EAZANEWS
57 2 0 0 7
quarterly publication of the european association of zoos and aquaria january
february
march
2007
05 Exhibit evaluation and visitor studies
10 IZE Conference 2006
12 A standard format for RCPs
14 Re-using water
26 Animal conservation genetics
31 Conservation workshop for green toads
22
Insects and butterflies at Artis Royal Zoo
28
Conserving the threatened elkhorn coral
eaza news 57
colophon
2007
EAZA News is the quarterly magazine of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Editorial Board Chair EAZA Bert de Boer Executive Director Harry Schram Chair Membership & Ethics Committee Lars Lunding Andersen Managing Editor Jeannette van Benthem (
[email protected]) Editorial Staff Corinne Bos, Koen Brouwer, Bart Hiddinga, Catherine King, Danny de Man Design Jantijn Ontwerp bno, Made, the Netherlands Printing Drukkerij Van den Dool, Sliedrecht, the Netherlands ISSN 1574-2997. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Deadline EAZA News 58 : 1 March 2007
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EAZA Executive Committee c h a i r L e o b e r t d e B o e r, A p e n h e u l P r i m a t e Pa r k v i c e - c h a i r S i m o n To n g e , Pa i g n t o n Z o o s e c r e ta ry E r i c B a i r r ã o Ru i v o , L i s b o n Z o o t r e a s u r e r R y s z a r d To p o l a , L o d z Z o o chair eep committee B e n g t H o l s t , C o p e n h a g e n Z o o chair membership & ethics committee L a r s Lunding Andersen, Copenhagen Zoo chair aquarium committee Jürgen Lange, Berlin Zoo chair legislation committee Ulrich Schürer, Wuppertal Zoo EAZA Executive Director Harry Schram, EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam E A Z A S t a n d ing Committees Chairs eep committee Bengt Holst, Copenhagen Zoo membership & ethics committee Lars Lunding Andersen, Copenhagen Zoo a q ua r i u m c o m m i t t e e J ü r g e n L a n g e , B e r l i n Z o o l e g i s l a t i o n c o m m i t t e e U l r i c h S c h ü r e r, Wu p p e r t a l Z o o EAZA Specialist Committees Chairs v e t e r i n a ry c o m m i t t e e J a c q u e s K a a n d o r p , S a f a r i p a r k B e e k s e B e r g e n research committee G o r d o n M c G r e g o r Re i d , C h e s t e r Z o o conservation committee P i e r r e G a y, Z o o d e D o u é education & exhibit design committee H e n k H i d d i n g h , E m m e n Z o o committee on technical assistance & animal welfare D o m i n i q u e Tr o p e a n o , C o l c h e s t e r Z o o c o m m i t t e e o n p r & m a r k e t i n g J ö r g A d l e r, M ü n s t e r Z o o EAZA Council Members 2006 - 2009 a u s t r i a Andreas Kaufmann, Natur- und Tierpark Herberstein b e lg i u m Roland Van Bocxstaele, Antwerp Zoo croatia Mladen Anic, Zagreb Zoo czech republic Dana Holeckova, Dvur K r a l o v e Z o o · V l a d i s l a v J i r o u s e k , J i h l a v a Z o o d e n m a r k H e n r i k H e r o l d , Ra n d e r s Z o o e s t o n i a M a t i K a a l , Ta l l i n n Z o o f i n l a n d S e p p o Tu r u n e n , H e l s i n k i Z o o f r a n c e Fr a n ç o i s e D e l o r d , Z o o Pa r c d e B e a u v a l · P i e r r e G a y, Z o o d e D o u é · T h i e r r y J a r d i n , C E R Z A L i s i e u x · M i c h e l H i g n e t t e , A q u a r i u m d e l a Po r t e D o r é e g e r m a n y Bernhard Blaszkiewitz, Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde · Dieter Jauch, Wilhelma (Stuttgart) · Achim Johann, NaturZoo Rheine · Thomas Kauffels, Georg von Opel Zoo (Kronberg) · Ulrich Schürer, Wuppertal Zoo g r e e c e A n d r e a s S i o u l a s , R h o d e s A q u a r i u m h u n g a ry I l m a B o g s c h , B u d a p e s t Z o o i r e l a n d N e i l S t r o n a c h , Fo t a W i l d l i f e Pa r k i ta ly Gloria Svampa Garibaldi, Punta Verde Zoo (Lignano) l a t v i a Rolands Greizins, Riga Zoo l i t h ua n i a Va c l o v a s D u m c i u s , K a u n a s Z o o n e t h e r l a n d s L e o b e r t d e B o e r, A p e n h e u l P r i m a t e Pa r k · W i m Ve r b e r k m o e s , G a i a Pa r k Ke r k r a d e Z o o n o r wa y A r n e M a g n e Ro b s t a d , K r i s t i a n s a n d Z o o p o l a n d Ryszard Topola, Lodz Zoo p o r t u g a l Eric Bairrão Ruivo, Lisbon Zoo r u s s i a V l a d i m i r V. S p i t s i n , M o s c o w Z o o s lo v a k i a M i l o s l a v a S a v e l o v á , B r a t i s l a v a Z o o s lo v e n i a Z d e n k a B a r b a r a B a n F i s c h i n g e r, L j u b l j a n a Z o o s pa i n J o s é I g n a c i o C o b o , Z o o A q u a r i u m M a d r i d · A g u s t i n L o p e z G o y a , Fa u n i a ( M a d r i d ) s w e d e n H a n s - O v e L a r s s o n , S k a n s e n Fo u n d a t i o n · B o K j e l l s o n , B o r a s D j u r p a r k s w i t z e r l a n d C h r i s t i a n S t a u f f e r, W i l d p a r k L a n g e n b e r g ( L a n g n a u ) turkey v a c a n c y ukraine v a c a n c y united kingdom Bryan Carroll, Bristol Zoo · Mark P i l g r i m , C h e s t e r Z o o · S i m o n To n g e , Pa i g n t o n Z o o · Ke n J . S i m s , T h r i g b y H a l l W i l d l i f e G a r d e n s · D o m i n i q u e A . Tr o p e a n o , C o l c h e s t e r Z o o Standing Committee Chairs co-opted in Council Lars Lunding Andersen, Copenhagen Zoo · Bengt Holst, Copenhagen Zoo · Jürgen Lange, Berlin Zoo Specialist Committee Chairs as observers in Council J ö r g A d l e r, M ü n s t e r Z o o · G o r d o n M c G r e g o r Re i d , C h e s t e r Z o o · J a c q u e s K a a n d o r p , S a f a r i p a r k Beekse Bergen · Henk Hiddingh, Emmen Zoo
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Printed on TREE-FREE paper bleached without chlorine and free from acid
FROM THE EDITORS Looking back at 2006, this year was filled with important developments for EAZA; the new EAZA Standards and EAZA Constitution were approved, 12 new institutions joined EAZA, a new membership category was implemented (corporate membership) and a new EAZA executive director was appointed. Several publications were completed and distributed amongst the EAZA membership, including the EAZA Yearbook 2004, the Proceedings of the EAZA Annual Conference 2005 and the brochure ‘Ten simple things that will improve our EEPs considerably’. Sustainability was one of the central themes of last year’s Annual Conference, and the after-conference issue of EAZA News (issue 56) entirely focused on this important topic. As this topic was well received, the subject ‘sustainability’ will continue to be featured, starting with two interesting articles in this issue. Besides the articles in this issue that cover the topics normally found in EAZA News, one article describes the development of a new Regional Collection Plan (RCP) according to the standard format as developed by the EEP Committee. Furthermore, the back cover of this issue once more summarizes what ZIMS can do for you, as getting ready for ZIMS is extremely important for all of us in EAZA. Last but not least, we would like to thank those who enthusiastically contributed to EAZA News in 2006! Special thanks goes to Jenny van Leeuwen for her dedicated work as former managing editor of EAZA News. After working on exactly twenty issues of EAZA News, Jenny van Leeuwen has resigned from her editing job to take up a position at the Dutch Zoo Federation. We would also like to thank the authors that sent in all interesting articles that have kept the EAZA membership up-to-date about what is happening within the EAZA community. We look forward to receive as much interesting articles in 2007, so if you have never contributed to EAZA News, make this year the year to do so!
