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Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference Lake Buena Vista, Orlando 13–17 October 2013

W AZ Pr A T es ec en hn ta ica tio l C ns on on gr ly es s

One World, One Plan, One Hope

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: The tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom © Gerald Dick, WAZA Edition: © WAZA 2014

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).

ISSN: 2073-6576

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference

Hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom 13–17 October 2013

W AZ Pr A T es ec en hn ta ica tio l C ns on on gr ly es s

One World, One Plan, One Hope

Editorial Gerald Dick, WAZA Executive Director

Dear WAZA Members and Friends!

I would like to thank our hosts of the conference at Disney who made our annual conference 2013 one of the best WAZA conference in WAZA history. The outstanding hospitality created a perfect working environment as well as an atmosphere of productive getting together and networking.

The programme reflected this fact by the presence also of non­‑zoo people and many relationships for future cooperation were set up. Based on the fact that there is only one planet for all of us, and based on the one plan idea put forward

by CBSG and collaborators at the conference you got the feeling of hope – the driving force for us working in conservation!

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

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

The conference theme of “One World, One Plan, One Hope” was mainly reflecting the increasingly recognized fact that sectorial thinking and acting belongs to the past and a modern all­‑encompassing approach for conservation is needed. This wake­‑up call was clearly heard and first class keynotes1 and papers underlined this order of the day.

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1 Unfortunately the excellent keynote of Muttulingam Sanjayan (TNC) was not received in writing.

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Table of Contents Welcome Address by the Host...........................1 Welcome Address by the WAZA President........1 Welcome to the Region.....................................3

Keynote Addresses............................... 4

One Species Conservation.................................5 Why are Zoos doing In situ Conservation?

Adapting To A New Reality................................5

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts.......... 8

Poster presentations....................................... 17

WAZA Congress Contributions..............20

Increasing Conservation Efforts through Disney’s Service Standards.............................. 21 ALPZA Contribution to Conservation in Latin America.............................................. 23 We Help Them to Survive: En Route to the Wandering Bus.......................25 Efforts to Bring Back from the Brink – Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme in India, Central Zoo Authority.........................29 Sustainable Zoo.............................................. 33 The Arabian Connection – The Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association............................... 34 A Sustainable Journey – Wellington Zoo carboNZero Certification Story....................... 37 One world, One Hope – Do We Have, Or Need, A Plan?.............................................43 Vision, Courage and Innovation for a Carbon Neutral Future.............................45 JAZA – Conservation Activities and Legal Systems Integrated with Japanese Government.....................................47 Wild Welfare – World, Hope, Plan and Action..........................50 One Plan – Linking an Aquarium with Marine Conservation, Through Research and Education.................................................52 A Perfect Combination of Zoo and Museum – The DARWINEUM.............56 Decade on Biodiversity Project........................58 Increasing Collection Sustainability Requires Diverse One Plan Approaches...........60

List of Participants...............................64

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Welcome Address by the Host Jackie Ogden, Vice President, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We’re so delighted that you all are here, and that we have the opportunity to host you at Walt Disney World, in partnership with our friends at Sea World.

First, I hope you had a good time yesterday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I hope you experienced the “theme park­‑y” part of Animal Kingdom, from Expedition Everest to Finding Nemo the Musical. But I hope you also enjoyed the “animal” parts of our park, from the Kilimanjaro Safari to Pangani Exploration Trail to our backstage areas.

At Disney, we often reach a group of people that visits us because we are one of the Disney theme parks, not necessarily because of our conservation and animal work. So we take very seriously our role of inspiring them to care for and about animals, and to sharing the work that we do in conservation, science, animal care, and education. And I hope you heard a bit about that yesterday.

We are so pleased that the theme of the WAZA meeting is “One World, One Plan, One Hope.”

Obviously this draws on the One Plan approach that CBSG has been promoting for quite some time. Every organization represented here is focused on saving species, and I know that this group believes deeply in the notion of integrated species conservation plans – representing populations from intensively managed to lightly managed. And believes that this integrated planning is critical to the overall conservation of species, as well as to ensuring that our zoos and aquariums are effective, credible and valued partners within the conservation world.

I believe you will see that theme woven into the conference, particularly the technical congress.

I hope you have a great week.

Before I move into the rest of our program, I do have a few housekeeping notes: • Safety – Find exits • Restrooms • Powered tables are located in the front of the room • Thanks go to the whole Disney cast, folks please stand up!

Want to be sure you are well taken care of – anybody with a Disney nametag will help you, also Hotel staff and concierge for Disney questions and broader travel questions, conference info desk for anything specific to the conference or any additional help you need.

Being the happiest place on earth – this is one of those places where we believe that work can be both fun and productive – and I hope you have an excellent meeting – that is both fun and highly productive!

Welcome Address by the WAZA President Jörg Junhold, Zoo Leipzig

Dear Jackie, honorable State Secretary Mr. Vinyard, honorable Executive Director of the American Zoo Association, Mrs. Kris Vehrs; distinguished guests, colleagues and friends; ladies and gentlemen, dear WAZA members, it is an enormous pleasure for me to welcome you here in Orlando to this 68th Conference and Annual Meeting of WAZA. My special heartfelt greetings go to our distinguished host Disney‘s Animal Kingdom, represented by the Vice President Animals, Science and Environment Mrs. Jackie Ogden and by our esteemed colleague and Immediate Past President of WAZA Mr. Mark Penning.

First of all let me say that I know very well about the work load to organize such an international conference and I like to express my particular thanks on behalf of all participants to the organizing team for their tremendous work and efforts that we already have experienced! Thank you!

I think I can for sure say that we have experienced an ambitious and laborious year for WAZA because we were able to start some major new projects. All of these projects touch the basic philosophy of our work as the world zoo association and will help to develop it further. Our goal is to raise our profile as the „voice of a worldwide community of zoos and

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aquariums and a catalyst for their joint conservation action”, as it is expressed in our mission, and to provide the necessary and beneficial tools and strategies for our members so that they are able to develop their full potential for conservation! I think that it is very important for us, the Council and the Executive Office as well as every single member, to always be reflective about how we as a zoo community should develop and how WAZA in this respect can be a catalyst for positive input of new thoughts and initiatives. We should never take anything for granted and never stop thinking about possible improvements of what we do!

I am therefore proud that we have made huge progress on the WAZA Decade on Biodiversity Project and we could secure the funding for it. We will strive to develop a range of innovative tools which will support each member in its communication about the conservation of biodiversity.

Secondly I am personally very happy that we have initiated the process to develop the Global Animal Welfare Strategy of WAZA which will in detail describe our philosophy of wild animal welfare and the methods how we put it into practice.

Finally, we have conducted the first workshop to revise and update the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy twenty years after ist first publication and ten years after the last revision. I do not need to explain that the Conservation Strategy is something like the heart of our community and describes everything that we believe is necessary to be what we call a “zoo oft he 21st century”.

But, you will hear more about these three major projects in our plenary and administrative sessions later this week. And I encourage you to attend also these important part of our conference.

Dear colleagues, the title of our conference is promising: “One World, One Plan, One Hope!”.

Some of you may think this is a bit too exaggerated, a title too big for our comparatively small zoo community. Well, zoos are not the centre of the universe, this is for sure. But there are a few facts that no other community can present.

One is that we have ten percent of the world population as visitors in our zoos every year.

A second one is that there is no other community or organization capable to keep and breed populations of hundreds of threatened wild species species in human care. And a third one is that zoos every year invest over 350 million US $ for field conservation. We are only small if seen as single zoos, but seen as a community that is cooperating and organized in its actions we are quite impressive. As mentioned above we should not underestimate what we represent and what we can achieve if we only go for it! In this respect I am very happy that the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group has launched the One Plan Approach last year. This philosophy aims to pool the forces of zoo and field expertise, zoo and field funding and zoo and field projects. For some of the threatened species this combined approach of managing the small left over populations in zoos and in protected areas as one meta­‑population may be the last chance for their survival. Some species like the Przewalski’s horse or the California condor owe their survival to the zoo network – and WAZA zoos are working every day dedicated

and resolute to let this happen again to other species in danger of extinction. If we as the zoo community or as a single zoo seek the cooperation with the experts of field projects and overcome some obstacles or differences in our different philosophies we can raise the chance of many species to survive the coming decades.

Our conference with its discussions, presentations and workshops offers the opportunity to look for even more common ground between zoo and field conservation projects although zoos are already – as I have mentioned before – are supporting conservation projects with hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

Please use the chance to engage in the discussions and please don’t hesitate to ask critical questions. This is crucial for our meeting and will only help to push the development of our work. For me personally, this is my second and therefore already my last conference as your President. Consequently, I will do everything that this conference will be a successful one.

I am sure that we will have a busy week and that we will share many exciting moments. I declare this 68th Conference and Annual Meeting of WAZA open.

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Welcome to the Region Kris Vehrs, AZA Executive Director

Good Morning; Buenos Dias; Bonjour; Guten Morgen; Jambo

AZA and its members value the opportunity to be a part of WAZA and to build a strong international community of zoos and aquariums. There is much work that needs to be done in the area of global species management and AZA and its members are fully committed to the issue of sustainability.

On behalf of the AZA and its members I welcome robust, lively discussions on issues of importance as well as the opportunities to break bread together this week.

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Have a productive conference!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the AZA Region. AZA represents 223 accredited zoos and aquariums; 215 in the US, 4 in Canada, 2 in Mexico, and then 1 in each of Argentina, Bahamas, Bermuda and Hong Kong. AZA aquariums and zoos see 182 million visitors annually, contribute $21 billion to the US economy and create 204,000 jobs.

Of AZA’s 223 members approximately 60 are members of WAZA. I know that in the audience today are some AZA members who are not WAZA members and I hope that they will seriously consider joining WAZA.

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Keynote Addresses

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One Species Conservation Kent H. Redford, Archipelago Consulting

The much­‑heralded Anthropocene has arrived bringing with it recognition of the fact that humans are now a major ecological and evolutionary force at the global scale. With this force comes responsibility – our decisions will play significant roles in shaping the natural world of the future. And these decisions are shaped by our values. The field of conservation has from its origins regarded itself as a crisis discipline with an obligation to tell people of the harm they are doing to the natural world, particularly focusing on the negative impacts on species – the Red List of IUCN was crafted as a vehicle specifically for this purpose.

Yet these negative messages are not proving effective in mobilizing people to reverse the downward trends in species conservation.

Providing a positive definition of successful species conservation will help to change the tenor of the discussion. Based on previous work I provide a framework with six dimensions for successfully conserving a species: demographically and ecologically self­‑sustaining; genetically robust; healthy populations; representative populations; replicate populations; and resilience across a range. Yet not all species

can be restored to self­‑regulating populations.

The conservation condition of a species can be divided into five categories on the basis of the type and extent of ways that species are reliant on human interventions, both directed and nondirected, to ensure their ongoing survival. These five conditions are: captive managed; intensively managed, lightly managed, conservation dependent, and self­‑sustaining.

Why are Zoos doing In situ Conservation?

Adapting To A New Reality

The status of some of these species can be improved by deploying conservation measures that incorporate captive populations and use techniques developed in zoos. The powerful effects of the false but alluring dichotomy of “in situ vs ex situ” has cast a dark shadow on the potential for zoos to assume their proper role in the broad effort to conserve species. There are many examples of species conservation tools and approaches that are intermediate between these two extremes and fall along a similar continuum to that described above.

William Conway, Senior Conserva‑ tionist, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, New York

In the new world of the Anthropocene species conservation will face new challenges and need new strategies. These will include managed relocation, genetic­‑rescue, de­‑extinction and synthetic biology approaches. And over all will be the serious challenge of the loss of “habitats” – the “situ” on which most species strategies rely. We will need to face a world of species conservation in novel ecosystems with novel communities. The resources necessary to achieve species conservation, financial, political, technical and social will rely on changing our message from one of despair to one of hope.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Human beings have now committed their future to a warmer world and rising seas, which we know very little about. Consequently, I will focus on three observations that the zoo profession has taught me a lot about. They have to do with the need for zoos to adapt to a new reality.

First of all, we have vastly depleted the majority of large and moderate sized wild animals and their habitats. Climate change and human increase are accelerating the process.

Second, zoo and aquarium exhibits are far too small to sustain viable populations of many sizable wild vertebrates.

Third, zoo professionals are positioned to play a distinctive role in wildlife support and in the generation of public involvement. Zoos know how to care for wild animals, have expert staffs, millions of visitors and are working to keep wild animals from becoming irrelevant. That’s why we are here.

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Nonetheless, many of the traditional justifications for zoos and aquariums in public education must change because the world has and so many natural animal populations are collapsing.

My first observation employs biomass, terrestrial vertebrate biomass, essentially weight. It is a powerful metric of both wildlife’s state and its prospects, hence that of zoos and aquariums.

For example, Earth’s seven billion people now weigh at least 350 million tons. Among all land vertebrates, only domestic cows weigh more than people, about 520m tons. Sheep, goats and chickens weigh about 153m tons and pigs at least 115m tons. How has this changed over time? What does it mean for wild animals?

Paul MacCready, the visionary engineer, has observed that 10,000 years ago, before humanity’s recent growth and spread, people and their few domestic animals weighed less than 0.1% of Earth’s terrestrial vertebrate biomass. The rest was composed of wildlife, mostly species we know. Today, he estimated, humanity with its domestic and introduced animals make up 98% of this biomass and we have crowded wildlife out, even without climate change.

Between 1945 and 2011, human numbers nearly tripled and the cows, bulls, pigs and chickens were busy, too. All remaining native vertebrates, from hippos and hummingbirds to pythons and pipits, are now thought to make­‑up less than 2% of terrestrial vertebrate biomass. The world’s chickens outweigh all of its elephants by at least 20 times. There are only about 3,000 tigers left in nature, perhaps 35,000 lions, 80,000 giraffes and about 257 whooping cranes.

The zoo’s new reality is a world of globalized development where agriculture, humans and disinterest are exterminating wildlife, but most humans have never had it better.

Nearly a billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty in the past 20 years, mostly in China. Indeed, China’s massive transformation is shaping global commerce. Its voracious appetite for everything from turtles to timber and elephant tusks is accelerating the destruction of nature as never before and wildlife is being slaughtered not only for food but also to make frivolous trinkets, dubious delicacies and delusion­‑based medicines. In less than two generations zoo exhibits have changed from living representations of Earth’s wildlife’s homes and populations to displays of wildlife fragments whose worlds have been depopulated. And not only land animals are in trouble. The oceans are estimated to have lost more than 75% of their megafauna – large animals such as whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, and turtles.

Inherent in the nature of zoo keeping, is a dream of conservation heroics, of affecting people’s hearts and of preserving wild species forever. But, in addition to humanity’s largely unrecognized devastation of wildlife, we come to a second and fundamental zoo concern, a lack of space. The good news is that zoos have become so skilled in the care and breeding of wild animals that they will soon be able to propagate almost any living terrestrial vertebrate. The bad news is that they have no place to put them. All the zoo animal spaces in the world would fit within New York’s Borough of Brooklyn (212.7 km2). Accordingly, zoos and aquariums sustain very few rare species for long periods. They simply haven’t the space to meet the biological requirements of viable populations of a significant number of sizable vertebrates or of smaller species with sizable breeding space requirements such as small and medium­‑sized birds. Thus, collection sustainability means smaller numbers of species, larger

numbers of those we seek to sustain and intensively focused efforts, especially “One­‑Plan” collaborations with protected natural areas and breeding centers. It also means much more compelling exhibits. Zoos must highlight the support of protected areas and, where possible, breed species in need rather than common taxa.

It is not helpful to hold an umbrella over a duck.

Globally, there are approximately 44,000 “conserved locations” covering nearly 13% of Earth’s terrestrial surface – but few are adequately protected. Logging, poaching, and invasion by people are said to affect over 70% of 200 parks in tropical areas. Moreover, sooner or later, most must be zoologically­‑gardened, their wildlife weeded, treated, translocated, and curated so as to persist in the shrunken spaces available to them. The biology of every species assures that it will produce more young than can be sustained in limited habitats, natural or zoo, so many will have to be repeatedly culled to substitute for the ruthlessness of unprotected nature.

Thus, in situ wildlife constrained in isolated parks and reserves will require ex situ care and, in fact, zoos and aquariums are beginning to help. Several are now acting as field­‑based conservation organizations, shaping their programs in response to what is happening to nature and serving wildlife that would otherwise be lost.

Zoo biologists are not armchair conservationists and their field­‑focused efforts are a defining moment in the evolution of zoos and aquariums.

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Already, zoo­‑based programs have proven helpful to colonial water birds, marine mammals, savannah ungulates, large predators and raptors. Contributing to this direction are Lincoln Park, London Zoo, Zurich, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, Denver and many others. In a cooperative example, Saint Louis, Brookfield and Kansas City are jointly supporting the great Punta San Juan Peruvian sea bird and seal colonies while the Bronx Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Society, is working to protect wildlife from China to Patagonia and the high Andes and has become one of the largest of on­‑the­‑ground wildlife conservation organizations. WCS is also offering conservation partnerships to other zoos and aquariums to encourage them to create programs of their own and 38 have recently done so.

My third observation is that you ‘zoo people’ and your professional colleagues are a community of rapidly growing conservation importance. Each day, over one million zoo and aquarium animals rely upon you – as dependent as patients on ‘life support’ for all the rest of their lives and their offspring’s lives, and their offspring’s offspring’s lives. Most zoo people have welcomed demanding accreditation, ever more sophisticated animal care requirements and ongoing processes of review and transparency. It is notable that little of such professional oversight can be found in other kinds of wildlife care or conservation associations.

Nevertheless, careful evaluations of wildlife’s future, such as that facilitated by the IUCN’s Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, concerning the roles and limitations of science, government, zoos, parks and conservation organizations are rare in zoos as well as in human society in general. Although zoo people

can now propagate almost any terrestrial vertebrate, what are you going to do with this remarkable expertise? What are you going to sustain? Where are you going to restore wildlife in viable populations?

It is with in situ support, not captive breeding, that zoos and aquariums can provide the most far­‑reaching wildlife help to the greatest number of species in the largest parts of the world.

Nevertheless, there will be more and more situations where ex situ breeding support is the only option to prevent extinction. By working together, you have developed the extraordinary power to grant life to species on the edge of extinction. What will you do with it? How will you pay for more conservation effort, in situ and ex situ?

Some zoos are involving their guests in generating conservation support directly. Upon opening its “Congo Gorilla Forest” in 1999, the Bronx Zoo imposed a fee and voting process to finance tropical African conservation. So far, nearly $12 million dollars has been raised and expended on African wildlife from this one source. Zurich Zoo’s extraordinary MASOALA exhibit has already contributed more than €2,650,000 to conservation action in Madagascar. Boise, Idaho, has taken a particularly compelling approach.

It defines its zoo as: “…a garden or park where wildlife is kept for exhibition for the primary purpose of generating funds for the conservation of animals in the wild.” This, I believe, is where zoos should be headed. Steve Burns, will describe it later today as well as the AZA zoo effort that catalyzed $160 million spent for in situ field conservation last year. Surely it is time for in situ conservation to be a condition of zoo accreditation.

Inside the zoo/aquarium world there are marvelous new exhibits, fascinating breeding successes, ever better curatorial, veterinary and education programs, but also an alarming series of disconnects; of zoo priorities unresponsive to massive wildlife decline and yet to be overcome.

How has this happened? Most present day zoos were conceived in a vanished world where wild animals were still common and ecologically important. Zoos were thought of as museums, their animals as parts of dioramas, with little consideration that they would die; ambassadors from wildlife communities now overrun by people and environmental change. Zoos were seen as animal owners, not stewards of species populations. That was then. Now, zoo people must invent new kinds of zoological institutions, not just better versions of the old ones and species of concern are key. Zoo species numbers must be reduced, space increased and focal species kept in much larger numbers, each the center of expert care.

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The challenge is to create zoos and aquariums that help secure wildlife’s future as well as visitor education and enjoyment; to manage them so that the zoo is a recruiting center for conservationists, a beautiful and magnetic introduction to wondrous wild creatures and, more than ever, a corridor of care between human communities and protected wildlife areas.

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To become field­‑based conservation organizations, engines of wildlife preservation, is an inspiring role for zoos in the 21st century and it is a needed one. Ultimately, It is about helping to save the future of life on Earth – and it is ‘Why Zoos Are Doing In situ Conservation.’

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WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts

Table of Contents Abstracts Claudia Benitez­‑Nelson Climate Change 2. Crawford Allan Illegal Wildlife Trade: A global challenge 3. James Musinguzi Bush Meat Trade Crisis in Uganda; Pushing Wildlife Populations To Jeopardy Among Communities Around Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Northern Uganda 4. Anne Savage The One Plan Approach: Engaging Zoo and Aquarium Visitors In Our Efforts to Protect Species 5. Nate Flesness & Onnie Byers Trends in Collections – Is There A Plan?

6. Markus Gusset Restoring African Wild Dogs in South Africa: A Managed Metapopulation Approach 7. Bishan Bonal Efforts to bring back from the Brink (Vulture conservation breeding programme in India) 8. Bryan Carroll Penguins, lemurs and fruit bats: Bristol Zoo’s “One Plan” approach to institutional species conservation planning 9. Miroslav Bobek We help them to survive – the way towards the wandering bus 10. James Breheny, Sue Chin Introduction to presentation One Plan by Design: Around the world 11. Judy Mann One Plan – Linking an aquarium with in situ marine conservation, research and education 1.

12. Udo Nagel

25. Yara Barros

One Plan – Linking a museum and zoo: The Darwineum 13. David Field One Plan -– London Zoo’s Tiger Territory: investing in field conservation.

14. Alex Rübel One Plan – Masoala – combining modern exhibit, education and conservation in Madagascar 15. Jenny Gray Vision, Courage and Innovation for a Carbon Neutral Future 16. Karen Fifield A Sustainable Journey­‑ how Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carbon zero accredited zoo 17. Jonathan Wilcken Supply chain activism – a role for zoos and aquariums 18. Clara Dominguez Sustainable Zoo 19. Bob Wiese Increasing collection sustainability requires diverse One Plan approaches 20. Josh D’Amaro Guest service at Disney: Providing the foundation for conservation interpretation 21. Bill Street Revenue generating/”premium” programs: Funding the One Plan approach 22. Anne Baker From the Elephants‘ Perspective: using science to understand zoo elephant welfare 23. Steve Burns Engaging the public in direct support of our global conservation efforts 24. Carolina Falla ACOPAZOA Conservation Programs of ACOPAZOA

Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ALPZA) contribution to conservation in Latin America 26. Lesley Dickie EAZA – European Conservation initiatives 27. Stephen van der Spuy PAAZAB – African Conservation activities 28. Mark Craig The Arabian Connection – The Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

29. Shigeyuki Yamamoto JAZA Conservation activities and legal systems integrated with Japanese government 30. Tiago Pinto­‑Pereira WAZA in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity: “The Decade Project”

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Roy Ballantyne & Karen Hughes Cell phone apps. The future of visitor interpretation for zoos and aquariums Karolína Brandlová Western Derby Eland – wild and captive population united for conservation Júlia Hanuliaková Animal well­‑being as the first principle of exhibit design Rachel Lowry Kicking Goals for Wildlife Tiago Pinto Pereira WAZA in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity: “The Decade Project” Steve Stookey Discover a new way of learning with the WAZA Online Professional Development Center Rachel Watkins Rogers Program Recommendations in a One World Cooperative Breeding Program

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Nuchjaree Purchkoon, Wanchai Sawasu, Sumate Kamolnorranath and Boripat Siriaroonrat, Zoological Park Organization Thai zoos fight against extinction of Eastern sarus crane: Preliminary success from reintroduction of extinct­‑in­‑the­‑wild species 9. Samsung Everland Zoo Lost Valley – new interactive animal safari experience 10. Anne Savage, DAK Proyecto Titi 11. Anne Savage, DAK Sea Turtle Conservation in Florida 12. Andy Stamper, The Seas at Epcot Fish 13. Joseph Soltis, DAK Elephant and Bees 14. Gina Ferrie, DAK Population Management 15. Leslie Wells, Corporate Citizenship DWCF 16. Chris Dodd, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Management of Cutaneous Nocardiosis in a Beluga 17. Nancy Stedman SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphosarcoma in an Asian Small Clawed Otter 18. Jeff Andrews, Busch Gardens Tampa Utilizing Science to Assist in Managing African Elephants 19. Bill Street, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Priority Conservation Projects Supported by the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund 20. Scott Glass, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Novel Uses of Technology in Animal Exhibit Interpretation 8.

