, it has also become evident that the leadership role of zoos in species’ conservation was concurrent with advancements in health care that is important for population viability (e.g., fitness and reproductive success). Previously overlooked as instrumental in the role of zoos in the conservation of species, veterinary sciences are now seen as imperative for conservation efforts and the long‑term survival of populations both in zoo collections and for free‑living populations (Miller, 1992; Deem, 2007). In fact, one of the key reasons that zoos are successful fully recognized as organizations conservation organizations is related dedicated to the conservation of anito the veterinary care provided both mal species. (In this paper, the word animals in our collections, as well accredited will refer to the 218 zoos as field based health studies that accredited by the Association of improve conservation efforts and Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since the provide comparative health data authors are most familiar with AZA.) between free‑living and collection Unlike many of the other conservapopulations. Today, with the push tion organizations, zoos are the for AZA‑accredited zoos to dedicate “species people” and are dedicated to 3% of their revenue to conservathe long‑term conservation of wildlife tion (and other organizations making species. For example, of the 68 spesimilar commitments) the time is cies whose IUCN threat level was reright for these zoos to include conduced, 17 (25%) had captive breeding servation medicine initiatives in their at zoological institutions play a role in “toolbox” if we are to strive for the the threat level reductions (Conde et conservation of all species. al., 2011).

So what is conservation medicine?

This approach was first coined in the 1990s and may be defined as a trans‑disciplinary field that studies the relationship between human, animal, and ecosystem health to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including Homo sapiens (Koch, 1996; Deem et al., 2000; Aguirre et al., 2002). Although there are a number of definitions for conservation medicine the heart of the approach is

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the realization that the health of environments, and animals and people within, are intimately related and will require multiple disciplines to better understand and manage the conservation and disease challenges that impact each.

The Saint Louis Zoo launched the Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM) in 2011 to further advance our role in conservation medicine. The establishment of this new Institute at the Saint Louis Zoo was a natural progression that built on the decades of conservation medicine performed by zoo personnel both at the zoo and globally through the WildCare Institute and other zoo funded and/ or led global conservation and health projects. For example, the zoo has on‑going projects that include research and biomedical surveys of lemurs in Madagascar, avian health studies in the Galapagos Islands, and studies of Humboldt penguins in Punta San Juan, Peru. Since the start of the ICM, we have strengthened long held partnerships while building new ones with other health and / or conservation organizations as we develop the Midwest Consortium of Conservation Medicine. The mission of the ICM is to take a holistic approach to research on wildlife, public health, and sustainable ecosystems to ensure healthy animals and healthy people. In this paper we discuss the six conservation medicine roles identified by the ICM that accredited zoos should perform and that are essential for the conservation of the wildlife species, as well as Homo sapiens which are dependent on biodiversity for survival (Fig 1).

Studies on diseases of conservation concern Disease in wildlife species have now been documented to impact species’ survival with both population extirpations and even species extinctions (Harvell et al., 1999; Daszak et al., 2000; Pedersen et al., 2007; Palacios et al., 2011). Many of the infectious diseases that threaten the long‑term survival of wildlife species, including fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles, chytridiomycosis in amphibians, canine distemper in a number of carnivores, and Ebola virus in humans and animals (as reviewed in Daszak et al. 2000; Deem et al. 2001; Kuiken et al. 2005) are studied extensively by zoological health professionals. Disease‑related conservation challenges are not solely linked to infectious diseases as evident from the near extinction of three Gyps spp. in India associated with the use of an anti‑inflammatory in livestock (Oaks et al., 2004). Whether infectious or non‑infectious, these diseases can have impacts that occur on multiple scales, affecting individuals (fitness costs), populations (population size and connection), communities (changes in species composition), and ecosystems (structure, function, and resilience) (Deem et al. 2008). The epidemiology, pathology, and clinical implications of many of these significant disease challenges are studied extensively by zoo health professionals, both in situ and ex situ (for examples see Munson et al., 1999; Rideout et al., 2012).

Six roles of zoos in conservation medicine for the advancement of the conservation of all species (Fig 1)

Figure 1: Role of Zoos in Conservation Medicine

Health care for the sustainability of biodiversity Accomplishments by accredited zoos that have resulted in bringing species back from the brink of extinction were only possible through advances in veterinary care, including preventive and therapeutic medicine to minimize infectious and non‑infectious diseases. Similar to public health programs (e.g., vaccination and proper nutrition) that were instrumental for the human population to grow beyond 7 billion individuals, these veterinary health care methods are essential for species propagation. Now as wild spaces become less so and free‑living wildlife are often little more than species placed in “large zoos” these veterinary advancements, many of which are first developed with zoo collection animals, are being used for the long term survival of populations in the “wild” (Deem, 2007). Lastly, a number of reintroduction programs such as those for black‑footed ferrets, red wolves and freshwater mussels have resulted in species propagated at AZA accredited institutions to be placed back in the wild (www.aza. org/reintroduction‑programs/). These programs were successful only when health challenges were appropriately addressed within the reintroduction plans in conjunction with other important components.

60 Zoo animals as sentinels of disease in urban environments Often located in urban settings, zoos with diverse species collections may serve as sentinels of emerging diseases. The native and non‑native species housed at zoological collections vary in susceptibilities to pathogens.

The most recent and well‑known example of zoo animals serving as sentinels was the detection of West Nile Virus at a zoo in New York State, alerting human and animal health communities to the arrival of this vector‑borne pathogen to the New World (Lanciotti, 1999; Ludwig et al., 2002). The network of accredited zoological parks in America and Europe now have surveillance programs for zoonotic pathogens such as avian influenza, tuberculosis, and WNV, linking zoos and effectively covering continents (Travis et al., 2002; Chosy et al., 2007). Additionally, many zoos in North America have surveillance programs for urban wildlife on and near zoo grounds for zoonotic pathogens such as rabies virus and Bayliascaris procyonis. Lastly, with the sophisticated record keeping capabilities at these institutions along with the careful pathologic evaluations of deaths of zoo animals, the ability to better understand trends in potential non‑infectious health concerns shared by animals and humans (e.g., cancer and toxins) are also explored at zoological institutions. The pathology staff at many of these zoos have close ties with human medical facilities and thus allow for the sharing of comparative findings between the zoo animals and human patients presenting to the hospital (see also comparative medicine section).

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Disease surveillance at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans

Exploration of the diversity of life

In biodiversity conservation much emphasis is given to the long term surIn 2001, it was estimated that bevival of vertebrate species with lesser tween all the zoos accredited by AZA emphasis on invertebrate conservaand World Association of Zoos and tion, and even less on the conservation Aquariums (WAZA) there were apof micro‑organisms. However, species proximately 1,100 field based projects are metagenomic in that they are in 80 countries, with a combined composed of their own gene compleeffort that allows for a reach of wild ments and those of all their associated populations for disease surveillance microbes. Each species, in fact each around the globe (Dick and Gusset, individual is known to have unique 2010). These zoo‑funded and zoo‑led “microbiomes”. For example in one in situ conservation projects span the study of the bacterial 16S ribosomal globe, occurring in both biodiversity RNA gene sequences from a variety and pandemic pathogen hotpots of zoological animals it was demon(Deem et al., 2011). The often long strated that host diet and phylogeny term commitments to field conboth influence bacterial diversity (Ley servation and research from these et al., 2008). Accredited zoos with their programs allows zoo staff to perform collections of diverse species and their health surveillance studies on species outreach across the globe in which of conservation interest and sympathey lead studies on free‑living wildlife tric species. These studies invariably populations can and must contribute also have a human health component to the exploration of the diversity of as many of the pathogens of interest life at the microbial level. When we are zoonotic and may spillover from lose one vertebrate species to extincwild populations to domestic animals tion we must also realize the great loss and / or humans which share the in microbial biodiversity. habitat (Bronson et al., 2008; Deem et al., 2004; Junge et al., 2011).

Comparative medicine Comparative medicine is a long established field within both the veterinary and medical professions which is based on comparison and contrasts of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of diseases between humans and other species.

For example, advances in human medicine are largely due to comparative studies using animal models.

Today there is growing application of human studies that help with our understanding of diseases of animals (e.g., cancers, arthritis) and the use of sentinel animals and humans for the health of the other (Rabinowitz and Conti, 2010). The role zoos play in the field of comparative medicine has been underutilized. However, zoos and the animals for which they care are now largely included in comparative medicine studies concurrent with advances in veterinary services that are provided to the diverse taxa of animals during recent decades (Natterson‑Horowitz and Bowers, 2012).

Conclusions: importance of conservation medicine practiced by zoo staff to help with the conservation of all species

In this paper we presented the six roles identified by the ICM of what accredited zoos can and must perform in the area of conservation medicine as they continue to serve as leaders in the conservation of wildlife species.

Throughout all these roles it must also be appreciated that our ability to serve as educators of conservation issues is one of the key roles of accredited zoos in today’s society.

Education of our visitors must move towards one that also embraces the conservation medicine approach and informs the public of the interconnected nature of the health of animals and humans in the context of continually changing ecosystems. In conclusion, this short article provides evidence and examples of the significant conservation medicine roles that accredited zoos have performed for decades and will continue to perform for many years to come.

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Sentinel disease signs and symptoms. In: Human‑Animal Medicine: Clinical Approaches to Zoonoses, Toxicants, and Other Shared Health Risks (Rabinowitz, P. M., and Conti, L. A., eds.). Saunders, Maryland Heights, Missouri. pp. 18-23.

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Temaikèn’s Natural Reserve in Misiones, Argentina: Join Us! Damian Pellandini, Fundación Temaikèn, Argentina

Good morning everyone! Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I was going to be giving a presentation to this audience.

I have a degree in Technology and later I did some training in business administration and management as well. So it is really amazing being in Australia and talking about field conservation.

But the reason why I am here is not to talk about my life but to present to you our Natural Resérve.

To begin with, Temaikèn Foundation (TMK) has a mission and it is “To protect Nature”. It is as simple to mention as difficult to run. It is easy to communicate, just three words and every person in our organization know it, but it is quite a challenge.

To achieve our mission we are based on 6 pillars.

Our zoo that is located in Escobar, 1hour drive from Buenos Aires. We receive nearly 900.000 visitors a year.

How many of you have ever been to TMK? We also have a breeding centre as you may see in this picture with wonderful premises.

A Natural reserve that is what brings me here today.

We have educational programs. Each year we receive 120.000 children.

We also work in conservation with projects of maned wolf, tapirs, the Parana pine ecosystem and research projects like stingrays or Magellanic penguins in Patagonia. I don’t want to extend on these but if you are interested to learn more about us I will be happy to meet with you during this week.

But what brings me here today is Osununú.

Osununú is a 170 ha reserve, located in a small town called San Ignacio, in the province of Misiones, in the north of Argentina, close to the Brazilian jungle better known as Atlantic forest.

In aborigine language, Osununu means noise of rivers and the story says that the noise was made from the logs falling from the cliff that you see in this picture and that is 80meters high. As you may imagine these logs where cut illegally and drop into the river.

Osununú was donated in 2005 by a private donor who had just inherited the land from his uncle together with the will to reserve it. When he knew that we were working on the preservation of the area he contacted us trusting us this land. After a couple of years and lots of paper work and documentation the governor of Misiones declared it a private reserve.

I’m sure many of you know this graph where Conservation International shows the hotspots all over the world, and as you can see, Misiones is one of them.

This was a short introduction but let me share with you what we do and which are our plans for the area.

In our reserve we work in three different lines: 1.

2.

3.

One related to research A second one regarding education And the third one called sustainable development

Research Regarding research we work or plan to work in different projects:

• A Survey detected two species of bats that gather and reproduce in one of our premises.

• Amphibians are also studied in our Resérve. We have found 15 species.

There are also some interesting speBut why Osununú? Difficult to procies of reptiles including (Oxyrhopus nounce, don’t you think? Even for us petola) that I believe its common in Spanish. name is false coralsnake, a rare species for this area.

This area has a high conservation • In Osununu we have 32 types of value. It is located in a particular orchids. Due to its ornamental value geological region, with fossil remains they are highly exposed to illegal which persist to this day in sandy soils extraction. We work in a research and only exist in this area. project of this specie (Vanilla chamissonis) Do you know that there are 19 exclu• Endemic and unique flora. As sive flora species which can only be I’ve previously said, this area hosts found in Argentina, 4 of which are 19 species that in Argentina you can endemic of Osununu? only find here, and 4 of them that are endemic.

These among others were the reasons • The grasslands are not well kept and why Osununú was declared a WAZA they shelter unique and endemic Conservation Project in 2009. species that are not being studied.

We are running alliances with the owners of these lands in order to study and preserve them.

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Learning and Training • We perform courses on biodiversity and natural areas for college students, among others.

• We are looking for volunteers, leaders and stakeholders committed to scientific activities in the field to participate in our projects.

• We are promoting partnerships with local and national institutions for the development of the research lines before mentioned.

Infrastructure

Last month, we had an amazing experience when kids from these communities (and from other parts of the country where we work in conservation) participated in our annual science fair. They were able to tell other children and our zoo visitors about their experiences and showed the project they developed in their areas. In addition, and because the fair lasted for two days, these kids slept in our aquarium, having a once in a lifetime experience.

• Here you can see the lodge we have for researchers. It has two bedrooms with private bathrooms and kitchen, very comfortable for hosting up to 8 people.

It was incredible to see the kids sense of belonging to the project.

Traveling to Buenos Aires (many of them visited the city for the first time) and sharing their experiences deepened each child’s commitment to the project.

Environmental Education

Sustainable Development

Interpretative Visits We have tested these visits with schools of the area and the experience was incredible, both for students and teachers. We are designing some signs and improving paths and viewpoints to make the visit more attractive. We hope the students experience the contact with nature as part of their academic training.

Training for Teachers Our plan is to focus the training in Osununu to help the teachers and local leaders become multipliers of the social and environmental plans in their community.

Projects for Community School We are working with the community, especially with kids so they become the ones who help us protect and value this place. We want to create in these kids the sense of belonging being ambassadors of the region so they respect, love and defend this area.

We work with local and provincial governments for the development and update of the Action Plan of the Teyu Cuare state park and the elaboration of an environmental plan for Osununu´s buffer zone.

Participative Workshops We have developed workshops which aim at participation of the community in planning and implementing actions related to the conservation of Osununu and its environment: development of tourism, environmental education programs and action plan of the area’s natural zones.

Alliances with Other Partners We have different agreements with local tourism operators with the objective of developing activities with visitors which are compatible with the conservation of the area. We also have an alliance with San Ignacio’s town council to work together in the urban planning and training.

This year we signed an agreement with Club del Rio, an institution that had tourism activities in the area but without controls. Since the signing of the agreement, they have committed to carrying out responsible tourism.

They have hired a park ranger and they will pResérve the natural areas, making good use of the areas with special conservation value. In addition, they have great facilities where they receive tourists, field trips for children and a meeting room that can be used as a training center.

Ecoturism Our goal is to get people to start changing their habits. We believe they have to appreciate the area´s natural beauty instead of extracting.

By doing this we will: • Give the community an alternative of development • Allow the expansion of protected areas • Stop the degradation in the natural areas surrounding the State Park To sum up all, you have been able to see what we are working on and what we can do. But we can’t achieve it alone. Our mission states: Protecting nature together. We invite you to join our project. We believe Osununú is a unique place, because of what it represents and what we can accomplish.

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Conserving Madagascar’s Biodiversity, Building Local Capacity and Raising Environmental Awareness of Youth: The cooperative work of zoos for Madagascar – The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group Alex Rübel, Zoo Zürich Switzerland and Eric Miller, St. Louis Zoo, USA

The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) was founded as an international consortium of zoos working in Madagascar to strengthen conservation influence and results. It was formed in 1988 after an international meeting attended by representatives of the Malagasy government, zoos, CBSG, the IUCN Primate Specialist Group and field biologists. The MFG’s conservation objectives and its authorization are established through a Protocol of Collaboration between the Malagasy Government and the MFG, which has been renewed several times.

MFG is celebrating its 25 year anniversary in 2013. In that time it has developed from working with little zoos with confiscated animals to an integrated conservation project.

The main parts of MFG today are the Ivoloina Zoo and Rescue Station, the Betampona National Reserve No 1, its wide environmental education and training program, its sustainable farming and reforestation training and implementation projects and conservation research.

Betampona National Reserve is an isolated small reserve 30km north of Tamatave with highest floral and faunal biodiversity of its lowland rainforest, which is one of the last spots of this ecosystem in Madagascar. MFG has established a research village at the edge of the reserve and achieved an impressive inventory of this best researched conservation spot in Madagascar. Due to the conservation and research agents presence, the illegal harvesting of animal and plant species has significantly reduced.

Parc Zoologique Ivoloina was officially reopened in 1990 as Madagascar’s second zoological park. Beside caring for confiscated animals and its captive animal management program, it provides a family entertainment and tourist attraction. It has initiated a broad educational interpretive program with an environmental focused school of several hundred children, does teacher courses and it also keeps a model station for sustainable farming and does training for farmers far around. It also serves as the headquarter of Betampona National Reserve.

Today’s core of MFG activities are its education programs. We believe that training is the only effective way to help Madagascar get itself back on its feet again. 9000 school children visit the park every year. It runs a broad zoo and outreach environmental education programs. This led to the development of teacher’s guide for environmental education and teacher training workshops in the whole region. This again led to “Saturday classes” – basic curriculum tutoring classes for local primary grade school children and middle and high school environmental education “camps”.

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Latest Success Stories Following the educational activities it was realized, that habitat can only be protected by demonstrating and teaching sustainable agricultural practices. At the park a Sustainable Agriculture Model Station was established where improved rice paddy techniques, the cultivation of alternative fruits and vegetables are instructed as well as the identification of plants that can be used for erosion control and of appropriate plants for commercial use.

Training courses in new farming techniques were established for farmers and village majors. The program supports also the governments reforestation initiative. Deforestation followed by erosion is one of the biggest problems of Madagascar. MFG has identified native trees and environmentally friendly reforestation options and built up many nurseries and agroforestry stations in the villages, especially around Betampona.

Together with the villagers a huge reforestation project has started around Betampona to strengthen the reserve and help villagers to raise construction wood.

Recently, MFG could celebrate several successes in its activity fields: 1.

2.

3.

4.

The Saturday school project in Tamatave and around Betampona Reserve proofed to be very effective. Due to its success, UNICEF has adopted the scheme for Madagascar and some African countries and is applying it in 4 places in Madagascar.

The researchers doing the Amphibian Inventory in Betampona found 76 taxa, of which 34 are undescribed and 24 are only found at the reserve. Some of the best Malagasy frog specialist work in the reserve. They have registered the distribution of each species, collected photos and audios, a overwhelming survey.

The Primate Landscape Ecology Project covered 5 species, which were overlaid on vegetation maps to analyze their feeding habits and capacity of the reserve.

The strong presence of the conservation and research agents could avoid major illegal logging in the reserve. Looking at the mafia‑like logging further north involving 4’000 woodcutters, huge money ($230 Mio.) and as side effects lemur hunting for bush meat: The situation in Betampona is quite well. As a big achievement in dealing illegal wood was the Gibson case in the US where the company had to pay a fine of $300’000 due to a violation of the Lacey Act importing illegal cutted wood. This was made possible by investigation results provided by members of MFG.

MFG has proven to be very effective, in large part due to maintaining an in country staff an office in Tamatave. To accomplish this, MFG was structured as a membership organization with annual dues. These provide and are essential for the seed money and to carry the project over the years.

Grants helped to put up projects. This help from many zoos, botanical gardens and universities made the MFG conservation projects some of the most effective in Madagascar. New members are always welcome.

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Unraveling a Mystery!

Lena M Lindén, CEO and founder of Foundation Nordens Ark, Sweden and Örjan Johansson and Emma Nygren

Nordens Ark in Sweden is a non‑profit organization that started 23 years ago with a solve goal of saving endangered animals. Throughout the years we have mostly focused our efforts on endangered native species and are involved in reintroducing species such as the peregrine falcon, the white‑backed woodpecker and the green toad.

Snow leopards have always been one of Nordens Arks flagship species, and we have been working with the species ex‑situ since 1989. Our zoologist Leif Blomqvist is the holder of both the European and the International studbooks. Since it has been such an important species in Nordens Ark history we felt that it was essential for us to also try to support in‑situ conservation of the species. We therefore began to collaborate with Snow Leopard Trust and Panthera, to support their long‑term ecological study of wild snow leopards in Mongolia Even though the snow leopards always have intrigued people around the globe little is actually known about this secretive big cat. It is found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia where it is perfectly adapted to a life at high‑altitude in the cold and barren climate. The species is spread across two million km2 but despite this there is only between 4000 and 7000 individuals left in the wild and the snow leopard is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Despite the hard work of several researchers, the elusiveness of this cat and the rough terrain it inhabits are part of the reason why there are still large gaps in our understanding of its natural history and the threats they are facing. Even the most basic information about snow leopard ecology is poorly understood and data on habitat use, predation, dispersal, mortality, cub rearing etcetera are at a minimal.

Very little data on basic snow leopard ecology existed in 2008. A lot of the existing data was gathered with older techniques such as VHF collars and scat analysis without DNA confirmation of species. Unfortunately these techniques have proved inaccurate for snow leopards.

In order to protect the snow leopard the gaps in the knowledge about the species needed to be filled. By finding out the answer some of the key questions, like habitat use and prey preference, conservation actions are more likely to succeed.

This is the reason why the two U. S. based organizations Snow Leopard Trust and Panthera started the world’s first long‑term study of snow leopards. The scientific study is called Long Term Ecological Study or LTES. The study was launched in 2008 with the aim to collect scientific data of the highest quality. Previous studies have lasted for up to five years, the intention with this study is to go in depth to understand a snow leopard population. The research is aimed at improving our understanding of snow leopards so that we can improve our conservation efforts.

In 2010 a permanent research center was constructed. Here scientists, field staff and visitors can learn field techniques and stay while conducting research in the area.

The study is located in the Southern part of Mongolia. The area is called Tost Uul and is situated in the Gobi desert.

Nordens Ark became involved in the study in 2010 by, funding the Swedish PhD student Örjan Johansson, who is in charge of the field work and we also provided the project with two GPS‑collars.

To study a species that one hardly ever sees and that can’t be tracked, little snow (that means no tracks on ground) and way too steep mountains, it is necessary to fit it with a tracking device. GPS collars with satellite uplink of data have proven to be a great tool.

The collars gather data for two years.

When the battery is almost depleted the collar drops off. This means that we can find the dropped collar due to lack of movement and change battery and use the same collar again and the animal does not need to carry a non‑functioning collar.

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© Snow Leopard Trust Snow Leopard with GPS locator.

Örjans primary task is to capture and fit snow leopards with GPS‑collars but this is not an easy task. To be able to do this Örjan has to spend months at the Mongolian base camp setting snares in areas he knows snow leopards to be. Capture methods have been improved since 2008. To date 43 captures have taken place, multiple trappings of same individuals but 19 unique individuals have been trapped.

And only a few Snow leopards have exhibited minor cuts and abrasions, similar to what they must experience during hunts. No serious injuries have occurred.

In 2010 they employed a system that constantly monitors the traps and alerts the researchers within minutes after an animal has been caught. With the system, the leopards will only have to wait 20-60 minutes before the researchers will arrive at the trap site.

A big effort the first years have been to develop new research methods and improve the existing ones. A staff member at Nordens Ark is testing how well the remote cameras work for identifying Snow Leopards as her master thesis.

A lot of data have been gathered in these years. 18 000 GPs locations is about 20 times more than all previous studies combined. The dots are locations from GPS collars from 3 different males. It is clear they spend their time in the high mountains and there are sharp borders between the home ranges. It seems as if adult males are territorial, before 2008 snow leopards were considered not to be territorial.

The researchers visit all sites where the collared Snow leopard stops for more than a day. Usually they have killed a prey at these sites. Prey species, gender and age are determined to estimate what Snow Leopards feed on and how often they kill prey.

For the first time ever, the researchers were able to located dens with cubs in June 2012. Two collared females had delivered cubs, one of them had two cubs and the other had only one. This is the first data of birth rates for wild snow leopards.

Thanks to the amazing work that is being done in Mongolia by Örjan and Snow Leopard Trust and Panthera, they are now well on their way to unravel some of the mystery surrounding this amazing cat. Nordens Ark is proud to be a part of it. By engaging in collaboration with dedicated field organizations we in zoo community can contribute to global conservation and be an active force in saving endangered animals.

I will end this paper by telling you that the costs for Nordens Ark to be part of this extremely valuable research is not that much. The donation and support we get as a result of the profile gained from the involvement in this project is far more than if we simply used the same amount of money on advertisement to generate more visitors. My humble advice is – go for real conservation, work in partnership, tell the whole world about our work and the money will be there for you!

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

Community Conservation – A Peri‑Urban Case Study in Fighting Extinction Laura Mumaw, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (previously of Zoos Victoria, Australia)

Abstract Lessons from the fight to save the Helmeted Honeyeater from extinction in greater Melbourne are presented. Work has involved collaboration between local, State and regional agencies, landowners and interested community over years and includes a zoo based captive breeding and release program. The development of an integrated conservation strategy for greater Melbourne’s environmental assets as an interactive website is described. The benefits of this approach, a first in Australia, include the promotion of adaptive management and continuous improvement, better prioritisation of programs and resources, and support for partnerships of agencies, organizations (like zoos), and communities to achieve regional environmental goals.

Causes of vertebrate species extinction in Australia are similar to those worldwide Key factors which have caused and continue to threaten the extinction of Australian vertebrate species are; widespread land clearing and alteration; changes to river and groundwater hydrology; pollution; overfishing; and the introduction of exotic animals and plants. The legacy of poor past practices leaves us with significant ongoing challenges (State of the Environment 2011 Committee, 2011).

We will continue to battle future pressures from human population growth, economic development and climate change. Vertebrate species whose populations have dwindled will be even more vulnerable to change.

Fighting extinction in urban/peri‑urban areas Improving and protecting Australian environmental assets is a priority of all levels of Australian government.

Keys to achieving this will be integrated and coordinated policy, planning and management decisions and better environmental information systems and access to data. It will require cooperation and collaboration of all levels of government with stakeholders, most importantly the community (State of the Environment 2011 Committee, 2011).

Amongst the challenges to halt the loss of biodiversity in cities are the many different government jurisdictions involved at national, state, and local level. Here in greater Melbourne (the Port Phillip and Westernport region) there are 38 different local government municipalities.

For local Councils the development of effective action plans is hampered by lack of information on species’ presence and life histories, population changes over time, causes of loss and ways to mitigate them and further compounded by inadequate monitoring and reporting feedback loops.

This is made worse by the time scales required to monitor impacts and the dearth of interim indicator measures.

There are always too few resources and filling knowledge gaps is given lower priority.

Over the last twenty years there has been a growing movement of partnerships between community‑based environmental care groups, government and nongovernment organisations working collaboratively on habitat and species conservation. There is emerging evidence that some of these initiatives are halting a decline in individual species and or seeing a return of species to an area. A case study of one of these initiatives – saving the Helmeted Honeyeater from extinction – is described below.

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Saving the Helmeted Honeyeater from extinction – a case study

Commencement of the Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Program

The Helmeted Honeyeater was first described in 1867. After several scientific name changes, it was reclassified in 1973 as a sub‑species of the Yellow‑tufted Honeyeater. It is the brightest and largest of four subspecies and is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is the one native Australian bird found only in Victoria.

In 1952 the Bird Observers Club of Australia began a 10 year investigation of Helmeted Honeyeaters at Yellingbo. Alarmed by its decline, interested groups, chief among them the Bird Observers Club, began urging the Victorian Government in 1960 to establish a Helmeted Honeyeater sanctuary and to make the Helmeted Honeyeater a Victorian state emblem. In 1967 Yellingbo State Fauna Reserve was established. By this time there were estimated to be only 200 Helmeted Honeyeaters in the wild. In 1971 the Helmeted Honeyeater was proclaimed a faunal emblem.

The first Helmeted Honeyeater specimen was collected in 1866 in the Bass River area near Western Port Bay. In the 1880s and early 1900s Helmeted Honeyeaters were recorded at Olinda Creek, Cardinia Creek and Woori Yallock Creek. By the 1940s its original range had shrunk dramatically as the land was transformed through drainage of swamps and clearing for agricultural production.

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater A community support group has been pivotal for almost a quarter of a century. The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater formed at a public meeting to bring the Helmeted Honeyeater back from the brink, its inaugural chair a retired primary schoolteacher who promised his friend, the ranger, “If there’s anything I can help you with, let me know,”. Twenty three years later he is still busy monitoring birds and working with fellow volunteers.

But as Mr Anderson says – “I’m not a birdo, I’m more a plant person”. Due to his influence, early on the Friends developed a native plant nursery for locally provenanced species and began revegetation on the reserve and private land close by. Today the 300 strong group produce between 50,000 to 80,000 plants a year for plantings, employ two paid positions and contribute over 5000 hours a year in volunteer labour including community education, fauna surveys and supplementary feeding of Helmeted Honeyeaters (Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, 2012).

In 1983 the Ash Wednesday bushfires destroyed two of the three known colonies of Helmeted Honeyeaters, leaving the Yellingbo population the sole remaining group. In 1989, 23 years ago, the population of birds hit an all‑time low of fifty individuals, including fifteen pairs of breeding birds (Craddock, 2012). At this time the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, the official Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery team, and the captive breedLessons: ing program at Healesville Sanctuary were commenced. This was a nadir for the Helmeted Honeyeater popula- • Community involvement is essential (long term, committed, persistent tion and numbers have not sunk this with relevant expertise) low since.

• Personal friendships and networks Lessons: make a difference

Today the Helmeted Honeyeater lives in dense riverside vegetation at low altitudes with relatively high and consistent rainfall. Though it appears this was not always the case, all existing wild populations depend on remnant patches of Mountain Swamp Gum with an abundance of loose bark, trees and the presence of surface water for much of the year. These appear to be features of high‑quality breeding habitat and they prefer to nest in partially submerged trees. The scarcity of good breeding habitat is hypothesized to be what is limiting its • The involvement of birdwatchers – population (Barrett, Freudenberger most amateurs – over years started & Nicholls, 2005). There are currently a significant conservation program estimated to be 100 or so Helmeted • Early detection of decline is critical Honeyeaters in three colonies in the • A charismatic animal draws attenwild – colonies which are only 60 km tion (or about 40 miles) from downtown Melbourne.

70 Zoo involvement The involvement of a zoo has been invaluable. Since 1989 Healesville Sanctuary has successfully bred 350 Helmeted Honeyeaters and has released over 200 birds into the wild since 1995. Today, wild birds number in the order of 100.

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Current captive management challenges are to increase success in getting birds to pair, improve the strength of nests to avoid egg loss and improve the skills of captive‑reared birds in predator avoidance and feeding so that they are less reliant on supplementary feeding (B. Quinn, personal communication, September 6, 2012).

The landscape focus provides benefits to a range of other native plant and animal populations using this habitat.

Yellingbo Reserve itself is home to the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum (another Victorian emblem species) and the vulnerable Mountain Swamp Gum. Tragically the gums continue to dieback due to past changes to the hydrology of the creeks within and upstream of the Reserve. This has been exacerbated by twelve years of drought in which patches of the gums were left with no water flow for long periods of time, followed by recent excessive flooding which itself seems to be causing some dieback.

Critics say that a lot of funding and work has gone into a program for‘ Lessons: just a subspecies’, with little progress in terms of number of birds in • An insurance population is critical the wild. But independent reviews • Captive management and reinsuggest that in all likelihood the troduction techniques need to be Helmeted Honeyeater would be developed extinct today without the efforts of • Research is needed the Recovery program (Barrett et Lessons al, 2005). The wild population has more than doubled since the start of Landscape management the program. In January this year, a is required • Expand and improve land in re17 year old male bird from the first serves release was sighted – a record for Initially the Recovery program • Create habitat corridors/biolinks survival. The long term objective is to focused on small population manage- • Focus on landscape management achieve a stable population of at least ment – genetics, captive breeding, and help other species 1000 individuals in at least 10 separeintroduction and translocation, rerate but interconnected colonies. moval of competitors and predators, and habitat restoration and expanYarra4Life The zoo’s work has set the foundation sion in the conservation reserve. This for understanding how to successfully was not enough.

In 2006 Yarra4Life was formed, buildbreed, rear and reintroduce caping on previous work, to improve the tive honeyeaters, including the use Of the 40,000 hectares of Yarra Valley quality of land, water and native habiof cross‑fostering. There is a viable countryside surrounding and includtat in the Yarra Valley. Coordinated captive population as an insurance ing Yellingbo Reserve, only 30% of by the Port Phillip and Westernport policy. Release techniques have the original native habitat remains, in Catchment Management Authority, evolved from hand release to the use patches and along narrow lineal creek participants include the Department of portable aviaries with a removable frontages. The natural flows of some of Sustainability and Environment, roof, allowing the birds to leave when local rivers and creeks have been Zoos Victoria, Friends of the Heland as they wish. Supplementary altered and the quality of water has meted Honeyeater, Melbourne Water, feeding stations are provided around declined due to nutrient, sediment Birdlife Australia, LaTrobe University, release sites, which are placed in the and toxicant inputs from horticultural the Macclesfield Landcare group, activities such as potato farming. This Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature, Yarra vicinity of wild birds. Released birds also causes the swampy areas to silt are being radio tracked, banded and Ranges Shire, traditional owners the up, reducing natural flood events. micro‑chipped.

Wurrundjeri Tribe, Food for Trees (a nongovernment organisation whose Increasingly the Recovery Program members consist of food and wine began to focus on broader landscape industry members and who donate a management in and around the repercentage of their profits to planting serve, nearby parks, and surrounding trees) and others. agricultural land. Tens of thousands of local native plants have been planted Yarra4Life is designed to be a landto restore habitat, fences erected to scape‑scale, practical response to protect habitat patches and willows environmental pressures by creating killed and removed. Major engineernew partnerships, finding resources, ing works have been undertaken in and delivering on ground improveone of the creeks to control erosion, ments. raise the level of the stream bed, and divert water across the floodplain.

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One of its key objectives is the establishment of three major biolinks to connect Yellingbo Reserve with Bunyip State Park to the Southeast, the Yarra Ranges National Park to the north and the Dandenong Ranges National Park to the West. The current target is to increase habitat in the proposed biolinks by 1000 hectares by 2016 (Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA), in press).

Success will be dependent on efficient and professional systems and people to manage the creation of the biolinks and funding from the public, private and philanthropic sectors.

Most critically, it will rely on public and private landholders contributing some of their land to form part of the biolinks and taking responsibility for maintaining a site when it has been restored and protected.

One of the challenges recruiting landholders is their suspicion of government agencies. Letters on official letterhead explaining what is on offer are often‘ chucked in the bin’. Another challenge is the increasing parcelling of landholdings in the area into smaller units which are purchased by town residents. These new owners have weaker connections with the local community and land management practices. In response, communication about the biolinks program is increasingly being done through local nurseries, farmers’ markets, local events and community volunteers.

Lessons • Community leaders, passionate about making a difference long term, are essential • Connect with community in their places and ways to build relationships and share knowledge

Support for nature conservation in peri‑urban regions – Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority In 1994 the State of Victoria set up 10 Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) to protect and improve the land, water, plant and animal resources across their respective regions in an integrated and coordinated way, and to encourage and support participation of landholders and other members of the community in that work (State of Victoria Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, Act No. 52/1994).

The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) is responsible for the Greater Melbourne Region. Features of this region include: • It is home to 75% of the State’s population and its largest city • Of its 1.3 million hectares, 50% is rural farmland whose annual gross value of agricultural production is greater than $1 billion • 39% of local indigenous vegetation remains (including several areas of significant grasslands) and 34% of this is in parks and reserves with a further 20% on public land, with the remaining 46% on private land • There are 38 local municipalities and over 500 volunteer landcare and community groups.

The PPWCMA has 23 staff and an annual budget of about $8M, with most coming from State and Australian government (approximately 50% each) for carrying out on ground works. The agency’s work has to be strategic and focused and carried out through partnerships. We see ourselves as strategic guide and advisor, facilitator, and sometimes coordinator of environmental care in our region.

A primary task of a CMA is the preparation, with broad input, of a 5 year regional catchment strategy which sets out the natural resources in the region, identifies objectives and targets for improving its quality, and nominates who should undertake them. The CMA is responsible for supporting the implementation of the approved strategy and reporting on progress. This year for the first time anywhere in Australia our CMA will be preparing its catchment strategy as a website.

The draft Regional Catchment Strategy website Preparing the strategy as a website has many advantages. One of its greatest strengths is its ability, unlike a paper version, to be updated as required. Different types of assets can be added, filling of knowledge gaps can be communicated as discoveries are made, and targets and action plans can be modified. This will support adaptive management and continuous improvement in a world which is changing at an ever increasing pace. Most importantly, the information will be easily accessible to any organisations and the community interested in environmental management.

A website is currently being developed. When you click on an asset, a pop‑up box displays its current condition, objectives and targets for improving it, who is playing a lead role, and where you can find out more.

Other tabs in the website provide detailed information on the methodology for measuring the current condition of an asset and setting targets for its future condition, the pressures it is under, and known knowledge gaps.

The website can help agencies and groups add and review data at a scale useful to them. It can assist them to prioritise their programs and resources, targeting improvements which link with those of others to get better‘ bang for buck’. The community can learn what is happening and join in.

72 Partnerships and a regional alliance Our aim is to connect, support and assist in the initiation of collaborative partnerships between community groups, government and nongovernment organisations to protect and improve the environment and our natural heritage, like the Yarra4Life program described above.

In order for this approach to work the various agencies and groups accountable for environmental health need to flesh out the strategy and take responsibility for its implementation as an alliance. What you are hearing is breaking news – we will be having a workshop this Thursday with a group of potential Alliance members to discuss the design of the alliance, how it might work, their thoughts on the website, and next steps.

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Application to zoos In closing, what does this mean for zoos? We have heard a lot about the work zoos carry out, from connecting visitors with nature to captive management, reintroduction, fieldwork and leading personal behavioural change. I would like to urge you, particularly those with urban zoos, to continue to work at connecting people with nature, not only in your zoos but in their own backyards.

Introduce your visitors and community to activities like birdwatching, bird and butterfly surveys and other forms of citizen science. Encourage them to share discoveries with their neighbours, restore habitat in their local parks, plant native species in their gardens and ask their councils to be environmental leaders.

Help your environmental agencies in targeted projects – there is always a need for leadership by organisations and people who understand administration, project management, and science. Zoos are usually not seen as government agencies and can be good facilitators. This work will build your credibility, relationships and recognition as players working real time outside your walls.

References • Barrett, G., Freudenberger, D. and Nicholls, A. O. (2005). A template for threatened species management: learning from the Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix). CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra.

• Craddock, M. (2012). The Helmeted Hon‑ eyeater in time. Unpublished manuscript.

• Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (2012). www.helmetedhoneyeater.org.au.

• Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (in press). Yarra4Life Business Plan.

• State of the Environment 2011 Committee (2011). Australia state of the environ‑ ment 2011 – in brief. Independent report to the Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Canberra: DSEWPaC.

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1 Plenary st

Melbourne, 9 October 2012 Start at 5.45 pm | End at 7.00 pm

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Annual Report by the WAZA President Jörg Junhold – WAZA President

Dear members, It is a great honour and pleasure for me to welcome you to this 67th Conference and Annual General Meeting of WAZA in Melbourne. This is a very special conference as is concludes our 77th Anniversary year which we have been celebrating. The most visible outcome was the Anniversary book which gives an extended overiew of the history with many interesting side aspects and details. I feel that we can be very proud about what we have achieved as an organization especially during the last 20 years.

This has been the first year of my presidency and proved to be a very exciting and demanding one. I had the opportuity to travel to many of the regional or national associations and meet our members in person. I am very grateful for the friendship and hospitality that I have experienced everywhere. Thank you again for hosting me in such a friendly atmosphere!

One year ago I formulated strategic topics as focal points of my presidency which are in line with the WAZA Future Strategy. These are the participation in the UN Decade on Biodiversity, WAZA’s input to ensure sustainable animal collections, to work on an ethical framework of our association in order to define a common understanding of „good “zoos, to support membership growth especially in China and South East Asia and the improvement of our communication.

Today I like to sum up the developments and achievements using our corporate strategy as a baseline.

Review Develop and deliver WAZA’s core conservation activities WAZA Resource Center: The resource center on the WAZA website was established to help spreading links to zoo‑related sites. I think this is a very valuable instrument and one of the core duties of WAZA is to distribute information and improve cooperation.

UN Decade on Biodiversity: I am happy that last year’s annual conference has decided to give WAZA a leading role in implementing the strategic plan of the UN Decade on Biodiversity. WAZA Executive Office has worked very hard during the last year to start a three years project which is developing communication tools about the importance of biodiversity conservation for all members.

32 member zoos distributed over all regions are currently supporting this project through staff capacitiy and surveys they will conduct with their visitors. A focus is set on interactive electronic tools like video films and cellphone apps. We really see a very good chance to enable our member zoos to take part in the Decade on Biodiversity and educate their millions of visitors about this crucial topic. The Swiss MAVA foundation has offered a generous grant which would enable us to increase our impact significantly.

We are looking forward to the foundation‘ s decision later this year.

Global Species Management Plan: The Global Species Management Plans are the highest possible level of management that we can apply to one of the species kept in zoos. The Committee for Population Management has already in 2011 chosen six species that are suggested as trial GSMPs to test and develop this instrument. A seventh species was added this year. This measure is a core component of safeguarding the sustainablility of these populations across continents. There are ongoing discussions on the specific role WAZA has to play to ensure the best possible outcome and to implement the one plan approach into global species management.

Develop and strenghten WAZA’s external partnerships More and more we see the benefits of our Executive Office being placed in the IUCN Headquarter.

CITES: In December 2011 Dr. Gerald Dick signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CITES Secretary‑General John Scanlon about an intensified cooperation. You all know about the importance of CITES as an instrument for species protection but all of us also know the limitations that this instrument means for our animal exchanges. We used the chance to discuss this issue with Mr. Scanlon and need to keep in touch with him in the future for further steps.

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DOC 67.7 Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: It has been the first year for Onnie Byers to chair the CBSG and I have witnessed that she has taken up her new role with great enthusiasm and dedication. As there are strong bonds between CBSG and WAZA I got into contact several times with Onnie and used the occasion to discuss our cooperation. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to attend the CBSG Steering Committee meeting in Buenos Aires, where I gave an update on the planning process of the intended first World Species Congress.

ISIS and ZIMS: The latest updated version of ZIMS was distributed in the beginning of 2012 and it is looking very different from the first one and so much more practical and useful. As Leipzig Zoo is one of the test institutions over the last years I got a lot of feedback from our zoological department. We all know that the start of ZIMS was difficult and a lot of patience was needed to get into the topic. But now I hear a lot of positive news and I am convinced that this latest development was the breakthrough for this modern standard software. The migration from old to new is rapidly progressing and hundreds of zoos are today using live ZIMS and will benefit from the much improved possibilities. This online and live management tool will help to facilitate and improve the management of sustainable populations in our institutions. I am deeply convinced that the decision to spend the budget for ZIMS was absolutely right and that the future will prove that!

Increase WAZA’s visibility and positive impact Anniversary book and calendar: As already mentioned WAZA has in honour of our 77th Anniversary published a very interesting book that can be regarded as a small archive of information and pictures. A calendar was as well distributed to all members and recieved very well. My thanks goes to the authors and the Executive office who have planned and set up this project.

Branded projects: Good progress has again been made with increasing the number of branded projects which is now 228. Thanks to the WAZA Executive Office project branding is more and more appreciated as a tool to present projects to a broader public.

World Species Congress 2015: Dr Gerald Dick and I were invited to the IUCN SSC specialist Chair’s Meeting in February 2012 taking place in Abu Dhabi. Next to other important TOPs the plan to implement a World Species Congress was discussed in detail.

The possible focus and content and the structure were the main issues and a whole range of special tasks were defined as topics for this major event. WAZA is working to become a partner in this major undertaking which would open a lot of possibilities to further promote our work and explain more to the public about conservation of biodiversity by zoos.

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2012: This congress is the largest and most important conservation meeting and held every four years.

This time it took place from 6 – 15 September 2012 in Jeju, Korea. Apart from other zoo representatives Dr. Gerald Dick and myself took part to represent WAZA. I am especially grateful that three sessions were scheduled under the flag of WAZA member zoos. Parken Zoo organized a meeting about the role of zoos for biodiversity consciousness and Landau Zoo together with WAZA Executive Office had a video presentation about their WAZA branded environmental education and field conservation project in Djibouti. A third session was presented by WAZA in cooperation with Nordens Ark, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, WCS, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, SEAZA/ZPO, Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Everland Zoo and the Central Zoo Authority India together with IUCN and CBD. This workshop was about the implementation of the UN Decade on Biodiversity by zoos.

My sincere thanks go to the directors of these zoos and institutions who dedicated their time in order to use the chance to present their work during a world congress.

Improve and develop internal organization, reflecting needs of institutional members and the associations Structure of Council meetings: In order to strengthen the leadership role of WAZA Council we have expanded our midyear and annual Council meeting with periodical conference calls in between. I hope that this will positively influence the communication and exchange of opinions.

Structure of committee work: Since WAZA is developing fast and the Executive Office is getting more professional we have to think about and discuss if the important work of the committees needs to be adjusted to this changing situation.

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DOC 67.7 The council has started to discuss this issue and it was decided to have a special Council Meeting together with the Committee Chairs taking place in August 2012 in Leipzig Zoo. The results of this workshop will be discussed and, hopefully, further developed during our conference.

Regional and national associations: During my first year I got the opportunity to visit several regional and some national zoo associations. I am very thankful for all of the invitations and for the hospitality I have experienced. I have visited some of these associations like BIAZA or ALPZA for the first time and I was impressed by the dedication that I saw to improve zoo standards and promote conservation strategies. I had the honour to deliver several welcome addresses and presentations. I tried to use these opportunities to better explain and describe WAZA’s work and to better understand the needs of our associations.

Secure the financial growth and stability needed to implement the strategy Financial situation: Due to a professional management of our Excecutive Director our annual budget situation and our assets are both in very good shape. Consequently and as decided at our last conference we do have the reserves to invest into the development of communication tools to take a leading role in the implematation of the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2020.

Membership growth: I have pointed out this issue as one core task for my presidency. Talking about membership growth we need to have in mind the huge number of Asian zoos especially in India and China and of South American zoos. In November 2011, a high‑level delegation of the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens (CAZG) visited Europe in order to establish better contact with the international zoo community. They were kindly hosted by ZSL, BIAZA and EAZA and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the hosts. I was honoured to represent WAZA at the meeting in London, where we had very fruitful discussions with our Chi-

nese colleagues. In the long run, our aim is to convince CAZG and Chinese zoos to become WAZA members.

Many Chinese zoos are developing fast and have the potential to upgrade their standard of animal keeping in the future. I hope to keep up the contacts to CAZG and visit China to strengthen this partnership.

Maintain and develop a culture of professional management and governance Failure to meet ethical standards: As you all know, the positive image and the overall perception of our community depends on high ethical values with regard of animal welfare and professional behaviour of cooperation. Consequently, we are one of the only communities, where members are mandatory bound by a Code of Ethics and Animal welfare on a global level. At its Mid Year Meeting in April 2012 WAZA Council had to decide on the very sensitive issue of failure to meet these standards in two cases. After intensive discussions and deliberations for a long time WAZA Council voted unanimously to finally terminate the membership of Zoo Dvur Kralove (CZ) and of the Emirates Zoo (UAE) for violation of WAZA’s Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare. I am well aware that these decisions led to discussions not only within the membership of WAZA. However, these decisions are based on the need to protect the Association’s values and high ethical standards. Be assured that all members of the WAZA Council were handling the whole issue with great respect, sensitivity and responsibility at all times.

And please do understand that we cannot give further explanations or comments as we are bound by confidentiality. WAZA Council hopes there will be a time in which both Zoos can once again qualify to become a WAZA member.

Ethical Framework: Over the last years, time and again, we have been thinking about the question how to set ethical standards on animal welfare of our global zoo community. Following the discussions at our last conference our new Chair of the Ethics and Welfare Committee,

Susan Hunt, has formed a task force working on a “framework for ethics and animal welfare”. A first draft was already discussed at our last Council meeting in Leipzig and I am sure we will make further progress at our Annual Conference here in Melbourne. And I am convinced, that a well drafted paper on this important topic could lead to a World Zoo and Aquarium Strategy on Animal Welfare similar to our conservation strategy which makes clear to the world that we, the professionals, and not animal rights people are the experts in animal welfare of wild animals.

WAZA Council and Committees: During this year, Lee Ehmke (Minnesota Zoological Gardens, USA) has served as the Vice Presidient of WAZA, with Lena Lindén (Nordens Ark, Sweden), Joanne Lalumière (Granby Zoo, Canada), Mark Penning (Disney Animal Kingdom, USA), Kevin Bell (Lincoln Park Chicago, USA), Rick Barongi (Houston Zoo, USA), David Field (ZSL London, UK), Olivier Pagan (Zoo Basel, Switzerland) and Chris West (Zoo Adelaide, Australia) making up the elected WAZA Council. In April 2012 Chris West resigned as a Council Member. According to our bylaws WAZA Council has consulted the WAZA Nominating Committee, which has nominated Susan Hunt to fill the vacancy left on the WAZA Council. The Council unanimously voted to ratify this nomination at the Mid Year Meeting.

In order to include the input and ideas of the regional associations their representatives were formally co‑opted onto WAZA Council for the past year. Kris Vehrs (AZA), Lesley Dickie (EAZA), Dave Morgan (PAAZAB and CPM) and Sally Walker (SAZARC) took over this role and I like to thank them for their engagement and work very much.

On behalf of the WAZA Council and the members I also like to extend my sincere thanks to all the persons who serve on one of our standing and other committees. They spend an enormous amount of time with their WAZA duties and their efforts are very valuable for the development of our organization.

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Closing This meeting ends my first year as • In January I was invited to the Sabah President of WAZA. I can say that Wildlife Conservation Colloquium. it has been a very challenging one, Leipzig Zoo is supporting together but in a positive way. I got to know with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo many of our members and associaand Wildlife Research Berlin a contions much closer than before and my servation project for the Sumatran overall feeling is that I am very proud rhino. I gave a welcome address on and thankful for the chance to serve behalf of WAZA at the dinner of the in such a prestigious and at the same Minister of Tourism, Culture and time cooperative organization that Environment, took part in a press WAZA is today. conference in Tabin Wildlife Reserve and chaired a workshop on zoo My sincere and very special thanks go management in Lok Kawi Wildlife to Gerald Dick and the whole team Park (the only zoo in Sabah). of the WAZA Executive Office – they • In February Gerald Dick and I were are doing an incredible good job kindly invited by Simon Stuart to and have supported me where ever join the SSC Specialist Group Chair‘ necessary. s Meeting in Abu Dhabi. The key issues of the discussion and workThank you! shops of the 300 participants were the One Plan Approach to link in situ and ex situ population management, Participation in meetings/ the World Species Congress 2015 events: and the revision of the re‑introduction guidelines. I think it was a very I had the opportunity to take part in fruitful meeting and I like to express different meetings and events during my thanks to Simon Stuart. the last months: • In March I traveled to Amsterdam to meet Lesley Dickie in order to • I took part together with Gerald discuss issues of concern and how Dick in the singing of the MoU with we can improve the relationship beCITES Secretary‑General Mr. John tween EAZA and WAZA (see above Scanlon in December 2011. the issue of Dvůr Králové).

• In November 2011 I joined the meet- • Also in March I took part in the ing with a delegation of the Chinese ceremony at the occasion of this Zoo Association (CAZG) in London.

125th VDZ anniversary in Berlin and it They visited Europe in order to was my pleasure giving a welcome improve the future cooperation address on behalf of WAZA. and were kindly hosted by ZSL, • One week later I was invited by BIAZA, and EAZA. I like to thank Vienna Zoo Schoenbrunn to join the them for organizing this important press conference on their 20th anmeeting and inviting me to join the niversary of their new organization discussions. If we want to improve Ges.mb. H and the ground breaking the contact to CAZG a follow up is for the new polar bear exhibit and needed and I intend to visit China also had the pleasure to give a welwhen the opportunity arises. come address on behalf of WAZA. • April 27–29, EAZA’s Directors Day (Strategic Planning Meeting), Munich (D),

• May 17–19, IVY Zoo Symposium, Budapest (H), Patronage as WAZA President, welcome address • On June 06–09 I attended the VdZ Annual Conference in Nuremberg (D) an gave an annual report on WAZA • June 14–16, BIAZA Annual Conference, Paradise Wildlife Park (UK) • June 19–22, ALPZA Annual Conference, Pueblo (Mexico) • September 06–15, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju (Korea) Later on this year I am planning to take part in the following conferences/events: • September 22, 50th Anniversary of Alpenzoo Innsbruck, WAZA welcome address • September 23–25, ISIS User Conference, Innsbruck (A), WAZA welcome address • September 27, Zoo Basel (CH), Opening of the new Great Ape Enclosure, WAZA welcome address • September 25–29, EAZA Annual Conference, Innsbruck (A) • October (05) 07–11, WAZA Annual Conference, Melbourne (AUS)

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DOC 67.8

WAZA Executive Office Report Gerald Dick – Executive Director

Work plan of Executive Director Organise the Executive Office • staff appraisal twice a year, providing daily guidance • Further optimise flow of work wherever possible

Implement corporate identity of WAZA • Offer WAZA CD actively to members, especially for their websites • Establish contacts with marketing units of members • Use the UN Decade on Biodiversity for further promoting WAZA internationally and develop a project for the benefit of members and by using strategic partners

Enforce contacts with partners • Networking with international partner organisations • Take part in international zoo conferences and regional meetings • Search for new members • Strengthen the bonds with IUCN and other partners, with which WAZA holds MoUs

Implement WAZA future strategy • Focus on new members, support Membership Committee • Focus on developing a Decade on Biodiversity project • Focus on increased outreach and marketing by using the 77th Anniversary of WAZA

Programmatic preparation of 67th WAZA Annual Conference • WAZA technical Congress with focus on species extinction, theme “Fighting Extinction” • Prepare a WAZA magazine with the focus on “fighting species extinction” • Liaise with Melbourne in order to prepare conference details • Liaise with all future conference hosts (till 2016) to guarantee preparation

WAZA, CBSG, ISIS midyear meetings, April 2012, Buenos Aires • Prepare meetings and liaise with host, Temaiken zoo

WAZA’s 77th Anniversary in 2012

Use international meetings to • Publish a commemorative volume further position WAZA on WAZA History and Evolution • Represent WAZA at IUCNs SSC Specialist Group Chairs’ meeting 2012 • Organise a special event during the IUCN World Conservation Congress • Represent WAZA at the COP11 of the Ramsar Convention • Represent WAZA at the COP11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• Launch the book at the 2nd Ivy Symposium of old zoos, May 2012 in Budapest • Distribute a special calendar for 2012 to members and friends of WAZA

Ongoing activities • WAZA News 4 times a year with a focus on 77th Anniversary • Liaise with WAZA Council regularly • Reminding of action points for Council • Providing members with updates • Troubleshooting

Executive Office Staff As per August 2012 the office staff consisted of 3.7 full time equivalents (FTE). Names and allocated tasks are detailed as follows: • Gerald Dick (1.0), Executive Director • Monica Gamp (1.0), PA, Office manager, accountant • Carole Lecointre (0.9), Marketing and communication • Markus Gusset (0.8), International studbooks and conservation • Gabriela Allen, Office support on an hourly basis Madelaine Moinat joined the office from April to September 2012 within a special training programme and was mainly working on the French translation of the website. Lorena Sánchez joined the office again this year from July to August and helped with Spanish translations of the website.

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Marketing/Communication

WAZA Website (www.waza.org)

77th Anniversary Artists’ support

• Website figures: • Period: from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 To celebrate its 77th birthday WAZA • As of end December 2012 there partnered with the environmentally were 479 members registered on friendly wildlife illustrator, Jonathan the member’s area, which is an Woodward of Nottingham, UK. He increase of 36% since last year (358). designed a stunning illustration and • Average of 1510 visits/day (1 Jan dedicated it to WAZA. Jonathan gen2012 to 31 Dec 2012): +43% comerously donates 50% of all proceeds pared to 1 Jan 2011 to 31 Dec 2011 to WAZA in support of conservation.

(1060) • On average the visitors stay 1 minBeing a finalist of the “BBC Wildlife ute and 24 sec on WAZA website; Artist of the Year” competition in 2011 they are from 218 different counand 2012, Jonathan creates illustratries, with the US in first position, tions in a cut paper collage style, usfollowed by Mexico and Spain. ing recycled magazines for children’s Country Visits % books, wildlife organisations and United States 134,070 24,3 % charities. The commemorative print Mexico 60,804 11% is available in two designs (portrait Spain 47,804 8,66% and landscape) and at a number of United Kingdom 41,304 7,49% sizes, framed, unframed or printed Argentina 22,881 4,15% on canvas. This layout is available for Colombia 22,415 4,06% sale on the web (http://society6.com/ Canada 15,162 2,75% jonathanwoodward) and has been Peru 13,408 2,43% advertised on the artist’s website, on Chile 12,133 2,20% WAZA website, in the WAZA News Australia 12,054 2,18% and on Facebook.

• Traffic sources: most of the visitors The famous painter Catherine Tofind the website through search mova of Sofia, Bulgaria, also kindly engines, or through referring sites donated an oil painting of a chimp and also direct traffic (visitors who and this one has still to find a new visited the site by typing the URL owner. directly into their browser) – See graph below • The favourite page on WAZA webPress Releases site is still the virtual zoo.

• October 2011: WAZA Annual Conference in Prague • November 2011: Thailand Flood • December 2011: Signature of an agreement with CITIES • February 2012: Launch of WAZA history book and opening of our Facebook page • August 2012: WAZA “fighting extinction” Report • August 2012: Press briefing during workshop in Leipzig, WAZA’s work and directors as zoo animals • September 2012: IUCN World Conservation Congress – WAZA 77th birthday (English and Korean)

Year 2010

Visitors 240,729

Visits 300,680

Pageviews 1,023,694

2011 2012

311,119 458,352

387,097 551,472

1,176,004 1,355,835

Figures from Google analytics

Unique Visitor: a unit of traffic to a website, counting each visitor only once in the time frame of the report (30 min).

Number of Visits: a visit is defined as a series of page requests from the same uniquely identified client with a time of no more than 30 minutes between each page request.

Pages: a ‘page’ request results from a web surfer clicking on a link on another ‘page’ pointing to the ‘page’ in question. This should be contrasted with a hit, which refers to a request for any file from a web server.