eaza executive office c / o A m s t e r d a m Z o o , P O B o x 2 0 1 6 4 , 1 0 0 0 H D A m s t e r d a m , T h e N e t h e r l a n d s We b s i t e : w w w. e a z a . n e t e - m a i l : i n f o @ e a z a . n e t Membership Services & Accreditation tel: +31 20 520 07 53 fax: +31 20 520 07 54 e-mail:
[email protected] Collection Coordination & Conservation tel: +31 20 520 07 50 fax: +31 20 520 07 52 e-mail:
[email protected]
eaza news 57
2007
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photo bristol zoo
photo john o’brien
photo järvzoo (järvsö)
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contents
Colophon · Who is who 02 from the editors 03 contents Executive Committee meets in Jersey · Welcome to Warsaw · Cooperation with EZNC terminated · EAZA Zoo Educators · 04 from the eaza office Supporting Tirana Zoo · Exhibit evaluation and visitor studies · Breeding Programme Management Course · Rectification 05 from the eaza office Remember to register! · Do you need other images? · Painting and drawing for Madagascar 06 eaza madagascar campaign Trip to Madagascar in 2007 07 eaza madagascar campaign Why is Madagascar so special? · Madagascar competition for school children 08 eaza madagsacar campaign Chris Peters 09 interview The IZE Conference 2006; a huge success! · Just another educator 10 education Wanted: New holders for the Somali wild ass EEP 11 collection planning A new Regional Collection Plan for Callitrichids 12 collection planning 13 collection planning Re-using water at Burgers’ Ocean 14 sustainability 15 sustainability Deep green design for zoos and aquaria 16 sustainability 17 sustainability Wuppertal · Broxbourne 18 births and hatchings Bristol · Randers 19 births and hatchings Berlin · Arnhem 20 births and hatchings Lemurs flourish in their easy access enclosure 21 new enclosures The insect house and butterfly pavilion at Artis Royal Zoo 22 new enclosures 23 new enclosures A tropical paradise for the giants of the tortoise world, the Aldabra tortoises 24 new enclosures Protocol signed to recover the Iberian golden eagle 25 conservation Animal conservation genetics 26 research 27 research The second SECORE workshop; conserving the threatened elkhorn coral 28 conservation 29 conservation SAZA focuses on its own backyard 30 conservation CBSG Europe conducts conservation workshop for green toads · Programme updates 31 conservation 32 books | dir. updates |publications Update on the development of ZIMS · Studbook data cleaning project 33 eadisc | isis ZIMS; what will it do for you? 36 zims
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cover A r g e m a m i t t r e i photo ronald van weeren/ artis royal zoo (amsterdam)
03 cover A c r o p o r a p a l m a t e photo eric borneman
eaza news 57
from the eaza office
2007
Executive Committee meets in Jersey
Supporting Tirana Zoo
The EAZA Executive Committee met in the inspiring quarters of
Tirana Zoo was once a favourite day out for Tirana's citizens and many
the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey on 13 January
other Albanians. However, due to many years of neglect, the zoo is
2007. The committee looked into the idea of organising a
now in a truly deplorable state. Through the Technical Assistance
programme of professional training and development courses for
and Animal Welfare (TA&AW) Committee, EAZA has actively been
EAZA zoo and aquarium staff. The long-established International
supporting Albania's only official zoo since 2004. After several meetings
Training Centre at Durrell provides a good example and a
and recommendations by the Committee to increase the animal welfare,
possible location for such a training programme. Furthermore,
it is now time to take things a step further.
it was decided to start a ‘future search’ exercise to look at
photo eaza executive office
the future of the organisation and the tasks to be fulfilled by the EAZA Executive Office. Participants of the Spring Council meeting in Kristiansand (Norway) in May 2007 will hear a lot more about this.
Cooperation with EZNC terminated For a number of years EAZA has cooperated with the European Zoo Nutrition Centre (EZNC). During these years the EZNC worked together with the EAZA Nutrition Group on gathering and sharing knowledge on zoo animal nutrition. Also, the EZNC was provided with office space and logistic support by the EAZA Executive Office in Amsterdam, free of charge. However, cooperation between EAZA and the EZNC has now been terminated, and no relationships exist. Any questions regarding zoo animal nutrition can be directed to the EAZA Nutrition Group.