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Vicki Wawerchak and Karin Stratton, Monterey Bay Aquarium Brooke Taylor Robby Gilman, Pentair Aquatic Eco­‑Systems Sonya Kahlenberg, GRACE Garth Wight, Safari Thatch, LTD. David Evans, Art Processors Tim Brightman and Robby Gilbert, Billings Productions Inc

Abstracts 1 | Climate Change Claudia Benitez­‑Nelson, University of South Carolina, USA Earth’s climate is changing. Global temperatures are increasing, resulting in a range of outcomes such as sea level rise and changing weather patterns. Most scientists agree that humans are contributing to this climate change, yet the general public is divided and debates have become highly politicized. A major component of this problem is scientists’ inability to present their science to society as a whole. My talk will focus on how to communicate climate change and how to move the discussion beyond whether or not climate change is happening to one that focuses on bringing groups together in preparing for the future.

2 | Illegal Wildlife Trade: A global challenge Crawford Allan, TRAFFIC, USA The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. Potentially 30,000 elephants were killed in Africa for their ivory in 2012 and rhino poaching in South Africa may top 1,000 rhinos this year. Driven by a surge in demand in Asia, the crisis seems out of control as its big business, estimated at $10 billion per year. Crawford Allan of TRAFFIC will explain what is happening right now, how major initiatives are being launched to stop wildlife crime globally and how zoos are a vital part of the solution.

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3 | Bush Meat Trade Crisis in Uganda; Pushing Wildlife Populations To Jeopardy Among Communities Around Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Northern Uganda

4 | The One Plan Approach: Engaging Zoo and Aquarium Visitors In Our Efforts to Protect Species

James Musinguzi, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda

Zoos and aquariums have a long history of working in partnership with conservation organizations to help protect species around the world.

Successful conservation programs also address the needs of local communities in habitat countries by developing innovative solutions to reduce conflict that can demonstrate tangible benefits to both people and animals. Engaging zoo and aquarium visitors in conservation programs that create both a strong connection with the animals and the stories about the people that are helping to protect them builds a constituency of advocates in our own communities.

Creating opportunities using social media, eco­ ‑tourism, and eco­‑commerce to build personal connections between zoo and aquarium visitors and the animals and people in habitat countries has been remarkably effective in creating the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

The illegal acquisition and consumption of Bushmeat was recorded in communities outside the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. This unsustainable harvest has negatively impacted wild life and is further worsened by the inaccurate information about the animal species being consumed, which may endanger species with less survival prospects. Bushmeat crisis increases the number of orphaned animals in sanctuaries and zoos, with yet unknown number of victims killed to satisfy the demand. The impacts on tourism are eminent, since Uganda is a mainly wildlife destination, food security (33%) and ecological sustainability (58%). This paper shows that food insecurity is not the sole driver to the practice but highlights other factors as such as poverty, culture, inadequate legal frameworks fueling the crisis among others. The study predicts ana increased pressure on wildlife in protected areas, a shift in hunting regimes; along the boundaries, forest reserves, and encroachment to the park, if communities are to meet the benefits they associate game with. The study, proposes a holistic intervention through; education, promotion of alternative animal protein, climate change adaptation, and other mechanisms that will enable communities to lessen their impact on the environment as well as manage their resources sustainably.

Anne Savage, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

5 | Trends in Collections – Is There A Plan?

Nate Flesness, ISIS, USA and Onnie Byers, CBSG, USA One question is the proportion of species we collectively hold, which are at risk of extinction according to IUCN’s Red List. Previous work has shown that zoo collections in total tend to look as though they were selected mostly at random. Considering recent data, is there evidence of movement toward, or away from, holding and breeding species needing conservation insurance?

A second question is, given the community’s large investment in field conservation programs, do the target species match our collections?

CBSG has adopted the “one plan” approach – aiming to link and coordinate in situ and ex situ efforts for the same species at risk. Do the species align?

6 | Restoring African Wild Dogs in South Africa: A Managed Metapopulation Approach

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Markus Gusset, WAZA Executive Office, Switzerland Over the past 15 years, the number of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in South Africa has increased by nearly 50% through the active reintroduction of animals into suitable state­‑protected areas and private reserves. These new, isolated populations are managed collectively as a managed metapopulation, linked through artificially mediated dispersal. Founding stock for reintroductions has comprised both wild­‑caught and captive­ ‑bred animals and this has unearthed some useful lessons about the in situ–ex situ interface.

Chief among these is the need for an a priori strategy for ex situ support of the programme, essential to avoid uncoordinated and ad hoc use of captive­‑bred animals, and to ensure the long‑term demographic and genetic viability of this nationally important wild dog population.

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7 | Efforts to bring back from the Brink (Vulture conservation breeding programme in India)

incubation and rearing of chick protocols for vulture conservation breeding and have produced a working manual for guidance for various centres.

Bishan Bonal, Central Zoo Authority, India

Tha Gyps vultures are slow breeding and long living birds and are known to lay only one egg per year but if the egg is removed within a couple of weeks of laying, they usually lay again. The centre have successfully done double clutching and by incubating the first clutch artificially in incubators has significantly increased the breeding success in these slow breeding species. The conservation breeding programme would certainly help prevention of these extinction of these species.

The Conservation Breeding Programme is one of the flagship activities of Central Zoo Authority. It has a prioritised list of 26 species out of identified 74 endangered species for conservation breeding programme.

Three species of once abundant resident Gyps vulture, Oriental white backed vulture Gyps bengalensis, long billed vulture Gyps indicus and slender billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris are on the verge of extinction due to catastrophic crash of over 99% in their population during the last couple of decades. Their populations crashed due to the veterinary used of the drug diclofenac. All the three species are now classified as critically endangered and are on the priority list of CZA for conservation breeding.

The Central Zoo Authority supported establishment of five vulture conservation breeding centres at different zoos namely Junagarh in the state of (Gujarat), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Nandankanan (Odisa), and Muta (Jharkhand). The vulture conservation breeding centre, Pinjore, Haryana, a recognised centre of Central Zoo Authority and established

by Haryana Forest department in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is identified as coordinating Zoo for vulture conservation breeding programme The centre has now over ten years of experience in captive management and care of the three species and have succeeded in breeding all three species in captivity. Over 50 birds are now in captivity and over 60 have bred in captivity. CZA has standardised housing, husbandry and care, artificial

9 | We help them to survive – the way towards the wandering bus Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo, Czech Republic

8 | Penguins, lemurs and fruit bats: Bristol Zoo’s “One Plan” approach to institutional species conservation planning

A presentation about activities of Prague Zoo in central Africa, focused on the protection of Western Lowland Gorillas. The popularity of gorillas, bred in Prague Zoo, enables us to raise funds from both the visitors and the general public. We could repeatedly provide equipment to ecoguards in Dja Reserve, Cameroon, thousands of children from the forest areas in Congo basin received books about gorillas and other education materials and the Wandering Bus project has been started recently. It enables children from the Dja area to learn to see gorillas in another way than as just meat on a plate.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

10 | One Plan by Design: WCS Exhibits

J. Bryan Carroll, John Partridge & Christoph Schwitzer, Bristol Zoo, UK

Sue Chin, Wildlife Conservation Society, USA, Introduction by James Breheny

To achieve the vision of the World’s zoos becoming effective conservation organisations, ex situ populations must be integrated closer into global species conservation planning and implementation. The “One Plan” approach proposed by the IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group promotes such integration through the joint development of one comprehensive conservation plan for a species, covering all populations inside and outside its natural range.

Bristol Zoo has developed an institutional framework for implementing the “One Plan” approach, integrating its ex situ collection planning with its own in situ conservation, research and behaviour change programmes. These programmes are guided by national and global species conservation strategies and action plans.

WCS by design, connects our exhibits and visitor experience with WCS in situ conservation work. The best example is the Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo which opened in 1999.

Congo fully integrates conservation projects and their specific landscapes into its design and interpretation. Congo has raised over $11 million for conservation projects in Africa. In addition to Congo, this brief presentation will show other examples of exhibits that have integrated conservation messaging in different ways at the Bronx Zoo and WCS’s other Zoos and Aquarium.

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11 | One Plan – Linking an aquarium with in situ marine conservation, research and education Judy Mann, uShaka Seaworld, South Africa The WAZA Conservation Strategy emphasises the importance of integrating conservation into all areas of operation. This talk will use the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) in Africa, as an example of how we link an aquarium – uShaka Sea World – with innovative in situ conservation, research and education, through our Oceanographic Research Institute and Education Centre. From teaching local fishermen how to harvest marine resources sustainably to assisting government authorities design fisheries management plans, from empowering rural people to run ecotourism ventures to breeding corals or assessing the status of commercially harvested fish species, SAAMBR is able to capitalise on the unique combination of expertise available in our husbandry, research and educational divisions to meaningfully link an aquarium with meaningful in situ marine conservation.

12 | One Plan – Linking a museum and zoo: The Darwineum Udo Nagel, Rostock Zoo, Germany Located in the northeast of Germany at the Baltic Sea, Rostock Zoo was founded in1899. In its long history, it was especially shaped by the two world wars but also given great opportunities by the German reunification. Starting as a modest deergarden with plantings of foreign tree species, there are now 4,500 animals in 320species living at the zoo, a 50-hectare park with ancient trees. The self­‑conception of the zoo

has not changed over all development stages: The main objective was and still is education.

One of the first zoo schools of Germany was founded in Rostock in1960. With the opening of the Darwineum in 2012, Rostock Zoo managed once again a quality leap in terms of education.

The Darwineum is a 20,000 square metre complex with a new home for the great apes and offers an exciting experience on the subject of incarnation. With an investment of 29 million euros, it is the largest (and most expensive) project in the history of Rostock Zoo. The complex includes not only a large, light­‑filled tropical hall with adjoining outside enclosures, where now several residential communities of gorillas and orangutans, families of pygmy marmosets, tortoises and sloths are living. In the exhibitional part visitors can “travel” through the wider biological evolution of the Earth. Individual cabinets provide for instance an insight into the animal and plant life of the primeval ocean with horseshoe crabs, mudskippers or Dotted Rhizostomae being presented in aquariums and terrariums as an example of the former inhabitants of the earth. The Darwineum is completed by a convention centre and experiment stations for young and old. Nature films and reports are played in a movie theater thanks to an extraordinary collaboration with National Geographic.

Summary: Rostock Zoo sees education as the main task for its daily trade. The Darwineum as aperfect combination of museum and zoo follows this idea and is a success story for Rostock Zoo, the Hanseatic City of Rostock and Mecklenburg­‑Vorpommern.

13 | One Plan – London Zoo’s Tiger Territory: investing in field conservation.

David Field, Zoological Society of London, UK

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Tiger Territory is London Zoo’s new flagship exhibit – it is also the flagship for all ZSL’s conservation work with tigers. As with all major capital projects ZSL commits 10% of the project cost to new field projects with the species concerned.

This aids the integrity of fund raising but fundamentally links the zoo exhibit with direct conservation work. These links are integrated into the interpretation and on­‑going fund raising in the exhibit.

14 | One Plan – Masoala – combining modern exhibit, education and conservation in Madagascar

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts

Alex Rübel, Zoo Zurich, Switzerland page

Preparations for the construction of the Darwineum lasted almost ten years, the opening was celebrated in the summer of 2012 – with special guest Felix Padel. The anthropologist, who has been living and researching in India, is the great­‑great grandson of the British naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882), who is considered the founder of the evolutionary theory and whose work provides the basic idea of the Rostock Darwineum.

The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy asks zoos to focus all their activities into a one plan approach linking species they keep and show, the exhibits, the education and research they do, towards a sound conservation project to save species in their original habitat.

Maximum effects can be achieved if the project brings a win situation to everybody involved.

The Masoala project at Zoo Zürich was outlined to achieve this target. After ten years of suc-

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cessful cooperation between all involved partners the successes and setbacks at Zoo Zürich as well as in Madagascar are discussed.

15 | Vision, Courage and Innovation for a Carbon Neutral Future Jenny Gray 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 travelling to places around the world only a few ever get to see.

16 | A Sustainable Journey – how Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carbon zero accredited zoo Karen Fifield Wellington Zoo lives sustainable practices – financial, social and environmental. As an organisation we are committed to walking the talk.

This paper will explain our journey from good stewardship and kaitiakitanga to accreditation by the globally recognised carboNZero assessment.

Sustainable practice is good for business, good for the planet and good for people­‑ we can all do it. As our global zoo and aquarium community responds to the pressure of climate change, our story at Wellington Zoo is a practical but amazingly inspirational journey towards best practice sustainable behaviour.

17 | Supply chain activism – a role for zoos and aquariums Jonathan Wilcken Zoos and aquariums are significant purchasers of goods and services, and can exercise substantive influence on suppliers for wider conservation benefit if we choose. The palm oil industry represents a key threat to biodiversity in South­ ‑east Asia. Auckland Zoo has established a public profile in promoting the removal of palm oil from products on sale in New Zealand and reflects this approach in conditional contracts with suppliers to the zoo. This paper discusses key outcomes from this approach to date, and profiles a partnership with New Zealand’s leading ice cream supplier that resulted in a two­‑year programme to remove palm oil from their ice cream products.

As a direct consequence, 68% of all ice­‑cream sold throughout New Zealand will now be palm oil free and 180 MT of palm oil will be removed from sale in New Zealand every year. This alone represents a 1% reduction in New Zealand’s national palm oil consumption.

18 | Sustainable Zoo Ma. Clara Dominguez The Cali Zoological Foundation that administers the Cali Municipal Zoo, evolving from a mere administrator of a zoological park to a reference centre for conservation and social tissue for the local community. We will try to explain what are the foundations of such transformation reflected into an in­‑house developed management system, and an organisational culture inspired in an intelligent resource management that we call “sustainable Zoo”.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

19 | Increasing collection sustainability requires diverse One Plan approaches Bob Wiese, San Diego Zoo Global, USA Historically zoo and aquarium breeding programs have occasionally returned animals to the wild and often provided support for research, training, technology development, habitat protect and other conservation efforts. The One Plan approach strives to more fully integrate breeding programs, wild population management, and various conservation support efforts.

New models are emerging for species with special breeding needs, interactive exchanges between zoo and wild populations, and more futuristic methods to supplement shrinking gene pools. Several developing AZA programs will be discussed as potential models for the future.

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20 | Increasing conservation efforts through Disney’s service standards Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, USA The Walt Disney World Resort welcomes millions of Guests every year to its nearly 40-square­‑mile entertainment and recreation center in Central Florida. With those Guests, combined with the more than 66,000 Cast Members that bring our show to life, our property houses the population of a small city every day. You’ll learn how Disney’s world­‑class reputation brings Guests back time after time, and how that’s attainable for all organizations.

The magic is in our time­‑tested methods. Our reputation directly impacts the way our Guests think about wildlife and wild places and allows us to increase the conservation work we are able to do in the wild. You’ll walk away with key lessons we have learned that can apply to your organization – big or small – and will help you reach your conservation goals in a new way.

21 | Revenue generating/”premium” programs: Funding the One Plan approach Bill Street, Sea World/Busch Gardens, USA Over the past decade there has been great expansion of unique revenue generating programs and experiences at zoos and aquariums. One area of growth has been in the number of programs designed to be customized based upon a visitors’ interest. These programs are typically designed for smaller or individual audiences, connect to the conservation and zoological efforts of the facility, and are considered to have both high value and worth. In this session, we will give examples of some of the innovative,

high end, mission­‑focused experiences being implemented at zoos and aquariums worldwide and how zoos and aquariums are adapting to the culture of customization.

22 | From the Elephants‘ Perspective: using science to understand zoo elephant welfare Anne Baker, formerly Toledo Zoo, USA Initial results from a one­‑year study evaluating the effects of multiple environmental, social and management variables on elephant welfare will be presented. The study included 255 African and Asian elephants housed at 70 North American zoos. Specific welfare topics to be addressed include: body condition, reproductive health, foot and skin health, locomotion, and daytime and nighttime activity. These are examined in the context of age, sex, species, exhibit size and complexity, social experience, management practices, and a host of other factors. Implications of findings for the management of zoo elephants will be discussed.

23 | Engaging the public in direct support of our global conservation efforts Steve Burns, Zoo Boise, USA One of the zoo and aquarium world’s greatest assets is the huge number of people that visit our institutions on an annual basis. This session explores how zoos and aquariums are harnessing the power of these people to generate support for the conservation of animals in the wild. We will discuss the various funding models that have already been created, some voluntary and some not. We will give examples of institutions that

have already implemented these programs so you will know who to contact for help in order to start similar programs at your zoo or aquarium.

24 | ACOPAZOA Conservation Programs of ACOPAZOA Carolina Falla, ACOPAZOA, Colombia ACOPAZOA is working on conservation programs since 2006. White footed tamarine (Sagu‑ inus leucopus), Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) and blue billed curassow (Crax alberti), threatened colombian species, are the initial focus of our work. A captive breeding program based in training, protocols and research, was established. The partnership and support of EAZA, the Ministry of Environment, and other national and international institutions are the guarantee for the success, since we can integrate education and in situ research as a strong complement for ex situ programs. The aim of ACOPAZOA is to be recognized as a conservationist organization following the WAZA guidelines.

25 | Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ALPZA) contribution to conservation in Latin America Yara Barros, Foz Tropicana, Parque das Aves, Brazil The ALPZA Conservation Committee, works to promote biodiversity conservation. It has developed an accreditation process to recognize conservation programmes of ALPZA members that achieve a high quality level. Until now, two programmes were certified: the International Conservation Program for the White­‑footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus in Colombia and

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the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) Conservation Programme in Argentina. The Conservation Committee also publishes a Conservation Journal and organizes and conducts training and capacity building conservation workshops, both theoretical and practical. It also develops campaigns to generate funds for conservation.

26 | EAZA – European Conservation initiatives Lesley Dickie, EAZA, The Netherlands No abstract.

27 | PAAZAB – African Conservation activities Stephen van der Spuy, PAAZAB, South Africa The African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) has established the African Preservation Program (APP) under which objectively assessed and chosen species are managed using a combination of both in situ and ex situ expertize. This is achieved by a co­‑operative effort between the APP and relevant wildlife agencies.

All currently managed APPs and potential new APPs are being reviewed with a view to ascertaining which programmes will be confirmed as full APPs going forward. The African Preservation Programme has been strengthened after the establishment of the Conservation and Population Sustainability portfolios within PAAZAB in 2013. A few case studies will be presented to showcase current successes of the APP. Future requirements to ensure the success of the African Preservation Programme as well as participation in the Global Species Management Plans (GSMPs) will also be discussed.

28 | The Arabian Connection – The Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

30 | WAZA in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity: “The Decade Project”

Mark Craig, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, UAE

Tiago Pinto­‑Pereira, WAZA, Switzerland

In December 2012 zoos and aquariums from the Arabian peninsula and North Africa were invited to Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates with the one hope of forming a zoo and aquarium association. This was the first time representatives from this region had met in the same room.

Over three days that one hope turned into one plan with the agreement to form for the first time the Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

This emerging association will join the others in this one world where cooperation on education, conservation, animal welfare and improving standards will be its core values.

During its 66th Annual conference WAZA members unanimously endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity and supported both the Aichi Biodiversity targets and a WAZA global project supporting both the Decade and the Aichi targets.

29 | JAZA – Conservation activities and legal systems integrated with Japanese government Shigeyuki Yamamoto, JAZA, Japan JAZA has discussed with Ministry of the Environment to implement the in situ and ex situ conservation of Japanese endemic species including Tsushima leopard cat and Rock Ptarmigan, to define the public role of zoos and aquariums related to conservation, education and welfare, and to establish the legal and support system for zoos and aquariums. For the realization of “One World, One Plan, One Hope”, JAZA will be truly committed to all of the conservation activities consciously.

Therefore, a modular set of awareness raising tools is being developed as a recognisable framework, but adaptable to regional, cultural and individual institutional situations. These will consist of:

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

• Mobile / Tablet application • Posters • Films • Social Media campaign WAZA is taking this opportunity to update the WAZA Members on the progress of this exciting project by presenting the tools already finalized and providing insight into the tools still being finalized. This is a great opportunity for WAZA Members to find out more about the tools being designed and how to implement them in their institution.

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts page

These tools will then be made available to the whole WAZA membership at the launch during the 8th International Zoo and Aquarium Marketing Conference which will be hosted by Bristol Zoo Gardens, from the 12th to the 14th of May 2014.

Come by the poster session later on Tuesday (17.00–18.30) if you wish to discuss the implementation in more detail or have additional questions.

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Poster presentations 1 | Cell phone apps: The future of visitor interpretation for zoos and aquariums

based on breeding management, research, and education. Western Derby Eland studbook has been published annually since 2008 in cooperation with Prague Zoo. Since 2012 Western Derby Eland conservation programme has been supported by WAZA.

Roy Ballantyne This poster paper will critically compare the advantages and disadvantages of cell phone ‘apps’ and signs as methods of interpreting animals from the perspective of an institution and the visitor. A case study of the innovative use of a visitor cell phone ‘app’ experience will be presented (iANIMAL) as well as a demonstration of a visitor audio cell phone ‘app’ developed for uShaka SeaWorld in South Africa.