Website’s translations The website has been translated in Spanish and in French. The main parts of waza.org are now available in those 2 additional languages. The virtual zoo is also being translated in the same languages.

WAZA Facebook page WAZA opened its Facebook page in February 2012.

The full history of WAZA is available through the so‑called timeline on facebook: Milestones of WAZA history are highlighted and illustrated with historical photos.

WAZA press releases, news, events are shared on this page. WAZA also organises games to increase its visibility on this social media.

Additionally, the purpose of Facebook is to share our members’ and partners’ news and events, and to answer messages which are coming in.

Today WAZA has about 800 likes.

Figure 1

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Zoo Live Cameras WAZA supported the development of the ZooVue website (www.zoovue. com) where you can watch live animals, get information on conservation projects and interact with a global community thanks to live cameras, pictures and videos.

Publications

The WAZA 77 Years Anniversary desk calendar was published, as well as the WAZA 77 Years Anniversary book, “77 Years: The history and evolution of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 1935-2012” as well as special 77 years edition of WAZA News (4 times per year) and WAZA magazine Vol. 13 (published in August The Decade on Biodiversity 2012), with the focus on species, clasproject sified as “extinct in the wild” entitled “Fighting extinction” – coinciding with WAZA has started working on 2 parts the theme of the annual conference of the project: 2012, were published. Proceedings of the WAZA Annual Conference 2011 • The survey module on awareness were published online (complete • The awareness concept and the version, including technical congress different tools are ready to be in member area) and proceedings developed of the technical congress only as separate publication for download A revised application has been on the public domain (both published submitted to the MAVA foundation. in March 2012), “Turning the Tide” Major tools are the survey about biopublished in Portuguese thanks to diversity awareness and the recogniJoão Falcato of Lisbon Aquarium tion of the project tools (as part of the (Oceanario de Lisboa), Portugal. The monitoring and project evaluation), WAZA biodiversity book “Zoos and and secondly the development of Aquariums committed to conservavisuals, three different films, an app tion” was published in Italian, thanks to Cesare Avesani of Parco Natura on biodiversity and personal involveViva, Italy. The WAZA Membership ment, social media strategy and application. The final go for the project Directory is available in a bi‑weekly is expected just before the Melbourne updated version on the website in the conference. The survey part was demembers’ area. veloped by Chester zoo with support of external experts. The project team has been defined and consists of 32 members, zoos and aquariums out of all three WAZA regions. Those members have agreed to cooperate, test the tools, provide input and do the visitors’ survey.

8th WAZA Marketing Conference The conference will be hosted by Bristol Zoological Gardens, UK, 12–14 May 2014.

The theme for this marketing conference will be “Communicating Biodiversity: Leadership by Zoos”.

Events Magdeburg and Jane Goodall (12 May 2012) At the invitation of Zoo Magdeburg, Gerald Dick and Jane Goodall signed the golden book of the city of Barleben in Germany, at this occasion Jane Goodall provided WAZA with the following testimonial: “Zoos have greatly improved during my lifetime.

WAZA affiliated zoos and aquariums educate hundreds and thousands of people around the world and, increasingly, are playing an important role in the conservation of species.”

Amphibian Ark and HRH Prince Charles (5 July 2012) A delegation, led by WAZA past president Gordon McGregor Reid presented a glass replica of the frog, Hyloscir‑ tus princecharlesi, as well as a golden medal and the scientific description of the frog in Zootaxa to HRH Prince Charles. The brown‑coloured frog with large orange blotches was discovered by Ecuadorian scientist Dr Luis Coloma four years ago among preserved museum specimens. Luis, working within the Amphibian Ark, later took part in expeditions to Cotacachi‑Cayapas national park in his homeland and found three live adults and some tadpoles. This frog was named after Prince Charles in recognition of Charles’ support of rainforest conservation. Charles also mentioned during the talks that he appreciates the endeavours of the zoo and aquarium community to raise awareness about biodiversity, to address threats and provide ideas for people’s actions within the Decade on Biodiversity.

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WAZA Training Grant In 2011 out of 10 applications, Council decided, based on the advice of 4 external assessors to award the €17,000 available as follows: (1) fully fund the Amphibian Ark proposal “Training for sustainability of amphibian rescue programs in Ecuador” with €8,704.

(2) Partly fund the Copenhagen Zoo proposal “Expanding ex situ population management capacity in Asia: Building upon past training activities in Indonesia, China and Japan” with €8,296.

Figure 2

• 11021 – UNITE for the Environment: to increase environmental awareFor 2012 nine applications were reness in Uganda (North Carolina Zoo) ceived, the decision is to be taken at • 12001 – Proyecto Mono Tocón: to the Melbourne conference. conserve San Martin titi monkeys and other primates in Peru (Proyecto Mono Tocón and La Vallée des WAZA branded Singes) conservation projects • 12002 – Western Derby Eland Conservation Programme: to increase The number of WAZA‑branded conthe number of western derby elands servation projects has continued to in Senegal (Derbianus – Czech Sociincrease to 228 in August 2012. (Fig.2) ety for African Wildlife) • 12003 – Projeto Tamanduá: to work The following projects have been towards the conservation of anteatbranded since the 2011 Annual ers in Brazil (Projeto Tamanduá) Conference, starting with the project • 12004 – Dugong Emergency Protecnumber (first two digits indicate year tion Project: to secure core dugong of branding), followed by the name herds and habitat by mitigating and a short description of the project. threats in Mozambique (EndanOrganisation (s) implementing the gered Wildlife Trust) project are indicated in parentheses. • 12005 – Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project: to establish a long‑term • 11017 – Sungazer Conservation ecological study of giant armadillos Project: to promote the survival of in Brazil (Royal Zoological Society of sungazers in South Africa (EndanScotland) gered Wildlife Trust) • 12006 – Community‑based Red • 11018 – Tarsius Project: to research Panda Conservation: Project Punde and conserve Philippine tarsiers in Kundo: to conserve red pandas and the Philippines (Decin Zoo) their habitat in the Eastern Himala• 11019 – Sabah Rhino Research and yas (Red Panda Network) Breeding: to establish a research • 12007 – Niassa Lion Project: to and breeding centre for Sabah seek sustainable resolutions to lion rhinos in Malaysia (Sabah Wildconservation challenges in Mozamlife Department, Leipzig Zoo and bique (The Ratel Trust) Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife • 12008 – Little Fireface Project: to Research Berlin) study the ecology and raise aware• 11020 – Falémé Chimpanzee Conserness of slow lorises in Indonesia vation Project: to protect chimpan(Oxford Brookes University) zees in Senegal through research, education and collaboration (Iowa State University)

• 12009 – Return of the Wild Horse Project: to help create stable populations of Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia (Prague Zoo) • 12010 – Progetto Grifone: to ensure a future for the population of griffon vultures present in Italy (Association of the Municipalities of Forgaria nel Friuli and Trasaghis) • 12011 – Barbary Macaque Conservation in the Rif: to halt the decline of Barbary macaques in Morocco (Barbary Macaque Conservation in the Rif) • 12012 – Assam Haathi Project: to mitigate human–elephant conflict in India (Chester Zoo and EcoSystems‑India) For the 20th Anniversary of Przewalski Horse Introduction and the associated event at the International. Equid Conference in Vienna, 18-22 September, WAZA helped to raise 10,000 €. For the environmental education project in Djibouti, the production of a video clip was supported and is shown on the WAZA website as well as at the IUCN World Conservation Congress as a project example at the species pavilion.

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Measuring Conservation Impact In recent years there has been growing international recognition for the need to measure the success of biodiversity conservation projects and show evidence of conservation impact. With threats to biodiversity growing and limited fund availability, zoos and aquariums supporting field conservation need to ensure that their investments in conservation are making a significant impact, and be able to show tangible and quantifiable results. In response to this, Chester Zoo and WAZA have developed a conservation impact form based on the methodology outlined by the Zoo Measures Group.

The form is designed to provide an easy format for project coordinators to summarise project achievements and for these achievements to be evaluated for their conservation impact in a standardised manner. The form relies on a review system and is assessed not only by the project coordinator but also by one or more independent reviewers. Conservation impact scores are then generated from the combined reviews and given an overall score. This overall score can be used by the funding body to benchmark projects against others, stimulate strategic review of conservation support and guide adaptive management. The Project Conservation Impact Summary Form can be downloaded by clicking on Conservation Impact in the Conservation section of the WAZA website (www.waza.org/en/site/conservation/ conservation‑impact).

Support for Committee on Population Management (CPM) In the period from 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012, four international studbooks (ISBs) were archived, three new ISBs were established, 17 ISBs were transferred to new keepers and two ISBs were transferred to new institutions. At the end of the reporting period, six issues were pending. There are currently 127 active ISBs, including 161 species or sub‑species (10 ISBs cover more than one taxon).

ISBs archived On 26 September 2011, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the grizzled grey tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus inustus).

On 12 January 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur).

On 2 April 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema).

On 4 April 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata).

ISBs established On 3 October 2011, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the Buffon’s macaw (Ara ambiguus) kept

by Sandrine Silhol (Zoo des Sables d’Olonne, France).

On 7 December 2011, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yni‑ phora) kept by Gerardo García (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 13 February 2012, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the blue‑crowned laughingthrush (Dryon‑ astes courtoisi) kept by Laura Gardner (Leeds Castle Foundation, supported

by Chester Zoo, UK).

Transfer of ISBs to new keepers On 26 September 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) ISB to Megan Richardson (Melbourne Zoo, Australia).

On 5 October 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the sand cat (Felis mar‑ garita) ISB to Ute Magiera (Osnabrück Zoo, Germany).

On 7 November 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) ISB to Christine McKnight (Minnesota Zoo, USA).

On 17 November 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) ISB to Hitoshi Murai (Toyama Municipal Familiypark Zoo, Japan).

On 14 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) ISB to John Partridge (Bristol Zoo, UK).

On 15 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the caracal (Caracal caracal) ISB to Kristen Clark (Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, USA).

On 20 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) ISB to Frédéric Houssaye (CERZA Zoo, France).

On 16 February 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) ISB to Matt Goetz (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 22 February 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) ISB to Ian Goodwin (Marwell Wildlife, UK).

On 19 March 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the blue‑throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis) ISB to Simon Bruslund (Loro Parque, Spain).

On 2 April 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the maroon‑fronted parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) ISB to Carolina Hartmann (Africam Safari, Mexico).

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DOC 67.8 On 4 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the sand cat (Felis marga‑ rita) ISB to Grégory Breton (Parc des Félins, France).

On 11 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) ISB to Dominic Wormell (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 20 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the cotton‑top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) ISB to Andrea Echeverry (Barranquilla Zoo, Colombia).

On 21 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) ISB to Thijs van den Houten (Flamingo Land, UK).

On 2 August 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) ISB to Jennifer Mickelberg (Zoo Atlanta, USA).

On 30 August 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) ISB to Jo Cook (Zoological Society of London, UK).

Transfer of ISBs to new institutions On 26 September 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the cotton‑top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) ISB, kept

by Hollie Colahan, to Denver Zoo (USA).

On 16 April 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the horned guan (Oreo‑ phasis derbianus) ISB, kept by Juan Cornejo, to Bronx Zoo (USA).

Pending issues As of 31 August 2012, ISBs for the lion‑tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis), Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Edwards’ pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) and Vietnamese pheasant (Lophura hatin‑ hensis) are vacant.

Climate Change

Attended Meetings

In support of the Climate Change task force, several painful meetings were held in order to get tax exempt status for WAZA, a requirement by the Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to prove NGO and non‑profit status of WAZA in Switzerland. Finally WAZA was accepted as an observer by UNFCCC. As an outcome of the Swiss based “Rigi symposium” of German speaking zoo directors, with the active support of Caspar Bijleveld of Papiliorama, a proposal to compensate CO2 emissions as an international zoo/ aquarium initiative, named “Zoo/ Aquarium CARE fund” was developed.

The idea being that after a relatively quick survey of emissions which have to be compensated, the fund under the guidance of WAZA shall select tropical rainforest reforestation projects for funding. A detailed concept is being finalised. After a first survey amongst members 25 members are interested to participate.

• CMS CoP 10, Bergen, Norway, (20–25 November 2011) • Sabah Wildlife Conservation Colloquium, (9–10 Jan 2012), (MG) • Rigi Symposium on Sustainability: organised by Swiss Zoo federation (2–4 Feb) • 2nd meeting of IUCN’s Specialist group’s chairs, Abu Dhabi (23–27 Feb) • 125 Years of VDZ (German Zoo Director’s Association), Berlin (16 March) • AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums) Annual Meeting, Alexandria, (15–17 April) • Red panda global ex situ master planning session, Rotterdam, (23–27 April), (MG) • UNESCO Biodiversity Learning workshop, Paris, (2 May) • 2nd Ivy Symposium on old zoos, Budapest, (17–19 May) • EAZA Conservation Forum, Vienna, (22-25 May), (MG) • Ramsar COP 11, Bucharest, (6– 13 July) • IZE Conference, Chester, (28–30 August) (MG) • IUCN World Conservation Congress, Korea, (6–15 September) • EAZA Annual Conference, Innsbruck, (25–29 September)

WAZA Corporate Strategy Update Since the Annual Conference in Prague, 2011, the focus of work was on developing an externally funded project, based on the resolution RES 66.1. Progress was made on defining the details in support of the decade on biodiversity as well as submitting the proposal to the Swiss based MAVA foundation. Concerning membership acquisition, since end of 2011 and until September 2012, WAZA membership increased from 315 to 324, which is an increase of 2,9% despite the fact that we lost some members as well.

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International Relationships Report Gerald Dick – WAZA Executive Director

International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – WCC

Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS)

WAZA President and Executive Director took part in the SSC Chairs’ Meeting which was held in Abu Dhabi, 23-27 February 2012. The Executive Director together with EAZA and BGCI organised a workshop on “Building Partnerships between the ex situ and in situ communities”.

The World Conservation Congress took place in Jeju, Korea from 6-15 September, both the President and Executive Director took part. WAZA led on a presentation on conservation projects of the zoo community while highlighting one WAZA branded project about the education work in Djibouti, presented by Jens‑Ove Heckel, Director of Zoo Landau in Germany. For this event a film was shown, supported by WAZA. At a press event, the 77th Anniversary book of WAZA was presented, as well as the commemorative volume and the long‑lasting relationship between WAZA and IUCN. Additionally a knowledge café was organised, entitled “Implementation of the UN Decade on Biodiversity with a focus on South and South East Asian countries”, representatives of JAZA, SEAZA, ZPO, CBD, IUCN/SSC, IUCN/ CEC, Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Everland Zoo, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Central Zoo Authority India, Nordens Ark and WCS were present. The presentations focused on conservation projects and related priorities. Ideas to further support by WAZA in order to better communicate and use the decade on biodiversity were collected and the results will be published in the WAZA News.

COP10, 20-25 November 2011 was held in Bergen, Norway. WAZA presented the involvement of many members in bat conservation at the occasion of the CMS “Year of the Bats 2011-2012” and showed a PowerPoint with many activities of WAZA members. An overview of activities was also published on the WAZA website as well as in WAZA News 2/11 and 1/12. Dr Rodrigo A. Medellín, Honorary Year of the Bat Ambassador visited London Zoo during a lecture tour, a planned visit to India, at the invitation of ZOO Outreach Organisation unfortunately had to be cancelled.

WAZA provided input to the strategic plan and took part in a survey “Defin‑ ing the relationship the NGO commu‑ nity has with CMS” carried out by the Migratory Wildlife Network. WAZA also announced the World Migratory Bird Day of CMS which was held on 12–13 May 2012 under the theme “Migratory birds and people – together through time”.

UNEP/ World Environment Day, 5 June At the occasion of UNEPs 40th Anniversary WAZA again promoted the World Environment Day (WED) and the numerous products available on the UNEP website (www.unep.org/ wed).

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands The World Wetlands Day on 2nd February each year celebrates wetland conservation and WAZA provided details and information on the WAZA website to members. The CoP 11 was held 11–13 July 2012 in Bucharest, WAZA could be presented as international partner, especially within the Decade on Biodiversity.

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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) On 20 December 2011, WAZA and CITES agreed to intensify and formalize cooperation. Main purpose of the agreement is to facilitate the use of expertise available in the WAZA network to benefit the conservation and sustainable use of species of wild fauna and flora and to assist CITES Parties to implement the Convention and to assist in the activities of the CITES Secretariat. Major fields of cooperation include care and placement of confiscated live animals, gathering information about current trade related issues, live animals and transport, research and science with a focus on appendix one species, communication and awareness and support of training and capacity building.

WAZA received a formal request from the CITES secretariat to support the participation of a candidate of a developing country at the CITES CoP 16 next year in Bangkok within the sponsored delegates programme. Based on the cooperation, which is based on a formal MoU, WAZA Council decided to grant 4,800 $ for this purpose.

On Friday, 18th May 2012 customs authority at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport seized 503 emperor scorpions (Pandinus imperator) arriving from Ghana. Twenty‑eight specimens were already found dead on arrival.

Officers made a physical check of a reptile shipment that was covered by both export and import documents.

During this check they found the 503 scorpions that were not covered by CITES documents. They also found two serrated hinge‑back tortoises (Kynixis erosa) in addition to the authorized number of specimens.

The scorpions have temporarily been placed in the rescue center of Budapest Zoo, and after support was requested by CITES secretariat, WAZA executive office with support of Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo Vienna) found a place (23 in Hungary, 20 in Erfurt, 30 in Zoological Garden Plock and 20 in Vienna) for some of them. Those scorpions are quite easy to keep and they also breed very well, therefore it was quite difficult to find a place for such a big number.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) The Live Animals Regulations (LAR) issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are the global standard for air transportation of live animals. The LAR are enforced by the European Union and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, are accepted by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Council of Europe has used these regulations as a basis for its code of conduct for the international transport of farm animals, and they are deemed to meet the air transport requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES furthermore recommends the usage of the LAR as a reference to indicate suitable conditions for carriage other than air where appropriate. The „CITES Guidelines for the Non‑Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants “and the recommendations made by the Transport Working Group are endorsed by the CITES Animals and Plants Committees and will be submitted to the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) in Bangkok in 2013. As of April 2012, WAZA has been nominated for the Live Animals and Perishables Advisory Panel and on behalf of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Andreas Kaufmann will take part.

Cooperation with the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) On 7 November 2011, WAZA and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing mutual support in the fields of marine mammal conservation, animal care policy, and communications—formalizing the exchange of information between the two groups. With approval of the MoU, WAZA and the Alliance will bring to each other’s attention topics of common interest including international marine mammal and public relations issues. Representatives will attend the annual conferences of the other organization in a non‑voting capacity and establish a link on their respective Web sites. Gerald Dick attended the AMMPA annual meeting in Alexandria in April 2012, giving a presentation about the Japanese drive dolphin situation and the attempts of WAZA to help improve the situation.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) WAZA has worked on a grant application for a Swiss based foundation, in order to get external funding in support of a project on the Decade on Biodiversity. Once accepted, all tools will be developed within a smaller project team of WAZA members, but finally benefit all members.

A representative of the CBD secretariat was invited to take part in the WAZA knowledge café at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Korea, September 2012.

For the CBD CoP 11, to be held in Hyderabad in October 2012, a special side event together with Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is planned on biodiversity conservation and the contributions to the decade on biodiversity.

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The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) Report Onnie Byers – CBSG Executive Director

Activity Report 2009–2012 Using expert facilitation and the • Supported further development • Brought international zoo and application of science‑based tools, of Disease Risk Assessment and aquarium partners together to adCBSG works collaboratively to save disease modeling tools to address dress the sustainability of intenendangered species by providing spewildlife disease issues. sively managed populations for cies conservation planning expertise • Initiated the application of single conservation. to governments, Specialist Groups, and multi‑species models to assess • Led activities that addressed issues zoos and aquariums, and other wildinvasive exotic and feral domestic important to ex situ population vilife organizations. species and their impact on the viability, including mate choice, reproability of threatened native species. ductive success, species prioritizaDuring the past quadrennium CBSG • Promoted species conservation tion, and genome resource banking. engaged in numerous and diverse planning that integrates in situ and • Collaborated with WAZA and reactivities that promote effective ex situ management approaches for gional zoo associations to promote species conservation: improved conservation benefit (One global ex situ population managePlan Approach), including a workment. Conducted training activities • Conducted 110 workshops, includshop at IUCN WCC. in Asia to promote integrated speing PHVAs, species conservation • Coordinated revision of the IUCN cies conservation planning, reduce planning workshops, trainings, and guidelines for the use of ex situ manhuman‑wildlife conflict, and build tool development meetings. agement for species conservation. ex situ population management • Produced 37 documents includ• Expanded modeling tools for capacity. ing conservation plans, workshop population viability analysis and reports, and published articles. population management, including Chair: Dr. Onnie Byers • Participated on the SSC Species software tools to aid in developNumber of members: 352 Conservation Planning (SCP) Task ing management strategies for Force to develop improved SCP meta‑populations across the wild – processes and tools, with continintensive management continuum. ued work as part of the SCP Tools Sub‑Group.

• Assessed and initiated use of virtual collaboration tools for species planning activities.

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Success Stories • Maintaining over 30 years of sustained support and increasing productivity • Providing conservation planning processes and tools for use by SSC, the zoo and aquarium community, and others • Collaboration with taxonomic SGs including Primate, Cat, Wild Cattle, Antelope, Small Carnivore and others • Instigating the Disease Risk Assessment initiative – the first formal collaboration between four disciplinary SGs: WHSG, ISSG, RSG and CBSG

Challenges • Integrating and maximizing the effectiveness of CBSG’s most valuable resource – our nine Regional Networks • Increasing collaborative activities within the SSC and with other Commissions, in keeping with IUCN’s “One Programme Approach” • Dedicating time to communicate our experiences and results with the broader conservation community

Future Goals • Assisting taxonomic SGs with their SCP needs as requested • Promoting and implementing a One Plan Approach to species conservation planning, explicitly integrating intensively managed populations with their wild counterparts • Broadening our network to include experts (including taxonomic SG experts) from across the wild – intensive population management continuum • Advancing the SSC’s contribution to: • achieving CBD targets 12 &19 through our species conservation planning work achieving target 9 through projects for species threatened by invasives, as test cases for CBSG meta‑model tools

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ISIS Report Providing the Necessary Knowledge to Assure Long‑term Management of Threatened and Vulnerable Species Roger Stonecipher – CEO, ISIS

The world’s information is at your fingertips. More than 850 zoological institutions worldwide share a knowledgebase of information on 2.8 million animals in the ISIS database.

Since 1974, 1.3 million animal moves have been recorded in the ISIS database – and reams of pertinent data followed each transaction. Of 2.8 million animals registered, 46% have moved between multiple organizations.

What do we learn from the information that follows these animals?

• From where did this animal come?

• To whom is it related?

• How old is it?

• Has it bred?

• What health problems has it had?

• Is the zoo population of this animal breeding fast enough?

• Where is a close‑by, but unrelated animal to breed with my animal?

ISIS also provides specific knowledge, such as animal weights.

Weight graphs provide a valuable snapshot of your animal’s health.

There are 4 million weights in the ISIS repository.

ISIS members also have quick access to pedigree information, institutional contacts & current status of animals assist in animal management & breeding recommendations.

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Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) application update

ZIMS 2012 Cumulative Transactions as of August 31

ZIMS contains almost 300 data standards • First effort after more than 20 years to standardize data in our community • More than 100 subject matter experts across the globe • Meaningful data for research, reports and queries

ZIMS 2012 releases • April 2, 2012: ISIS released ZIMS 2012 • Mid‑May: ISIS released ZIMS 2012.1.1 Enhancements such as batch actions to allow for more efficient data input • Mid‑August: ISIS released ZIMS 2012.1.2 Age pyramid, weight graphs, clutch/litter functionality, photos of animals, and more…

ZIMS 2012 Cumulative Transactions as of August 31

332 ISIS members have deployed the ZIMS application.

Members are excited about ZIMS 2012 “…We have only started to realize the potential of ZIMS as a management tool, even in our small institution, it’s remarkable!”

Meyer de Kock, Manager, Al Bustan Zoological Centre “…you’ll be happy to hear that I’ve trained more than half our animal keepers on ZIMS and they were way ahead of me! They like it! I’m encouraging them to enter weights for their animals (…) I love ZIMS 2012, and now I’m busy entering all the things I’d been saving for it!”

Anne Fletcher‑Jones, Registrar, The Living Desert

“ZIMS is going very well, it is easy, speedy and user friendly! Well done!”

Maria Rodeano, Direttore, Parco Zoo Punta Verde “…I am enjoying ZIMS quite a bit.

I love the batch weight entries.

I love that you can see the text of all the notes. I love the weight graphs.

I think I am going to like the alerts for my fecal check due dates. I’m sure as I get further along, there will be more things I like.”

Jan Johnson, Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum

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Future ZIMS development ZIMS veterinarian system • Complete clinical records including anesthesia, diagnosis, treatments, hematology/serology, lab test, necropsy, etc.

• Veterinary data completely integrated with basic animal information = less data duplication, easy & fast access to critical knowledge • Data will be private/shared/secured as to current data policies (i.e., other institutions will NOT see your data except in pooled values) • ZIMS release 2.0 development is underway • ZIMS veterinary subject matter experts (SMEs) defined functionality, business rules and data standards • SMEs are confident that ZIMS release 2.0 will meet the needs of our veterinary community

ZIMS for automated studbooks • ZIMS 2012 platform has stabilized the system to provide solid base for release 2.0 development • Release schedule to be determined • ZIMS release 2.0 development is underway • ZIMS veterinary subject matter experts (SMEs) defined functionality, business rules and data standards • SMEs are confident that ZIMS release 2.0 will meet the needs of our veterinary community • ZIMS 2012 platform has stabilized the system to provide solid base for release 2.0 development • Release schedule to be determined

• Real time • Automatic updates of studbook data to studbook keepers • Same‑day entered into zoo data • Timing of full release to be determined, depending on budget & priorities Thank you.

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Amphibian Ark (AArk) Report Kevin Johnson

Raising awareness Leaping Ahead of Extinction: A celebration of good news for amphibians in 2012 To coincide with Leap Day (February 29th), Amphibian Ark launched a new international event: Leaping Ahead of Extinction: A celebration of good news for amphibians in 2012.

The event was a promotion of the great successes in the conservation of amphibians in captivity and in the wild. The focus was on institutions that are managing amphibian rescue or supplementation programs, recommended either during an AArk conservation needs assessment, or by national governments or field experts.

Sixty institutions from twenty countries participated in the event, with many running special activities over a week‑long period around February 29th. Many institutions provided updates on amphibian programs from participating programs, promoting their great efforts. Some of these include: • Chester Zoo in the UK launched their online Amphibian Project, and drew attention to the decline of amphibians with their displays in the Tropical Realm.

• Perth Zoo, here in Australia, launched it’s new Sunset Frog mascot, and also included a week‑long range of activities, including the Frogology photographic exhibition.

• Toronto Zoo in Canada held a week of Leap Frog activities, and launched a new exhibit for Golden Mantellas, including a larger than life model, which was popular with younger visitors.

• Many institutional members of the Zoo Outreach Organization in South Asia and India held special events, including this one at the Department of Zoology at Lucknow University.

• Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand installed a number of panels around the Park that drew attention to frogs and the unique features of our native species.

• And Zoos Victoria here in Melbourne, used five of their Extinction Fighter Superheros to deliver conservation messages about their‘ Fighting Extinction’ priority species.

A beautiful poster advertising the Leaping Ahead of Extinction campaign was created for the event, and these were available in both English and Spanish versions. We’d especially like to thank özi and his team from özi’s comix studio (www.oezicomix. com) in Bonn, Germany, for their help in creating the poster for us, and the thirteen wonderful artists who donated their art work for the poster.

New frog named in honor of Prince Charles We coordinated a very successful publicity event with His Royal Highness Charles, the Prince of Wales. It was a monumental occasion to raise awareness about global amphibian conservation in general, Centro Jambatu’s work in Ecuador, and the Prince’s exemplary work to protect the world’s rainforests, which incidentally is a major component of the amphibian conservation movement.

AArk staff are continuing to work with Dr. Coloma (of Centro Jambatu) to secure resources for protecting the Prince’s frog in and ex situ.

The spectacular Hyloscirtus princecharlesi, discovered by Dr. Luis Coloma in the rainforest of Ecuador.

The Prince was presented with a commemorative gold medallion from the Royal Mint, which was designed by AArk Associate Danny Beckwith and a magnificent glass sculpture of the frog, was donated by Frabel Glass Art Studio and Gallery.

Importantly, the event provided us with an opportunity to promote the great work that Dr. Luis Coloma and his team at Centro Jambatu are doing with endangered Ecuadorian frogs.

Videos A new AArk promotional video was produced. Our thanks go to Bryan Maltais (www.wildernessshots.com) for producing the video, Amarevois (www.amarevois.com) for the soundtrack and narration, and the many photographers who contributed images and video for the project. A high definition copy of the video (600 MB), can be downloaded from the AArk web site (www. amphibianark.org/video/Amphibian‑Ark‑PSA‑2012.mp4) or a medium definition version (300 MB) is also available from www.amphibianark. org/video/Amphibian‑Ark‑PSA‑2012. mpg This video is ideal to include in zoo and aquarium amphibian displays, during workshops, or at amphibian meetings to help spread the word about ex situ amphibian conservation.

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In 2009, Ohio (USA)-based band The Indoorfins wrote and recorded a song for and about the Amphibian Ark (thanks to Jenny Pramuk for underwriting this!). Earlier this year, Danny Beckwith, a Science Educator at John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USA, produced a fantastic video clip to accompany the song. The video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch? v=Av‑Xat3kyxE&feature=plcp

Conservation Needs Assessments

Ex situ Conservation Training

Four Amphibian Conservation Needs Assessments we held in the past 12 months:

AArk staff and associates were involved in four ex situ conservation training workshops in 2012:

• Singapore, 31 October – 2 November (Funding from Wildlife Reserves Singapore, hosted by Singapore Zoo).

• USA and Canada, 5–8 March 2012.

Results will be used to update the AZA Amphibian Regional Collection Plan (funding from Houston Zoo, Toledo Zoo, hosted by Ft. Calendars Worth Zoo, facilitator provided

by Auckland Zoo).

As reported last year, AArk 2012 Leap • Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Year calendars were produced, featur26–30 March 2012. (Funding from ing winners from our successful photo Conservation, Food, & Health competition. We sold 550 calendars Foundation; Columbus Zoo; Prince with a profit of $3,291.

Bernhard Fund).

• Ecuador, 21–25 May 2012 (funding from Chicago Zoological Society’s Herp festivals Chicago Board of Trade Endangered Species Fund, St. Louis Zoo, EAZA/ AArk had a promotional booth at the YOTF).

Chicago Herpetological Society’s ReptileFest, 14-15 April. AArk Associate Planning and discussions underway Danny Beckwith and volunteers from for workshops in India, Bolivia, the the Indian Guide Program (espePhilippines and Europe and additioncially the Scherer family) handed out al funding is needed for all of these promotional material and organized workshops. videos, games and quizzes.

Since 2006, AArk and partners have undertaken 26 national/regional Facebook assessment workshops covering 3,018 (43%) of the world’s amphibian Our new Facebook page now has species.

1,843 friends – up from 811 friends this time last year.

Rescue species

Publications AArk’s 5-year progress report was published in electronic format and distributed widely. Copies are available online at www.amphibianark. org/pdf/AArk‑5-year‑report.pdf AArk review article “The Amphibian Ark: A Global Community for Ex situ Conservation of Amphibians” was published by Herpetological Conservation & Biology http://herpconbio.org/Volume_6/Issue_3/Zippel_etal_2011.pdf

A new web page was launched (www. amphibianark.org/rescue‑species/) promoting all of the amphibian species assessed as being in need of urgent ex situ rescue to prevent their extinction. All ex situ conservation partners are urged to refer to these lists when selecting species for new conservation programs.

• Singapore, 3–5 November (funding from Wildlife Reserves Singapore, hosted by Singapore Zoo) • Caribbean, 5–10 February 2012. 52 students from 7 countries attended (funding from CI, • AArk/EAZA, Barrick Pueblo Viejo Corporation, Toledo Zoo).

• USA/AZA, 28 April–4 May 2012 (hosted by Toledo Zoo).

• Ecuador Amphibian Veterinary Outreach Program and student training, 26–28 September 2012 (funding from WAZA).

Discussions are underway for workshops in Madagascar, Peru, Mesoamerica and Russia, and additional funding is needed for all of these workshops.

On‑line training modules are currently being developed by AArk staff and volunteers to further build capacity for ex situ action. The first modules are on target to go live via the AArk website by end of 2012.

Since 2006, AArk and our partners have delivered 52 husbandry workshops in 30 countries including 1,727 students.

Our new Amphibian Ark Training Course Prospectus was distributed and made available online (www. amphibianark.org/pdf/Amphibian_Ark_Training_Course_Prospectus. pdf). The document contains detailed information about AArk ex situ conservation training courses.

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Education

IUCN Red List

Rachel Rommel has joined the team • Ex situ management of five extant as a volunteer Education Officer. She species of Atelopus in Ecuador: has been working on updating the Assurance colonies of five extant educational curriculum pages on the species of harlequin frogs Atelopus AArk web site, and working with the were established by Cento Jambatu Houston Zoo and the Texas Parks in Ecuador, with assisted reproducand Wildlife Department to organize, tion using hormones being used as a implement and evaluate a capacity tool to accelerate breeding. Offbuilding educator workshop, and spring from three of the five species educator’s guide for the endangered have been produced.

Houston toad. The workshop will take place on September 29th.

A proposal was submitted to the Red List Technical Working Group to consider merging the bulk of AArk’s Conservation Needs Assessment process into the Red List assessment process. Unfortunately this proposal was declined, mainly because the Red List Technical Working Group felt that conservation planning, and particularly prioritization of species for conservation action, should remain distinct from Red Listing – and that extinction risk assessment should be separated from conservation priority setting.

Funding grants

AArk Seed Grants Two projects were awarded $5,000 each in 2012: • Conservation Plan for Eleutherodac‑ tylus juanariveroi: captive breeding and environmental assessment for future introduction efforts – University of Puerto Rico.

• Honduran Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center – Honduran Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center.

We would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Ronna Erickson, Josie Lowman, Woodland Park Zoo and EAZA in establishing these grants.

The two seed grant winners from 2011 provided updates on their work: • Conservation of Scinax alcatraz: Captive breeding and in situ monitoring of a critically endangered tree‑frog species. The Sao Paulo Zoo in Brazil first began working with a related but more common species, Scinax perpusillus, to develop husbandry and breeding protocols. The techniques developed using the surrogate were then applied to the more threatened species in 2011, with 93 juveniles now being maintained from a clutch of 140 eggs.

Ark was awarded $2,500 from Chicago Zoological Society’s Chicago Board of Trade Endangered Species Fund for an assessment workshop in Ecuador.

AArk was awarded ~$11,675 from WAZA for an ongoing husbandry/veterinary training program in Ecuador.

We are waiting on a decision on a large IMLS grant for approximately $130,000 for conservation needs assessments in Bolivia, China, Colombia, Europe, India, Madagascar and the Philippines.

Committee members We welcomed several new members to the AArk Executive and Steering Committees. Lena Linden from Nordens Ark is now representing WAZA on the Executive Committee.

Hans Furrer of Itatiba Zoo is now representing SZB (Brazil) Qiau Yilun of Beijing Zoo is now representing CAZG (China) and Ian Visser from the Johannesburg Zoo is the new PAAZAB representative.

ASA AArk staff attended an Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) meeting in Washington, DC 7-12 December to help with a strategic plan for ASA development with other key partners ASG, and Amphibian Red List (funding support provided by EAZA).

Our donors Thanks to all our donors over thee past 12 months: www.amphibianark. org/our‑donors/.

AArk staff Thanks to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and the CBSG office in Minnesota for hosting two of our staff during 2012.

Thanks to those institutions that supported AArk Associates who assist with delivering our workshops.

How you can help • Support a workshop by sending your ace husbandry guy or vet to a workshop to help • Help support a regional chytrid testing lab in a particular area (say, Latin America) • Give serious consideration to establishing ex situ programs for species assessed by AArk as most in need of help! (see www.amphibianark.org/ rescue‑species/).

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New Members Presentations

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National Zooloical Park New Delhi, India Amitabh Agnihotri

National Zoological Park is one of the finest and largest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide an almost natural habitat to the animals and birds herein New Delhi.

Established in 1959 and is spread over a massive area of 214 acres.

Delhi Zoo is home to more than 2000 species of animals and birds from Africa, America, Australia and Asia. It is regarded as one of the finest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide an almost natural habitat to the animals and the birds. It is a

good spot for picnics. It has an early 17th century Kos Minar, which was one of the many, put up by Jehangir, son of the emperor, Akbar. As you climb up the red sandstone gate, you get a chance to admire the vast expanse of the Zoological Park. The winding pathways here are laid with the red Badarpur gravel, and the green shrubs demarcate the red with the undulating brown窶組reen vast stretches of grass.

http://nzpnewdelhi.gov.in/disclaimer. htm

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Saigon Zoo – Botanical Garden Company Ltd., Vietnam Phan Viet Lam As one of the oldest zoos in the world, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is famous not only with Vietnamese but also with foreign visitors. It is the home for many rare orchids, ornamental plants, and over a hundred species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a cultural place of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It was ranked eighth among the oldest zoos in the world.

Up to now, it is 133 years old.

At present the Saigon Zoo Botanical Gardens homes 869 animals belonging to 116 species, many of which are endangered species in Vietnam and the world. The plant collection comprises 3’000 trees many of which are over 100 years old. There are also different species of cacti, orchid and bonsai of great value.

www.saigonzoo.net/lang/en

MEM 67.3

Papiliorama Foundation, Switzerland Caspar Bijleveld van Lexmond The Papiliorama complex in Kerzers is a subtle mix between a zoological institution, a botanical garden and a living museum. It does not harbor large wildlife, but aims at showing the public a sample of biodiversity, both tropical and local. It strives to raise the awareness of the importance and fate of biological diversity around the planet. The foundation’s main target groups are today’s younger generations, who are offered

to experience natural beauty through wondrous exhibits, from fluttering butterflies to free‑flying toucans, as well as secretive nocturnal mammals.

The outside gardens present local biodiversity along discovery paths and playgrounds. Papiliorama actively takes part in conservation through its nature reserve in Belize, Central America (www.shipstern.org)

www.papiliorama.ch

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Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), UK Monique Paris While habitat conservation is the most crucial intervention in conserving Africa’s mammals, the development of breeding strategies is a critical ancillary endeavour to maintain population numbers and gene pools of threatened species. Natural breeding of threatened species in protected environments is successful for a number of species such as the white rhinoceros. Information on the reproductive biology is valuable for assessing reproductive status and for conservation management.

This information may also be used for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), such as sperm and egg banking, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation as emergency

and supportive interventions. These approaches are particularly pertinent in the event of calamitous declines in populations due to disease and natural disasters.

ART is also a practical technique for introducing additional genetic materials as an alternative to transporting rare animals.

ART has been successfully employed to breed a number of species including panda, elephant, black‑footed ferret, elk, dolphins, cheetah and various canine and cat species.

IBREAM is a virtual institute which aims to conserve rare and endangered species of African mammals by gaining knowledge of their basic reproductive biology for application in conservation management. ART will be a complementary initiative to programmes such as captive breeding, re‑stocking, habitat re‑establishment and infectious disease control.

Knowledge of basic reproductive biology of African mammals will also position IBREAM to develop contraceptive measures as a humane alternative to culling to maintain habitat and population balance. www.ibream.org

MEM 67.5

The Portico Group, Inc., USA Keith R. McClintock

Mission: The Portico Group is a design This work includes: firm creating opportunities to connect people with nature and culture in • Zoos and aquaria meaningful ways.

• Public gardens • Museums and visitor centers As an interdisciplinary firm, The Por• Parks and recreation tico Group capitalizes on the inspiration found in collaboration. Our work Our practice merges the disciplines expresses our place‑based approach of architecture, landscape architecto design, which is linked to the ture, and interpretive design. Providphysical, environmental and cultural ing master planning, programming, characteristics of the project locadesign and construction observation tion. The Portico Group specializes in to mission‑driven clients around projects that infuse meaning into the relationship between the built and natural environments.

the world, The Portico Group was founded in Seattle, Washington and is currently celebrating 25 years of design. www.porticogroup.com

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Format International Limited, UK David Evans Mission statement • To continue to be the leading supplier of feed formulation software to major food and feed manufacturers and related users world‑wide.

• To maintain our reputation for robust and competent software that meets the business needs of our customers.

• To extend the appeal of the company’s products through advances in performance, ease of use, and by improving the understanding and application of new techniques.

• To maintain and further build Format’s reputation as the best in the field for the provision of support services and training on a international basis.

• To remain a closely held independent company owned and managed by individuals devoted to the long term success of Format and respected by its customers for its integrity, continuity and product excellence

Format International is a UK‑based software company specialising in formulation software to the feed industry. Our customer base is worldwide and is comprised of manufactures of animal feed, aqua feed, pet food and human food. Format software currently being used in over 94 countries.

Following a direct approach from the zoo community two years ago, Format has been working in consultation with colleagues in EAZA and AZA to develop Format FAUNA, a totally new diet management software tailored to the needs of zoos and aquariums.

The system is built on the very latest technology and has already attracted significant attention from presentation made to both EAZA and AZA. FAUNA will be showcased at the WAZA 2012 in Melbourne.

It is Format’s demonstrate its long term commitment to the zoo community by becoming a full and active member of WAZA, hence the application for commercial membership.

It is our intention to have a regular presence at WAZA and other exhibitions. We will therefore be seeking similar memberships within EAZA, AZA, BIAZA etc. www.formatinternational.com/

October 2012 | Melbourne

2 Plenary nd

Melbourne, 10 October 2012 Start at 12.30 am | End at 1.45 pm

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Committee for Population Management (CPM) Dave Morgan and Markus Gusset

The WAZA Committee for Population Management (CPM) is charged with the administration of the International Studbook Program (ISBP) and the Global Species Management Program (GSMP) and comprises representatives from all regional zoo associations, CBSG, ISIS and the International Zoo Yearbook.

The progression and advancement of the GSMP is presently regarded as being CPM’s main priority and the current president of WAZA, Dr Jörg Junghold has at a number of forums within WAZA, emphasized this primacy. To this end an extended series of meetings of CPM representatives was held concurrent with the Red Panda global master‑planning meeting in April 2012 at Rotterdam Zoo in Holland.

The day prior to this meeting, population managers of EAZA, AZA, JAZA, ZAA and WAZA met at the EAZA offices in Amsterdam to discuss the logistics and progress of the so‑called “CPM 6” trial GSMPs. These are: • Golden Lion Tamarin; coordinated

by AZA • Blue‑crowned Laughing Thrush; coordinated by AZA • Sumatran Tiger; coordinated by EAZA • Nepalese Red Panda; coordinated

by EAZA • Javan Gibbon; coordinated by ZAA • Yellow‑footed Rock Wallaby; coordinated by ZAA

This sequence of meetings was held over a total of 4 days and allowed the opportunity to resolve some outstanding issues. In particular the GSMP Application form, representing a far more stream‑lined bureaucracy‑cutting approach, was finalised.

This has since been circulated to the larger international zoo community and the nomination of species for global species management is now open for application (The application form can be downloaded from the WAZA website). Similarly the International Studbook Resource Manual was updated. A seventh species for GSMP trialling was also mooted at the meeting – Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo. The status and development of these the (now) “CPM 7” will be reported upon in the plenary sessions at the next WAZA conference in Melbourne, October 2012.

Following this a draft GSMP Resource Manual has been produced and has undergone electronic circulation among CPM. The final version of this document will be determined at the next meeting of CPM of 3 October 2012 in Melbourne. A very sensitive issue pertaining to a request by the AZA to allow International Studbook Keepers in the AZA region to maintain their ISB datasets using Poplink software was resolved by electronic vote of CPM core members. The decision has been to allow the use of this software, but only by AZA ISB Keepers. The datasets also have to be converted into SPARKS format prior to ISB publication, reporting to ISIS and WAZA/CPM. A period of the meetings in Rotterdam was set aside for discussion on the direction of the GSMP and how WAZA might assist the regional as-

sociations in capacitating the GSMP. The meeting noted that the promulgation of GSMPs at regional level is usually over and above the normal day‑to‑day duties of the population managers in the regions; that increasing this capacity within the regional offices was seen as being a vital need to advance the GSMP as a whole. The question was raised as to how many GSMPs we wish to enact globally as this also speaks to capacity issues at an international level. Another area of concern discussed was how species selection and prioritization should occur. At this stage selection has been on the basis of setting ourselves up for success and picking those species whose regional management allows for the best articulation at a global level. Capacity‑building and species selection remain central topics for further discussion within CPM. They have similarly been communicated to WAZA Council as matters of some importance to the expansion of the GSMP process.

Following Melbourne, the next full meeting of CPM is scheduled for April 2013 at the WAZA Executive Office in Gland, Switzerland.

International studbooks report for the period from 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012 In the period from 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012, four international studbooks (ISBs) were archived, three new ISBs were established, 17 ISBs were transferred to new keepers and two ISBs were transferred to new institutions. At the end of the reporting period, six issues were pending. There are currently 127 active ISBs, including 161 species or sub‑species (10 ISBs cover more than one taxon).

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ISBs archived: On 26 September 2011, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the grizzled grey tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus inustus).

On 12 January 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur).

On 2 April 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema).

On 4 April 2012, CPM decided to archive the ISB for the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata).

ISBs established: On 3 October 2011, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the Buffon’s macaw (Ara ambiguus) kept

by Sandrine Silhol (Zoo des Sables d’Olonne, France).

On 7 December 2011, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) kept by Gerardo García (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 13 February 2012, CPM approved the establishment of an ISB for the blue‑crowned laughingthrush (Dryonastes courtoisi) kept by Laura Gardner (Leeds Castle Foundation, supported

by Chester Zoo, UK).

Transfer of ISBs to new keepers: On 26 September 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) ISB to Megan Richardson (Melbourne Zoo, Australia).

On 17 November 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) ISB to Hitoshi Murai (Toyama Municipal Familiypark Zoo, Japan).

On 14 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) ISB to John Partridge (Bristol Zoo, UK).

On 15 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the caracal (Caracal caracal) ISB to Kristen Clark (Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, USA).

On 20 December 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) ISB to Frédéric Houssaye (CERZA Zoo, France).

On 16 February 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) ISB to Matt Goetz (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 22 February 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) ISB to Ian Goodwin (Marwell Wildlife, UK).

On 19 March 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the blue‑throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis) ISB to Simon Bruslund (Loro Parque, Spain).

On 2 April 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the maroon‑fronted parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) ISB to Carolina Hartmann (Africam Safari, Mexico).

On 4 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the sand cat (Felis margarita) ISB to Grégory Breton (Parc des Félins, France).

On 5 October 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the sand cat (Felis margarita) ISB to Ute Magiera (Osnabrück Zoo, Germany).

On 11 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) ISB to Dominic Wormell (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK).

On 7 November 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) ISB to Christine McKnight (Minnesota Zoo, USA).

On 20 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the cotton‑top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) ISB to Andrea Echeverry (Barranquilla Zoo, Colombia).

On 21 June 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) ISB to Thijs van den Houten (Flamingo Land, UK).

On 2 August 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) ISB to Jennifer Mickelberg (Zoo Atlanta, USA).

On 30 August 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) ISB to Jo Cook (Zoological Society of London, UK).

Transfer of ISBs to new institutions: On 26 September 2011, CPM approved the transfer of the cotton‑top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) ISB, kept

by Hollie Colahan, to Denver Zoo (USA).

On 16 April 2012, CPM approved the transfer of the horned guan (Oreophasis derbianus) ISB, kept by Juan Cornejo, to Bronx Zoo (USA).

Pending issues: As of 31 August 2012, ISBs for the lion‑tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis), Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Edwards’ pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) and Vietnamese pheasant (Lophura hatinhensis) are vacant.

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International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) Report Rachel Lowry

Context The International Zoo Educators association is dedicated to expanding the educational impact of zoos and aquariums worldwide. Its mission is to improve the impact of educational programs in the facilities of its members, and to provide access to the latest thinking, techniques, and information in conservation education.

The Association is also very much committed to supporting improvements in animal care and welfare.

Board composition • President: Rachel Lowry (Zoos Victoria) • Immediate Past‑President: Kathy Lehnhardt (Disney Animal Kingdom) • President‑Elect: Isabel Li (Hong Kong Ocean park) • Secretary/Treasurer: Bill Street (Busch Gardens, Florida) • Website Editor: Debra Erickson (San Diego Zoo)

Regional Representatives/Editors • North/Southeast Asia: May Lok (Wildlife Reserves Singapore) • South Asia: Meena Nareshwar (Centre for Environmental Education, India) • Australia/New Zealand: Sean Coleman (Zoos Victoria) • Europe/Middle East: Maggie Esson (Chester Zoo) • Latin America: Sandra Gomez (Santacruz Zoological Foundation) • North America: Rachel Bergren (Lincoln Park Zoo) • Africa: Jone Porter (Sea World at uShaka Marine World) There is a vacant position of Journal Editor which will be filled by appointment of the IZE President.

Key Achievements In the past year, IZE served our membership and the zoo industry through the development and implementation of the following achievements: • Hosted a world‑leading conference with more than 150 delegates attending the conference which was hosted by Chester Zoo • Produced an industry journal sharing best‑practice zoo‑based educational programs, educational theories and program evaluations with zoos represented from all around the world.

• IZE website updated and remains the world’s largest zoo‑based educational resource depository

• Increased the number of climate change related teaching materials available online to zoo educators • Conducted a membership survey to gain insights into critical areas such as membership expectations to steer the future direction of IZE, areas requiring further training and development etc.

• Regional Representatives contributed to respective regional conferences and workshop to ensure that IZE gain insights that will further enhance our ability to lead and or support initiatives that build the capacity of zoo‑based education

Reach Membership: 200 (plus 19 institutional members, 24 associate) Website: 1.2 million unique views (average of 3208 pages viewed each day) Conference attendance: 168 (representing more than 105 institutions) Sponsored delegates: 8 (out of a total of 50 applications)

IZE Conference update Date: Aug 28–Sept 1 2012.

Theme: Changing hearts, minds and ultimately behaviours Regional Composition: Africa, North and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America

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12–14 Focus Areas This year’s conference highlighted the following trends:

• Planning a cutting edge conference with a strong focus on capacity building and benchmarking, to be • There is an increased focus on held in Ahmedabad, India (Novemevaluation from previous years, ber 2014) and hosted by the Centre with many zoos and aquariums for Environmental Education. documenting shifts in attitudes • Facilitate in country training that and knowledge and a few making will require scoping Latin American headway in measuring behavioural membership’s priority areas for change. zoo‑based education training and • Programs that target behaviours facilitating a tailored workshop to (and not just awareness) are increasbuild capacity within this region. ing.

• Rebrand IZE (logo, not name) to • Social Science methodology is be better reflect our memberships beginning to influence program marine and terrestrial focus design; with 2 of the keynote speak- • Maintain the high standards of the ers (social scientists) reiterating that IZE sponsored delegate program zoo’s will not meet the challenges and enhance publicity to secure adahead without up‑skilling in this ditional funding area.

• Integrate social networking as an • Many zoos are integrating the use effective communication tool for of technology (iPads in particular) IZE members into their learning experiences.

• Scope the value of IZE offering • Many zoos are placing value on an international award for leadlearning beyond school‑based proing zoo‑based education programs grams, crafting effective formal and to recognise and further enhance informal learning programs. industry standards.

• Maintain the current journal standards whilst transitioning to Membership Trends optional electronic copies, working towards ensuring iPad compatibility.

• We have experienced a significant increase in membership throughout Latin America in the past two years. Acknowledgement The membership survey and website traffic indicate that this region I’d like to thank the outgoing board is utilising IZE to build capacity, and members for their valuable contributhe regional representative confirms tions to IZE: that Latin American educators are eager for further support, a primary • Stephen McKeown from Chester focus area in the next two years.

Zoo for 14 years of service!

• A significant drop in European mem- • Stephanie Heinzelmann from Natur‑ bership has occurred, likely due to und Tierparkverein Goldau the global economic crisis. A con• Tomáš Hajnys from Dvůr Králové certed effort will be made to reverse Zoo this trend and explore membership • Ann Warner from PASA needs specific to this region.

• Slight increases seen across Asia The International Zoo Educators Asand Australasia which will be built sociation would also like to acknowlupon in upcoming years. edge Kathy Lehnhardt for her exceptional leadership and commitment during her term as IZE president.

Thanks to our institutional members: Without the support of the following institutions, there would be no internationally coordinated effort to support and progress zoo‑based education, our industries most potent conservation tool when harnessed effectively.

• Zoos Victoria* • Chester Zoo* • Ocean Park Hong Kong* • Disney’s Animal Kingdom* • SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment* • Fundación Temaikèn • Marine Life Park Singapore Moscow Zoo North Carolina Zoological Park North of England Zoological Society, Oregon Zoo‑Conservation Division Rotterdam Zoo Royal Zoological Society of Scotland • Taipei City Zoo Twycross Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Society of London Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Emirates Park Zoo Fondazione Bioparco di Roma–Rome’s Zoo * Also made financial contributions to support the IZE sponsored delegate program.

Further enquiries please contact: Rachel Lowry President International Zoo Educators Director Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria.

Melbourne Zoo, PO Box 74 Parkville, Victoria, and Australia 3052 rlowry@zoo.org.au

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Marketing Committee Report Joanne Lalumiere

Composition Core members of the committee are: • Joanne Lalumiere | Zoo Granby | Canada (Chair) • Jörg Adler | Zoo Muenster | Germany • Henrik L. Andersen | Zoo Odense | Denmark • Jeffrey Bonner | Zoo St. Louis | USA • Brad Andrews | AZA | USA • Cesare Avesani Zaborra | Parco Natura Viva | Italy • Phil Frost | Zoo Baton Rouge | USA • Carole Lecointre | WAZA Office | Switzerland

Meeting 2011 The committee met at the 66th Annual Conference of WAZA in Prague in October 2011. The minutes have been published in the proceedings of this conference.

Marketing activities of the WAZA executive office Please refer to doc 67.8 WAZA Executive Office Report “Marketing/Communication”.

• Communicating biodiversity through new age technologies: explore the impact and potential of social media and virtual reality technology for zoos and aquariums.

• Resourcing biodiversity conservation: delegates will be energised to open their minds to novel ways and concepts to deliver finance and attract a transforming visitor market, expanding into alternative market places and commercial ventures.

• Promoting “biodiversity‑friendly” behavioural change – are the right biodiversity messages being received and understood? We explore multiple forms of communication as processes for delivering complex messages.

• Negative publicity damages biodiversity communication: bad zoos and aquariums do exist and incidents do occur at international zoos that trigger negative press and public debate on ethical issues. We consider how these scenarios may be compassionately and appropriately managed.

• Leading biodiversity communication: are you structured to communicate biodiversity?

Preparation of the 8th WAZA Marketing Conference

5. Special Council meeting with Committee chairs in August 2012

The next Marketing Conference will be hosted by Twycross Zoo, UK from May 13–16 2013. The theme for this marketing conference will be “Communicating Biodiversity: Leadership

by Zoos”.

A special workshop was held in Leipzig on August 16 that gathered Council members and committee chairs. The purpose was to examine the structure, goals and terms of references of the committees and their functional organization. The Marketing committee chair presented a presentation for the purpose of the discussions. This presentation is an appendix to this report (see next pages). The results of this workshop will be shared in Melbourne.

5 sessions will be organised during the conference under the following themes:

COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS WORKSHOP Leipzig, 16 August 2012 Marketing Committee Presentation

Satisfaction with committee work The committee itself has a limited capacity.

Importance and needs of marketing issues where deemed important enough a few years ago to add a full time marketing person at the head office of WAZA which has improved much the promotional efforts of WAZA and its mission and activities.

Since then, committee members meet at annual conferences and participate at the « International Zoo Marketing Conference » held every two years with the exception of 2009, due to the economic crisis situation.

Conference themes are useful and interesting at conferences attended in Münster, South Africa and Granby.

The level and quality of presentations seems to improve at each conference.

The Granby Conference reached a high in international representation with 22 countries represented and 3 international partners pulling together to promote conservation efforts worldwide.

Participants were mostly very satisfied and favourable to a further conference in 2013.

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Purpose of committee With the presence of a full time marketing person at WAZA office, the purpose of the committee has mostly evolved towards an exchange and networking forum on marketing issues at the annual conference.

Based on the discussions held at the Prague meeting, WAZA’s marketing director Carole Lecointre gave further thought as to the best way to increase the efficiency of the Marketing Committee. As we know, the promotion of the role and importance of Zoos and Aquariums in conservation activities will become increasingly important in the years to come. To this end, here are some recommendations to be considered:

From an exchange between Jorg and Suzanne Boardman, here are a few topics or themes that have been raised and considered of interest for future consideration:

• Marketing messages to increase attendance • Communication of conservation More in‑depth topics hare mostly covmessages ered during the Marketing Conference.

• Global relevance of WAZA • New media and multimedia technologies Structural setup / Rules of • To rethink the setting up of the • The potential of social media for procedure / Meetings Committee: choosing Marketing global interactions and Communication people (instead • Evolution of marketing and PR staff The committee is not well organized. of Zoo directors) from different in Zoos globally There are names of Zoo directors on regions of the world (10 people a list that was handed from the previmaximum) At the Prague Conference, the ous chair. Zoo directors have jobs that • To establish a regular reporting/ workshop on “Making Money and don’t always allow time for active feedback (not more than 3 times a Saving Wildlife” was well‑attended involvement. year) through conference calls and brought to many people’s atten• To involve the Committee in imtion the fact that for many zoos or No formal communications are held portant decisions relative to WAZA aquariums, in order to carry out their between meetings.

Marketing strategy such as: mission, revenues are of the utmost • Choosing the theme for the importance. Having a commercial However, following the Granby marketing conferences approach for some activities can help conference, I have put together some • Choosing speakers for the increase revenues and thus improve Terms of References to facilitate the conferences conservation actions. As marketing task for the future hosts of the Inter• Finding new ideas for social and sales are often seen as two donational Zoo Marketing Conference. media strategy mains that work together, there was an interest to consider a session on • Recruiting new how creative sales and marketing can advertisers/sponsors improve support to conservation.