EAZA Zoo Educators (EZE)
Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries, but things are improving. The City of Tirana is very much willing to redevelop the Tirana Zoo and
European Zoo Educators (EZE) has been the European regional branch
the surrounding park as this is one of the few remaining green spaces
of International Zoo Educators (IZE) for many years. In the European
in the city. From 6 to 8 December 2006 a workshop was organised to
zoo educator community EZE is well known thanks to its biennial
discuss a new future for the zoo. Dominique Tropeano, chair of the
conferences and the ERNIZE list serve. Additionally, EZE has worked
TA&AW Committee, led the workshop that was attended by over twenty
closely with the EAZA Education and Exhibit Design Committee, and
people representing various city departments, the zoo staff and various
in fact, the European board members of IZE were members of this
NGOs. Together, the participants created a short-term action plan
committee. Because of this close relationship, IZE and EAZA decided
including the most urgent actions needed to improve animal welfare
to put the European zoo educators under the regional umbrella of
and visitor safety. This action plan was sent to the Tirana City Council
EAZA. Henceforth EZE stands for EAZA Zoo Educators.
for approval and to obtain the necessary funds. This year a more detai-
This does not imply that zoo, aquaria and nature reserve educators
led master plan for the total reconstruction of the zoo will be developed,
employed by EAZA member institutions automatically are IZE members,
based on the first ideas created during the workshop. With the support
nor that Europeans that are not EAZA members can not become IZE
of the City Council, this workshop will hopefully be the first step
members.
towards a better future for Tirana Zoo. Further visits by the TA&AW Committee are planned for this year.
The next EZE Conference will kindly be hosted by Budapest Zoo, Hungary from 28 to 31 March 2007. A challenging programme covering four days has been prepared, starting with the registration and an ice breaker. This will be followed by three days of presentations and workshops; the first day will focus on sustainability and the second day will highlight the Amphibian Crisis and ‘2008; the year of the frogs’. The last day will be reserved to communicate problems and successes of the eastern European zoos. 04
For more information, please visit www.zoobudapest.com/eze2007
Welcome to Warsaw The 24th EAZA Annual Conference will be hosted by Warsaw Zoo, Poland, and will take place from 11 to 15 September 2007. Preparations are currently underway and all EAZA members should have received conference registration information. As always, information is also available on the ‘Conference’ section of the EAZA website.
eaza news 57
from the eaza office
2007
Exhibit evaluation and visitor studies; a new focus for EAZA We all know how to evaluate the success of our breeding programmes or of
EAZA will help its members in communicating more effectively with their
our marketing efforts; we can easily analyse what is happening to our animal
audience. Visitor studies and evaluation will be a new focus of our activities.
collections or populations and we can count visitors and the amount of money
EAZA recently became an institutional member of the Visitor Studies Asso-
they spend within the gates of our institutions. Evaluating the message we
ciation, through which we can all benefit from the experience of hundreds of
are communicating to our visitors is not that easy, but it is an important and
audience researchers in museums, zoos, science centres and natural habitats.
necessary tool if we want to make sure we are communicating the right
EAZA is also planning an exhibit evaluation activity or workshop during this
message to the right audience. What do our visitors learn from their visit?
year’s annual conference in Warsaw. EAZA is confident that when it comes to
Do they read the labels? How do they experience our messages about
evaluating and improving our message, things are already beginning to move
conservation and sustainability? Do we help them to change their behaviour?
within the European zoo and aquarium community. On 24 and 25 May 2007,
European zoos and aquaria have a lot to learn in this field, especially when
the Zoological Society of London is organising an interesting symposium,
you compare with our North American colleagues or with what has been
‘Zoo experiences and the human dimensions of saving wildlife’. Please refer
going on in the museum and science centre world, also in Europe.
to the EAZA website ‘calendar’ for more information about this symposium. photo rob doolaard (izp)/rotterdam zoo
Breeding Programme Management Course photo eaza executive office
In the first week of December 2006 another EAZA Breeding Programme Management Course was held at the EAZA Executive Office. Twelve participants from different parts of Europe completed the course. Two groups were trained in a wide range of aspects that are relevant when managing an EEP or ESB, such as population genetics, demographics, working with SPARKS and PM2000, as well as politics and policies. The external docents Kristin Leus (EAZA Population Management Advisory Group) and Tanya Langenhorst (Marwell Zoological Park, Winchester) together with EAZA Executive Office staff members taught the different topics during this week.
Rectification In EAZA News 56, the ‘Sustainability special’, in the article ‘The World-Garden in Münster Zoo, an unusual journey around the globe’ the name of NGO ‘Eine Welt Netz NRW e.V.’ was incorrectly translated into ‘One World Television Network’ (see EAZA News 56/2006, p.32 - 33). The correct English name should be ‘One World Network NRW’. 05
eaza news 57
2007
eaza madagascar campaign
With the Madagascar Campaign launch in Madrid still in mind (October 2006), several EAZA members have already started organising their campaign activities. Examples of these activities can be found on the following pages, as well as on the ‘Campaign’ section of the EAZA website. Please also forward your institution’s stories and pictures on the campaign to the EAZA Executive Office (
[email protected]).
photo nick garbutt
Remember to register ! EAZA would like to thank the 70 EAZA member institutions that have already registered for campaign participation. Please remember to register for the campaign as soon as possible if your institution is also planning to participate. Registration details can be found in the Madagascar Campaign Info Pack. A registration form can also be downloaded from the EAZA website member area. Please join the campaign and help conserve Madagascar; ‘Arovako i Madagasikara’ !
photo samuel furrer/zürich zoo
Do you need other images ? Hopefully you are enjoying and making full use of the images provided on the CD-ROM accompanying the Campaign Info Pack. However, the campaign core group supports any wishes for a specific image or group of images that has not been supplied already. For example, the core group is currently sourcing reef images of Madagascar as requested by aquarium colleagues. If you need a particular image to create exciting graphics for the campaign in your institution, please contact Roger Graf (
[email protected]) or Lesley Dickie (
[email protected]) and they will try to find them for you!