2 | Western Derby Eland – wild and captive population united for conservation Karolína Brandlová Western Derby Eland (Tautotragus derbianus derbianus) has been listed as critically endangered by IUCN since 2008. The last remaining wild population is estimated at 170 individuals (2006) in the Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP) in Senegal. Wild population is threatened by poaching and habitat loss especially caused by cattle grazing. In 2000, the semi­ ‑captive back­‑up population was established in 2000 from 6 founders captured in NKNP by the Directorate of National Parks in Senegal (DPN) and Society for the Protection of Environment and Fauna in Senegal (SPEFS). This population is managed in cooperation with Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and in 2013 contains 95 individuals divided into several herds within two fenced reserves in Western Senegal – Bandia and Fathala. The conservation programme is

In 2013, Species Conservation Strategy Planning Workshop was organized by Derbianus Czech Society for African Wildlife, DPN and SPEFS in Saly, Senegal. More than 40 participants came from 7 countries within 4 continents to participate in the discussion led by Dr. David Mallon, co­‑chair of Antelope Specialist Group IUCN. Within 3 days the conservation strategy for the Western Derby Eland was established and will be presented soon to the conservation community. Organisation of the workshop was supported by Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Knowsley Safari Park, Prague Zoo, Chester Zoo, and IUCN.

3 | Animal well­‑being as the first principle of exhibit design Júlia Hanuliaková How can we define animal welfare­‑based exhibit design guidelines that will serve zoos across the world, given cultural differences in interpreting animal welfare and zoos? This paper will address this question and present case studies, explaining why we think they are good models for animal welfare­‑based design. We will also discuss how WAZA guidelines could be written to challenge an audience to seek answers in recent scientific work and innovative design. We will solicit feedback and collect ideas for case studies from a range of countries and continents, especially examples of low­‑budget designs achieving high standard of well­‑being of animals.

4 | Kicking Goals for Wildlife Rachel Lowry Kicking Goals for Wildlife is an innovative eco­ ‑socio project that uses soccer to benefit wildlife whilst building social capital within Northern Kenya. In partnership with the Melako Community Conservancy, Zoos Victoria has engaged 120 Morans (warriors) and 400 children across 15 schools in an effort to mitigate human wildlife conflict. Using an integrated research program informed by distance sampling, biodiversity transects and baseline attitude and knowledge surveys to evaluate the program, we hope to secure the survival of species such as the Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk and Dik Dik, whilst brokering relationships between the community development and conservation science disciplines. Why? Because we have only one world, and a plan that benefits both humans and wildlife is our only hope. Fortunately, zoos are uniquely positioned to lead this change.

5 | WAZA in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity: “The Decade Project”

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts

Tiago Pinto­‑Pereira, WAZA, Switzerland During its 66th Annual conference WAZA members unanimously endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity and supported both the Aichi Biodiversity targets and a WAZA global project supporting both the Decade and the Aichi targets.

Therefore, a modular set of awareness raising tools is being developed as a recognisable framework, but adaptable to regional, cultural and individual institutional situations. These will consist of:

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• Mobile / Tablet application • Posters • Films • Social Media campaign WAZA is taking this opportunity to update the WAZA Members on the progress of this exciting project by presenting the tools already finalized and providing insight into the tools still being finalized. This is a great opportunity for WAZA Members to find out more about the tools being designed and how to implement them in their institution.

These tools will then be made available to the whole WAZA membership at the launch during the 8th International Zoo and Aquarium Marketing Conference which will be hosted by Bristol Zoo Gardens, from the 12th to the 14th of May 2014.

Come by and find out how to engage in this project.

6 | Discover a new way of learning with the WAZA Online Professional Development Center

Training is measured by its presentation and content. We build courses from the ground up to be interactive, engaging, and based on subject matter from world­‑class animal care professionals. We’ve studied their effectiveness and will be sharing surprising results!

7 | Proqram Recommendations in a One World Cooperative Breeding Program Rachel Watkins Rogers The need for sustainable populations in ex situ cooperative management programs continues to grow globally. This discussion outlines the need for a dialogue in the world zoological community about approvals or authorizations by countries of government owned species.

Due to the need for genetic diversity, animals from multiple countries may be paired for reproduction. An example would be the sire is from Colombia, dam is from Brazil with offspring owned by both countries per signed loan agreements. Which country authorizes the recommended transfer or signs the documents for this transfer? What if a consensus is not met by both countries?

Steve Stookey, Cypherworks, USA The WAZA OPDC provides flexible, web­‑based learning that gives you control of your schedule. Explore interactive courses from leading experts in the zoo and aquarium fields as well as topics like human resources and management.

Members join the WAZA OPDC network or private sites created for their organizations. Get complete access to the best content at prices designed for nonprofits.

8 | Thai zoos fight against extinction of Eastern sarus crane: Preliminary success from reintroduction of extinct­‑in­‑the­‑wild species Nuchjaree Purchkoon, Wanchai Sawasu, Su‑ mate Kamolnorranath and Boripat Siriaroon‑ rat, Zoological Park Organization Eastern sarus crane (Grus antigone sharpii) is a large wading bird that became extinct from

Thailand’s natural wetlands for over 3 decades.

Although the crane was listed as 1 of 15 wildlife reserves species under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act (1992), they need help from the zoo community to survive extinction.

The wild populations of Eastern sarus crane can still be found in Myanmar, Cambodia and Viet Nam where its range has declined dramatically across Southeast Asia. Captive breeding has started in Thailand since 1989 at ZPO’s Nakhonratchasima Zoo, with 27 founder cranes donated to the ZPO by local people near Thai­ ‑Cambodia border and private collections. Chick production has been unsuccessful during the first 10 years. However, with improved husbandry, nutritional & health management and enrichment, chicks can be produced routinely from natural mating and artificial insemination (10–30 chicks/year) in the past 10 years (2003– 2013). The current population is about 120 birds with 19 breeding pairs. Royal Thai government funded a program to assess suitable wetland sites and experimental release of captive­‑born chicks and monitor their survival. ZPO is the main focal point for this national program in collaboration with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and Kasetsart University and NGOs for a period of 5 years (2008–2013). The ultimate goal of this project was to return the Eastern sarus crane from captivity back to the nature, with specific target of 2 sustainable populations established with minimum survival rate of 30 percent.

The project adopted Isolation­‑rearing technique for captive­‑born chick in collaboration with the International Crane Foundation (USA), and the release method applied from the whooping and Mississippi Sandhill cranes reintroduction program by International Crane foundation (ICF) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The key elements of the project component are;

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1) habitat assessment & selection, 2) captive breeding for chick production, 3) rearing and training, 4) soft­‑release from covered pens and, 5) monitoring & evaluation of reintroduced crane survival. We would like to share the preliminary success of this project to WAZA community. We have released 5 groups of chicks around 6 month of age (total of 36 birds) back to the natural wetland in Burirum Province in northeastern Thailand at Huay­‑Jorakaemak and Sanambin Non­‑hunting Areas during 2011–2013 and followed the cranes by satellite/radiotelemetry and direct sightings. At present, 32 of 36 sarus cranes (88.9%) survive and live freely in the natural wetland surrounded by rice paddy fields and villages. First year birds became sexually mature and start to display courtship behavior and pair up in the wild. Preliminary causes of loss were aggression that resulted in fighting, predation and hunting by local people who lacks of awareness.

In the future, The Zoological Park Organization has planned to continue this project by reaching out to local communities at all levels to raise awareness and educate people about the values of the eastern sarus cranes. We also try to set the next policy goal by uplisting the Redlist status of eastern sarus crane status from ‘extinction­‑in­‑the­‑wild’ (EW) to Critically Endangered (CR) species. With continued support, we are hoping that Eastern sarus crane populations will be sustained in the wild in the next 10 years.

9 | Lost Valley – new interactive animal safari experience Samsung Everland Zoo Everland Resort, Korea’s leading theme park, introduced an exclusive, all new interactive animal safari experience, with a grand opening held on April 20th 2013.

The attraction’s target audience is families.

“Lost Valley’s” four key features of the story are animal experience, a ride element and closing­ ‑the­‑loop, an appeal to our target audience.

Thirdly, the ride in itself in the form of an amphibious vehicle is what makes “Lost Valley” a truly unique attraction. Amphibious vehicles were introduced to a safari. Those vehicles travel both on land and water taking guests on a mythical journey full of surprises.

Fourthly, the needs of the main target audience which are families with children are met.

“Lost Valley” is a huge sensation in Korea, just within the first five months after the opening, one million guests (7,000/day) were counted as visitors.

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First, “Lost Valley” takes guests on a journey to the legendary mythical world. The story begins with the time when humans and animals still lived in harmony.

Secondly, “Lost Valley” provides an opportunity to experience animal habitats while interacting with animals. Instead of using artificial barriers to separate animal habitats, waterways, swamps, hills and other natural settings were embedded into the scenery allowing guests to view animals in the most natural way in their environments.

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Received Full WAZA Congress Contributions

Increasing Conservation Efforts through Disney’s Service Standards Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Synopsis The Walt Disney World Resort welcomes millions of Guests every year to its nearly 40-square­‑mile entertainment and recreation center in Central Florida. With those Guests, combined with the more than 66,000 Cast Members that bring our show to life, our property houses the population of a small city every day. You’ll learn how Disney’s world­‑class reputation brings Guests back time after time, and how that’s attainable for all organizations.

The magic is in our time­‑tested methods. Our reputation directly impacts the way our Guests think about wildlife and wild places and allows us to increase the conservation work we are able to do in the wild. You’ll walk away with key lessons we have learned that can apply to your organization – big or small – and will help you reach your conservation goals in a new way.

Did you know? Last year alone… The Walt Disney Company raised $4 million to support the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

• We funded 150 DWCF projects worldwide • We encouraged thousands of Guests to make a change in their day­‑to­‑day routine to support conservation efforts.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking.

It all comes down to size… and a little money…

Well, when you think of size, the Walt Disney World Resort is comprised of • 4 theme parks • 2 waters parks • 25 resort hotels with nearly 28,000 rooms • 66,000 Cast Members • 1,500 animals representing 250 species just at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

focus on those three areas, our Guests come back year after year and ultimately feel connected to our mission and want to contribute their money to help the wildlife outside our gates. It’s the way we do business, and the Guests that believe in that business, allow us to directly increase the conservation work we are able to do in the wild.

The brand of YOUR institution, and its ability to be seen as a leader in conservation efforts, will likely be impacted by these three areas as well.

Let me show you how these simple words can make all the difference.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Reputation Let me start with some personal context around the power of the Disney reputation and how that power leads to trust and action.

And much MORE! In short, Walt Disney World’s daily population is larger than 90 percent of American cities. So, our size does help us achieve many of those impressive statistics, but do you really think our size is what brings families to vacation here?

Don’t most people think of vacation as something relaxing, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city? So why Disney?

We believe our Guests visit us for three reasons: • Our reputation • Our level of service • Our storytelling Those three reasons lead to our company’s brand and ability to make a difference for what we say is “wildlife and wild places.” Because we

I’ve been at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for about 9 months and prior to my role here I ran a business called Adventures by Disney. Has anyone ever heard of it? Probably not many… it’s a relatively new business for Disney.

In simplest form, Adventurers by Disney is a guided tour operator for families.

So, we are charged with bringing families from the United States to some of the most fantastic places around the world. In fact, if you have a “bucket­‑list” destination in your head right now – Adventures By Disney very likely goes there. Costa Rica? Italy? Maybe South Africa or Scotland? Yup, we go to all of these places.

Now, what if I told you that ABD has a trip to Egypt? And what if I told you that the trip was introduced shortly before the revolution took place in Egypt about two years ago? And, then,

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what if I told you that only a few months after the revolution, 6 families from the US got on a plane and flew to Cairo for a 12-day experience?

Well, they did. And I had decided to join these families in Egypt. I arrived earlier to run through the itinerary and mitigation plans that we had in place. So, when the families arrived to our hotel from the Cairo airport I met each one of them individually. There were families with kids as young as 11. There were families that had never traveled outside of the US – they never had passports! There were grandparents and couples. But they all said the same thing to me as we checked them into the hotel… “the only reason we are here in Egypt is because Disney is here…”.

Wow. If that’s not a testament to the power of our brand and reputation, I don’t know what is. And…wow, think of the responsibility that comes along with the trust that we have generated. My shoulders felt very heavy as I stood there in downtown Cairo…

This experience literally changed my perspective on what it means to be part of a powerful brand. It also changed my perspective on how it is possible to influence a guest’s behavior in incredible ways. And, it didn’t take Fairytale Castles or Mickey Mouse to change that behavior.

Just trust. Trust in our ability to provide them a level of service that we have become famous for. That level of service wouldn’t be possible without our world­‑class Cast.

Our level of service/the people Our Company’s founder, Walt Disney, once said, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality.” That con-

tinues to hold true today. The more than 66,000 Cast Members that work at the Walt Disney World Resort all play a vital role in our Guest’s experience. Now this may come as a surprise to you, but I am likely not as versed in the animal world as many of you. When I hear Dr. Mark or Dr. Jackie talk about the gestation period of a rhino, or the vocal tracking of an elephant, I sit in awe and soak it all up.

They are the right people to do what they do.

I encourage you to find the right people and have them connect your Guests with your animals….and that doesn’t mean they need to know the difference between a Masai and Reticulated giraffe. They just need to have passion.

Let me tell you about a 7-year­‑old boy named Russell who visited us at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Russell loved his visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and discovered while he was here that Disney helps to protect animals. He told his mom he wanted to help too, and decided to contribute some of the money he had saved to buy souvenirs to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

That alone would make a great story, but here’s what happened next. Some time later, we received a letter from Russell and his mom after they had returned home. I’d like to read this letter to you. “Dear Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. I asked for money to help animals for my birthday. Please use this money to help animals. Thank you, Russell.” In a note accompanying the letter, Russell’s mom told us that, in addition to asking for money to help animals instead of gifts for himself for his birthday, Russell also wanted to participate in volunteer projects to help protect animals and nature. Now the letter doesn’t say who Russell talked to that inspired him, or what it was that

made him feel so passionate, but I am going to venture to say it probably wasn’t someone who would identify themselves as an animal expert.

But yet, it was someone who had passion for our park’s mission and believed that no matter what age, they could make a difference. If it hadn’t been for that Cast Member, or maybe a variety of Cast Members, taking the time to talk to Russell his experience may have looked very different. Russell ended up donating what I believe was a few hundred dollars to directly support the work Disney is doing in the wild, and that’s all because of the Cast Members he interacted with.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

I feel privileged to work at a place that has inspired so many of our guests to care for wildlife and nature as a result of the Cast Members they encounter and the stories they are told while visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Storytelling I’ve heard it said that your brain reacts the same way when you hear a story as it would if it was a lived experience. That is why stories are so memorable. We encourage our Cast to share stories with our Guests in hopes that they make a connection with them. Think back to the Russell story. The Cast likely shared a story with Russell that made a difference.

Now if you don’t know him, I encourage you to meet Dr. Mark Penning. The stories he tells makes me feel like I experienced things along side him. I’ll never forget when I first walked into one of our aviaries with him. STORY: Personal story about how Josh had walked the aviary before not really seeing anything and then when he walked with Dr. Mark and heard stories about the birds, etc he saw so much more.

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Conclusion We continually strive to deliver new and exciting innovations to surprise and delight our Guests, but at the end of the day, our Guests visit us because of our reputation, because of the Cast who will deliver great Guest service and because of the memories they will walk away with from the stories they are told. When these three things align, we are able to increase the conservation work we are able to do in the wild because we have the support of the Guests who believe in us. Our Company’s CEO, Bob Iger, once said, “What sets Disney apart more than anything else is the strength of our brands.”

So do you have to be the size or have the same big brand as Walt Disney World to make a real impact? No. But I encourage you to focus on the same three criteria that will build your brand and connect your guests to employees and experiences that will leave them with lasting memories, the desire to be repeat visitors and the passion to make a difference for the world around them.

So…It’s not our size, it’s the way we do business that makes us successful. The goal is that people don’t just experience Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They are changed by it.

ALPZA Contribution to Conservation in Latin America.

Jacome, N. L.1, Barros, Y.2, Bairrão Ruivo, E.3, Cruz, J. B.4, Righi, C.5, Hidalgo, E.6, Carrillo, L.7, Astore, V.1

Introduction The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (APZA) was created 23 years ago, in 1990, and is the most important regional organism that includes the most prestigious and influential zoological institutions in Latin America.

Its goal is to facilitate the association among its members, looking for a sustainable life model, integrating the efforts of the Latin American region to the global conservation goals.

Currently, ALPZA has 73 members (51 institutions) from 20 countries, inside and outside Latin America.

1 Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina 2 Parque Das Aves, Brazil 3 Conservation Association Beauval et Recherche & ZooParc de Beauval, France 4 Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil 5 Fundación Temaikén, Argentina 6 Buin Zoo, Chile 7 Zoofari, Mexico.

The ALPZA Conservation Committee guidelines were established in 2008, in order to promote and encourage ALPZA members to develop their skills, talents and resources towards biodiversity conservation and to integrate the conservation efforts of the Latin­‑American region with global conservation goals.

Actions and results Certification: recognizing the good conservation programs

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

In order to recognize, support and guide the conservation efforts of ALPZA members, the Conservation Committee put in place a certification process for conservation programs that achieve a high quality level. To be certificated

by ALPZA, conservation programs must fulfill several criteria, which allow the committee to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects.

The Conservation Committee has evaluated several conservation projects, and until now, two have been certified.

• International Conservation Program for the White­‑footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus in Colombia (ALPZA CP # 1, 2011): The International Conservation Program for the White­ ‑footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus in Colombia is a joint conservation program between European and Colombian institutions members of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and ACOPAZOA (Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquaria), which was initiated in 2005 with the main goal of preserving the white­‑footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus), an endemic primate to Colombia, recently listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red

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List. The species inhabits a small area of ​​Colombia (15,000 km2), the smallest distribution of all species of Saguinus genus, and which does not occur in any protected reserve. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and illegal trade. Currently, there are 22 EAZA members and 8 Colombian zoos (all members of ACOPAZOA) actively involved on the program. In 2009 the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) joined the program mainly to help for the development of in situ activities, and on this year ACOPAZOA became the coordinator of the program on a national level.

The program was able to integrate ex situ and in situ activities, education and research in a comprehensive manner. A capacity building programme was established in order to improve the captive management of the species.

A captive breeding program was put in place in Colombia, with standardization of veterinary and nutritional procedures. Education activities and programmes have been developed both in zoos and in areas where the species occurs. Finally, an important programme started in 2010 in order to establish updated distribution and density of the species in the whole country and to evaluate the health and status and genetic diversity of the remaining population in order to establish an action plan for the conservation of the species in the wild and to buy land to create the first protected area to the species.

• Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) Conservation Program in Argentina (ALPZA PC # 2, 2012) – The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), the largest flying bird of the world, was abundant in the past, this emblematic animal, symbolic link with our cultural past, has unfortunately become a conservation challenge. Therefore, in August 1991 the Buenos Aires Zoo and the Bioandina Foundation created the Andean

Condor Conservation Program (PCCA), conducted under the bi­‑national program between Chile and Argentina. The PCCA carried out genetic studies and created a Studbook to the captive population in Latin­‑America. The project develops artificial incubation programs, breeding techniques under human isolation and works with the rescue and rehabilitation of wild condors. So far, the international conservation program reintroduced 124 specimens in South America.

The use of radio telemetry and satellite transmission, associated with intense field work, led to the development of a specific geographic information system, as part of the Intergraph Registered Research Laboratory. It was also created a special software, named Decosat, a flight simulator program that helps to understand the patterns of their movement. This technology made possible to get data on the use of the environment by the condors, their roosting sites, flight capacity and habitat preference. This scientific information guides the decision making for the conservation of these fabulous birds and the balance of their majestic ecosystem.

The local indigenous communities used to honor and live in harmony with this species in the past, and before each release, ancestral ceremonies are performed by them. They make prays in their native language, as a message of respect for all forms of life, and in this way the Spirit of the Andes returns to its place.

Divulgation A Conservation Journal (in Portuguese and Spanish) is published on a regular basis, to divulge the conservation efforts made by ALPZA members. This publication is available on APLZA website.

Capacity building and scholarships The ALPZA Conservation Committee has organized and conducted various training and capacity building workshops and lectures in the last years, both theoretical and practical, during the APLZA Congresses.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

A network of 34 specialists in 23 institutions on 9 countries (France, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico), which as consultants in several areas of conservation biology was established, and a data base with data on conservation programmes developed by ALPZA members.

Fundraising The ALPZA Conservation Committee developed fundraising campaigns and strategies to generate funds for conservation. Thanks to the collaboration of São Paulo Zoo, T­‑shirts and cards were designed and printed to be sold during the annual meetings of the association. Additionally, auctions are held during the ALPZA Congresses.

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Establishment of Institutional Partnerships In order to integrate the regional conservation efforts within a global framework of action, the ALPZA Conservation Committee has a representative on the WAZA Conservation and Sustainability Committee. Both projects accredited

by ALPZA received also the WAZA branding.

Latin­‑America is one of the most bio­‑diverse regions of the planet. Therefore, ALPZA and its Conservation Committee, conscious of the role they should play in the context of global conservation, will continue to work together with its members to address the environmental challenges that threaten all forms of life in the planet in general and especially in our region.

We Help Them to Survive: En Route to the Wandering Bus Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

Prague Zoo runs a bus line, one that begins five thousand kilometers from the Zoo’s entrance.

We named this bus the Wandering Bus, because it doesn’t have a strictly defined route. Although its base is in the little town of Somalomo, Cameroon, next to the entrance of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, the Bus embarks with school children and their escorts from nearby villages to visit the primate rescue stations in Mefou near Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, or in Limbe. This project is so far the highlight of our attempt to contribute to the protection of Western Lowland Gorillas and their habitat in Central Africa.

Prague Zoo has been breeding Western Lowland Gorilla for exactly 50 years. And for 40 years we have been connected to the region of Dja Biosphere Reserve by an almost forgotten story. Just recently an eminent pediatric oncologist, Professor Josef Koutecký, reminded me of it.

In 1973, Prague Zoo received two gorilla babies. One of them was fine, but a cherry­‑sized growth was discovered on the other one’s pelvis.

At first, this was thought to be a tumour, and so Professor Koutecký took charge of the case. He discovered that it was in fact a flattened bullet which had probably ricocheted off a tree and

then struck the young gorilla. It is likely that both the babies had been captured in a way that had already been prohibited – by shooting the mothers and taking the babies away.

The place of their origin was said to be the town of Sangmelima, Cameroon, so it is probable that the gorilla babies and their families fell victim to poachers in the Dja region. Coincidentally, the Wandering Bus operates in the area, where we can still feel the weight of this old, tragic debt.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Western Lowland Gorillas were, of course, always popular with the visitors of Prague Zoo, but only in the last decade has their popularity reached tremendous and unexpected dimensions. The popularity of gorillas in Prague and Czech Republic grew rapidly after the birth of the first gorilla baby – Moja – in 2004, and the launch of The Revealed project in 2005.

In this project, Czech Public Radio, where I worked at the time, parodied the popular reality shows – Big Brother or VyVolení – featured on Czech TV stations. Our Revealed, broadcast over radio, TV and internet, followed the life of the gorilla family in Prague Zoo. Its aim was not merely to illustrate the absurdity of the television entertainment programs, but foremost to present information about the life of Western Lowland Gorillas and raise funds for their protection in their natural habitat. This “slightly different reality show”, as we called it, aroused enormous public attention, and it continues in a modified form till today.

Support for in situ projects doesn’t have a very long or rich tradition in the Czech Republic, nor has fundraising targeted to the general public.