Targets • To create a WAZA Marketing Award to reward the best marketing project The importance of marketing the role Having appreciated the conferences or communication campaign not of accredited Zoos and Aquariums at in Münster and South Africa, my only from a commercial perspecmany levels in conservation (includpersonal target was to hold a Confertive but from a conservation angle ing government lobbying) also came ence in Granby and to help raise the as well. The Marketing Committee out as a necessity to the zoo and awareness of the Conservation efforts would vote for this or these Awards aquarium community. of Zoos and Aquarium wordwide by • To involve the Committee in the sharing best practices and bringing yearly presentation at the Annual partners to work together to increase Conference their impact by leveraging on each • To this end, it would be expected Support of Executive Office other’s work. that the initiatives and support for the Committee chair come from There is no formal or regular link beParticipants were very excited to WAZA’s marketing director. tween the Marketing Committee and discover best practices from zoos all the Executive Office. over the world and as most of them mentioned there is no other event/ Current and future main The fact that there is a Marketing conference of this type for the zoo topics Director puts less pressure on the community. That is why WAZA has volunteer side of the work. developed the MarCom platfrom on At the Granby conference, it was the member’s area of the website, so agreed that Target 1 of the set of However, when there are specific that marketing people could access Aichi targets (awareness‑raising) shall marketing issues or for the preparacase studies on a regular basis (and be monitored and be a major part at tion of the marketing conference, not only every 2 year). the next Marketing Conference. there is collaboration on a regular basis between the chair and the marketing director.

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Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee Report Susan Hunt

The Ethics and Welfare Committee monitors compliance with the Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare by WAZA members, and is used to produce posi‑ tion statements on various activities involving captive animals

Background • Dr Chris West stood down as Chair of the Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee (the Committee) following his resignation from WAZA Council early in 2012. Dr West’s significant contribution to the Committee and to animal welfare is acknowledged.

• Ms Susan Hunt (CEO, Perth Zoo) was appointed to Council to replace Dr West. Ms Hunt also took on the role of Chair of the Committee in May 2012. The official members of the Committee are: • David Jones (North Carolina Zoo) • Theo Pagel (Koln Zoo) • Jenny Gray (Zoos Victoria) • Clifford Nxomani (National Zoo, Pretoria) • Hideyuki Takahashi (Ueno Zoo, Japan) • David Field (ZSL, London) It is acknowledged that a wider group of interested WAZA members regularly input and have contributed to the work of this committee. This is appreciated and encouraged.

Outcomes of 2011 Member Discussions At the 2011 WAZA conference there was a plenary Animal Welfare workshop and an Ethics and Welfare committee (also held in plenary). The following is extracted from the minutes of the 2011 meetings:

• (There was) Strong support for the As a result of the consideration of the production of a WAZA Ethics and draft paper, WAZA Council has identiWelfare handbook. fied several actions. These actions • A need to refine the complaints also aim to reflect the intent of the procedure, particularly in respect outcomes of 2011 meetings: to non‑member zoos (where most complaints come from).

• The development of a “WAZA Ani• A need for WAZA to work closely mal Welfare Strategy” as a guide for with the relevant regional and WAZA members; national associations in regard to • Identification of additional WAZA these topics and to develop a netmembers (in addition to formal work within the responsible animal committee members) to assist with welfare community and welfare this working project; and and ethics “centres of excellence” • Potential changes to the WAZA around the world.

By‑Laws and the responsibilities • A general recognition that we of WAZA committees to clarify the needed to take a leadership role in management of ethical practice addressing the issue of substandard issues and animal welfare. zoos.

• A recognition that we should look These issues will be subjects of the into whether WAZA and the mainworkshop at the upcoming WAZA stream zoo community could be meeting and the formal (closed) better organized to deal with zoo meeting of the Committee. and possibly wildlife emergencies more efficiently than is the case at Council also noted the three year prothe moment. ject presently underway on animal • Strong support for the overall apwelfare and standards initiated by Dr proach, including the recruitment David Jones as well as the appointof a full‑time Ethics and Welfare ment of Dave Morgan as the project’s Officer. full‑time resource. The project is • A need to clarify the role of that post supported by a number of WAZA and to decide on how the incummembers and NGO animal interest bent would be managed. groups. Work is ongoing at Council to clarify how this work relates to and In considering these matters and the can best inform the development complex operating environment in of WAZA’s animal welfare work and this area, at its mid‑year 2012 meetWAZA members’ best interests. ing WAZA Council resolved that a framework paper for Animal Welfare The next meeting of the Commitand Ethics be developed for contee is scheduled for 2.30pm‑3.30pm sideration and further discussion of Tuesday 9 October 2012 at the 2012 Council.

WAZA Conference, (Melbourne) as a closed meeting (official members A discussion paper was developed and invitees only please) by the new Chairperson with the assistance of Committee members An open discussion for all interested Dr David Jones and Ms Jenny Gray WAZA delegates will immediately as well as by Mr Dave Morgan. It was following at 3.30 pm–4.30 pm considered by Council at its meeting in Leipzig in August 2012.

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Aquarium Committee Report Heather Koldewey

Aquarium Committee

Aquarium News

Dr Heather Koldewey has resigned her position as Aquarium Committee Chair as of July 2012. This was due to a lack of time to give the position the attention it needs. In addition, I have found this committee particularly challenging considering the lack of guidance and support from the WAZA office, challenging communications with the WAZA office, and the practical difficulties of making real progress when the committee is only allocated one hour per year to meet at the annual conference. The latter does not justify the high costs of the WAZA conference, especially when I am not a zoo/aquarium director.

New aquariums continue to develop globally and there had been no apparent change in the pace of construction in spite of the global financial crisis. This is obviously a very different scenario to the zoo community. At the International Aquarium Congress there were reports of the new National Aquarium of Denmark under construction in Copenhagen (Denmark), a new interpretation centre in the Cabrera archipelago (Mallorca Island, Spain), a new aquarium in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and a complete rebuild of the Toledo Zoo aquarium. Expansions of existing aquariums were also reported, including a new exhibition building at Oceanario Lisboa (Portugal),‘ Gondwanaland’ at Leipzig Zoo.

The WAZA office has indicated that Dr Mark Penning may be interested in taking on this position again. Suzanne Gendron (Ocean Park Hong Kong) has also expressed an interest in the position. This will be discussed at the forthcoming WAZA conference in Melbourne and I understand that Mark has agreed to chair that meeting. I am in touch with Mark, Suzanne and Dennis (vice‑chair) to ensure a smooth transition.

Jeff Archer has now left Oceanis so we will need to find a new Australasian regional representative.

WAZA needs to carefully consider that Sea Life Centres (Merlin Entertainments Ltd) continue to expand at a rate of one new aquarium in Europe, one in North America and now one in Asia every year. Merlin have also purchased Oceanis group in Australia which owned and operated several aquariums in Australia and Asia.

Membership Matters The Aquarium Committee has not been informed of any new aquarium members to WAZA.

The Aquarium Strategy – ‘Turning The Tide’ The WAZA Aquarium Strategy for Conservation and Sustainability – “Turning the Tide” – has now been translated into Portuguese and published, thanks to Oceanrio Lisboa.

This now means that this document is now available for download on the WAZA website in English, Spanish, simplified Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese.

Sustainability Dr Dennis Thoney from Vancouver Aquarium has now completed the final draft of the WAZA Aquatic Collection Sustainability Action Plan following a series of consultations with the WAZA Aquarium Committee, EAZA, EUAC and AZA members. This will shortly be submitted to WAZA Council for endorsement.

No progress has been made on publishing the sustainable seafood resource materials on the WAZA website (these were compiled for the last WAZA meeting in Prague). This remains an outstanding action for the WAZA office.

Dr Dennis Thoney and Gerald Dick submitted a letter on behalf of WAZA in response to Senate Bill 2002 that was before the Hawai’i State Legislature. This bill focused on critical and unnecessarily burdensome changes to the current coral reef fishery control and management infrastructure in the State and was part of a co‑ordinated response from other regional associations, particularly AZA.

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Breeding Programmes There continues to be good progress in the development of co‑ordinated breeding programmes for fish and aquatic invertebrates. Both the AZA and EUAC/EAZA marine and freshwater taxon advisory groups (TAGs) have been undertaking regional collection planning exercises. The AZA Marine Fish TAG and Freshwater Fish TAG RCPs have now been published and a number of Population Management Programmes (PMPs) are underway.

Efforts for additional studbooks for more fecund species are as yet unsuccessful due to the lack of population management tools available. It is hoped that ZIMS will address these problems.

Within EAZA, the following European Studbooks (ESBs) are in place: Horned shark

Heterodontus francisci

ESB Amsterdam

Warren Spencer

2011

Zebra shark

Stegostoma fasciatum

ESB Arnhem

Max Janse

2007

Sandbar shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

ESB Antibes

Jean Philippe Catteau 2010

ESB Wien-Aqua

Daniel Abed-Navandi 2010

Blue spotted Neotrygon kuhlii maskray Blue spotted Taeniura lymma stingray Spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari Short-snouted seahorse Long-snouted seahorse

ESB Lisboa-Ocea Nuria Baylina

2007

ESB Arnhem

Max Janse

2010

Hippocampus hippocampus ESB Chessington

Olivia Walter

2010

Hippocampus guttulatus

Laura Castellano

2010

ESB Genova

Conservation At all conferences, we are promoting conservation initiatives to become WAZA‑branded projects and promoting the funding of aquatic projects.

Husbandry symposia • The‘ International Zoo and Aquarium Symposium on Global Freshwater Fish Conservation: linking ex situ and in situ actions’ took place on the 4–7 November 2010. The symposium was organised by Chester Zoo, ZSL, Wetlands International and the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group. Proceedings are being published as an International Zoo Yearbook volume.

• The‘ International Zoo and Aquarium Symposium on Syngnathid Husbandry, Conservation and Management’ was held from the 2–4 November 2011 at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, USA, co‑organised by Project Seahorse, ZSL, Shedd Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Proceedings are currently in preparation.

• The next in this husbandry series is the 2nd International Elasmobranch Husbandry • Symposium to be held on the 11–13 November 2013, Monterey, California, USA. • A sawfish action planning workshop was hosted by ZSL in May 2012, run by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group which was attended by a number of aquarium representatives from Australia, Europe and the USA. • Gordon McGregor Reid and Heather Koldewey have initiated a fish taxonomy training programme which is now being organized as part of the EAZA Academy, but also a WAZA initiative. This will take place in February 2013 at the Natural History Museum, London and ZSL London Zoo Aquarium.

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WAZA And IAC And IAF

Conferences And Meetings

The International Aquarium Congress (Note this is not comprehensive) took place in Cape Town, South Africa, 9–14 September 2012, hosted by the • 22–26 April 2013 – 26th Regional Two Oceans Aquarium. ApproximateAquatics Workshop (RAW) hosted ly 400 participants from 41 countries by the Georgia Aquarium, USA. attended the conference.

• 21–26 April 2013 – Aquatic Animal Health in a Changing World – The IAC steering committee met on 44th Annual Conference of the a number of occasions during the International Association for course of the week and Paul van den Aquatic Animal Medicine, Sande gave a short feedback presSausalito, California, USA entation at the end of the meeting.

• October 2013, EUAC, Legoland, The plan is for a working group, led Denmark.

by John Nightingale (Vancouver • 11–13 November 2013 – Aquarium – the next hosts of IAC) to 2nd International Elasmobranch Husspend the next 3 months identifying bandry Symposium to be held on collaborative partners, resources, the, Monterey, California, USA. communication tools etc. After • 25–29 September 2016 – Interna6 months, a proposed organisational tional Aquarium Congress, Vancoustructure will be prepared. There was ver Aquarium, Canada [note this a proposal to have the IAC meeting date has been selected to avoid every two years rather than every clashes with other major conferfour years as present. ences].

The IAF was presented as being complementary to rather than competitive with existing organisations, but did also talk about moving into ‘new territory’ i.e. advocating on ocean issues (rather than being purely technical). This was the final presentation of the congress and there was no opportunity for questions or discussion.

Early dialogue by WAZA with John Nightingale (and the IAF working group) is therefore important. Guidance from the WAZA office on who will take this forward is needed.

Aquarium Committee Workplan 2012 Complete and publish sustainable acquisition policies and guidelines.

2. Translate ‘Turning the Tide’ into additional languages.

3. Prepare and circulate an audit form on aquarium conservation as relates to ‘Turning the Tide’.

4. Continue to implement ‘Turning the Tide’.

5. Develop and implement fish taxonomy training course for aquariums.

6. Establish close working relationships and joint initiatives with relevant international organisations e.g. IUCN, CITES, The Ocean Project, Pew Environment Group.

7. Promote WAZA membership benefits among aquarium community.

8. Deal with enquiries to the WAZA office on aquarium matters.

1.

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Science & Veterinary Committee Report Heribert Hofer

Purpose of the committee 1.

2.

3.

4.

Contribute veterinary and scientific expertise to the development of WAZA policies and standards in ethical, conservation and other issues.

Provide a forum for zoo directors to discuss the implications of scientific research and veterinary issues for zoo management and management policy.

Enable directors to follow important developments in public veterinary health of possible global importance ( “anything that can shut down your zoo”).

Increase interest and respect towards scientific and veterinary matters among WAZA directors.

Structural setup/rules of procedure • Committee exists since 2007, first Chair appointed then, Committee acquired a vice‑chair in 2011.

• Presence at meetings vital – but overlap of attendance between conferences is not high, so an initial list of permanent committee members has never been put into practice.

As we do not decide on issues, and implementation of our recommendations apparently do not require a permanent membership, it is not clear whether a set of permanent members is required.

• In order to improve communication between annual conferences, the Chair would need a part‑time assistant for this purpose.

• Targets • Every year the outcome of discussions in the committee meeting and / or workshop leads to action points, followed up by the Chair during the time until the next annual WAZA conference.

• Every year the Chair reports to the plenary at the annual WAZA conference to what extent action points have been implemented.

• Every year, the Chair coordinates topics of round‑table discussions and symposia at international scientific conferences of veterinarians and biologists in Europe to gather input for planned topics for the next WAZA Science & Vet Committee meeting and workshop. This makes the discussion of scientists more relevant to zoo directors and at the same time, zoo directors benefit from the most recent thinking on interesting topics.

Main topics for the Committee An agenda driven by external concerns: veterinary public health issues and the efforts by the animal rights movements to deny zoos a right to exist. Coping with these requires conceptual progress, development of best practice standards and closer cooperation between veterinarians and directors.

Making conceptual progress to improve sustainability of zoo populations, animal welfare and the conservation agenda, including conservation breeding success of zoos. This would benefit from discussions with and a joint agenda of the Committee for Population Management, Ethics & Welfare Committee and Science & Vet Committees and the initation of the collation of evidence currently not available.

Examples are: • Euthanasia, surplus killing and other forms of population control and management, including the „right to reproduce “ • Sustainability of zoo populations: applying new techniques of assisted reproduction, genetic & population management • Global emerging diseases of concern to veterinary public health: blue‑tongue, tuberculosis, bird influenza, • zoos as a „sentinel “network for emerging viruses • animal welfare standards: High quality / best practice rather than minimum ones, their scientific justification and conservation implications, e.g., as in flight restraint

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Progress for 2011-12 This year has elicited a technical improvement in the flight restraint issue of considerable potential. The “extirpation of feather follicles” (the “German” method) to restrain flight in birds has until recently been a surgical procedure with all the cumbersome details that follow from that.

The Chair is currently in discussions with German veterinarians who tried a laser surgical procedure which apparently works quite satisfactorily. If this is really successful, then extirpation of feather follicles might become a much easier method to carry out.

I am reiterating the Chair’s final comments in last year’s report to Councilbecause if anything the matter has become more urgent. After several years of relative quiet, I am seeing an upsurge in the efforts of animal welfare proponents to shut down zoos and aquariums – or at least to eliminate the option of keeping (1) great apes, (2) elephants, and (3) dolphins and whales. Typically, arguments to stop such animals to be kept in zoos/aquariums and/or to shut down zoos refer to the “scientific progress in welfare and veterinary issues” in addition to new fundamental ethical positions. Checking and or refuting the arguments that refer to scientific

and veterinary progress requires time and effort – more time and effort than anyone (including myself) can currently spare but which the other side appears to have in abundance.

Moreover, research agendas entertained by Regional Associations or research‑oriented zoos and aquariums now mostly focus on conservation issues, including research for breeding and re‑introduction, rather than welfare. Interestingly, conservation is not at all the issue here – and conservation done by zoos/aquariums is simply being dismissed in this context.

It is my personal view that the zoo and aquarium world should pay more attention to this matter and move from responding to an agenda set by others to pushing its own. This requires a strategy where ethics and welfare are linked to scientific studies, including reviews – a closer cooperation between the respective committees included.

In 2011-12 I have been in contact with several representatives of zoos who have thought hard on contentious issues such as surplus killing, hand‑rearing or wildlife rehabilitation in zoos and will report on progress on these issues during the Committee meeting.

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WAZA Associations Committee Report Sally Walker

Members 2012 • ACOPAZOA (Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Carolina Falla acopazoa@gmail.com • AFDPZ (Association Française des Parcs Zoologiques) Rodolphe Delord rodolphe.delord@zoobeauval.com • AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos & Aquaria) Olga Santacana info@aiza.org.es • ALPZA (Latin American Zoo & Aquarium Association) Andrea Caiozzi direccion@alpza.com • AMACZOOA (Mesoamerican & Caribbean Zoos & Aquaria Association) Yolanda Matamoros Hidalgo info@fundazoo.org • AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Kris Vehrs KVehrs@AZA.org • AZCARM (Asociacion de Zoologicos, Criaderos y Acuarios de Mexico AC) Frank Carlos Camacho fcamacho@africamsafari.com.mx • BIAZA (British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Miranda Stevenson director@biaza.org.uk • CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums) Bill Peters bpeters@caza.ca • DAZA (Danish Zoological Gardens & Aquaria) Jorgen Lund Moller jlm@kattegatcentret.dk • DTG (Deutsche Tierpark‑Gesellschaft e. V.) Gert Emmrich info@deutsche‑tierparkgesellschaft.de • DWV (Deutscher‑Wildgehege‑Verband e. V.), Tiergarten Sababurg Karl Görnhardt karl‑goernhardt@landkreiskassel.de

Meeting 2011 • EARAZA (Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Vladimir Spitsin vspitsin@mail.ru • EAZA (European Association of Zoos & Aquaria) Lesley Dickie lesley.dickie@eaza.net • JAZA (Japanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Kazutoshi Arai kazutoshi_arai@granvista.co.jp; kanako@jaza.jp • PAAZAB (African Association of Zoos & Aquaria) Stephen van der Spuy clifford@nzg.ac.za • SAZARC (South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation) Sally R. Walker sallyrwalker@zooreach.org • SAZA‑SDF (Swedish Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria) Tomas Frisk tomas.frisk@skansen.se • SEAZA (South East Asian Zoo Association) Sophon Dumnui Seaza_President_Sophon@ zoothailand.org • SNDPZ (Société Nationale des Parcs Zoologiques) Jean‑Marc Charpentier sndpz.zoo@gmail.com • UCSZOO (Union of Czech and Slovac ZOOs) Lubomír Moudrý office@zoo.cz • UIZA (Italian Union of Zoos & Aquaria) Cinzia Sulli cinzia.sulli@parcoabruzzo.it • VDZ (German Federation of Zoo Directors) Peter Dollinger office@zoodirektoren.de • ZAA (Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia) Martin Phillips (unable to attend but Karen Fifield, President of ZAA, karen.fifield@ wellingtonzoo.com & Kevin Tanner, Vice‑President, ktanner@zoo.org.au will attend this meeting on behalf of ZAA)

The Associations Committee met at the 66th Annual Conference of WAZA in 2011. The minutes were published in the Proceedings of the Conference.

In the first half of the year since WAZA 2011 the following basic tasks were completed: The Report for the 2011 Associations Committee meeting at WAZA Conference was completed for the Proceedings and also circulated to Members soon after the Conference.

A practical and user‑friendly list of associations was created by the Chair and circulated along with other documents of interest to all Association Chairs as per request last meeting.

Before mid‑year Council meeting all Chairs were contacted and asked if there was anything they wanted raised in mid‑year Council Meeting.

There were no such issues. Nevertheless all Chairs were reminded of the mid‑year meeting and an attempt was made to create some dialogue among the associations.

Chair worked through several documents relating to Associations with an idea of evaluating how and to what extent Associations seem to use these documents. The documents were circulated to Association heads requesting feedback as well as EO & President of WAZA. Documents circulated were:

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DOC 67.27 • Resolution: Cooperation between Associations, New York, 2005 • Revised Mandate WAZA Associations Committee 2009-10 • Plan for Associations Committee to be More Proactive (this is to be discussed at the upcoming “Special” Associations Meeting with the President.

• Welfare Committees in Associations – survey Association Chairs were asked to name their greatest challenge and their greatest success as an Association Head. Some replies have been received. See Appendix II. It was suggested by AZA Association Chair to find out what members of Council would like to know from Associations. This suggestion was circulated to Council and there was one reply, e.g., Kevin Bell requested information about accreditation and also sustainability of collections.

Several Chairs responded quickly and in detail. See Appendix II. A reminder was circulated to Chairs of Associations not responding, asking their plans for an Accreditation system if they did not have one. The essential accreditation documents from association chairs were attached to provide incentive. After all hearing from all Chairs, all of the accreditation and sustainability information collected will be compiled and made available.

Accreditation issue added to Agenda for Associations Committee to discuss during their meeting. It should be decided where the documents should be stored and, more importantly, whether they should be available only to Association Chairs, WAZA members, or otherwise.

Request for items to be discussed at the WAZA Associations meeting and WAZA Annual Conference 2012 was circulated to all Association Chairs as well as WAZA President, who will run the meeting, and WAZA EO. A very good response was forthcoming and the items selected are as follows:

2012 WAZA Associations meeting Agenda suggestions Associations Committee more proactive ref. WAZA Corporate Vision 2020 Jorg Junghold, WAZA President proposed that Sally Walker, WAZA Associations Chair, put up her long languishing document suggesting ways for the Associations Committee to be more proactive. Sally and Miranda Stevenson generated the document last July 2011. The document is based on the WAZA Corporate Vision 2020.

Submitted by Sally Walker, SAZARC

Role of Associations in conservation programs In Colombia, the zoos as a guild in conservation programs and observed how crucial the funding for program development. ACOPAZOA Association Chair wants to discuss the role of Associations in conservation programs, real options for funding and ethical agreements between institutions. Submitted by Carolina Falla, Executive Director, ACOPAZOA

Euthanasia in context of Population Management and Collection Sustainability The Canadian Association (CAZA) proposes a discussion on the sensitive subject of euthanasia in context of population management and sustainability of collections. There are many variations among regions on the issue. It is more acceptable in some parts of the word than in North America; exchanging experiences and insights would be valuable. We’d like to know how this issue is dealt with in various jurisdictions, and how public reaction is managed. Submitted by Bill Peters, bileo@rogers.com

Use of Animals in Shows The European Association (EAZA) suggests the Associations Committee may be interested in the topic of use of animals in shows. EAZA wants to create a policy or position paper on the use of animals in shows. While animal welfare in shows is relatively straightforward, it is more difficult to reach agreement on the ethics of the use of animals in shows or demos.

“Messages” to the public and perceptions are messy. Also animal rights groups regularly attack zoos on this point. Submitted by Dr. Lesley Dickie, EAZA.

GSMP – better understanding in all Associations.

The Japanese Association (JAZA), has proposed a topic to have a better understanding among associations about GSMP. Some of the associations may not have sufficient understanding of this topic and it is a good opportunity to clarify it for all the associations. Dave Morgan has been invited to give a short presentation on GSMP. Submitted by Dr. Kanako Tomisawa, JAZA

Accreditation in different regional associations Kevin Bell, WAZA Council Member, requested information about accreditation in different regional associations. A number of Associations responded quickly sending their entire set of documents covering a range of topics within accreditation and others are being pursued. This led to an idea for a resource database in WAZA for association members to use as a reference. It should be discussed, however, at the Associations meeting and maybe even Council to ascertain the best way to make it available to the people who should have it, and to decide who that should be. Submitted by Dr. Kevin Bell, AZA.

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Collection Sustainability Kris Vehrs and Lesley Dickie both have noted that collection sustainability may be a topic of interest to many of the Associations. Time constraint won’t permit much discussion in the Associations Committee but it could be a future project to insure that all Associations have information about it and it could be a topic for another time.

Continuing discussion Due to the short time available to us in the WAZA Associations meeting, it may be considered allocate a time of 10 minutes or so for each topic and arrange for longer sessions, even during breakfast, etc. for those who are interested. For some of these topics even task forces or working groups could be considered using internet correspondence or skype groups.

It may also be considered that a session of 2–3 be set aside for next WAZA Conference for such working groups or sessions.

Appendix I Greatest challenges and greatest successes Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia

Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Martin Phillips | Executive Director, Zoo and Aquarium Association | Executive Office, P: 02 99784773 | martin@zooaquarium.org.au

JAZA Chair, Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Key Challenges • Consistent professional practice across the membership • Management of species programs expertise • Species knowledge – particularly nutritional needs and breeding behaviours • Financial viability of the Association

Key activity • Development of National Animal Welfare Standards (in Australia) with government departments • Development of an online training program on National Animal Welfare Standards • Development of an Association Animal Welfare Position Statement (A paper explaining the association’s philosophy towards welfare going beyond the 5 freedoms) • Commenced development of an extensive species management training program • Enhancement of internal communications, reporting to members, member database, updated REGASP, website and members web portal.

• The successful trial of zoo based biosecurity surveillance of wildlife working with Department of Agriculture • The development of a zoo biosecurity manual

Species workshops Continual enhancements to species management programs achieving a 100% increase in programs scoring‘ green’ (viable program) from 2008 levels.

My greatest challenge in JAZA. I have worked hard for making the restructuring programs under the purpose of formulation of structure and business promotion inside of JAZA. As a result, we drew up the 12 missions and the restructuring program until 2014, and our concrete task of restructuring JAZA will be started.

BIAZA – British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums Dr Miranda F. Stevenson | Executive Director, BIAZA Our main challenge is political presence actually in that we have to deal with EU as well as national governments.

Success – well the newest one is our new website!

AZA – American Zoo Association Kris Vehrs I’m trying to figure out if this is the purpose of the Associations Committee and if I were a Council member if this is the kind of information I want to receive from Association members. I understand that you’re trying to get some communication going amongst the members.

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Appendix II Accreditation and similar documents, brief descriptions SAZARC – South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation

Zoo Associations responding to request for Accreditation policies and documents requested by Dr. Kevin Bell, WAZA Council Member.

VDZ (German Federation of Zoo Directors)

ACOPAZOA, Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquarium

VDZ has no formal accreditation system. Accession of regular members is by invitation only. Personal regular members must have an academic background (zoology or veterinary medicine, agriculture, forestry) and three years of practical experience in a scientifically directed zoo, and must be fulltime Executives of such a zoo.

Institutional regular members must be scientifically directed zoos, i.e. in cases where the CEO does not have the required academic background, must have a zoological director with the necessary professional requirements. Interested persons or zoos cannot apply but must be proposed by two current regular members.

Sally Walker | Chair, SAZARC SAZARC has been established for 12 years. My greatest challenge is justifying the amounts of money (up to 40K or more) required to be begged from western zoos and animal welfare organisations in order to have an annual regional conference. We need a new methodology to operate effectively, taking into consideration the enormous economic and administrative difficulties of the various countries, their governments, their zoos and zoo personnel.

My greatest challenge as WAZA Associations Chair is generating interaction between regions and even interaction with the Associations Committee.

Mrs. Carolina Falla | Executive Director | acopazoa@gmail.com The ACOPAZOA minimum standards (in Spanish) are the base to evaluate the zoos in Colombia. ACOPAZOA doesn’t have an accreditation process, but plans to have it soon. They have a Collection Committee and are working to establish cooperative management of endangered species. A training in October 2012 in SPARKS and PM2000 will help perform this task.

ZAA, Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia Martin Phillips | Chair | martin@zooaquarium.org.au ZAA has a handy7 page document describing their accreditation system, including introduction, definitions, philosophy, guiding principles, Policy & Policy detail, Accreditation Program (Accredited members), Animal Welfare Program (non‑Accredited members), Breaches to the Standards, Recognition, Approval, etc.

This Policy was endorsed by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Board on 27 August 2012.

Peter Dollinger | Chair | office@zoodirektoren.de

The zoo must come up to the requirements stipulated in the Annex to the VDZ Constitution, which is available in German only (see attachment).

Although there is no formal accreditation, the procedure of VDZ is quite restrictive. In Germany, there are 600 zoos in the terms of the EU Zoo Directive, but only 50 of these are VDZ members, and there may be less than another 10 which would qualify for VDZ membership. In Switzerland there are 60 collections, 4 of which are VDZ members (3 more would qualify), and in Austria 80 collections of which 6 are VDZ members. Regarding collection sustainability, VDZ runs a long‑term Amphibian Conservation Programme in collaboration with DGHT (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.

V.) which contains an ex situ component. Otherwise there are no programmes in this respect, as almost all our members are members of EAZA and thus participate in the EEPs.

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EAZA, European Association of Zoos & Aquaria Dr. Lesley Dickie | Chair | lesley.dickie@eaza.net EAZA has a virtual plethora of documents for their Accreditation Programme, including an Accreditation Manual from which the following was taken. In 1988 a number of European zoos overcame political barriers, joining forces to establish the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). EAZA represents and links European zoos and aquaria in order to maintain and increase the standards of these institutions. EAZA membership will only be awarded to zoos and aquaria that meet EAZA’s standards and obligations. In addition to minimum standards, EAZA has developed a‘ Code of Practice’ and a‘ Code of Ethics’. Over the years, policies and standards are updated and refined as the needs for conservation change and the underlying philosophies become further defined. EAZA has developed its own accreditation and inspection system, to ensure that only zoological institutions and organisations that meet and comply with EAZA’s codes and standards can join the organisation. The EAZA Accreditation Programme (EAP) offers a framework for assisting zoos and aquaria to achieve their aims, and an opportunity for independent review and validation of their efforts and achievements. The manual has been developed to serve as a guide for any person or institution that is interested or involved in the EAZA accreditation procedure. Chapter 1 describes the accreditation procedure and the steps involved for new applicants, temporary members, existing members.

Chapter 2 of this manual describes the obligations of the applicant and chapter 3 deals with guidelines for an EAZA screening team.

SAZARC. South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation.

Sally R. Walker | Chair | sallyrwalker@zooreach.org

African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB).

Dr Stephen van der Spuy | Chair | stephen@nzg.ac.za

Dr. van der Spuy has attached the SAZARC does not have an accredifollowing documents of PAAZAB’s tation system but the membership Accreditation credentials: overwhelmingly adopted the WAZA Minimum Standards inspection docu- • PAAZAB Operational Standard. ment as an interim measure for imOPERATIONAL STANDARD. The mediate guidance. SAZARC is unlikely PAAZAB Operational Standard is to develop a full accredition system new to the members and they have due to the way things work in South a couple of years to comply with the Asia. India was the first country to standard. All new members have adopt comprehensive zoo legislation to automatically comply with the in 1991 and in 1992, the government Operational Standard. accepted the “Norms and Standards” • PAAZAB Accreditation Standard. as the standard for Indian Zoos. This The Accreditation Standard is document is also official legisation. voluntary to the members who wish Zoo legislation is the most practito go the extra mile with regards to cal and effective means of bringing Operational excellence. Complying organization and discipline to the to this standard means that you will zoos of South Asia, and SAZARC have the prestigious accredited title. encourages it. So far two countries • African Preservation Programme. have formulated zoo legislation usThis forms the framework for ing the India model. They have been co‑operative breeding programmes reviewed, revised and again reviewed in Africa and are likely to be accepted by their respective Parliaments this year.

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Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos & Aquariums (EARAZA) Dr. Vladimir Spitsin | Chair | tanya.arz@gmail.com Dear Sally, Regarding your request concerning Accreditation system accepted by regional association, we could tell you that in accordance with the EARAZA Constitution, before submitting the application for joining EARAZA, a zoo, aquarium or other zoological institution has to submit the Accreditation Questionnaire to the EARAZA Presidium. The Questionnaire was developed based on the respective EAZA questionnaire and contains questions that give the most detailed description of the main areas of focus of the institution’s activities.

Upon the receipt of the Questionnaire, the Presidium assigns two experts in order to evaluate the work of the institution, while the institution is responsible for the expenses incurred in the visit of the experts. Repeated inspection visits are conducted as required, based on the decisions of the EARAZA Annual Conference.

It should be noted that the expert evaluations of the EARAZA member institutions’ activities are carried out in the most objective manner, with full consideration given to the economic and financial situation in the respective region, which all zoos depend on in regard to their respective situations.

Due to many political, administrative and other reasons typical for the zoos of this region, it is very difficult for us to make regional zoos comply to the requirements of any rigorous animal acquisition/disposition policy, but we are trying to establish some regulations applicable to endangered species; thus, such a policy has been formulated and is followed by regional zoos participating in the EARAZA/ EEP programs for Amur tiger and Far Eastern leopard, and we are planning to extend it to more programs.

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Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) Report Vladimir Spitsin

In 2011 the work of the EARAZA was carried out in accordance with the Association’s Charter, as well as with the action plan and decisions approved by the 2011 EARAZA Annual Conference that was hosted on May 30 to June 3 by the Nikolayev Zoo, Ukraine.

The Conference at Nikolayev was attended by representatives of 50 zoos located in 13 countries. Totally, 133 specialists have taken part in the work of the conference; the attendees represented 26 countries.

As of December 31, 2011, EARAZA had 68 member institutions from 14 states, including 45 full members and 23 associate members. In 2011, six institutions joined EARAZA as associate members.

Continuing education for zoo professionals The following training workshop and conferences have been prepared and held for regional zoos’ staff in 2011: The Workshop on the Problems of Children’s Zoos was hosted by Leningrad Zoo from October 31 to November 5. The workshop was attended by 40 representatives of zoos and other zoological organizations.

On September 26 through 30 the Vorobji Bird Park in the Kaluga Region hosted the second scientific and practical conference titled Birds: Breeding, Husbandry and Veterinary Care. It was attended by 53 delegates from 21 zoos of Russia, and also by representatives from Veterinary Committee of Kaluga Region, Department of Russian Agriculture Supervisory Service for Kaluga Region, veterinary clinics and other organizations.

The next international conference under the title Aquarium as a Window into the World was conducted jointly with the Aqua Logo Engineering Company in February 2011. The workshop was attended by over 100 participants, including staff from seven zoos and aquariums.

From 7 to 9 December, Planet Neptune organization in St. Petersburg hosted international scientific and practical conference under the title Experience in Public Aquarium Building and Operating. The conference was attended by 13 delegates from regional zoos, foreign colleagues, Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences I. D. Spassky, and representatives of the city administration.

During the year 2011, over 400 delegates from 43 zoos from Russia and other CIS countries, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltic Countries and Israel participated in various seminars and conferences for sharing experience and professional training. Besides, individual trainings for 145 specialists were hosted by the Moscow Zoo and other zoos of the region.

Publishing activities: The 30th Informational Issue of Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums, containing information on 109 zoos, aquariums and other zoological institutions from 17 countries (Russia, Israel, countries of the CIS, Baltic countries and countries of Eastern Europe) was prepared for printing and published in two volumes (total of 676 pages). It is available at the EARAZA website www.earaza.ru.

Appendix 18 to the 30th Informational Issue of Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums containing the lists of surplus/wanted animals as of 01.01.11 can be found on the EARAZA website www.earaza.ru

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DOC 67.19.2 The 20th volume of the Yearbook on Birds of Prey and Owls in Zoos and Breeding Stations (238 pages).

Invertebrates in Zoo and Insectarium Collections. Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop (Moscow, October 18 through 23, Moscow Zoo, 300 pp.

The 27th issue of Research in Zoological Gardens (184 pages) deals with various aspects of the zoo science Cranes of Palearctic: biology, distribution, migration, management (in memory of Academician P. S. Pallas).

Birds of Prey. Diagnosis, disease treatment and prevention, housing methods (255 pages). Guidance manual by B. F. Bessarabov and V. A. Ostapenko, published by Aquarium Print publishing house.

The 2nd issue of the proceedings “Birds: Keeping, Breeding, Veterinary” (64 pages). Proceedings of the Second Research‑to‑Practice Conference.

Vorobji Bird Park, 2011, 64 pp.

A new publication of Yaroslavl Zoo deserves special notice. It is titled “Zoos in the Contest of the Transition to Sustainable Development” and includes 50 articles on various problems of zoo activities.

Following a long‑standing tradition, the staff of the EARAZA Information Centre provided assistance throughout the year to member zoos and other zoological institutions in preparing documentation on zoo construction projects, formation of zoological collections and reconstruction of existing zoo exhibits, and in arranging and conducting internships between zoos.

Zoos and other interested organizations, as well as private individuals, were able to receive information, guidelines and manuals pertaining to the legislation on keeping wild animals in captivity. All in all, more than 200 requests for consultations from the zoos’ staff and representatives of other institutions, as well as from private individuals, were handled by the EARAZA Scientific and Methodological Department.

Letters referring to the operation of currently existing zoos, as well as the design and construction of new zoos were sent out to the administrative and legislative authorities of the cities of Kazan, Kaliningrad, Kiev, Penza, Stavropol, Shymkent and other cities.

In some cases, when it was necessary, assistance was provided in developing and analyzing the projects of reconstruction and construction of regional zoos.

The following EARAZA working In 2011, the EARAZA Information groups were active in 2011: Center’s electronic library was considerably enlarged.

• The Veterinary Working Group; • The Working Group on Terrestrial The Information Center’s aim is to and Freshwater Invertebrates; collect not only literature or elec• The Working Group on Birds of Prey tronic sources on zoology, but also on and Owls; many fundamental topics of biology • The Working Group on Education. and ecology. The majority of these publications exist in English, and they were mostly published after the year of 2000.

Research programs In 2011 many regional zoos participated in the following EARAZA International Comprehensive Research Programs:

The Steller’s Sea Eagle The program for the Steller’s Sea Eagle in 1997. In 1995, European/ EARAZA Studbook for the Steller’s Sea Eagle was established at Moscow Zoo. The project on monitoring Steller’s Sea Eagle populations in Lower Amur area was continued due to financial support from EARAZA. The habitat survey was conducted during the time period from August 17 through September 6. The preliminary estimate shows that the size of the population increased significantly compared with the previous years.

Collection of material for the research of genetic structure of the population was continued.

Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia There are 29 species and subspecies of ungulates kept at EARAZA zoos, with 23 of them being found in the wild in Eurasia. The EARAZA priority species are endemic ungulates of the Caucasus – the West Caucasian tur and the East Caucasian tur, the wild (bezoar) goat, the markhor, and mountain ungulates of Central Asia.

Eurasian Bustard Conservation The project targets three species of the family Otididae, which occur within the territory of Russia and adjacent countries: the Great Bustard (Otis tarda tarda, O. t. dybowskii), the Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax), and the Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii). Work has been continued on breeding bustards and establishing breeding groups at EARAZA and non‑EARAZA institutions

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Rare and Endangered Geese of Eurasia The goals of the project are the development and implementation of the conservation strategy and recovery of rare species of Anseriformes with the help of intensive captive breeding and further reintroduction into the wild, and establishing the required number of stable and genetically viable breeding populations of rare Anseriformes in zoos and breeding stations.

Eurasian Crane Conservation Breeding in zoos: During 2011, three rare crane species, the Siberian, Japanese and White‑naped Crane, reproduced at 14 breeding centres.

Professional training: In April 2011, Rare Crane Breeding Station of the Oka State Biosphere Reserve hosted training courses on crane husbandry and reproduction which was attended by 7 representatives of seven zoos (Leningrad, Samara, Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Limpopo, Yaroslavl and Yakutsk Zoos). Introduction into the wild: On May 31, two Siberian crane eggs were sent from Oka Breeding Station to Uvatsky District of Tyumen Region in order to be put in the nests of wild Common cranes and hatched under foster parents. On May 20, the Rare Bird Reintroduction Station of the Khingansky Reserve received six Japanese crane eggs; of these, four eggs successfully survived shipping and produced chicks. After the first wintering at the Station, the cranes will be released into the common nesting grounds of both species in the Amur Region. Three Red‑Crowned cranes, raised at the Reintroduction Station of the Khingansky Reserve from the eggs that were obtained from the Oka Breeding Station, were released in the wild in April 2011. One yearling and five four months old Siberian cranes were shipped to the Astrakhan Nature Reserve to be released into the wild in the area of conglomeration of waterfowl and wetland birds in the Volga Delta on September 20. The cranes quickly adapted to the local conditions and natural food. Data on their movements received from satellite transmitters are being processed.

Establishing Reserve Populations of the Siberian Spruce Grouse Falcipennis falcipennis The work on breeding the Siberian Spruce Grouse and releasing captive bred birds into suitable habitat in the Novosibirsk Region was continued. In 2010 and 2011, seven female Siberian Spruce Grouses with broods were released following the above mentioned requirements. All the releases were successful: no nestlings were abandoned. In 2011, the first female with 6 nestlings was released directly from an enclosure through a hole cut in a wire mesh. The other two females (each with 5 nestlings) were taken by land (in a car) as far as 500 and 1,500 m from the enclosures and safely released.

The Pallas Cat Research, Conservation and Breeding Program As of the end of the reporting period, the following updates should be recorded under the Pallas Cat Research, Conservation and Breeding Program: In 2011 program staff prepared and signed an agreement on cooperation on the study and conservation of the Pallas Cat with the Daursky State Biosphere Reserve. Under the joint agreement, the captive conservation, breeding and research program will be extended to include the study and conservation of wild populations of the species in its natural habitat.

Conservation of Rare Eurasian Sturgeon Species Work at the Breeding Station of the Moscow Zoo was aimed at pursuing the goals set by the EARAZA Program for the Conservation of Rare Eurasian Sturgeon Species. Field research constituted a major part of this work, followed by developing guidelines for the cooperation with the Mozhaisk Experimental Fish Breeding Facility on intensive growing of sturgeons from larvae or fry received by the Breeding Station until they reach the stage where they can be kept in raceways, and expanding the sturgeon collection at the Breeding Station.

In April 2011, field research of the Amu Darya Sturgeon populations was conducted in the lower flow of the river Surkhandarya and in the middle flow of the Amudarya in Uzbekistan in the areas of Termez, Bukhara, Khorezm and Karakalpakstan. Both in‑situ and ex‑situ research was also conducted on the following Sturgeon species: the Baikal Sturgeon; the Ob Sturgeon; the Caspian population of the Russian Sturgeon; the Amur Sturgeon; Kaluga; the Oka population of the Sterlet; and the Sakhalin Sturgeon.

Long‑term Project for the Conservation of the Przewalski’s Horse The Moscow Zoo and some other EARAZA zoos participate in building a breeding station for the Przewalski’s Horse under the Long‑term Project for the Reintroduction of the Przewalski’s Horse in the Orenburg Region. This project constitutes part of the Conservation Strategy for the Przewalski’s Horse in Russia. The restoration of the wild population of the Przewalski’s Horse in the remaining areas of the Orenburg Steppe will not only guarantee the survival of this species, but will also contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in steppe ecosystems and to their stability and rehabilitation.

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The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Report Miranda F. Stevenson

General At the end of 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity morphed into the UN decade of Biodiversity and the Aichi Targets were launched. Target 1 challenges zoos to use their inspirational and educational capabilities to “make people aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustain‑ ably”. Target 12 encapsulates our conservation mission to “prevent the extinction of known threatened species and improve their conservation status”.

These targets are now the guiding mantra for BIAZA and member zoos and being taken up by the relevant committees.

Staff Currently we have 3.2 staff members.

Zara Gaspar continues as Communications Manager and Andrea Marlowe and Management Accountant. Janine Robinson leaves her post as Zoo Biologist at the end of August to take up the opportunity of a PhD position at the University of Canterbury. Her position is currently being covered by Matt Hartley of Zoo and Wildlife Solutions. We were fortunate in being able to employ Serena Cowdy as General Assistant which has helped a lot with our increasing workload.

Membership and Communication BIAZA’s membership stands at 103 (July 2012) with 100 full and 3 provisional members. Our corporate membership is at an all‑time high of 40, much of this is due to the hard work Zara is putting in to providing a commercial service. 2012 began with the launch of the new BIAZA website with a much more friendly public‑facing face.

The Annual Conference was hosted by Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne in June. The theme of the conference was Getting close to animals: the good the bad and the ugly. We were terribly pleased that Andrew Rosindell MP, Chair of the Zoo and Aquarium All Party Parliamentary Group was able to open the conference with a keynote address as well as joining us for some of the social activities and many of the talks. The conference homed in on our lack of evidence as to the effect of encounters. We need to be able to demonstrate that both people and animals can benefit from encounters and we need to carry out the work to produce the evidence.

This really needs to be a high priority: we need to be clear and honest about the claims we are making and the need for evidence to back these claims up.

A most productive and informative Research Symposium was hosted by Newquay Zoo and Cornwall College.

The conference also featured the fact that we need better means of measuring welfare in zoos, and announced the founding of an animal welfare working group to produce guidelines and methodology. One area highlighted was the need to encourage zoo staff to carry out research and provide training for this.

For the second time BIAZA coordinated a Love your Zoo week (actually two weeks) in May for the membership. This was again a great success with 77 BIAZA collections taking part.

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Influencing Decision Makers We have currently a very active All Party Parliamentary Group, energetically chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP. Our President, Sir Drummond Bone, served us brilliantly as usual. Much work resulted in the holding of an Adjournment Depart in the Palace of Westminster in December. The debate focussed on zoos and regional economic development The debate is, of course, published in Hansard.

Without data to back‑up arguments it would not be possible to have debates such as this thus we ardently continue to collect and process information from the membership. In 2012 we have held several meetings in Westminster on various topics including our annual parliamentary reception in July at which the Government Minister Lord Taylor spoke, along with our President. Currently we are arranging meetings, along with our members, with MEPs to aid EAZA in promoting the good work of zoos to the European Parliament.

BIAZA continues to facilitate the Elephant Welfare Group for Government and the group has now got to the stage of scoping out research proposals for potential funding.

Field Conservation Support

Assisting others

We continued promoting phase two of the BIAZA Reserve Project, which focussed on ongoing management and protection costs at the reserve.

Thanks to member donations, we are now funding two rangers in the Guapi Assu Reserve in south‑east Brazil.

The support will cover both rangers salaries for a year and we hope to continue with this support into the future whilst also providing crucial resources — from digital cameras, uniforms and camera‑traps, to young rangers packs for schoolchildren who volunteer at REGUA. Our latest exciting initiative is with the World Land Trust expanding the Keepers of the Wild project. This new project aims to support rangers—strengthening the protection of the nature reserves that WLT has helped create across the world. BIAZA member zoos and aquariums will now have the opportunity to focus fundraising efforts not only on Brazil, but also Borneo, Armenia, Mexico and Zambia.

We continue to assist the EAZA Committee on Technical Support and Animal Welfare with mentoring for the Romanian Zoo and Aquarium Federation. It has been a very productive year with the Joint SHAPE (Shape of Enrichment) and EAZA Academy enrichment workshop being held in November with 35 participants from 15 collections attending. Due to a legacy BIAZA was able to finance the training of two Romanian Zoo personnel to enable them to carry out training within Romania

Fifteen BIAZA members raised €107,285 for the EAZA Ape Campaign with BIAZA itself contributing €2000 (the MWG alone contributed £400). We have now signed up the Southeast Asia campaign and already raised the €2,000 pledged. Over six hundred field conservation projects were supported by BIAZA members in 2010 (158 covering native species) to a value to 13.3 million GBP. We have an exciting promotion in August of the top ten species most reliant on zoos, selected from our BIAZA members.

Looking forward We will continue with our strategy leading and supporting our membership in their excellent education, research and conservation activities while promoting their work to the outside world. Our new website should increase public awareness of what the association and its members are achieving. And we will continue to push forward our political agenda, especially with MEPs. We also hope to have the funding to launch a BIAZA Conservation Award for our membership in 2013.

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Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens (UCSZOO) Report Lubomír Moudrý

Introduction

Personal changes

Policies & accreditation

2011 was another successful year for the membership of UCSZOO in terms of striving to fulfil all the tasks of modern and scientifically managed zoological parks. This can be witnessed through the overall attendance figure for all members, which has exceeded previous historical records, rising up and up until a tail‑off in late December once it had reached the enormous figure of 6,516,726 visitors. Another great event was having the WAZA Annual Conference in the Czech Republic, Prague Zoo being the proud host. Specialist committees were active throughout the year, with a number of working meetings organised and a number of outputs produced.

Animals we nurture come and go all the time. This is normal. That’s life. So do people, not just those in zoos, but also those performing their duties of being representatives of the joint Czech and Slovak zoo federation. This was experienced in 2011 as well, when David Nejedlo (Liberec) took over the president’s office from Vladislav Jiroušek. The latter, former long‑time Director & CEO at Jihlava Zoo, one of the UCSZOO founders and multiple president office holder, decided to retire after serving as the first‑ever director of the UCSZOO’s Office since 2005. It was namely he who was pioneering the idea of setting up dedicated working groups of specialists throughout the association.

UCSZOO was active in influencing the national zoo and animal management/welfare policies through their representatives in two panels of key importance to the zoo world: Ministry for Environment’s (MfE) Zoo Licensing Committee and Ministry for Agriculture’s Animal Welfare Committee. The colleagues served not only as professional evaluators of the institutions under monitoring or license applicants, but also as advisors to enable decision‑making officials make informed decisions, as well as liaisons exchanging professional feedback between the governmental authorities and the membership.

UCSZOO website was redesigned and restructured and formed a solid tool to spread the word and tell the public who we are and what we do.

A brand‑new design, UCSZOO’s Annual Report is available for download on the site, containing not just exhaustive reports on joint activities, but also very brief but informative reports for each member zoo including English summary. Participating in EAZA’s pan‑European campaigns (this time the Ape Campaign and the EAZA‑IUCN/SSC Southeast Asia Campaign) was membership’s standard daily cup of coffee as usual.

David Nejedlo seems to have brought a new era of the UCSZOO’s joint activities. Following the emphasis of ‘Great Founders’ on the need of advocating the zoo spirit and uniting minds of zoo directors to head for joint activities, he put it clearly from the start he would be happy to have in place and support anything good and useful that may promote the zoo mission in both countries, be it ex situ / in situ projects or activities in research or marketing. His closest collaborators, members of the UCSZOO Council, were as follows: Petr Čolas (Ostrava), Miloslava Šavelová (Bratislava), Miroslav Bobek (Prague) and Vladimír Pokorný (Hluboká).

There was never need for federation’s accreditation rules prior 2004 and the domestic zoo‑licensing act taking effect at that time. Except a few zoos that accessed UCSZOO in the 1990s, the majority of members were those founding the federation back in 1990. In addition, all of them, including newly accessing members, were owned by cities/administrative regions, so were already required to keep some level of standard. With the EU Zoo Directive implemented, several new private animal holders applied for the license and their applications were satisfied. Some of the new zoos already expressed their intention/desire to become full members, this making the federation to face the

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DOC 67.19.8 need of specifying a baseline under IZE which new candidates should never go to qualify for the membership. In • Board Member [1] 2011, the first‑ever private license holder formally applied for memberEAZA ship. To be able to handle this new situation, the candidate was assigned, • EAZA Council [3], Research Combased on references of several memmittee [1], Committee on PR & bers as sponsors and multiple‑year Marketing [1], Boards of Campaigns cooperation with some members, a (Shellshock & Amphibian Ark) [1], new status of “associated memberTransport Working Group [1]. ship” to explore whether or not and • UCSZOO member representatives to what extent the new candidate is chair one Taxon Advisory Group, cocapable and willing to keep pace with ordinate two European Endangered the remainder. Discussion was also Species Programmes (EEP) and underway concerning the need for keep 15 European Studbooks (ESB).

UCSZOO standards.

In addition, Czech and Slovak zoo specialists are involved in 15 TAGs and 55 EEPs.* International involvement * Note: There are persons active in multiple committees/groups. Listing UCSZOO is a member of WAZA, everyone would exceed the space EAZA and IUCN. Out of 19 full dedicated to this report. For detailed members, 13 are members of WAZA, staffing, please contact UCSZOO 14 are members of EAZA, 12 are Office. members of IZE and 9 are members of EARAZA. There is also one SEAZA UCSZOO does not feel isolated in the Central European area. Another member. joint meeting of Czech, Polish and Slovak zoo directors and other staff As regards individuals, there is a members took place to continue range of them involved in diverse strengthening the established bonds. bodies and specialist groups of the There was increased involvement in organisations mentioned above (the EARAZA that brings together UCSnumber per group shown in brackets): ZOO with colleagues from the East with whom we were used to maintain good contacts in the past. Assisted WAZA by common Slavic lingual roots, more and more colleagues seek partners • WAZA Programme Committee & WAZA Conservation Committee [1] there for their breeding efforts, en• IUCN joying the good location in the heart • CBSG [1]; CBSG Strategic Comof Europe. mittee [1], Iguana Specialist Group [1], Crocodile Specialist Group [2], Tomistoma Task Force [1], Deer Specialist Group [1]

Prague as conference venue After some years or maybe long after, Prague became the venue of the AGM. Attracting a host of participants, it was not just Prague Zoo who offered their grounds to form a showcase of federation’s achievements, but also Ostrava, Lešná, Plzeň, Dvůr Králové (it welcoming the then WAZA President) and Brno. Posters were also present at the conference to make guests aware of member activities.

Conservation projects The membership’s involvement in the WAZA‑branded project scheme was incredible with a total of 15 projects underway, whether it was the duty of carrying out or supporting the efforts.

Out of 13 Czech/Slovak zoos – WAZA members, nine were found in the lists of institutions within different projects in 2011: Dvůr Králové (5 projects), Prague and Ostrava (4 projects each), Liberec (3 projects), Děčín and Plzeň (2 projects each) & Chomutov and Jihlava (1 project each).

In addition to the above, Bratislava, as a WAZA non‑member zoo, was amongst those executing the European Bison Reintroduction project.

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Bi‑national specialist committees UCSZOO is not just about meetings of directors, spending endless hours by discussing global conservation, financial and legal issues and lessons learned, but also about making use of the enormous capital of knowledge and skills of people, be it members’ own staff or “dedicated minds” from the environments UCSZOO members have to live in and stay in touch. With this army growing year on year, keeping in touch with all of the updates becomes more and more difficult – but worth of and really exciting! Here we are to make everyone aware of what was happening throughout the year. For more detailed information, please contact UCSZOO Office who will be happy to forward your query to the respective committee.

The Fish Committee meeting’s task was to discuss new saltwater/freshwater aquarium exhibits and a number of general problems involved.

The Amphibian and Reptiles Committee meeting covered light and heat as the most important factors in successful breeding of reptiles and common breeding issues in several species.

The Birds Committee’s main goal was analysing the collections in each park and giving an overview of the animal management in the past season. The special Parrot Committee discussed ideal diets and supplements in all parrot species kept in the region.

The Small Cat Committee was presented with a new movie „The Return of the Lynx“, whilst the Big Cat Committee reviewed recent changes in collections and future plans. The coordinator of the Giraffes Committee presented the latest CZ/SK giraffe studbook that is available at www. zirafy‑antilopy.cz.

The Deer Committee focused on historical overview of keeping diverse deer species within UCSZOO, the most important activity being the revision of Czech official names of cervids, moschids and tragulids, this necessary due to changes in taxonomy and new deer species discovered.

The Antelopes Committee discussed general issues of keeping antelopes (30 species held).

Established due to the taxon belonging to the most endangered ungulates/mammals, the Caprine Committee is to act as a platform for sharing information and lessons learned as regards breeding and veterinary procedures, a better publicity of the bred taxa in the media and communication/collaboration between zoos and universities. Reports included genetic variability of Capra aegagrus in the Czech Republic with special attention to the inbreeding depression, breeding golden takins and former distribution and morphological parameters of free‑ranging Ammotragus lervia in the country.

The Equids Committee assessed the development of the populations of individual species in the previous year, stating that the continued trend in decreasing the numbers of animals and terminating breeding in some species was unfortunate, namely in kulans and some species of zebras. A complete overview was given of the present situation in breeding kulans in CZ/SK and rest of Europe and the successful transport of 1 stallion and 3 mares of the Przewalski’s horse to the Khomiin Tal natural reserve, West Mongolia.

Elephants Committee took place in Ostrava to check the first‑ever elephant calf in Czech and Slovak territory born in 2011. The main topic was exercising and training of elephants.

The meeting of the Prosimians Committee was consulting animal management within UCSZOO and listening to lectures like hyperparathyreoidosis in Eulemur albifrons and Varecia variegata, enrichment in prosimians, lemur diet, mixed‑species exhibits for lemurs, and a review of keeping primates within the UCSZOO membership since 1973.

The Callitrichid Committee paid their main attention to housing and exhibition of the taxon and a list of plants that are reported to be safe or toxic for primates as covered in EAZA Husbandry Guidelines for Callitrichids (2010), management of the three‑striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) and trapping equipment for Callitrichids made by keepers at Ústí nad Labem Zoo. The Old World Monkey Committee was presented with the overview of all Old World monkeys kept within UCSZOO, a number of scientific papers and foreign literature translations, information on in‑situ projects and student reports and papers on primates.

The Gibbon and Great Ape Committee namely focused on gibbons (illness in a lar gibbon male, introducing a new white‑cheeked gibbon male to the breeding group, three gibbon species recommended for breeding within UCSZOO), The second part discussed introduction of new a lowland gorilla female in Prague, history of breeding Bornean orangutans in Ústí nad Labem and adjustment of bird house to an orangutan facility in Dvůr Králové Zoo. Moreover, results of study dealing with the influence of starch on Balantidium coli population in chimpanzees were presented.

The Pinniped Committee focused on filtration systems, whilst the Animal Records Committee discussed the data processing for the annual report of Czech and Slovak animal parks for 2010, the initiative of updating the data regarding the red‑listed animals, major changes in the taxonomy of many species of hoofed mammals held in CZ/SK zoos and a new Slovak taxonomy of birds published.

The In situ and Research Committee was discussing and compiling comments on the planned Code of Ethics in regard to in situ projects.

The Veterinary Committee’s highlight was the dermatology of exotic animals, wild‑ranging animals as well those kept in zoos.

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DOC 67.19.8 The Education Committee was busy with recruiting members of a task force dedicated to education to plan and design education activities, presenting them not only to the base of members, but also to the UCSZOO Council, ways of coordinating joint activities as part of upcoming EAZA Southeast Asia campaign, and last but not least identifying topics to be handled by the members of the committee and to be ultimately included on the association’s website.

The Marketing Committee’s biggest agenda items included producing and launching a new UCSZOO’s website.