Painting and drawing for Madagascar Roger Graf, Zürich Zoo, Switzerland
As part of the EAZA Madagascar Campaign 2006/7, your institution can participate in a painting and drawing activity. Ask school children and other groups of visitors to paint or draw Malagasy animals and plants. If present, Malagasy animals or plants within your institution can serve as models. By participating in this activity, you are offering your visitors an enjoyable event and at the same time hopefully contribute to making the Malagasy people proud of their nature and motivate them to protect their environment. All paintings and drawings collected will be distributed to school children in Madagascar with the help of 49 Malagasy radio stations. These radio stations will report on the EAZA Madagascar Campaign and invite local people to draw pictures in return. A Swiss company has donated 2,400 boxes of crayons for them to use. Their drawings will be brought to the radio stations until September 2007, from where they will be sent to Europe and subsequently distributed to the participating institutions to exhibit them. The paintings and drawings should be made on paper and should not be bigger than A3. The finished artworks should be bundled together for sending and labelled with the address of the school or group sending them and the age of the participants. Special format postcards to add to the bundles of drawings have been prepared, with text in English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish and Italian. These can be printed from the EAZA Education DVD which was distributed to the EAZA membership in November 2006. 06
eaza news 57
eaza madagascar campaign
2007
Trip to Madagascar in 2007 Many of you have indicated to be interested in visiting the island
This could be the holiday of a lifetime….and, if you
of Madagascar, to view the amazing wildlife and wild places of the
are very lucky, your institution will send you!
island and to meet its people. The campaign core group and several colleagues are looking into the possibility of organising a trip to
Responsible ecotourism will be an increasing foreign income
Madagascar, tentatively for October 2007. While visiting some of
generator for Madagascar, and will help bolster the protection of
the better known locations on the island, it is hoped to visit at
the new conservation areas. EAZA therefore would like its members
least some of the recipient projects, so one can see how money
to think about how they can arrange trips to Madagascar for their
raised by EAZA member institutions is being used. It is anticipated
zoo visitors in 2008, potentially using their own experience in 2007.
that the costs for such a trip will be between €4,500 and €5,000 per
Trips could be arranged through local tour operators in the zoo’s
person. A ‘conservation surcharge’ going directly to the campaign
home country and they could levy the conservation surcharge to
will constitute 10 to 15% of the sum. Provisional figures and other
further raise funds for the Madagascar Campaign longitudinally.
details will be provided in due time. However, before developing
By giving a talk in your zoo in late 2007 using the, no doubt,
these plans any further, EAZA needs to know how many people
amazing images taken on the 2007 trip to Madagascar, interest
would be interested in taking a two-week trip to Madagascar.
in such a trip can easily be generated. Zoo visitors would thus be
Please contact Lesley Dickie (
[email protected]) as soon as
able to see where their conservation funds are being spent and
possible if you are interested.
their commitment to conservation may be increased.
Along mainroad Moramanga and Tamatave photo samuel furrer/zürich zoo
Lowland rainforest at Masoala National Park photo roger graf/zürich zoo
photo zürich zoo
Paintings and drawings can be sent via courier or airmail to the radio stations until September 2007. As the Malagasy postal system is not very reliable, two secure distribution channels have been selected to receive the drawings (addresses below). These headquarters will distribute the paintings and drawings to the other regional radio studios. National/governmental radio stations
Private radio stations
Radio MBS
ESSVA
Monsieur Mahery H. Andrianasolo
Monsieur Jo Monney
39, rue Joël Rakotomalala
Mioramasoandro
101 Antananarivo
B.P. 371
Madagascar
110 Antsirabe Madagascar
For further questions and help, please contact Roger Graf (
[email protected]). 07
eaza news 57
eaza madagascar campaign
2007
Why is Madagascar so special? Lesley Dickie, Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom
During the campaign year you will often be reminded (in case you
groups are small. However, they share in common with the majority
still need any further reminding…) of how special Madagascar is. One
of the other inhabitants of the island, high levels of evolutionary
way is through articles written by different members of the campaign
distinctiveness. After many years of fervent scientific discussion, the
core group, in this issue starting with the carnivores of Madagascar.
carnivores of the island have been taxonomically assigned to their own family, the Eupleridae. This is further subdivided into two subfamilies;
Despite being so close to the African land mass, Madagascar has no
the Euplerinae consisting of the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the falanouc
dogs or cats, and no predators as large or highly visible as hunting
(Eupleres goudotti) and the Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana), and the
dogs and lions. Yet the carnivores of the island are a fascinating group
Galidiinae consisting of the ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans),
and just as charismatic in their own way. They have been overlooked
the broad-striped mongoose (Galidictis fasciata), the Grandidier’s
in the past because there is a paltry eight species; a very low number
mongoose (Galidictis grandidieri ), the narrow-striped mongoose
for an island of this size. They are also relatively small in body size,
(Mungotictis decemlineata) and the little-known brown-tailed
mostly nocturnal, some solitary and when living in groups, the
mongoose (Salanoia concolor). Six of the eight species are thought to be monotypic.
photo hermann will/chemnitz zoo
The fossa, falanouc, narrow-striped mongoose and Grandidier’s mongoose are all classed as Endangered in the 2006 IUCN Red List, while the Malagasy civet, ring-tailed mongoose, broad-striped mongoose and brown-tailed mongoose are all classed as Vulnerable. This entire family of carnivores is threatened with extinction, yet it receives little conservation attention. We hope that the EAZA Madagascar Campaign 2006/7 will help change this parlous state of affairs. There is an EEP for the fossa, the largest of the island’s carnivores and a fascinating species. New holders are always needed, so please consider keeping this species. The narrow-striped mongoose and ring-tailed mongoose are also held in captivity, though in much lower numbers. Think about how you can use your current exhibits of non-threatened small carnivores to talk about this group… and hopefully raise funds for the campaign.
Winners of the competition photo ostrava zoo
Madagascar competition for school children Stanislav Derlich, Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic
EAZA Madagascar Campaign activities at Ostrava Zoo started already in early November 2006 with the competition ‘Mammals and birds of Madagascar’. The competition included questions on Madagascar fauna and conservation issues. In total, 2213 schoolchildren (10 -15 years old) from almost hundred schools in the MoravianSilesian region took part in the first round, and the winners participated in a final that was held on 2 December 2006. We hope that this competition has increased the awareness on the unique wildlife of Madagascar amongst the younger generation in our region. The release of a pair of endangered crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) in its new enclosure was a perfect opportunity to promote the campaign again. Not only journalists, but also sponsors and schoolchildren were invited to this event on 4 December 2006. A special travelling exhibition was also prepared, with many photos and information about Madagascar and the EAZA Madagascar Campaign. The exhibition will be presented to as many inhabitants of our region as possible (e.g. in libraries and town halls). The latest campaign event took place during Christmas as part of the ‘Painting and drawing for Madagascar’ activity. All children younger than 15 years were allowed to enter the zoo free of charge if they had drawn an image of a lemur species kept in the zoo. All the drawings collected will be sent to the children in Madagascar via our partner Malagasy radio station. Our efforts will continue in 2007. We will try to collect more drawings, particularly in cooperation with the local media. Furthermore, we are preparing a special Madagascar Day in April and many other activities ! 08
eaza news 57
2007
Chris Peters interview
Position Zoo educator at Rotterdam Zoo and past IZE president Favourite animal Elephant Favourite sustainable(!) exhibit The Oceanium at Rotterdam Zoo with its solar roof, which probably is the biggest solar roof in a European zoo Hobbies Working for IZE and hiking with family
Please describe your career path.