For The Revealed, we raised funds through donation sms’s, in which people voted for the win-

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Some Africans believe that gorilla meat gives them strength, decisiveness and manliness.

With easier access to tropical rainforest and a growing number of people living in adjacent areas, gorillas are also increasingly at risk of dying in traps set for other animals. Many Africans know gorillas only as meat on a plate, meat connected with a lot of myths, but they don’t know them as fascinating living beings. Following the example of the Limbe Wildlife Centre, we decided to show especially the children of Central Africa how important it is to protect gorillas and their habitat.

Wandering bus on tour. | © Khalil_Baalbaki

ners of our “slightly different reality show”, and through the sale of souvenirs related to gorillas and The Revealed. The most popular item was a pair of black underwear blazoned with the message “The Revealed”. It was even mentioned by the Los Angeles Times.

We used the funds raised over the course of several months by our “slightly different reality show” to support the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, which – as you know – cares for gorillas and other primates confiscated from poachers. Later, we decided to visit the Centre to show our Czech donors how their money was being used.

I consider it essential to provide detailed information about the collected funds, including for what purpose, how and by whom they are used, with maximal dissemination of this information across media, especially social media. Although this seems to be self­‑evident, this approach is

not always the case even with projects realized by international organizations and associations.

Our visit to the Limbe Wildlife Centre crucially influenced the project. By chance, we became aware of a very important thing. Sitting in the hotel, while editing some photos I had taken earlier that day in the Limbe Wildlife Centre, I became aware of someone looking over my shoulder. I turned around and saw a middle­ ‑aged woman. She immediately apologized and said: “You know, I have never realized how beautiful gorillas are, and how they are similar to us people.”

At this forum I surely don’t have to explain why I considered her words to be so important.

Of course, gorillas are endangered primarily due to the destruction of tropical rain forests. But there is one more important cause: thousands of gorillas are eaten in central Africa each year.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

First – still within The Revealed – we began to prepare TV stories and later books of gorilla fairy tales for a Czech audience. The most famous contemporary Czech singer, Lucie Bílá, volunteered to narrate these stories and perform their songs, and they were published on a CD. Our experiences in Cameroon later led to the idea to prepare a special edition for Cameroonian school children.

Two thousand books in English and two thousand in French were published and distributed on cars and motorbikes to schools together with questionnaires for teachers in 2008 and 2009. The success was surprising and binding.

I was moved when I learned that in one village the teacher was reading the book to illiterate adults. For the Cameroonian children just the experience of having a book, printed in high quality, was crucial and the pictures and stories of the gorillas engaged their interest.

When I became the director of the Zoo and declared in situ projects as one of our priorities, it was clear that this activity would continue. But first we had to raise money and create public support – which is, indeed, a never­‑ending process.

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Prague Zoo strives to support law enforcement; for several years we have provided equipment to the ecoguards of the Dja Biosphere Reserve.

We help local people to develop a sustainable relationship to nature and raise their awareness of the importance of its protection. Most of our activities are focused in this direction, starting with the distribution of the gorilla fairy tales.

After the first edition of fairy tales for Cameroon, the audio version was recorded and broadcast on selected Cameroon radio stations.

Limbe Wildlife Center. | © Khalil_Baalbaki

First, we agreed with our governing body, the City of Prague, that two Crowns, which is about 10 cents, from each entrance fee would be used for in situ projects.

Of course, we sell a lot of souvenirs, including a DVD about gorillas, but we also organize special events. From 2010, a ’Gorilla Run’ is held each May in Prague. The proceeds from the race entrance fee are dedicated to our activities in central Africa.

In the same year, we began to collect end­‑of­ ‑life mobile phones in our and other Czech zoos.

The company REMA Systém guarantees that each phone is recycled, and pays CZK 10 for each one, which is about 50 cents. Our current achievement is that we could donate to central Africa 2.8 million Crowns – which is almost one hundred and fifty thousand US dollars. It is – especially for Czech Republic – a lot of money on one side, yet still very little on the other side.

The central African countries are developing rapidly, and this requires a new and sophisticated attitude to the protection of nature in the region. From this point of view, Western Lowland Gorilla is the flagship species.

The first precondition for preserving for the future the unique nature of Central Africa and also wild gorillas is establishment of a network of sufficiently large protected areas.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

And then the second edition of the book came out, literally in response to the request of African school teachers. This edition was only in French; fifteen thousand copies were produced.

During 2011, the books were distributed to schools in the forest areas of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon and Congo – Brazzaville, covering practically the entire range of Western Lowland Gorilla.

Each school class received only a few books. But this time we also wanted each child to receive something for him or herself only: with each book we distributed a folding brochure with eight pictures of gorillas featuring educational texts on the back side. One hundred and twenty thousand pupils received one picture each.

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The second precondition is having strong legal protections and the capability to enforce the law.

The third is to convince local people to support nature protection.

And finally, the fourth is to offer an alternative source of livelihood to local people, who often live on hunting or poaching.

One of the motifs from the book of gorilla fairy tales was then illustrated further in coloring book that told a story about clever gorillas, startled elephants and punished poachers. As with the fairy tales, the coloring books were also a completely new experience and a great gift for the children.

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The destination of the first journey was Limbe Wildlife Centre. The Wandering Bus reached it after a two day journey. The children and their accompanying parents were astonished by what they saw. Everything was new for them, for example, the changes in vegetation along the route or the number of houses in towns. And their first meeting with gorillas filled both the children and parents with enthusiasm and awe.

But it is not only about meeting gorillas and other animals. Experienced educators in both the centres use entertaining ways to provide pupils from Dja with important and interesting information, and so they reshape their attitudes, which is the biggest hope for future.

Personalized copies of the gorilla book used in schools. | © Miroslav Bobek

Next, the Wandering Bus arrived.

After reading the books, some of the village children wanted to see gorillas. This wish became the breeding ground for the Wandering Bus project.

The idea is simple: a bus brings school children from the vicinity of the Dja Biosphere Reserve to the rescue stations in Limbe or Mefou, where they can have a close look at gorillas, undergo educational programs and gain an indelible experience during the several days long journey.

The idea aroused extraordinary interest in Cameroon. For the purposes of the project, we received, for free use, part of the base in Somalomo at the edge of Dja, which serves for accommodation as well as office space. Cooperation with the guards of the Dja Biosphere Re-

serve is also essential. The bus itself is a Toyota Coaster, formerly used to transport the pupils of a girls’ school in Saudi Arabia.

The first journey of the Wandering Bus was preceded by long and detailed negotiations with local authorities and the parents, and kicked off with a football match between two Somalomo teams. The famous Czech midfielder, Karel Poborský, took part playing in rotation for both local teams. He called attention to the Wandering Bus, and certainly added credibility to the project. Local people had been disappointed on previous occasions by international aid received in various forms. Karel Poborský, who remains very popular in Cameroon, helped us overcome doubts and suspicions.

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

The journeys of the Wandering Bus are followed by the work of the Ecoclub Friends of Dja, founded by us, which continues to work with children while strengthening the link between the reserve guards and local people.

So far more than one hundred and forty children have participated in the journey of the Wandering Bus. They have mostly visited Mefou, where they attended the education program.

The Wandering Bus should run at least for four years. We are now preparing additional education activities, which will follow the project. We also have opened the base in Somalomo to scientists. The first scientific project there focused on ethno­‑zoological research. Its results will be very important for us in our practical work.

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We welcome everyone who would like to cooperate with us on this creative and rewarding natural and educational preservation project.

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Efforts to Bring Back from the Brink – Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme in India, Central Zoo Authority Bishan Singh Bonal, IFS

The Government of India established the Central Zoo Authority in the year 1992 to oversee the functioning of the zoos in the country and to enforce the minimum standards of upkeep and care of animals. Based on the National Zoo Policy adopted in 1998, the main objective of the Zoos was to complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation of rich biodiversity of the country particularly wild fauna. This objective could be achieved by supporting the Conservation Breeding Programme of endangered species to raise their stocks and rehabilitating them in wild.

The planned Conservation Breeding Programme of critically endangered species is the flagship programme of the Authority. The Authority has been helping various zoos to take up the Conservation Breeding Programmes by organizing workshops for the zoo personnel in various aspects of establishing such programmes including appropriate housing, and husbandry and care of captive animals and birds.

The Central Zoo Authority, in consultation with the Chief Wildlife Wardens, in situ conservation Managers and Zoo Directors had identified 73 endangered species for the Conservation Breeding Programme out of which 26 species have been prioritized for launching conservation breeding program by Central zoo Authority.

The three species of once abundant Gyps vultures, White­‑backed vulture, Long­‑billed vulture and Slender­‑billed vulture are now on the verge of extinction. They are now critically endangered and on the priority list of Conservation Breeding Programme of the Central Zoo Authority. The Central Zoo Authority supported the establishment of five Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres in different zoos namely Van Vihar Zoo, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha; Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, Gujarat; Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Muta Zoo, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The vulture breeding center, Pinjore one of the three centers of state forest department has been identified as coordinating zoo.

Vultures in sub­‑continent Vultures are obligate scavengers that means that they never ever hunt but take dead meat.

They are highly mobile and could reach the dead animals within minutes. They are evolved for scavenging and could eat as much as their body weight if there is abundance of food and can go hungry for days. They were in large numbers in India because most of us are non­‑beef eater and so most of the cattle die a natural death. They are skinned and thrown out in open.

The vulture would descend as soon as an animal dies and would strip the carcass of full grown adult ungulate within minutes.

Nine species of vultures are recorded from the sub­‑continent.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

White­‑backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long­‑billed Vulture G. indicus, Slender­‑billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, Indian Griffon Vulture G. fulvus, Himalayan Griffon G. himalayensis, King Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus, Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus

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The first five species belong to genus Gyps and they feed on the soft tissue and visceral organ of the animals and they occur in large numbers.

The King Vulture and Cinereous Vulture feed on the tough skin and meat and could open carcass of a large ungulate. The Egyptian Vulture is the smallest of the all and it feed on the tendons and muscles sticking to bones after other vultures have eaten and they also feed on the scats of the large mammalian scavengers. So together they do a thorough cleaning job and nothing of the animals remains for purification. The Beared Vulture is usually found in high mountains and prefers feeding on the bone marrow of big bones after he drops them on a rock from a height.

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Vultures in India

page

The talk mainly deals with the three resident Gyps species of vultures that were once very common and are now on the brink of extinction in the country. Vultures were very common in India till a couple of decades ago. As clear from the picture taken in the heart of Delhi city near a slaughter house dump during early eighties.

There was an estimated population of about 40 million in the country in early eighties but now less than hundred thousand remains.

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The Population of resident Gyps vultures crashed in mid nineties and by 1996, we had lost 90% of the population and by 2007, 99% population had disappeared. The annual rate or decline recorded was more than 43% for White­ ‑backed Vulture, when annual mortality of over 5% can cause extinction. An estimated population of One Thousand Slender­‑billed Vulture, 12 thousand White­‑backed Vulture and 44 thousand Long­‑billed Vulture remained in the wild by 2007.

White­‑ backed vulture: The White­‑backed Vulture has its distribution in South and South East Asia. Its population crashed in South­‑East Asia almost thirty years ago but from South Asia the population declined by mid nineties. The vultures are slow breeding birds and lay only one egg per year and nest on trees. Both the sexes share all the responsibility almost equally like nest building, incubation and rearing of the nestlings. It is critically endangered based on IUCN criteria.

Long­‑ billed vulture: This species was very common two decades ago and it has its distribution only in India except for a small population in Pakistan. They nest on cliffs and are slow breeding and long living like the White­‑backed Vultures.

There population also crashed during the mid nineties. It is critically endangered according to IUCN criteria.

Slender­‑billed vulture: This is probably the rarest vulture in the world with only 1000 individuals left in wild. In India it was found north of Gangetic plains from Himachal to Assam but it is now confined largely to Assam. It nests of trees and like other Gyps lays only one egg per year. It is also critically endangered according to the IUCN criteria.

Initiatives by government of India The Government of India brought out the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India in 2006 based on the Recovery Plan released in 2004 at Parwanoo and International Conference of Vulture Conservation at Delhi in 2006. and recommended for ban on the Drug diclofenac, a non­‑steroidal anti­‑inflammatory drug which was found the main cause of vulture mortality

by Government of India.

Five Conservation Breeding Centers were set up by the State Government with the support and guidance of Central Zoo Authority and technical support of Bombay Natural History Society.

In 2011, a Workshop was organized at VCBC, Pinjore and a working manual for Vulture Conservation Breeding was prepared. In 2012 a symposium for developing regional response was organized sponsored by CZA in collaboration with, IUCN, WII at New Delhi and regional declaration was formulated also formed a regional steering committee and National Vulture Recovery Committee. The progress was reviewed and training in best practice in husbandry and care was imparted periodically by the CZA.

Conservation breeding programme Number of vultures The first question when the Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme was taken up was to find out the number of birds required to be bred and released so that they could form a viable population and would be able to perform their ecological role. The help of a deterministic

model was taken to arrive at the numbers of founders and expected number of vultures to be released in wild. A population of 600 pairs of each of the three species was considered as a viable population with 25 pairs of each of the three species at one centre that will be able to produce a population of 100 pairs of each of the species in the fifteen years minimum Six centres need to be set up to produce 600 pairs.

Age composition

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

As it is important to have known age birds in a conservation breeding programme, it was decided to take most of the birds as nestlings or juveniles (70%). It is possible to age a vulture till it is 4–5 years old, sub­‑adult (15%). The young birds are also known to take to captivity easily. Some adult birds (15%) are also required to act as guide birds for breeding as well as in the release programme. Some extra birds are required to be housed to take care of incompatibility between the birds of a pair or mortality.

Infrastructure The birds are kept in quarantine aviaries (20 × 20 × 10’) for forty five days under veterinary observation. The aviaries are five km from the main centre. The birds are moved to nursery aviary (12 × 10 × 8’) if they are nestling or juvenile or to the holding aviary (20 × 20 × 16’).

The adults are kept in the colony aviaries (100 × 40 × 20’) where they also nest and breed.

The hospital aviary of dimension 10 × 12 × 8’ are used for treating sick birds at the centre.

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The colony aviaries are big and vultures can flap fly from one end to other and keep themselves healthy. The birds are kept in flock of 30–40 birds in the colony aviaries as they are social birds. The food and water is provided from outside to minimize contact with humans. The nestlings and juveniles are also kept in flocks in nursery aviaries to avoid imprinting.

Laboratory Good dedicated labs are maintained at the centers to carry out hematology, biochemistry and other laboratory tests during annual health checks as well as when the bird is found sick.

The Vultures are not sexually dimorphic, so molecular sexing is done with the help of DNA.

Capture The Vultures are collected from different parts of the country to get a good genetic diversity.

Total 179 (as on 2013) number of vultures are there in the coordinating zoo VCBC, Pinjore..

Hatching of vultures in various centers has been successful over the years. All the species have bred for the first time ever in captivity

Health monitoring Health monitoring is done once a year when all birds are caught and all parameters including hematology is carried out. Sanitation is very important. The aviary are routinely cleaned once in a week. Thorough cleaning is done twice a year.

Feeding

Attempt of double clutching

Only Mammalian food is offered. Average food given is equivalent to 5% of the body weight per day about 3 kg a week. Entire skinned carcasses of goat are given after removing the gut contents. The goats are kept under a week’s observation before slaughtering to make sure there is no diclofeanc in the body of the goat.

The diclofenac is extremely toxic to vultures.

The drug is excreted out of the body of the treated animals within 72 hours.

Vultures are known to lay only one egg per year, but if the egg is removed within a couple of weeks of laying, they may lay again. Hence, if the first clutch of eggs is removed for artificial incubation, the female may lay a second clutch.

The second clutch will be incubated by the parents. This is called double clutching and by this method it is possible to double the breeding success.

Nesting The birds nest in the aviaries as they do in the wild. They prefer ledges with jute matting. The perches are wound with coconut rope to give them a rough surface to perch. This prevents bumble foot. The birds pair for life. Nest building starts in October, eggs are laid in December and the nestling hatch by end of January. Both sexes share all the duties. The incubation period is 55 days and nestling period is 10–120 days

Double clutching (Artificial Incubation increasing Productivity)The need for artificial incubation was felt to save eggs from parental abandonment. Some pairs, especially those breeding for the first time, abandon their eggs due to inexperience and do not incubate. Such eggs can be rescued by artificial incubation. This way the eggs could be saved and production could be increased.

I | Time of collection of eggs

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Between 10–14 days of natural incubation. To assure optimum hatchability and establish an appropriate egg weight loss trend is monitored.

Chances of double clutching reduces if eggs are left on nest for 21 days and beyond.

II | Infrastructure 1-Incubator room and incubator The incubation room is thermo­‑controlled and the temperature is maintained between 19 to 23°C. with Dimensions of 12 × 10 × 10’. It is thermo­‑controlled and without any windows.

Relative humidity has to be maintained as low as possible. Eight table top hot air incubators9Octagon) are utilized for incubation which have Forced (moving) air heating system with Simple and highly efficient in temperature and humidity controls Four vulture eggs could be incubated at a time.

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2-Incubation parameters

III­| The hatching process

Release program

Handling: That monitors embryonic development determines the stage of incubation, evaluates the egg shell quality, flaws, cracks, yolk quality and mobility as well as progress of the air cell formation and its position. Eggs are weighed once in six days thereafter.

Internal pipping of eggs: As the time of hatching approaches, the embryo attains its maximum size and occupies all space within the egg except the air cell. Pulmonary respiration is initiated by contraction of hatching muscle.

The release sites (Vulture Safe Zones) will be monitored at least for two year to make sure the drug diclofenac is not in the system, food and habitat is available in plenty and there is no other obvious threat to vultures. Soft Release will be attempted where birds will be kept for a period at the release site. The roof will be opened and birds would have the option of flying out. Food will be provisioned first in the aviary and then outside and gradually away from the aviary. Food provisioning will be stopped once they find natural carcasses. All the birds will have satellite tags before they are released.

Weighing: Eggs should be weighed after removing from the nest to know their current weight and to calculate their fresh weight. Eggs should lose between 14 to 17%. Weight loss is a physical process of water evaporation through the pores of the egg shell. Weighed once every three days thereafter.

Humidity: The eggs were incubated in dry incubators initially. The humidity was increased by adding water if the eggs were found to be losing more weight whereas the humidity was decreased if the eggs were not losing enough weight.

Temperature: Temperature range from 36.3˚C to 36.9˚C for all the three species. It is recorded every hour and round the clock to keep a check on voltage fluctuation. Once incubation begins, embryo can survive temporary drops in temperature but an increase of even 0.5 ˚C for a few hours can prove fatal.

Turning of eggs: An important parameter is done using automatic egg turning cradle that rocks the whole incubator from side to side thus turning the eggs every hour. The eggs were also turned manually three times a day along the longest axis to facilitate normal membrane development and nutrient uptake and to prevent the embryo from sticking to the inside of the shell.

External pipping: Occurs when the egg tooth pierces the shell leading to a crack in the shell.

The egg is shifted to the hatcher in brooder room set at 36˚C with water in the capillaries to limit the drying of shell membranes which could restrict the embryos’ movement. c­‑Hatching­‑ Hatching occurs as embryo pushes out of shell. Chick kept in Nursery aviary from 3rd day onwards for some time for exposure to sunlight for Vitamin D3. Nestling’s eye sight develops by the 10th day and fed in the brooder after 10th day. Nestlings are kept in groups of 2–3 so as to imprint on each other.

IV­‑Feeding the nestlings A newly hatched nestling is not fed anything for the first 12 hours as it draws food from its yolk sac. On the 2nd day it is fed only 2 grams of meat three times. Nestling is weighed before feeding and after every meal. Feeding times are fixed and strictly followed. Over feeding can be more harmful than under.

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Acknowledgements Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, UK; Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species, UK;, International Centre for Birds of Prey, UK;, Zoological Society of London, UK; Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly; Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun; Forest Departments of U.P., U. T, Haryana, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand.

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Sustainable Zoo Maria Clara Dominguez, Cali Zoo

At the beginning (30 years ago) the Cali Zoological Foundation received a totally unviable zoo.

This zoo has now become one of South America’s most prestigious Zoological institutions.

To go even further, we are now directing part of our efforts to turn the Zoo into a “sustainable institution”.

We believe firmly that it is our duty to leave to the forthcoming generations an eco – friendly planet. In doing so we are thinking about our own kids and resorting to our passion to devote all our energies to form better human beings to occupy our planet.

institution provides a marketing edge. Our customers are demanding eco – friendly institutions. In the third place (but not necessarily less important that the first two) are the regulatory demands. There is a gradual tightening of environmental legislation and regulations.

However there is another reason, perhaps a more compelling one, to speak about sustainability in the Zoological institutions, and it is the fact that our zoos can become a platform to promote the idea of sustainability in the future generations. We are the place where children, youngsters and parents, together, connect with nature. The visit to the zoo becomes an opportunity to instill the idea that there is a new form of relating to nature through sustainability.

But how do we go as far as Zoos are concerned?

We devise a plan: In the Cali zoo we started with 5 simple steps: 1.

Our institution’s Mission is: “We strive to create unforgettable experiences and make our passion for life contagious” On the other hand our Vision is “Our actions have contributed to create welfare scenarios for human and wildlife communities. We are a platform that supports the construction of environmental commitment”.

In general, when institutions think of sustainability they do it for three reasons: First, there are economic reasons; it is imperative to reduce operating costs. We are required by our budgets to cut energy, water, solid waste disposal bills etc. Secondly is marketing. To be an eco friendly

2.

We diagnosed all processes and activities in which, we utilize water and energy resources, and evaluated, all residues generated by the Park. All water and energy utilization was carefully accounted for in each building and exhibit. What were our consumption peaks, how much plastic was discarded, how much trash we produced. We had to have exact information.

We identified our most important “hotspots” where a reduction could easily and more efficiently be achieved for each of our products, processes or activities. With that information, decisions could be made, as to where and how to reduce water and power requirements.

We designed and implemented a reduction plan for our environmental footprint. We established, yearly goals and we make month­ ‑by­‑month evaluations. These evaluations will necessarily lead to further actions and improvements.

4. We are designing and implementing compensation projects for the Cali River Basin and the surrounding communities; we have to acknowledge that we depend on what is produced by others. The Zoo in Cali is alongside the Cali River, and we are working in the reforestation of its basin, for that purpose we have devised workshops with public schools and started community education programs.

5. Lastly we need to communicate what we are doing to our public and our communities in order to elicit interest and promote replication of our actions. We are devising a special tour through our facilities to show to the public our environmentally friendly activities. I will become a new and very interesting experience for our visitors.

3.

At the end all this is neither costly nor complicated. It is, nevertheless, not easy. It all boils down to method. In the first place we go for actions that are relatively cheap and can be easily implemented. Second we implement actions that can be financed with our own funds. And thirdly we go for the most expensive things that require external funding. We provided capacitation to our staff and made them part of our sustainability watch team.

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• Our city’s environmental authority will fund the third stage.

• There are no magic formulas for sustainability.

• Each Zoo has to devise, its own plan tailored to its own needs.