Found at www.zoo.cz, the site is to be used as a good and well‑structured guidepost for visitors attracted by Czech and Slovak animal parks in addition to serving as a means of publicity to make the public aware of what is happening in member zoos, what projects the zoos carry out worldwide to preserve wildlife and what goes on in each zoo in terms of education and awareness raising. The launch of the site was followed by setting up a UCSZOO’s Facebook profile, this filled up with updates, news and invitations of the respective members, enabling everyone on FB to communicate with their favourite zoos. The UCSZOO’s profile served from the very beginning as a carrier for a joint poll called Babyzoom 2011, which involved voting for the best animal born in 2011 as well as choosing its name from the voting application.

Guess who was the winner? Rashmi the Elephant from Ostrava. Surprised a lot? The same team was responsible for another UCSZOO’s Annual Report (2010). A new layout, a new and stylish format, new and professional graphics and a new form of the report (hard copy with a multimedia CD insert) – all of this resulted in UCSZOO having in 2011 a really good and impressive printed material that was attracting those participating in WAZA AGM in Prague, in addition to two classy rollups.

The Financial Committee meeting discussed issues of taxes (VAT, vehicle excise duty, donation tax), collecting money for charity, stocktaking of property and obligations, grants from the Ministry for Environment and payroll matters. Supported by the respective suppliers, the Construction and Maintenance Committee held various workshops focusing on construction glass, steel mesh and netting, heat pumps, protecting and aviary nets, work clothing and security & guarding services, this topped off by a session named Aviaries of 21st Century and held as part of For Arch 2011, an international fair.

The Committee for Animal Transport took an in‑depth discussion of bureaucratic and practical topics regarding the recent situation in the field, the main goal of the membership’s work during the year was to facilitate cooperation in animal transfers organised by zoos themselves by sharing transport schedules, lessons learned and documents needed for transportation to help save time and money.

Some committees were not only busy with organising meetings and sharing things, but active in publishing their own reports and newsletters, like Parrot Committee Journal, “Mourek” (Small Cat Com), Baghira (Big Cat group), Walia (Caprini), Midas (Callitrichid) or the Gibbon and Great Ape Committee’s yearbook.

Issues Missing standards to measure the level of professionalism of potential candidates for membership. Gaps in the law implementing the EU Zoo Directive. Decreasing tendency of the government to support licensed zoo operators and help them to balance costs and income, which is critical to sustain entrance fees and avoid losing visitors in this period of economical crisis and the specifics of the Central and Eastern Europe region. And, the constant lack of time to do everything we are dreaming of…

Conclusion UCSZOO has been here for 22 years but Czech and Slovak zoos cooperated and partnered each other ever since they opened. We have a high‑intense level of collaboration but constantly fight the time issues to make good things happen. We work to extend and strengthen our network of partners and stakeholders throughout the world, not just in Central Europe or continent‑wide.

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Verband Deutscher Zoodirektoren e. V. founded 1887 (VDZ) Report Peter Dollinger

As of June 2012, the VDZ had 169 members, including 69 regular members (zoo directors or zoos) representing 50 zoos in Germany, 6 in Austria, 4 in Switzerland 1 in Estonia and 1 in Spain. 28 of the 62 zoos held an institutional membership. The remainder of members is made up of 6 associate, 56 corresponding and 38 honorary members. Regrettably, the regular member Heinrich Klein, Director of Neuwied Zoo, and the corresponding member Roland Brockmann of Dresden Zoo had passed away during the reporting period.

The Executive Board elected in 2010 remained unchanged.

In spring the usual survey on visitor numbers and entrance fees was made. It appeared that the number of visits to member zoos in 2011 had been 45’031’864, including 34’322’848 in Germany, 3’597’806 in Austria, 5’658’911 in Switzerland, and 1’452’299 in the two zoos outside the German‑speaking area. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase by 7.44 %. This was partly due to more favourable weather conditions, but also to the opening of some spectacular new exhibits, the most noteworthy being the “Gondwanaland” at Leipzig Zoo and the “Dolphin Lagoon” at Nuremberg Zoo. From February 2 to 4, 2012, the zoos of the Alpine Region (Austria, Bavaria, and Switzerland) held their 5th Rigi Symposium which was devoted to the question how zoos could reduce their ecological footprint.

From March 15 to 17, 2012, a Symposium was organised at Berlin to celebrate the 125th anniversary of VDZ. The speeches and presentations of this event will be published in a

special issue of the journal BONGO. On the occasion of the anniversary, the book “Gärten für Tiere – Erlebnisse für Menschen” (Gardens for animals – experiences for people) was published, comprising a general part dealing with the history of zoos and of the association, and with the role of modern zoos, and a second part in which all current member zoos were presented.

Preceding the General Annual Meeting, a joint meeting of the zoo and professional associations of the German‑speaking area took place which dealt mainly with the joint Amphibian programme, selecting new in situ projects to be supported, and with the revision of the minimum standards for the keeping of mammals undertaken by the German Ministry for Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

There was agreement to continue the joint long‑term amphibian conservation programme in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT), the other zoo associations in the German‑speaking area (DTG, DWV, OZO and zooschweiz), the professional organisations of the zoo educators and zoo keepers (VZP and BdZ), and the Stiftung Artenschutz.

On the ex situ‑side, there were some changes to the list of species included in the programme. For the period 2012/13 members agreed to allocate 5’000 € from the VDZ budget towards the support of another five projects.

Since its inception (2009) 19 field projects have been supported with a total amount of 88’260 €, a quarter of which was contributed by VDZ. Furthermore, members agreed to intensify the cooperation with WWF/ TRAFFIC Germany and to set aside a total of 20’000 € for supporting four in situ conservation projects: lesser panda in India and Sikkim, onager / khulan in Iran and Central Asia, huemul in Chile, and a conservation area in Kenya.

The General Annual Meeting 2012 was held from June 6 to 9 at Nuremberg. It was attended by some 130 participants. The scientific part started with presentations on animal welfare, the second session dealt with current challenges to zoos and zoo associations including a discussion on VDZ’s website www.zoodirektoren. the future of VDZ. The third session de continued to flourish. As of June was devoted to marine mammal hus2012, it contained 818 individual pages, bandry and to research in zoo animals, and the fourth session contained free more than 7’000 “media”, i.e. images, papers. At the administrative sesPDF downloads, PowerPoint presentasions the usual reports were delivered tions, and trailers, references to more and the director of Linz Zoo (Austria) than 100 Studbooks and more than was accepted a new regular member.

800 publications, as well as data on all Among the issues discussed were the member zoos and individual members. revision of the minimum standards In the “News” section, 8 messages, 45 for the keeping of mammals, and job offers and 570 press releases from new taxonomies for ungulates which member institutions were published might cause serious problems to the between June 2011 and 2012. The site work of zoos. was visited 396’486 times during the calendar year 2011 (previous year 417‘ 405 visits, but counting method has changed resulting in lower figures).

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Swedish Association of Zoological Parks And Aquaria (SAZA) Report Tomas Frisk

Activities SAZA currently consists of 20 full member institutions and five associated members, with the executive office located at Skansen in Stockholm www.svenska‑djurparksforeningen.nu djurparksforeningen@skansen.se SAZA is a member of CBSG, IZE, WAZA and EAZA, with representation in the EAZA Council as well as the EEP, Veterinary, Education, Research and Conservation Committees.

Standing committees include conservation, veterinary medicine and education. Further, SAZA has organized working groups for environmental enrichment, research and animal transportation. The annual conference/AGM was held at Skansen in April, with Thomas Kauffels (president of VDZ) as the keynote speaker.

Representatives from several national boards and agencies participated, as well as the ministry of agriculture.

SAZA runs a selected number of national ex situ programmes targeting red‑listed native species, currently: Brown bear (Ursus arctos), Lynx (Lynx lynx), Wolf (Canis lupus), White stork (Ciconia ciconia) and Snowy owl (Nyc‑ tea scandiaca). Through an assignment by the Swedish government, during the past two years, SAZA has been involved in the planning and initial operational steps regarding the conservation breeding of wolves with potential (and controversial) subsequent re‑introductions by means of cross‑fostering. The work is an integral part of a genetic management and recovery programme for the Scandinavian wolf population, and it is urgently monitored by the EU Commission in order for Sweden to implement the Species and Habitat Directive. New founders from western Russia are to be included in the ex situ gene pool, with keen support from the Moscow Zoo and the Russian government.

SAZA board members have participated in numerous committees and hearings at governmental boards and agencies of concern, regarding a wide range of relevant topics and including; epizootology and general animal health and welfare, environmental enrichment, implementation of EU´s zoo directive and regulations on animal transportation, genetic diversity conservation in wild fauna & flora of Sweden, national programme for education and management of large carnivores, and management of the Scandinavian musk ox population.

Furthermore, SAZA has been active and successful in developing public and political relations, including meetings with the Swedish government, i.e. ministers of education and agriculture, and their staff, as well as members of the EU Parliament. Member institutions have been involved in several joint events with NGO´s, such as the WWF, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and the National Carnivore Information Centre.

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African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) Report Dave Morgan

Membership

Operational Standard

Currently PAAZAB lists a total of 66 Institutional, Affiliate and Associate members in 12 African countries: (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Swaziland, and Zambia). The breakdown is as follows: 41 Institutional Members in 9 countries; 7 Affiliate Members in 4 countries and 18 Associate members 2 in countries.

Over the latter portion of 2011 a series of trial audits to test the practicability of the Operational Standard audit process were carried out on Munda Wanga Zoo, Lusaka, Zambia and East London Zoo and East London Aquarium in South Africa.

Outcomes from these audits engendered a few small changes to audit protocols.

Annual General Meeting and Conference The 23rd Annual General Meeting and conference of PAAZAB was hosted

by Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn South Africa 1-4 May 2012, approximately 70 delegates from 7 countries attended. The main theme of the conference was “Sustainability of African Zoos and Aquaria” and several key note speakers gave specific presentations followed by workshops in this regard including IUCN reintroduction guidelines, Visitor Studies, “Connecting with our audiences” and Animal Training.

At the formal Gala dinner, Cam Newton of Butterfly World, Klapmuts, South Africa was awarded the Bernard Harrison and Friends Award for Best Professional Development.

Louise Gordon of the Johannesburg Zoo and Dave Morgan, the outgoing Executive Director of PAAZAB were both awarded the PAAZAB Chairman’s Award 2012 respectively. The finale came with the presentation to Dave Morgan of the esteemed PAAZAB Award for outstanding and significant contributions to the zoo community.

The 30th of April 2012 marked the final deadline for receipt of application by Institutional members of PAAZAB to undergo their mandatory Operational Standard compliance inspection. As this date was so close to the AGM of PAAZAB, the Executive Committee extended this deadline to the start of the AGM on Friday 4 May to ensure that Institutional members present at the meeting had ample opportunity to lodge their applications with the Executive Office appropriately. By the start of the AGM a total of 31 out of 41 Institutional members of PAAZAB had applied indicating a solid expression of consensus by the membership on the enactment of the standard.

The remaining institutional members who had not applied were given a second deadline extended to the end of the month. By the end of May, a final total of 33 out of 41 members had applied. Those facilities that had not applied by that date have since had their membership status downgraded to “Associate”.

Mandatory compliance to the Operational Standard is now in force within the Association and inspection audits are now underway.

Executive Office and Executive Director In February 2012, Dave Morgan the Executive Director of PAAZAB and Founder member of the Association tendered his resignation. Dave has been involved with PAAZAB since its inaugural meeting in 1989 and held several offices within the Association over the years from General Secretary of the African Preservation Program, through to Treasurer and vice‑chairmanship. Dave was appointed the first professional Executive Director of PAAZAB in 2002. He moves on from PAAZAB to coordinate a Global Zoo Ethics and Welfare Initiative based at Twycross Zoo in the UK and funded through North Carolina Zoo in the USA. Following an intensive search and recruitment period, Dave’s successor, Dr Stephen van der Spuy was appointed in August 2012. Stephen qualified as a Veterinarian in 1996 at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria. Since then he has owned his own Exotic Animal Veterinary Practice at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, was General Manager of the Montecasino Bird Gardens, Animal Department Manager at the Johannesburg Zoo and until recently the Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Zoo. Stephen has had a keen interest in the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria over the past few years and was a previous member of the Executive Committee of PAAZAB. Stephen is also currently a trustee of the Jane Goodall institute of South Africa and a Board member of the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project.

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DOC 67.19.12 A consequence of the change in executive leadership has been that a great deal of the committee work normally undertaken within the Association over the year has been suspended to allow the Executive Office the opportunity to gear up to speed. A major initiative for the Executive Office immediately going forward will be the implementation of Operational Standard audits.

Additionally, apart from its normal run of administrative duties the office has also been pursuing some core projects: In collaboration with Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the National Council for Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), PAAZAB has embarked upon an ambitious initiative to define welfare minimums for wild animals under intensive human care. This undertaking has been mandated by the lack of cohesive national legislation in South Africa for the care of non‑domesticated animals. The document stipulates welfare and care minimums by taxa from invertebrates through to mammals. At this stage the document is still in review by stakeholders. Upon completion the intent is to submit it to the South African Department of Agriculture respectively, for consideration for incorporation into national legislation. It is further envisaged that the document will provide a template for use in other African countries.

Similarly, 2012 marked the end of the five year review period for the South African National Code of Zoo and Aquarium Practice (SANS 10379). In collaboration with representatives from the NSPCA and the South African Bureau of Standards, the Executive Office will be engaged in a review of this national standard.

Liaison with continue with South African Department of Environmental Affairs in their promulgation of the Threatened and Protected Species Regulations.

Another core project is the production of and service provision to, a basic Animal Husbandry Competency Certificate awarded and endorsed

by PAAZAB and is sister organisation, the Animal Keepers Association of Africa (AKAA). The certificate is aimed to be a 3 day course which will be presented on site at PAAZAB member facilities for a maximum of 10 learners per course. It will cover the husbandry and welfare of animals in area of responsibility and will

tailor‑made for each participating facility. The certificate is seen to be the first step towards formal professional zoo‑keeper training in the region. It is also intended to lay down the primary template for the two South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), National Certificates in Zoo‑keeping and Animal Care. At this time, there is no service provision to either of these SAQA certificates. Both PAAZAB and AKAA have collaboratively applied for the requisite national permissions to perform such service provision. The basic competency certificate is the part of this process and roll‑out is planned for January 2013.

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South East Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA) Report Sophon Dumnui/Karn Lekagul

Consultations on zoo management

Response to animal welfare issues

Cambodia – The zoo at Kong Island has been moved and a new one built in Phnom Penh. Seaza President visited the construction site and gave advice on zoo planning, constructions and animal transportation.

Surabaya Zoo – Indonesia: Public concern was raised regarding the congested animal conditions at Surabaya Zoo. Seaza President gave consultations to the zoo management on improvements that should be made. The managers of Surabaya Zoo gave assurance that corrective steps had been taken and that a motion has been forwarded to the governor to ask for increased budget for zoo improvements.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic – Seaza President went to meet with the Managing Director, executives and officers of Lao Zoo. Consultations were given on zoo management and animal care. Lao Zoo expressed interest in trying to find a mate for the single male Asian Golden Cat at the zoo. Special advice was also given regarding the exhibit design, husbandry and care of the Sumatran tiger. Also discussed were possibilities for Lao Zoo to host the SEAZA Conference in the future.

Vietnam – Seaza President visited Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ho Chi Minh City and gave advice about finding world renowned experts on assisted reproduction techniques for the conservation of wildlife to train the staff at Saigon Zoo.

Nongnoch Garden and Resort – Thai‑ land: At the excursion to Nongnoch Garden and Resort during the 2011 SEAZA conference, concern was raised about the cramped conditions of the Chimpanzee cage. Seaza President advised Nongnoch Garden on proper enclosures and the chimpanzees have now been moved to a better facility.

Phuket Zoo – Thailand: Complaints from European tourists were raised about the conditions of bird enclosures. Seaza President advised the owners of the zoo resulting in improved landscaping a new separate “Bird Park” section being built.

Animal transfers Myanmar – From Seaza President’s visit to Naypyidaw Zoo, in the new capital city of Myanmar, the zoo had a wish for giraffes to be exhibited at the zoo. Seaza President coordinated with Safari Park Zoo in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand for the giraffes and successfully found support and logistic management for the transfers. The giraffes were transported by truck from Kanchanaburi Provice to Ranong Province, Thailand. It then embarked on a 60 hour boat ride to Rangoon, Mayanmar. Then a 6 hours truck ride to Naypyidaw Zoo.

SEAZA Conference 2011 – Thailand: The Zooogical Park Organisation Under H. M. the King was host to the 2011 SEAZA Conference in Pattaya, Chonburi province on September 12-14, 2012. The theme for the conference is “Reintroduced endangered species in SEAZA”.

2012 – Malaysia: The Seaza Conference 2012 will be hosted by Taiping Zoo, Malaysia on November 4-8, 2012. The theme for the conference is “World class zoo accreditation: Are we ready?”.

Future conferences: The Republic of Philippines has shown interest in hosting the 2014 SEAZA conference.

The 2013 host country has not been decided and will be discussed at the 2012 conference.

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South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation (SAZARC), Zoo Outreach Organisation (Z.O.O.) Report Sally R. Walker

SAZARC Report Background The South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation SAZARC was founded in Kathmandu Zoo, Nepal in 2000 with a range of zoo directors from 5 countries, e.g., Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Throughout last 12 years, ZOO has hosted SAZARC as a project and raised all funds from external zoos and NGO’s for an annual regional conference with all expenses paid for all invitees. Founder/Director SAZARC put a ten‑year limit on raising funds from western zoos and animal welfare organizations for directors to attend a conference.

The 10 year mark was 2010 when we conducted the conference in Chitwan National Park with truly outstanding resource persons such as Dr. Wendy Foden, the IUCN point person for Climate Change research and Dr. Mark Irwin, a Veterinarian and university professor specializing in zoo and wild animal medicine. The NTNC/Central Zoo pulled out all stops to entertain and the conference attendees, even providing an expensive Thanka, a famous wall‑hanging especially made for the conference and a well‑known and beautiful symbol of Nepal and trips into the nearby jungle to see wildlife on several occasions.

Despite these arrangements and a 100% free ride, certain participants made truly unbelievable complaints such as two days of the five‑day conference should have been devoted to foresters getting to meet and spend time with Nepal foresters and discuss their mutual problems, among other trivial things. Then and there it was decided to have a cooling off period and take a fresh look. Over the last year and a half, we made no requests for funds and did not have the annual conference. Now, we are trying to raise a small amount to conduct a small meeting that will include a selected person from each country to meet and discuss SAZARC’s future.

This meeting will focus on to how to strengthen South Asian zoos first nationally and then perhaps regionally, collecting ideas from each country.

The meeting will encourage founding of national associations with guidance from SAZARC. Thus far no country except India has a national association but it is under the auspices of the government entity over the zoos. SAZARC will provide some help for the new national associations by linking them with other regional and national associations that can provide advice to assist them in this transition until they become established and work together effectively.

The reasoning behind this is that more zoo directors will be able to attend meetings at their own expense

within their own country as it is not so expensive. SAZARC, raising funds to pay all expenses to regional meetings could afford to sponsor only a maximum number of 4 or 5 persons from each country. This mechanism was instituted with full knowledge that no South Asian country would pay for what they considered a “junket”.

It was felt at the time that it was the only way to progress zoos in these countries, and worth the effort, but now the real work has to begin.

The primary focus of SAZARC always has been teaching the members about wildlife conservation. There are many misunderstandings about conservation in our region of South Asia such as if zoos simply have the animals in their zoo, they believe they are practicing conservation. SAZARC in collaboration with its host, Zoo Outreach Organisation attempts to provide appropriate information and advice when requested and on a regularly basis with the monthly magazine ZOOS’ PRINT and monthly peer reviewed publication JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA. SAZARC members are on a mailing list for circulating occasional documents that would be helpful to zoo personnel.

In the past one year SAZARC chair has visited three South Asian countries, India, where the office of ZOO and SAZARC reside, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

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Nepal

Bangladesh

Nepal is clearly one of the most advanced in the region in terms of following a righteous path toward improving their zoos. Like many countries in this region, Nepal had not noticed how many zoos were coming up without necessary support.

A survey done by ZOO & SAZARC uncovered 27 institutions which could be considered zoos, including the Central Zoo which was well known and well run, some animal facilities that were not traditional zoos but which allow the public to come in and observe their animals (such as elephant camps, etc.) and municiple and other zoos which were in parks or some other public area. The SAZARC Conference in 2010 was a milestone for Nepal as Director, Sarita Jnwali invited all these zoos to the SAZARC conference.

Bangladesh is our most difficult country for zoos. There is no history of good zoo management in the country despite a National Zoo having been founded with great fanfare some decades ago. This and a few other zoos are under the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and Department of Animal Husbandry. An email I received just this morning from Curator (in fact Director) is worth quoting verbatim: “I agree with your all types of commends whether good or bad.

But you know that nothing to do for me as curetor. I am controlled by four steps higher authority including ministry. All kinds of decisions approved from higher authority. Curetor and zoo personnels implement only. So I don, t know who is liable for good success or great failure. Right now I am in thretening position and at any time i may fire from zoo or may safe. I love animal and i treat the sick animal and i have enough confidence upon me on surgical and medicinal treatment including nutrition.” That tells a true story according to Chair’s experience.

Chair also kept in touch with them since the conference and recently initiated a Nepal Zoo Network which will gradually morph into a national association. SAZARC Director attended the meeting in which the network was launched and was very pleased to see the genuine interest and enthusiasm even from the smallest zoo directors. Also, which is quite amazing, all of the participants were very anxious to have the Zoo Act passed. It was initiated by then new Director, Sarita Jnwali at my behest about three years ago. It is complete and requiring one last approval before put into practice. Zoo Directors want this legislation because they reported that without guidance from government, they never knew whether they would be praised or damned and feared very much getting into trouble. Director also took SAZARC Chair around the zoo and showed the improvements done during renovation. It was impressive and still ongoing.

(See ZOOS’ PRINT, www.zoosprint. org/ZooPrintMagazine/2012 /June/ ZPM pp.12–22)

There is a Zoo Act also pending in their government just about to be passed. This Act was initiated in SAZARC meeting in 2003 and zoo managers made a draft in the working groups of that meeting and all SAZARC meetings afterward until it was put to government. Dr. Kris Vehrs, AZA head had been invited as resource person to help them and she provided many legal corrections and suggestions without prejudice. Since then the Act has been circulating in the Ministry in Bangladeshi language so it is not known what has been added or removed.

SAZARC Chair visited Bangladesh having been informed that a zoo got some very valuable animals from a foreign country using their charitable membership in SAZARC as a means of qualifying. The zoo already had several new animals from that country although the space and expertise is not sufficient to look after exotic animals. Moreover, as a result of several visits to European and Australian and South East Asian

countries with a large contingent of government officials they are expecting over 250 more animals. SAZARC Chair inspected most of the zoo and published a report in ZOOS’ PRINT as well as meeting with senior government officials and trying to advise them.

See ZOOS’ PRINT 2012, www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintMagazine/2012/ June/ pp.1–11)

Other visits Pending visits: Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan will get a visit in late 2012 or in first months of 2013.

In 2013, the meeting to discuss the future of SAZARC and promote the founding of national zoo associations will be conducted in first part of the year, pending acquisition of budget. A few loyal sponsors who will not mind funding again are being contacted to help with what is hoped to be a solution for SAZARC and its countries’ zoos.

Buenos Aires – Chair attended WAZA Council mid‑year meeting in Argentina and visited the zoos in Buenos Aires where it met. She also ran a session of the Conservation Welfare Task for in CBSG. Participated in most topics at WAZA promoting our special interests, e.g., dysfunctional zoos, etc.

Leipzig – Chair participated in a meeting of Council and WAZA Committee Chairs in Leipzig, Germany held at the WAZA President’s excellent Zoo. Budapest – Chair was invited to give a presentation at the Second Ivy Zoo Symposium. She presented on an ongoing research project, e.g. what seems to have been the world’s first “biodiversity project”, which led to a small menagerie/zoo in Barrackpore, a military cantonment near Calcutta that influenced Stamford Raffles and the London Zoo as well as the Calcutta Zoo. The presentation material focused on new research and was very well received.

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Zoo Outreach Organisation (Z.O.O.) Activities Getting along with Elephants, HECx: Educator Training in Human Elephant Coexistence (3 workshops) 15–24 August 2011, Kanchanaburi, Thailand US Fish and Wildlife Service along with Columbus Zoo and Koln Zoo sponsored a series of three educators skills training workshop at Kanchana‑buri, Thailand in collaboration with Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) from 15–24 August 2011. Participants represented four key provinces from different parts of Thailand well‑know for Human Elephant Conflict, namely, Kanchanaburi (west), Prachinburi (east), Petchaburi (upper south) and Prachuab Kirikhan (upper south). Participants in four groups: i) educators ii) Community leaders at village and sub‑district levels, iii) Wildlife Conservation NGOs and iv. students. A refresher course six months after the training held to determine attitudinal and/or behavioural changes following earlier programme and teach new activities.

Sponsors: U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, USA, Columbus Zoological Garden, USA, Koln Zoo, Germany.

View the full report at: www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintMagazine/2011/December/16-17.pdf www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintMagazine/2012/March/16-18.pdf

Freshwater Biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India Report – Western Ghats assessments Project to provide resources essential for guiding decisions on conservation and sustainable management of freshwater biodiversity in Western Ghats and Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot. Achieved by (i) training specialists (ii) collecting data (iii) evaluating extinction risk of species using IUCN Red List Criteria; (iv) analysing results for geographic patterns of species richness, endemism, and existing or impending threats to the species; and (v) making the collected data and the results of the analyses widely available to users. Funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

Copies of the report The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India is available for download here: http://data.iucn. org/dbtw‑wpd/edocs/RL‑540-001.pdf.

Training in Field Techniques for Survey and Conservation of Volant and Non‑Volant Small Mammals workshop 10–14 November 2011, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala ZOO networks Chiroptera Conservation Information Network of South Asia (CCINSA) and Rodentia, Insectivora & Scandentia Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (RISCINSA) organized five‑days training hosted by Kerala Agricultural University. Thirty‑five bat and rodent researchers from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal attended. Prof. Paul Racey, Chair, Bat Specialist Group of IUCN SSC and Dr. Mike Jordon, Sr Conservation Advisor, NZG South Africa, Sanjay Molur, ZOO and P. O. Nameer Assc. Prof. Kerala Agricultural University were lead trainers of the workshop. Ms. Sally Walker, Managing Trustee, ZOO and Convenor/Chair of each network gave an opening address.

The training covered standard techniques in inventory and monitoring, identification of habitat and sampling methodologies, catching techniques, why and how to survey, trap usage, animal handling, identification in field, key to identification, samples for DNA analysis, recording data, collection of pollen /feces, marking techniques, skinning and skulling methods, animal welfare and field research ethics, pollination ecology of rodents and bats, Survey protocol and Volant and non‑volant small mammal conservation.

Sponsors Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari Park, Columbus Zoo and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, USA. Full report: www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintMagazine/2011/December/13-15. pdf.

Red Panda PHVA Report Published A PHVA and Species Conservation Strategy (SCS) Workshop for the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Nepal was held from 2–6 September 2010, in the offices of the National Trust for Nature Conservation, NTNC, in Kathmandu. The PHVA was facilitated by a joint team of CBSG South Asia and CBSG Europe. Funding by WWF Germany, Rotterdam Zoo and European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Workshop participants included Nepal, India and Bhutan, USA and Europe. April 2012 the Red Panda PHVA Report has been published and distributed to the participants, policy makers, zoos that are holding Red Panda and also to the donors. A PHVA was conducted for China in Summer 2012 and more to be planned for India, Bhutan, Myanmar initiated by Dr. Angela Glatston, Rotterdam Zoo.

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Ongoing projects Field project: Conserving Himalayan Grey Langur through a participatory stakeholder conservation initiative

Chiroptera (Bat) Conservation Information Network of South Asia Projects

Bat Conservation International is funding in support of the Chiroptera Conservation and Information The Himalayan Grey Langur Sem‑ Network of South Asia (CCINSA) nopithecus ajax is restricted to the “Conserving India’s Bats through Chamba Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Education and Training”. ZOO will India. Its small population and reconduct bat to conservation educastricted occupancy range is severely tion, outreach and/or training events threatened with habitat degradation, to reach the general public, other deforestation, commercial horticulnonprofit organizations, and decision ture expansions, hunting and persemakers in India. Activities include: 1) cution. The project will establish a distribution of educational materials long‑term strategy for conservation 2) holding public lectures to generate of this Alliance for Zero Extinction positive interest in bat conservation species and act as an example for and promote changes to public polispecies champion based conservation cies to conserve bats; and 3) estabefforts in India. Donors: Conservation lishing a training workshop.

Leadership Program’s Future Conservationist Award, Rufford Small Grants and Mohamed bin Zayed Species Critical Ecosystem Conservation Fund Partnership Fund (CEPF)

Projects

Amphibian Chytrid Currently the project team is analyzing the data, map the infection and reassess the status of the CR and EN amphibians that show positive for chytrid infection in the Western Ghats. The preparation is going on to conduct fieldwork in at least 10 locations across the Western Ghats for presence/ absence of chytrid fungus in Critically Endangered and Endangered amphibian species, and lab analysis using PCR technique.

Donor: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USA

a.

Enhancing Knowledge about the Conservation Status of Globally Threatened Species in the Western Ghats, with a Particular Emphasis on Reptiles

Assess the global conservation status of all 265 reptile species found in the Western Ghats, compile detailed information on each species and make the results freely available through the IUCN Red List site and other online portals. Solicit and publish articles on Western Ghats biodiversity in an open‑access, peer‑reviewed journal, provide tutoring to authors and disseminate widely among key stakeholders.

b.

Protected Area Analysis With Respect to Freshwater Biodiversity and Reptile Assessments, and Development of National Policy for Inclusion in Legislation.

Develop a policy framework and strategies for linking the IUCN Red List assessments to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. Evaluate the current effectiveness of the protected area network in the Western Ghats for the conservation of globally threatened reptiles and freshwater taxa.

Strengthen national legislation on conservation with regard to import of alien freshwater species and export of threatened fishes. c.

Involving Community, Stakeholders and Journalists for the Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity and Reptiles of Western Ghats through Education, Training and Follow up of the Assessment Projects

This project is a follow up of the CEPF funded status assessments of freshwater ecosystem and reptiles in the Western Ghats. The objective of the project is to disseminate the results of the CEPF projects on freshwater and reptiles species of Western Ghats and to create awareness among local communities involving a range of stakeholders. The project will cover all the five stats of the Western Ghats. The target group will include local communities and community heads, school teachers, educators at schools, NGOs, and community level, forest personnel, and policy makers. The project along with IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Unit and the Global Reptile Assessment Unit, will coordinate all scientific data and analysis into easily useable format for the target group.

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Western Ghats Biodiversity

Open Collaborative Information System Create an open‑access, web‑based portal on the biodiversity and ecosystem service values of the Western Ghats, populated and maintained by an active community of data‑holders. Leverage Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate a transformation in data availability that facilitates mainstreaming of biodiversity into development sectors, empowers citizen engagement in public policy development, and fosters citizen science initiatives by amateur naturalists. e.

Establishing Community Conservation Reserves in the Anamalai Corridor

The Project proposes to set up Community and Conservation Reserves in the Anamalai Corridor (Theni and Plani Hills) to integrate local communities into biodiversity conservation. The management at existing reserves will be assessed, reserve management plans will be prepared for nominated reserves through the participation of multiple key stakeholders and a suitable reserve management committee will be identified. Multi‑stakeholder surveys were conducted at existing community and conservation reserves across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to understand existing management and interaction between stakeholders. Following this we pursued to understand issues around Korangani and Kumbakarai, two potential community and conservation reserves in the Theni‑Palni Hills. Forest department officials, panchayath, plantation owners, indigenous and non‑indigenous communities have been introduced to the project, its goals and objectives. We are currently working out a waste disposal strategy for Korangani.

f.

Assessing the Status and Distribution of Large Mammals in Highwavy Mountains and Its Environs, Southern Western Ghats

Identify eco‑sensitive and potential corridors and contiguity within and with adjacent landscapes in Highwavy and its environs. Develop plausible science‑based management mechanisms with support of data on large mammal movement patterns, species‑habitat interactions and threats. Disseminate results and findings to local stakeholders and the Forest Department through a series of workshops. Grid walk, Camera trap and Night survey are being carried out in the grids. So far 79 grids (4 sq.km) were completed in Theni forests. Thirty‑five species of mammals were recorded including five primates (Nilgiri langur, Tufted grey langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion‑tailed macaque and Slender loris), two giant squirrels and a flying squirrel. All three major carnivores namely tiger, leopard and wild dog were recorded during the survey. Among the lesser carnivore, jungle cat and vulnerable rusty‑spotted cat were observed.

Field work in the critical link between Anamalai and Periyar corridor is progressing.

Publications ZOOS’ PRINT Magazine. Sally Walker, Founder Editor and Sanjay Molur, Editor, www.zoosprint.org JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA, (JoTT), FoundingEditor, Editor, Sanjay Molur www.threatenedtaxa.org.

Number of articles published: 123 Number of issues: April 2011 to March 2012 – 12 issues Total number of pages: 1637–2480 – 844pp Special Themes: ALCS – 1 article CEPF Western Ghats – 7 articles

Education Activities World Environment Day 2011: ZOO developed a new education kit for the International Year of Forests based on this year’s United Nation theme and supplied 3000 kits to 31 educators all over the India to celebrate the day and create awareness on saving forests.

Indian Wildlife Week 2011: celebrated annually from 1–7 October for the last 56 years. ZOO prepares material for zoos, forest divisions, NGO’s, museums, schools for IYF, YOB, UN Decade – 1600 Lion‑tailed macaque posters, 3000 amphibian packets, 3000 bear packets, 3000 bat packets to 85 educators in departments, zoos, NGO, Education Institutions and museums.

Animal Welfare Fortnightly Jan 2012: ZOO developed 1000 special AWF posters for educators conducting animal welfare awareness event on that day. 1000 posters, 700 amphibian packets, 700 Lion‑tailed macaque posters and 550 bear packets were supplied to seventeen educators.

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DOC 67.19.14 Leaping Ahead of Amphibian ExtincB. A. Daniel tion. Coordinated by ZOO & AARK jointly with WAZA, CBSG and ASG, a • Attended Central Zoo Authority GOI new “event” to coincide with “Leap Review Committee meeting of DeDay” on 29 February 2012 was veloping a Zoo Educators kit, which launched. ZOO coordinated the event included a Manual and a CD, 18 Oct for South Asia. ZOO supplied 1000 2011 organized and sponsored by posters, 250 posters, 1500 masks and Center for Environment Education, 150 Colouring books to Indian educaAhmedabad. tors and South Asian educators.

• Attended the 2nd Symposium on Animal Welfare & Conservation held Vulture Awareness day …. ZOO proby Bharathiar University, 24–25 Jan vided a vulture packet that highlights 2012. Daniel delivered a presentavulture conservation and awareness tion on Animal Welfare & Conservato celebrate the International Vulture tion Day, 1 September 2012.

• Scientist/ Chair, South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group, ZOO attended the IUCN/SSC Invertebrate ZOO Staff participation Conservation Sub‑Committee ICSC in various other meetings meeting held at Abu Dhabi, UAE, 20–21 February 2012.

• Attended National Seminar on imSanjay Molur pact of Climate change and Industrial Pollution on Biodiversity and • Attended Govt. of India expert the need for community conservagroup meetings (August and Octotion Initiative at Kirloskar Hall, Koti, ber 2011) to discuss implementation Hyderabad from 28–29 Mar 2012. of Steering Committee Red Listing • Is the point person for the WAZA species of India in New Delhi. campaign in South Asia for DECADE • Attended CBSG Annual meeting and sponsored by MAVA Foundation. reported on S Asia CBSG activities.

• Attended the 2nd IUCN SSC Chairs’ Attended and presented a paper on Meeting, 23–27 Feb 2012, Abu AZE at WAZA Annual Conference Dhabi, UAE. 2011 • Represented ZOO & CBSG South Asia the Alliance for Zero Extinction R. Marimuthu Steering Committee meeting held in Washington, 18–19 October 2011. • Attended 3rd Asian Zoos Educators • Attended the 2nd IUCN SSC Chairs’ Conference, 18–21 September 2011 Meeting, 23–27 Feb 2012, Abu Dhabi held in Taipei. Sponsored by Taipei • Received a Certificate of Excellence Zoo. from Dr. Simon Stuart, Chair of the • Represented ZOO and CBSG South Species Survival Commission, for his Asia at the Workshop on Conservacontribution on Red Listing work at tion Education on Zoos at Bhopal National, Regional and Global level from 27 Feb 2012 to 01 Mar 2012. and a Certificate as a Red List Train- • Attended International Congress er the 2nd IUCN SSC Chairs’ Meeting, of Zookeepers in Singapore and 23–27 Feb 2012, Abu Dhabi, UAE. presented a paper on South Asian Zookeepers.

Sally Walker • Attended WAZA Annual Conference 2011 Council meeting, chaired Associations Committee Meeting &, presented a paper.

• Attended the CBSG Annual Meeting, 2011 conducting a working group in the Strategic Committee meeting and a report on the progress of the Conservation Welfare Task Force.

• Attended the CBSG & WAZA annual Mid‑Year meetings, held in Argentina, April 2012 and ran a session of the Conservation Welfare Task for in CBSG. • Delivered a presentation at the second “Ivy Zoo” Symposium, May 15–17, 2012 in Budapest, Hungary.

• Visited Bangladesh in June 2012 to investigate information that Dhaka Zoo was getting animals from South Asia without proper protocols.

• Attended a meeting of all the zoos in Nepal which created a Nepal Zoo Network, precusor to Nepal Zoo Association.

• Attended the meeting of Committee Chairs and WAZA Council held at Leipzig, August 2012.

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Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) Report Kazutoshi Arai

The membership

• The international studbooks keepers • The link between zoos and wildlife in JAZA region: habitats – the experience‑ based 86 zoos, 65 aquariums, and total wildlife conservation seminar (de151 institutions as of August 31, 2012.

Mr. Hitoshi Murai: Japanese Serow velopment of the method and its (Capricorni scrispus) implementation) Mr. NaoyaOhashi: Oriental White • “Crawfish summit in Hokkaido” at The executives Stork (Ciconia boyciana) Maruyama zoo Ms. Hiroko Ogawa: Red‑crowned • The baseline survey for Hotoke Chair: Crane (Grus japonensis) Loach (Lefua echigonia) in Tanba Mr. Shigeyuki Yamamoto Dr. KazutoshiTakami: Hooded Crane region Vice Chairs: (Grus monacha) • The examination for disinfestation Mr. Kazutoshi Arai and Mr. Kazuaki Nippashi: White‑naped of Red‑eared Slider (Trachemys Dr. Hisashi Hashikawa Crane (Grus vipio) scripta elegans) • Building the model for international Executive Director: transmission of information Mr. Kensho Nagai 2011–2012 Wild Animal Con• The support of captive reproduction servation Fund activities: of Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) at Chilean National Zoo The conservation activities • The investigation research of in Santiago, and the conservation protection and reproduction of activities for Humboldt penguin in • The number of species for SSCJ Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias the wild (Species Survival Committee of japonicas) JAZA) conservation program: 153 • The research of captive reproduction of Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan PMx population management training: 6 Marsupialia and others, 14 Primates, (Lagopus muta hyperborea) 15 Carnivora, 10 Marine Mammals, 16 • The environmental investigation for Ungulata, 8 Raptores, 10 Penguins, 13 wildlife conservation at the dairy We held the training on February Storks / Pheasants / Cranes, 15 Small farming villages around Fuuren7–10, 2012 with the guest teachBirds, 15 Amphibians and Reptiles kawa riverine system ers – Kathy Traylor‑Holzer and Jon and 21 Fishes • The national conservation and Ballou.18 international and regional reproduction activities for Reticustudbook keepers attended. A part of • The number of intensively managed lated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis these participants will be the lecturer species: 5 reticulate) and we will hold the trainings to all • Genetic Analysis of Shinal dwarf of the studbook keepers in Japan. We Japanese Golden Eagle (Aquila gudgeon (Pseudorasbora pumila believe this is one of the good steps chrysaetos japonica), Red Panda pumila) for effective phyletic presto improve the population manage(Ailurus fulgens), Humboldt Penguin ervation ment in JAZA. We have also held (Spheniscus humboldti), Oriental • The research of reproductive physithe SPARKS training regularly and White Stork (Ciconia boyciana), ology and egg shell characteristics do our best to keep the accurate and Deep‑bodied Bitterling (Acheilogna‑ of Penguins detailed data on SPARKS format. thus longipinnis) • The research and exhibit & interpretation about the behavior found on • The GSMP species: 2 Tufted Capuchin (Cebus paella) to rub the citrus fruits Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris suma‑ trae), Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)

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Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) Report Martin Phillips

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Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA) Report Andrea Caiozzi

During 2011–2012 years, the Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA) has grown significantly, and became stronger with the participation of more members in Latin America and other regions. Currently, the Association represents 77 active members, including 45 institutions, 20 professionals and 12 associated organizations, representing 20 countries in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Since past September 2011, ALPZA has welcomed 7 new and 2 rejoining members: Chicago Zoological Society (CZS, USA), Parque Zoológico Nacional (Cuba), Zoológico de Nuevo Laredo (México), Zoológico Parque Lecoq (Uruguay), Aquario de São Paulo (Brazil), and 4 professional (individual) members.

Organizational highlights ALPZA advances on the Accreditation Program, defining the criteria and process for accrediting ALPZA members, customizing the Accreditation Program of our associated member AZCARM (Mexican Zoo and Aquariums Association). Through ALPZA Accreditation, we seek to promote the improvement of standards and animal welfare of Latin American zoological institutions.

During our last General Assembly at the XIX ALPZA Annual Congress in Puebla, México, the figure of Sponsoring Membership was approved, which will allow ALPZA to receive funding from companies and organizations worldwide in order to promote capacity building and conservation projects among our members. Also, the proposal for a new website was approved, which will allow ALPZA and its members to take full advantage of a more modern site, which new interesting features.

We expect the new website to be working before the end of the year.

ALPZA was proud to actively participate in the 2012 WAZA, ISIS and CBSG midyear meetings, held in Temaiken (an ALPZA member) and Buenos Aires Sheraton hotel, Argentina. ALPZA was represented in these meetings by Executive Director, Andrea Caiozzi. Also, the Chair of ALPZA’s Cooperative Species Management Committee, Adrián Sestelo, and the member of ALPZA’s Conservation Committee, Carina Righi actively joined the Executive Director in participating at the CBSG midyear meeting. ALPZA deeply values the importance of actively participating and to be more involved in WAZA initiatives and to increase the representation of Latin American zoos and aquariums in WAZA. Also, ALPZA values collaborating with CBSG and ISIS and hopes to keep participating actively in current and future activities.

Currently, ALPZA is composed by 9 operational committees: Accreditation, Aquariums, Animal Welfare (sub‑groups of Nutrition, Health, and Behavioural Management), Conservation (sub‑group of Amphibians), Communications & Marketing, Cooperative Population Management, Education, Ethics, and the Zookeper’s Network.

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Main conservation projects and events ALPZA Certification Program of Conservation Projects officially started with a great beginning. So far, two conservation projects carried out by ALPZA members have been certified

by ALPZA’s Conservation Committee: The Saguinus leucopus project in Colombia, and the Andean Condor project in Argentina. The purpose of this certification is to reward conservation projects with high impact on their region, in order to serve as a reference for similar projects and to inform the world community about the ALPZA certified projects, showing our high commitment to conservation. The certification process involves several steps of evaluation of the candidate projects by a panel of conservation specialists, representing different regions of ALPZA. ALPZA continues working on developing Cooperative Species Management Programs and their Studbooks for regional species. Special attention has received the ALPZA penguin program.

ALPZA continues its Capacity Building and Scholarships Programmes, through more than 10 events carried out during the past year, in 7 countries of Latin America, all of them including scholarships for ALPZA members. In total, ALPZA facilitated 19 scholarships during the period, for staff of ALPZA zoos and aquariums, including zookeepers, educators, veterinarians, and others. All these courses and workshops included topics related to in situ and ex situ conservation, as well as animal welfare, such as: Field techniques for veterinarians, Aquarium techniques, Nutrition of wild animals, Research in wild animals, Environmental education.

The Conservation Committee launched at the XIX ALPZA Conference in Puebla the new ALPZA merchandising material for fundraising for conservation capacity building initiatives, consisting in beautiful t‑shirts, bookmarks and suitcase name‑tags, with attractive messages promoting conservation initiatives.

ALPZA members will be able to sell these items at their souvenir shops, fundraising for these initiatives but also informing the public about the important role Latin American zoos and aquariums have in conservation.

ALPZA has strengthened its communication strategy, through the publication of new quarterly ALPZA online Newsletter called “Develop‑ ing Community” (released in Spanish, English and Portuguese), the Conservation in Latin America online Newsletter (Vol. 5 already released), and through the active management of our current website (www.alpza. com), our Facebook profile (Alpza Zoos), and our new Twitter account (@ALPZA_Zoos). We welcome you to visit us on our website, friend us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Our XX congress will be held in the cosmopolitan and modern city of São Paulo, Brazil, 9-14 of June, 2013, hosted by São Paulo Zoo. We look forward for meet all of you there!

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Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ACOPAZOA) Report Carolina Falla

Calendar The gremial calendar of ACOPAZOA for the next year is going to be dedicated to the animals subject to the trade of fauna. We chose the animals with more pressure of traffic in the country as an educative strategy for the public.

Influence on National Polices ACOPAZOA is participating in meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to repeal the 1608 decree of 1978, which is the most important norm concerning on wild animals, in order to clarify the concepts and legislation for zoos, aquariums, and similar. We are working with a technical committee conformed by representatives from the Ministry and ACOPAZOA and we are studying documents generated for the ex situ conservation, WAZA strategy and the ACOPAZOA standards, in order to create the guidelines to regulate the new zoos.

Institutional Image The web page was renovated and actualized using the information of other Associations as example (www. acopazoa.org). We are trying to change the thinking of many people through facebook, showing the conservation projects and success of all our members.

New member “Bioparque La Reseva” was admitted as a new ACOPAZOA member through an inspection process and evaluation. Bioparque is located in Cota, 30 min from Bogotá and has sustainable vision with many conservationist ideas. Currently ACOPAZOA has fifteen members including zoos, aquariums and in situ conservation program.

Conservation Projects We sign a contract with the Government (Ministry of Environment) to start two new gremial conservation projects with two species that are very threat: the endemic blue billed curassaw (Crax alberti) and the emblematic Andean condor (Vultur gryphus). We are going to begin a captive breeding program, with the participation of five institutions for C. alberti and six institutions for V. gryphus. The process start with the training in management, reproduction and care of both species and records keeping systems (SPARKS and PM 2000). There will be a manual for each species, adapted to the particular situation of Colombian and it will be generated a publication of the national Studbook.

The International Conservation Program of Saguinus leucopus,(white footed tamarine) performed the Welfare and Husbandry Workshop and the Strategic Plan Review in October of the last year. In the workshop, professionals and keepers participated together remembering many concepts about the species and identifying the weaknesses in their own institutions. The Strategic Plan counted with the facilitation of WCS who performed a technical memory with a conceptual map for the action plan. Also in October the education department of the program made a Festival in La Dorada (local community where the white footed tamarine is sold), the people were previously sensitized and the day of the festival the community danced, sang and walked in benefit of the conservation of white footed tamarine. This year we continue to work in the in situ and ex situ actions, including evaluation of the captive breeding program, mortality causes, diet standardization and field studies (genetic and health).

Also the educational program created characters who will serve to do a campaign against trade of fauna, one of the main threats for the species.

The local community in La Dorada will be evaluated to measure the impact of the festivals and in Mariquita, other locality, is going to start the education process to raise awareness in the community.

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Mesoamerican and Caribbean Zoo and Aquarium Association (AMACZOOA) Activities Report Yolanda Matamoros Hidalgo

AMACZOOA and CBSG Mesoamerica Workshop According to the UNEP, Zoos, Aquariums and Botanical Gardens are in the Museums category; that is why the Zoo and National Botanical Garden Simón Bolívar is an active participant of the Costa Rican Museums Network.

AMACZOOA and CBSG Mesoamerica participated in the Costa Rica’s III National Museums Congress as organizers of the workshop: Zoos, Aquariums and Botanical Gardens in Mesoamerica, done on November 1st. at Museum Juan Santamaría, Alajuela. All AMACZOOA members were invited, also zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and zoological museums from Costa Rica. There were 29 participants representing 16 institutions of which there was one from Guatemala, one from Nicaragua and 14 from Costa Rica. Ten institutions presented information about different topics related to ex situ management. A lot of discussion was generated due to the interest of the participants in the themes. As a conclusion, all the participants shared what they learned from experts about new techniques, procedures and projects and proposed similar meetings for other AMACZOOA’s member countries.

Course on Veterinary Medicine and Management of Captive Wild Animals The Thomas Belt Zoo of Juigalpa, Chontales, Nicaragua, with the collaboration of Fundación pro Zoológicos (FUNDAZOO) and with the support of the Mesoamerican and the Caribbean Zoos and Aquariums Association (AMACZOOA) and CBSG Mesoamerica, organized a course for veterinary doctors on February 23-25. DVM Randall Arguedas from FUNDAZOO gave the course to 36 Nicaraguan DVMs that represented several organizations and institutions: Animal Protection Society, Fundación A‑Marte, PROVESA (Epidemiological Surveillance), MAGFOR (State institution), Commercial Science University, Thomas Belt Zoo and particular doctors.

Red Listing Central American Squamates Workshop Reptiles are conspicuously absent from the list of taxa that have been comprehensively assessed worldwide for extinction risk through the IUCN Red Listing process. Unassessed species are frequently overlooked in conservation planning exercises and often ineligible for international assistance for conservation efforts.

CBSG Mesoamerica was invited to help co‑convened a workshop to complete Red List assessments for Central American squamates. The goal was to review existing and create new Red List assessments for all species of Central American squamates, including threat category assignment, compilation of supporting data, and the creation of a range map.

The workshop took place on 6-10 May, 2012, in Palo Verde Biological Station, located within Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica. It involved 34 invitees, all either herpetologists with experience studying Central American reptiles in the field or scientists knowledgeable about the IUCN Red List criteria and database who served

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DOC 67.19.19 as facilitators of working groups. The assembled scientists succeeded in working through 468 currently recognized species of squamates native to Central America. The formal IUCN process requires external review (in fact herpetologists with knowledge of Central American species who did not attend can expect to be contacted shortly to contribute in this regard), so the workshop results are preliminary. Nevertheless, there is a strong indication that nearly a fifth of Central American reptiles are threatened with extinction. Many of these are endemic northern Central American lizards and snakes restricted to isolated cloud forests that are rapidly being destroyed by the advancing agricultural frontier. In many cases, personnel at designated protected areas simply do not have the wherewithal to hold the line against this onslaught of habitat destruction.

A summary manuscript of the results is planned for submission to a scientific journal. CBSG Mesoamerica will work with the facilitators in a report that will be available in cbsgmesoamerica.org when it is done.

Vortex training course and Central American River Turtle PHVA Dr. Stefan Arriaga from Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Mexico invited CBSG to conduct a Vortex course on July 31- August 3. Kathy Traylor Holzer, Jonathan Ballou and Jorge Rodríguez taught participants how to use the simulation program to conduct a Population Viability Analysis (PVA) as an important tool for creating effective conservation programs. Twenty five participants from within Mexico (Mexico City, Tabasco and Chiapas), Guatemala and USA attended the activity; representing 6 scientific institutions and government agencies.

The Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) was once an abundant turtle species in southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, but now individuals are hard to find due to overharvesting and habitat loss throughout most of its range. The species is now Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List), the Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and the Tabasco Government responded by designing a conservation program

with in situ and ex situ components, directed by turtle specialist Dr. Claudia Zenteno. In coordination with Dr. Arriaga she organized a PHVA for the species following the Vortex course (August 6–9). The PHVA was facilitated jointly by CBSG Mesoamerica and CBSG Mexico networks.

The 42 invitees from 17 institutions from within Mexico (Mexico city, Tabasco, Chiapas and Queretaro), Guatemala, Costa Rica and USA; included specialists in disciplines such as in situ and ex situ conservation, genetics, and environmental education, as well as stakeholders from government agencies. The workshop generated further information about turtle populations and conservation actions that can be incorporated into the University and government conservation program and other conservation efforts from institutions around Mexico and Guatemala. The PHVA also provided practical experience to new CBSG modelers from Mexico and Guatemala who attended the Vortex training and new contacts to do other PHVAs within the Region.

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Final Reports

Reports in elaboration

The most recent reports that can be • Simon Bolivar Zoo and Santa Ana downloaded for free at www.cbsg.org Conservation Center, Costa Rica and www.cbsgmesoamerica.org are: Conservation Strategy.

• Red Listing Central American Squamates Workshop.

AMACZOOA and CBSG Meso- • Central American River Turtle PHVA.

america Workshop. (Spanish version)

Future Workshops

Rodríguez, J. E. & Y. Matamoros (Eds.) 2011. Los Zoológicos, Acuarios y Jar• Guatemala’s Jaguar PHVA. dines Botánicos en Mesoamérica 1 de • Costa Rica’s Humpback Whale noviembre, 2011. Congreso Nacional PHVA. de Museos. Museo Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Asociación de We are looking for funding to fiMesoamérica y del Caribe de Zoológi- nance the following workshops. cos y Acuarios (AMACZOOA) & Conservation Breeding Specialist Group We have sent grant proposals and still (SSC/IUCN)/CBSG Mesoamerica. looking for funds for the following workshops:

Caribbean Manatee (Triche‑ chus manatus) PHVA. (Spanish version) Gómez, A., J. Rodríguez, N. Jiménez, F. Cabezas, J. E. Rodríguez & Y. Matamoros (Eds.) 2012 Viabilidad de la Población y el Hábitat del Manatí (Trichechus manatus) en el Caribe.

Estrategia para la conservación de la especie. 20-24 de junio, 2011. Zoológico y Jardín Botánico Nacional

Simón Bolívar. UICN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group‑Mesoamérica (CBSG Mesoamérica).

• AMACZOOA’s Amphibian Conservation Strategy. Zoológico Simón Bolívar, San José, Costa Rica.

• AMACZOOA’s Amphibian Husbandry Course. Monteverde Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica (probable location).

• Cuban Crane PHVA • Mesoamerican Jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria) • Costa Rican Crocodiles PHVA and Conservation Strategy

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ADM 67.1

1 Administrative Session st

Melbourne, 9 October 2012 Chair: Jรถrg Junhold | Rapporteur: Gerald Dick Start at 5.00 pm | End at 5.45 pm

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Opening

Recording of Proxies

The Chair opens the session at 5.00 pm after the conclusion of the technical congress sessions. Chair reminds that administrative sessions are closed sessions, thanks were expressed to the host and the coordinators at Zoos Victoria (especially Jenny Gray, Kevin Tanner but also Rachel Woodman, Cordelia Schwab‑Russell, Mia Ford and Samantha Jones).

A quorum is required for any voting and therefore voting members present are counted. Out of 86 registered participants as voting members, 44 are needed to be present in order to reach a quorum. A count revealed 73 voting members present.

Proxy forms were sent to all voting members on 31 August 2012, the deadline for submitting proxies was as of 9 October 2: 00pm. The following 36 proxies were received; the Executive Director reads the names as follows:

Apologies were received from James Breheny, Bronx Zoo (WCS), Ryszard Topola, Lodz Zoo, Poland.

The Chair recorded the death of the following esteemed colleague and asked all participants to rise in recognition and memory: After the Basel IUDZG Meeting in 1974 Dr. Andrzej Sosnowski, former director of Lodz Zoo, Poland and WAZA Life member, applied for IUDZG membership and since 1975 till the end of 1996 represented Lodz Zoo in the organization.

He died on December 31st 2011. Chair asks to stand for a moment of silence.

Approval of minutes of the 66th Annual Conference The chair recalls that the minutes of the two administrative sessions in Prague, which were held on 4 October 2011 and on 6 October 2011 were published as part of the proceedings of the Annual Conference and again were made available as DOC 67.20 for this conference in order to be formally approved. The assembly adopts the minutes after Manfred Niekisch proposed adoption, seconded by David Jones, the proceedings are then unanimously adopted. All in favour, no abstentions.