participant of Copenhagen Zoo, Peter Micheni, in setting
In 1976 I wrote a letter to the director of Rotterdam
up the AZOREN (African Zoo and Reserve Educators
Zoo, the well-known Dick van Dam, informing him
Network). In 2000 I became the ‘president elect’ of IZE,
I desperately wanted to work for the zoo. Fortunately,
to become president in 2003 and 2004. Last year was my
he was not at all discouraged by the fact that I am
final year in the assisting function as past president.
disabled. In fact, he told me that he wanted me to work for the zoo no matter what problems had to be solved to realise that. I started setting up an animal information system for the zoo keepers. In 1983 Bert de Boer, current EAZA chair, started to organise a modern
“ We are not only spreading the message, we are the message. By acting green
education department, after which I became a zoo educator, with my main task being to produce education panels. Later I became involved with educational aspects of developing new enclosures. Rotterdam Zoo really stands out in integrating education; our educators are involved in zoo design, collection planning and even
and telling about it, hopefully we will be able to create awareness and change the lifestyle of our visitors”.
in the zoo management. What is the most memorable or fascinating event in your
What are the main challenges for the IZE president?
career so far?
During my presidency, my main goal was to professiona-
Probably my involvement with the International Zoo
lize the structure of IZE; it now has a permanent office in
Educators (IZE). In 1992 the former head of education
Bern, Switzerland, which makes the organisation more
wanted me to go to the IZE Conference in Sydney.
stable. Other challenges are to achieve a good cooperation
At first, I thought he was joking, as because of my
with WAZA and regional zoo organisations like EAZA.
handicap I had never travelled that far abroad.
Currently, we are the official education organisation under
Nevertheless, I ended up in Australia and became
the umbrella of WAZA. Furthermore, I would like to see
fascinated by the inspiring cooperation of the IZE. As
more educational input in the Conservation Breeding
I really missed the contribution of zoo educators from
Specialist Group (CBSG).
developing countries, a few years later I started to assist the IZE in getting these colleagues on board. Thanks
You helped organise the 18 t h IZE Conference in 2006. What
to funds of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs we
did you see achieved through the conference, focussing on
managed to finance the attendance of one African and
the United Nations’ Decade of Education for Sustainable
two South American educators to the IZE Conference in
Development?
Copenhagen, 1996.
During an ‘open space activity’ we gathered a lot of concrete suggestions for sustainable education.
Besides being a dedicated zoo educator, what other activities
Nevertheless, the most important message that popped
do you have within the zoo world?
up was that we should invest more in evaluating our
I have to mention IZE again. After the IZE Conference
education. The sustainable message is important,
in 1996, I became the regional representative of Europe,
but do we succeed in getting it into the minds of our
Africa and the Middle East. One of my first actions was
visitors? IZE will focus on better evaluation tools to
to split up this enormous region; I assisted the African
make our sustainable message more successful. •
09
eaza news 57
education
2007
photo rob doolaard/izp
The IZE Conference 2006; a huge success! Chris Peters, Past IZE president, Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands
Every two years, leading educators from zoos, aquaria and nature reserves worldwide, gather for the biennial conference of the International Zoo Educators (IZE). The 18 t h IZE Conference took place from 9 to 14 October 2006, and was kindly hosted by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. The South Africans were proud to have the IZE Conference on African soil for the first time !
photo w.g. peters-van vuren
Meeting colleagues from all over the world Approximately 120 participants from over thirty countries representing all continents came together during the conference, which comprised 46 speeches, four keynote speeches, eight workshops and a two-day ‘open space activity’. A very special group of participants was the IZE grand award winners. Thanks to donations made by many zoos, zoo organisations and IZE itself, 13 educators from developing countries were able to join the conference and had the unique opportunity to become part of a worldwide network of professional colleagues.
Open space activity A highlight of the conference was the dynamic ‘open space activity’. This
Global sustainability
was a new programme element, in which everybody could put forward
The IZE board had already decided three years ago to use the United
one or more ideas on what activities would be important for IZE. It
Nations’ Decade of Education for Sustainable Development as the main
resulted in a list of 24 priority activities. The three top priorities for the
theme for the IZE Conference 2006. During the conference, Bert de Boer,
coming years include evaluation, capacity building of environmental
chair of EAZA, gave an excellent keynote speech; ‘The greatest challenge
educators for sustainable development issues, and research on regional
for zoos; effectively raising awareness on the urgent necessity to achieve
needs to provide appropriate services (e.g. workshops, sharing expertise).
global sustainability’. With this warning message he tried to challenge
Thanks to the well-balanced and high-quality open space session, work-
educators worldwide to better focus their efforts to realise a sustainable
shops, verbal and poster presentations, social activities and particularly
way of life between humans and nature. Outstanding presentations from
to the perfect conference organisation team of the National Zoological
western conservation educators and conservation educators from develo-
Gardens of South Africa, the 18th IZE Conference was a great success.
ping countries showed the engagement in sustainable development
At the end of the conference Adelaide Zoo, Australia, gave a very promising
practices, innovative programming and evaluation strategies.
preview of their capacity as the host of the IZE Conference in 2008. •
just another educator
Stephanie Heinzelmann Goldau Zoo, Switzerland What do you consider your biggest success? I think my biggest achievement is to find good staff and keep them enthuWhat is your personal goal as an educator?
siastic about education. Currently, we have one full-time and three part-
Though I have many different goals, my biggest goal is to give our zoo
time educators and about 15 part-time staff members that provide guided
visitors a positive attitude towards nature. I would like them to have
tours, feeding talks, workshops and so on. Even though they only work
encouraging experiences, like for example direct encounters with our animals.
part-time, they have a lot to do and the work is not always easy. As long as they love their job, they can inspire the visitors with their own enthusiasm.
10
What is the most difficult aspect of your work?