• The plan must be authentic and overall credible…

• It must be adapted to its own circumstances • Without having to resort to extravagant measures, it must be simple • And especially it must be intelligent and clearly oriented.

By 2014, in Cali, we will have implemented an intelligent and responsible water management system and waste disposal, and we will become a platform of citizens’ education for a sustainable community.

Currently, in the Cali Zoo we have re – seeded the dry forest around us, we have a drip irrigation system and we built a potable water plant using the river water. We have started a Solid Waste Disposal System and with it we are producing our own organic fertilizer. We will be constructing a residual water treatment facility, and will evaluate implementing solar energy.

This is how we are doing it and this is how we will become not only a environmentally friendly zoo, but overall a decisive factor for our community to become an eco friendly one.

The Arabian Connection – The Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association Mark Craig, Al Ain Zoo, United Arab Emirates

In December 2012 zoos and aquariums from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa were invited to Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates with the hope of forming a Zoo and Aquarium Association. This bold step and innovative idea was as a direct result of the vision and leadership of Al Ain Zoo’s Director General Mr. Ghanim Al Hajeri. The idea of creating a Zoo and Aquarium Association within the Middle East region was not new with previous attempts failing to gain interest or being too complicated.

Mr. Ghanim’s idea was simple but bold in its execution. To invite and host senior representatives from Zoos and Aquariums within the region, under one roof with one plan. To ask of our colleagues if there was a desire and need to form an Association that would represent the needs of the region’s zoo and aquarium community. From this beginning and with a relatively short organizing time of 5 weeks the first regional networking meeting was organized

with the one hope of forming an Association under one plan that all participants would have ownership of.

The goals we set ourselves, as the host of this historic regional meeting were • To bring together for the first time representatives from the major Zoos and Aquariums in the region to share their values and mission with each other.

• To establish a network in which everyone would feel comfortable with communication and sharing of common ideas.

• To recognise that it is a distinct advantage to be part of a networking forum that gives strength to individual institutions as a member.

• To establish support and need of a regional zoo and aquarium association.

Dates were fixed that met the ambitious requirements of Al Ain Zoo as the host and that would also enable as many participants from regional countries to attend. This was 11–13 December 2012 but proved difficult for proposed facilitators to attend from outside the region as this was too close to the Christmas holiday period and at too short a notice. Quite quickly it was decided that we, Al Ain Zoo would not only host but also facilitate. After all we had come through the CBSG school of workshop facilitation by trial and error in which ‘everyone participates no one dominates, listen to each other and treat everyone with respect’

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Delegates arrived from Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Three international guest speakers were also invited to share their various experience in establishing an Association or coordinating and running one. They also assisted significantly in roundtable facilitation and providing valuable information on the challenges and successes of membership associations.

The guest speakers were • Dr. Gerald Dick – Executive Director of WAZA • Dr. Sally Walker – Director / Founder Zoo Outreach Organisation and the South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation (SAZARC) • Dr. Stephen Van Der Spuy – Executive Director African Association of Zoos & Aquaria The historic meeting was officially opened by Mr. Ghanim Al Hajeri, Director General, Al Ain Zoo with the following words.

We invite you all to enjoy Al Ain, our Zoo and discussions amongst yourselves on the values we all embrace in working and managing Zoos and Aquariums in this region. On animal management, education, conservation and indeed the business of running institutions that have animals as their core business and the communities that visit and enjoy the connections with wildlife they embrace.

We have representatives from all over the region here. These include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco and of course the UAE. In all, over 35 delegates with a common passion – Zoos and Aquariums.

It is indeed a gathering of Zoo and Aquarium expertise from this region that until now has never previously met under the same roof. It is for this reason alone that we can celebrate. However we would like to go a step further. Not only to congratulate ourselves for being here but also to capture this moment and the energy in this room to develop a framework of understanding where the idea of working together on our shared challenges far out ways the individual problems we may face by working on our own.

A recent statistic tells us that every year some 800 million visitors make the decision to visit a zoo, animal park or aquarium at least once in a year worldwide. If we ever thought our institutions were a thing of the past or declining in popularity we are hugely mistaken. Zoos and Aquariums are more popular with the world community than ever before. Their mission of Education, Conservation, Research and Recreation are the cornerstone of why they remain so popular today and relevant in this modern technology world.

However they must remain relevant. Move with the times, embrace modern techniques of species management. Engage with partners to undertake conservation and education initiatives. To display animals in an environment that best meets their natural behavior. To engage in the best animal husbandry techniques and to make animal welfare our highest priority. To benchmark ourselves on the best zoos in the world and maybe even raise the bar further. If this is our goal then we are taking our responsibilities as custodians of wildlife to the highest of priorities. If we are able to move towards and achieve these goals then the benefits to our financial position and ongoing sustainability will significantly improve.

I believe all these things can be achieved. Not today or the next but over a period of time.

What is certain is we cannot do all this alone.

We must work together hand in hand as one.

Our common strength as a region is stronger than any individual.

So my friends and colleagues we have an opportunity over the next few days to work together in reviewing what we have now and what we want in the future. To lay down the framework for a network of regional Zoos and Aquariums and in doing so promote and enhance all the reasons we meet here today for the long term responsible care and wellbeing of the animals we hold in trust.

Al Ain Zoo will be hosting the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conference in 2015. This will be an honor for us all and the first time such an important conference has been hosted in this region. Let us have this date also as a goal for the establishment and recognition of our own Zoo and Aquarium Association. To take this opportunity now and make history by being the founders of this new Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Each delegate was then introduced and provided a short presentation on their Zoo or Aquarium. The presentations continued throughout the course of the day and provided all delegates with a view of the region’s current status of its Zoos and Aquariums.

The following day was devoted to a series of workshop sessions facilitated by Al Ain Zoo staff.

A series of questions were asked of each group.

All ideas and comments were recorded on flip charts and each table presented the results of their discussions.

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Question 1: What are the major problems facing your Zoo today? Zoos and Aquariums within the region may have different problems that could be related to their Country, funding, management, animal collection, staffing, expertise, language, history etc. What is a problem for one Zoo may not be a problem for another.

Question 2: Given the common problems we have just heard from our first discussion, what are the opportunities and benefits that a regional zoo and aquarium network could do to assist? How would a zoo and Aquarium ‘association’ help solve these problems or not.

Would working together on these problems be a benefit to individual zoos? This question is to tease out some ideas on the benefits of a network of zoos.

Question 3: What do you consider are the strengths within the Arab region that would make a regional zoo and aquarium associa‑ tion possible? What is it within our region that would make an Association work well? Is it geographic location, a shared common language, support from various governments, contacts with WAZA etc.

Question 4: What do you think are the chal‑ lenges that need to be overcome to establish a regional zoo and aquarium association in this region? Given all the discussions that have taken place today and based on the summaries of each discussion topic, what are the obvious challenges we will face? However with each challenge comes opportunity.

Conclusion All groups came together for some general discussion. A last question was asked to all delegates: • Do we all support the formation of a region‑ al zoo and aquarium association? There was a unanimous agreement by a show of hands that all supported the formation of a regional zoo and aquarium association. A final question was asked of all delegates.

• What would the name of such an associa‑ tion be? A number of names were provided by each table but the preferred and agreed name was the: Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Associa‑ tion (AZAA) At the final session a draft agreement was presented to all delegates. This agreement incorporated the positive comments, general cooperation of delegates and unanimous wish to be part of their own zoo and aquarium association. The agreement was unanimously accepted by all delegates.

We will share information about our animal collections for the benefit of these animals.

On return to our countries we will engage with our national institutions on a regular basis.

Al Ain Zoo is willing to provide office space and staff time to coordinate communication within the region and to establish a working group of members to move forward in the establishment of our Association.

The Way Forward The following points were discussed and agreed as the way forward over the following 12 months.

A regional Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association are established.

• Al Ain Zoo to develop a regional office and lead communication and coordination • A group of delegates will form a working committee and draft a framework for membership • Ongoing discussions and a draft Constitution and Code of Ethics to be drawn up • This working group to meet on a regular basis and be in communication • 1st AZAA Conference 10th – 12th December 2013 at which the AZAA draft constitution and Code of Ethics will be presented and discussed • Al Ain Zoo to lead discussions within the UAE for support of a National Zoo and Aquarium Association • By 2015 AZAA to be a fully Regional Association member of WAZA

This organisation will communicate, collaborate and cooperate with its members the strengths and opportunities we all share.

Through 2013 Al Ain Zoo continued with coordinating the various components that make up a fully operational AZAA and included:

Agreement On this day 13th December 2012 at the 1st regional Zoo and Aquarium networking meeting hosted by Al Ain Zoo the delegates agree that:

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The strategic goals of the Association. These can include: To harness the collective knowledge and resources of zoos and aquariums for the benefit of all members to • Promote animal welfare standards • Provide animal exhibit displays that meet the animal’s requirements • To conserve whenever possible biodiversity • To educate the public on animal conservation and exhibit management • To work with each other in a harmonious environment of cooperation and knowledge sharing 2. To establish and maintain community awareness campaigns through community engagement and education.

3. Establish and maintain a regional standard and accreditation system.

4. Develop the effectiveness of species management programs that are disciplined and inclusive 5. Build member’s participation in conservation and education programs through cooperation and collaboration 6. Work to promote the awareness of AZAA within the region and on the world stage 7. Meet the changing needs of the membership 1.

Conclusion The three day meeting and workshop enabled for the first time in the Middle East region a coming together of like­‑minded, zoo and aquarium community members that were focused on working together. An environment of cooperation and knowledge sharing was created that placed value in the strength of shared aspirations rather than individual goals.

This combined strength of purpose enabled the historic agreement to be made for the establishment of the Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

There is a long way to go but a massive first step has been taken. Al Ain Zoo will coordinate this journey for the long term benefit of all regional participants.

Special thanks are given to the initiative and vision of Mr. Ghanim, Director General of Al Ain Zoo without whom this first step would not have been possible.

Lastly to the Al Ain Zoo team, who organised, coordinated, managed and facilitated the three day meeting. This was achieved with a professionalism that was both seamless and respected.

A Sustainable Journey – Wellington Zoo carboNZero Certification Story Karen Fifield and Amy Hughes – Wellington Zoo and James Luty – Beca

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Introduction Wellington Zoo announced in June it was the first zoo in the world to achieve carboNZero Certification. Established in 1906, Wellington Zoo is New Zealand’s first zoo, and is Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation. With a long track record in making positive and proactive environmental decisions, going carbon neutral was a logical next step for the Zoo. Funded by a Community Internship through the Department of Internal Affairs and ASB Bank, the project work was largely undertaken by James Luty, a Planner at a professional services consultancy Beca. In the initial stages of the project James produced a greenhouse gas inventory as a part of a carbon neutral feasibility study for the Zoo, which outlined the steps required for the Zoo to achieve its carbon neutral goals.

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Wellington Zoo is an excellent advocate for sustainability in the local community. The Zoo is not only a place where visitors can learn about animals, but also an organisation which supports and contributes to local and international conservation initiatives. Climate change has a negative impact on biodiversity so reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pursuing a carbon neutral status was important to the Zoo to help protect wildlife and wild places. Due to an excellent Environmental Management System already in place at the Zoo, the data collection and feasibility study were completed in a very short timeframe. This led to the Zoo’s management team and Board agreeing to pursue full carboNZero certification. Certification was achieved in record time, six weeks after signing up with carboNZero. carboNZero is an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification program under ISO 14065 which requires its member organisations to not only measure their carbon footprints, but to also commit to reducing their emissions before offsetting any unavoidable emissions. Wellington Zoo chose to invest in EBEX21 which are Kyoto­‑compliant carbon credits from regenerating native forest in the Banks Peninsula, a conservation project which fits with the Zoo’s ethos. As a part of the journey toward carboNZero certification, areas where future emissions reductions will make a significant difference to the Zoo’s carbon footprint were identified. It was found that the Zoo’s largest source of emissions is electricity consumption. Things like underfloor heating in the chimpanzee’s caves, two heat pumps in the sunbear den, heat lamps in the meerkat and porcupine enclosure and climate control in The Nest Te Kohanga all have high energy demand, but are essential to maintain high standards of animal welfare. Part of the Zoo’s commitment to being carbon neutral is to continue to increase the efficiency at which it uses power whilst

maintaining the highest standards of care for its animals. At Wellington Zoo all staff are 100% committed to sustainability. All new enclosures and other infrastructure at the Zoo are built with sustainability, including energy efficiency and water use, in mind. Chief Executive Karen Fifield said “It’s an incredible celebration of our commitment to creating a better environment for animals and for all of us. Conservation is at the heart of everything we do at Wellington Zoo. We take our commitment to minimising the environmental impact of our organisation very seriously.” The benefits are not solely environmental, but also educational and economic. Wellington Zoo Trust Chair Ross Martin has highlighted the financial benefits saying, “One of the great things about reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is that environmental sustainability goes hand in hand with financial sustainability, which is very important to us as a charitable trust.

Conservation is at the core of everything done at Wellington Zoo. The Zoo appreciates that it plays a significant part in leading and motivating our visitors and the wider community towards more environmentally aware behaviours and sustainable outcomes. The philosophy of environmental accountability underwrites all Wellington Zoo’s decision making, especially in regards to education, community engagement, building and construction projects, conservation projects and resource use.

The Decision to Pursue Carbon Neutrality Carbon neutrality aligns with two of the six Strategic Elements for Wellington Zoo: 1.

2.

The Wellington Zoo Story Background on Climate Change and Wellington Zoo’s Position It is widely accepted that human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels for energy have resulted in unnaturally high concentrations of greenhouse gasses (GHG) in the atmosphere. These gasses (of which carbon dioxide – CO2 – makes up the largest proportion) act to trap warm air that would otherwise be released beyond our atmosphere resulting in the gradual warming of the planet on a global scale. The negative effects associated with this warming (such as the increased frequency of severe weather events and the shifting of habitat zones) are placing increasing pressure on biodiversity worldwide.

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Integrate conservation and sustainability across the organisation Show industry leadership

Put simply, the Zoo considered that carbon neutrality is the right thing to do to minimise its negative impacts on the planet. The Zoo prides itself in being a trend setter in the community for best practice environmental activities. This means that being seen to be reducing its GHG emissions is essential. Going carbon neutral takes this a step further, and helps to lead and inspire other business and organisations to take similar steps to reducing their GHG emissions.

Climate change is a global issue, with emissions from New Zealand having an impact globally. By spreading the low carbon message through the community, Wellington Zoo has the opportunity to provide a connection between the actions of individuals in New Zealand with the conservation of endangered species worldwide. Becoming carbon neutral has the potential to provide additional funding opportunities. Whilst this is not the principle motivator for the Zoo to be-

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carbon dioxide equivalent gas (tCO2-e3). Electricity constitutes 57.92% of WZT’s total gross emissions. The next largest emissions source is air travel (15.59%) which is followed closely by landfill waste (9.06%), fuel (7.97%) and freight (4.6%). The remaining emission sources (from ruminants, paper, water, taxis and LPG) make up less than 6% of WZT emissions profile. This is illustrated in Figure 1.

Having an understanding of where the majority of the Zoo’s emissions originate is essential for ensuring that emission reduction efforts can be focussed towards activities which are contributing the highest proportion of emissions. Given that the majority of the Zoo’s emissions are from electricity, this is the most significant opportunity to reduce emissions.

Figure 1: WZT GHG emissions by source

come carbon neutral, increased funding would help to finance further work in the sustainability arena, particularly in regards to renewable energy initiatives (which would have the additional benefit of lowering the Zoo’s energy costs).

Increasing the Zoo’s sustainable profile in the business community may also open the Zoo up to partnerships with sustainable tourism companies, the growing international ecotourism market and international funding opportunities1.

Wellington Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA) for Australasia. WAZA has released a position statement in recognition of the severe threat that human­‑induced climate change has on life on Earth2. WAZA have committed to reducing their carbon footprint and addressing climate change issues through their business practices, institutional culture, conservation and research programs. ZAA is in the process of developing a 1 Personal communication with James Araci 2 WAZA climate change position statement

climate change action plan for members and as well ZAA abides by WAZA’s conservations strategy, including its position on climate change.

The relationships between Wellington Zoo’s and these associations provide further incentives to align itself with WAZA’s carbon reduction goals.

In the eyes of the community there is a strong association between being sustainable and carbon neutrality. Despite the Zoo’s other efforts to be as sustainable as possible, there is the risk of having our sustainable image detracted from by not being seen to purse emissions reduction goals. carboNZero certification, and the brand recognition associated with it, is a public display of the Zoo’s commitment to sustainability.

Wellington Zoo’s Carbon Footprint – 2011/12 Financial Year As a part of the carbon neutral feasibility study the Zoo’s carbon footprint was measured. From July 2011 until June 2012 (FY2011/12) Wellington Zoo emitted approximately 195.14 tonnes of

Figure 2 illustrates the average Zoo power consumption load profiles for FY2011/12. It shows that approximately 2/3 of the electricity consumed by the Zoo can be attributed to ‘baseload consumption’ which occurs independently of staff or visitors being at the Zoo. Power consumption during the day (as a result of staff and visitors being present at the zoo) or ‘active consumption’ only increases electricity consumption by 1/3. This high baseload consumption is due to infrastructure that is left on constantly, such as electric fences, cooling and heating appliances, water pumps and other infrastructure necessary for the Zoo’s operations.

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This information is helpful to indicate where the largest proportion of electricity consumption is located. Whilst there are still benefits from focussing initiatives on reducing daytime power consumption (such as turning off lights, unused computers and appliances) more potent 3 FY2011 – 12 GHG inventory report – WZT and spreadsheet

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Pathway towards Carbon Neutrality There are multiple ways through which an organisation like Wellington Zoo can claim carbon neutrality. Having measured the Zoo’s emissions as a part of the carbon neutral feasibility study, the Zoo had to decide whether gain official certification from a reputable certification agency (such as carboNZero) or self­‑declare carbon neutrality. As a part of the carbon neutral feasibility study the advantages and disadvantages of certification were analysed and the decision was made to invest in certification. This was because the technical assistance, marketing value and enhanced authenticity of resulting carbon neutral claims outweighed any extra costs that would be incurred as a result of signing up with carboNZero.

Figure 2: Average electricity consumption per hour for FY2011/12

benefits can be gain by making power consumption more efficient for infrastructure that is operating all the time (such as water heating, temperature control systems in enclosures etc.) to reduce baseload power consumption.

Other long term electricity reduction initiatives could include on­‑site sustainable electricity generation. Organisations such as the Hikurangi Foundation could be a potential funding source for such future infrastructure4.

There have been a number of projects in overseas Zoo’s which could provide some guidance.

Monarto Zoo (Adelaide) has launched a solar power tracking system. These solar panels provide power to Monarto’s heating, cooling, communications, perimeter fencing 4 Hikurangi website

and water pumping systems, producing up to 300 kilowatts of power each day5. Henry Vilas Zoo (USA) converts natural gas into electricity, giving off heat as a by­‑product of the gas combustion in a process called co­‑generation. There is the possibility that the gas released by the breakdown for composting activities at Wellington Zoo could be utilised in a similar capacity6.

Cincinnati Zoo (USA) installed a windspire turbine in 2010 to provide ¼ of the power needs for their membership and ticketing building. The turbine produces 2000 kwh per year from their 19km/hour average windspeed7. Given the wind energy potential in Wellington, there may also be wind generation capacity at the Zoo.

5 Monarto Zoo solar farm 6 Henry Vilas Zoo cogeneration 7 Cincinnati Zoo windspire

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Being certified also reduces the risk associated with making carbon neutral claims. A guidance document published by the New Zealand Commerce Commission8 informs businesses of the obligations under the Fair Trading Act 1986 of the issues surrounding low carbon and carbon neutrality claims. The lack of a universally accepted definition of “carbon neutral” and the variety of methodologies used to assess carbon footprints, carbon reductions and carbon neutrality claims put organisations at risk of misleading consumers. Such claims could result in penalties under the Fair Trading Act 1986. Having a reliable certification agency back up claims of carbon neutrality acts to mitigate this risk.

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Mitigate What emissions can’t be reduced must be mitigated in other ways. Unavoidable emissions can be offset through purchasing verified and high quality carbon credits. Carbon credits are created by projects that avoid GHG emissions through renewable energy generation, reduce GHG emissions through energy efficient initiatives and sequester GHG through regeneration of native forest or methane capture. Because there are different types of offsets, Wellington Zoo had the opportunity to invest in carbon credits that align with the values of the organisation. To offset it’s emission, Wellington Zoo invested in the EBEX21 scheme which are Kyoto­‑compliant carbon credits from regenerating native forest in the Banks Peninsula, a conservation project which fits with the Zoo’s ethos.

3.

Table 1: Emission Reduction Targets

CarboNZero Certification

The carboNZero certification Process

The CarboNZero programme was set up Landcare Research, which is a New Zealand Crown Research Institution. CarboNZero is the world’s first greenhouse gas certification scheme to receive international accreditation under the sponsorship of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The international accreditation has been awarded by the Joint Accreditation System – Australia and New Zealand (JAS‑ANZ) which is an international accreditation body established by a treaty between the New Zealand and Australian governments. JAS­‑ANZ accreditation is a critical part of the CarboNZero programme’s plans to ensure its certification has the highest level of credibility and integrity.

There are five key steps to the carboNZero programme:

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Verify For integrity and to provide assurance on the Zoo’s carbon neutral claims the measurement of the Zoo’s carbon footprint was audited by an independent verifier.

4.

Measure This involves that accurate measurement of the Zoo’s carbon footprint and was largely completed as a part of the carbon neutral feasibility study. Nonetheless, minor adjustments and further information as required as a part of this program. Refer to Figure 1 for Wellington Zoo’s carbon inventory results 1.

2. Manage The Zoo was required to develop a Emissions Reductions Management Report. This involved the setting of various reduction targets, as outlined in Table 1. These target are approved by the Chief Executive of Wellington Zoo – Karen Fifield and are tracked on a quarterly basis.

A Carbon Management Working Group, which is made up of key staff from throughout the organisation, is responsible for implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of emissions reduction projects.

Market Celebrate and tell the world!

5.

Linking the Visitor Experience to Sustainability As part of the Zoo’s ten year development programme, we want to turn the work of the Zoo ‘inside out’ so that our visitors understand how complex and varied the work of a Zoo is; to grasp that what they experience as visitors is a fraction of the work undertaken at the Zoo. We wanted to position Wellington Zoo as an environmentally responsible organization.

We aim to create unique, innovative, intimate

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our Property team, with copy writing, and signage design and production also done in­‑house.

In keeping with the ethos of Green Zoo Green You, many materials were recycled or reclaimed.

As a charitable trust, financial sustainability is crucial to our business and total cost for Green Zoo Green You was around $10,000.

Visitors enjoying the ‘Green Zoo, Green You’ exhibit at Wellington Zoo.

visitor experiences. Green Zoo Green You is the first Zoo exhibit in New Zealand showcasing environmental sustainability. Green Zoo Green You was opened in September 2012 after a successful five year behind the scenes effort to reduce our waste, conserve water and manage our energy use. Green Zoo Green You, our first exhibit not based specifically around animals, is an interactive interpretive space that involves our audience in the Zoo’s sustainability journey and encourages them to take their own steps towards protecting our environment. Our challenge was to tell these stories in an engaging way about a topic that can seem overwhelming.