Institution ACOPAZOA AIZA AMACZOOA

First name Carolina Miquel Yolanda

ALPZA Zoológico Nacional, Parque Metropolitano de Santiago Aquamarine Fukushima Plock Zoological Garden

Mauricio Mauricio

Name Falla Trepat i Celis Matamoros Hidalgo Fabry Fabry

Yoshitaka Abe Aleksander Niweliński

Nominee Bryan Carroll Lesley Dickie Sally Walker

Institution Bristol Zoo Gardens EAZA SAZARC/ZOO

Yara Barros

Foz Tropicana Parque das Aves

JAZA Wroclaw ZOO

Parc Zoològic de Barcelona Miquel Zoologická zahrada Václav Ústí nad Labem The Phoenix Zoo Norberto J. (Bert) Tiergarten Schönbrunn Dagmar

Trepat i Celis Poživil

Arai Kazutoshi Radoslaw Ratajszczak Lesley Dickie Petr Colas

Castro

Mark Reed

Schratter

Orana Wildlife Park Tiergarten Straubing Zoo de Doué la Fontaine Zoo Landau Zoologischer Garten Magdeburg Parco Natura Viva, Garda Zoological Park Moscow Zoo Tallinn Zoo Zoologischer Garten Wuppertal Zoo Berlin Tierpark Berlin VDZ Alpenzoo Innsbruck Aquazoo Düsseldorf Tierpark Hagenbeck Tierpark Hellabrunn Houston Zoo Akron Zoological Park Lincoln Park Zoo Bronx Zoo Givskud Zoo Aalborg Zoo

Lynn Wolfgang Pierre Jens-Ove Kai

Andersen Peter Gay Heckel Perret

Helmut Mägdefrau Karen Fifield Jörg Junhold

Cesare

Avesani Zaborra

Vladimir Mati Ulrich

Spitsin Kaal Schürer

Bernhard Bernhard Peter Michael Wolfgang Stephan Andreas Rick Patricia Kevin Jim Richard Henrik

Blaszkiewitz Blaszkiewitz Dollinger Martys Gettmann Hering-Hagenbeck Knieriem Barongi Simmons Bell Breheny Osterballe Johansen

Budapest Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo

Miklos Charles

Racine Zoological Gardens Jay

EAZA Zoologická zahrada Ostrava Sedgwick County Zoo Tiergarten Nürnberg Wellington Zoo Zoo Leipzig

Thomas Kauffels

Von Opel Hessische Zoostiftung

Theo Pagel

Zoologischer Garten Köln

Lee Ehmke

Minnesota Zoo

Odense Zoo

Persanyi Wikenhauser

Henrik Lehmann Andersen Simon Tonge Phil Frost

Christie

Jim Fleshman

Paignton Zoo BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo Cameron Park Zoo

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ADM 67.1

Appointment of Committee Members (originally separate DOC 67.24 before the conference) Standing Committees and other committees (as proposed by Council, Melbourne 2012): Membership Committee • Chair: Lee Ehmke, Minnesota Zoological gardens, USA; second term ends 2013 • Kevin Bell (Lincoln Park Zoo, USA, first term ends 2013) • Suzanne Gendron (Ocean Park Hong Kong, first term ends 2013) • Cesare Avesani (Parco Natura Viva, Italy, 2008-2012) Proposal : Simon Tonge, Paignton Zoo • Kazutoshi Arai (JAZA, Japan, first full term ends 2013) • Stephen van der Spuy (Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa, first full term ends 2013, but resigned as director in March 2012) Proposal: Judy Mann from uShaka • Thomas Kauffels (Opel zoo, Germany, first term ends 2012) agreed to continue Nominating Committee • Chair: Mark Penning, term ends 2013 • Rick Barongi (Houston Zoo, USA as Council member, 2011-2013) • Theo Pagel (Zoo Köln, Germany, 2010-2012), Proposal: Alex Rübel • Sally Walker (SAZARC, 2011-2013) • Bob Cook (WCS, Bronx Zoo, US, 2010–2012), Proposal: Jeffrey Bonner

Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee

Other Committees: Associations

• Chair: Susan Hunt, Perth Zoo, Australia, first full term ends 2014 • David Jones (North Carolina Zoo, USA) second term ends 2012, Proposal: Jackie Ogden • Theo Pagel (Kölner Zoo, Cologne, Germany) second term ends 2012, Proposal: Gila von Hegel • Jenny Gray (Melbourne Zoo, Australia, first term ends 2013) • Clifford Nxomani (National Zoo, Pretoria, South Africa) second term ends 2012, Proposal: Stephen van der Spuy • Hideyuki Takahashi (Ueno Zoo, Japan) second term ends 2012, Proposal: Mr. Kensho Nagai (JAZA) • David Field (ZSL, UK) first term ends 2013 Finance Committee • Chair: Lena Lindén, NordensArk, Sweden, first term ends 2013 • Oliver Pagan (Zoo Basel, Switzerland) second term ends 2012, Proposal: David Field • Susan Hunt (Perth zoo, Australia) first term ends 2013 • Jim Fleshman (Cameron Park Zoo, USA) first term ends 2013

• Chair: Sally Walker (meets jointly with WAZA President) Conservation and Sustainability • Chair: Rick Barongi Population Management • Chair Dave Morgan resigned • Proposal: Jenny Gray (EAZA, AZA, ZAA appoint vice‑chairs, to be rotated in future amongst regional associations), chair to be co‑opted to WAZA Council Aquarium • Chair Heather Koldewey has resigned, Proposal: Mark Penning (co‑chair Suzanne Gendron) Science and Veterinary and Marketing Committees • are abandoned WAZA representative in Amphibian Ark (AArk) • Lena Lindén (also Co‑Chair in Amphibian Survival Alliance – ASA) According to Article VI of the WAZA Bylaws, the Assembly takes note of these changes and the composition of other committees. Proposer: Jörg Junhold, seconded by Steve Taylor, unanimously accepted, no abstention

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Future Meetings submitted as separate DOC 67.25 before the conference WAZA Council already decided on locations till 2017, hence the following venues and dates were confirmed: • 2013 Disney Animal Kingdom, USA (13–17 October 2013) • 2014 New Delhi, India (9–13 November 2014) • 2015 Al Ain, UAE (11–15 October 2015) • 2016 Africam Safari, Puebla, Mexico (9–13 October 2016) • 2017 Barcelona, Spain (15–19 October 2017) WAZA Council decided about the venue for the Annual Conference in 2017 at the Council meeting on 7 October 2012 in Melbourne.

The assembly takes note of the dates and venues.

Membership issues report annexed DOC 67.22 Membership Committee report is presented by the chair of the committee, Lee Ehmke, a detailed report is attached.

Finance issues report annexed

DOC 67.23

The Finance Committee report is presented by Lena Lindén as chair of the Finance committee; details are covered in the attached report. It was highlighted that 2011 was again an extremely successful year, leading to a profit of 46,500.94 CHF instead of the planned deficit of -35‘ 596.00.

This is because some additional income could be generated as well as due to carefully expense management. The association is in a very healthy state due to good management.

The current situation as of August 2012 was briefly described and a slight positive end of year situation is expected (in contrast to the planned deficit of -25,620.00 CHF in the budget 2012).

Approval of 2011 statements, Jackie Ogden acts as proposer, seconded by Simon Tonge, no abstention.

The draft budget 2013 was introduced. No decision was taken during this session, approval and further discussion was postponed to the 2nd Administrative session.

Session adjourns at 17: 45

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DOC 67.22

Membership Committee Report as of 31 September 2012 Lee Ehmke This updates developments since the Prague Meeting 2011

Membership Committee

Membership Development

Composition

New Members

• Chair: Lee Ehmke (Minnesota Zoological Garden, USA, second term ends 2013) • Kevin Bell (Lincoln Park Zoo, USA first term ends 2013) • Suzanne Gendron (Ocean Park, Hong Kong, first term ends 2013) • Cesare Avesani (Parco Natura Viva, Italy, 2008-2012) • Kazutoshi Arai (JAZA, Japan, first term ends 2013) • Stephen van der Spuy (Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa, first term ends 2013) resigned as director, VACANT Thomas Kauffels (Opelzoo, Germany, first term ends 2012)

As of early January 2012 • New Delhi National Zoological Park • Saigon Zoo • Nashville Zoo • Vancouver Aquarium As of early March 2012 • IBREAM (affiliate) • Vogelpark Walsrode As of early May 2012 • Papiliorama As of mid September 2012 • Birmingham Zoo • Chapultepec Zoo • Detroit Zoo • The Deep • Melbourne Aquarium • Wild Republic (corporate) • Format International (corporate) • Turkuazoo Aquarium (affiliate)

Membership Terminated 2012 Institutions • Seneca Zoo (USA) Dvůr Králové (Czech Republic), 6 August • Emirates Zoo, UAE, 27 July Corporates • Vision XS left beginning 2012 (Tel. Chris Webster 25 Aug 2011) Afilliates • DGHT (German Herpetological Society), • Oceanis Australia Pty Limited, • Back to Africa

Membership Application on Hold • Cango Wildlife Ranch (South Africa) – objection received • Source Group (Czech Republic) – objection received

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Current Members Institutions Associations Affiliates Corporate Total

Institutions Associations Affiliates Corporate Total

31.12.10 30.10.10 30.09.10 31.03.10 30.10.09 14.09.09 30.06.09 31.12.08 31.12.07 253 253 253 249 247 249 245 244 236 24 25 25 24 24 25 25 25 24 15 14 14 13 13 14 14 17 13 11 11 9 7 5 4 3 2 0 303 1.5.11 253 24 16 12 305

303

301

293

289

292

287

1.8.11 30.10.11 255 258 24 24 16 16 13 15

1.1.12 262 24 15 14

31.3.12 263 24 16 14

31.7.12 262 24 15 14

31.9.12 270 24 16

315

317

315

308

313

288

16 326

Pending Applications

• Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland (Sean McKeown) reminded 27 May 2011 • Kish Island Delphinarium • Aquarium of the Pacific in Long • Cheetah Outreach, SA Beach, California (Jerry Schubel will come back to WAZA) reminded 27 May 2011 Documents • Seattle aquarium (Bob Davidson), incomplete/missing reminded 27 May 2011 • Zoo Schwerin, Germany (as of 15 • Crossley Architects; Australia December 2011 the director, Mrs • The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG AquarMonica Häfner, informed that memium, Dr. Barbara Baker, CEO‑ & bership will be delayed) President, Missing Memorandum • Knowsley Safari Park, sent info by & Datasheet, will follow by mail. e‑mail on 13/10/10 Reminded 27 May • Kristiansand Dyrepark AS sent info • Jardin Zoologique de Rabat by e‑mail on 13/10/10 • Touroparc Zoo, France • Monaco Aquarium, Monaco (let• Zoo Amiens, France ter dated 14 April 2011 by Robert • Zoopark Izhevsk (Republic of UdCalcagno: not interested for now, in murtia) via contact Hagenbeck, he is support of WAZA and will consider following up 25 May later) • Zoomarine Portugal (Elio Vicente) reminded 19 May • National Aquarium, Baltimore, USA Code of Ethics missing (David Pittenger) reminded 27 May 2011, followed up with John C. • None Racanelli

Associations Interested • None

273

Interest in Membership/Membership Drive • Oakland (Kevin Bell contact) • Boise (Kevin Bell contact) • AMMPA: Clint Wright (Vancouver Aqu)- interested in closer cooperation (GDI, 20 July 10, MoU concluded, 7 Nov 2011) • Worth‑Keeping: Anne Steen (MCG, 14 Oct 10) • West Midland Safari & Leisure Park (MCG 6 Aug 10) • Vector Foiltec (MCG 12 Aug 10) • Urumqi Zoo (MCG 6 Aug 10) • Pittsburgh Zoo (GDI 1 Jul 10) • Ocean Adventure (MCG 9 Sep 10) • Nederlandse Vereniging van Dierentuinen (MCG 8 Nov 10) • Lahore Zoo (MCG 3 Jun 10) • Kristiansand Dyrepark AS (GDI 13 Oct 10) • Knowsley Safari Park (MCG 13 Oct 10) Kattia Gómez Henríquez, El Salvador (MCG 15 Nov 10) Kaliningrad Zoo, Lyudmila Anoka (MCG 6 Aug 10) • Indian River Reptile Zoo (MCG 30 Aug 10) • Dingle Oceanworld (MCG 5 Jul 10) • Cheetah Outreach (GDI 8 Sep 10) Belinda Bordelon (MCG 7 Jul 10) • Parc Safari Hemmingford (MCG 2 Aug 11) • Nanning Zoo (MCG 5 Aug 11) • Jardin Zoologique de Rabat (GDI 19 Sept 11) • Zoo Amiens (GDI 10 Oct 11) • Crossley Architects (MCG 3 Nov 11) Merlin Entertainments Developments Ltd (MCG 7 Oct 11) • Touroparc (MCG 2 Nov 11) • RayHole Architects (MCG 8 May 12) • Zoológicos y Vida Silvestre (GDI 25 Apr 12)

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DOC 67.22

Personalia Directors of institutions left • Jim Hubing stepped down at Henry Vilas Zoo (Life member candidate, was for 11 years) • Mohamad Ngah has resigned as director of Zoo Negara, Malaysia, position is vacant, and he just served 7 years • Stephen van der Spuy has resigned as Director from Johannesburg Zoo by end of March 2012. Interim CEO is Mrs. Louise Gordon. Our contact is Ms. Amanda Mileson until new permanent CEO has been appointed.

• Ken Nagase has retired at Osaka Municipal Tennoji Zoological Gardens, new director is Mr. Takahashi as of 1st April • (Ken didn’t have his position as Director for 10 years) • Greg Geise at Binder retired on 1st April at Binder Park Zoo after 35 years (entitled for Life membership). No new CEO yet. Amy Riegel, CFO remains our contact in the meantime. Diane Thompson’s new interim CEO since 30 April 2012 • Prof. Chris West leaves Council and Adelaide Zoo as director. Will join Edinburgh zoo as new director (Mr. Hugh Roberts acts currently as ad interim for Edinburgh zoo) • Mark Penning of uShaka Seaworld, South Africa, has joined Disney Animal Kingdom, USA • Bob Cook took on a different role within WCS • Dr. Susanne Klomburg retired in Mid‑May 2012 (no Life member status, was director for only 5 years) • Steve Taylor of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo retires by 31 Dec 2012 • Anne Baker of Toledo Zoo retires by 31 Jul 2012 (Life member candidate, was for 19 years zoo director) • Ulrich Schuerr of Wuppertal Zoo retires by 31 Dec 2012 (Life member candidate, started at zoo in 1973) • Dale Schmidt of Columbus Zoo resigned on 22 Aug 2012 (directorsince 2009)

Directors/Presidents of Associations/Affiliates left • Dave Morgan left PAAZAB as of May 2012 • Jeff Archer left Oceanis in May 2012

Deaths • None

New Directors • Andrew Aiken replaced Terry L. Maple at Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park as of 1 October 2011 • Mr. Chalermvudh Kasetsomboon replaced Mr. Amnart Chonlawatana at Songkhla Zoo as of 1 November 2011 • Ms. Helena Olsson replaced Mr. Mats Ericson at Parken Zoo i Eskilstuna AB as of January 2012 • Mr. Claudio Bertonatti replaced Dr. Osvaldo Guaita at Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, around January 2012?

• Mr. Steffen Stræde replaced Mr Lars Anderson/Bengt Holst was ad interim director until 1st Feb, 2012 • Mr. Mats Olsson replaced Mr. Mats Höggren as new director of Kolmården Wildlife Park, as of 1 March 2012. Mats Höggren acted ad interim director until 29 Feb, 2012.

• Mr. Lee Meng Tat replaces Ms. Isabella Loh at Singapore Zoological Gardens as of 1st May 2012 • Mr. Masayuki Takahashi is new director at Osaka Municipal Tennoji Zoological Gardens as of 1st April 2012 • Mr. Suriya Sangpong is new director at Khao Kheow Open Zoo • Mr. Tomas Frisk is new Chairman of the Swedish Association of Zoos and Aquaria, as of 24 April 2012 • Ms. Ronda Schwetz is interim Zoo Director at Henry Vilas Zoo, replaced Jim Hubing, as of October 2011 • Prof. Dr. Michael Böer is new Zoo Director at Zoo Osnabrück as of 1st

June, 2012. He replaces Dr. Susanne Klomburg who was there for 5 years.

• Dr. Reinhard Pichler is new Zoo Director at Tierwelt Herberstein, Thomas Lipp acted as interim Director.

• Dr. Michel Saint Jalme is new Zoo Director at Parc Zoologique de Paris, Alexis Lecu acted as interim Director.

• Mrs. Louise Gordon is new interim CEO at Johannesburg Zoo, replaced Dr Stephen van der Spuy who resigned in March 2012 • Mr. Jeff Sailer will be the new Director at Toledo Zoo, replaces Dr. Anne Baker as of 1st August 2012 • Mr. Stephen van der Spuy is new director of PAAZAB as of 23rd August 2012 • Mr. Tom Stalf is new interim President at Columbus zoo, replaced Mr. Dale Schmidt as of 22 August 2012 • Mrs. Diane Thompson is new CEO at Binder Park Zoo, replaced interim CEO Amy Riegel as of end of August 2012 • Ms. Ronda Schwetz is new Director at Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Wisconsin

Vacant Directors Positions • None

Life Membership granted at Midyear 2012 • Dr Wong Hon Mun (surname Wong) had been representing Jurong Bird Park at WAZA since the year Jurong Bird Park joined as WAZA member. Only in 2008, when Dr Wong resigned from Jurong Bird Park, the Group CEO was the only representing at WAZA. The previous Presidents would probably know him.

• Dr. Terry Maple, Palm Beach Zoo, retired on 1st Oct, 2011. Served seventeen years as President/CEO of Zoo Atlanta and six years as President/CEO of the Palm Beach Zoo. • Jim Hubing stepped down at Henry Vilas Zoo (Life member candidate, was for 11 years) • Greg Geise retired on 1st April at Binder Park Zoo after 35 years (entitled for Life membership)

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Directors qualifying for Life Membership (confirmed at Council meeting in Leipzig, August 2012) • Anne Baker of Toledo Zoo retired by 31 Jul 2012 (Life member candidate, was for 19 years zoo director) informed on 20 Aug, 2012

Directors qualifying for Life Membership (TBC at annual conference in Melbourne 2012) • None

Directors qualifying for Life Membership (TBC at midyear meeting in Gland 2013) • Steve Taylor of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo retires by 31 Dec 2012 (was 40 years in the zoo business) • Ulrich Schürer of Wuppertal Zoo retires by 31 Dec 2012 (started at zoo in 1973)

Hot Topics Missing Code of Ethics

by Current Members • None

Membership dues 2011 outstanding • None

Membership dues 2012 outstanding • 4× INSTITUTIONS: Zoologique de Thoiry, Zoological Garden of Zagreb, Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd. • 1× CORPORATE: fiNETra (2nd half missing) Gland, 31 September 2012

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DOC 67.23

Finance Committee Report Jรถrg Junhold

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DOC 67.23

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DOC 67.23

WAZA Balance 2011 / Balance Account | In Swiss Francs (1 CHF = 0,77695 € = 1,07892 US$ as of 4

th

March 2011)

Assets UBS account Post account Securities/Time deposit investments (Bonds) Rental surety savings Withholding Tax (35%) Transitory Activa

as per December 31, 2011 489,481.42 15,083.11 544,121.00 10,730.45 639.23 4,973.69 1,065,028.90

as per December 31, 2010 376,941.56 15,684.01 539,855.00 10,694.80 619.98 0.00 943,795.35

Liabilities Deferred income Capital resources: Balance 01.01.2011 Profit 2011 Balance value

as per December 31, 2011 250,818.47

as per December 31, 2010 176,085.86

814,210.43 1,065,028.90

767,709.49 943,795.35

767,709.49 46,500.94

RECEIPTS 2011 and 2010 | In Swiss Francs (1 CHF = 0,77695 € = 1,07892 US$ as of 4

th

Receipts 2011 Membership fees Sponsoring Pledges WAZA Grant Sales & Services Extraordinary Proceeds Credit interest Total

773,664.93 44,786.49 0.00 6,040.99 70,183.30 5,260.20 899,935.91

March 2011)

Receipts 2010 Membership fees Sponsoring Pledges WAZA Grant Sales & Services Extraordinary Proceeds Credit interest Total

731,599.65 50,000.00 2,147.65 65,540.36 13,767.14 9,230.20 872,285.00

2011 Receipts in %

2010 Receipts in %

EXPENSES 2011 and 2010 | In Swiss Francs (1 CHF = 0,77695 € = 1,07892 US$ as of 4

th

Expenses 2011 Salaries & Recruitment, Consultants Meetings Travel Projects & Grants Extraordinary Expenses Expendable Goods & Maintenance, Sundry Equipment & Premises Marketing Bank Charges, Taxes Office Move Bern-Gland Total

573,587.53 3,995.31 27,160.90 74,529.90 68,368.33 24,141.72 31,423.20 46,386.49 3,841.59 0.00 853,434.97 2011 Expenses in %

March 2011)

Expenses 2010 Salaries & Benefits Meetings Travel Projects & Grants Extraordinary Expenses Expendable Goods & Maintenance, Sundry Equipment & Premises Marketing Bank Charges, Taxes Office Move Bern-Gland Total

597,031.33 5,331.88 31,321.13 60,573.53 0.00 36,086.25 42,541.20 35,202.52 2,104.13 5,454.05 815,646.02 2010 Expenses in %

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DOC 67.23

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2011 COMPARED TO BUDGET In Swiss Francs (1 CHF = 0,77695 € = 1,07892 US$ as of 4th March 2011) INCOME

Actual 2011

Budget 2011

Comparison to Budget

Membership Fees 2010

773,664.03

758,065.00

+14,699.93

44,786.00

50,000.00

-5,213.51

6,040.99

16,300.00

-10,259.01

70,183.30

0.00

+70,183.30

5,260.20

2,000.00

+3,260.20

Total Income

809‘622.00

827,265.00

+72,670.91

EXPENDITURE

Actual 2011

Budget 2011

Comparison to Budget

Salaries & Benefits

-573,587.53

-554,937.00

-18,650.53

-3,995.31

-10,000.00

+6,004.69

Travel

-27,160.90

-15,000.00

+17,835.10

Projects & Grants

-74,529.90

-97,000.00

+22,470.10

68,368.33

0.00

-68,368.33

Expendable Goods & Maintenance, Sundry

-24,141.72

-48,500.00

+24,358.28

Equipment & Premises

-31,423.20

-42,624.00

+11,200.80

Marketing

-46,386.49

-60,400.00

+14,013.51

-3,841.59

-4,400.00

+558.41

Total Expenses

-853,434.97

-862,861.00

+9,426.03

Total Income

899,935.91

827,265.00

+72,670.91

Profit/Deficit

+46,500.94

-35,596.00

+82,096.94

Sponsoring Sales & Services Extraordinary proceeds Credit interest

Meetings

Extraordinary Expenses

Bank Charges, Taxes

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DOC 67.23

Income and Expenditure as of 31.8.2012 COMPARED TO BUDGET In Swiss Francs (1 CHF = 0,77695 â‚Ź = 1,07892 US$ as of 4th March 2011) INCOME Membership fees 2012

Actual

Budget Comparison to Budget

813,381.12

808,180.00

+5,201.12

Sponsoring

451.07

20,000.00

-19,548.93

Sales & Services

907.06

3,000.00

-2,092.94

Credit interest

442.20

2,000.00

-1,557.80

815,181.45

833,180.00

-17,998.55

Total

EXPENSES Salaries & Consultants

Actual

Budget Comparison to Budget

-299,838.30

-562,000.00

+262,161.70

-2,018.73

-10,000.00

+7,981.27

Travel

-28,818.89

-45,000.00

+16,181.11

Projects & Grants

-38,026.61

-95,000.00

+56,973.39

Expendable Goods, Maintenance & Sundry

-14,780.31

-49,500.00

+34,719.69

Equipment & Premises

-20,948.80

-32,000.00

+11,051.20

Marketing

-24,598.11

-60,800.00

+36,201.89

-2,091.77

-60,800.00

+36,201.89

Sundry

-562,000.00

-562,000.00

-562,000.00

Total

-431,121.52

-858,800.00

+427,678.48

Total Expenses

-431,121.52

-858,800.00

+427,678.48

815,181.45

833,180.00

-17,998.55

+384,059.93

-25,620.00

+409,679.93

Meetings

Bank charges, Fees & Taxes

Total Income Expected Deficit/Profit

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October 2012 | Melbourne

ADM 67.2

2 Administrative Session nd

Melbourne, 11 October 2012 Chair: Jรถrg Junhold | Rapporteur: Gerald Dick Start at 12.00 am | End at 1.30 pm

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ADM 67.2

Report back from Committees and Workshops Conservation & Sustainability Committee Rreport is annexed as COM 67.1

,

no oral report back.

Science and Veterinary Committee Report is annexed as COM 67.2 COM 67.2 , by Heribert Hofer.

Agenda on a slide is presented, population and reproduction management workshop is planned for next year’s conference

WAZA Grant 2012

Adoption of Resolution

WAZA received nine applications for the WAZA Training Grant 2012. Three external referees ranked the nine applications from 1 to 9, where 9 indicates the proposal with the highest funding priority. There was generally a high degree of internal consistency in ranking among the three referees.

Based on the scores allocated to the nine applications by the three referees WAZA Council decided to award the €17,000 available as follows:

RES 67.2

1.

Aquarium Committee Report is annexed as COM 67.3 , no oral report back.

2.

Associations Committee Report is annexed as COM 67.4 , no oral report back.

Marketing Committee Report is annexed as COM 67.5 , no oral report back.

Ethics & Animal Welfare Committee Report is annexed as COM 67.6

3.

Fully fund the proposal “Building Colombia’s Capacity for Endangered Small Primate Conservation: A Callitrichid Conservation Husbandry Training Workshop” submitted by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust with €5,000; fully fund the proposal “AMACZOOA Amphibian ex situ Conservation Course and AMACZOOA Amphibian Conservation Strategy Workshop” submitted by AMACZOOA with €7,134; and partly fund the proposal “Advances in Wild Animal Keeping” submitted by ALPZA with € 5000.

Both resolutions were submitted prior to the conference as DOC 67.28 .

Adoption of Resolution (annexed), full text of IUCN Guidelines annexed as INF 67.1 .

RES 67.1

,

no oral report back.

Workshop on CITES implementation Report annexed as WS 67.1 Introduction to Cites was given and discussed, documents for next year’s COP are made available on the CITES website (www.cites.org), definition of commercial purpose is one of the hot issues…

The resolution on endorsing the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations is unanimously adopted. Manfred Niekisch serves as proposer, seconded by Olivier Pagan. The vote is taken by show of hands: no objection, no abstention.

(annexed)

The Emergency climate change resolution on avoiding disastrous and unmanageable climate change and ocean acidification impacts by returning atmospheric CO2 concentrations to below 350 parts per million (ppm) while it is still possible to do so, is adopted. Alex Rübel serves as proposer, seconded by Lee Ehmke. The vote is taken by show of hands: one objection, no abstention.

Adoption of Budget 2013 DOC 67.29 REV

The proposed budget for 2013, with a view to have 3% membership fee increase, is adopted unanimously, Eric Stevens proposed and seconded

by Lee Ehmke. The vote is taken by show of hands: No objection, no abstention, unanimously accepted An additional extraordinary budget for strategic developments, as proposed in the 1st Administrative session (consisting of 25,000 CHF for support of the population management activities as well as 100,000.CHF for welfare, conservation and population management strategic developments) in addition to the already approved extraordinary budget (last year in Prague) of 300,000.- CHF for the decade on biodiversity (20122014) is proposed. Suzanne Gendron proposed and seconded by Susan Hunt. The vote was taken by show of hands: No objection, no abstention; unanimously accepted.

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ADM 67.2

Heini Hediger Award 2012 INF 67.2

& INF 67.3

annexed.

Jörg Junhold announces that the winner of the Heini Hediger award of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2012 is Alex Rübel of Zoo Zürich, the formal ceremony and award hand over would take place at the gala dinner on 11 October evening.

Invitation to Disney’s Animal Kingdom 2013

by Jackie Ogden A promotional video is shown and all WAZA members are invited to Disney in 2013, the theme is “One World – One Plan – One Hope.”

Thanks to the Host

Concluding Remarks

Jörg Junhold thanks Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria for organizing the conference. The programme committee chair is then finally handed over from Jenny Gray to Jackie Ogden together with the conference flag.

Thanks are expressed to the entire staff of Zoos Victoria, especially to Kevin Tanner, Rachel Woodman, Cordelia Schwab‑Russell, Mia Ford and Samantha Jones, but also to Sue Gillard and Brigid O’Neill of the CLEMS Congress Organizers.

Excellent technical congress with keynotes that set the scene and excellent speakers, touching upon the themes…

Committee work improved a lot and a new structure will be set in place in order to be more efficient, new members of committees were welcomed.

A review of the WAZA bylaws will be done in order to reflect a more modern organisation and its structures and decision making processes. The revision is planned to be done by next year’s Annual Conference. Progress was made especially on the decade on biodiversity implementation, talks were made on the one plan approach, ethical framework and a global welfare strategy, global species management was put in place with the first set of GSMPs. Two important resolutions were adopted. Strategic developments were planned with an additional budget.

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COM 67.1

Conservation and Sustainability Committee Meeting Chair & Repporteur: Rick Barongi – Houston Zoo | 11 October 2012, 5.30 pm–7.00 pm

Participants • Rick Barongi (Chair) • Onnie Byers, CBSG • Jo Gipps, former Bristol Zoo • Gerald Dick, WAZA Executive Director • Markus Gusset, WAZA Executive Office • Susan Hunt, Perth Zoo • Jenny Gray, Zoos Victoria • Heribert Hofer, IZW Berlin • Lesley Dickie, EAZA • Dave Morgan, CPM • Suzanne Gendron, Ocean Park

Agenda Introductions and Recap (Prague 2011) Reports and Proposals (60 minutes) WZACS Discussion on Revision (30 minutes) • Price or Worthless – IUCN/ZSL, 100 most threatened species model (Jenny Gray) • SMART – Software tool for effective monitoring and reporting on conservation projects.

• WAZA Branded Conservation Projects – Update.

• Conservation Resource Center • Conservation Database – http://conservationdatabase.org.

• Measuring your External Conservation Contribution – AZA 3% Model (Rick Barongi).

• Climate Change proposals – Paul Pierce Kelly (see below).

• WAZA Carbon Compensation Scheme – CARE • UN Decade on Biodiversity and Aichi Biodiversity Target 12.

• Project Conservation Impact Summary Form • WZACS 2005 and next version.

Next Steps for Committee Agreeing that the 2005 WZACS was a tremendous success (downloaded over 250,000 times) but is now becoming outdated and does not address collection sustainability or climate change, a Steering Committee was formed to begin work on a complete update and revision of the 2005 WZACS document with a target date of 2014 for completion. This subcommittee will meet in the spring of 2013 for a two day mini workshop on developing and prioritizing the topics and content for WZACS 2014/2015.

We will then select an editor and coordinator to assist the committee.

The members of the WZACS 2014/2015 Steering Committee are: Rick Barongi, Paul Boyle, Onnie Byers, Lesley Dickie, Gerald Dick, Suzanne Gendron, Heribert Hofer, Susan Hunt and Sally Walker. Jo Gipps agreed to be an advisor.

A second initiative to be promoted by the entire committee is to develop a better model to quantify the overall conservation contributions of our 300 WAZA members. Utilizing the AZA 3% model as a framework and obtaining consensus on the definition of conservation so the criteria are the same for each region and institution.

This is intended to be a measure of external conservation work and will not include the animal care budget of an institution, unless it is specifically for a species that is being actively reintroduced back into a natural range habitat.

The third topic of Discussion is the new strategic role for this committee and the focus on promoting and communication broad reaching conservation agendas that support the more technical work of the Committee on Population Management (CPM). The C&S Committee is uniquely suited to reach out to the highest levels of leadership in the WAZA community to assist in promoting and realizing the WAZA mantra of United for Conservation.

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COM 67.1

WAZA/CBSG Climate Change Task Force update for CBSG Strategic Committee and WAZA Conservation & Sustainability Committee Melbourne, 4 October 2012

Summary Although good progress has been realised following up on our agreed actions from last year’s meetings, along with some significant additional mitigation engagement opportunities, the worsening threat situation and general lack of recognition and effective policy actions has highlighted the need for our community to realise its fullest potential to address these issues. The latest Arctic cryosphere impact developments and inadequate response exemplifies the urgency of the situation. The value of our joint WAZA/CBSG focus on the climate change and ocean acidification issues is greater than ever and it is hoped that this year’s meeting and discussion opportunities will clarify how we can best proceed.

Agreed action priorities arising from our 2011 annual meeting were: • Secure UNFCCC Observer status.

• Continue information gathering.

• Draft climate change strategy.

• Produce public engagement materials.

• Maximise potential of WAZA website.

• Draft Ocean Acidification statement.

• Continue zoo & aquarium species impact assessments.

Secure UNFCCC Observer status: This was the focus of last year’s workshop with the remit of providing UNFCCC with a fuller understanding of our community’s current work and engagement potential. The resultant Summary of WAZA community climate change engagement activities (www.waza.org/files/webcontent/1. public_site/5.conservation/climate_ change/Climate%20Change%20Activities.pdf) supported Gerald’s follow up UNFCCC communications which have led to WAZA receiving Observer status and invited to attend the COP meetings. This community engagement review has ongoing value in conveying the wide ranging nature of our work and also helps inform our internal development discussions.

Continue information gathering: This action has been very successful and enabled us to keep up with the emerging science and related developments, in addition to greatly expanding the specialist and institutional directory element of the reference tool which is frequently updated on the WAZA site (www.waza.org/en/site/conservation/climate-change). This is a major reference tool for both the biodiversity and climate science/ocean acidification community and is also a very significant aid for our remit of evaluating zoo based species and citing the most significant science in our position statements and other engagement initiatives.

Draft climate change engagement strategy: This is still to be finalised due to a combination of time constraints and the response demands of the worsening threat developments, as highlighted by the Arctic cryosphere crisis. These elevated threat issues, lack of effective response actions across the international community and suggested priority response actions were sumarised in my 17 June emergency group communication which also highlighted the following key questions:

• How can our zoo and aquarium community realise an effective emergency public/policy maker engagement initiative commensurate with the urgency of the threat and response imperatives?

• How can we help maximise the effectiveness of any remaining significant 2012 meetings? (being mindful that some of the most significant science has emerged after formal submission deadlines for some of the major meetings).

• How can we improve our current climate group effectiveness at meeting this crisis?

• Can we realise a higher level emergency response group of most senior level zoo and aquarium colleagues (regional and/or international)?

• Can we utilise wider public campaign reach sites such as Avaaz.org www.avaaz.org/en/ (as we have for other public support appeal initiates)?

• How can we maximise collaborative potential with other agencies/ organisations/initiatives?

This same communication detailed the rationale for prioritising visitor engagement to help realise the essential mitigation policy actions to avoid catastrophic and unmanageable climate change and ocean acidification impacts. Hopefully our Melbourne meeting and discussion opportunities will enable us to consolidate our engagement strategy.

Produce public engagement materials: In addition to the above mentioned reference tool, our community wide review heighted several valuable initiatives including the excellent Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network (CliZEN) www. clizen.org by AZA colleagues and their collaborators. The August 2012 Chester Zoo IZE conference provided a range of excellent additional public engagement examples and the public climate change/ocean acidification engagement challenge was the subject of a dedicated working group at the conference.

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COM 67.1

Other developments include Maximise potential of WAZA website: As far as ensuring that the WAZA website climate change section contains all of our main briefing materials and information tools this has progressed well. As also discussed at the IZE climate change workshop, how this and our wider community websites can best help our public to voice their concerns and call for essential policy actions is a key discussion issue.

How we might best to develop the current IZE Push the Button initiative announced at the 2011 WAZA meeting is another discussion issue.

Draft Ocean Acidification statement: Due to the relative lack of profile and effective action that Ocean Acidification is receiving, this remains a pressing action priority. All of the necessary review information and associated specialists have been identified to enable an authoritative statement to be drafted and I am currently progressing this.

Continue zoo & aquarium species impact assessments: This has not advanced as much as hoped but our progress in keeping up with the emerging science, subject specialists and wider developments and initiatives will greatly assist this ongoing effort. How the PHVA process can advance current species and systemlevel evaluations is a particular discussion issue.

Project Mosi: This is also now a fully worked up research programme and on the WAZA website for collections to respond to should they wish. Good initial zoo and wildlife park involvement has been realised and this is set to significantly increase over the coming year. This is an excellent example of our community’s research potential for informing climate influences on such significant species.

Climate change compensation proposal: This Papilorama proposal is to provide an easy and effective way for our zoo and aquarium community to realise our great potential for extending the amount of protected tropical forest and other biome types as part of our best practice CO2 reduction efforts. This builds upon existing proven initiatives such as BIAZA’s land purchase project and could provide a common carbon compensation programme that would enable significant additional protected areas to be realised throughout the tropics. A concept proposal has been produced for consideration and associated investigations made to identify potential specialist partners, including the World Land Trust (see separate briefing summary).

Emergency WAZA resolution for consideration at this meeting This emergency resolution directly responds to the severe threat developments most recently highlighted by the recent Arctic regional impacts and the essential mitigation policy actions that must be taken if disastrous and unmanageable consequences are to be avoided. It also provides a succinct and well referenced summation of the key threat issues and response imperatives for the zoo and aquarium community to reference and supports their communication and wider engagement efforts.

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October 2012 | Melbourne

COM 67.2

Science and Veterinary Committee Meeting Chair & Repporteur: Heribert Hofer | 10 October 2012, 8.00 am–10.00 am

Paricipants • Hofer, Heribert | Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research Berlin (IZW) | direktor@izw-berlin.de • Penning, Mark | Disney’s Animal Kingdom | mark.r.penning@disney.com • Mägdefrau, Helmut | Nuremberg Zoo | helmut.maegdefrau@stadt.nuernberg.de • Baumgartner, Katrin | Nuremberg Zoo | katrin.baumgartner@stadt.nuernberg.de • de Kock, Meyer E | Al Bustan Zoo | meyer@ albustanzoo.ae • Gordon, Louise | Johannesburg Zoo | louise@jhbzoo.org.za • Tsao, Eric | Taipei Zoo | dwx07@zoo.gov.tw • Ruebel, Alex | Zoo Zürich | alex.ruebel@zoo.ch • Hilsenroth, Rob | American Association of Zoo Veterinarians | rhilsenrothaazv@aol.com • Miller, Eric | Saint Louis Zoo | remiller@stlzoo.org • Pate, Dennis | Omaha Zoo & Aquarium | dpate@omahazoo.com • Takahasi, Masayaki | Osaka Municipal Tennoji Zoological Gardens | m-takahashi@city.osaka.lg.jp • Chin, Jason | Taipei Zoo | sux01@zoo.gov.tw • Mann, Judy | uShaka SeaWorld Durban | jmann@saambr.org.za • Warner, Chris | AES | chris@aquaticsystems.com.au • Lindén, Lena M | Nordens Ark Sweden | lml@nordensark.se • Pearce-Kelly, Paul | Zoological Society London | ppk@zsl.org • Jones, David | North Carolina Zoological Park | David.M.Jones@nczoo.org • Hashikawa, Hisashi | Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo | h_hashi@i.softbank.jp • Fukuda, Yutaka | Ueno Zoo | yutaka_fukuda@tzps.or.jp

• Watters, Jason | Brookfield Zoo / Zoo Biology | jason.watters@czs.org • von Hegel, Gila | Zoo Karlsruhe | hegel@zoo.karlsruhe.de • Stephens, Eric | Zoo Miami | eeric@miamidade.gov • Oberwemmer, Frank | Leipzig Zoo | foberwemmer@zooleipzig.de • Wiese, Robert | San Diego Zoo Global | bwiese@sandiegozoo.org • Gusset, Markus | WAZA | markus.gusset@waza.org • Pagan, Olivier | Zoo Basel | pagan@zoobasel.ch • Ararat, Etty, Dr | Haifa Zoo | haifazoo@ethos.co.il • Boardman, Susie | Twycross Zoo | ceo@twycrosszoo.org • Barros, Yara | Foz Tropicana Parque das Aves

Agenda Introduction | HH Follow‑up on action points from WAZA 2010/2011 | HH 3. Journal of Zoo & Wildlife Medicine | Mark Penning 4. Journal of Zoo & Aquarium Research | Lesley Dickie, Zjef Pereboom, Heribert Hofer 5. Polar bears as sentinels for infectious agents | Alex Greenwood 6. Flight restraint update | Katrin Baumgartner 7. Surplus animals – boon or bane? | Katrin Baumgartner & Helmut Mägdefrau 8. Any other business 1.

2.

Progress on action items from the 65th WAZA meeting at Cologne in 2010 and from the 66th WAZA meeting at Prague in 2011 Agenda items 4, 6 and 7 | Heribert Hofer

A‑item WAZA 2010: Flight restraint in birds After the publication of the method on the extirpation of feather follicles in 2011 (Krawinkel P 2011, chapter in Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 7th edition, RE Miller & ME Fowler (eds), Saunders, Philadelphia, 2011) an improvement on the surgical technique using lasers will be reported under Agenda item 6.

A‑item WAZA 2010: Research agendas set by zoos After discussions for several months in 2011 and 2012 a new journal for zoo and aquarium research has been founded, which will help to further support the research undertaken by zoos (Agenda item 4).

A‑item WAZA 2010 & 2011: Surplus killing, management euthanasia and other forms of population management This will be continued with a detailed look at another aspect of this topic under Agenda item 7.

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COM 67.2

Journal of Zoo & Wildlife Medicine

Polar bears as sentinels for infectious agents

Mark Penning, Disney

Alex Greenwood, IZW

This is the official journal of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and the European Association of Zoo & Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV), both associate members of WAZA. It is supported by EAZA and in the past has been financially supported by WAZA. This financial support is still pledged by WAZA and hopefully will continue.

Resolution: WAZA should continue financial support of the journal Opportunity: The publishers (AAZV) agreed that established WAZA members can donate a discounted subscription to another zoo as a contribution to develop their welfare competence through veterinary expertise. The precise discount is currently being negotiated and discussed with AAZV. For further information contact Dr Rob Hilsenroth, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (rhilsenrothaazv@aol.com) or Dr Mark Penning (mark.r.penning@ disney.com)

Journal of Zoo & Aquarium Research Lesley Dickie, Zjef Pereboom, Heribert Hofer This is a new online (internet‑only) scientific journal (www.jzar.org) to respond to the increase in volume and scope of research from zoos and aquariums, stimulated amongst other developments by the Research Strategy of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and those of other regional associations.

The journal will provide a forum for rapid publication of peer‑reviewed research papers, reviews, reports and, unusually amongst scientific journals, evidence‑based case studies.

The idea to this new journal was born at the 7th International Conference on the Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife in Berlin in 2009 when a discussion between Heribert Hofer, Lesley Dickie and Zjef Pereboom led to the realisation that there was no appropriate forum to publish the results of small experiments and case studies, the typical situation for a normal zoo setup, that might advance husbandry. The Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research is designed to provide an outlet for that and explicitly encourages the publication of evidence‑based case studies, to encourage a questioning approach to zoo practice, leading to scientific experimentation replacing anecdotal information. Good, publishable case studies would include a good study design, meticulous observation, enumeration and analysis, including a brief background – what was the problem, the action – describing which intervention was undertaken, and the consequences –the result of the intervention as described by appropriate data. We hope this will advance evidence‑based husbandry.

Because the journal is designed to record and catalogue the evidence for systematic retrieval, repeat studies case studies are possible and can be published by different zoos on the same topic.

The publication is open access – so there will be no subscription charges and also no author charges because EAZA will underwrite the funding; the first issue is expected for early 2013.

This is a report on a case study which is interesting because it challenges several commonly held assumptions: that causes of deaths are only difficult to identify if symptoms are difficult to detect, severe outcomes are restricted to less charismatic species, and diagnostic efforts are confined to opportunistic investigations. Yet in this case symptoms were obvious and severe, a charismatic species was affected and it occurred in a zoo where necropsies are routinely undertaken.

As part of the investigation into the causes of the death of another polar bear, the IZW received samples from several polar bears from German and other European zoos. An interesting case turned out to be the case of deadly encephalitis of the female polar bear Jerka in Wuppertal Zoo. The source of its death was identified as a previously unknown strain of equine herpesvirus (EHV) that must have originated in zebras, as it was a recombinant virus of the two strains of EHV‑1 and EHV‑9. This strain infected and killed Jerka and several other zoo polar bears undetected for at least 4 years, and causes severe and potentially fatal encephalitis.

The new recombinant equine herpesvirus belongs to a group which infects at least five mammalian orders, amongst them the odd‑toed ungulates (horses, zebras etc), the even‑toed ungulates (antelopes etc), carnivores and rodents. It apparently does not require direct contact of the vector with the newly infected animals, as it is still a mystery to this date how the virus moved from zebras to the polar bears.

Implications for the CEO Rethink approach to diagnosis: Invest in veterinary services and conduct systematic investigations of all your deaths – call in expert help if the answer is „cause unknown“. Rethink your approach to tissue banking;

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COM 67.2 store reference material – it is a worthy investment. And finally, consider your zoo to be one „epidemiological unit“ – pathogens clearly can overcome transmission hurdles previously thought impossible.

Original publication: Greenwood AD, Tsangaras K, Ho SYW, Szentiks CA, Nikolin VM, Ma G, Damiani A, East ML, Lawrenz A, Hofer H, Osterrieder N (2012) A potentially fatal mix of herpes in zoos. Current Biology 22, 1727-1731

Flight restraint update Katrin Baumgartner, Nuremberg Zoo The discussions at the 62nd WAZA meeting in Budapest in 2007 agreed on the following methods considered to be useful for flight restraint: Name Brailing

Procedure binding one wing Feather cutting disclipping tal segment Extirpation surgical / atrophying removal of feather of follicles follicles (skin)

Pinioning

disbudding of wingtips = removal of hand in juveniles

Comment temporary measure temporary measure safe, reliable, practised for ~ 25 years in Europe, particularly in German-speaking areas widely used, particularly appropriate in newly hatched (first week) waterfowl

In this agenda item, Katrin Baumgartner from Nuremberg Zoo introduced the first results of the latest experiments to further develop the method to extirpate feather follicles, by replacing the surgical procedure with the application of a laser to atrophy the feather follicles. In brief, feathers are clipped at skin level, the sheaths cleaned, the laser placed within the sheath and operated for a number of seconds. This turns out to be highly successful and a quick and straightforward procedure, as there is no tourniquet required, there is no intra‑operational and post‑operational bleeding, bandages are not required, the procedure allows a quick reintroduction of the animal to its group after recovery and no further manipulation is required other than feeding analgesics.

Surplus animals – boon or bane?

Katrin Baumgartner & Helmut Mägdefrau, Nuremberg Zoo This contribution is a detailed case report on how to approach the issue of surplus killing and feeding surplus animals to carnivore predators under an apparently adverse and difficult legislative framework and potential anxiety about the public response.

In 1997, Nuremberg Zoo decided to feed killed surplus animals to carnivore predators. This was preceded by a discussion and an agreement between the directorate, curators, biologists and veterinarians and keepers, and followed by subsequent detailed information to the local veterinarian authorities, the general public and the media, and has been openly and publicly advertised ever since in all zoo‑related information material and brochures. It also included detailed documentation of the behaviour of the carnivore predators and the groups from which surplus animals were removed. In other words, Nuremberg Zoo viewed „surplus” animals not as a problem but as an opportunity in many different ways.

The policy has solved a number of difficult problems of general relevance to zoo husbandry and zoo management: (1) It permits the maintenance of social groups of appropriate size amongst ungulates within a confined space which are allowed to reproduce, even though not all individuals can be kept. (2) It permits to preserve the genetic pool at maximum diversity and facilitates the exchange of healthy offspring between zoos because there is an option to choose amongst individuals. (3) It substantially improves the quality and variety of food fed to carnivore predators and provides appropriate behavioural enrichment to them as they are forced to

handle carcasses as if they lived under free‑ranging conditions. (4) It also acknowledges the issue of the animal welfare aspects regarding the “prey” animals which are usually sourced as domestic stock from industrial agriculture. (5) Finally, it reduces dependency on commercial suppliers in that, for instance, in the first nine months of 2012, this resulted in the provisioning of 2.5 metric tons of carcasses fed to carnivore predators, or 10% of the total meat needed.

There are also some (agreed) limits to this policy and some potential risks.

Not every possible carcass can or should be fed to a particular carnivore predators – the safest policy is to stay within the known and acknowledged range of foods under free‑ranging conditions. Hence a penguin would not be included in the potential meal items of lions (or polar bears). Also, veterinary public health regulations usually prohibit feeding the head/ brain of ungulates to carnivore predators because of the potential risk of transmitting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (mad cow disease).

Two key risks have to be considered – the transmission of (as yet unknown) pathogens, as the case study of polar bears being infected by zebra‑derived recombinant equine herpesviruses (Agenda item 6) demonstrates. And the response of the public – particularly if an individually named and well known animal was fed to the carnivores…

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COM 67.3

Aquarium Committee Meeting Repporteurs: Mark Penning & Suzanne Gendron | 10 October 2012, 10.30 am–12.30 pm

Participants • Andrews, Brad | Sea World USA | Brad.andrews@seaworld.com • Archer, Jeff | Source Group | Jeff.archer@oceanisgroup.net • Baumgartner, Katrin | Nuremberg Zoo | Katrin.baumgartner@stadt.nuremberg.de • Boos, Michael | Sea World Florida | Michael.boos@buschgardens.com • Boyle, Paul | AZA | pboyle@aza.org • Gendron, Suzanne | Ocean Park Hong Kong | Suzanne. gendron@oceanpark.com.hk • Harrison, Bernard | BH & Friends | Bernard@bernardharrisonandfriends.com • Hofer, Heribert | IZW Berlin | director@izw-berlin.de • Junhold, Joerg | Leipzig Zoo | jjunhold@zoo-Leipzig.de • Ling, Daisy | Wildlife Reserves Singapore | Daisy.ling@wrs.com.sg • Maegdefrau, Helmut | Nuremberg Zoo | Helmut.maegdefrau@stadt.nuremberg.de • Manansang, Jansen | SEAZA | safari@tamansafari.net • Manansang, David | Taman Safari, Indonesia | David@tamansafari.net • Mann, Judy | uShaka Sea World | jmann@saambr.org.za • Pagan, Olivier | Zoo Basel | pagan@zoobasel.ch • Pate, Dennis | Omaha Zoo & Aquarium | dpate@amahazoo.com • Pearce-Kelly, Paul | ZSL | ppk@zsl.org • Penning, Mark | Disney | Mark.R.Penning@disney.com

• Schmid, Tom | Texas State Aquarium | tschmid@txstateaq.org • Simmons, Laura | Cairns Marine | laura@cairnsmarine.com • Squire, Lyle | Cairns Marine | Lyle.jnr@cairnsmarine.com • Stephens, Eric | Zoo Miami | eeric@miamidade.gov • Tanner, Kevin | Melbourne Zoo | ktanner@zoo.org.au • Thornburn, Criag | Merlin Sealife | Craig.thornburn@merlinentertainments.com.au • Tomisawa, Kanako | JAZA | kanako@jaza.jp • Tonge, Simon | Paignton Zoo | Simon.tonge@paigntonzoo.org.uk • Tsao, Eric | Taipei Zoo | Dwx07@zoo.gov.tw • Warner, Chris | AES | Chris@aquaticsystems.com.au

Aquarium committee members • Heather Koldewey – Chair – Head of Global Conservation Programmes | Zoological Society of London | Europe • Dennis Thoney – Vice Chair – Director of Animal Operations; Chair of AZA Aquarium Sustainability Committee | Vancouver Aquarium | North America • Jeff Archer – Group Curator | Oceanis | Australasia • Joao Falcato – Chief Executive Officer | Oceanario Lisboa | Europe • Wolfgang Gettman – Director | Aquazoo Dusseldorf | Europe • Max Janse – Aquarium Curator | Burgers’ Zoo, Netherlands | Europe • Gordon McGregor Reid – Director Emeritus | Chester Zoo (North of England Zoological Society) | Europe • Simon Tonge – Executive Director | Paignton Zoo | Europe • Yoshitaka Abe – Executive Director | Aquamarine Fukushima | Japan • Kazutoshi Arai – Director | Kamogawa Seaworld | Japan • Suzanne Gendron – Executive Director, ZOE | Ocean Park, Hong Kong | China • Brad Andrews – Senior Vice President | SeaWorld | North America • Paul Boyle – Conservation Director | AZA | North America • Mark Penning – Director: Animal Programs | Walt Disney Parks & Resorts | USA

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Welcome Mark Penning chaired the meeting in the absence of Heather Koldewey.

Heather will no longer be able to lead this Committee due to work constraints. The WAZA Council will propose Suzanne Gendron and himself to co‑chair the Aquarium Committee for the next year, during the up‑coming administrative session. All present extended thanks to Heather for her leadership of the Committee during the last two years and hope she will continue to be involved.

Membership New members include Vancouver Aquarium, Turkuazoo in Istanbul, and Texas State Aquarium.

International Aquarium Congress Brad Andrews reported that the IAC had taken place in Cape Town a few weeks before, and said it had been very successful. Judy Mann added that there were about 300 delegates to the IAC from Europe, Austral‑Asia, China and USA. Marketers, educators, aquarists, CEOs and others representing a wide cross section of the industry were present. The standard of papers was high and “café sessions” where groups discussed sustainability and the ethics of collecting at different tables were introduced.

International Aquarium Forum and WAZA

Sustainable Seafood Initiatives

At the IAC, the steering committee had decided to formalize a global aquarium association (the International Aquarium Forum), and this presented an ideal opportunity to look at how WAZA and the IAC could complement each other. Following some discussion, it was agreed that the WAZA President and Executive Director meet should meet with Brad Andrews and John Nightingale at the Vancouver Aquarium, together with the Aquarium Committee co‑chairs.

The purpose of the meeting will be to define the roles and responsibilities of both parties, and to discuss how WAZA can help to facilitate this process and become the overarching body to coordinate.

Heather Koldewey has done a great job of collating information on the plethora of sustainable seafood programs around the world. It was suggested that this be submitted for publication in the WAZA magazine. It was also suggested that IZE be leveraged to disseminate this information more effectively.

In addition, Members raised concerns regarding the access to animals and the need to participate in the CITES meeting process.

Conference Program Several present expressed a desire for the WAZA conference to be more relevant for aquariums. It was pointed out that the executive office will happily receive aquarium‑based content for the conference next year, and the aquarium folks are encouraged to provide content.

Collection Sustainability It was noted that several collection sustainability initiatives have been recently launched, including the “Rising Tide” in the USA. The AZA is assessing the “categorization” of suppliers of fish to aquariums to ensure these are collected in a responsible fashion. The concept of developing a WAZA‑approved list of commercial suppliers was discussed and would need further investigation. Lyle Squire described a newly developed cyanide test that would dramatically improve our ability to identify fish collected by this method.

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Associations Committee Meeting Chair & Repporteur: Sally Walker | 10 October 2012, 8.00 am–10.00 am

Participants • Jörg Junhold | President, WAZA | Jjunhold@zoo‑leipzig.de • Gerald Dick | Executive Officer, WAZA | Gerald. Dick@waza.org • Kris Vehrs | Director, AZA | KVehrs@AZA.org • David Field for M. Stevenson | Director, ZSL | David. Field@zsl.org • Robin Hale for Bill Peters | Toronto Zoo | rhale@torontozoo.ca • Lesley Dickie | Director, EAZA | lesley.dickie@eaza.net • Kazutoshi Arai | JAZA Director | kazutoshi_arai@granvista.co.jp || kanako@jaza.jp | Translator • Sally R. Walker | Director, SAZARC | sallyrwalker@zooreach.org • Jansen Manasang for SEAZA | safari@indo.net.id • Thomas Kauffles representing Peter Dollinger | office@zoodirektoren.de • Karen Fifield | (in absence of Chair) | karen.fifield@wellingtonzoo.com • Stephen van der Spuy | PAAZAB President | Stephen@nzg.co.za • Tomas Frisk | SAZA‑SDF (Swedish Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria) | tomas.frisk@skansen.se • Petr Čolas | Ostrava Zoo, UCSZOO (Union of Czech and Slovac Zoos)

Meeting 2012 The WAZA Associations Committee met at the 67th Annual Conference on October 10, 2012 with both President and Executive Officer of WAZA and Regional and National Association Chairs or their representatives present.

Coordination and promotion of field conservation Submitted by Carolina Falla, Executive Director, ACOPAZOA

Each Regional and National association coordinates and promotes field conservation in different ways and After attendees introduced themalso plays different roles in conservaselves, WAZA President Jörg Junhold” tion programmes. It was felt to be a welcomed all and emphasized the big, important topic that needs more importance of the Regional and time than the regular Associations National Associations in WAZA. He meeting can provide. Attendees shared the three major initiatives discussed holding a half‑day workof WAZA: Decade of Biodiversity; shop at next year’s WAZA meeting.

Animal Welfare strategy and SustainThis workshop would discuss goals, ability of collections. challenges, opportunities and future direction of field conservation. The WAZA Associations Chair then asked “World Café” strategy of allocating how the meeting wanted to discuss twenty minutes per table for specific proposed agenda items, and prodiscussion items under field conservaceeded to short‑list the topics accord- tion could be used and it was decided ing to suggestions of attendees. to contact CBSG for instructions on setting this up.

Accreditation Systems of Associations Submitted by Sally Walker for Kevin Bell On the suggestion of Kevin Bell, WAZA Council Member, a few weeks previously, accreditation systems were collected from association heads by the Chair. It was felt that they were of great of interest to all regional and national associations as well as Council members and need to be accessible. There was a suggestion to keep them in the Member section of WAZA website but since the standards and processes change (some every year) it was decided to link them to the Association accreditation document websites. In addition, we should develop a short overview of the accreditation approach. Kris Vehrs agreed to provide this overview in due course.

Structure of Associations Submitted by Kris Vehrs.

It was suggested that during the next Associations’ meeting (2013), Chairs or their Representatives should discuss the overall structure of each association. It would be very beneficial for the different Associations to understand each other’s organizations. Write‑ups from those Chairs not attending and even those who planned to attend would be helpful and facilitate discussion.

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Collection Sustainability

Animals in shows

WAZA Corporate Strategy

Submitted by Kris Vehrs and Lesley Dickie

Submitted by Lesley Dickie

Submitted by Sally Walker

The Associations meeting had a longer conversation surrounding this issue. EAZA had raised the issue as two of its members have a facility that does not exhibit animals, that is to say that all of its visitor experience is based on an animal show. There is sufficient animal welfare in the shows, but EAZA is trying to figure out if the concept itself is ethical.

Sally has tried to engage the Associations Chairs in a discussion of a proposal developed by Miranda Stevenson and herself for what Associations could do with projects linked to the WAZA Corporate Vision.

They thought such projects would be useful to further promote and utilize the Corporate Vision. As most participants hadn’t recently reviewed either document, Sally was asked to distribute both.

Attendees also discussed conducting a half‑day workshop on collection sustainability at next year’s WAZA meeting. The workshop would discuss the goals, the challenges, opportunities and future direction of collection sustainability. The Committee for Population Management has suggested that collection sustainability be a standing item on the WAZA annual conference program. There is a session on collection management this year that can be assessed to determine 2013 plans.

Individuals & organisations for and against zoos Suggested in the meeting Another important topic for future association meetings was discussed, that is, the institutions and individuals who work against zoos and aquariums in each region. In addition the approach each association is using to either fight their detractors or work with them would also be discussed in detail.

Euthanasia Submitted by Bill Peters The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group CBSG SSC IUCN has planned a full day workshop on this topic at their 2013 meeting and it was felt that it was not necessary for WAZA to duplicate that effort. WAZA should coordinate the WAZA member interest in this topic with CBSG and WAZA members interested can perhaps attend the CBSG meeting.

There was discussion about the practice in some of the regions. CAZA, AZA, PAAZAB and JAZA have written position statements on Animals in Entertainment, which they will share these with the Association’s Committee members. Sally will try to amalgamate those statements.

It was considered whether WAZA should have a policy of its own and even whether it would be possible?

The messages to and perception of the public can be problematic so it is important to be clear. There was also discussion about the training of animals. EAZA has a training module in its EAZA Academy and will share that information with the group.

Recommendations for Next year’s conference • Closed session for Associations – longer than 2 hours • ½ day on field conservation and the role of zoos • ½ day on collection sustainability

Recommendations for Next year’s Associations meeting

• Structure of each Association and decision makers There was also discussion about • Animal welfare organizations / and which Associations have policies on rights… who are they and what are circuses. In the end the group decided your strategies that the better approach would be • Who do the Associations work with to make sure that Animals in Shows positively … partners issue be addressed in the Animal Welfare Strategy currently being developed

Positions and Statements developed by Associations There was continued discussion about the kinds of positions and statements that each Association has developed. The group decided that each Association would send a list of the position or policy statements that it has. The Associations Chair will send a request and reminders to the Associations.