However, part of the team changes every year. I consider my job well done
To get done all the work I want to do! There are so many things I want to
when the biggest part of my staff stays for more than one year and is keen
show or offer to the visitors and so many things they wish to have. This is
to educate in all different ways. Of course it is not only my success, it is
the most challenging aspect of our work, and you will never get bored.
the success of our team!
eaza news 57
collection planning
2007
Wanted: New holders for the Somali wild ass EEP Beatrice Steck, Basel Zoo, Switzerland
The Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somalicus), the rarest equid species, is one of the most endangered mammals on earth. No more than a few hundred asses are left in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and maybe some in Somalia. The entire global captive population on 1 January 2006 included 129 animals. This number is far too low to establish a viable captive population. Consequently, we urgently need new holders for the captive breeding programmes in Europe (EEP, 101 asses) and in the United States of America (PMP, 17 asses) in order to find good accommodation for the offspring and to provide a sound basis for the EEP and especially the PMP.
photos thomas jermann/basel zoo
The Somali wild ass lives in sandy and stony arid deserts. The asses form loose groups or herds of variable sizes. Territorial males defend mating territories that contain the resources that females require (i.e. water, food), while other bachelor males live in stallion groups. By keeping Somali wild asses, your zoo will make a vital contribution to the conservation of this beautiful equid species. The Somali wild ass also is of great educational value for zoo visitors and can illustrate fascinating biological themes: – this attractive equid species lives in loose family troops; – stallion groups are ideal for watching play fights and other playful behaviours; – this species is a typical inhabitant of deserts and perfectly adapted to this arid habitat; – being the ancestor of the donkey, the Somali wild ass is well suited to familiarise visitors with the domestication of animals; – the Somali wild ass is an ideal species for raising the visitors’ awareness of the need for nature conservation. It also provides an insight into the role zoos and cooperative breeding programmes play in the protection of species. This is underpinned by several in situ research and conservation projects in need of support and carried out by the IUCN Equid Specialist Group. If you are interested in keeping the severely threatened Somali wild ass, please contact Beatrice Steck (
[email protected]). •
To expand or not to expand, that’s the question! Are you updating your institutional collection plan or seeking to add more EEP or ESB species to your collection? Many programmes are in need of additional participating institutions. There are also several EEP and ESB programmes that specifically wish not to expand. Please refer to the member area of the EAZA website (TAG section) for an up to date overview of these wishes per breeding programme. 11
eaza news 57
collection planning
2007
A new Regional Collection Plan for the Callitrichids Bryan Carroll, chair EAZA Callitrichid TAG, Bristol Zoo Gardens, United Kingdom, Eric Bairrão Ruivo, vice-chair EAZA Callitrichid TAG, Lisbon Zoo, Portugal and Aude Desmoulins, member EAZA Callitrichid TAG, ZooParc de Beauval, St Aignan, France
EAZA currently has 41 Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs). Each TAG coordinates management of the taxa of species it covers. One of the most important tasks of a TAG is the development of a Regional Collection Plan (RCP) for its taxa. The EEP Committee finalised a standard format for RCPs at its meeting in March 2006. All TAGs are requested to adapt their RCPs to this standard format before the end of 2007.
Why are RCPs needed?
It should recommend which species EAZA member
of what the RCP covers and its necessary con-
Zoological institutions have to meet clear aims,
institutions should be keeping, how they should
tents. The first part is called ‘Background infor-
usually defined by laws, which in the EU include
be managed (e.g. through an EEP), if there is
mation’ and allows each TAG to introduce its
conservation, education, research and recreation.
specific research that needs to be carried out to
missions and philosophy, as well as the species
Thus, healthy populations are needed in
learn more about the species and so on. The RCP
concerned and the procedures that have been
captivity and enough space has to be provided.
should also identify the species which should
followed in compiling the RCP. The second
Consequently, careful species selections have
(preferably) not be kept in EAZA collections.
part is the most important and, for most TAGs,
to be made and priorities have to be defined. A standard format
section contains details on the information
covered by the TAG, whether they are managed
The standard format launched by the EEP
used to decide the level of management for a
through a programme or not.
Committee of course starts with the description
species. To encourage as many zoological
figure 1 Decision tree
12
the biggest one; the ‘Species assessment’. This
An RCP should include all the species that are
eaza news 57
collection planning
2007
L e o n t o p i t h e c u s c h r y s o p y g u s photo bristol zoo
institutions as possible to read and use the RCP,
2000; one notable change being the addition of
the third part consists of a table summarising
the genus Callibella, following its description
all information listed in the ‘Species assessment’
in 2002. Anthony Rylands of Conservation
part. The final part is called ‘Additional informa-
International is advisor to the TAG.
tion’ and is an optional section where TAGs can inform zoological institutions on contact
Developing a decision tree
details for the programmes, introduce their
Following long discussions between the
specific policies and guidelines and provide
TAG members on the definition of the TAG
bibliographic references.
philosophy, we defined the criteria involved in the decision’s process to create programmes
The RCP of the Callitrichid TAG
and classified them. The criterion seen as the
Our TAG covers marmosets, tamarins and
most important is the status of species in the
the Goeldi’s monkey (Callimico goeldii ),
wild. The IUCN Red List is being used as basis
consisting of just over sixty taxa. A first RCP for
for this criterion. Two levels are considered;
Callitrichidae was developed in 2002, following
species classified as Vulnerable and higher
the division of the EAZA Primate TAG into five
levels registered under Threatened. The species
species in the TAG on each species form. The
smaller TAGs. This RCP was based on the RCP
classified under Near Threatened or Least
summary table summarizes the information
of the former EAZA Primate TAG. In order to
Concern are considered as Non-threatened.
on the species forms. In the final part of the
develop a new RCP, the EAZA TAG Core Group
Secondly, we looked at the status of captive
RCP we included the EAZA TAG Core Group
formed a working group and divided tasks
populations; is the species represented in
members and their contact details, including
amongst its members. It was decided that
captivity, are the populations viable, would
all the species coordinators, the TAG structure
an assessment of all the taxa covered by the
some imports be needed or useful? From
and a number of policies and guidelines.
TAG had to be included in the RCP. In order
this point, criteria as educational value,
to spread the workload, two working groups
recreational value, research value, quality
Not a small task
were formed; one assessing the genus Saguinus
of captive populations, space availability and
The development of an RCP is no small task,
(33 taxa), the other assessing the marmoset
in situ programmes were added.
and each TAG will tailor the standard format to an extent, to meet the needs of that particular
genera Callithrix, Callibella, Cebuella and Mico, the lion tamarins, (Leontopithecus) and
Thus, the selected level of management does
group of animals. The RCP of the Callitrichid
the Goeldi’s monkey (28 taxa).
not depend only on the category of threat;
TAG will never be a fixed document and will
a non-threatened species already in EAZA
change depending on a number of factors,
Our philosophy and choice of
institutions can receive a high level of
particularly changes of status of species in
taxonomy
management, whereas a threatened species
the wild. We will formally review the RCP on
The collection planning philosophy argues that
not present in EAZA institutions can obtain a
a three-year basis, which will give us time to
all species under the TAG remit will be actively
‘Do Not Obtain’ category.
recover after the effort of writing it. Most of
managed or monitored. The level of manage-
This process is represented in our decision tree
all, we hope that it will be a really useful and
ment will be determined based on the level
(see Figure 1). Each branch leads to a different
informative tool for collection managers and
of threat in the wild and the educational and
question including all the criteria and subjects
directors for the development of institutional
research values. IUCN recommendations will
taken into account during the discussions. In
collection plans. •
be followed to decide on the importance of a
the end, six different answers can be obtained;
new species. Hybrids will be phased out.