By framing our Green Zoo Green You stories positively and providing visitors with realistic, achievable actions they can take at home, our aim is to connect all people that come to the Zoo with the environment around them.

In addition to the exhibit, we created Green Spots, which are placed around the Zoo to highlight how different buildings or exhibits contribute to our being a Green Zoo. These include solar power, recycled materials used in construction, recycled water used, sustainable timber used etc. Green Zoo Green You was designed, developed and built in­‑house at Wellington Zoo. The project leader was our Visitor Experience Manager, with a project team comprising our Property Manager and Group Manager Community Engagement. This project team met weekly, bringing in other staff members from both the Property and Community Engagement teams as needed.

Each member of Wellington Zoo’s staff was surveyed to ascertain why they believed that environmental sustainability was crucial to our success as an organization, and the responses to this question formed the basis for our Green Zoo Green You stories. The exhibit was conceived by our Visitor Experience team, built by

A baseline visitor survey about visitors’ awareness of the Zoo’s conservation messages, projects and initiatives was conducted during the April School Holidays 2012. This gave us a baseline understanding of how aware our visitors were of our sustainability efforts (not very) with the view to replicate the research in April 2013.

Regular Zoo visitors were aware of construction of Green Zoo Green You as its site was in a visible, but previously unused part of the Zoo. Information about the project was communicated via signage within the Zoo, through STQRY, a smart phone app, as well as through our social media channels. The opening of Green Zoo Green You was attended by key stakeholders, as well as general Zoo visitors. Green Zoo Green You has quickly become a much loved and well visited exhibit at Wellington Zoo. Visitors spend time in the exhibit and have fun, as well as learning about what we have done to become a more environmentally responsible organization. Visitors also pledge their own environmental commitments. Research conducted in the April School Holidays shows 25% of visitors could identify (unprompted)‘Green Zoo’ as a conservation activity the Zoo is involved in.

Unprompted awareness of the Zoo’s conservation action ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ was 43% this year compared to 14% in 2012 before Green Zoo Green You was opened. When prompted 97% of visitors indicated the three Rs as a conservation action, and 81% of visitors indicated

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One world, One Hope – Do We Have, Or Need, A Plan?

Nate Flesness, ISIS and Onnie Byers, CBSG

Visitor pledge at ‘Green Zoo Green You’ exhibit.

‘Responsible Use of Resources’ up from 57% last year. 48% and 14% respectively could expand on what these messages meant, again significantly increased from the baseline data.

On our Green You trees our visitors have pledged to change their ways when it comes to recycling/waste (43%), water and energy saving (16%), sustainable transport choices (8%) and other environmental actions (11%). The rest of the pledges indicate ‘the Zoo is cool’ or similar sentiments. Green Zoo Green You is innovative, fun and effective. We have engaged our visitors with fairly dry subject matter in an interesting and exciting way. This sets the scene for us to expand the stories we tell in the Zoo on our conservation work and other previously behind the scenes efforts.

Acknowledgements • Shane Whittaker, Rachel McKelvie, and Simon Eyre, Wellington Zoo for having the systems in place to make data collection easy for the FY2011/12 GHG inventory.

• All staff and trustees at Wellington Zoo for their commitment to this project and for going the extra mile to assist with data collection and the historical implementation of sustainability initiatives.

• Josephine Rudkin­‑Binks and Ann Smith from CarboNZero, Kiam Yoong from Zoo’s Victoria, Karl Satchell from Auckland Museum for their input regarding CarboNZero and CEMARS. • The Wellington Zoo Green Team for helping to flesh out the drivers for the Zoo and its pursuit of carbon neutrality.

There are 20 or so species which remain on Earth largely or entirely because of the efforts of zoos. Our community is justly proud of these conservation success stories. Conservation of these species took enormous planning and effort by zoos, from capture, to learning husbandry and breeding management, to influencing protection and/or restoration of their habitats, and learning how to successfully prepare and release them for long‑term success. Other species we happened to have in our collections and, when wild management failed, we were fortunate to have a species “back­‑up plan” in our care. Our successes have been recognized and give us significant conservation credibility. One important tool in measuring a species’ extinction risk is the IUCN Red List. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization. The IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC) is made up of species experts and its major role is to provide information to the IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods.

This information is fed into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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Figure 1 shows a very small increase in the percent of threatened animals in ISIS collections over time. If you magnify the vertical axis, showing just 3% instead of 100% as the scale, you see Figure 2. It shows an approximately 2% increase in 23 years above what you would expect by chance. If those were your results for attendance or shop sales, you would not be impressed. That’s ~0.1% per year, or roughly one threatened animal added to each collection every second year. It’s progress, but surely we can do better than this.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

A review of the very limited number of species whose IUCN Red List status has improved found that, of these down­‑listings, one fourth was due to ex situ breeding programs. Although some of the down­‑listed species were part of government breeding programs, the bulk of these were zoo and aquarium conservation efforts.

While we should be very proud of these significant contributions to conservation, we should also recognize that the overall number of species we’ve helped is very small compared to the number of species in trouble.

List threatened species than you would expect by chance?” The answer, unfortunately, looks to be “no”. We seem to hold about as many threatened species as you would expect to hold by chance (excepting perhaps Tasmanian devils and turtles). This answer may come as a surprise. These collection statistics have not been generally available, so institutional directors have not had a management metric like this to use for collection planning. We need a plan to remedy this situation.

In a paper currently in press in Plos One, Dr. Dalia Conde and several co­‑authors look at the current composition of the ~800 institutional animal collections found in ISIS. (Zoos through the lens of the IUCN Red List: a global metapopulation approach to support conservation breeding programs, Plos One (in press) Dalia A. Conde, Fernando Colchero, Paul Pearce­‑Kelly, Markus Gusset, Onnie Byers, Nate Flesness, Robert K. Browne & Owen R. Jones). The paper asks the question “Do our current animal collections contain significantly more IUCN Red

Many zoo directors might say that the zoological community’s emphasis on GSMPs, SSPs, EEPS, ASMPs, etc., over the last 20 years must mean that the proportion of our collections that have a conservation focus (IUCN threatened) must be at least going up over time. To check this, we have looked at ISIS data from 1990 to 2013 (23 years), and plotted below the percent of animals that are currently IUCN threatened over time. The red bar is what you would expect by chance – that is, if there was no emphasis on IUCN threatened species.

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Do we have a plan for more conservation success stories and helping a greater number of IUCN Red Listed species in the future? It is important that we do have a plan. One of our community’s goals is conservation; it’s even in WAZA’s tag line, United for Conservation. It’s a moral obligation and, of course, our reputation and public support are strengthened by our credible conservation success stories.

To get there, we need new, convenient metrics to help zoo’s measure their impacts on IUCN Red List threatened species.. ISIS will help to create such metrics.

It’s also clear that, if we want results to be different 25 years from now, and if we want to seize the opportunity to truly “unite for conservation” and win even more support from an increasingly sophisticated public, you must plan your collections differently and that planning must begin now. Such new planning might mean that we position our institutional collections to include more animals currently at risk and animals that will likely need our help in the future. How do we do this?

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We are introducing a tool – an interactive table – which we plan to make available on CBSG’s website that will help you take the first steps toward Collection Planning for Conservation (CPC).

Most of you are aware of the IUCN Red List categories of threat and some of you use the Red List scale in your institutions graphics.

We have included in the new CPC tool species that, according to the IUCN, are Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. You may not be aware, however, of the inclusion in the IUCN SSC Species Assessments of an element titled “Conservation Action Needed”. Within this classification is the option “Captive breeding/ artificial propagation”. CBSG has worked with the IUCN Red List Office to make available for the first time the list of species for which IUCN experts have recommended captive breeding as a conservation action.. All species that are in one of the categories listed above and that has been recommended for captive breeding will be included in the CPC table.

Additional filters include taxonomic group, species range, Alliance for Zero Extinction status, IUCN climate change vulnerability score, number of individuals held in ISIS institutions, and whether or not there is an existing managed program for the species. By applying the filters of interest, you can identify species that not only meet your institutional needs, but that are also in need of the conservation action that zoos are uniquely positioned to provide. For example, a group of decision makers interested in collection planning for conservation and looking for a mammal species to include in an Asian themed collection would first select from the

CPC tool only Asian Mammals. If they have a particular focus on protecting critically endangered, AZE trigger species, they would add those filters in as well. The results of this search would lead them to consider a captive program for the Bawean deer, for which the CPC tool would tell them that a managed program already exists.

There are of course many essential aspects of collection planning for conservation that are not reflected in the interactive CPC table. It is critical that the IUCN Guidelines on the Use of Ex situ Management for Species Conservation be carefully followed before a captive program is established or expanded.

If there is to be an increased conservation focus in the collections of the international zoo and aquarium community on IUCN Red Listed species, the planning process must change.

Collection planning should be a part of a One Plan approach to conservation planning, and collections will need to be altered to allow for management of a greater number of threatened species in need of what only zoos and aquariums can offer – intensive management in intensively protected areas.

CBSG and ISIS can help. The Collection Planning for Conservation tool and the data it contains is one way to help get you started in this n direction. Let us know if you have suggestions for other ways we might help.

Vision, Courage and Innovation for a Carbon Neutral Future Jenny Gray, Melbourne Zoo, Australia

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Zoos and Aquariums are significant net producers of carbon.

While we talk about saving species we continue to pollute. Right now we have the opportunity to become the first industry in the world to become carbon neutral. I can’t think of another grand gesture that has the same potential to increase the reputation and standing of Zoos and Aquariums as Conservation Organisations.

As a zoo that has undertaken the journey I can assure you that it is possible to achieve certified carbon neutrality, with vision, courage and innovation. It is not easy, but it is exciting. Along the journey we managed to save money, engage staff and protect big chunks of rain forest.

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Are you up for the challenge?

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Introduction Zoos and aquariums often state the potential impact that they have in empowering and inspiring visitors to change their behaviours.

Every year 700 million visitors enter the gates of zoos and this presents an enormous opportunity to engage in conversations that assist visitors in understanding both their impact on animals and the environment, and to empower them to change their behaviours thus reduce threats to the environment. My task in this paper is not to change the behaviours of 700 million visitors but rather to encourage and inspire you, my colleagues, who run zoos to change a simple behaviour of the operation of the zoo, and that is to make the move to being carbon neutral.

Imagine if every WAZA institution became a carbon neutral facility.

Background As institutions that deal with endangered species, we know that the impacts of climate change are real and we also understand that we should be leading by example. We understand the changes in climate will have a significant impact on many of the species we work with, that they will have an impact on human populations and will have an impact on our facilities. We’ve seen it over the summer months where changes in temperature result in changes to our abilities to meet our visitor’s needs, and in fact may even change visitation patterns. A number of institutions within the WAZA community have been impacted by severe weather events – New Orleans, New York and Prague Zoo all experienced dramatic weather events resulting in severe damage to their facilities. We know that climate change is something we have to address and we know that we can address it by reducing our carbon

foot print. Over and above the impact to the environment, a move towards carbon neutrality is a move that is good for an institution – it saves money, it motivates staff and it results in a positive reputation for that organisation.

Process To obtain carbon neutrality, Zoos Victoria underwent four years of intensive work commencing in 2008 to reduce our carbon footprint through resource efficiency programmes. In order to make a move towards carbon neutrality there are a number of steps that need to be taken. The first step is to take the decision to move towards carbon neutrality. It’s important that such a decision is documented and included into the Corporate Plans of the institution, that it receives support from the leadership team, and is a visible public commitment on what you’re intending to do. This is in line with the commitments that we would ask other suppliers to make when we run campaigns asking for behaviour change. Having made the commitment, the other thing to consider is the move to carbon neutrality is no more difficult than many of the other activities of a zoo – you need to secure a solid plan in terms of what you intend to do, you need to allocate resources and you need to commit to acting.

Carbon Management Plan The Carbon Management Plan is a simple iterative process, whereby you commence by measuring the carbon you are currently emitting. Secondly, you set objectives in terms of what you want to achieve. You would then work through reducing your carbon footprint by avoiding carbon outputs (avoid generating

emissions), reduce the existing emissions by changing current activities to reduce emissions, switching to energy sources that are less green house intensive, then considering if there’s any options to sequester emissions. Next is to assess what your residual green house gas emissions are, and finally consider whether or not you should offset; ideally you should be offsetting any residual green house carbon emissions.

In order to measure your carbon, you need to set a boundary on the organisation. For zoos this is an incredibly complex undertaking and we would strongly recommend that you employ the services of a professional to measure your carbon footprint. They would explain what emissions you should consider and which you shouldn’t. The next step is to set an objective in terms of what you wish to reduce your carbon objectives to. This is similar to any of your other objectives around being a sustainable organisation, i.e. considering certified sustainable palm oil in your foods, forestry stewardship council, recycled paper, being resource efficient so that you can reduce your environmental foot print, and ideally you would work through ISO14001 which will give you an environmental management system and enable you to consider environmental management in all the plans that you create. Staff training is an essential step when setting out to reduce your carbon footprint.

Zoos Victoria has employed a Sustainability Manager who works with the Green Teams established at each zoo. The Green Teams have been trained in sustainability through a course called “Skill Up Green.” The Green Teams identify resource efficiency programmes to reduce our operational carbon footprint. Consequently, we managed to reduce our carbon footprint by 2,000 t of CO2 per year thanks to environmental initiatives such as:

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• In­‑vessel aerobic composting of organic waste from animals, visitors food waste and horticulture waste • Double glazing of the roof at the Butterfly House • Energy efficient lighting retrofits using LEDs and T5 fluorescent lamps throughout the zoos • Heat pump energy efficient hot water systems • Energy efficient HVAC systems • Variable speed pump replacements • Biological treatment of wastewater After putting in a considerable effort to reduce our carbon footprint, a total of 14,913.84 t of CO2 needed to be offset in order to obtain NCOS certification. As a conservation organisation, we decided to select NCOS accepted offsets that support biodiversity conservation. As a consequence of this choice, Zoos Victoria is now proud to be securing carbon and biodiversity in the following regions: • Tasmania: 9,063 t of CO2 offsets were purchased (offsetting 60% of our carbon footprint). These offsets help to improve forest management in the central Tasmanian highlands, securing Tasmanian devil habitat.

• The Amazon: 2,926 t of CO2 offsets were purchased (offsetting 20% of our carbon footprint). This is a REDD programme conserving forest habitat in the Madre de Dios in the Peruvian Amazon, protecting species such as jaguars, macaws and peccaries.

• Sabah: 2,926 t of CO2 offsets were purchased (offsetting 20% of our carbon footprint). This is a REDD rainforest rehabilitation programme through logged­‑over dipterocarp forest in eastern Sabah, generating measurable outcomes for orang­‑utans.

Finally having achieved carbon neutrality, it must be celebrated and then the process starts all over again. In the space of celebration, we have engaged with our staff and the wider community around recognition that we have achieved carbon neutral certification. We are now partnering and advocating with others to join in and or participants in a project within the city of Melbourne which will move organisation working in Melbourne towards carbon neutral status, and this presentation today asking WAZA members to consider their ability to move towards carbon neutral status.

Conclusion The journey towards carbon neutrality has been an interesting journey for Zoos Victoria. We are very proud of our achievements in reaching this point – it has been a journey that has enabled us to reconsider many of our practices, moving towards best practice rather than what we had done traditionally. The process has engaged with our staff and they are very proud of their achievements; it also engages with the wider community. We believe that becoming carbon neutral is the right thing to do for anyone who is worried about the impact of climate change on the environment in the future, and I would ask as a Zoo Director that you would make a commitment to your zoo to become carbon neutral.

JAZA – Conservation Activities and Legal Systems Integrated with Japanese Government Shigeyuki Yamamoto, Chair of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums

JAZA has developed its vision and strategy, and restructure the framework realizing the strength of the linkage with stakeholders such as national government, local community, citizen, other institutions and associations in the world, JAZA office and zoos and aquariums (Fig. 1). This presentation is about the establishment of relationships with national government as the process of in situ conservation efforts.

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The enhancement and current situation To solve this situation, we newly created the Committee of Biodiversity that coordinates JAZA’s efforts as follows: organizational implementation of ex situ conservation activities in Japan and formulation of JAZA collection planning, re­‑examination of JAZA species conservation activities with the reproductive programs for 144 endangered species and international strategy and strengthening of the partnership with international body. And it was decided that JAZA became the contractor of the ex situ conservation for Tsushima leopard cat, and JAZA plays a leadership role and coordinate the captive breeding among the institutions (Fig. 2).

Figure 1. The renewed JAZA organization established in 2012.

Tsushima Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) Tsushima Leopard Cat is one of the subspecies of Leopard cat and distributed at Tsushima Island in Nagasaki prefecture. The wild population is between 80 and 110.

The historical status of ex situ and in situ conservation Japanese Ministry of the Environment has enforced the conservation and regeneration of the habitat environment.

At the same time, they have promoted the in situ conservation activities as follows: rising public awareness, enforcement of environmental education, implementation of action plans

in ways that help both the environment and the economy in local community, construction of the center for habituation to the wild environment for the reintroduction of the animals which were born in captivity.

In other hands, we have made efforts for in situ conservation. In 1996, five individuals were captured in the wild and it was the beginning of the husbandry in captivity. The first reproduction in captivity was succeeded in 2000, and currently we have 31 individuals in 9 JAZA member institutions. Our goal is keeping 100 individuals in captivity and providing individuals for reintroduction. However the population ages, we needed to review the existing action plan immediately. And there was an issue on our communication system.

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Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus japonicas) Rock Ptarmigan distributes at Japanese Alps only and it is severed North from South. The wild population is approximately less than 2000.

The historical status of conservation by national government Rock Ptarmigan was designated as Special national monument on 1923. Most of their habitat is located at national parks. They live in Dwarf Pine zone or Petrographic zone at more than 2,400 meter elevation. In 2012, they were designated as Endangered in Japanese Red data book, and they became the 49th National Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

This year, Ministry of the Environment develops the Programs for Maintenance of Viable Populations of this species.

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• We make efforts to establish the environment being comfortable to the living creatures.

• We achieve the exhibits that all of the visitors can learn the greatness of life and increase interest in nature.

• We play a role as conservation center for connection of the miracle of life.

• We undertake research on endangered species under the cooperation with domestic and international organizations.

• Each of the institutions is the place for joy and learning with the great individuality.

• We create the unique institutions under the support by local people and live together with them.

Figure 2. The reform of the organization for ex situ conservation (2013).

The conservation efforts by JAZA Some of JAZA member institutions have kept Svalbard Ptarmigan for the ex situ conservation of Rock ptarmigan in Japan. The results in captivity by the institutions succeeded the breeding of Svalbard Ptarmigan and the institutions cooperated to the information collection and sharing information, were aggregated by Committee of Biodiversity. We fully participate in the Programs for Maintenance of Viable Populations by Ministry of the Environment. And we will conclude a contract with Japanese government for the ex situ conservation activities of Rock Ptarmigan.

The 10 year vision, strategy and action plan of JAZA JAZA developed the 10-year vision, implementation strategy and action plan as recommended by media strategy meeting at the JAZA conference on May 2013.

JAZA 10 year vision: Zoos and Aquariums are the “LIFE MUSEUM“ where people can feel, learn and tell the greatness, strength, fleetingness and importance of life.

• We value the nature and life, and grow the following generations that take over Japanese culture and view of nature.

• We do our best to enrich the contents as the place that children can open their door to the nature and feel the mystery of life.

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By taking into account the lessons learned from the Great East Japan earthquake on 2011 such as the importance of living and sustaining life, JAZA has held the public symposium under the cooperation with various organizations. The symposiums at Tokyo, Kumamoto and Kyoto were already enforced. The one in Hiroshima and Toyama are planned.

The legal systems and JAZA JAZA has made efforts for the ex situ and in situ conservation activities for endangered species in collaboration with the endangered species conservation project by Ministry of Environment. Approximately 2014, JAZA will conclude the framework agreement related to biodiversity conservation with Ministry of Environment in terms of developing projects efficiently and securement of unification. Under this situation,

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Wild Welfare – World, Hope, Plan and Action David Jones, North Carolina Zoological Park and Dave Morgan, Wild Welfare

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Figure 3. The conceptual diagram to promote the social role of zoos and aquariums (2013–2015).

Abstract JAZA and the Ministry of Environment will conclude the agreement for each species conservation activities and JAZA will lead the projects effectively. Both of us have reached a consensus. JAZA and Japanese zoos and aquariums will have the social framework to contribute for biodiversity conservation in Japan. This is the great progress.

In Japan, most of zoos and aquariums are public or private, and there were no relationships between national government and zoos and aquariums. Most of the head of the local government, citizen and media see zoos and aquariums as leisure facility. Therefore, JAZA has started to discuss with Ministry of the Environment to establish the legal systems that define the public roles of zoos and aquariums. We are intended to have the legal systems by 2015 (Fig. 3). Our purpose is to define the biodiversity conservation as the public roles of zoos and aquariums, and to create the integrated support

system. By the linkage between national and local governments, zoos and aquariums and citizens, Japanese zoos and aquariums and JAZA can contribute more for the global biodiversity conservation and beautiful Japanese treasure such as culture, nature and people. As the result, the significance of its existence and activities of Japanese zoos and aquariums will be increased in Japanese society. Also, on the general management category including ethical and welfare standard, JAZA can serve a social role as the innocent leading and coordination organization for all of Japanese zoological institutions including JAZA non­‑member institutions. This is one of the ways to realize the regional biodiversity conservation. This is also the way to realize the One World, One Plan, One Hope on the earth with rationality for culture, history and value.

Eight out of ten wild animal collections open to the public worldwide operate with no welfare accreditation standards. Many of these are in very poor condition and that negativity impacts public perception of all zoos. The mainstream zoo community should take the lead in efforts to improve conditions in these collections No one else is better placed. While the technical aspects of assistance programs (husbandry, veterinary care, exhibit design) are essential, this presentation focuses on the requirements in understanding the political, social and cultural background in different settings combined with the negotiation, communication and other interpersonal skills needed to effect change.

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The provision of high quality welfare is core to good zoo operation and as such, and in its own right, good welfare is also a valid conservation driver. The development of the WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy is a clear demonstration of this ethos. As much as conservation in the larger sense is increasingly pursued by zoos in the field, we must consider continuing improvement in zoo animal welfare a parallel course. The latest evidence on numbers of zoos suggests that eight out of ten wild animal collections open to the public worldwide operate with no welfare accreditation standards. Many of these are in very poor condition and that negatively impacts public perception of all zoos. An argument that needs to be taken seriously by the mainstream zoo community is that as a professional ethical practice, the pursuit and application of good welfare cannot end at our zoo gates and should be projected outwards to other zoos and collections in need of improvement.