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Marketing Committee Meeting Chair & Repporteur: Joanne Lalumière | 10 October 2012, 10.30–11.30 am

Participants • Lee Meng Tat | Wildlife Reserves Singapore (Singapore Zoological Gardens) | Singapore | mengtat.lee@wrs.com.sg • Jason Chin | Taipei Zoo | Taiwan | sux01@zoo.gov.tw • Anura de Silva | Zoological Gardens Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | fordep@sltnet.lk • Suzanne Boardman | Twycross Zoo | UK | ceo@twycrosszoo.org • Dennis Kelly | Smithsonian National Zoological Park | USA | kellyD@si.edu • Louise Gordon | JHB Zoo | R.S.A | louise@jhbzoo.org.za • Yara Barros | Parque das Aves | Brazil | yarambarros@yahoo.com.br • Anna Croukamp | Parque das Aves | Brazil | croukamp@vol.com.br • Lee Ehmke | Minnesota Zoological Garden | USA | lee.ehmke@state.mn.us • David Jones | North Carolina Zoological Park | USA | david.m.jones@nczoo.org • Bambang Triana | Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta | Indonesia | murdimantrionc1@gmail.com • Marsawitri G. | Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta | Indonesia | murdimantrionc1@gmail.com • Gerald Dick | WAZA | Switzerland | Gerald.dick@waza.org • Markus Gusset | WAZA | Switzerland | Markus.gusset@waza.org • Joanne Lalumière | Zoo de Granby | Canada | jlalumiere@zoodegranby.com During the Melbourne Conference, the Marketing Committee held the last meeting of its existence. The following topics were covered during the meeting.

Future of the Committee The Chair, Joanne Lalumière, provided a follow‑up of the special Council and Committee chairs meeting held in Leipzig in August 2012.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the purpose, structural setup, rules and procedures, objectives and future topics for each Committee supporting Council’s work. In the case of the Marketing committee, it was agreed that the issues were sufficiently important to hire a full time person within WAZA’s office rather than have volunteers do the job. As this has been the case for a few years now and that the main topics of the Committee mostly dealt with the Marketing Conference and its theming, it was felt that this work could be carried out by an ad hoc committee specially set forth with the Marketing Conference host and WAZA’s office.

8th International Zoo and Aquarium Marketing Conference Suzy Boardman, from Twycross Zoo UK, was invited to provide an update on the Conference scheduled to take place May 13–16, 2013. The following 5 themes were identified for the conference: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Communicating biodiversity through new age technologies Resourcing biodiversity conservation Promoting “biodiversity‑friendly” behaviour change – are the right biodiversity messages being received and understood?

Negative publicity damages biodiversity communication Leading biodiversity communication: are you structured to communicate biodiversity?

Some social events were already identified and a flyer with registration information was distributed among all participants at the Conference.

Special notice: Following the Melbourne Conference, changes in governance at Twycross Zoo resulted in a change of venue and dates for the Conference which will now be hosted

by Bristol Zoo, UK, May 12–14, 2014.

Highlights of 2011 Gerald Dick gave a few highlights of the marketing efforts carried by the WAZA office, particularly the 77th anniversary history book and artwork, the 2012 calendar, the improvements to the existing tools (News, Magazine and website), the new Facebook page, the Marketing Conference and the Decade on Biodiversity Project.

More details were provided during the plenary reporting session of the conference.

There were some interesting discussions and exchanges among participants which welcomed the changes.

One issue was brought forward relative to the translation of documents.

Gerald explained that some basic translations were provided by the WAZA Office however it was impossible to provide the documents in all languages. Some of the translation costs were covered by institutions.

Some participants offered support for translation in the language of their country. This gesture was quite appreciated and shared by other participants.

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Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee Meeting Chair & Rapporteur: Susan Hunt | 9 October 2012, 2.30–4.30 pm

Participants • Susan Hunt SH (chair) • Dave Morgan • David Jones • Jackie Ogden • Susie Boardman • Suzanne Gendron • David Field • Sally Walker • Heribert Hofer • Markus Gusset • Kris Vehrs • Apologies: Miklós Persányi, Manfred Niekisch, Clifford Nxomani, Mauricio Fabry Otte, Miranda Stevenson

SH tabled the Committee report September 2012 for discussion. She acknowledged past members and the past Chair and confirmed that continuing input from a wider group was sought.

The major reason for a closed session of interested WAZA and committee members was to ensure that all were up to speed with issues in this area and of the developments which had occurred in recent months.

In August 2012 the WAZA Council had identified a priority for the development of a WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy (the Strategy). This was discussed. Its focus was to be on WAZA member institutions but it was envisaged that the Strategy would be aspirational for all zoos and should be a useful broad document. Of particular interest would be to ensure input from across the globe to ensure that cultural issues and differences were acknowledged.

There followed discussion about the Animal Welfare Global Initiative which initiated by David Jones and Dave Morgan’s role and work so far. There was discussion about the need to integrate the work as much as possible and work together.

SH also outlined the major outcomes from the workshop on Animal Welfare held on 4 and 5 October 2012 as a part of the CBSG Annual meeting.

She confirmed that it had been a useful session and the major outcomes would be outlined in the open session at plenary which was to follow.

SH thanks everyone for their participation and said that she would be in contact about next steps with the development of the Strategy in the near future.

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Committee for Population Management (CPM) Meeting Chair: Dave Morgan | 8 October 2012, 9.00 am–5.00 pm

1. Welcome and apologies Attendees: • Dave Morgan (Chair) • Joerg Junhold (WAZA President) • Madelon Willemsen • Kathy Traylor-Holzer • Frank Oberwemmer • Markus Gusset • Paul Boyle • Sarah Long • Bob Weise • Amanda Embury • Danny de Man • Kanako Tomisawa • Candice Dorsey • Chris Hibbard • Claire Ford • Lesley Dickie • Kristin Leus • Apologies: Stephen van der Spuy, Andrea Caiozzi

2. Minutes of previous meetings Motion: To approve minutes from previous two meetings.

Proposed Paul Boyle, seconded Chris Hibbard.

3. Actions arising from 3.4 minutes of CPM meeting on 2 April 2011 Historical dealer data: CPM calls for a Notes for Meeting Chair – Action: Before next meeting circulate actions from minutes and mark off “done” actions. Also, Full briefing papers to be forwarded with agenda. Briefing papers from this meeting to be used as a template/ guideline.

3.1 The meeting decided that information on registering to the WAZA website (studbook pages) will be added into the ISB Resource Manual. | MG | Done.

similar exercise based on the records in the ISIS database that should feed into the ISIS Board of Trustees. | NF/ LBL | Action: MG to follow up with LBL to determine: 1) if there are certain geographical regions that animals are disappearing into or out of? ie analysis of LTFs in ISBs. 2)if there are significant gaps in ISB data that could be cleared up by acquiring dealer records. ie to identify what proportion of records in ISBs are affected by dealers, and identify which dealers are a priority to obtain records from. Deadline to present data to CPM April 2013.

3.5

Once posted MG will circulate the link from the WAZA website to the regional zoo and aquarium associations for further distribution within each region. | All. | Action: MG to circulate ISB badge and link to all associations for all to add to association websites.

ISB vacancies: The meeting decided that in case of any future ISB vacancies these will be circulated to all regions via the CPM mailing list. | MG | 3.5 Deferred to later in the agenda.

3.2

3.6

Wild dogs in Chinese zoos: TR should get in touch with KTH, who will assist her with contacting the Chinese zoos. | TR/KTH | Remove action.

CBSG Workshops 2010/11: CPM to receive the final reports from these workshops as soon as available. | KTH | Done.

3.3

3.7

ISIS lost to follow up/sinks: It was decided that LBL will further refine the analyses to find out how recent animals were exchanged in order to define the current scope of the problem. | LBL | See action below (3.4).

Future of Studbooks Workshop: A separate report will be compiled and made available as soon as possible. | MG | Done.

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3.8

3.14

Regional Associations Workshop: A separate report will be compiled and made available as soon as possible. | MG | Done.

PopLink: It was decided to ask PB and CD to circulate the proposals to CPM, including further background, so the regions could consider these in more detail. See 5.5 below. | PB/CD | Done.

3.9 Regional cooperation: Circulate IMP working design group notes on CPM. | KTH | Done.

3.15

Regional cooperation: Create a CPM folder on the member area of the WAZA website. | MG | Done.

Branding: After some discussion it was decided that MG will “play” with the breeding programme logo to see if we can come up with a similar style logo for GSMPs. | MG | Done. Discussion on the use on the black rhino logo and how that might be utlised globally. AZA is revieiwing their use of the logo.

3.11

ISBs and GSMP must be distinguishable.

3.10

Regional cooperation: Circulate an invitation to CPM on how to register to the WAZA member area. | MG | Done.

3.12 Regional cooperation: Upload the following to the CPM folder: resource manuals, ISB working procedures and minutes of previous CPM meetings of the last five years. | MG | Done.

3.13 GSMP selection criteria: CH will circulate the selection criteria as was presented in a table form to CPM for further comments. CPM strives to have the final criteria ready by May/June 2011 and hopes to have all current ISBs assessed before the CPM meeting in Prague 2011. See 6.3 below. | CH/All | Deferred til later in the agenda.

Action: AZA/ PB to circulate work by their designers on black rhino logo, and CPM to provide feedback for potential incorporation into ISBs and GSMPs.

3.16 Prague meeting 2011: With help of CPM members, DM will prepare a power point that can be used to update the audience in Prague. | DM/ All | Done.

Action Suggest to WAZA council that a standing agenda item installed at WAZA meetings for regional associations to give presentations to show case regional work and ISB, GSMP progress. Regional associations to collaborate on presentation content.

Suggest 1.5 hour session. CPM plenary session would become short and sweet exec summary.

4. Actions arising from minutes of GSMP meeting on 23 April 2012 4.1 Agreed final draft to be sent to MG for circulation to the broader CPM with the goal of finalising the document by 31 May 2012. | MG | Done, discussion deferred.

4.2 Agreed that the GSMP Committees for the Sumatran tiger and red panda should be allowed to tender their respective Masterplan documents and that a template would be developed from the experience of those two plans for a more standardised approach. | All | Done.

4.3 Agreed that the approval of a GSMP Masterplan could be undertaken via an e-mail endorsement process and not require a face-to-face meeting. | All | Done.

4.4 Although much discussion on the topic, there were no specific actions.

Consider this as an agenda item for the next CPM meeting with potential to develop a simple procedure | All | Defer to GSMP masterplanning discussion.

4.5 Regions agreed to provide data. KT will need to update the spreadsheet being maintained at the ISIS office | KT | Action: EAZA and ZAA to provide register of regional studbook keepers and species coordinators to KT. KT to collate, and approach other regions for inclusion.

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4.6

4.9

4.13

Agreed over the importance of ensuring everyone remains connected between meetings and a concerted effort by all parties to promote this.

WAZA office and stakeholders should have a proactive approach here. Provision of any key dates for regional meetings, conferences, etc. to the WAZA office may assist in scheduling of meetings for CPM business. | All | Done.

Consider options and progress at the next CPM meeting in Melbourne in October (briefing paper will be prepared by DdM). | DdM/All | WAZA council may be able to consider resourcing GSMP work as it is a WAZA priority.

Hosting regions to facilitate the application process, using the approved application documents, in order for these to be put to CPM in Melbourne. | All | Done.

4.7 DM and WAZA Council to discuss future of CPM chairmanship after Melbourne. | DM | To be discussed 4/10/2012.

4.8 DM to discuss more broadly with the CPM membership the development of an operational sub-committee of the CPM (also note some subsequent discussions in regard to not sub-setting the CPM but ensuring that a business plan is developed that defines the scope of CPM activities over the next 3 years). | DM | Lengthy discussion on how WAZA subcommittees may be employed such as the Conservation and Sustainability sub-committee to identify potential GSMPs for species that are currently not held in captivity. Also to consider how we are articulating with IUCN redlist etc.

Agreed that for now identification of GSMP remains remit of CPM and no current additional sub-committee engagement required.

Preference to maintain a smaller number of GSMP that solve a number of existing barriers eg legislative barriers, before approaching other committees to assist with GSMP expansion.

Connection with other committees maintained at present with respective chairs sitting on each other’s committees.

Action DdM in consultation with other regional representatives to produce proposal for WAZA council.

Identify projects/ meetings/ travel that would benefit from financial support. Action: Joerg to take proposal to council. $20K?

4.10 There was an agreement that no new ISB applications should be considered unless they were clearly able to demonstrate that they would be providing value towards global species management implementation. | All | Delete.

4.11 It was noted that whilst there was agreement on the intent around the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo GSMP that formalisation of this approach and the tendering of that application to the WAZA CPM would not occur until the CPM had endorsed the application process. It was also agreed that this should not prevent a number of strategic animal movements being developed in consultation between the respective regional species coordinators. | All | Done.

4.12 DM agreed to communicate with the relevant host institutions for the elephant (Vienna Zoo) and CH for the Javan gibbon to, if desired, submit new applications upon endorsement of the GSMP application process by the CPM (endorsement due 31 May 2012). | DM/CH | Done. Gibbon discussions had by CH, application pending further gibbon discussions.

Elephant gsmp no longer exists.

4.14 CH, DdM and MG to develop a briefing paper with recommendations to put to the wider CPM. | CH/DdM/MG | Done.

4.15 DdM to follow up re. Japanese macaque ISB after joint OWM TAGs meeting in Apeldoorn. | DdM | Japanese macaque ISB to be archived.

Kanako to inform stakeholders.

4.16 CH, DdM and MG to develop a briefing paper with recommendations to put to the wider CPM. | CH/DdM/MG | Done.

4.17 That the date for the next face-toface meeting of the WAZA CPM should be 3 October 2012 and be hosted in Melbourne, Australia. MG is to circulate the proposal to the CPM via email. CH will seek the support for a venue for the meeting. | MG/CH | Done.

4.18 CH to develop a template with which to populate a work plan for the CPM prior to the proposed meeting in Melbourne. | CH | Done.

4.19 The content of the Melbourne WAZA Annual Conference requires some further refinement. DM to lead with support from CPM. | DM/All | Done.

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4.20 DdM to review briefing paper templates being utilised within EAZA process and suggest options to the CPM for a framework for this to be utilised in support of CPM decisions. | DdM | Done.

5.4 Edwards Pheasant and Vietnamese Pheasant –EAZA to follow up candidates.

LTM – application pending.

Fishing Cat – application pending.

4.21 CD and DdM to prepare briefing paper for CPM re. joint TAG chairs meeting. | CD/DdM | Briefing paper not done. Suggest joint TAG chairs meeting in Edinburgh, EAZA meeting. IZA 18–21 Sept. Due to budget timeframes constraints suggest smaller tag chair meeting in Edinburgh with plan to target 2014 for tag chair meeting.

Action Plan for Sept 2012 meeting for CPM in Edinburgh.

4.22 DM to liaise with SL, PB and CD and forward relevant document for a renewed vote on the PopLink issue. | DM | Done.

4.23 Inter-regional MoUs: CPM members to note. | All | Noted.

5. International Studbook Programme (ISBP) 5.1 WAZA ISB Coordinator’s report. | MG | Vacant studbooks list to be circulated, regions to advise if these are important to your region.

Action: North China Leopard – Archive.

Dataset more than 3 years out of date.

Will continue to be maintained as regional studbook in EAZA. Number of generic and hybrid leopards will be monitored and may need to addressed in future if numbers increase.

5.2 AZA standpoint on Sumatran rhino ISB. | CD | AZA presented case not to archived Sumatran rhino studbook despite being so few animals (10).

IUCN information on endangerment, the fact that the studbook is currently being utilised, potential in situ value, ex situ breeding occurring, an application received for ISB keeper as well as political factors warrant it to remain as an ISB. Action: Maintain ISB for Sumatran Rhino and endorse current application for ISB keeper from Leipzig.

Action: New ISB keeper to engage in further dialogue with the range state (Indonesia), seeking involvement in studbook management/mentoring role.

5.3 ISB Resource Manual – report back and update (application criteria, data requests from non-members, criteria for archiving, regional exemption, post-mortem data). | MG | ISB Resource manual. Versions to be numbered. CPM committee to use Word track changes.

Action: Form editorial Committee – CH, CD and MG to refine Resource Manual document. Deadline end of November.

Procedure for evaluating ISB relevance. | KTH/CH | ISB relevance.(relevance = indication from regions and committee to determine candidates for next group of gsmps).

Suggest CPM committee engages with ISB studbook keepers and ask who are they communicating with, is there range state involvement, are you communicating with a specialist group, how are they travelling, in situ activities.

KTH suggest quick and dirty look of ISBs in PMx look at data quality, management groups see if there are benefits for some inter-regional transfers.

DdM suggest pragmatic approach and not limit gsmp selection from current isbs.

Action: Develop questionnaire for ISB studbook keepers to identify first cut of ISBs for potential GSMP (KTH, CH, SL). Requests to come from MG and regional associations copied on correspondance. Deadline: April 2013.

5.5 PopLink – where do we stand? | DM | Done. No further discussion required.

5.6 Review of the information provided when an ISB is established or transferred, specifically relating to the role and use of the dataset and for whom (individuals and organisations) such a dataset provides value. | CH | Done.

5.7 Options where an ISB keeper resigns that the vacancy to be advertised through the regional association network. | CH | Done.

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6. Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) 6.1 Current GSMP status updates – “CPM 6”. | DdM/CD/CH Approved GSMP 3/10/2012 Sumatran Tiger Red Panda

Comment

Proposed by DdM, Seconded by CH Proposed by DdM, Seconded

by CD. Action: Electronic copy of red panda gsmp application to go to MG Blue crowned Proposed CD, laughing Seconded DdM thrush Amur Tiger Proposed Lesley, Seconded Paul Action application to be circulated to wider CPM as an fyi.

Pending GSMPs Javan Gibbon Yellow-footed Rockwallaby Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo Golden Lion Tamarin Pallas Cat Amur Leopard

Comment

6.5 Finalisation of GSMP Resource Manual. | MG/All | GSMP application template – DDM concern over seeking non-CPM support from range state or other regions not represented on CPM. Template adjusted to indicate not mandatory, also wording adjusted to “stakeholders”. Remove “as required” for Population Management advisor as member on GSMP committee. It is a regional association responsibility to ensure there is the capacity for the person put forward to have technical expertise or support from regional office/pmc.

Action: Resource Manual approved with changes. MG, circulate and post on website.

6.6 EAZA and AZA sign off required

Action: Application process. Applications to be sent to Markus once signed off on from regions. Applications should be received from regional office from host region. Circulated to CPM members for 2 weeks approval electronically.

6.2 GSMP meeting Amsterdam/Rotterdam – outcomes. | DdM/CD/CH/MG | No other outstanding items.

6.3 GSMP selection criteria. | KTH | Discussed previously.

6.4 Obstacles to GSMP review. | MG | Survey indicated “lack of commitment and lack of resources”.

New GSMP application.

Amur tiger GSMP. | All | CD/KT. See table 6.1.

7. CBSG 7.1 Summary of CBSG-relevant working groups. | KTH.

7.2 Ex situ population training efforts and new tools (Pmx). | KTH | Online training sessions currently being developed by a number of parties. eg. CBSG, AZA and ZAA. Action For all to discuss online training content/ translations for SPARKS, PMx etc.

8. ISIS ISIS Report not available

8.1 ISIS update. | DV.

8.2 Planned steps for institutional records in ZIMS informing studbook keepers. | DV.

8.3 Initial brainstorming on ways ZIMS might help effectively support GSMPs. | DV.

8.4 ZIMS studbook module. | DV.

9. Other business 9.1 Work plan review and update. | CH | Document seen as valuable to running of CPM. Action: Chair to filter out relevant actions from minutes/notes of meetings and send to MG for updating 4 times a year (before and after each meeting), document to be maintained in WAZA CPM folder on website.

Next meeting AZA midyear meeting, April 2013, Charleston, USA. | Action: DM to make alternative suggestion to WAZA council. In 2013 engage CPM with TAGs, align with regional meetings. ie CPM meeting in April in Charleston (AZA) and September in Edinburgh (EAZA). ie Taking WAZA to the regions.

Other EAZA advised the EAZA population management manual has been produced and will be circulated, also Population Biologist position approved for EAZA. On behalf of CPM Lesley Dickie thanked Dave Morgan as outgoing CPM chair.

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Workshop on CITES and the COP 15 in Doha, Qatar Convener: Kris Vehrs, AZA | 10 October 2012, 11.30 am–0.30 pm

General CITES Information The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held in Doha, Qatar on March 13–25. CITES is an international treaty designed to control and regulate international trade in certain plant and animal species – including the trade of many public display animals – that are now or potentially may become threatened with extinction due to international trade.

The CITES CoP, which occurs every 2–3 years, drew together participants from 175 signatory nations (Parties) and numerous inter‑governmental organizations and international and national non‑government observers (NGOs). CITES will be 35 years old in 2010 and is undergoing yet another transition. Willem Wynstekers who has been the Secretary General for the past 10 years is leaving CITES in April. A new Secretary General – John Scanlon – has been hired and will be starting in early summer 2010.

AZA has been actively involved in the CITES process for the past 25 plus years—attending both the Conference of the Parties meetings and the intercessional Animals Committee meetings during that time. At the CoP this year, the AZA delegation was represented by: • Kris Vehrs | Executive Director, AZA • Steve Olson | Vice President of Government Affairs, AZA • Lynn McDuffie | Assistant Curator of Records, Disney’s Animal Kingdom • Dr. Bruce Beehler | Deputy Zoo Director Animal Management and Health of the Milwaukee County Zoo • Colleen McCann | Curator of Mammals, the Bronx Zoo • Dr. Bob Cook | Executive Vice President and General Director of Living Institutions represented the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS also had a number of folks from their field programs in attendance. In addition, there were representatives from other like‑minded organizations including the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, the International Elephant Foundation and the International Rhino Foundation.

The mechanisms by which CITES Parties regulate wildlife trade are through controls and regulations on species listed in three Appendices.

Appendix I includes species endangered due to international trade.

Trade of such species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II species require strictly regulated trade based on: quotas and permits to prevent their unsustainable use; and controls aimed at maintaining ecosystems and preventing species from becoming eligible for Appendix I. Appendix III species are subject to domestic regulation by a Party which requests the cooperation of other Parties to control their international trade.

Proposals to list, uplist or downlist a species contain scientific and biological data on population and trade trends. The proposal must be supported by a two‑thirds majority vote of Parties present and voting (an abstention is not considered a vote) at a CoP to be adopted. There are approximately 5,000 fauna species and 25,000 flora species protected under the three CITES Appendices.

As the trade impact on a species increases or decreases, the CoP decides whether or not the species should be shifted between or removed from Appendices. There are some 850,000 CITES‑species transactions in a year.

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WS 67.1 CITES also regulates international trade of species through a system of permits and certificates. Each Party is required to adopt national legislation to provide official designation of a Management Authority responsible for issuing these permits and certificates based on the advice of a designated Scientific Authority. These two designated national authorities also assist with CITES enforcement through cooperation with Customs authorities, police, or other appropriate agencies, and maintain trade records that are forwarded to the CITES Secretariat, enabling the compilation of statistical information on the global volume of trade in CITES‑listed species. In the U. S., the Management Authority and Scientific Authority are divisions of the US Fish and Wildlife Service within the Department of the Interior.

NOTE: This report is not a full record of the outcomes on all issues discussed at the CITES CoP but rather focuses on those issues which staff believes has the greatest impact on, or is of special interest to, AZA member institutions. For a complete analysis of the CITES CoP, please refer to: www.cites.org/eng/cop/index.shtml

Species Proposals Species proposal are considered

by Committee I at CITES. Species proposals require a two‑thirds vote of those present and voting to list a species initially, downlist a species or delist a species. If the vote is close, the proposal may be brought up to the Plenary Committee (if there are enough votes for reopening of the debate) for additional discussion and voting.

The following proposals were considered by Committee I and passed onto the Plenary for its adoption. If the proposal was reopened for debate in the Plenary, it is indicated.

Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) Proposal by Switzerland for inclusion of an annotation to the Appendix I and Appendix II listing “excludes the domesticated form and the dingo which are referenced as Canis lupus familiaris and Canis lupus dingo”.

This proposal was adopted by consen‑ sus by Committee I.

African Elephant (Loxodonta fricana) Proposal by Tanzania to transfer the Tanzanian population from Appendix I to Appendix II for trade in hunting trophies for non‑commercial purposes; trade in registered raw ivory (whole tusks and pieces); trade in raw hides and trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations

Proposal by the U. S. to delete from Appendix II.

This proposal was defeated in Commit‑ tee I but was raised again in Plenary.

Tanzania deleted the proposal to trade in ivory but the proposal was defeated in the Plenary by a vote of 55/55/34

This proposal was defeated by a vote of 33/46/16 (Yes/No/Abstention) in Committee I.

African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

It is interesting to note that this is the 5th time that the United States has proposed the downlisting of this species. It is listed because it is a look‑alike species with a highly endangered lynx from Europe. AZA did not support the down‑listing of bobcat.

Proposal by Zambia to transfer the Zambia population from Appendix I to Appendix II for trade in hunting trophies for non‑commercial purposes; trade in registered raw ivory (whole tusks and pieces); trade in raw hides and trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

Zambia amended their proposal to re‑ move the trade in registered raw ivory when they presented this proposal to Committee I. This proposal was defeated in Committee I but was raised again in Plenary. Zambia’s proposal was defeated by a vote of 59/47/38 in the Plenary.

Proposal by the U. S. to Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I. This proposal was defeated by a vote of 48/62/11 in Committee I. AZA did not support the uplisting of polar bear because evidence suggests that polar bear populations were declining due to climatic change and the melting of sea ice and not international trade While at the CoP, however, we learned that the US was contemplating an amendment to the proposal which would have impacted AZA institutions (a listing of Appendix II with a zero quota which would have meant no polar bears being imported or exported).

AZA met with Jane Lyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish Wildlife and Parks, to express concerns about the impact on US institutions and learned that our intelligence was incorrect.

The US was contemplating an amendment to its proposal (which it did not offer after all) for an Appendix II listing with zero commercial quota.

African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) Proposal by Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Rwanda, Sierra Leone stating: 1) no further proposals to allow trade in elephant ivory from Appendix II populations for nine years; and 2) no further proposals to downlist Appendix I populations for 20 years.

This proposal was defeated in Commit‑ tee 1 by a vote of 38/76/21

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Mariana Mallar (Anas oustaleti)

Guatemalan Spiny‑tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura palearis)

Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)

Proposal by Switzerland for deletion from Appendix I.

Proposal by Guatemala for inclusion in Appendix II.

The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I

The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I.

Proposal by Palau and the United States for inclusion in Appendix II with a delayed implementation of 18 months.

Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletti) Proposal by Mexico to transfer from Appendix I to Appendix II with a zero quota for trade in wild specimens.

The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I for the Belize and Mexican population; the Guatemalan population was withdrawn.

Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) Proposal by Egypt to transfer the Egyptian population from Appendix I to Appendix II This proposal was amended during discussion in Committee I to specify a zero quota for commercial purposes and was defeated by Committee I by a vote of 60/38/0 but was raised again in Plenary. There was no opposition to the amended proposal which was adopted by consensus in Plenary.

Ornate Dabb Lizard (Uromastyx ornate) Proposal by Israel to transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I

Tree frogs (Agalychnis spp.)

Proposal by Honduras and Mexico for inclusion in Appendix II. The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I.

Kaiser’s Newt (Neurergus kaiseri) Proposal by Iran for inclusion in Appendix I. The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I.

Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna Lewini); Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran); Smooth Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena); Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus); Dusky Shark (Carchartinus obscurus) Proposal by Palau and the United States for inclusion in Appendix II with a delay of 18 months for implementation to enable Parties to resolve the related technical and administrative issues.

The proposal was withdrawn.

Baker’s Spinytail Iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri); Roatan Spiny‑Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina); Honduran Paleate Spiny‑Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura melanostema) Proposal by Honduras for inclusion in Appendix II. The proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I.

The U. S. removed Sandbar sharks and Dusky Sharks and amending the im‑ plementation time to 24 months. The proposal was defeated in Committee I and debate was reopened in the Ple‑ nary where the proposal was defeated by a vote of 75-55 (failed to receive 2/3 of the votes)

The U. S. amended this proposal to de‑ lay implementation for 24 months. The proposal was defeated in Committee I by a vote of 75-51.

Porbeagle (Lamna nasus) Proposal by Palau and Sweden on behalf of the Member States of the European Community for inclusion in Appendix II with a delayed implementation of 18 months.

This proposal was adopted by Commit‑ tee I but was reopened in Plenary and was defeated by a vote of 84-46

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) Proposal by Palau and Sweden on behalf of the Member States of the European for inclusion on Appendix II with a delayed implementation of 18 months.

This proposal was defeated in Commit‑ tee I by a vote of 60/67/11.

Northern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Proposal by Monaco for inclusion in Appendix I. This proposal was presented to Com‑ mittee I. During the discussion the European Community suggested an amendment. The amended proposal was defeated by a vote of 43/72/14.

Then the original proposal was de‑ feated by a vote of 20/68/20.

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Satanas Beetle (Dynastes satanas) Proposal by Bolivia for inclusion in Appendix II. This proposal was agreed to by consen‑ sus in Committee I.

Pink and Red Coral (Coralliidae (Corallium spp. and Paracoralliumssp.)

Proposal by Sweden on behalf o the Member States of the European Community and USA to list on Appendix I with a delay of implementation for 18 months.

This proposal was defeated by a vote of 64/59/10 in Committee I.

Resolutions Committee II addresses resolutions to implement the Treaty. Although perhaps not viewed by some as the more exciting discussions of CITES, the work of this Committee is extremely important for AZA members.

1) The CITES Secretariat reviewed existing Resolutions and Decisions.

There were two resolutions which impact AZA members: the definition of “Not for Primarily Commercial Purposes” and “Guidelines for a Procedure to Register and Monitor Operations that breed Appendix I Animal Species for Commercial Purposes”.

The resolution on “Not for Primarily Commercial Purposes” was slightly revised stating that imports of specimens of Appendix‑I species for captive‑breeding purposes are a special case. Any import of such specimens for captive‑breeding purposes should be in accordance with Resolution Conf. 10.16 (Specimens of animal species bred in captivity) and must be aimed as a priority at the long‑term protection of the affected species as required in Resolution Conf. 10.16 (Rev). This is not a significant change to the definition but does solidify the high threshold that transactions of Appendix I species must meet.

2) Guidelines for a Procedure to Register and Monitor Operations that breed Appendix I Animal Species for Commercial Purposes.

Article 7.4 and 7.5 describe the breeding of Appendix I species. Essentially if Appendix I species meet the CITES definition of bred in captivity they may be treated as if they were Appendix II species. There is a mechanism to register commercial captive breeding operations. While on its face this would not appear to be an issue that affects AZA members, it is totally dependent on the definition of terms. Kris has been a member of each of the working groups on this issue for the past six CoPs. At this meeting, there was also a Working Group and the efforts of this group were to create a more streamlined system for the registration of commercial captive‑bred Appendix I species. It is very clear that this does not contemplate species bred for conservation or education purposes by zoos and aquariums.

3) Purpose Codes on CITES permits and certificates. Purpose‑of‑transaction codes on CITES permits and certificates are important because they help determine the nature of the trade and allow CITES Parties to monitor the volume of commercial and non‑commercial trade. These codes can assist in reviewing data during the Review of Significant Trade of species; particularly in determining whether transferring a species from Appendix II to Appendix I would address a significant trade threat.

There is a lack of consistent understanding or agreement on the use of these codes. The inconsistent use of the purpose‑of‑transaction codes has lead to confusion over the purposes of some shipments, inconsistencies in reporting of trade data, and to delays or inability to issue CITES documents.

The US chaired a Working Group on this issue intercessionally between the 14th and the 15th CoP. AZA was one of the members of the Working Group. The Working Group made very little progress in developing a consensus on the way forward on this issue.

The 15th CoP decided to re‑establish another intercessional joint working group with a mandate of focusing on clearly defining purpose of transaction codes to encourage their consistent use and to consider the possible elimination of current codes or the inclusion of new ones. In addition, the Working Group will evaluate the use and definition of purpose of transaction codes taking into account any difficulties of implementation by the Parties and the potential resource implications of including new codes. We must ensure that code modifications do not identify zoo and aquarium transactions as commercial transactions.

4) Production Systems for Specimens of CITES‑Listed Species. There is another issue that on its face would not appear of interest to AZA. The issue is how Parties control and mark ranched species that are then treated as Appendix II species instead of Appendix I species‑- thus allowing trade for primarily commercial purposes.

We always monitor this because of the definition of primarily commercial purposes. Again, AZA must ensure that these production systems remain clearly defined as commercial and that decisions regarding these systems are not applicable to zoos or aquariums.

5) E‑commerce of specimens of CITES‑listed listed species. There was an intercessional group looking at the issue of the extent of legal and illegal commerce of CITES‑listed species conducted over the Internet.

The Parties adopted a resolution to compile, publish and disseminate information related to e‑commerce of CITES‑listed species and to request that Interpol establish a secure interactive forum containing information and intelligence regarding Internet‑related wildlife crime.

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WS 67.1 6) Electronic permitting. The Parties had adopted a resolution promoting the development and use of electronic permitting systems noting that because of the differences among parties in implementation capacity— electronic and paper – both systems should be used in parallel. The CITES Secretariat just finished preparations of a toolkit on permitting systems to include formats, protocols and standards for electronic permitting, advise on the use of electronic signatures and security measures and work with UNEP in the development and dissemination of Internet‑based software tools. Parties asked for time to continue to test the toolkit.

7) Transport of Live Specimens.

CITES Articles III, IV and V require Parties to ensure that living specimens are prepared and shipped so as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment of CITES‑listed specimens.. The CoP approved the continuing agenda for the Transport Working Group (TWG).

Andreas Kaufmann (formerly of the Vienna Zoo in Austria and now a private consultant and member of the Austrian CITES delegation) is serving as the Chair of this Working Group. The Secretariat is directed to explore ways to establish enhanced cooperation between CITES and various organizations that deal with transport (OIE/World Animal Health Organization, International Maritime Organization) through a Memorandum of Understanding or the creation of a liaison group. Most importantly the TWG is mandated to develop new guidelines for non‑air transport of live animals for consideration at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties. AZA (through working with its SSPs and TAGs), EAZA and WAZA will assist in the development of these guidelines.

Species Trade and Conservation Issues.

Much of the work of CITES is involved with improving the conservation of listed species and reducing illicit trade in specimens of those species.

Some examples of interest to AZA members are great apes, Asian big cats, and tortoises and freshwater turtles, sharks, rhinos, and bushmeat trade

Asian Big Cats At the 14th CoP, the Parties adopted a resolution acknowledging that the concerns about trade in tiger parts and derivatives continued at an increasing level and emphasized the need for increased enforcement efforts and international cooperation.

The European Community introduced a proposal at this CoP that would have impacted AZA institutions.

There was a requirement to ensure breeding operations are consistent with the conservation of wild populations. In addition, the wording addressed domestic trade which is beyond the reach of CITES. AZA met with several NGOs during the CoP to discuss our concerns with the proposed wording. A significant number of Parties also had concerns with the same wording and the final proposal did not address these specific issues.

Rhinoceroses

Great Apes Illegal trade in great apes continues to present a considerable threat to these species. CITES has identified that the outcome from a series of gorilla workshops has identified enforcement as a matter of priority.

Therefore, CITES in conjunction with UNEP Great Ape Survival Partnership, Interpol and the World Customs Organization will be seeking funding to undertake a technical mission to a number of gorilla States.

Side Event On 24 March, all CITES CoP attendees received notice that a presentation entitled “The Painted Dog – Zoo Business – The International Trade in Wild African Hunting Dogs”, was to be presented by The Born Free Foundation, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Journeyman Pictures. Will Travers, CEO of Born Free Foundation, was the meeting facilitator.

There were approximately 50 people in attendance including representatives from African wild dog range States, WAZA, WCS, AZA, and animal rights and animal welfare organizations.

African wild dogs have been extirpated from many of their original range states, and remnant populations remain in only 14 countries, with a total population of between 3,000 to 5,000 animals. Habitat fragmentation, disease, and interactions with humans were cited as the chief factors leading to their decline.

IUCN and TRAFFIC had prepared a lengthy report on the conservation status of African and Asian rhinoceroses stating that while some populations continued to increase in number, African wild dogs had not previously some range States had come under been included on one of the CITES considerable pressure as a result of appendices because international recent poaching and illegal trade activities. There was considerable dis- trade was not believed to be a factor cussion and concern expressed about in their decline. An undercover investhis increase and what it anything tigation was conducted and allegedly could be done by the Parties to curtail reveals that the level of international it. The Parties adopted a resolution trade in this species is contributing to facilitate bilateral exchanges significantly to the species’ decline. between key rhinoceros range States and rhinoceros horn consumer States to improve wildlife enforcement cooperation efforts.

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WS 67.1 A video was presented claiming to document the laundering of 24 wild‑caught dogs in South Africa.

The investigation allegedly revealed that hundreds of wild‑caught dogs obtained through dealers have been sold to zoos in China and to several zoos in the United States. The Chinese zoos are allegedly substandard.

The goal of the presentation at CITES was to establish a coalition of interested parties to develop a proposal for the next CITES meeting to place African wild dogs under CITES protection. AZA will monitor the development of this proposal and be working directly with the African wild dog Species Survival Program.

Wrap‑Up The 16th Conference of the Parties will be held in Thailand in 2013. It will again be important that AZA be well represented at that meeting.

CITES decisions affect not only the international conservation efforts of fauna and flora, but also can affect the day‑to‑day operation of zoos and aquariums and the viability of AZA conservation and research programs. The zoological community is always vigilant at the CITES CoP for overly‑broad species proposals that may adversely impact our members and the seemingly constant pressure from animal protection groups and specific Parties to universally classify zoos and aquarium as commercial entities.

The distinction between commercial and non‑commercial is critically important, and would affect the daily operations of those AZA member institutions wishing to acquire Appendix I‑listed species (wild‑caught and captive‑bred specimens alike). AZA has long held that zoos and aquariums are non‑commercial entities under the terms of reference for CITES. If zoos and aquariums were deemed to be commercial operations, they would no longer be eligible to import wild‑caught Appendix I species because such imports are limited to “not for primarily commercial purposes.”

In addition, these facilities would not be able to acquire captive‑bred Appendix I species unless they were registered as commercial captive breeding operations for the species involved. Most zoos and aquariums would not qualify for registration as a captive breeding operation as registration is very strictly defined

by CITES. According to the definition adopted by CITES, an operation may only be registered if specimens produced by the operation qualify as “bred in captivity.” An individual zoo or aquarium would not likely be able to meet the definition as a commercial captive breeding operation because they would not be breeding sufficient numbers of specimens and have all the requisite documentation, independent of other zoos and aquariums.

Thus, any change to the distinction between commercial and non‑commercial would have a devastating effect on our international cooperative breeding programs.

The pendulum has continued to swing at CITES. In the early CITES days, the Parties were very protectionist oriented. Over years, as there has been consideration of more controversial species, the Parties have been less likely to offer that blanket protection.

In addition, CITES initial emphasis on strict protectionism has shifted towards sustainable use of wildlife.

At this year’s meeting, there was a new voting block of Japan, China and other Parties from Asia. This group effectively blocked the listing of the commercially fished marine species under consideration at this meeting. In addition, there appears to be a trend with CITES stepping back from marine issues and allowing other organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, to take the lead.

It will be extremely interesting to watch CITES under a new leader – John Scanlon. Over the past two or three Conference of the Parties, there has been serious tension between the Secretary General and a number of the Parties.

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Appendix 1 DRAFT AT 8 AUGUST 2012

IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations

August 2012

Text: Final Draft Design: Interim

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IUCN Species Survival Commission Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations

Executive summary Conservation translocation is the deliberate movement of organisms from one site for release in another. It must be intended to yield a measurable conservation benefit at the levels of a population, species or ecosystem, and not only provide benefit to translocated individuals.

Conservation translocations (Figure 1) consist of (i) reinforcement and reintroduction within a species’ indigenous range, and (ii) conservation introductions, comprising assisted colonisation and ecological replacement, outside indigenous range.

Translocation is an effective conservation tool but its use either on its own or in conjunction with other conservation solutions needs rigorous justification. Feasibility assessment should include a balance of the conservation benefits against the costs and risks of both the translocation and alternative conservation actions.

Risks in a translocation are multiple, affecting in many ways the focal species, their associated communities and ecosystem functions in both source and destination areas; there are also risks around human concerns. Any proposed translocation should have a comprehensive risk assessment with a level of effort appropriate to the situation. Where risk is high and/or uncertainty remains about risks and their impacts, a translocation should not proceed.

Translocations of organisms outside of their indigenous range are considered to be especially high risk given the numerous examples of species released outside their indigenous ranges subsequently becoming invasive, often with massively adverse impacts.

Any translocation will impact and be impacted by human interests. Social, economic and political factors must be integral to translocation feasibility and design. These factors will also influence implementation and often require an effective, multi‐disciplinary team, with technical and social expertise representing all interests.

Design and implementation of conservation translocations should follow the standard stages of project design and management, including gathering baseline information and analysis of threats, and iterative rounds of monitoring and management adjustment once the translocation is underway (Figure 2). This ensures that process and progress are recorded; changes in translocation objectives or management regime can then be justified, and outcomes can be determined objectively. Finally, translocations should be fully documented, and their outcomes made publicly and suitably available to inform future conservation planning.

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Guidelines

Section 1: Introduction and scope of Guidelines These Guidelines are designed to be applicable to the full spectrum of conservation translocations.

They are based on principle rather than example. Throughout the Guidelines there are references to accompanying Annexes that give further detail.

The background and rationale for developing these Guidelines are described in Annex 1.

Translocation is the human‐mediated movement of living organisms1 from one area, with release in another. These Guidelines focus on conservation translocations, namely a translocation that yields quantifiable conservation benefit. For this purpose the beneficiaries should be the populations of the translocated species, or the ecosystems that it occupies. Situations in which there is benefit only to the translocated individuals do not meet this requirement.

Conservation through intervention is now common, but with increasing evidence and appreciation of the risks. Consequently, any conservation translocation must be justified, with development of clear objectives, identification and assessment of risks, and with measures of performance. These Guidelines are designed to provide guidance on the justification, design and implementation of any conservation translocation. But, they should not be construed as promoting conservation translocation over any other form of conservation action, and specific elements should not be selected in isolation to justify a translocation.

These Guidelines are a response to the present era of accelerating ecological change: there are increasing and acute pressures on much of the world’s biodiversity due to loss of habitats and reduction in their quality, biological invasions, and climate change. The latter is the main force behind the proposition to move organisms deliberately outside their indigenous ranges (defined in Section 2), an exercise of greater potential risks than a reinforcement or reintroduction. While such ‘assisted colonisation’ is controversial, it is expected to be increasingly used in future biodiversity conservation.

Because of such anticipated developments, these Guidelines emphasise the need to consider the alternatives to translocation, to appreciate uncertainty of ecological knowledge, and to understand the risks behind any translocation. Many conservation translocations are long‐term commitments, and every case is an opportunity to research the challenges for establishing populations, in order to increase the success rate of these interventions.

1

‘organism’ refers to a species, subspecies or lower taxon, and includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce (After: Convention on Biological Diversity Decision VI/23 http://www.cbd.int/decision/cop/?id=7197).

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Section 2: Definitions and classification Figure 1 shows a typology of conservation translocations, based on the following definitions. Annex 2 provides further details.

Translocation is the human‐mediated movement of living organisms from one area, with release2 in another.

Translocation is therefore the overarching term. Translocations may move living organisms from the wild or from captive origins. Translocations can be accidental (e.g. stowaways) or intentional.

Intentional translocations can address a variety of motivations, including for reducing population size, for welfare, political, commercial or recreational interests, or for conservation objectives.

Conservation Translocation is the intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit: this will usually comprise improving the conservation status of the focal species locally or globally, and/or restoring natural ecosystem functions or processes.

A translocation involves releasing organisms. Release here specifically excludes the act of placing organisms into conditions that, for management purposes, differ significantly from those experienced by these organisms in their natural habitats. These differences may include the density under which individuals are kept, their sex ratio and group size, breeding system, environmental conditions, dependence on provisioning and, consequently, the selection pressures imposed.

Conservation translocations can entail releases either within or outside the species’ indigenous range. The indigenous range of a species is the known or inferred distribution generated from historical (written or verbal) records, or physical evidence of the species’ occurrence. Where direct evidence is inadequate to confirm previous occupancy, the existence of suitable habitat within ecologically appropriate proximity to proven range may be taken as adequate evidence of previous occupation.

1.

Population Restoration is any conservation translocation to within indigenous range, and comprises two activities: a. Reinforcement is the intentional movement and release of an organism into an existing population of conspecifics.

Reinforcement aims to enhance population viability, for instance by increasing population size, by increasing genetic diversity, or by increasing the representation of specific demographic groups or stages.

[Synonyms: Augmentation; Supplementation; Re‐stocking; Enhancement (plants only)]

2

‘release’ is applicable here to individuals of any taxon.

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b. Reintroduction is the intentional movement and release of an organism inside its indigenous range from which it has disappeared.

Reintroduction aims to re‐establish a viable population of the focal species within its indigenous range.

2.

Conservation Introduction is the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its indigenous range.

Two types of Conservation Introduction are recognised: a. Assisted Colonisation is the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its indigenous range to avoid extinction of populations of the focal species.

This is carried out primarily where protection from current or likely future threats in current range is deemed less feasible than at alternative sites.

The term includes a wide spectrum of operations, from those involving the movement of organisms into areas that are both far from current range and separated by non‐habitat areas, to those involving small range extensions into contiguous areas.

[Synonyms: Benign Introduction; Assisted Migration; Managed Relocation] b. Ecological Replacement is the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its indigenous range to perform a specific ecological function.

This is used to re‐establish an ecological function lost through extinction, and will often involve the most suitable existing sub‐species, or a close relative of the extinct species within the same genus3.

[Synonyms: Taxon Substitution; Ecological Substitutes/Proxies/Surrogates; Subspecific Substitution, Analogue Species]

Section 3: Deciding when translocation is an acceptable option 1.

A conservation translocation has intended conservation benefit, but it also carries risks to ecological, social and economic interests (Annex 3.1).

2.

There should generally be strong evidence that the threat(s) that caused any previous extinction have been correctly identified and removed or sufficiently reduced (Annex 3.2).

3.

Assessment of any translocation proposal should include identification of potential benefits and potential negative impacts, covering ecological, social and economic aspects. This will be simpler for a reinforcement or reintroduction within indigenous range compared to any translocation outside indigenous range.

3 An organism might be released into indigenous range to perform an ecological function, but this would be considered a reintroduction.

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4.

Global evidence shows that introductions of species outside their indigenous range can frequently cause extreme, negative impacts that can be ecological, social or economic, are often difficult to foresee, and can become evident only long after the introduction.

5.

Conservation translocations outside indigenous range may, therefore, bring potentially high risks that are often difficult or impossible to predict with accuracy.

6.

Hence, although risk analysis around a translocation should be proportional to the presumed risks (Guidelines Section 6), justifying a conservation introduction requires an especially high level of confidence over the organisms’ performance after release, including over the long‐term, with reassurance on its acceptability from the perspective of the release area’s ecology, and the social and economic interests of its human communities.

7.

In any decision on whether to translocate or not, the absolute level of risk must be balanced against the scale of expected benefits.

8.

Where a high degree of uncertainty remains or it is not possible to assess reliably that a conservation introduction presents low risks, it should not proceed, and alternative conservation solutions should be sought (Annex 3.3).

Section 4: Planning a translocation 4.1 Goals, Objectives and Actions.

1.

Every conservation translocation should have clearly defined goals.

2.

Any conservation translocation should follow a logical process from initial concept to design, feasibility and risk assessment, decision‐making, implementation, monitoring, adjustment and evaluation.

3.

Planning for a conservation translocation can usefully follow the Species Survival Commission’s approach to conservation planning for species4, requiring specification of a goal, objectives and actions. Reference to the commonly observed phases of translocated population development may aid planning (Annex 4).

4.

Progress reviews are encouraged at all stages, so that the goal(s) is reached through a cyclical process (Figure 2), which allows adjustment in objectives or in time frames based on observed progress (Guidelines Section 8).

5.

A Goal is a statement of the intended result of the conservation translocation. It should articulate the intended conservation benefit, and will often be expressed in terms of the desired size and number of populations that will achieve the required conservation benefit either locally or globally, all within an overall time frame.

4 http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/scshandbook_2_12_08_compressed.pdf

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6.

There may be more than one goal, although clarity of purpose may suffer as goals increase in number.

7.

Objectives detail how the goal(s) will be realised; they should be clear and specific and ensure they address all identified or presumed current threats to the species.

8.

Actions are precise statements of what should be done to meet the objectives; they should be capable of measurement, have time schedules attached, indicate the resources needed and who is responsible and accountable for their implementation. Actions are the elements against which translocation progress will be monitored and assessed (Guidelines Section 8).

4.2

Monitoring programme design

Monitoring the course of a translocation is an essential activity (Guidelines Section 8). It should be considered as an integral part of translocation design, not to be merely added on at a later stage.

The effort invested in developing realistic goals and objectives is the starting point for a monitoring programme; its design should reflect the phases of translocated population development (Annex 4) and answer at least the following:    

What evidence will measure progress towards meeting translocation objectives and, ultimately, success or failure?

What data should be collected, where and when, to provide this evidence, and what methods and protocols should be used?

Who will collect the data, analyse it and ensure safe keeping?

Who will be responsible for disseminating monitoring information to relevant parties?

4.3 Exit strategy Not all translocations proceed according to plan. There will be a point at which investing further resources is no longer justified, despite any prior management adjustments. The decision to discontinue is defensible if translocation design includes indicators of lack of success and the tolerable limits of their duration, or if undesired and unacceptable consequences have occurred. An exit strategy should be an integral part of any translocation plan. Having a strategy in place allows an orderly and justifiable exit.

Section 5: Feasibility and Design The primary focus of translocation planning will be the desired performance of the focal species in terms of either its population performance, behaviour and / or its ecological roles after translocation. However, the design of the proposed translocation will be subject to both opportunities and constraints, and all will influence the feasibility of the proposed operation.

Feasibility assessment should cover the full range of relevant biological and non‐biological factors.

5.1 Biological feasibility 5.1.1 Basic biological knowledge

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1.

Necessary knowledge of any translocation candidate species should include its biotic and abiotic habitat needs, its inter‐specific relationships and critical dependencies, and its basic biology.

(Annex 5.1). Where knowledge is limited, the best available information should be used, and further subsequent information used to confirm or adjust management.

2.

Information from the candidate or closely‐related species can be used to construct models of alternative translocation scenarios and outcomes; even simple models can help effective decision‐ making (Annex 5.2).

5.1.2 Habitat Matching habitat suitability and availability to the needs of candidate species is central to feasibility and design. There are many aspects covered in greater detail in Annex 5.3. Essential points are: 1.

While reintroduction into indigenous range is always preferable, previous indigenous range may no longer be suitable habitat depending on ecological dynamics during the extinction period, 2.

The last place in which a species/population was found may not be the best habitat for returning the species, 3.

Suitable habitat should meet the candidate species’ total biotic and abiotic needs through space and time and for all life stages. In addition, habitat suitability should include assurance that the release of organisms, and their subsequent movements, are compatible with permitted land‐ uses in the affected areas.

4.

The ecological roles of translocated species at destination sites should be assessed thoroughly, as part of risk assessment (Guidelines Section 6); the risk of unintended and undesirable impacts will generally be least in population reinforcements and greatest in translocations outside indigenous range.

5.1.3 Climate requirements (Annex 5.4) 1.

The climate at destination site should be suitable for the foreseeable future. Bio‐climate envelope models can be used to assess the likelihood of the climate changing beyond the species’ limits of tolerance, and therefore for identifying suitable destination sites under future climate regimes.

5.1.4 Founders Founder source and availability 1.

Founders can be either from a captive or wild source.

2.

Founders should show characteristics based on genetic provenance, and of morphology, physiology and behaviour that are assessed as appropriate through comparison with the original or any remaining wild populations.

3.

The potential negative effects of removing individuals from wild or captive populations should be assessed; where captive or propagated populations are sources, the holding institutions should ensure that their collection plans, institutionally and regionally, are designed to support such removals for conservation translocations.

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4.

Captive or propagated individuals should be from populations with appropriate demographic, genetic, welfare and health management, and behaviour.

Taxon substitution In some cases the original species or sub‐species may have become extinct both in the wild and in captivity; a similar, related species or sub‐species can be substituted as an ecological replacement, provided the substitution is based on objective criteria such as phylogenetic closeness, similarity in appearance, ecology and behaviour to the extinct form.

Genetic considerations (Annex 5.5) 1.

Founder selection should aim to provide adequate genetic diversity.

2.

Source populations physically closer to, or from habitats that are similar to, the destination may be more genetically suited to destination conditions.

3.

If founders from widely separate populations or areas are mixed, there may be genetic incompatibilities.

4.

Conservation introductions may justify more radical sourcing strategies of deliberately mixing multiple founder populations to maximise diversity among individuals and hence increase the likelihood of some translocated individuals or their offspring thriving under novel conditions.

5.

Genetic considerations in founder selection will be case‐specific. If a translocation starts with a wide genetic base, a sufficiently large number of individuals, and subsequent differential performance or mortality is acceptable (and will be monitored), then the genetics of founder selection are unlikely to constrain feasibility of a conservation translocation.

5.1.5 Animal welfare 1. Conservation translocations should whenever possible adhere to internationally accepted standards for welfare, but should comply with the legislation, regulations and policies in both the source and release areas.

2. Every effort should be made to reduce stress or suffering.

3. Stress in translocated animals may occur during capture, handling, transport and holding, including through confining unfamiliar individuals in close proximity, both up to and after release.

4. Stresses may be quite different for captive‐born and wild‐caught animals; in particular, intended “soft release” strategies may increase stress in wild‐caught animals by prolonging their captivity.

5. Animals in source populations may suffer stress if the removal of individuals disrupts established social relationships.

6. An exit strategy may require removal of individuals of the translocated species, especially in the case of a conservation introduction; the acceptability of removal should be assessed before starting the translocation,

5.1.6 Disease and parasite considerations 1.

The management of disease and known pathogen transfer is important, both to maximise the health of translocated organisms and to minimise the risk of introducing a new pathogen to the destination area. Further detail on these aspects is given in Annex 5.6. \120807 Guidelines v3.3 clean

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2.

While it is neither possible nor desirable for organisms to be “parasite and disease free”, many organisms are non‐pathogenic until co‐infection or co‐factors, or spill‐over between host species create conditions that promote pathogenicity. In particular, as host immune conditions may determine an organism’s pathogenicity, it is important to consider whether the translocated organisms are likely to cope with new pathogens and stresses encountered at the destination site.

3.

The level of attention to disease and parasite issues around translocated organisms and their destination communities should be proportional to the potential risks and benefits identified in each translocation situation (Guidelines Section 6); the IUCN Guide to Wildlife Disease Risk Assessment5 provides a model process.

4.

Quarantine before release, as a means of prevention of disease or pathogen introduction, is a basic precaution for most translocations; its use should be assessed on a case‐by‐case basis as it may cause unacceptable stress; conversely, stress may usefully bring out latent infections.

5.

Pathogenicity may be promoted by the stress of unfamiliar or unnatural conditions of confinement, especially during the translocation process.

6.

If reasonable precautions are taken and appropriate prophylaxis applied, with stress minimised in the process, there is rarely cause to consider translocation unfeasible due to disease and parasites.

5.2 Social feasibility 1.

Any conservation translocation proposal should be developed within national and regional conservation infrastructure, recognizing the mandate of existing agencies, legal and policy frameworks, national biodiversity action plans or existing species recovery plans.

2.

Human communities in or around a release area will have legitimate interests in any translocation. These interests will be varied, and community attitudes can be extreme and internally contradictory. Consequently, translocation planning should accommodate the socio‐economic circumstances, community attitudes and values, motivations and expectations, behaviours and behavioural change, and the anticipated costs and benefits of the translocation. Understanding these is the basis for developing public relations activities to orient the public in favour of a translocation.

3.

Mechanisms for communication, engagement and problem‐solving between the public (especially key individuals most likely to be affected by or concerned about the translocation) and translocation managers should be established well in advance of any release.

4.

No organisms should be removed or released without adequate/conditional measures that address the concerns of relevant interested parties (including local/indigenous communities); this includes any removal as part of an exit strategy.

5.

If extinction in the proposed destination area occurred long ago, or if conservation introductions are being considered, local communities may have no connection to species unknown

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to them, and hence oppose their release. In such cases, special effort to counter such attitudes should be made well in advance of any release.

6.

Successful translocations may yield economic opportunities, such as through ecotourism, but negative economic impacts may also occur; the design and implementation stages should acknowledge the potential for negative impacts on affected parties or for community opposition; where possible, sustainable economic opportunities should be established for local communities, and especially where communities/regions are challenged economically.

7.

Some species are subject to multiple conservation translocations: in these situations, inter‐ project, inter‐regional or international communication and collaboration are encouraged in the interests of making best use of resources and experiences for attaining translocation goals and effective conservation.

8.

Organisational aspects can also be critical for translocation success: where multiple bodies, such as government agencies, non‐government organisations, informal interest groups (some of which may oppose a translocation) all have statutory or legitimate interests in a translocation, it is essential that mechanisms exist for all parties to play suitable and constructive roles. This may require establishment of special teams working outside formal, bureaucratic hierarchies that can guide, oversee and respond swiftly and effectively as management issues arise.

9.

The multiple parties involved in most translocations have their own mandates, priorities and agendas; unless these are aligned through effective facilitation and leadership, unproductive conflict may fatally undermine translocation implementation or success.

10.

A successful translocation can contribute to a general ethical obligation to conserve species and ecosystems; but the conservation gain from the translocation should be balanced against the obligation to avoid collateral harm to other species, ecosystems or human interests; this is especially important in the case of a conservation introduction.

5.3 Regulatory compliance A conservation translocation may need to meet regulatory requirements at any or all of international, national, regional or sub‐regional levels. This may in include consideration of the compatibility of permitted and non-permitted land-uses in areas either proposed for a release or where released organisms might subsequently move to.

In any country, different agencies may be responsible for proposal evaluation, importation or release licensing, or certifying compliance. A translocation programme may have requirements to report regularly to such agencies on progress and compliance.

International movement of organisms Such movement of organisms will need to comply with international requirements. For example, the movement of individuals of any species that is on CITES Appendix I, II or III must comply with CITES requirements.