EEP, ESB, Monitoring by the TAG, Monitoring
C a l l i t h r i x g e o f f r o y i photo bristol zoo
by a person, Do not obtain or Replace. There are a number of taxonomic schemes covering primates and other mammals, and
Species forms and summary table
the Callitrichidae has its share of controversy
To address the third part of the standard format,
and debate. This debate is mainly at the
we developed a standard form to complete,
higher taxonomic levels, including whether
with all the information needed by zoological
Callitrichidae itself is a valid family. We decided
institutions to understand the choice of the
to use the taxonomy developed by Rylands
management category; primary role of the
et al. (2000) that resulted from a primate
programme, conservation, captive status,
specialist group workshop held in Florida. This
husbandry issues, population goals, research
taxonomic scheme is under constant review
needs, other comments and conclusion. We
and some modifications have taken place since
also tried to include a photograph of each
This article has been abridged and the references were left out due to space limitations. For the original full version of the article including reference details, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website.
13
eaza news 57
sustainability
2007
Re-using water at Burgers’ Ocean Max Janse, Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem, the Netherlands
One of the largest challenges in displaying aquatic organisms in aquaria is to control the third dimension; water. When managing an aquarium, water expenditure can be very high. Burgers’ Ocean, an Indo-Pacific seawater aquarium at Burgers’ Zoo, has a total volume of eight million litres. Being an inland aquarium, there are logistical limitations to using seawater, thus artificial seawater is used instead. Through different techniques, Burgers’ Zoo tries to use its water in a sustainable way.
Filterunits photo burgers’ zoo
Re-using fresh water High-rate sand filters are used as mechanical water filters in most aquarium systems. These sand filters are cleaned by backwashing them on a regular basis (one to four times a week). At Burgers’ Ocean, freshwater is used to backwash these filters, which prevents the loss of large quantities of sea water. Within the zoo, three types of fresh water are used; rainwater, well water and drinking water. Rainwater is mostly used to fill ponds and to create artificial rain showers in the large tropical rainforest enclosure Burgers’ Bush. Well water is pumped into large buffers and can be used as ‘grey’ water in, for example,
nutrients depends on the species kept in the aquarium. The toxic
the aquarium. It is pushed through a large reversed osmosis installation
nutrients may not kill an animal, but can cause a chemical stress that
to remove all nutrients and elements, like silicate and calcium, to ensure
could affect its immune system or reproductive cycle.
these will not cause problems within the sensitive aquarium systems. The end result is clear water. A disadvantage of a reversed osmosis installa-
Normally, nitrate levels are controlled by changing 10 to 30% of the
tion is the production of large quantities of ‘brine’ water, containing the
water volume per month. However, at an inland aquarium like Burgers’
removed nutrients and elements. However, this brine water can also be
Ocean, large quantities of fresh seawater are not available, so only 3 to
re-used in the grey water circuit in other parts of the zoo, like for filling
5% of the total aquarium volume is changed per year. Nitrification is
up ponds, as drinking water for the animals or to clean cages.
reduced via mechanical filtration (e.g. high-rate sand filters) and via the usage of protein skimming.
Artificial seawater The clean water from the reversed osmosis treatment is used to top
Different filter techniques
up the aquarium, which is necessary due to evaporation, and to make
Two different filter techniques are being used at Burgers’ Ocean to learn
artificial seawater with special aquarium salt (Reefmix by Tropic Marin®).
more about their advantages and disadvantages. Both filter types use
Within Burgers’ Ocean, 12 different aquarium systems with different
denitrifying bacteria that consume nitrate and produce nitrogen gas.
water qualities are used. A large coral reef tank contains the best quality
The first filter type is based on autotrophic bacteria, the second type uses
water, and water from this tank is used to refresh water in, for example,
heterotrophic bacteria. Besides nitrate, these bacteria need a separate
the shark tank. This type of cascading is used with the many different
energy or carbon source such as sugar, lactate, methanol or ethanol. The
aquarium systems and is a successful way to re-use water.
past three years Burgers’ Ocean used methanol filters in the shark tank (water volume of 3000 m3) and in the tunnel display (water volume of
14
Preventing nitrate increase
1600 m3). Since methanol is toxic for both the aquatic organisms and
Aquatic organisms produce many nutrients such as ammonia, that need
the people that work with it, it was decided to switch to the non-toxic
to be removed from the water. Ammonia can be removed by biological
ethanol instead. An ethanol filter consists of an 800 l tank filled with
filters. Within these filters, nitrifying bacteria are commonly used to
plastic bio rings. Ethanol is injected in the incoming water, which is
change the toxic ammonia into another toxic component, nitrite,
pushed upwards through the bio rings. In the first centimetres of the
followed by the formation of the less toxic nitrate. The toxicity of the
filter bed all oxygen is used by bacterial activity.
eaza news 57
sustainability
2007
Methanol-based denitrification unit photo burgers’ zoo
The disadvantage of heterotrophic bacteria is the production of large amounts of extra-cellular biomass. The filter easily clogs if it is not cleaned on a regular basis. Secondly, part of the produced biomass may exit the filter and foul the aquarium water. Extra filtration with a protein skimmer and a mechanical filter such as a sand filter may be necessary. The positive side of this type of filter is the easy regulation of its activity via the amount of incoming ethanol. Though care must be taken when no nitrate is left and ethanol is still dosed, toxic substances like hydrogen sulphur or sulphite can be produced. The flow through the filter is very slow (around 150 l/h), making it a system which only has a long-term effect. The fish aquaria at Burgers’ Ocean are not heavily stocked, to give a realistic impression of a coral reef. Thus food for the fish added to the aquarium is limited, which in turn limits production of nitrate. The tunnel display for example, is fed with 25 kg wet weight per week. Nitrate levels have been kept constant with the denitrification filter for -
the last three years at 35 mg NO3 -N/l, with a 3% water change per year.