As a means to facilitate this responsibility Wild Welfare occupies a specialist niche within the international zoo and animal welfare NGO communities. Wild Welfare helps to improve the welfare of captive wild animals kept under conditions of severe distress around the world through direct involvement and collaboration in the provision of technical skills including nutrition, veterinary advice, animal behavior, enclosure design and related expertise. Although a number of individual zoos and zoo associations are themselves engaged in similar endeavours, Wild Welfare brings critical additional elements to play in political savvy, cultural and social sensibility and the willingness to negotiate and persuade patiently based on many years of experience. These elements are essential in developing the trust required for ultimate success.

Some of the very particular characteristics needed in the people who are best suited to do this work include: • A clear understanding of the politics at local and national level. They have to be good negotiators and communicators with a lot of personal control and a calm demeanor and patience. In some places age and gender play a role. They must be very aware of hierarchal sensitivity, particularly in places like the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent and they need to be aware of competing interests for resources in each different situation.

• An ability to convince a range of interested parties that improvement can take place, combined with clear communication of the elements required to do so (sound and sympathetic governance, the right laws and conditions, training of staff, a positive staff attitude, influencing public and media opinion in the country, etc.). Critics will often say (as they have many times with us) “the place should be closed”. We might agree, but the reality is that these places rarely close and if they do, there will always be a temptation to restart them at some point.

Other key fundamentals to success with collaborative interventions include the need to identify the key stakeholders. They will differ in different places. Who can really make a difference at this place? Who has the influence?

Where is the true governance? Is it the Mayor of the city (Kabul)? Is it the Minister of Agriculture (Cairo)? Is it the Prime Minister or President even (Botswana)? Where are resources most likely to come from? Who are the likely donors, both inside and outside the country? How might one work with the media, which in many cases have often been critical? Who are the key staff?

Who has most influence within the organization and what are staff conditions, constraints, and opinions? How trainable are they?

Following on from this, can one develop a common cause and objectives for the institution?

What is its real purpose as they see it? Can all agree on that? Who is out there who can help with strategy, planning and design? How do we involve local skills in that and so build long‑term capacity?

It is important to realize that no one person or institution can do this work alone. There are four key groups of people that need to come together to make any such venture a success – government and governance, the institution and its staff, our mainstream zoo community and public opinion reflected often by the animal welfare community, either locally, nationally or both. So far, in the recent high­‑profile examples of zoos needing attention, the mainstream (and not so mainstream!) animal welfare community have tended to take pole position and in so doing, until fairly recently, our zoo community has been strongly criticized for not being there and appearing to be disinterested… “it’s not our business”. This is changing with the advent of Wild Welfare. For example, with Afghanistan and Egypt, the Zoo community did take the lead, but in all the recent cases, also involved mainstream welfare NGOs. This has had the great additional advantage of helping to build trust between representatives of both the main zoo and welfare communities, which in terms of improving welfare in all zoos can only be an advantage. There may be differences of opinion, but they are far outweighed by common purpose. We need to recognize that and embrace it.

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In Wild Welfare’s recent partnerships with the mainstream welfare community (e.g.: WSPA, IFAW, Four Paws and HSUS/HSI) and coming as we do from the established zoo community, relationships are now better than they have ever been and this sets the scene for a lot of opportunity going forward. Good people within these groups understand that progress will only be made through partnerships. If one looks at the history of zoo’s and their critics over the last 30 years, remaining divided has not furthered progress in this field at all.

The great advantage in this partnership approach, quite apart from combining networks effort, skills and resources is that it will tend to sideline those critics who are the zoo world’s real long‑term opposition. It reduces the numbers of people and organizations who are always going to be anti­‑zoo regardless of other opinion.

The imperative for partnership goes well beyond the welfare NGOs. Wild Welfare with its interventions is only at best, a primary enabler.

The longer term work with zoos in need of assistance requires the involvement of consortia of the larger zoos with other partners as stipulated in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. Yet this philosophy needs to go further; there is a need for all zoos to promote good welfare practice as an ethical responsibility into their operational ethos as much as they are now doing for their conservation work.

It is vital that mainstream zoos take the lead in this regard. Zoo people, wherever they are will tend to listen to other zoo people. The partnerships with the welfare world are important as they bring skills, resources and networks of their own. But, it is the experienced zoo­‑based

advisor who will persuade and be able to help long‑term. The reality is that from a practical, financial and marketing perspective it is easier to be more immediately and visibly effective in assisting a zoo in need of assistance through the simple expedient of staff exchanges and training than the average long‑term conservation programme. It is also considerably cheaper.

Thus, a zoo that cannot afford a high end in situ conservation project can often afford the price of a ticket to get a staff member to a needy zoo, with all the added benefit of personal development.

There is no question that the issue of zoo animal welfare is of growing public interest. It is true that where there is a major publicity event around a bad zoo, such as the situation that arose in Kabul twelve years ago, one will get a large body of support. At the NC Zoo, over half a million dollars was raised in six weeks from 6,000 donors from all over the world. Every time we talk to interested members of the public about what Wild Welfare is trying to do, it always triggers a strong positive response.

There is an increasing level of public interest in this subject echoed by the volume of media expressed concern about bad zoos. Visitors to our zoos and anyone else interested in animal welfare want to see those of us in zoo leadership positions tackling this problem and taking pole position. The increased publicity and community pride that goes hand­‑in­‑hand with a high profile intervention helps all participating zoos increase their stature and support.

One Plan – Linking an Aquarium with Marine Conservation, Through Research and Education Judy Mann, South African Association for Marine Biological Research, Durban South Africa

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference October 2013 Orlando

Introduction Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen and thank you for giving me this opportunity to share with you how we at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research link our aquarium with conservation in the field.

My talk will be divided into three sections – I will start with a brief introduction to the current state of our oceans, I will then introduce you to our organisation and will end with some comments on how we integrate research, education and inspiring live exhibits in order to contribute to meaningful marine conservation in Africa.

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State of the oceans The recently released State of the Oceans report paints a bleak picture of the future of our oceans. The health of the world’s oceans is deteriorating even faster than had previously been realised. Our oceans are facing multiple threats – overfishing and pollution are continuing unabated and their effects are exacerbated by climate change, which is increasing the temperature of the oceans increasing their acidity through the absorption of CO2. Dead zone are expanding and formal protection remains low.

Despite this depressing picture – there is still hope. Experts around the world agree that its not too late to make the changes needed to save our oceans. What is needed is a greater awareness of the links between the health of the oceans and human survival and the fact that the cumulative effect of small local actions can make a difference. I would now like to show how a small organisation in South Africa is contributing to the conservation of our oceans.

South African Association for Marine Biological Research The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) is a non­ ‑government, not­‑for­‑profit organisation that was founded in the early 1950’s in response to a need for conservation of local marine resources.

Over the years the organisation has developed into one of the leading marine conservation institutes in Africa, both in terms of applied marine research and marine education.

SAAMBR is unique as it was founded for marine research and conservation and the aquarium was built to fund the research, education and

conservation work. Our mission is “To contribute to the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity and resources by generating and disseminating information and inspiring and empowering people.” Our role is to help people to care for our oceans.

We achieve our mission through the operations of three divisions. The Oceanographic Research Institute undertakes applied research. uShaka Sea World introduces people to the marine environment and the Education Centre teaches people how to care for our oceans. Since 1959, Sea World has provided visitors with an opportunity to see life beneath the Indian Ocean and money generated by Sea World has provided much of the funding required for the research and education initiatives of SAAMBR. I will first introduce each division and will then show how, through this unique model we have developed ONE PLAN which unites all of our activities.

Creating awareness – Ushaka Sea World As with any aquarium operational since the early 1950’s, by the mid 1990’s it was clear that the old Durban Aquarium would need a new home, and in May 2004, uShaka Marine World was opened. uShaka Marine World, a 16 hectare, $110 million tourism development, is a joint venture between the City of Durban and SAAMBR. The development consists of uShaka Sea World – a salt water aquarium, dolphinarium and associated Life Support Systems, a Water Park and a retail centre – all themed around shipwrecks in an African village style and set amongst landscaped gardens.

Guests enter the uShaka Sea World aquarium through the iconic wrecked ship and can then stroll through five different galleries – themed as the remains of different wrecked vessels, gazing into six large exhibits – ranging in size from 2200 m3 to 300 m3. Over 30 smaller exhibits enable us to display animals that cannot be housed with the larger animals.

Providing guests with a personal ‘immersion’ experience is one of the trademarks of uShaka Sea World and guests have the opportunity to snorkel or dive in many of the larger exhibits. Our bottlenose dolphins are presented to guests during daily demonstrations, while entertaining and educational seal pantomimes are undertaken with the Cape Fur seals in the seal stadium. A specially designed penguin rookery houses our breeding colony of endangered African penguins.

Our live animals are ambassadors for the oceans – inspiring people to care. South Africans are not maritime people and despite a coastline of over 3000km, many South Africans have never seen the ocean. How can we expect people to care for an environment and animals which they do not even know exist. Simply creating an awareness that fish are animals and that lots of other animals live in the sea is the first step in our conservation efforts.

Once we have created that awareness, we try to connect human health to the health of the oceans. At uShaka Sea World we have selected the concept of a World Wide Web, except that here we are teaching about the real World Wide Web of Life, not the virtual www. This World Wide Web of Life helps guests to understand that everything in nature is connected and that human health is linked to ocean health.

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Once we have made a connection we need to give people something to do. This empowers guests and gives them an opportunity to take positive personal action to help conserve our oceans. Using the simple Reduce, Reuse and Recycle message and South Africa’s Sustainable Seafood Campaign, we are giving guests something that they can do to make a difference.

Building capacity to take action – Education Department Formal Education An active school education programme is fundamental for conservation. Children are the future custodians of our planet and they need every bit of help to fulfil this role. Our uShaka Education Centre reaches up to 100 000 children and teachers annually through a variety of programmes, some of which are sponsored.

Questions such as “Can I eat it? and Does it bite?” are commonly asked as the children walk through this unfamiliar, underwater world, often silent with awe. In South Africa about 25% of the teachers are not qualified for their positions and most feel very insecure, especially when teaching unfamiliar topics such as biology or science. We, therefore, place great emphasis on capacity building for teachers, enabling them to teach more confidently.

One of the most exciting programmes is our Outreach Program which was started in 1992, with the realisation that many schools would never be able to visit our facility. We decided to take the aquarium to the kids. Now, many aquariums have outreach programmes, however, I am not sure how many travel for over 200 km

each day over dirt or non­‑existent roads to reach their schools, which may consist of a prefabricated building with up to 80 children sharing books, stationery and classrooms. Over half of South African schools do not have electricity so we have invested in a portable generator to cope with this obstacle! The arrival of our team, with their live animals and even more lively educators is the highlight of the year. The impact of these visits on the disadvantaged youth is enormous. With many coming from backgrounds of violence and deprivation, the animals give the children a glimpse into a new world and a glimmer of hope for a better future. We have also worked hard to attract and train many Zulu and Xhosa speaking staff who are then able to act as vital role models for these young people.

Adult Groups Most aquariums do not extend their education programmes beyond the formal education system and internal visitors. However, because of the incredible need for adult education in South Africa, we have developed a range of specialised programmes for different adult groups – fishermen, divers, conservation officials and even magistrates, amongst others. We have worked with subsistence fishermen in rural communities. Often conducted under a tree, these courses utilise simple techniques to teach participants about the basic biology and the sustainable use of resources they harvest, in order to enable them to participate in the co­‑operative management of their resources. For most of these adults, it is their first exposure to environmental education.

The rapt attention that they show when learning about things that they have seen all their lives but have never understood is just amazing. Indeed, a humbling experience for those of us who take basic education for granted.

As educators in Africa we have had to challenge many approaches to conservation education.

We have to look beyond education simply for the preservation of species and instead look holistically at conservation that includes the needs of people. I have had the privilege to run educational courses with communities along much of the East Coast of South Africa. In all cases I have found that first world attitudes to conservation of species is simply not relevant. I have had to challenge many of my strong conservation beliefs in order to understand and work effectively with rural people. In Africa, conservation education is about people and about teaching people to care for animals and ecosystems for their own future survival.

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The Oceanographic Research Institute Scientific research is vital for effective conservation. Without sound information, rational management decisions cannot be taken. Employing over 27 staff members, research focuses on facilitating sustainable human use of marine ecosystems and resources. Our scientists are active along the entire eastern seaboard of Africa – contributing to the conservation of marine resources in five African countries. The Institute also serves as a valuable training base for students from around Africa. Staff of the Institute have published hundreds of papers and articles and supervised over 50 post­‑graduate students.

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Research covers a wide range of topics including coral biodiversity and ecology, marine protected areas, estuarine functioning, offshore resources, coastal zone research and management, research on linefishing and many regional programmes which are done in collaboration with other African countries.

One of the advantages of a 60 year old organisation is our ability to manage very long term projects. These long term monitoring project can reveal trends in environmental systems that are simply not evident in more traditional short term projects. For example our linefish research programme has been running for over 50 years and ORI manages a 30 year old public fish tagging project.

ONE PLAN I would now just like to share some examples of how our integrated model is contributing to conservation.

Coral Connections

Sustainable Fishing

For over 25 years our research team has been conducting coral reef research which looks at genetics, connectivity and climate change impacts. Reproduction and disease studies are conducted in the field as well as in a special laboratory together with the aquarium team, who are developing innovative techniques for growing corals. The ability to culture corals will help to relieve pressure on wild colonies. In the aquarium we link the results of the climate change research to coral conservation, using the exquisite exhibits to inspire visitors to save corals – by saving electricity. The research results are used by the relevant authorities in the government to contribute towards the management of South African coral reefs.

The results of our fish stock assessments are used to develop the listing of fish in the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Our exhibits and presentations encourage visitors to only purchase sustainably harvested fish, some of which are on display. Our education team work with the scientists to teach restaurant owners, waiters and retailers about sustainable seafood.

The stock assessments are also used by the government as the basis for the development of management protocols for harvested fish.

Support for MPAs Our long term monitoring projects are showing how important local Marine Protected Areas are for the conservation of endemic fish. This information is publicised through our aquarium exhibits, which display the fish which are found in the MPAs and which highlight the research results and discuss the importance of MPAs for conservation. The research results are used in educational programmes with local fishermen – encouraging local support for the MPAs. The research results are also instrumental in the development of management plans for protected areas, and have been used to encourage the government to proclaim new protected areas.

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Penguin Promises As with many zoos and aquariums around the world, we are starting to undertake research into our effectiveness. Using our African Penguin colony as the inspiration, we have launched a Penguin Promises campaign which is a call to action. Visitors are encouraged to make a promise to change something in their daily lives, a behaviour change that will have a positive impact on the environment. A research project to understand the psychographics of visitors making and keeping their promises will help us to reach our visitors more effectively.

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Conclusion SAAMBR truly is a unique organisation – united with ONE PLAN – to help people to care for the oceans. Through the operation of the three divisions SAAMBR embodies the WAZA Conservation Strategy and clearly shows how an aquarium can be a force for in situ conservation action. Although the challenges facing our oceans may seem insurmountable, it is important to keep hope alive after all, as was said by Margaret Mead:

A Perfect Combination of Zoo and Museum – The DARWINEUM Udo Nagel, Zoological Garden Rostock, Germany

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.’

Acknowledgements I would like to thank my Bruce Mann for his patience and insight and SAAMBR for the support to attend this conference. I would finally like to thank the SAAMBR team for their dedication, without their commitment to conservation, much of what we do would not be possible.

The Zoological Garden Rostock is the largest and oldest zoo on the German Baltic Sea coast and will celebrate its 120th anniversary in 2019.

4,500 animals in 320 species are living on a site of 56 hectares. The zoo is constantly trying to improve the husbandry conditions for the animals and at the same time to make the enclosures more attractive for the visitors.

By far the largest and most interesting project of the past 10 years was the construction of the DARWINEUM. It offers a nearly perfect combination of zoo and museum.

Zoos and museums have got the same aims: • education • environmental protection • research and science Of course they are both leisure facilities.

From the outset we were fully aware that it is not impossible for zoos and museums to work hand in hand. In order to realise the project we considered the following approaches: The objectives of zoos and museums can be linked through the creation of living dioramas.

Like in every museum, an appealing design backed up by a sound concept is important.

In order to make the scientific exhibition a true experience an emotional atmosphere is needed.

This enables to present even serious topics.

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It is important to provide education for all generations (father, mother, child and grandparents).

A few facts and numbers about the DARWINEUM The newbuilding was created in only 15 months and is by far the largest single investment of Rostock Zoo and also of all zoos in Mecklenburg­ ‑Western Pomerania. More than 1,000 animals in approximately 60 species are living in the 20,000 square metre complex. Starting with a colony of leaf cutting ants via Dotted Rhizostomae and Antelope squirrels finishing with the main occupants of the Tropical Hall with its forest­‑like outside enclosures – the great apes.

The DARWINEUM is divided into an exhibitional part A, the Tropical Hall and part C, which presents the cultural evolution. The complex has got outdoor enclosures for the great apes of a total size of 11,000 square metres, which offer up to 40 metres high trees for climbing and hiding in.

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Map of Darwineum

The tour The visitors are invited to a journey through geological eras starting with the Big Bang 14 billion years ago and ending with the development of mankind 5 million years ago. In part B the journey stops and emerges into the land of gorillas and orangutans with many other primates. In part C, the cultural history of the people is presented before the visitors finally end up at the present time in the restaurant and shop as well as the National Geographic Cinema.

Education and partner We founded a student network called the “Darwinet” which initiates and publishes transnational projects. Already one year after the opening of the DARWINEUM, children and young adults have been managing many small research projects including the examination of the coral riff and studies about the behaviour of the great apes in their groups. All our educational projects have been supported by the following cooperation­‑partners: • Rostock University • National Geographic • Fraunhofer Institut Lübeck • Senkenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main • Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin

Summary The DARWINEUM was an attempt of Rostock Zoo to combine museum and zoo. Not only the many design and tourism awards we received show the success of the project but also the rise in visitor numbers. Since the opening in autumn 2012 we could welcome 250,000 more visitors compared with the year before. The DARWINEUM convinces the visitors with a perceptive and communicative design as well as an suitable choice of animals to tell the story of evolution. All together this creates a very emotional atmosphere and this will be hard to find again amongst European zoos.

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Decade on Biodiversity Project Tiago Pinto­‑Pereira, WAZA Executive Office

Background / Objectives of the project At the 66th Annual WAZA conference, WAZA members unanimously endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity targets as well as a member­‑driven WAZA global project The Decade on Biodiversity project will address these by: • Raising public awareness on biodiversity and inspiring people to take action to conserve biodiversity globally – and locally.

• Strengthening the capacity of WAZA members to communicate about their conservation role and efforts and give them the opportunity to use unified messages and communication tools globally.

• Designing a member­‑driven awareness project that is directed by WAZA but implemented in each WAZA institution located throughout the world.

32 Project team members around the world were selected to represent the WAZA membership in all its diversity and help coordinate the work with an Agency (Messaggio Studios) which is designing the tools.

Tone of the communication Simple, clear, educative without being moralising. The message should be adaptable to many different languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and potentially more languages) One tagline BIODIVERSITY IS US.

Visuals There will be 6 different visuals (in 5 different formats but also flexible enough to be adapted to other formats) designed with images playfully connecting the visitor with the different species.

• Logo of the implementing institution (or national or regional association) in a prime location in the upper left­‑hand side • Links to social media and the mobile application clearly located at the bottom left • Meanwhile the logos of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and WAZA are located on the bottom right­‑hand side • A QR code, located with the social media details on the bottom left­‑hand side, will make the downloading of the application for smartphones and tablets easy • The visuals may also be adapted by members to create promotional material (caps, t­‑shirts, pins, etc.)

Videos The film crew have been visiting numerous WAZA member institutions to collect footage within zoos and aquariums as well as filming different wild locations to have a variety of beautiful images for the three different films we are creating. Filming has taken place in the USA (Georgia Aquarium, WCS New York and Disney Animal Kingdom), Canada (Granby Zoo), Morocco (Rabat Zoo) and France.

• 3 different formats will be developed: • 3 min introductory film: to be shown at the entrance of zoos and aquariums, in restaurant areas, and also available on their websites • 13 min educational film: for use by educators and teachers with school groups, or as an introduction to educational programmes or days • 30 sec public service announcement • Plus a 2 second “pack shot” for the members to add their logo and website

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The films will continue in the theme of connecting the visitor with the species.

• Messages are aimed at being positive • Pedagogical • Engaging • Promote viewers to take action

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Application An application for mobile devices will be developed: • This application is planned to be widely available by being compatible with the most common smart phones and tablet systems by being designed for both iPhone and Android Operating Systems

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• The main focus of the app is taking action for biodiversity.

• A working demo is already available It is divided into three main sections: 1. Me visitor sub­‑menu with

a Actions to preserve Biodiversity

b Games

• age specific • pedagogical • interactive 2.

You Species sub­‑menu with a Browsing by search a or simplified taxonomic group b Species description available c Where possible IUCN Red List status c and distribution maps will be c provided as well as species­‑specific c actions

Zoos and Aquariums

a Role of zoos and aquariums in: • Conservation • Research • Education

3.

Social media The Social Media strategy will be focused on: • Positive messages aimed at inspiring people to take action • Encouraging visitors to share with their network what they have done to support biodiversity • It will also interlink with existing communication strategies of WAZA members • Designed to be sustainable

Social media channels currently being considered: • Facebook was chosen for its global appeal.

Emphasis on photos and videos make Facebook the core social network for this project, there will therefore be a Biodiversity is Us facebook page • Twitter has more mature content, mainly texts and links and is topic driven, complementing the facebook page • Causes.com is not a social media site per say – but users can pledge support to a project or to actions and share in their own social media streams • YouTube will be used for the storing video content to be shared by others.

How to implement the Project Tools will be made available to members free of charge. However some planning and resource allocation will be needed to: • Plan the location, printing costs and display of the chosen visuals • Plan on adding the videos on existing screens as Public Service Announcements and educational days as well as adding them on your website • Plan on promoting the application, possibly making a public Wi­‑Fi available in restaurant areas and entry gates enabling people to download the application • Potentially make use of the interactive game by calculating the number of species that are in your institution and in the app, and challenging your visitors to find all the common species • Plan on interacting with us on social media, being mutually beneficial by increasing visibility

The tools will be launched at the 8th International Zoo and Aquarium Marketing Conference which will be hosted by Bristol Zoo Gardens, from the 12th to the 14th of May 2014. Therefore, these tools cannot be displayed in institutions before that date, but you will be accessible well in advance to organize yourself to launch with the rest of the WAZA community.

Survey In parallel WAZA have worked on a survey with Chester zoo and Warwick University

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Aims at: • Enabling a global evaluation of knowledge about and perception of biodiversity in zoo and aquarium visitors • Assess effectiveness of tools developed for awareness­‑raising • Creating a large­‑scale evaluation of zoos and aquariums as education centres – which is mostly lacking • Meeting the need of the CBD with regard to achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 1

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Initial results are now available: • 30 participating institutions from around the world with 6’357 pre/post visit survey • 70% of visitors have at least a ‘reasonable’ understanding of biodiversity. In fact 10% have an excellent understanding of biodiversity but, however, 30% had poor to no understanding on biodiversity • Although 62% of respondents reported undertaking actions in the past month only 50% of reported actions could be achieved at the individual level.