In addition, regulators will need to consider whether permits and agreements are required under the Nagoya Protocol in order to deal with benefits arising from the use of genetic resources and/or traditional knowledge.

Legislation for species being moved outside their indigenous range

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Many countries have formal legislation restricting the capture and/or collection of species within their jurisdiction. Additionally, many countries have formal legislation restricting the release of alien species, and this may apply to the release of organisms in their native country but outside their indigenous range.

Permission to release organisms Irrespective of any permission to import organisms, any conservation translocation should have been granted the appropriate government licence to release organisms.

Cross‐border movements Where organisms are either transported across jurisdictional or formally‐recognised tribal boundaries before release, or are likely to move across such boundaries following release, translocation design should be compatible with the permissive and regulatory requirements of all affected jurisdictions.

National and international veterinary and phyto‐sanitary requirements Where there is any international movement of organisms, compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health6 standards for animal movement and those of the International Plant Protection Convention7 may facilitate importation permits.

National requirements for plant and animal health before release should be met. The importation of wild species that are implicated as vectors of human or domestic animal disease may be subject to particular regulation and control by national authorities.

5.4 Resource availability 1.

Effective translocation management will be truly multi‐disciplinary, with strong emphasis on incorporating social skill sets as well as biological/technical expertise.

2.

Under normal circumstances, a translocation should not proceed without assurance of funding for all essential activities over an adequate period of time; the latter should be determined by reference to the schedules laid down in Guidelines Section 4.

3.

Funding agencies should be aware that rational changes to a translocation plan during implementation are normal, and budgets should be flexible enough to accommodate such changes.

Section 6: Risk assessment

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1.

Any translocation bears risks that it will not achieve its objectives and/or will cause unintended damage. Consequently, the full array of possible hazards both during a translocation and after release of organisms should be assessed in advance. Annex 6.1 contains fuller detail.

2.

It should be emphasised that any translocation outside indigenous range carries further risks, due to: (1) lack of certainty over ecological relationships and an inability to predict ecological outcomes, and (2) the record of species moved outside their indigenous ranges that have become invasive aliens, often with extreme adverse impacts on native biodiversity, ecological services or human economic interests.

3.

Risk is the probability of a risk factor occurring, combined with the severity of its impact.

Individual risks will generally increase as the following increase in scale: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

The duration of any extinction period, The extent of ecological change during any extinction period, The degree of critical dependence of the focal species on others, The number of species to be translocated, The genetic differences between the original form and the translocated individuals, The potential negative impacts on human interests, The probability of unacceptable ecological impacts, Whether the translocation is into or outside indigenous range.

The total risk landscape will be determined by: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

The number of risk factors occurring, Uncertainty over the occurrence of each risk factor, Uncertainty over the severity of its impacts, Ignorance of other possible risks factors, The level of competence of those responsible for implementation, The cumulative effects of all occurring risks, The extent to which these risks interact.

4.

The extent of risk assessment should be proportional to the level of identified risk. Where data are poor, risk assessment may only be qualitative, but it is necessary as lack of data does not indicate absence of risk. Conclusions from the risk assessment and feasibility study should determine whether a translocation should proceed or not.

5.

Where possible, formal methods for making decisions based on best evidence should be used. As a general principle, where substantial uncertainty about the risks of a translocation outside indigenous range remain, such a translocation should not be undertaken.

6.

The main categories of risk around a translocation are:

 Risk to source populations: except under rare circumstances, removing individuals for translocation should not endanger the source population (Annex 6.2).  Ecological risk: a translocated species may have major impacts (whether desirable/undesirable, intended /not intended) at its destination on other species, and on ecosystem \120807 Guidelines v3.3 clean

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functions; its own performance may not be the same as at its origin; evidence shows that risks are greater for a translocation outside a species’ indigenous range, and adverse impacts may not appear for many years (Annex 6.3).  Disease risk: as no translocated organisms can be entirely free of infection with micro‐ organisms or parasites, with consequent risk of their spread, disease risk assessment should start at the planning stage, with its depth in proportion to the estimated likelihood of occurrence and severity of impact of any prospective pathogen (Annex 6.4), and should be reviewed periodically through implementation.  Associated invasion risk: separate from the risk of pathogen introduction, translocation design should be mindful of the wider biosecurity of the release area: care should be taken that potentially invasive species are not accidentally released with individuals of the focal species (Annex 6.5). This is a particular risk when translocating aquatic or island organisms.  Gene escape: gene exchange between translocated individuals and residents is one purpose of a reinforcement; however, when historically isolated populations are mixed, or where organisms are moved outside their indigenous range, and there is a risk of hybridisation with closely‐related species or sub‐species, this may possibly result in lower fitness of offspring and/or loss of species integrity (Annex 6.6). This should be included in a risk assessment.  Socio‐economic risks: these include the risk of direct, harmful impacts on people and their livelihoods from released organisms, and more indirect, ecological impacts that negatively affect ecosystem services (Annex 6.7); translocations outside indigenous range have greater likelihood of negative socio‐economic impacts and, hence, adverse public attitudes.  Financial risks: while there should be some level of assurance of funding for the anticipated life of any translocation, there should be awareness of the possible need for funding to discontinue the translocation or to apply remedial funding to any damage caused by the translocated species (Annex 6.8).

7.

It should also be noted that the risks from conservation action, or inaction, change with time. For example, if a translocation from a relatively numerous population is contemplated, the major risk is to the destination ecosystem; as the size of the source population declines, the risk to this population increases while for that of the destination remains the same; hence, the overall risk of the translocation not delivering conservation benefit is increased by not taking action in good time.

Section 7: Release and Implementation 1.

Implementation of a conservation introduction extends beyond the release of organisms. A translocation, including one to a highly suitable area, can fail due to a poorly‐designed release.

Implementation should therefore take into account the aspects covered in Guidelines Sections 4, 5, 6 and 8, and particularly those that include legal requirements, public engagement, habitat management, sourcing and releasing organisms, interventions and post‐release monitoring.

2.

As released individuals become established in their destination area, emphasis will shift to population monitoring and adjustment of management based on monitoring results.

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7.1 Selecting release sites and areas A release site should:   

Meet all practical needs for effective release with least stress for the released organisms, Enable released organisms to exploit the surrounding release area quickly.

Be suitable for media and public awareness needs, and any community involvement.

A release area should:  Meet all the species’ biotic and abiotic requirements,  Be appropriate habitat for the life stage released and all life stages of the species,  Be adequate for all seasonal habitat needs,  Be large enough to meet the required conservation benefit,  Have adequate connectivity to suitable habitat if that habitat is fragmented.  Be adequately isolated from sub‐optimal or non‐habitat areas which might be sink areas for the population,

7.2 Release strategy Many aspects of the translocated organisms’ biology are relevant to the release strategy. These are explored in detail in Annex 7, but the following are central:  The life stage and season of release should be optimised with respect to the species’ natural dispersal age or season, considering whether dispersal after release is to be encouraged or discouraged.  The age/size, sex composition and social relationships of founders may be optimised for establishment and the population growth rate stated in the objectives.  Translocation success increases with the numbers of individuals released (which is often enhanced through multiple release events across more than one year), but this needs to be balanced against impacts on source populations.  Releases, either simultaneously or sequentially, at multiple sites may serve to spread out the released organisms, with several potential benefits.  Minimising stress during capture, handling, transport and pre‐release management will enhance post‐release performance.  Various management interventions and support before and after release can enhance performance.

Section 8: Monitoring and continuing management 8.1 Monitoring 1. Translocation management is a cyclical process of implementation, monitoring, feedback and adjustment of both biological and non‐biological aspects until goals are met or the translocation is deemed unsuccessful (Figure 2).

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2. Despite thorough translocation design and modelling, inherent uncertainty and risk will lead to both expected and unexpected situations.

3. The monitoring programme (Guidelines Section 4.3) is the means to measure the performance of released organisms against objectives, to assess their impacts, and provide the basis for adjusting objectives or adapting management regimes or activating an exit strategy. Adequate resources for monitoring should be part of financial feasibility and commitment.

4. Pre‐release baseline ecological data add great value to subsequent monitoring information (Annex 8.1).

5. Monitoring should identify new threats to the translocated population which were not part of translocation design.

6. The intensity and duration of monitoring of source and translocated populations should be appropriate to each situation.

7. In addition to refining any ongoing translocation, the conclusions from monitoring may guide other translocations.

8. Annex 8.2 covers the essential elements of post‐release monitoring in greater detail: 

Demographic performance

Key aspects for any translocation should include monitoring of population growth and/or spread; more intensive monitoring to estimate individual survival, reproduction and dispersal may be needed depending on circumstances. 

Behavioural Monitoring

Monitoring the behaviour of translocated individuals can be a valuable, early indicator of translocation progress; but its value depends on comparative data from either comparable natural populations or the same individuals before removal from their source population. 

Ecological monitoring

Where a translocation is designed to create or restore an ecological function, progress towards such objectives should be assessed; any ecological impacts arising from a translocation should be assessed and determination made as to whether these are beneficial, benign or harmful, potentially enabling rational changes in management. 

Genetic monitoring

Where genetic issues are identified as being critical to the success of a translocation, monitoring can be used to assess genetic diversity in establishing populations or the effects of reinforcement or other management. 

Health and mortality monitoring

This assesses the extent that an establishing population is experiencing disease, or adverse welfare conditions or mortality, as a basis for identifying underlying causes. 

Social, cultural and economic monitoring

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Participation in monitoring may be a practical means of engaging the interest and support of local communities, and can be used to assess attitudes towards the translocation, and any benefits and costs, direct and indirect, arising.

8.2 Continuing management (Annex 8.3) 1.

Some translocations require management over many years; monitoring results provide the basis for either continuing or changing management regimes (Figure 4). They also provide the justification for any change in translocation objectives or time schedules (Guidelines Section 4).

2.

Learning from translocation outcomes can be improved through application of more formal adaptive management approaches, whereby alternative models are defined in advance and are tested through monitoring. This process means that the models used to decide management are based on the best possible evidence.

Section 9: Dissemination of information (Annex 9) Regular reporting and dissemination of information should start from the intention to translocate and throughout subsequent progress. It serves many purposes both for each conservation translocation and collectively: 1.

To create awareness and support for the translocation in key affected parties,

2.

To meet any statutory requirements,

3.

To contribute to the body of information on, and understanding of, translocations; collaborative efforts to develop translocation science are helped when reports are published in peer‐ reviewed journals (as an objective indicator of high quality), and include well‐documented but unsuccessful translocations or methods as well as successful ones , 4.

The means of dissemination are many (for example through conventional print, radio and film media, through mechanisms such as participatory appraisal and planning, and increasingly through internet‐based communications such as virtual presence meetings, and social networks).

The media, formats and languages used should all be appropriate for the target audience.

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Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations ANNEXES TO GUIDELINES Annex 1: Background Humans have moved organisms between sites for their own purposes for millennia. This has yielded benefits for human kind, but in some cases has led to disastrous impacts. IUCN stated its perspective on such moves with its 1987 Position Statement on the Translocation of Living Organisms. Subsequently, the Species Survival Commission’s Reintroduction Specialist Group developed policy guidelines that were approved by IUCN’s Council in 1995 and published in 1998 as the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction1. The Guidelines were short and practical in focus and have been used by other SSC Specialist Groups to derive more detailed Guidelines for their own taxa and purposes2.

In 2010 Guidelines were deemed to need review and revision, because: 1/ The last 20 years have seen a huge increase in the numbers of rigorously designed and assessed, carefully implemented and monitored plant and animal reintroductions, with an associated increase in the understanding of the scientific principles, ethics and practical issues associated with successful reintroductions.

2/ The perspective of a reintroduction as a single species being returned to its indigenous range is now restrictive: while many such examples remain, translocation is being used with many and multiple motivations and under a huge range of circumstances. Hence, reintroductions occupy a place within a spectrum of translocations that are both for conservation benefit and for other purposes, and many with aspects of each. Hence, compared to the 1998 Guidelines, the scope of this revision has been widened to include all translocations with conservation benefit (as defined in the Guidelines, Section 1) their primary purpose.

3/ It is increasingly recognised that, while species conservation remains a priority for conserving biodiversity, reintroduction needs to be undertaken in the context of the conservation and restoration of habitats and ecosystem services.

4/ The increasing rate and complexity of global change, including habitat loss, species declines, biological invasions and climate change suggest entry into an age of “ecological surprises” where management solutions based on historical precedent may not always be adequate for future biodiversity conservation needs.

5/ Reintroductions or restoration efforts with the direct participation of community groups of interested people have increased.

The wider scope of the revised Guidelines reflects the fact that conservation is becoming increasingly interventionist, actively managing biodiversity. A major factor influencing this is climate change, set against a backdrop of massive habitat destruction and fragmentation.

The palaeo‐ecological record and contemporary observations show that climate change has profound influence on the distribution and abundance of species. An increasing number of species will be susceptible to extinction if they are unable to adapt to new conditions within their current ranges or are unable to shift their distributions.

If climate change (or other major threat) predictably dooms a species to extinction in its current location, one option is to move it deliberately to sites where conditions are judged to be more suitable, or are likely to become so in the future. Such sites will often be outside the species’ known

1 2

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or inferred indigenous range. The 1998 Guidelines included “Conservation / Benign Introductions: an attempt to establish a species, for the purpose of conservation, outside its recorded distribution but within appropriate habitat and eco‐geographical area.” Thus, assisted colonisation has been used successfully to counter imminent extinction threats to endangered species long before the current concern over climate change impacts. The revised Guidelines include assisted colonisation as one option within the overall spectrum of translocations (Figure 1).

One of the most debated aspects of translocating species outside their indigenous range, albeit with conservation intentions, is that this action could harm local biological diversity, human livelihoods, health and economy. It is therefore important to assess carefully the risks related to these translocations, making best use of advances in invasion biology. Hence, the revised Guidelines are a product of both the Reintroduction and Invasive Species Specialist Groups.

The Guidelines strive to cover situations of conservation intervention that may today seem challenging to current conservation convention; however, it is hoped the Guidelines will have a long effective lifespan. They are not an advocacy document for conservation translocations; indeed they are designed to ensure that proposals for any such activity are rigorously designed and scrutinised, whatever the taxon or scale of operation. Accordingly, the need for risk assessment and sound decision‐making processes in all translocations is emphasised, but with the level of effort in proportion to the scale, risk and uncertainties around any translocation.

The scope of the Guidelines is deliberately restricted to issues around the translocation of single species or, at most, small numbers of species and their critically co‐dependent species. Many of the tools and elements of other translocations are shared with conservation translocations, as delimited here. This would include, for example, the rehabilitation and release of small numbers of individuals, or the promotion of conservation benefit through ecotourism. Further, aspects of conservation translocations merge with many other disciplines in contemporary conservation, which also have their own guidelines or policies. Within IUCN, these Guidelines should be seen as complementary to, and consistent with, the following key works: IUCN Guidelines for the Placement of Confiscated Animals (2000)3



 IUCN Guidelines for the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss Caused by Alien Invasive Species.

(2000)4 

IUCN Technical Guidelines on the Management of Ex‐situ populations for

Conservation (2012 in preparation)5  IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (2012 in draft), Ecological Restoration for Protected Areas: Principles, guidelines and best practice6.

IUCN (2012 in draft). Guide to Wildlife Disease Risk Assessment7.



http://data.iucn.org/dbtw‐wpd/edocs/2002‐004.pdf

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http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SSC/SSCwebsite/Policy_statements/IUCN_Guidelines_for_the _Prevention_of_Biodiversity_Loss_caused_by_Alien_Invasive_Species.pdf .

5

[Website to follow]

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

IUCN Red List8



IUCN (2000). The IUCN Policy Statement on sustainable Use of Wild Living Resources9.

And, it should be noted that many other organisations have developed their own Guidelines for activities in the spectrum from species reintroduction to ecosystem restoration.

These Guidelines are consistent with the guiding spirit of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (the Aichi Biodiversity Targets).

Annex 2. Definitions and classification Conservation benefit as a primary objective The requirement that a conservation translocation must benefit either a population or its species, or the ecosystem it occupies, is consistent with the requirement of the 1998 Guidelines, namely that the purpose of a reintroduction is the establishment of a viable population.

The present Guidelines acknowledge that conservation benefit may be broader than establishing a demographically viable population (for example, through ensuring the persistence of traits essential for survival), but that primary benefit should still be at a higher level of organisation than the individual.

Where conservation benefit is not obvious There are several situations in which conservation benefit     

is not the primary aim, or may be hard to discern, or is commingled with other benefits, or is deferred to some future period, or cannot be confirmed until some future period.

These situations occur singly or in combination in the following: 1.

Releases for rehabilitation

The present Guidelines consider the release of individuals for the sake of their welfare, or for rehabilitation from captivity, as primarily for the benefit of the released individuals; hence, such releases are outside the scope of these Guidelines.

Such releases may yield some conservation benefit, but equally they may cause harm. The risks are well‐known to practitioners, and some are covered in other IUCN Guidelines10. It is to be hoped that the precautionary tone and treatment of risk in these Guidelines will help shape strategies for the release of rehabilitated animals, even though they are not the focus of these Guidelines.

http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/our_work/the_iucn_red_list/.

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http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SSC/SSCwebsite/Policy_statements/The_IUCN_Policy_Statem ent_on_Sustainable_Use_of_Wild_Living_Resources.pdf

For example, B.Beck et al. (2007). Best practice guidelines for the re‐introduction of Great Apes.

Gland, Switzerland, SSC Primate Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union; 48 pp. http://www.primate‐sg.org/PDF/BP.reintro.V2.pdf

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2.

Population reinforcement for recreational or commercial offtake

Comparable situations arise where populations are augmented for purposes of recreational or commercial offtake. Again, the hierarchy of motivation should be considered, and often conservation benefit at the level of the population or ecosystem will either be non‐existent or be secondary to other interests. But, the risks in translocation and release in such cases may also be precisely those covered in these Guidelines.

3.

Mitigation translocations

‘Mitigation translocation’ is increasingly common, and may concern very large numbers of individuals; it involves the removal of organisms from habitat due to be lost through anthropogenic land use and release at an alternative site. Permission for these development operations is often conditional on an obligation to provide a conservation offset or to ensure no net conservation loss.

This is then claimed to be met by the translocation of large numbers of key species from the site to be developed for release into further ‘wild’ sites. Under the translocation spectrum of Figure 1, circumstances will dictate the nature of the mitigation measure amongst these options: 1 If the translocated individuals are released into existing populations of conspecifics, then it is a reinforcement provided there is a conservation benefit for the receiving population; evidence shows that individuals released into established populations may experience very high mortality.

2.

If they are released into empty habitat in indigenous range, then it is a reintroduction,

3.

If released into empty habitat that could not qualify as within indigenous range, then it is a conservation introduction, 4.

If released into an area that is definitively not habitat, it is an irresponsible release with no conservation benefit.

The first three options are covered under these Guidelines. The fourth option should not be allowed.

4. Removal for intensive protection Organisms may be removed from their natural environment into conditions of intensive protection, as provided by zoological and botanic gardens and other dedicated facilities. Where conservation is a claimed motivation, this is usually a response either to progressive reduction in numbers with an increased risk of local or total extinction, or as emergency action in the face of sudden catastrophic threat or reduction in numbers.

Where the stated purpose is to protect and/or propagate such species until individuals can be returned to the wild, conservation benefit is clearly intended. But, entry into intensive protection is not regarded as a release, and the conditions usually experienced (such as limited space, controlled environmental conditions, breeding programmes) are beyond the scope of these Guidelines. Many relevant aspects are considered in other IUCN resources11.

In contrast, any return of individuals from intensive protection back into natural conditions is a release and translocation; it should have conservation benefit, and will be covered by these Guidelines.

11

IUCN Technical Guidelines on the Management of Ex‐situ populations for Conservation (2012 in preparation)

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Least risk, least regret translocations Much reintroduction experience has been with species that are naturally scarce or threatened, and/or are already declining, or are extinct locally or globally.

The wider range of conservation translocations is less focused on rare species. Assisted colonisation is most often viewed as a solution for species facing extreme threat from climate change, irrespective of their current conservation status.

Translocations of species that are neither naturally scarce or declining, nor with high probabilities of extinction are increasing, often as partnerships between local communities and conservation professionals, in which the principle motivation is the restoration of a component of local cultural heritage.

While such small‐scale, community‐driven restorations should be subject to all relevant formal regulations and legislation, like any translocation, they are likely to be relatively low‐risk in terms of the cost of failure or the likelihood of extreme, adverse ecological impacts. These may be characterised as ‘low cost, low risk, least regret’ translocations. The Guidelines are equally applicable but, as they state, many of the recommended considerations around planning, feasibility and risk should have levels of effort proportional to the scale and nature of the intended translocation.

Annex 3: Deciding when translocation is an acceptable option 3.1

Introduction

1.

Any proposed species translocation should be justified by identifying a conservation benefit and weighing any benefits against risks, while considering alternative actions that could be taken.

Motivations such as experimenting solely for academic interest, releasing surplus captive stock, rehabilitation for welfare purposes, attracting funding or public profile, or moving organisms to facilitate economic development are not regarded here as conservation purposes.

2.

Species or populations that have small or declining populations or ranges, and/or high probabilities of extinction, will often be prime candidates. The metrics used by the IUCN Red List status can be used to assess the potential need for conservation intervention.

3.

While the ultimate aim of any conservation translocation is to secure a conservation benefit, this benefit may need long‐term or permanent management support to persist. Such obligations and their cost implications should be included in any assessment of alternative conservation solutions (below).

4.

Conservation priorities exist at the levels of species, biological communities and ecosystems for different purposes. Candidate species for conservation translocation might be accorded priority based on biological criteria such as their ecological role, their evolutionary distinctiveness or uniqueness, their role as flagship species, their degree of endangerment, or their potential as ecological replacements. Translocations may be promoted on grounds of cultural heritage and its restoration but this alone is not conservation benefit. The pivotal criteria for justifying any conservation translocation will be situation‐ and species‐specific.

5.

Where species are extinct, consequent changes in the ecosystem can indicate a need to restore the ecological function provided by the lost species; this would constitute justification for exploring an ecological replacement.

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3.2

Assessing extinction causes and threats

1.

Any proposed conservation translocation should be justified by first considering past causes of severe population decline or extinction. There should be confidence that these past causes would not again be threats to any prospective translocated populations.

2.

Threats need to be identified through all seasons and at appropriate geographic scale for the species, taking account of the species’ biological attributes and life history.

3.

During a species’ absence, potential new threats to any restored population may have arisen.

4.

All threats, direct and indirect, that might jeopardise attainment of the stated conservation benefit of the translocation should be identified and measures specified by which these threats would be mitigated or avoided.

5.

The spatial extent of a threat should be considered. Threats causing local extinctions are often acute but controllable, but threats that operate over all or a large part of the species’ range (such as pathogens, introduced predators or competitors, widespread land‐use change, atmospheric pollutants and climate change) are more difficult to manage.

The severity of impact or sensitivity to a threat may vary with demography or life stage.

6.

Threat assessments need to consider the adaptive capacity of the focal species; this capacity will tend to be higher in populations with high genetic diversity, long‐range dispersal and/or effective colonisation ability, short lifespans/high reproductive rates, phenotypic plasticity, and rapid evolutionary rates.

7.

Threats can be biological, physical (such as extreme climate events), or social, political or economic, or a combination of these.

8.

Threats may be inferred from anecdotal observations of conditions around the time of extinction, with subsequent rigorous testing of the anecdotes.

9.

It is useful to consider multiple hypotheses for causes of extinction or decline and to test these based on the available evidence; where significant uncertainty exists, an experimental approach within the translocation programme can provide guidance for implementation.

10.

A trial release may answer uncertainties such as the identity of past threats , but should only be contemplated where all formal requirements have been met, where consequences will be suitably monitored and will be used to refine further release design, and any unacceptable impacts can be mitigated or reversed.

3.3

Considering Alternatives

Many conservation translocations will yield conservation benefit only at high cost and with considerable risks. Therefore, irrespective of any conservation priority assigned to the species, any proposed translocation should be justified through comparison with alternative solutions, which might include: 1.

Increasing habitat availability through restoration, connectivity, corridor establishment, or habitat protection (area‐based solutions), 2.

Improving the viability of extant populations through management interventions such as pathogen, predator or invasive alien species control, food provision, assisted reproduction, or protective fencing (species‐based solutions), 3.

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4. Doing nothing: inaction on behalf of a rare and declining species may carry lower risks of extinction compared to those of alternative solutions, and the focal species might adapt naturally where it is or adjust its range without human intervention (no action).

5.

A conservation translocation may be used as one solution amongst these other approaches.

Annex 4: Planning a translocation 1.

The goals, objectives and actions should take into account the commonly observed phases of development of successfully translocated populations: 

The Establishment phase starts with the first release and ends when post‐release effects are no longer operating; these effects can include the effects of the translocation process, chance events in small populations, or a delay before reproduction occurs, all of which may slow initial growth.



The Growth phase is often characterised by high rates of increase and/or expansion of range, continuing until the population approaches carrying capacity.



The Regulation phase starts with the reduction in survival and/or recruitment due to increased population density.

2.

The rates and duration of the Establishment and Growth phases will vary widely and be species‐specific; they will influence the translocation flowchart (Figure 2).

Annex 5: Feasibility and Design 5.1

Background biological and ecological knowledge

1.

Information on the biology and ecology of wild populations (if they exist) should be collected or collated from available publications, reports, species action plans and consultations with relevant species experts including both professional and amateur naturalists.

2.

Background biological knowledge should cover aspects such as: reproduction, mating systems, social structure and behaviour, physical adaptations, individual growth and development, parental care, population dynamics in indigenous range.

3.

Background ecological knowledge should include biotic and abiotic habitat requirements, intraspecific variation, adaptations to local ecological conditions, seasonality and phenology, dispersal, and interspecific relationships including feeding, predation, disease, commensalism, symbioses and mutualisms.

5.2

Models, precedents for same/similar species

1.

Some type of modelling should be used to predict the outcome of a translocation under various scenarios, as a valuable insight for selecting the optimal strategy.

2.

It is always useful to construct a basic conceptual model (for example, verbal or diagrammatic), and then to convert this to a quantitative model if possible.

3.

Modelling and planning should be informed by data from previous species management activities including translocations of the same or similar species.

4.

If data are not available for the species, inferences can be made from closely related sub‐ species and/or ecologically similar species.

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5.3

Habitat

1.

As habitats vary over space and time, species’ ranges are dynamic. Environmental conditions will continue to change after species extinction. It is invalid to assume that former range will invariably provide suitable habitat.

2.

It is insufficient to address only the causes of the original population decline as other threats may have emerged during any period of extinction.

3.

It is essential to evaluate the current suitability of habitat in any proposed destination area.

4.

Although the habitat requirements of large, generalist animal species may be easy to infer, this will not usually be the case with many taxa, for instance those with complex life cycles such as migratory species or invertebrates with larval stages.

5.

A habitat assessment should include assurance of essential seasonal or episodic environmental variation.

6.

The occurrence and severity of episodic or unpredictable events that are extreme and adverse for the species should be assessed.

7.

The release area should be large enough to support the stated population targets. The effective habitat area will depend on the size and isolation of individual patches if the habitat is fragmented.

8.

Given the prevalence of habitat fragmentation, conservation translocation designs may include increasing connectivity between habitat fragments to establish a metapopulation (a set of populations with some dispersal between them).

9.

For some taxa, habitat quality and proximity to other sites may be more important determinants of habitat suitability than habitat patch size.

10.

Achieving suitable habitat may require its restoration or even creation, or removal of alien or non‐indigenous animals or plants that were a threat in the past to the focal species or would be a threat again for translocated individuals; any such removal should be done as humanely as possible and in a manner that causes minimum disruption to habitats or other species.

11.

While no organisms should be released without assessment of habitat quality in the destination area, the level of effort expended on assessment should be proportional to:    

the scale of area likely to be affected by the translocation and subsequent establishment, the degree of certainty on the expected performance of the released organisms, the level of risk of undesired and/or harmful outcomes, the ability to reverse unacceptable outcomes.

12.

Assessing habitat requirements will involve surveys of extant populations of the focal species if they remain in the wild. However, current range can be an unreliable indicator of habitat requirements if remnant populations have been forced into refuges of sub‐optimal habitat.

13.

The possible ecological roles of the focal species in the new environment should be carefully evaluated, with the particular concern that the conservation interests of other species and habitats will not be jeopardised by the translocation (Section 6).

14.

Plants, fungi and invertebrates that are immobile for at least part of their life cycle, require microsite assessment potentially at the scale of centimetres; in contrast, large animal species living in extreme or unpredictable conditions will require areas that will vary unpredictably in size and location between seasons and years.

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15.

As even the most detailed habitat assessments may not capture the full range of environmental variation during the lifespan of individuals of the focal species, the loss through death or dispersal of translocated individuals in some sites or in particular years should be expected.

16.

A candidate species may be linked with other species either through a shared ecological dependence or as providers of critical functions such as being a sole pollinator, a symbiont or host.

Any destination area should be surveyed for the presence of any essential co‐dependents of the focal species. It may then be necessary to translocate these essential species with the focal species; alternatively, species indigenous to the destination area may be able to assume these roles.

17.

The release area and essential habitat for the translocated organisms should be secure from incompatible land‐use change before the conservation goal is reached, and, ideally, in perpetuity.

5.4

Climate requirements

1.

The climate requirements for the focal species should be understood and matched to current and/or future climate at the destination site.

2.

The climate requirements of any candidate species for a conservation translocation can be assessed through measurement of key climate parameters in the species’ current range; this should include the extent of climate variation tolerated by the species based on its distribution; the resulting bio‐climate envelope can be used in models of predicted climate change to assess how the focal species might respond to scenarios of future climate; the results can be used to identify potentially suitable destination locations. However, the utility of this approach depends on many factors such as the availability and quality of data, spatial resolution and the climate change scenarios used12; in addition, the bio‐climate model for a species with a small, remaining range will under‐estimate the breadth of potentially suitable climatic conditions.

3.

A climate envelope model should be supplemented by a study of other factors that might determine habitat suitability and distribution, such as the presence of essential or co‐dependent species, the effects of predators, competitors, disease etc.

4.

Any determination that an area is habitat for a conservation translocation should include reassurance that its climate is predicted to remain suitable for the reintroduced species for long enough to achieve the desired conservation benefit, acknowledging the uncertainties inherent in climate projections.

5.5

Founders

Genetic considerations 1.

Any source population should be able to sustain removal of individuals/propagules, and removal should not jeopardise any critical ecological function, except in the case of an emergency or rescue removal.

2.

If there is little genetic variation in source material used for translocations, there are two potential risks: the first is that reproduction between related individuals can lead to reduced vigour, reproductive output and survival (inbreeding depression); the second is a lack of adequate genetic variation to enable survival and adaptation in the face of environmental change.

3.

Such genetic problems can occur due to sampling a source population with low genetic diversity (typically small/ isolated populations), biased sampling of a single source population, genetic bottlenecks in the translocation process, and unequal survival, establishment and reproductive output in the destination area.

12

http://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/RedListGuidelines.pdf

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4.

If founders originate from environments markedly different to the destination area, there is a risk of failure due to their being poorly adapted to the destination area.

5.

If a translocation programme involves mixing populations, there is the potential for fitness costs associated with genetic incompatibilities between different lineages (genetic outbreeding depression). Predicting the situations in which genetic incompatibilities may occur is not simple, and the fact that problems may not become apparent for 2‐3 generations makes pilot testing difficult.

However, recent meta‐analyses13 provide useful working principles.

6.

Taking individuals from multiple populations can increase the genetic diversity and decrease the risk of inbreeding depression in the translocated population. This is appropriate if outbreeding depression and/or (for animals) behavioural differences between the populations are considered unlikely.

7.

More radical strategies involve greater geographical or ecological distances between source and destination sites, and/or greater mixture of source material from multiple populations.

8.

Multiple sourcing aims to provide a balance between using primarily local/ecologically similar source material, and introducing decreasing proportions of genotypes with increasing geographical/ecological distance from any population at the destination site. This is designed to mimic the beneficial influx of ‘useful’ genetic variants from occasional long distance gene flow, without swamping out locally adapted variants. This approach is recommended for fragmented habitats in which either the fragments contain inbred individuals or their populations are considered unlikely to possess adequate genetic variation to respond to environmental change.

9.

Predictive sourcing aims to introduce genetic diversity that will be adapted to the predicted direction of environmental change. The challenge is to introduce material adapted to future environmental conditions, without being so maladapted to current conditions that it suffers immediate fitness consequences.

10.

A combination of multiple and predictive sourcing is a logical, but largely untested strategy for translocations in fragmented systems which are likely to suffer detrimental effects of climate change; it may be especially considered for conservation introductions.

11.

The relative risks and benefits associated with the choice of source population(s) will vary depending on the goals and type of translocation and source population availability A species’ life history traits are also relevant as they are major determinants of the amount and spatial distribution of a species’ genetic variation. As the ‘mixture approaches’ to translocations essentially involve providing variable source populations upon which natural selection can act, such sourcing may result in increased mortality, with possible consideration for animal welfare.

5.6

Disease and parasite considerations

1.

Surveillance of source populations can establish the potential pathogen community present; individuals can then be selected for purposes of reintroduction or translocation, based on a risk assessment.

2.

All aspects of the translocation process can cause stress‐induced disease: the conditions and duration of any quarantine, inappropriate disease prevention protocols, poorly designed transport containers and methods of transport, extended time in transport, and lack of adaptation prior to transport can contribute to the occurrence of disease and mortality during the translocation process.

13

Frankham R et al. (2011). Predicting the probability of outbreeding depression. Conservation Biology: 25:465‐475

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3.

The possibility of infection through interaction with human, domestic animal or inanimate elements during the translocation process is always present and in practice unpredictable; effective biosecurity is, therefore, a requirement throughout.

4.

Tools for management after release, such as feeding stations that concentrate or mix released and wild conspecifics, may promote the exchange of pathogens.

5.

Pathogen risk assessment of translocated plants should include the possibility of infection through interaction with wild and domestic plants, disease vectors or inanimate components during the translocation process.

6.

If an extinct host had parasites that also became extinct, then it is desirable from a restoration perspective to re‐establish those parasites with the translocated host; but, this should be subject to especially rigorous assessment of the risks to the same or other species in the destination area; an apparently benign mutual relationship between host and parasite at source may change adversely for the host in the destination environment.

7.

Translocations within geographical/administrative areas sharing diseases may not need extensive disease screening, but attention to managing infection threat should increase with the distance between source and destination sites.

Annex 6: Risk assessment 6.1

Assessing the risk landscape

1.

Any translocation may fail to deliver desired results or have unintended consequences. The probability of achieving desired results is favoured by early identification of the risk factors that might be encountered across all aspects of the translocation. Risk is assessed as the likelihood of any risk factor occurring, combined with the severity of its impact. The range of possible risks comprises the ‘risk landscape’.

2.

A risk assessment should carefully consider all information on the species’ biology, history of invasiveness in other geographical contexts (including closely‐related species in the same genus), known pathogens or parasites, probability of potential impacts ‐ including economic impacts, and available options for reversing those impacts. The risk assessment should take into account all sources of uncertainty and apply them at an appropriate spatial scale. In the case of translocations outside indigenous range, the risk assessment should include predictions of range expansion over various time periods.

3.

A risk analysis should include assessment of the availability of necessary resources to cope with problems that emerge during the translocation, and the subsequent likelihood of meeting all regulatory requirements.

4.

The uncertainty in risk assessment should be carefully considered, especially for translocations outside of indigenous ranges.

5.

It should be stressed that current risk assessment protocols focus at the single species level, and require in‐depth information on a species’ ecology. Thus, these protocols are not fully applicable to assemblages of species, or to taxonomic groups for which information is limited.

Translocations with transboundary risk 1.

Common duty and international law aim to prevent, reduce and control environmental harm to neighbouring countries, and to promote cooperation to manage transboundary environmental risks. States should carefully consider risks to neighbouring territories.

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Decision making

1.

The decision to proceed or not with a translocation requires weighing the potential risks against the expected benefits. This means assessing the probabilities that different outcomes may occur (either quantitatively or qualitatively), and placing values on those outcomes.

2.

For example, if a proposed conservation introduction is deemed to have a high probability of success and have a low probability of undesirable impact on the destination ecosystem, it might still be the wrong option if the current functioning of that ecosystem is highly valued. If impact on the ecosystem cannot be predicted confidently, risks cannot be assessed adequately, and translocation should not be the preferred option in these circumstances.

3.

The use of structured decision‐making frameworks is recommended, so the logic, value judgements and knowledge gaps behind such decisions are clear to everyone involved.

Managing undesirable outcomes 1.

Risk analysis should include an evaluation of options to reduce the risk of undesirable outcomes. The most obvious option is to remove the translocated population. However, this may be possible only at very early stages after establishment when undesirable effects may not yet be evident.

6.2 Risks to the source population 1.

Where a translocation involves removal of individuals or propagules from existing wild populations, any potential negative impacts on the source population should be assessed.

2.

If removal of individuals or propagules from a source population causes a reduction in its viability in the short‐term, the translocation objectives should include balancing this with the expected gain in viability of the destination population, so that the species has a greater overall viability than without the translocation within a stated time period.

3.

Translocations can affect not only the source populations of the focal species but may also have negative effects on associated/dependent species in the communities from which those individuals are removed.

4.

It may be beneficial to use non‐viable populations as sources of stock.

6.3

The ecological consequences of translocation

1.

The ecological consequences of a translocation include those affecting both the translocated species and other species or ecological processes in the destination community.

2.

The biological traits of a species in a source area may indicate its expected performance in a destination area; but species’ responses may be different under the ecological conditions of the destination area due, for example, to a change of predators or parasites or a different level of competition, or to interactions with other species already present.

3.

Translocated organisms will engage in any or many of the following ecological processes, irrespective of whether they are deemed desirable or undesirable, intended or unintended: at the level of species/populations or ecosystem structure, these may include: inter‐specific competition and predation, hybridisation (intra‐ and inter‐specific), disease transmission (pathogenic or vector/reservoir), parasitism, bio‐fouling, grazing/herbivory/ browsing, rooting/digging, trampling, interaction with invasive species , and introduction of pathogens to the same species, other species, or humans.

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at the level of ecosystem functioning, these may include modifications to: hydrology, nutrient regimes, food webs, natural benthic communities, complete replacement/loss of habitat, physical disturbance, fire regime, successional patterns and soil attributes including erosion, accretion and structure.

4.

The risks of undesirable effects increase greatly when a species is translocated outside its known range.

5.

The complex and interacting negative effects of introduced species on biodiversity, human health, cultural values and ecosystem services may only become evident decades after introduction.

6.4

Disease risk

1.

As it is not possible, despite all appropriate precautions, to ensure that translocated individuals of any species are completely free of all disease / pathogen risk, risk assessment should therefore focus on known pathogens in the translocation stock that are likely to have undesirable impacts on other organisms at the destination. Generalist pathogens with no known history at the destination are a particularly high risk.

6.5

Associated invasion risk

Where inadequate biosecurity protocols have resulted in further species being introduced with the translocated organisms, there is a risk of the former becoming invasive in the release area. If this happens, the benefits of the translocation may be insignificant compared to the damage done by the invasive species.

6.6

Gene escape

Intraspecific hybridisation 1.

Where translocations involve reinforcement, or reintroductions close to existing populations, there is a risk of genetic swamping of the resident population(s) by the translocated individuals. This can potentially cause a reduction in vigour or reproductive success in a small, stable, resident population if a large proportion of the subsequent reproductive output is derived from the less well‐adapted translocated stock.

Interspecific hybridisation 1.

Translocation of a population into the close vicinity of a closely related species may result in inter‐specific hybridisation which would not have occurred naturally. This is particularly likely in cases where a conservation introduction moves a species out of its extant range and overcomes natural geographical barriers to hybridisation with related species. In these situations, hybridisation can potentially threaten the genetic integrity / distinctiveness of the resident species, and in extreme cases extinction‐by‐hybridisation is possible.

6.7

Socio‐economic risks

1.

The risk assessment should cover the potential direct and indirect negative impacts on human interests: 

Direct effects on people and livelihoods such as potential or perceived dangers from released plants, animals and fungi, and the adverse public relations arising from any incidents,  Indirect ecological effects that could threaten food supplies or ecosystem services such as clean water, erosion control, pollination, or nutrient cycling.

2.

Any risk that the public in a source area might not accept the responsible removal of individuals as a necessary part of conservation benefit for the focal species should be addressed.

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6.8

Financial risks

1.

Where a translocated species causes significant, unacceptable consequences, such as its increase to damaging, pest status, the likely outcomes are:   

remedial costs may be very high, remedial costs cannot be met from project funds, funding for future conservation translocations is less likely.

Annex 7: Release and implementation Many essential aspects of founder selection are covered under ‘Biological feasibility – Founders’ (Guidelines Section 5.1 and Annex 5.5). This section covers the specific and proximate factors that will shape founder demographics for maximum chance of successful release and establishment, and the variety of possible supportive management actions.

1.

The most appropriate life stage for translocation should be identified.

2.

The optimum number of individuals to translocate will vary from species to species and with the objectives of each translocation. The optimum number will be a trade‐off between impact on the source population and reducing the risk of the founder population failing to establish because of random effects on a small population, and lack of genetic diversity.

3.

Mortality in the translocated population may mean that the number of effective founders is considerably less than the number translocated.

4.

While successful establishment of translocated populations often depends on the release of individuals in natural sex ratios and age classes (and social groupings in animals), it may be enhanced by deliberate bias in founder selection, for example either by increasing the proportion of individuals of breeding age or by favouring the proportion of juveniles; any such strategy will be specific to the species and circumstances.

5.

Plant founder selection will be influenced by the age class most amenable to successful transplanting; plants have scope for releasing individuals as seeds, which have advantages and disadvantages: they can be easy to transport and can be obtained in large numbers. The use of seeds can facilitate experimental approaches to translocation by testing different management options. However, as seeds may have mortality rates of >90%, a mixture of seeds, juvenile and adult plants is often an optimal release strategy.

6.

Population models can assist in determining the optimal strategy in terms of trade‐offs between source and founding populations, and in the optimal selection of numbers and composition of founders. After initial release, information from ongoing monitoring can define the optimum number and size of further releases through adaptive management (Annex 8.2).

Where individuals are sourced from small and declining populations, their number, age and 7. sex composition may be determined only by what is available.

8.

The life history, ecology and behaviour of the focal species, together with any seasonality in essential resource availability, should guide scheduling of releases; species may have periods of development during which they are more predisposed to disperse, establish home ranges, have higher mortality, or breed.

9.

Releasing individuals over several years may help to overcome inter‐annual variation in climate and the occurrence of natural disturbances that occur infrequently but with severe results.

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10.

Releases at multiple sites will increase the chance of selecting favourable habitat, avoiding localised disturbance events, and may encourage development of local sub‐populations.

11.

Repeat releases at one site may allow newly released animals to learn survival skills from those released earlier, but the social or territorial behaviour of some species may discourage such repeat releases.

12.

Low survival in released organisms can be due to a wide range of health, behavioural, or other ecological factors; diverse management options can contribute to higher post‐release success.

13.

Released animals should exhibit behaviours essential for survival and reproduction, and for compatibility with any conspecifics in the release area; it may sometimes be desirable to move groups of animals with their social relationships intact.

14.

Animals can be behaviourally conditioned before release to avoid predators, or to develop predatory skills that may have been lost either over short periods or successive generations in captivity; this may be particularly valuable for socially complex species; where possible, practitioners should design experiments to determine the efficacy of conditioning techniques and/or to determine correlates between pre‐release behaviour and post‐release survival.

15.

Pre‐release treatment or medication can help to protect animals and plants from pathogens encountered after release.

16.

Animals may be held for some period at the release site to allow them to accustom to local conditions or enhance social group cohesion; such procedures are most likely to be useful with captive‐bred animals, but should never be assumed to be useful without evidence.

17.

Rapid dispersal of animals from release sites is common, and may be linked to stress before or during the release process; such movements are also often associated with immediate post‐ release mortality and occasionally low reproductive rates; in contrast, a period of confinement at the release site can discourage translocated animals from returning to their source area.

18.

Horticultural management can prepare plants for local conditions through modifying conditions such as irrigation, light levels and available nutrients.

19.

During or following release, the provision of artificial caging, shelters or residences, or supplementary food and water can increase survival of plants and animals, but may also promote disease transmission through artificially concentrating individuals.

20.

For some species such as invertebrates, amphibians or reptiles, ‘head‐starting’ avoids the heavy mortality of young age classes in the wild; wild hatchlings are reared in protective enclosures before release at less susceptible size/age.

21.

In various species, ‘fostering’ integrates captive‐bred or orphaned eggs/wild young with offspring that are already being raised by wild‐born parents; this may allow the translocated young to be fed by wild conspecifics and to learn behaviours and traditions that may be critical for survival.

Annex 8: Outcome assessment and continuing management 8.1 Survey / monitoring before release It is desirable to collect baseline information on any area before releases into it. Without it, it is difficult to ascribe observed changes after release to the impacts of the released organisms.

The resources for pre‐release survey are likely to be less than for post‐release monitoring; hence, pre‐release effort should focus on the species and ecological functions most likely to be affected by the translocation. \120807 Annexes v3.3 clean

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While the emphases of pre‐ and post‐release monitoring may differ slightly, their methods and resulting data should allow direct comparison.

8.2 Monitoring after release While post‐release monitoring is an essential part of a responsible conservation translocation, the intensity and duration of monitoring should be proportional to the scale of the translocation (in terms, for example, of the numbers of organisms released, their ecological roles, the size of area affected) and the levels of uncertainty and of risk around the translocation results.

Demographic monitoring 1.

Translocation objectives are often stated in terms of desired population sizes or probabilities of extinction within defined time frames (Guidelines Section 4). Assessing whether populations are likely to meet these objectives requires demographic models of populations, so the information from monitoring should be designed to allow choice between alternative models and model parameters. Monitoring can just involve estimating (or indexing) abundance, but predictions will be much more precise if data are collected on vital rates, such as survival, reproduction and dispersal.

2.

Methods of estimating abundance include sample plots, with methods to account for incomplete detectability; indices of relative abundance or presence/absence surveys may be adequate, but only if objectives focus solely on the growth or spread of populations.

3.

Estimating survival rates involves monitoring a sample of marked (or otherwise identifiable) individuals; incomplete detectability should be accounted for to avoid biased survival estimates, and it may also be important to avoid confounding death and dispersal; where it is difficult to mark or directly observe individuals, photo identification using natural markings or genetic monitoring (see below) may be appropriate.

4.

Estimating reproductive success involves quantifying numbers of offspring or propagules produced, along with establishment rates of offspring in the translocated population; this requires field surveys to identify reproductive individuals, their breeding locations, and the fate of their offspring, especially their survival to reproductive age; alternatively, it may be adequate to estimate recruitment, for example through the number of new individuals entering the population per individual currently present.

5.

Monitoring detail will be determined by the species’ longevity and specific attributes such as age of first reproduction.

6.

Monitoring should cover the entire area occupied by the translocated population.

Behavioural monitoring Behaviours which can yield insights into the adjustment of translocated animals to the destination area include activity and movement patterns, foraging behaviour and diet selection, social organisation, breeding season and success.

Ecological monitoring 1.

Ecological monitoring should be undertaken to record the ecological changes associated with the translocation, and to contribute towards the general knowledge basis for translocation feasibility and design. It is most unlikely that any translocated organism can attain its intended demographic targets without evident ecological impacts.

2.

Ecological monitoring is also necessary to link changes in habitat, for whatever reason, to the translocated population’s demography.

3.

Unexpected consequences of a translocation should be detected and monitored to see whether their longer‐term impacts will be neutral, negative or positive. \120807 Annexes v3.3 clean

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4.

The appearance of unintended and undesirable adverse impacts following translocation may prompt radical changes of management or even reversal of the translocation (Annex 8.3).

5.

Where a translocation purpose is to restore an ecological function, monitoring should include a focus on detecting and measuring the return of this function.

Genetic monitoring 1.

Genetic markers can establish the proportion of genetic diversity that is captured from the source populations and whether this diversity is maintained in the transition to the established population at the release site(s). Tissues taken and stored in the early stages of a translocation programme can be a cost‐effective resource for future evaluation of genetic change.

2.

In well‐resourced projects, genetic monitoring may also be used to make demographic inferences, such as insights into the number of adults contributing to subsequent generations, the extent to which translocated individuals in reinforcement are contributing genes to the resident population, and for gaining general insights into behavioural ecology or population size.

Health and mortality monitoring 1.

Monitoring can assess whether there are unacceptably high levels of disease/adverse welfare/mortality which will impact on the success of the translocated population, or which may present a threat to any neighbouring populations; however, if recapture is needed for this purpose, it may only exacerbate underlying problems.

2.

Identifying the causes of death accurately and precisely can be critical in assessing translocation progress and indicating the challenges facing the establishing population.

Socio‐economic and financial monitoring 1.

The socio‐economic and financial impacts of any translocation should be monitored, especially in a conservation introduction.

2.

Where such impacts are undesirable and unacceptable, monitoring results can prompt changes in management or an exit strategy (Annex 8.3).

8.3

Continuing management

1.

Monitoring information enables managers to assess whether objectives are being met according to schedule. This information can then be used both to adjust any ongoing management of the current population and, more generally, to contribute to the design of other translocations.

2.

Adjustments may involve increasing or decreasing the intensity of management or changing the type of management. For example, if a translocated population failed to grow despite ongoing management, it might make sense to increase the intensity of that management. Alternatively, it might be better to try a different management option or even discontinue management and relocate the remaining individuals elsewhere. If monitoring indicated the translocated population was having undesirable impacts, this could potentially lead to a decision to control or remove the population or conduct other management actions to lessen these impacts. The decision process should be transparent, and reflect current understanding of the population’s dynamics and impacts, the values placed on different outcomes by all people involved, and the cost of management options.

3.

Although decisions need to be made, it is essential to acknowledge the uncertainty in population predictions. There are two sources of uncertainty in these predictions. First, populations are subject to random variation due to chance fates for individuals (demographic stochasticity) or to environmental fluctuations (environmental stochasticity). Second, understanding of populations is always limited, and decisions should be supported by inclusion of the assumptions behind them and the extent of uncertainty in biological knowledge of them. \120807 Annexes v3.3 clean

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4.

A key benefit of monitoring is that it allows practitioners to progressively improve understanding and therefore develop more accurate models for further predictions and objective setting. This is especially useful when original objectives cannot be met due to factors beyond management control. This process of learning from management results is called “adaptive management”. However, adaptive management does not mean merely adjusting management following monitoring; it means having clear models in place in advance that are then evaluated against monitoring results. It is sometimes appropriate to manipulate management actions deliberately to gain knowledge, a process known as “active adaptive management”. For example, if a translocated population is growing at the target rate under a management regime, it may make sense to temporarily discontinue the regime to ensure it is necessary.

Annex 9: Dissemination of information 1.

Dissemination aims to ensure that maximum information around a conservation translocation is available in timely and suitable fashion to target audiences. Hence, communication should start at the planning stage, followed by reporting on progress at key stages of the project, and with this information disseminated to all parties involved.

2.

Effective communication of information through the course of a conservation translocation serves the following purposes: 

   

It prevents conflict with interested parties in both source and destination areas, and generates trust that any translocation is undertaken with integrity and without hidden motives (the corollary is that retrospective management of negative interactions can be costly and damaging to the translocation), It allows the evaluation of success whilst translocation is actively implemented, and should provide a lasting record of methods, monitoring and results that contribute to retrospective evaluation and comparison with other translocation attempts, Dissemination of results is often part of statutory or contractual requirements, It contributes to assessments of species’ status by providing data on survival and range, It provides a lasting record of the origins of any population of the translocated species.

3.

Mechanisms for communication should be relevant to the intended audience, but should include several of the following platforms; use of these may be combined with consultative processes:      

Internet resources, social media, presentations at venues around the release area, Publication mechanisms of statutory bodies which should be publicly accessible unless good cause is given for maintaining confidentiality.

Publication mechanisms of non‐governmental organisations where these are made publicly available.

Databases of translocations kept by statutory bodies or non‐governmental organisations.

Meta‐analyses of conservation translocation success across major taxa.

Publication in peer‐reviewed media confers an assurance of quality, and permanent, formal citation; this allows publications to be sourced and become a resource for any subsequent evidence‐based, systematic reviews.

4.

Information should be disseminated in languages and formats best suited to serve essential and interested parties and organisations.

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RES 67.1

IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations Background Humans have moved organisms between sites for their own purposes for millennia. This has yielded benefits for humankind, but in some cases has led to disastrous impacts. IUCN stated its perspective on such moves with its 1987 Position Statement on the Translocation of Living Organisms. Subsequently, the Species Survival Commission’s Reintroduction Specialist Group developed policy guidelines that were approved by IUCN’s Council in 1995 and published in 1998 as the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction. The Guidelines were short and practical in focus and have been used by other SSC Specialist Groups to derive more detailed guidelines for their own taxa and purposes.

In 2010 guidelines were deemed to need review and revision and the new guidelines were now adopted by IUCN/SSC Steering Committee on 5th September 2012 (annexed to this RES 67.1).

The 67th WAZA Annual Conference NOTES that guidelines of 1998 were based on a relatively small body of experience: the last 20 years have seen an explosion of reintroduction effort, experience and thinking and development of theory,

APPLAUDES the IUCN/SSC to the effort of making the new guidelines “future‑proof” by emphasizing the assessment of risk and our level of uncertainty in our ecological knowledge; the history of invasive species is directly relevant, encouraging UNDERSTANDS that reintroduction extreme caution; hence, the tone of now has to be seen as merely one the Guidelines is precautionary, have operation within a spectrum of‘ cona wider scope and encourage considservation translocations’; reintroduceration of alternative solutions to a tion is now seen less as the return of a translocation. single species but more as part of the restoration of habitats and ultimately 1. WELCOMES the revision of the restoration of ecosystem services, 1998 IUCN Guidelines for Reintroduction, now called “IUCN GuideACKNOWLEDGES that today far lines for Reintroductions and other more is known about how animals Conservation Translocations” perceive their world and respond to 2. RECOMMENDS that WAZA it: hence, there is greater emphasis members shall pay attention to in the new Guidelines on welfare and the “IUCN Guidelines for Reintroon the importance of social behaviour ductions and other Conservation and relationships in reintroduction Translocations” as part of their design and, indeed, their success rate. conservation activities FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES the increasing rate and complexity of global change, including habitat loss, species declines, biological invasions and climate change that suggest entry into an age of “ecological surprises” where management solutions based on historical precedent may not always be adequate for future biodiversity conservation needs

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Emergency Climate Change Resolution on Avoiding Disastrous and Unmanageable Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Impacts by Returning Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations to Below 350 Parts Per Million While It Is Still Possible To Do So

The 67th WAZA Annual Conference RECOGNIZING that NASA’s confirmation (27 August 2012) that Arctic sea ice has shrunk to a new low in the era of detailed satellite observations as further evidence that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) have already exceeded their safe planetary boundary; CONCERNED that climate system inertia is masking the true impact of current CO2 levels and the amplifying feedback effects they are already starting to generate; ALARMED that their combined impacts will include unstoppable disintegration of sea ice, ice‑sheets and mountain glaciers with resultant dangerous sea level rise and greatly reduced freshwater supplies; thawing and release of frozen carbon and methane hydrates; ocean acidification; shifting climate zones; extreme weather events and mass biodiversity extinctions with profound consequences for humanity;

Therefore RECOGNISING that the essential mit- REQUESTS all WAZA members to: igation actions are a linear phase‑out of coal emissions by 2030; avoid• Actively reduce CO2 emissions whering emissions from‘ hard to reach’ ever possible and where it is not conventional oil and gas reserves, possible to compensate for via best avoiding emissions of oil shale, tar practice habitat support initiatives. sands and other unconventional fossil • Call on world leaders to avoid disfuels and reducing current atmosastrous and unmanageable climate pheric CO2 concentrations to below change and ocean acidification im350 parts per million (ppm), especially pacts by implementing the essential through reversing the destruction mitigation actions detailed in this and degradation of natural habitats emergency resolution for curtailing and the negative net impact of agrifurther growth of CO2 emissions and cultural practices; returning atmospheric CO2 concentrations to below 350ppm while it is FURTHER RECOGNISING that the still possible to do so. fate of biodiversity and humanity is • Prioritise awareness raising and dependent on these dangers and mitvisitor engagement focus on these igation imperatives being acknowlthreat and response issues. edged and effectively addressed;

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Supporting information • NASA (27 August 2012) Arctic sea ice shrinks to new low in satellite era www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/arctic‑seaice‑2012.html • National Snow and Ice Data Center (NISDC) August 27 2012 Arctic Sea Ice News & Analysis http://nsidc. org/arcticseaicenews/ • AMAP, 2011. Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA): Climate Change and the Cryosphere.

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), Oslo, Norway. xii + 538 pp. http://amap.no/swipa/.

With briefing video: www.youtube. com/watch? v=RTF2Ll9g_W4 • Arctic summer sea ice tipping point.

2011 Video briefing featuring Dr’s Ted Scambos, Robbie Macdonald, Don Perovich, Mark • Serreze and Vladimir Romanovsky. http://vimeo.com/34547995 • Anthony et al (2012) Geologic methane seeps along boundaries of Arctic permafrost thaw and melting glaciers. Nature Geoscience 5: 419426. www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/ v5/n6/full/ngeo1480.html • Barnosky et al (2012) Approaching a state shift in Earth’s biosphere.