• The pre­‑/post visit surveys demonstrate the positive impact of a visit to a zoo an aquarium with regard to both the understanding of biodiversity and the individual actions that an individual can undertake to preserve biodiversity.

Limitations and challenges • Paper survey; issues with translation, transcription and loss of data.

• Geographical diversity and open­‑ended questions both have evident limitations.

Initial analysis • Biodiversity understanding/literacy was better than expected in zoo and aquarium visitors.

• Knowledge of personal actions/behaviours to help protect biodiversity not as strong.

• Visitors did not appear to relate visiting zoos and aquariums as an action to help protect biodiversity.

• Significant increases in both biodiversity understanding and knowledge of actions between pre­‑ and post­‑visit, in zoo and aquarium visitors.

Visuals of all the tools in their current state of advancement can be found at: https://docs.google.com/uc? export=download &id=0BzMm9ewzw4ghV3hwODRCcGtpSVU

Increasing Collection Sustainability Requires Diverse One Plan Approaches Robert J. Wiese, San Diego Zoo Global

Formal cooperative breeding programs in zoos and aquariums began in 1981 with the establishment of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) (Conway, 1980; Meritt, 1980; Foose, 1981).

Other regional zoo and aquarium associations soon followed with the establishment of their own intensively managed breeding programs.

From the beginning some SSPs had successful breeding programs and extensive research and field conservation programs (e.g., tigers, Aruba Island rattlesnake). But for most species these programs were primarily viewed as genetic and demographic lifeboats for the long term. In the early 1990s it was recognized that maintenance of a genetic reservoir alone was not conservation and our breeding programs needed to be relevant today as well as in 100–200 years (Wiese et al., 1994). This led to an active push

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for breeding programs to engage in current research and field conservation efforts which would help conserve species today. Many programs accepted this challenge and the number of active field conservation projects increased as well as the collaboration necessary to implement them. In the late 2000s there was an increased focus on the need to improve the sustainability of the intensively managed breeding programs in zoos and aquariums (Lees and Wilcken, 2009). While attention to the managed breeding programs is critical to the implementation of the zoo and aquarium mission, we cannot lose focus on the bigger picture for those species that are endangered or declining in the wild. The One Plan model has renewed the focus on the importance of integrating all aspects of the species recovery program into one integrated plan.

“The One Plan approach … promotes integrated species conservation planning, which considers all populations of the species, inside and outside their natural range, under all conditions of management, engaging all responsible parties and all available resources…” (Byers, et al., 2013). While the One Plan approach has a single unified goal, the application and implementation of the One Plan approach will be very different for every species. There must be extreme flexibility that encourages the engagement of new partners and the development of new methods and scientific approaches that best fit the challenges of the species’ conservation challenges. Similar to an ecosystem that is more robust when there are increased linkages between all the parts, so too will a conservation program be strengthened and more successful if all environmental, biological, political and human aspects are connected and working together.

There are numerous programs that could be highlighted from around the world in every region. The programs that follow are a few that highlight the need to look beyond the typical “tiger model” where animals are paired, reproduce, and maintain a strong intensively managed population while assisting in many active field programs. While this is a great model for tigers and other species that are solitary or pair two­‑by­‑two and reproduce well, other models for breeding programs need to be explored for species that have strong mate choice or whose natural history is herd­‑ or flock­‑based. Once the intensively managed program is gaining success it must be integrated appropriately with the full diversity of efforts being implemented to save the species.

Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) have been a challenge for many institutions to breed historically if they manage only one pair. There are several theories for this difficulty, but institutions that manage multiple pairs and allow some form of mate selection have much greater breeding success. This has led the Conservation Centers for Species Survival to partner with the AZA and the AZA Cheetah SSP to implement a new model. Instead of pairs of cheetah scattered throughout all exhibiting institutions receiving breeding recommendations, the program is concentrating the breeding pairs in a few breeding centers that will have multiple pairs. These breeding centers will then provide cheetahs to numerous exhibit zoos that will not breed but focus their efforts to teach and inspire the public to act to preserve this species. The zoos and aquariums that receive the ambassador cheetahs will support the breeding centers, research efforts and field conservation activities through monetary contributions. This may seem like

a small change from the pair­‑wise management of the past, but is expected to increase the viability of the cheetah population in North American zoos and aquariums and increase funding for cheetah conservation projects in Africa. Further flexibility and innovation in producing model programs that better consider the species biology are encouraged and promoted by the One Plan approach.

From the beginning of collaborative genetic and demographic management herds and flocks have presented special challenges to population managers. Making pair­‑wise recommendations for animals living in multi­‑male and multi­‑female groups is challenging. Initially it is difficult to ensure the correct male and female breed and produce offspring. On the other hand allowing individuals to live in larger groups that breed randomly leads to more rapid loss of gene diversity. Genetic challenges are further intensified by the fairly small groups that most zoos and aquariums maintain compared to the more natural herd and flock sizes in less intensively managed situations. But there is hope for the future of group management on the horizon. The rapidly evolving field of molecular technology will likely lead to a situation where herds can be managed based on the whole genome in the near future. The Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) are working with several SSPs (e.g., addax) to move toward management of more natural herds. In these programs some small herds (3–10) will continue to be managed in traditional intensive management with pair­‑wise recommendations. Some medium­‑sized herds (20–50) will be managed as herds at C2S2 institutions that have the space

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to manage these larger herds. The genetics of these herds will be tracked at the herd level.

Finally, C2S2 and AZA are beginning discussions with private landowners with very large land holdings that would allow large herds (75 – >100) to be maintained. All three groups would then be managed in a metapopulation model to allow the maintenance of gene diversity and gain the biological benefits of living in a herd. It is believed that individuals living in a herd will be healthier and demonstrate more natural behaviors and social dynamics. If there is the opportunity for reintroduction these individuals should make better candidates for release as well. This endeavor shows that as we look to unique One Plan approaches we must be willing to look to new industries, embrace new technologies and welcome new partners to be successful.

An example of the One Plan approach which integrates the intensively managed breeding centers directly with the wild populations in a metapopulation model is developing for the light­‑footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes). This medium­‑size rail inhabits the coastal and inland salt marshes of Southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico.

This recovery partnership between Sea World

California, Living Coast Discovery Center, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy and San Diego Zoo Global has benefited from a close collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The program began as a typical breeding and reintroduction program. Rails or their eggs were transferred from the wild and brought to the intensively managed breeding facilities. Offspring were produced and were then reintroduced. However, this soon led to concerns that the more successful pairs in the breeding centers could genetically swamp the wild breeding pairs. As the program evolved the reintroductions were spread scientifically among the 18 various marshes and some wild caught rails were even directly translocated between marshes to equalize genetic contributions and balance the demographics of each population. Discussions are currently underway to evolve this model further. Rather than bringing rails to the breeding station where they breed repeatedly for 5–7 years, there is a desire to collect rails and eggs for the breeding centers for 1–2 years and then return them to their natal marsh or translocate them to another marsh.

Then younger birds can be brought into the breeding centers to increase their contribution.

This will minimize the costs and pairs at the breeding centers and maximize the program’s enhancement of a broader genetic contribution.

This effort has seen great success increasing the total number of rails from less than 200 pairs in 2000 to more than 500 pairs today.

Probably one of the most intricate and complicated recovery programs with an intensively managed breeding and reintroduction effort is the black­‑footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). After the black­‑footed ferret was thought to be extinct, the species was rediscovered in 1981. Due to disease outbreaks in the wild population all remaining ferrets were brought into a breeding facility by 1987. Eighteen ferrets were collected for the breeding program, but these represented only about 7 different founders. Over the more than 30 years since the rediscovery the number and diversity of partners has been impressive. Dozens of federal agencies, state agencies, NGOs, for­‑profit companies, private landowners and several zoos have participated collaboratively. The recovery effort began as a typical breeding program that was designed to produce ferrets for release. As challenges to the breeding and release program were recognized an incredible amount of research and collaboration was directed to answer each obstacle to move toward the successful establishment of free­‑ranging populations. Today there are nearly a dozen successful populations, but they are still monitored as they rise and fall based on environmental and disease factors. All the populations are managed as an integrated metapopulation and some of the free­‑ranging populations have been able to provide ferrets for translocation to other populations. One continuing concern to the black­‑footed ferret recovery team is the low gene diversity that was represented in the few founders from the last wild population. The breeding program has successfully used cryopreserved sperm from one founder long after their death to produce kits that helped re­‑infuse some of the gene diversity that was lost when this single male failed to breed well. Unfortunately, cryopreserved semen samples were not abundant and not all founders were represented. Historically,

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breeding programs were limited to the genetic material that was represented in the founders.

However, breakthroughs in modern genetic technology may bring an end to that dilemma.

While there are no egg or semen samples from other populations of black­‑footed ferrets, there are some frozen tissue and cell lines that were taken from the founder animals and several animals from another population. In the near future it appears that these frozen tissues may be able to be turned into pluripotent stem cells and their genetic complement introduced into the living ferret population. There is also hope that one day genetic variation from museum specimens could be reanimated and added to the living ferret population. This will represent not only management of the current populations in a metapopulation model, but will also allow genetic management across the dimension of time as well. Historical, extinct populations potentially could be managed with living, extant populations. This will take the One Plan approach to new dimensions.

The One Plan approach has focused traditional breeding programs on the importance of embracing diverse approaches, integrating greatly across disciplines and human factions. There are many excellent examples of how recovery efforts have used the One Plan approach to build coordinated networks of diverse collaborators.

Going forward zoos and aquariums must reach out early in the development of their intensive breeding efforts to find the best model for the species biology and to incorporate the many diverse audiences that will make recovery possible.

Literature Cited • Byers, O., Lees, C., Wilchen, J. & Schwitzer, C. (2013) WAZA Magazine 14: 2–5.

• Conway, W. (1980) New conservation perspectives. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of AAZPA. AAZPA: Wheeling, WV. Pp 30–38.

• Foose, T. (1981) An update on the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of AAZPA. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of AAZPA. AAZPA: Wheeling, WV. Pp 8–15.

• Lees, C. M. & Wilcken, J. (2009) Sustaining the ark: The challenges faced by zoos in maintaining viable populations. International Zoo Yearbook 43: 6–18.

• Meritt, D. (1980) A Species Survival Plan for AAZPA. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of AAZPA. AAZPA: Wheeling, WV. Pp 69–75.

• Wiese, R. J., K. Willis, & Hutchins, M. (1994).

Is genetic and demographic management conservation? Zoo Biology 13 (4): 297–299.

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List of Participants

Last Name Abe Al Dhaheri Al Hajeri Al Shamsi Allan Anderson Andrews Andrews Arai Ararat Arnett Asper Baker Ballantyne Ban Fischinger Bar Barongi Barros Barton Bec Bell Benitez-Nelson Bensted Bergamini Blanchon-Pothet Block Bobek Bonal Bonner Boos Boyle Brandlová Brattmyhr Breheny Brewer Brightman Brighton Burns Byers Cabrejo Galdo Caldwell

First Name Yoshitaka Muna Ghanim Mariam Crawford Jim Brad Jeff Kazutoshi Etty Stephanie Ed Anne Roy Zdenka Yehuda Rick Yara Scott Christophe Kevin Claudia Elaine Massimo Géraldine Rich Miroslav Bishan Jeffrey Mike Paul Karolína John Jim Scott Tim Jim Steve Onnie Enrique Hayes

Organization Aquamarine Fukushima Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort TRAFFIC, USA Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Busch Gardens Tampa Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) Haifa Zoo Disney’s Animal Kingdom African Safari Wildlife Park St. Louis Zoo University of Queensland Zoo Ljubljana Zoological Center Tel -Aviv - Ramat Gan ltd Houston Zoo Parque das Aves Fresno Chaffee Zoo Parc des Oiseaux Lincoln Park Zoo University of South Carolina Zoos South Australia Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums Parc des Oiseaux Santa Barbara Zoo Zoo Praha Central Zoo Authority Saint Louis Zoo SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Association of Zoos & Aquariums Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences Foundation Skansen Wildlife Conservation Society Art Processors Billings Productions Inc. PJA Architects Landscape Architects Zoo Boise CBSG - Conservation Breeding Specialist Group Parque Zoologico Huachipa - Consorcio Ecolatina SAC. Caldwell Zoo

Country Japan United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates United States United States United States United States Japan Israel United States United States United States Australia Slovenia Israel United States Brazil United States France United States United States Australia Canada France United States Czech Republic India United States United States United States Czech Republic Sweden United States Australia United States United States United States United States Peru United States

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Last Name Cheng Chin Chin Christie Clements Colas Collados Collomb Conde Conway Correll Craig Cretney Croukamp D’Amaro Delord Delord Delord-Lajunias Dick Dickie Dinsmore Divílek Dold Dominguez Donlon Doron Eberhart Ehmke Eriksen Erny Falla Falla Ferreira Le Morvan Ferrie Field Fifield Fisken Flesness Forman Frost Fukuda

First Name Wen-Haur Jason Sue Jay Lynn Petr Gustavo Jean-Gael Dalia William Terrie Mark James Anna Josh Françoise Delphine Rodolphe Gerald Lesley Craig Tomáš Chris Maria Clara Peter Shai Heather Lee Andrew Cécile Carolina Carolina Sophie Gina David Karen Fiona Nate Ron Phil Yutaka

Organization Wildlife Reserves Singapore Taipei Zoo Minnesota Zoological Garden Racine Zoological Gardens Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation Zoo Ostrava Pangea Consultants Wildlife Conservation Network University of Southern Denmark Wildlife Conservation Society Tulsa Zoo Mangement Inc. Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort Marwell Wildlife Parque das Aves Disney’s Animal Kingdom ZooParc de Beauval ZooParc de Beauval Association Française des Parcs Zoologiques (AFdPZ) WAZA EAZA UTAH’S HOGLE ZOO ZOO a zámek Zlín-Lešná SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Cali Zoo ISIS Jerusalem Zoo Disney’s Animal Kingdom Minnesota Zoological Garden Cango Wildlife Ranch Association Française des Parcs Zoologiques (AFdPZ) ACOPAZOA - Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquariums Parque Jaime Duque Parc Zoologique de Paris Disney’s Animal Kingdom Zoological Society of London Wellington Zoo Zoological Society of London ISIS Audubon Nature Institute Baton Rouge Zoo Ueno Zoological Gadens

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Last Name Gass Gendron Germann Gettmann Gibson Gil Rothenburger Gilbert Gonzalez Gray Greene Gumay Gusset Hale Hanuliakova Hashikawa Hauert Healy Heckel Hernandez Hibbard Hilsenroth Hofer Hoggren Hohne Horský Hovorka Howard Hudson Hughes Hunt Hunt Imas Insuwan Janikowski Jensen Jha Johansen Jones Junhold Kaal Kagan

First Name Scott Suzanne Roger Wolfgang Nancy Carmen María Robby Alberto Jenny Lewis Marsawitri Markus Robin Julia Hisashi Michèle Mary Jens-Ove Ana Chris Rob Heribert Mats Matt Roman Martin Emily Gregg Karen Susan Holly Silvia Bunyat Pat Deborah Alankar Henrik Vesterskov David Jörg Mati Ron

Organization SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Ocean Park Corporation John G. Shedd Aquarium Aquazoo Love Wildlife Foundation Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires Billings Productions Inc. Zoologico Matecana de Pereira/Member of Acopazoa Zoos Victoria Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Ragunan Zoological Park WAZA Toronto Zoo Zoo Design Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo WAZA Sacramento Zoo Zoo Landau in der Pfalz AFH Design, LLC Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia American Association of Zoo Veterinarians IZW - Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research Kolmarden Wildlife Park Disney’s Animal Kingdom ZOO a zámek Zlín-Lešná Zoological Garden of Brno City PGAV, Inc. Dallas Zoo University of Queensland Perth Zoo African Safari Wildlife Park Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires Nakorn Ratchasima PJA Architects Woodland Park Zoo PNHZ Park, Darjeeling, India Aalborg Zoo North Carolina Zoological Park Leipzig Zoo Tallinn Zoological Gardens Detroit Zoological Society

Country United States Hong Kong United States Germany Thailand Argentinia United States Colombia United States United States Indonesia Switzerland Canada United States Japan Switzerland United States Germany United States Australia United States Germany Sweden United States Czech Republic Czech Republic United States United States Australia Australia United States Argentina Thailand United States United States India Denmark United States Germany Estonia United States

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Last Name Kahlenberg Kelly Kjellson Knieriem Kongprom Kozó Krejčová Kwon Lalumière Lanthier Lecointre Lee Lehnhardt Leitinger Leroux Lewis Lindén Long Lowry Luz Maddy Madumise Mahlaba Makganye Maloney Maloney Manansang Manansang Mann Martys Matamoros McClintock McCusker McDaniel McDuffie McKenna McMichael Mehrmann Mejeur Mercadante Miglore

First Name Sonya Dennis Bo Andreas Urarikha László Nándor Hana Soo Whan Joanne Clement Carole Meng Tat Kathy Susanne Nicolas John Lena M Sarah Rachel Sonja Jim Brenda Busisiwe Tshepang Dan Laura Jansen Esther Judy Michael Yolanda Keith J Stephen Stewart Lynn Carol Alex Tom James Michael Fran

Organization GRACE Smithsonian National Zoological Park Borås Djurpark AB Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn AG Khao Kheow Open Zoo Budapest Zoo Jihlava Zoo Samsung Everland Zoo Zoo de Granby (Granby Zoo) The Calgary Zoo WAZA Wildlife Reserves Singapore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Loro Parque Zoo Amnéville Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Nordens Ark Lincoln Park Zoo Zoos Victoria Wildlife Reserves Singapore Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens The Humane Society of the United States Taman Safari Indonesia Taman Safari Indonesia SAAMBR Alpen Zoo AMACZOOA Portico Group San Antonio Zoological Society Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. Disney’s Animal Kingdom WSPA Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ocean Park Corporation Disney’s Animal Kingdom Main Street Design Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Country United States United States Sweden Germany Thailand Hungary Czech Republic Republic of Korea Canada Canada Switzerland Singapore United States Spain France United States Sweden United States Australia Singapore United States South Africa South Africa South Africa United States United States Indonesia Indonesia South Africa Austria Costa Rica United States United States United States United States United Kingdom United States China United States United States United States

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Last Name Miller Mills Morgan Mukashev Munzi Musella Musinguzi Myers Nagel Naharro Pires Narasimhan Nelana Ng Niekisch Nxomani Oberwemmer Ogden Olberg Pagan Pagel Pate Pellandini Penning Persányi Pfistermueller Phillips Pilgrim Pinto-Pereira Plassé Pugh Pullen Rabb Ratajszczak Redford Reed Rehák Rho Riger Rübel Sangpong Sanjayan

First Name Eric Kevin Dave Yerbulat Leonardo Mick James Douglas G Udo Francisco Binod Bulumko Louis Manfred Clifford Frank Jackie Rolf-Arne Olivier Theo Dennis Damián Mark Miklós Regina Rebecca Mark Tiago Chelle Craig Kirsten George Radoslaw Kent Mark Ivan Jeongrae Peter Alex Suriya Muttulingam

Organization Saint Louis Zoo South Carolina Aquarium Wild Welfare Almaty Zoo Clax Italia San Diego Zoo Global Uganda Wildlife Education Centre San Diego Zoo Global Rostock Zoo Jardim Zoológico e de Aclimação em Portugal, S.A. Al Ain Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo ACRES Zoo Frankfurt National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Zoo Leipzig GmbH Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kristiansand Dyrepark Zoo Basel Cologne Zoo Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Fundación Temaiken Disney’s Animal Kingdom Budapest Zoo Schönbrunner Tiergarten GesmbH Disney’s Animal Kingdom Chester Zoo WAZA Disney’s Animal Kingdom Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo BIAZA CBSG Wroclaw Zoo Archipelago Consulting Sedgwick County Zoo Zoo Praha Seoul Zoo Houston Zoo Zoo Zürich Khao Kheow Open Zoo The Nature Conservancy

Country United States United States United States Kazakhstan Italy United States Uganda United States Germany Portugal UAE South Africa Singapore Germany South Africa Germany United States Norway Switzerland Germany United States Argentina United States Hungary Austria United States United Kingdom Switzerland United States United States United Kingdom United States Poland United States United States Czech Republic Republic of Korea United States Switzerland Thailand United States

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Last Name Saunders Savage Schmid Schmidt Schratter Schwartz Simelane Simmons Simmons Sincage Siriaroonrat Skrable Smith Soltis Sowden Spitsin Stalf Stamper Stedman Stephens Stevenson Stonecipher Straede Stratton Street Takahashi Taylor Taylor Therien Thomton Thongphakdee Tomisawa Tonge Torre Torres Tsao van der Spuy Vehrs Vinyard Visentin von Hegel

First Name Cindy Anne Tom Christian Dagmar Rick Musa Pat Lee Jamie Boripat Bob Kim Joseph Craig Vladimir Tom Andy Nancy Eric Miranda Roger Steffen Karin Bill Masayuki Steve Brooke Jay John Ampika Kanako Simon Ace Rafael Eric Stephen Kris Hershel Emmanuel Gisela

Organization Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Animal Kingdom Texas State Aquarium Zoo Frankfurt Schönbrunner Tiergarten GesmbH Nashville Zoo Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Akron Zoo Omaha Zoo Foundation Disney’s Animal Kingdom Zoological Park Organization Aviculturist Oregon Zoo Disney’s Animal Kingdom S.E.A. Aquarium Moscow Zoo Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The Seas at Epcot SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Zoo Miami BIAZA ISIS - International Species Information System Copenhagen Zoo Monterey Bay Aquarium SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Osaka Tennoji zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Animal Kingdom Zoological Park Organization Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Torre Design Consortium, Ltd. Acopazoa Taipei Zoo PAAZAB Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Florida Department of Environmental Protection Parc des Oiseaux Zoologischer Garten Karlsruhe

Country United States United States United States Switzerland Austria United States South Africa United States United States United States Thailand United States United States United States Singapore Russia United States United States United States United States United Kingdom United States Denmark United States United States Japan United States United States United States United States Thailand Japan United Kingdom United States Colombia Taiwan South Africa United States United States France Germany

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Last Name Wahlström Walker Watkins Rogers Wawerchak Wedel Welder Westin Wichasilp Widneyer Wiese Wight Wilcken Wiley Winsten Wisthoff Wuennemann Wylie Yamamoto Zeigler

First Name Jonas Sally Rachél Vicki Sandra Doris Jan Wisid Lynette Robert Garth A. Jonathan Brendan Keith Randy Klaus Stephen Shigeyuki Frank William

Organization Skansen-Akvariet AB Zoo Outreach Organization Zoo Miami Monterey Bay Aquarium G.K. Airfreight Service Disney’s Animal Kingdom Universeum Zoological Park Organization Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. San Diego Zoo Global Safari Thatch Inc Auckland Zoo Topeka Zoological Park Brevard Zoo Kansas City Zoo Zoo Heidelberg Oklahoma City Zoo, retired Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Country Sweden United States United States United States United Kingdom United States Sweden Thailand United States United States United States New Zealand United States United States United States Germany United States Japan United States

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