Nature 486: 52-58. www.nature. com/nature /journal/v486/n7401/full/ nature11018.html • DeConto et al (2012) Past extreme warming events linked to massive carbon release from thawing permafrost. Nature 484: 87-91. www. nature.com/nature/journal/v484/ n7392/full/nature10929.htm

• Duarte et al (2012) Abrupt Climate • Veron, J. E. N. (2011) Ocean Acidi‑ Change in the Arctic. Nature Climate fication and coral reefs: An emerg‑ Change 2: 60–62. www.nature.com/ ing big picture. Diversity 2011, 3, nclimate/journal/v2/n2/full/ncli262-274 www.mdpi.com/1424mate1386.html 2818/3/2/262/pdf • Hansen et al (Submitted) Scien• An Iterative Reference List of tific Case for Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change Science, Policy & Climate Change to Protect young Related Information. World AssociaPeople and Nature. Proc. Natl. Acad. tion of Zoos and Aquariums, Botanic Sci. http://pubs.giss.nasa.gov/abs/ Gardens Conservation International, ha08510t.html Zoological Society of London and • Hansen et al (2011) Earth’s enIUCN’s Conservation Breeding Speergy imbalance and implications cialist Group and Climate Change Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 13421Specialist Group. www.waza.org/en/ 13449 www.atmos‑chem‑phys. site/conservation/climate‑change net/11/13421/2011/acp‑11-134212011.html • Kort et al (2012) Atmospheric observations of Arctic Ocean methane emissions up to 82° north. Nature Geoscience www.nature.com/ngeo/ journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo1452. html • Koven et al (2011) Permafrost carbon‑climate feedbacks accelerate global warming. PNAS www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/08/17/1103910108.full.pdf • Isaksen, et al (2011), Strong atmospheric chemistry feedback to climate warming from Arctic methane emissions, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 25, GB2002, www. atmos.washington.edu/academics/ classes/2011Q2/558/IsaksenGB2011. pdfV

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RES 67.2

Emergency climate change and ocean acidification resolution Annex 1. New

2. Urgent

This emergency resolution is responding to newly published science and real‑time impact observations. These predominantly, but not exclusively, pertain to polar, montane and methane hydrate cryosphere impacts and their implications. The latest such development is NASA’s confirmation (27 August 2012) that Arctic sea ice has shrunk to a new low in the period of accurate satellite observations. These developments strongly support the scientific case that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have exceeded their relatively safe planetary boundary of 350ppm and urgently need returning below this level if disastrous and unmanageable climate change and ocean acidification impacts are to be avoided.

The above impact developments together with amplifying feedbacks and climate system inertia considerations imply a greatly reduced response time for implementing the essential mitigation actions highlighted in the resolution.

3. Could not have been foreseen In addition to the newly published science, impact observations and their elevated threat implications, the motion is necessitated by the continued inadequate formal recognition (across intergovernmental, national, academic, environmental and socio‑economic sectors) of the threat severity and policy response imperatives. Resultant continued tracking of worst‑case IPCC emission scenarios with no sign of effective commitment to, or implementation of essential mitigation actions highlights the current lack of effective engagement, especially in context of the greatly reduced response time remaining.

4. Responds to matters of the agenda The threat and response issues addressed by this emergency resolution are highly relevant to our communitys overarching conservation interests and highlights the critical role that our community has in determining best conservation responses and helping to resolve the current dilemma of insufficient threat acknowledgement and inadequate policy responses to this great environmental crisis.

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DOC 67.29REV

WAZA Budget 2013 Values in Swiss Francs (CHF), 1 CHF= 0.814 â‚Ź =1.085 $ US as of 6 Oct 2011 Income

Budget 2013

Budget 2012

862,147.08

808,180,00

Sponsoring

5,000.00

20,000,00

Sales & Services

2,000.00

3,000,00

Credit interest

1,000.00

2,000,00

TOTAL Income

870,147.08

833,180,00

Budget 2013

Budget 2012

-565,000.00

-562,000.00

-45,000.00

-45,000.00

-103,000.00

-95,000.00

Meetings

-12,000.00

-10,000.00

Equipment & Premises

-36,000.00

-32 000.00

Expendable goods & maintenance

-34,500.00

-39,500.00

Marketing

-59,700.00

-60,800.00

Bank charges

-2,500.00

-2,500.00

Taxes

-2,000.00

-2,000.00

-10,000.00

-10,000.00

-869,700.00

-858,800.00

447.08

-25,620.00

Membership fees*

Expenses Salaries & Consultants Travel Projects, grants

Sundry TOTAL Expenses SALDO/BALANCE * 3% increase

Extraordinary Budget Income MAVA 2013

471,907.00

Expenses MAVA

-571,907.00

Strategic developments

-100,000.00

CPM support SALDO/BALANCE Income MAVA 2012*

-25,000.00 -225,000.00 143,698.00

Expenses 2012

-243,698.00

SALDO/BALANCE

-100,000.00

* As MAVA project not yet accepted and started (unused funds of 2012 will be carried over for 2013)

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The 2012 WAZA Heini Hediger Award Presented by Jörg Junhold to Dr Alex Rübel

Dear Colleagues, distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Tonight it is my honest pleasure to honour one personality of our community by presenting the Heini Hediger Award. As you know this award is given in recognition of an outstanding service to the zoo and aquarium community.

This year’s awardee is someone who has known Prof. Heini Hediger personally as and who has even published a detailed biography of this great zoo man. It is an enormous priviledge for me to present the Heini Hediger Award to my good friend and colleague Dr. Alex Rübel.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me use different keywords in order to characterize the various fields of Alex Rübel’s achievements during his previous career.

Alex Rübel and the Zoo Zürich Alex has studied veterinary medicine in Zürich and later on took up Advanced Education in the USA in 1986 and a Postgraduate Executive Development Course in France in 1991. You can see his broad interest in all of these different fields, he never stopped to engage in new issues and areas to learn from.

After finishing his study with the title of a Dr. of Veterinary Medicine he worked in a variety of veterinary clinics and later at the University of Zürich in the Clinic for Zoo, Domestic and Wild Animals. In 1986 he became Assistant Zoo Veterinarian in Zürich Zoo and only a few years later in November 1990 he was elected as Director of Zürich Zoo.

This was the beginning of a dramatic change of the objectives and goals of the zoo. Only one year later in 1992 the zoo linked itself to the first World Zoo Conservation Strategy which was not even published at this time and adopted its goals. Consequently Alex started to plan and construct numerous innovative and modern exhibits like the Mountain Cloud Forest for spectacled bears and the Himalya exhibit for snow leopards and Amur tigers in 1995. A real milestone was the Masoala Rainforest which was opened in 2003. This phantastic huge tropical hall is devoted to conservation projects in Madagascar which means a perfect link between the in situ and ex situ work of the zoo. According to the goals of the World Zoo Conservation Strategy an Education Centre was opened in 2005 to increase the visitor‘ s possibility to broaden their awareness. As you can see clearly Zürich Zoo began to use the animals as ambassadors for their wild relatives very early and through this inspired the whole zoo community.

In 2008 the High Mountain Exhibit for geladas and ibex followed and the South American Pantanal for tapirs and anteaters is the latest new area of the zoo since 2012.

A spectacular elephant park is already under construction and will open in 2014 and more projects are existing in the master plan to be finished till the year 2020.

You will be with me when I say that this development is outstanding in our community and serves as a source of inspiration and ideas for all of us. Alex has ensured the best possible future for his zoo and all of this is deeply linked to the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. Zoo Zürich is a true ambassador for the conservation message of our community!

Alex Rübel and WAZA We can not think of WAZA while not at the same time being aware of Alex‘ role for our organization. He has contributed his time and energy generously and helped to inspire and push forward the development of WAZA. He was among the World Zoo Organization council members in 1998 and 1999 who crafted a new path for the community to put before its members including a dramatic revision of the Bylaws, change of name and logo. Shortly afterwards Alex was part of the commission with responsibility of vetting the candidates for the new and all important position of the Executive Director as well as location of the first office. Alex made the following argument in favour of the new direction: “We, as zoos and zoo associations, will never be respected as global players in conservation if we are not able to speak with one voice and appear under one common brand“.

From 2001 to 2003 Alex was our WAZA President and he formed this new mission.

This shift in our self‑understanding was the birth of the true conservation oriented world wide zoo organization and I like to thank and applaude Alex again for this great piece of work. Our engagement and our success today are a logical result of this forward leading role that Alex has developed.

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Alex Rübel and Conservation Alex is deeply convinced of the potentials of conservation efforts. He has served on a number of prestigious conservation organizations such as the Association of Avian Veterinarians and as member and later Chairman of the EAZA Veterinary Committee next to serving in the EAZA Council as well. Alex has been a generous supporter and friend of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for two decades, a member since 1991 and Zürich Zoo a donor since 1992.

He has continiously served on the CBSG Steering Committee since 2002 and been a quiet contributor and a valued advisor with both his business acumen and his passion of conservation. Since 2003 he is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the renowned Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, which is collaborating with numerous zoos in research projects for the benefit of conservation goals.

Under Alex‘ directorship, Zoo Zürich created and supported many in situ conservation projects, a number of them reflected in the zoo‘ s outstanding exhibits like the Masoala Rainforest. This is an example of broad based effective zoo conservation for all of us. Zoo Zürich covers much of the expenses of the Masoala National Park in Madagascar using parts of the sales of the Masoala shop and restaurant and visitor donations. The zoo has contributed over one million US$ up to now. In addition several research projects in cooperation with Zürich University and different government organizations linked to conservation goals are conducted, for example to stop illegal logging by using a genetic fingerprint to prove the origin of precious woods.

Amphibians are another keystone of Zoo Zürich under the leadership of the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group. Alex is an enthusiastic partner of the Amphibian Ark and supports research projects to study the threats to amphibians. The zoo breeds several amphibian species and supports for example the Cali Zoo’s breeding centre for poison dart frogs.

The focus of Zoo Zürich on small neglected species like amphibians but also bats is admirable. Zürich hosts the Swiss Bat Conservation Foundation which runs activities to protect bats in Eastern Switzerland.

Another particular interest of Alex are Asian elephants and he is a member of the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group. The zoo supports the Kaeng Krachan National Park and surrounding forests reserves aiming for long term survival of this endangered species.

I could go on with more examples and details but you will be convinced by now that Alex truly burns for conservation in all its aspects.

Alex Rübel and myself When thinking about this laudation I felt that I should also point out how Alex has influenced and inspired me personally and my beliefs about conservation and the zoo’s role in it.

If you look at Zoo Leipzig and its engagement in conservation projects and how we link our exhibits to conservation goals you will notice a great simmilarity to Zürich. (A very good example is the tropical hall Gondwanaland which we opened last year and how this exhibit is connected to a rainforest conservation project in Malaysia in support of the Sabah rhino.)

I am sure we all think very highly of Alex both as a professional and as a person. When I met him first 13 years ago I was impressed by his communication and leadership skills and his ethical attitude. He can be not only a smart business man but also a charming entertainer. He is a man with vision and a passionate conservationist.

And even today he is one of my role models in our community!

Dear colleagues, herwith I like to present the Heini Hediger Award to my good friend and our most valued colleague Dr. Alex Rübel.

Alex, thank you for all of your inspiration that you have shared with us. I trust that you will be with us in the future to further help improving WAZA’s work and goals.

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Thank You for the Heini Hediger Award Strong are we only if we stand together in our community Alex Rübel – Director Zoo Zürich Thank you Jörg and all of you, my colleagues, for this exceptional honor, yes, it came as a big surprise, as I thought, that I am just too young for such an honor, which usually catches people at the end of their career.

Even I am quite a while in the zoo world, I still hope to be able to work for the zoos and especially for its conservation approach and inspire people to fight for our common goal – to fight extinction, – that’s why we are here today.

Let me give you some insight into Heini Hediger’s thinking and why I got inspired by Heini Hediger as a person – or even more by his way to look at the developments of zoos as conservation actors.

His first interest was in the animals itself and their psyche under – what he said – different conditions and all conceivable levels of relationships with human being, that is to say in the wilderness, during the accustomization, with regard to taming, dressage and training.

His interest went far above feeding and territorial behavior of animals, it included the soul, fear and sleep. He called himself an animal psychologist and became professor for that field.

Some of his best friends were Bernhard Grzimek and Konrad Lorenz, but he was always reluctant to become a behavioralist, a profession he thought will only work with statistics, which often misses the real life.

His strengths were exact observations of specific animal behaviors which he learnt from the fox and dozens other creatures he kept at his parents’ house.

So he wanted to prove the saga, that the beavers carry their young ones in their arms. And he redetected the superfetation of hares, what had been forgotten since Aristoteles.

He learned that zoo directors and curators had a limited knowledge of the animals and their behavior in their care. “If you do an exhibit for a specific animal, try to feel and focus an the environment as you were this specific animal”. He observed first and then tried to apply his observations in the zoo which led to much more naturalistic exhibits. His early book “Wild animals in captivity” tied to put this out in a scientific way.

His second important book “Man and animal in the zoo was the foundation of zoo biology, the science focusing on the adjacent field between zoology and human psychology, ecology and pathology. His viewing from the animal side also made him a fighter against the humanization of animals which he called the first step to animal cruelty.

Hediger was not an easy person, and had some strange habits. So after he has been bitten by a water dragon he only touched an animal wearing gloves. But his scientific approach, his knowledge and his communication skills were very strong.

Especially inspirational for me was his approach to conservation. One of his first publications was called “Zoological Gardens and Conservation”. He fighted to get the endangered European Otter protected in Switzerland and a waterdam for eletricity in one of the last habitats in Switzerland.

Coming back to this honor you gave me, I like to mention some events in my zoo life, and, as always, they are related to people we esteem. First of all, the American Zoo Veterinarians – some of them are here tonight like Eric. They not just taught me how to bleed a commodo dragon or a wild African elephant, they also taught me english. I have not had any english in school, as I did not want to go my father in school. I could do that taking ancient Greek instead.

The vets were a big help, because I still know how it feels sitting in a meeting were you only have of the sentences understand. But still, my first meeting as a WAZA president in a foreign language was one of the most exhausting moments in my life.

My first WAZA or – then – IUDG meeting was in Singapore and I signed on to the CBSG conference. I was fascinated, Ulie Seal inspired me for the conservation cause and gave me confidence that we as zoo really can make a difference.

And yes, we can do it, if we stand together as a community. There was a day, when Ulie Seal and Bert de Boer approached me and we sat together and outlined the project of the second edition of WSACS, which was finally taken along by Jo Gipps and Onnie Byers.

George Rabb and Bill Conway motivated me to bring the amphibian crisis to the knowlegde of the community in New York. We wanted that WAZA will take a lead in this fight. I remember well the evening after the workshop, where I went from colleague to colleague on the boat on the Hudson River to collect the first 100’000 Dollars to bring the amphibian campaign to life. Other colleages have helped to make it happen, Gordon Mc Gregor Reed and Lena Linden.

This shows, we can take initiatives, but strong are we only if we stand together in our community.

I like to thank you, dear Jörg and dear colleagues, for this exceptional honor.

I will give me power to promote our common cause and I hope, I can give something back of this honor and your friendship, to conserve wildlife and nature.

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Special Session on Population Management and Ocean Conservation

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Future Proofing Programs – an Australasian approach Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia Karen Fifield, Susan Hunt, Chris Hibbard, Carolyn Hogg, Amanda Embury

This paper aims to share the approach taken by the Zoo and Aquarium Association – Australasia (ZAA) for enhancing and delivering our regional species management programs and improving the accuracy of reporting and feedback to our members. We acknowledge that institution decision‑makers are keen to determine the level of resource commitment required to participate in a species management program, and the likelihood of success, available opportunities as well as assessment of any risks and their potential mitigation.

Consequently our species management documents have evolved beyond reporting on genetic and demographic parameters. They now also communicate evidence‑based details that will inform a Director’s or CEO’s decision on the value, commitment required and any challenges in participating in a specific program.

Introduction The Zoo and Aquarium Association has evolved rapidly since its formation as a regional association in 1990 when 10 organisations founded the Association – all large government sector zoos. Now in 2012, the Association hosts 87 members with a significant shift toward smaller private sector businesses. In Australia the industry attracts 17.7 million visitors per annum.

When the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP) started, program capacity was limited in line with membership size. These constraints prompted a rapidly evolving suite of programs for the management of exotic species. The driving factor was the need to ensure that there was effective management of the genetics of these populations.

The challenge was to apply sound principle of small population to a scenario that had many limitations.

This included the need for maintaining many species in non‑breeding situations for prolonged periods in order to avoid production of surplus. Currently the ASMP supports 116 professionally managed species programs.

The region has been fortunate to have a number of forward thinking people shape our regional programs, with acknowledgement going to Caroline Lees and Jonathan Wilcken for their contribution.

Both Australia and New Zealand have stringent legislation and regulations around import of wildlife. These restrictions have shaped our regional

animal collections. Primary production is a significant revenue earner and forms a major part of the regions export market. The region is also free of most major livestock and poultry diseases and as such there is a strong lobby to maintain very stringent requirements on animal movements and as such birds and pigs are not eligible for import and bovids are highly restricted.

During the 1990s, it was hoped that our regional collections could include various species nominated as priorities by IUCN/SSC Global Captive Action Plans, however stringent import requirements, particularly in regard to many of the range state countries and in several cases the limited availability of specimens – even within the zoo community did not see many of these realised upon.

Most exotic species managed under ASMP programs are managed to ensure that the species will be available for exhibition by zoos in this region, with conservation outcomes often being achieved by advocacy roles, although we do have a number of regional populations which are relevant and have value to global captive population; and our programs strive to consider both local and global requirements.

Zoos in this region have a significant opportunity for involvement in Recovery Programs for New Zealand native and Australian native species.

Thus our regional ASMP programs tend to have one of either of the two following objectives – sustain populations for conservation education in zoos or a contribution to Recovery programs.

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What Is Species Management?

In many organizations this has lead to changing profile of financial stakeholders and there is an increased requirement for confidence in accuracy Over the years we have considered and resilience.

In addition with the inthe term species management. When creased links to species recovery and we talk about species management, in‑situ conservation efforts facts and what do we mean? Are we talking accuracy are pivotal to maintaining about provision of animal welfare, credibility and relevance in a highly the way in which we manage species in our collections or are we talking competitive market – especially in about principles of small populations relation to external funding. These management? types of conversations were significant issues for many of our AssociaFor our ASMP programs we consider tions members and these conversathat all of these factors contribute to tion were ultimately the catalyst for species management, however difthe development of the Associations ferent stakeholders will have differing “Future Directions Project”. needs and focus.

A Directors Perspective Zoos present a complex business‑focussed operating environment working for conservation outcomes. Directors seek accessible, clear material to inform decisions and brief stakeholders. Evidence based information is a business priority, unfortunately is some cases‘ Zoomours’ or zoo based rumours can be considered as fact and compromise the integrity of evidence based decision making.

The Associations recently developed executive summaries for all managed species clearly illustrate a series of strategic, operational and small population biology trends that support sound and holistic decision making.

A summary of these executive summaries is published and provided to directors for the complete suite of managed programs and this further enhance business reporting on the overall investment made by members of the Association in the ASMP and its supported programs.

Future Directions Project In 2008 the Australasian Species management Program (ASMP), (the species management arm of ZAA) Committee formally raised concerns over the quality of delivery of its species management programs. This was the impetus for a significant change to the approach taken in delivering these programs and was titled the “ASMP Future Directions Project”.

The process implemented by the ZAA follows a process that came from Motorola in the late 1980’s. It’s a quality management methodology commonly known as the “Six Sigma” approach. It’s based on a cycle of constant quality improvement, review and refinement The small size of the Australasian region makes some of the regions animals programs at risk where the number of participants is limited and zoo spaces are at a premium.

Genetic and demographic stability can be challenged from a number of events whether the impacts of our own actions, those applied externally (Government legislation) or purely stochastic.

The Associations animal management portfolio comprised of 129 managed programs which were meeting their annual reporting requirements (and therefore providing some facts on program status) at a rate of 60%.

The project required that the suite of regionally prioritised species be re defined and this resulted in a critical analysis of the existing species programs. The initial approach to species selection had followed a typical and well considered TAG approach where the conservation value of the species were sought to be optimised. Whilst this was working in some cases, there were a number of species selected for management where the availability of specimens and/or supporting legislation was not allowing the regional collection plans to be implemented effectively and or opportunities were being lost where species subject to phase out were not being superseded at the same rate as those planned to phase in.

The Future Directions Project opted to look at the current operating environment both internal and external along with the status of the species populations at a broad population level in order to determine the likelihood of success.

This sorted the species into what was likely to be viable in terms of investing in a more detailed critical analysis process. Out of this process a number of existing animal programs were removed from the regional species management portfolio. These were species that typically were housed in low numbers, had poor commitment to future capacity, were genetically limited, and did not have supporting legislation in regard to importation.

The door for flexibility in the managed suite of programs was left open, however under a new application process whereby the Associations ASMP Committee would approve all applications to formally manage species from the TAGs. This requires that a number of key criteria around sustainability, such as access to founders, potential for inter regional collaboration, commitment to facilities and ability to import are all demonstrated before such approval is given.

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Building The Facts Around Performance There was a lot of guessing on the performance of the species programs, but only limited facts, and those facts were largely skewed to genetic analysis and in turn were only available where a program had a viable studbook and that studbook was being used to generate formal reporting.

Whilst several programs were performing admirably – there was not the level of consistency to present the facts across the whole suite of Association supported programs in order to inform the members of the Association in a manner that was evidence driven.

The Associations ASMP Committee had raised that the performance of a number of programs was not meeting expectation and solutions to issues were not readily apparent, however at the outset of the discussion the reasons for the lack of performance were largely anecdotal. There was a perception that outside (legislative) influences were a significant issue in regard to exotic species in particular.

On the basis of anecdote we may well have put significant resources into legislative issues, however not only were the facts not available to support this consideration later analysis of those facts would prove to be very revealing when working within the current legislative framework. The import of large animals into Australia is a costly exercise and any supported efforts need to be strategically useful.

The Association had undertaken a compliance report over a number of years to measure the rate at which individual members were implementing recommendations in regard to animal movements and breeding recommendations where formally provided and although the level of compliance was deemed to be high, this was largely based on‘ attempted’ rather than actual.

Although successful in developing a better awareness within organisations it was still only measuring individual participants and not the overall program success and achievements.

Benchmarking In order to determine the drivers behind the overall success or otherwise of the Associations programs we opted for an‘ all of business’ assessment model named as the ASMP Health Check Report This saw us assess programs in relation to three key areas; the program administration and training that the Association provides, the small population biology and implementation success of transfer and breeding recommendations supported through the membership participation and the level of support provided by external factors such as government legislation and ability to access founders. A final aggregated score flaged points of focus in determining the appropriate deployment of Association resources.

Managing The Change & Stakeholder Engagement Our Zoo communities have a diversity of views although sometimes we are not as good at celebrating people diversity as much as biodiversity.

Not everyone loves the facts! Like all organisations the Association has evolved in its membership over time.

The initial members of the Association tended to be the larger Government based organisations who had provided all of the establishment funding, drive and staff on which the Association was founded and as such services tended to suit the business model represented by the Government organisations.

As time has passed and the membership has grown a majority of the‘ growth’ has been in the private sector, including small fauna parks through to large international companies with interests in some of the country’s leading tourist attractions.

As the Association has developed there has been an increased reliance on a multitude of business models interacting with each other in order to make the best use of limited spaces and resources. As such the question of‘ what does our typical member or customer look like and how does the Association best cater for their needs’ becomes all the more important.

This also raises the important case of any one species serving a multitude of outcomes for an equally diverse range of stakeholders. The focus of the Associations approach has been on providing advice and facilitating opportunities that support the sustainability of the collections that the members desire to hold.

Previously a completely centralised model for the delivery of species management was considered, however the level of staffing predicted suggested that this was not cost effective and was not pursued. An effective model was required to resource the goal of program management supported from the membership with quality control oversight from the Association, Strategy led by the ASMP Committee and technical advice and problem solving supported through the TAG process.

This saw a new resourcing model established which aimed at developing clear lines of responsibility and inter relationships between the Association office, TAGs and member institutions.

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Policy & Procedure

Globalization

The approach is based on an “invitation to participate”. As part of the stakeholder engagement process the Association sought to redevelop a series of policies and procedures that took a complex topic and promote an intent driven framework that informed members and invited participation.

Program globalisation should not be seen as a cure for program challenges at the regional level. We need to take the responsibility for what we can facilitate as a region before defaulting to a global position. The various analysis undertaken by several regions all point to similar sorts of challenges facing their managed programs – essentially we are all on the same slope but some of us are further down the slope than others.

The approach is based on one of constant improvement and uses any developing‘ real life’ situations to shape changes and amendments. This has resulted in a policy and procedure framework that is short and accessible.

Government Affairs The Association has significantly increased its interface with Federal Government and through the mutual understanding of each other needs this has reduced permit processing times as well as invitations to sit on joint committee’s relative to vertebrate pest species and import risk assessment process for new species being considered for import.

The Association is proud of its participation on the WAZA CPM and as a contributor to the ISB and GSMP process. Part of the work is around communicating the benefit of ISBs and GSMPs and as such the ASMP has chosen to promote the WAZA ISB and GSMP label on all relevant regional documentation.

Global management across the diversity of partners requires all of us to value the connection, promote the process and acknowledge that changes to the way we do things will need to occur in order to maximise the potential.

Facing the Facts The health check report commenced tracking program statistics in 2008 and each year thereafter. In 2012 we conducted a review of the process to determine a measure of improvement. In 2008 there were 129 managed programs and by 2012 113 programs. The analysis indicated that significant improvement were observed in the Administration of programs for birds, herpetofauna, NZ fauna and ungulates. The Science area had improved for birds and legislative improvements for ungulate programs. This analysis was published in Zoo Biology, Hogg et al. (2012) Zoo Biol: DOI 10.1002/ zoo.21039

The current Health Check Report allows for easy assessment across a multitude of criteria and as a result of the observed trends will weight the scores in the science area more heavily as this is where the major trends on shortfall are showing. This was largely driven through the observed shortfalls in recommended specimen transfers and targeted breeding recommendations. In this regard we sought to better understand some of the drivers behind such information and what might be supported by the Association to address these. One such initiative was the assessment of observed breeding seasonality across programs and the resetting of deadlines for annual reporting where transfer and breeding recommendations were provided.

At a more specific level the Association has also sought to introduce more detailed analysis of studbook data to challenge thinking into quantifiable and evidence based dialogue.

Some of the improved functionality within the species management software packages have been instrumental in supporting this.

In order to reach the institutional leaders in a manner that provides both science and business context the Association has sought to publish the entire years programs as a series of Executive Summaries. These show trend analysis and identify key achievements and challenges that allow Directors and CEO’s to quickly determine the status of a particular program, the likelihood of success and inform decision making on whether joining the program has the required level of sustainability and/or meeds business confidence needs.

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Supporting Training

Resourcing Model

The Association has identified the need to target training with two current initiatives. The first is to understand the rationale and background to the outputs from the software packages. It has been found that whilst species coordinators are able to extract various outputs from the software, comparatively fewer full understand the rationale to such data and are able to critically review this.

The Mx values are a good example where the understanding of the Risk (Mx) scores is required to ensure expectations around success are not overly ambitious.

It’s accepted practice for zoos to have targets for admissions, budgets, catering and retail. Targets are set, and performance is monitored. As appropriate, adjustments will be made to ensure favourable outcomes. When zoos progress capital developments, there are stringent expectations around scope of the program, budget allocations and time for delivery. The program is constantly reviewed and assessed, with variations approved in responses to any changes required.

Another development in supporting a broadly distributed membership has been the development of self help training videos on a dedicated You Tube channel. This provides support to our members in the use of the various software packages and in turn how to extract specific outputs that are required as part of the Association’s Annual Reporting requirements for each of the managed programs. A trial run of these self help tools saw some with no or limited experience in the use of PMx for example to be able to complete annual reporting requirements with a very minimal level of additional training support.

It would make good sense then for a similar philosophy to be applied to management of our species. There should be rigour in developing programs to ensure that targets are identified, and clarity of roles (including resource commitments). Performance should be monitored, and if programs are not on track to deliver targets, investigation should occur to determine contributing factors, and appropriate risk mitigation occur.

The Association has supported a model of shared responsibility for the delivery of its species management portfolio. Key changes included shifting the responsibility for program reporting performance to the institution rather than the nominated species coordinator and repositioning the TAGs in a more husbandry focused support role to address the identified shortfalls in program performance through the ASMP Health Check report.

The first step in assessing programs is gaining reports. Encouraging ASMP position holders to complete reports has been a priority, with percentage return increasing. For 2011, reports were completed and submitted for 93% of ASMP Programs.

Previously we’ve known that some programs are in dire straits – but we’ve not really understood the factors contributing to lack of success. It was suggested that it might be due to inexperienced species co‑ordinators, or to the fact that we were unable to recruit new founders.

We have developed some simple techniques, to assess program performance, and to pin‑point factors that are compromising program delivery. This has resulted in an evidence‑based approach to assessment of our programs.

In summary we are continuing to • Promote the high level of reporting on our nominated programs • We’re no longer guessing because we now have the facts • With the facts we can now analyse the probable causes of program shortfalls and successes

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Mission of Mermaids (film screening) and Introduction to Ocean Acidification Presented by Ellycia Harrould‑Kolieb* Introduction Climate change is now widely recognized as the most significant environmental challenge of our time. This does not just mean that the environment or‘ nature’ is in danger. We too will suffer the consequences. We are inherently inseparable from the environment around us and are reliant upon the services it provides, from the air we breathe and the climates we inhabit, to the fertilized crops we consume. We are exquisitely adapted to the Earth as we know it. Unfortunately, our activities are now altering the balance of gases in the atmosphere – the very gases that help regulate the temperature and climate. Our ever‑growing greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly carbon dioxide, are trapping more heat in the atmosphere, causing the temperature of the Earth’s surface to rise. The result?

Melting ice caps, sea level rise, hotter average temperatures, shifting wildlife populations, changing disease patterns, and more severe droughts and storms. The disrupted climate system will dramatically change the way people live on this planet. We can expect to see more heat‑related sickness and death, and food supplies and food prices disrupted by more severe droughts. There will likely be widespread hunger in some countries and perhaps even famine. Rising sea levels will flood huge swaths of coastline. Within the coming centuries some of the world’s largest and most important cities – including New York City, Bangkok and London – will be at risk of flooding and even total immersion. Entire countries such as Bang-

ladesh and most small island nations will lose significant land area forcing millions of climate refugees to flee the rising seas.

Along with a disrupted climate system, our emissions of carbon dioxide are having a severe, but more insidious, impact on the oceans. The oceans absorb roughly 30 percent of global carbon emissions and 80 percent of the heat generated by increased levels of greenhouse gases, thereby mitigating some of the climate change that would otherwise occur.1,2 However, this relief comes at a great cost. Not only are the oceans warming and rising, but they are also becoming more acidic.

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the oceans results in reactions that are changing the chemistry of the oceans, through a process known as ocean acidification. This threatens marine organisms like hard corals, clams and crabs that create calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. The acid created by excess carbon dioxide in the oceans takes the materials these organisms would otherwise use to create shells and skeletons, and makes it unavailable.

This makes it increasingly difficult for corals and other marine animals to strengthen existing structures and build new ones. If ocean acidification continues, the very water that these organisms live in could become so corrosive that it would dissolve their shells and skeletons directly.

* first published by Oceana 2009 as Acid Test: Can We Save Our Oceans From Co2?

By Ellycia Harrould‑Kolieb & Jacqueline Savitz

While the chemical processes making the oceans more acidic are well understood and accepted, we are just beginning to understand the wide‑ranging effects acidification is likely to have on marine wildlife.

Increased acidity may not directly kill non‑calcifying organisms, but many are likely to be harmed in ways that reduce their overall fitness and ability to survive. These impacts could include decreased growth rate, reduced reproduction, disrupted respiratory and nervous system function and increased susceptibility to predators and disease, all of which could produce ripple effects through food webs and ecosystems. Ultimately, ocean acidification could transform the oceans, leaving them far less diverse and productive and making the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on them far more uncertain.

According to Stanford University oceanographer Ken Caldeira and his colleagues: “[The] chemical effects of CO2 on the marine environment may be as great a cause for concern as the radiative effects of CO2 on Earth’s climate.” 3

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Reaching the Limits Current atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are already above safe levels. As a result, significant changes are already taking place throughout the oceans, from decreasing growth rates of corals on the Great Barrier Reef to massive coral bleaching events across the tropics. Coral reefs provide important habitat to a quarter of all marine species and are critical to the lives and livelihoods of many humans. Allowing coral reefs to disappear would result in intolerable changes throughout the oceans and to the lives of hundreds of millions of humans. What happens to coral reefs will foreshadow other catastrophic changes that are likely to take place around the world due to ocean acidification and climate change.

To prevent the loss of coral reefs, and ultimately avert a climate crisis, we must reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below 350 parts per million (ppm).4 Unfortunately, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has already reached 385 part per million and is still climbing.5 This current level is also much higher than it has been at any time over the course of human civilization.6 In today’s society carbon dioxide emissions are directly tied to our continually growing need for energy. Recent figures released by the U. S. Energy and Information Administration (EIA) suggest that staying on the current business‑as‑usual (BAU) path, where

current laws and policies remain unchanged, will result in world energy consumption in 2030 that is 50 percent above 2005 levels.7 This would result in an atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration of over 570 ppm.8 If we continue along our current emissions path reefs will continue to degrade and could be pushed passed a tipping point, which is likely to occur at an atmospheric carbon dioxide level of around 450 ppm. At this point, reefs as we know them would be threatened with extinction. Once we surpass this tipping point coral reefs will shrink rapidly,9 and at least half of coral‑associated wildlife will become rare or extinct. Shortly after that, coral reef ecosystems will likely be reduced to crumbling frameworks with few calcareous corals remaining.10 Since coral reefs take decades or even centuries to form, once such damage is done, the impacts will be irreversible for generations.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that in order to stabilize carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at 350 ppm, global carbon dioxide emissions would need to be cut 85 percent below 2000 levels by 2050,11 and in order to achieve this Annex I countries (industrialized countries and countries with economies in transition, such as the Russian Federation) would need to reduce their carbon emissions by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 to 95 percent by 2050.

Because these are not easy goals to achieve, countries and the international community must take action now to meet them. Our ability to set and meet short‑term goals over the coming years will determine how successful we will be at safely stabilizing the climate. The longer we wait to act the more difficult averting catastrophe becomes.

Findings

To save coral reefs from ocean acidification, we must stabilize atmospheric This report highlights the following carbon dioxide at or below a concenrecent findings demonstrating that tration of 350 ppm. By doing so, we ocean acidification is already ocwill also prevent other climate‑relatcurring and threatening the oceans. ed catastrophes. Current atmospheric It also identifies the likely consecarbon dioxide levels already exceed quences of continued carbon dioxide this amount, and with a projected emissions for oceans and marine increase over the coming decades ecosystems. it is vital to get on the right trajectory within the next few years and • Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to make sure that carbon emissions higher than it has been for 800,000 peak and begin to decline within years and probably for much a decade. longer.12 • The acidity of the ocean surface has increased 30 percent since before the Industrial Revolution.13 If current trends continue, it could rise by another 100 percent by the end of this century14, exceeding the levels of the past 20 million years.15 • The increased amount of carbon dioxide the oceans are absorbing alters the movement of nutrients and chemicals in the oceans and has wide ranging effects on ecosystems and marine life.16 • The higher acidity will also affect growth, reproduction, disease resistance and other biological and physiological processes in many species.21

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This may lead to population crashes in many species, including oysters, mussels, crabs and lobsters.17,18,19, 20 • Impacts on carbonate‑dependent species like corals and pteropods could cause major ripple effects throughout ecosystems and food webs ultimately affecting even the largest animals in the oceans, as well as many commercial fisheries.22 • Nearly 30 percent of the world’s tropical corals have vanished since 1980, mainly due to warming events. At the current rate of emission growth, tropical corals could be gone by the middle to the end of this century.23,24 • If current emission trends continue, cold‑water corals will be severely stressed by 2040, and two‑thirds of them could be in a corrosive environment by the century’s end.25 • The disappearance of coral reefs would cost society billions of dollars annually due to losses in fishing, tourism and coastal protection services.26 • Over 100 million people depend on coral reefs economically,27 and subsistence communities may experience health consequences and lack of food security due to the loss of protein associated with coral reefs.28 • Many commercial fisheries depend on reefs which provide food and shelter for fish.29,30 The loss of reefs may further destabilize already depressed commercial fish populations.

• To protect coral reefs and the ecosystems that depend on them, we must stabilize carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at or below 350 ppm.

To achieve this, global emissions must be reduced to 85 percent below 2000 levels by 2050, which will require industrialized nations to reduce their emissions 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 to 95 percent by 2050.31,32,33

Solutions A variety of solutions will be needed to reduce levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 ppm. These include: (1) a shift away from our carbon‑based energy economy, which can been done by building an infrastructure for energy alternatives such as solar, wind and hydrogen, and scaling back the use of coal unless carbon capture is effectively employed; (2) increasing energy efficiency in cars, trucks, trains, planes and ships, as well as in homes, office buildings, power generation and the industrial sector; and (3) reducing deforestation while also planting more forest land to help “draw down” carbon dioxide levels. If we want to save our coral reefs and shellfish fisheries, the ecosystems that depend on them and the values that we derive from them, we need to start now. With a 25-to‑40 percent reduction needed by the industrialized countries of the world by 2020, there is no time to waste.

Recommendations Adopt a Policy of Stabilizing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide at 350 ppm Governments must commit to stabilizing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at 350 ppm or below.

To achieve this, serious strides need to be taken within the next five years to set society on a path to zero net carbon emissions within the coming decades.

Promote Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Fuels Energy should be conserved at every opportunity, including through improved fuel efficiency of cars, trucks, airplanes and ships, provision of cleaner fuels, investment in efficient mass transit, and individual, institutional and corporate actions to reduce energy use.

Shift to Alternative Energy Sources New or expanded coal‑fired power plants and other expanded uses of coal should be prohibited until global warming pollution can be trapped and safely stored. In their place, governments and the private sector should implement programs to stimulate the development and use of renewable energy options such as wind and solar, and invest in upgrading the national power transmission grid so that energy produced from alternative sources can be cost‑effectively moved to markets. Governments should immediately eliminate any and all subsidies that encourage the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels currently in the ground in sensitive ecosystems such as the Arctic and offshore should stay in the ground.

Regulate Carbon Releases Governments should immediately begin regulating carbon releases using a system that internalizes emissions costs and prevents continued releases that harm the oceans.

Under‑regulated sources of carbon dioxide emissions, such as those from shipping and aircraft should be included in a post‑Kyoto Agreement and regulated by the appropriate international bodies, such as the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Preserve Natural Resilience The natural resilience of marine ecosystem should be maintained by curtailing other human caused threats, such as overfishing and pollution. Ocean acidification and climate change are not isolated threats, but act in concert with other impacts on ecosystems and species. Ocean ecosystems will have the best chance of surviving the pressures of ocean acidification if they are not simultaneously struggling to survive in the face of other threats.

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References Sabine, C. L. et al. (2004) The Oceanic Sink for Anthropogenic CO2, Science 305: 367–371 2. IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Con‑ tribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 3. Caldeira, Ken and Michael E. Wickett (2005) Ocean Model Predictions of Chemistry Changes from Carbon Dioxide Emissions to the Atmosphere and Ocean, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 110 4. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove et al. (2007) Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Science, 318: 1737–1742 5. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Global Climate Change, NASA’s Eyes on the Earth, http://climate. jpl.nasa.gov/ 6. Luthi, Dieter et al. (2005) Highresolution in carbon dioxide concentration record 650,000–800,000 years before present, Nature, 453: 379–382 7. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2008) International Energy Outlook 2008, Highlights, www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/highlights.html 8. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2008) International Energy Outlook 2008, Highlights, www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/highlights.html 9. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove et al. (2007) Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Science, 318: 1737–1742 10. 10 Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove et al.

(2007) Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Science, 318: 1737–1742 11. IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 12. Luthi, Dieter et al.. (2005) Highresolution in carbon dioxide concentration record 650,000–800,000 years before present, Nature, 453: 379–382 1.

13. Orr, James C. et al. (2005) Anthro-

22. Fabry, Victoria J. et al. (2008)

pogenic Ocean Acidification Over the Twenty‑first Century and its Impact on Calcifying Organisms, Nature, 437: 681–686 14. Caldeira, K. and Wickett, M. E. (2005) Ocean model predictions of chemistry changes from carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and ocean, Journal of Geophysical Research, 10: C09S04 15. Turley, C. M., J. M. Roberts and J. M. Guinotte (2007) Corals in deepwater: Will the unseen hand of ocean acidification destroy cold‑water ecosystems? Coral Reefs, 26: 445–448 16. Fabry, Victoria J. et al. (2008) Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Fauna and Ecosystem Processes, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 414–432 17. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove (2005) Low Coral Cover in a High‑CO2 World, Journal of Geophysical Research, 110: C09S06 18. Fabry, Victoria J. et al.. (2008) Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Fauna and Ecosystem Processes, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 414–432 19. Feely, Richard, et al. (2004) Impacts of Anthropogenic CO2 on the CaCO3 System in the Oceans.

Science, 305: 362–366 20. Gazeau, Frederic et al. (2007) Impact of Elevated CO2 on Shellfish Calcification, Geophysical Research Letters, 34 21. For example: Bibby, R. et al. (2008) Effects of Ocean Acidification on the Immune Response of the Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis, Aquatic Biology, 2: 67–74, Portner, Hans O., Martina Langenbuch and Anke Reipschlager (2004) Biological Impact of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentrations: Lessons from animal physiology and Earth History, Journal of Oceanography, 60: 705–718, Kurihara, Haruko, Shinji Shimode and Yoshihisa Shirayama (2004) Sub‑Lethal Effects of Elevated Concentration of CO2 on Planktonic Copepods and Sea Urchins, Journal of Oceanography, 60: 743–750, Castro, K. et al.

(2006) The Conceptual Approach to Lobster Shell Disease Revisited, Journal of Crustacean Biology, 26(4): 646-660

Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Fauna and Ecosystem Processes, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 414–432 23. Caldeira, Ken. (2007) What Corals are Dying to Tell Us: About CO2 and Ocean Acidification, Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture, Oceanography, 20 (2): 188–195 24. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove et al. (2007) Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Science, 318: 1737–1742 25. Guinotte, J. M. et al. (2006) Will human‑induced changes in seawater chemistry alter the distribution of deep‑sea corals? Frontiers Ecol.

Env. 4: 141–146 26. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove (2005) Low Coral Cover in a High‑CO2 World, Journal of Geophysical Research, 110: C09S06 27. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove (2005) Low Coral Cover in a High‑CO2 World, Journal of Geophysical Research, 110: C09S06 28. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) (2004) The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2004, FAO, Rome 29. Ishimatsu, Atsushi et al. (2004) Effects of CO2 on Marine Fish: Larvae and Adults, Journal of Oceanography, 60: 731–741 30. Roberts, S. and Hirshfield, M. (2004) Deep Sea Corals: Out of Sight, But no Longer out of Mind, Front. Ecol. Environ., 3: 123–130 31. IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 32. Hansen, J. et al. (2008) Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim? 33. Hoegh‑Guldberg, Ove et al. (2007) Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Science, 318: 1737–1742

October 2012 | Melbourne

List of Participants

241

242

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

First Name Surname Amitabh Agnihotri Muna

Al Dhaheri

Organisation National Zoological Park New Delhi Al Ain Wildlife Park Resort

Ghanim

Al Hajeri

Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort

Al Ain

Ahmed

Al Jneibi

Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort

Al Ain

Henrik Lehmann Trine Gisselmann Brad Kazutoshi

Andersen

Odense Zoo

Odense

United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Denmark

Andersen

Odense Zoo

Odense

Denmark

hla@odensezoo.dk

Sea World Orlando Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Ararat Haifa Educational Zoo Archer Oceanis Australia Group Arsaithamkul Zoological Park Organisation Ban Fischinger Zoo Ljubljana Bar Zoological Centre Tel-Aviv Ramat-Gan Barongi Houston Zoo Barros Parque das Aves Baumgartner Zoo Nuremberg Bell Lincoln Park Zoo Bensted Adelaide Zoo Bergsma Melbourne Aquarium Bishan Singh Central Zoo Authority India Boardman Twycross Zoo Bobek Zoo Praha (Prague zoo) Bonner St Louis Zoo Boos Seaworld USA Boyle Association of Zoos & Aquariums Brady Memphis Zoo Brattmyhr Skansen Foundation Byers CBSG Carroll Bristol Zoo Gardens Chastain Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Chin Taipei Zoo Chin Wildlife Conservation Society Clarke Australia Zoo Clarke The Frozen Ark Coates Dreamworld Colas Zoo Ostrava Croukamp Parque das Aves de Kock Al Bustan Zoological Centre

Orlando Tokyo

USA Japan

brad.andrews@seaworld.com kazutoshi_arai@granvista.co.jp

Haifa Melbourne Bangkok Ljubljana Ramat-Gan

Israel Australia Thailand Slovenia Israel

haifazoo@ethos.co.il jeffarcher@hotmail.com visit.vet47@gmail.com info@zoo.si maya@safari.co.il

Houston Foz do Iguacu Nuremberg Chicago Adelaide Melbourne Delhi Atherstone Praha St Louis Orlando Silver Spring

USA Brazil Germany USA Australia Australia India UK Czech Republic USA USA USA

rbarongi@houstonzoo.org yarambarros@yahoo.com.br katrin.baumgartner@stadt.nuernberg.de kbell@lpzoo.org ebensted@zoossa.com.au caramello_koala_182@hotmail.com bonalbishan@gmail.com ceo@twycrosszoo.org ivan.rehak@volny.cz bonner@stlzoo.org michael.boos@seaworld.com pboyle@aza.org

Memphis Stockholm Apple Valley Bristol Colorado Springs Taipei New York Sunshine Coast Nottingham Gold Coast Ostrava Foz do Iguacu Sharjah

cbrady@memphiszoo.org john.brattmyhr@skansen.se onnie@cbsg.org cbarron@bristolzoo.org.uk bchastain@cmzoo.org sux01@zoo.gov.tw schin@wcs.org giles@australiazoo.com.au ann.clarke@nottingham.ac.uk letitia_lester@dreamworld.com.au director@zoo-ostrava.cz croukamp@uol.com.br meyer@albustanzoo.ae

De Silva’s Dick

Dehiwala Gland

USA Sweden USA UK USA Taiwan USA Australia UK Australia Czech Republic Brazil United Arab Emirates Sri Lanka Switzerland

Amsterdam Krefeld Apple Valley London Wellington Gold Coast Waco Chester Baton Rouge Tokoyo Gland

Netherlands Germany USA UK New Zealand Australia USA UK USA Japan Switzerland

lesley.dickie@eaza.net wolfgang.dressen@zookrefeld.de lee.ehmke@state.mn.us David.Field@zsl.org karen.fifield@wellingtonzoo.com jfisher@cws,org.au jimf@ci.waco.tx.us m.pilgrim@chesterzoo.org pfrost@brzoo.org ueno-zoo@tzps.or.jp monica.gamp@waza.org

Etty Jeffrey Visit Zdenka Yehuda Rick Yara Katrin Kevin Elaine April Bonal Suzanne Miroslav Jeffrey Michael Paul Chuck John Onnie Bryan Bob Jason Susan Giles Ann Todd Petr Anna Meyer Etienne Anura Gerald Lesley Wolfgang Lee David Karen Jonathan Jim Kirstie Phil Yutaka Monica

Andrews Arai

Dickie Dressen Ehmke Field Fifield Fisher Fleshman Fraser Frost Fukuda Gamp

National Zoological Gardens World Association of Zoos and Aquariums EAZA Zoo Krefeld Minnesota Zoological Garden Zoological Society of London Wellington Zoo Currumban Wildlife Sanctuary Cameron Park Zoo Chester Zoo Baton Rouge Zoo Ueno Zoological Gardens World Association of Zoos and Aquarium

City Delhi

Country India

email bonalbishan@gmail.com

Al Ain

muna.aldhaheri@awpr.ae heba.hamza@awpr.ae ahmed.aljneibi@awpr.ae hla@odensezoo.dk

zoosl@slt.lk secretariat@waza.org

243

October 2012 | Melbourne

First Name Suzanne Nancy Louise Jenny Lewis Ian Markus

Surname Gendron Gibson Gordon Gray Greene Gunn Gusset

Robin Natalie Becca Julia Bernard Hisashi Gisela Chris Robert

Hale Hansby Hanson Hanuliakova Harrison Hashikawa Hegel Hibbard Hilsenroth

Heribert

Hofer

Mats Glen Susan Bunyat Mervyn Patrick David Jörg Thomas Dennis Cameron

Hoggren Holland Hunt Insuwan Jacobson Janikowski Jones Junhold Kauffels Kelly Kerr

Somvang

Bo Wichit Pavel

Kiasrithanakorn Kiasrithanakorn Kjellson Kongkham Krasemsly

Andrzej Eliska Willie

Kruszewicz Kubikova Labuschagne

Joanne Meng Tat Susanne Dominik Sally Lena M Daisy Rachel Helmut Dan Jansen David Niekisch Judy Gumay Keith

Lalumiere Lee Leitinger Lermen Lewis Linden Ling Lowry Mägdefrau Maloney Manansang Manansang Manfred Mann Marsawitri McClintock

Eddie

Organisation Ocean Park Lao Zoo Johannesburg Zoo Zoos Victoria Columbus Zoo & Aquarium The Frozen Ark World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Toronto Zoo Auckland Zoo Studio Hanson Roberts Foz Tropicana Parque das Aves Bernard Harrison & Friends Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo Zoologischer Garten Karlstuhe Zoo & Aquarium Association American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Kolmårdens Djurpark Zoos Victoria Perth Zoo Zoological Park Organisation Ibream PJA Architects ad Landscapes North Carolina Zoo Leipzig Zoo Opel Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo Taronga Conservation Society Australia Lao Zoo

City Hong Kong Bangkok Johannesburg Melbourne Powell Tarwin Lower Gland

Country China Thailand South Africa Australia USA Australia Switzerland

email suzanne.gendron@oceanpark.com.hk ekias@loxinfo.co.th louise@@jhbzoo.org.za jgray@zoo.org.au patty.peters@yahoo.com ian.gunn@monash.edu markus.gusset@waza.org

Toronto Auckland Bainbridge Island Washington Singapore Nagoya Karlstuhe Sydney Yulee

Canada New Zealand USA USA Singapore Japan Germany Australia USA

rhale@torontozoo.ca Natalie.Hansby@auklandcouncil.govt.nz bhanson@studio-hansonroberts.com julijask@hotmail.com info@bernardharrisonandfriends.com ngyzoo01@crocus.ocn.ne.jp hegel@zoo.karlsruhe.de chris@zooaquarium.org.au rhilsenrothaazv@aol.com

Berlin

Germany

direktor@izw-berlin.de

Kolmården Melbourne Perth Nakhon Ratchaisima Melbourne Seattle Ashebord Leipzig Kronberg Im Taunus Washington Clovelly

Sweden Australia Australia Thailand Australia USA USA Germany Germany USA Australia

mats.hoggren@kolmarden.com gholland@zoo.org.au shelley.rush@perthzoo.wa.gov.au kongkham35@hotmail.com mjacob2579@aol.com patj@pjarchitects David.M.Jones@nczoo.org Chefcekretariat@zoo-leipzig.de thomas.kauffels@opel-zoo.de KellyD@si.edu epollard@zoo.nsw.gov.au

Bangkok

Thailand

ekias@loxinfo.co.th

Lao Zoo

Bangkok

Thailand

ekias@loxinfo.co.th

Boras Zoo Zoological Park Organisation Podkrušnohorský zoopark Chomutov Warsaw Zoo Zoologická zahrada Jihlava Mgmt. Nat. Cons. President’s Affairs Zoo de Granby Wildlife Reserves Singapore Loro Parque The Frozen Ark Zoos Victoria Nordens Ark Wildlife Reserves Singapore Zoos Victoria Nuremberg Zoo Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Taman Safari Indonesia Taman Safari Indonesia Zoo Frankfurt uShaka Sea World Ragunan Zoological Parks Portico Group

Boras Nakhon Ratchaisima Prague

bo.kjellson@boraszoo.se Sweden kongkham35@hotmail.com Thailand Czech Republic krasensky@zoopark.cz

Warsaw Jihlava Al Ain

Poland Czech Republic United Arab Emirates Canada Singapore Spain Germany Australia Sweden Singapore Australia Germany USA Indonesia Indonesia Germany South Africa Indonesia USA

Granby Singapore Tenerife Saarbruecken Melbourne Bohuslän Singapore Melbourne Nuremberg Jacksonville West Java West Java Frankfurt Durban Jakarta Seattle

andrzej.kruszewicz@zoo.waw.pl director@zoojihlava.cz willie@ewbcc.ae jlalumiere@zoodegranby.com mengtat.lee@wrs.com.sg loroparque@loroparque.com dominik.lermen@ibmt.fraunhofer.de slewis@zoo.org.au lml@nordensark.se daisy.ling@wrs.comisg rlowry@zoo.org.au helmut.maegdefrau@stadt.nuernberg.de maloneyd@jacksonvillezoo.org safari@tamansafari.com safari@tamansafari.net manfred.niekisch@stadt-frankfurt.de jmann@saambr.org.za murdimantrriono1@gmail.com kmcclintock@porticogroup.com

244

Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

First Name Tom R. Eric David

Surname Mehrmann Miller Morgan

Organisation Ocean Park Corporation Saint Louis Zoo Global Zooethics and Welfare Initiative Honorary Life Member Uganda Wildlife and Education Centre Al Ain Wildlife Park Resort

City Hong Kong St Louis Atherstone

Country China USA UK

email tom.mehrmann@oceanpark.com.hk remiller@stlzoo.org dave.morgan@twycrosszoo.org

Laura James

Mumaw Musinguzi

Melbourne Entebbe

Australia Uganda

mumaw.white@optusnet.com.au jmusinguzi@uwec.ug

Binod

Narasimhan

Al Ain

binod.narasimhan@awpr.ae

Singapore Amnéville Leipzig Burena Vista Basel Köln Melbourne Omaha

louis@acres.org.sg nicolas@zoo-amneville.com ataute@zoo-leipzig.de jackie.ogden@disney.com pagan@zoobasel.ch pagel@koelnerzoo.de kpahlow@zoo.org.au dpate@omahazoo.com

London Buenos Aires Burena Vista San Francisco

UK Argentina USA USA

Paul.Pearce-Kelly@zsl.org dpellandini@temaiken.org.ar mark.r.penning@disney.com tanyap@sfzoo.org

Chester Burena Vista Ohrada Prague

UK USA Czech Republic Czech Republic

m.pilgrim@chesterzoo.org Chelle.Plasse@disney.com info@zoo-ohrada.cz krasensky@zoopark.cz

Wroblewskiego Wichita Zürich Canberra Bangkok Helsinki Küsnacht Portland Eagan Osaka

Poland USA Switzerland Australia Thailand Finland Switzerland USA USA Japan

Lutra@zoo.wroc.pl mreed@scz.org alex.ruebel@zoo.ch trentrussell@nationalzoo.com.au admin@kkopenzoo.com jukka.salo@hel.fi schmidtzoo@gmx.net kim.smith@oregonzoo.org dorene@isis.org m-takahashi@city.osaka.lg.jp

Melbourne Cleveland Auckland Tokyo

Australia USA New Zealand Japan

ktanner@zoo.org.au sht@clevelandmetroparks.com Craig@thorburn.co.nz kanako@jaza.jp

Paignton New Orleans Jakarta Taipei Pretoria

UK USA Indonesia Taiwan South Africa

simon.tonge@paigntonzoo.org.uk a.torre@t-dcl.com murdimantrriono1@gmail.com dwx07@zoo.gov.tw Stephen@nzg.co.za

Silver Spring

USA

kvehrs@aza.org

Viethen

ACRES Zoo d’Amnéville Leipzig Zoo Walt Disney Parks & Resort Zoo Basel Kölner Zoo Zoos Victoria Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Zoological Society of London Fundacion Temaiken Walt Disney Parks & Resort San Francisco Zoological Society Chester Zoo Disney’s Animal Kingdom Zoological Garden Ohrad Podkrušnohorský zoopark Chomutov Wroclaw Zoo Sedgwick County Zoo Zoo Zürich National Zoo Zoological Park Organisation Helsinki Zoo Honorary Life Member Oregon Zoo I.S.I.S Osaka Municipal Tennoji Zoological Gardens Zoos Victoria Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Sealife Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Paignton Zoo Torre Design Consortium Ltd Ragunan Zological Parks Taipei Zoo African Association of Zoo and Aquaria Association of Zoos & Aquariums Al Ain Wildlife Park Resort

United Arab Emirates Singapore France Germany USA Switzerland Germany Australia USA

Louis Leroux Frank Jackie Olivier Theo Katie Dennis

Ng Nicolas Oberwemmer Ogden Pagan Pagel Pahlow Pate

Paul Damian Mark Tanya

Pearce-Kelly Pellandini Penning Peterson

Mark Rochelle Vladimir Iveta

Pilgrim Plasse Pokorny Rabasova

Radoslaw Mark Alex Trent Suriya Jukka Christian Kim Roger Masayuki

Ratajszczak Reed Ruebel Russell Saengpong Salo Schmidt Smith Stonecipner Takahashi

Kevin Steve Craig Kanako

Tanner Taylor Thorburn Tomisawa

Simon Ace Bambang Eric Stephen

Tonge Torre Triana Tsao van der Spuy

Kristin

Vehrs

Simone Christiane Thanarat Jonas

Al Ain

sumaya.viethen@awpr.ae

Wadeesirisak Wahlstrom

Zoological Park Organisation Skansen-Akvariet AB

United Arab Emirates Thailand Sweden

Bangkok Stockholm

tanarat_@hotmail.com monkeybusiness@skansen-akvariet.se

245

October 2012 | Melbourne

First Name Ana Sally Raulston Ursula Christopher Jason

Surname Wahlstrom Walker

Organisation Skansen-Akvariet AB Zoo Outreach / SAZARC

City Country Stockholm Sweden Goldsboro/Coimbatore USA/India

email monkeybusiness@skansen-akvariet.se sallyrwalker@zooreach.org

Walters Warner Watters

Sydney Brisbane Chicago

Australia Australia USA

ursh.walters@gmail.com aquatic1@ozemail.com.au jason.watters@czs.org

Sandra Elizabeth Wisid Bob Jonathan Randy Stephen Shigeyuki

Wedel Whealy Wichasilpa Wiese Wilcken Wisthoff Wylie Yamamoto

Munich Sioux Falls Bangkok San Diego Auckland Kansas City Edmond Tokyo

Germany USA Thailand USA New Zealand USA USA Japan

sandra@gkair.de EWhealy@gpzoo.org wisidzoo_zpo@hotmail.com BWiese@sandiegozoo.org Jonathan.Wilcken@auklandcouncil.govt.nz Randywisthoff@fotzkc.org stephen.r.wylie@gmail.com s-yama@toyama-familypark.jp

Zhanat William

Yestayev Zeigler

 Aquatic Environment Systems Chicago Zoological Society/ Brookfield Zoo G.K. Airfreight Service Great Plains Zoo Zoological Park Organisation Zoological Society of San Diego Auckland Zoo Kansas City Zoo Honorary Life Member Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Almaty Zoo Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo

Almaty Chicago

Kazakhstan USA

tair@nursat.kz bill.zeigler@czs.org

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Proceedings of 67th Annual Conference

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October 2012 | Melbourne Š ZOOS Victoria Melbourne conference participants.

www.waza.org

ISSN: 2073-6576