The effluent of the systems has a pH between 6.2 and 6.5. To prevent depletion of the pH in the aquaria, this water is first run through a calcium carbonate or a coral sand bed. This increases the pH to between
Denitrification with elemental sulphur
7.3 and 7.6. Burgers’ Ocean uses three parallel columns of 300 l each
During the European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC) Conference in
(including 250 l sulfur) for an aquarium with a volume of 600 m3. The
1997, Michel Hignette of Aquarium de la Porte Dorée in Paris, presented
volume of the serial coral sand buffers is the same as the sulfur columns.
a new de-nitrification technique (Hignette et al., 1997). This technique is
The flow through the sulfur columns is approximately 150 l/h. During
based on drinking water filtration, in which the bacteria convert nitrate
the three years this filter is used, the nitrate level is kept constant at
and elemental sulfur into nitrogen gas and sulfate. A disadvantage of
40 mg NO3--N/l, with a 4% water change per year and a feeding regime
this technique is that it also produces sulfuric acid, which will deplete
of approximately 15 kg wet weight per week.
the buffer capacity and decrease the pH. This technique is also used at Burgers’ Ocean to deplete nitrate in fish aquaria. Sulfur-based denitrification units photo burgers’ zoo
Phosphate removal When nitrate levels are controlled by the techniques described earlier, a second important nutrient like phosphate may become a problem. It is commonly known that, in low concentrations, phosphates are a problem to corals (> 0.05 mg PO4 3--P/l). While the effect on fish is unknown it may also be negative. Therefore, it was decided to look for techniques to remove phosphates as so little water change takes place. Granulates work perfectly for small systems, but are extraordinarily expensive to use in large volumes of water. Aluminium, iron or lanthanum chloride may be better alternatives. These elements will draw on the phosphates to precipitate into aluminium-, iron- or lanthanum phosphates. The first pilot experiments with the non-toxic iron chloride addition look promising. An iron phosphate and iron hydroxide complex is formed, which settles down in a settlement tank. Residuals are filtered out with a high-rate sand filter. A disadvantage of this is the usage of hydroxide and thus a decreasing pH. It may therefore be necessary to increase the pH with a sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate addition. It seems that the techniques described above make it possible to re-use water in fish aquaria in nearly closed systems. Cascading techniques and backwashing sand filters with freshwater help keep the seawater usage to a minimum. It may be necessary to apply other techniques at Burgers’ Ocean in the future, if other problems relating to the small amount of water change appear. •
15
eaza news 57
sustainability
2007
Deep green design for zoos and aquaria J o n C o e , A R A Z P A , J o n C o e D e s i g n P/ L , V i c t o r i a , A u s t r a l i a
“Ultimately, the goal of sustainable landscapes is the transformation of culture – the taming of technology, the emergence of a new environmental ethic, a new measure of life quality, and a substantially broadened sense of community including not only humans, but all of life”.
Robert Thayer, 1994
Determining what is green design
D
Living wall on display building, Woodland Park Zoo photo l. sammons
In the early 1970’s, Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess coined the term ‘deep ecology’ to describe a deeper relationship between humanity and nature; one based upon an ecocentric rather than an anthropocentric view of life (AtKisson, 1989). While seeking to bring a similar perspective to zoo exhibit design (Coe, 1987), I became concerned with what I viewed as a widespread superficial, technological, even anthropocentric approach to green design. Where is the green heart of green design? Are we focusing too narrowly on the technology, the means and methods of green design, to see the obvious connections we could make to nature? Has green design been redefined as simply an engineering problem? American architect James Wines (2000) summarised the problem in his book Green Architecture:
support forests on their roofs and walls, forests which produce oxygen,
“There is already a danger that technological obsessions are distracting
fix atmospheric carbon and filter effluent, that create humane habitat
designers from understanding their place in the larger picture of inter-
for wildlife as well as zoo animals and people? Why not follow Thayer’s
connectedness…a more balanced objective now is to view environmental
advice and create deep green communities in our zoological institutions
technology as a valuable tool kit, and natural science as a primary source
for the benefit of a diversity of free-living as well as captive species?
of inspiration.…for architects to interpret today’s environmental advocacy exclusively in terms of mechanical hardware and conservationist databases
In assessing the progress of sustainable technology, respected American
– without including the vastly more interesting sources of imagery found
social researcher Stephen Kellert made the following observation: “Yet
in nature – is to miss an extraordinary opportunity”.
I believe much of this progress has unduly relied on a largely negative emphasis on avoiding environmental harm and injury, a stress on
16
Creating green communities
physical and material benefits, and changes more at the level of building
Once, I began a lecture on sustainable design by asking the audience:
systems than at the experience of individuals and groups. By contrast,
“You know that scum that grows on your bathroom curtain and between
I believe sustainable design has insufficiently considered how people
the tiles, that scum you spray and scrub with harsh household chemicals
derive a host of intellectual and emotional, as well as physical and
to remove? That scum is the first stage of plant succession. If you left
material, benefits from connections with natural process and diversity.
that scum alone long enough, your bathroom would become a forest!”.
I conclude by suggesting green development will not achieve its full
What if, instead of fighting natural succession with arsenic and copper-
promise and potential until it more positively motivates individuals,
treated timber and lead-treated paints we designed our habitats to
developers, and planners by capturing in the built environment the
encourage natural succession, even giving it a head start? What if instead
widest range of physical, emotional, and intellectual values of nature”
of building green roofs a few centimetres thick we designed buildings to
(Kellert, 1999).
eaza news 57
sustainability
2007
Living wall on display building, photo patrick blanc
Zoos as green models with green roofs
D
Zoos and aquaria, with their loudly professed commitment to nature conservation and their high visibility, make ideal venues to develop, test and display the latest in green design. Zoos have long provided models for architecture as an armature for living systems. Nearly one hundred years ago, Carl Hagenbeck had living landscapes on his German zoo roofs. There are many examples of ‘buried buildings’ in zoos, such as the elephant facility at the Emmen Zoo in the Netherlands. Examples in the United States of America include the Denver Zoo Pachyderm House (Colorado) and the big cat display and administration and education centre at the National Zoo (Washington D.C.). A more recent example is the ‘Wolf Woods’ exhibit viewing pavilion at Brookfield Zoo (Illinois).
Living walls and roofs Several American zoos such as Brookfield Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo
If we are to teach respect for nature (and some would argue this is the
(Seattle), Seneca Park Zoo (Rochester) and the New York Aquarium have
primary function of zoos and aquaria), we must present nature respect-
outdoor living walls up to 5 m high and the National Zoo (Washington
fully. And ‘nature’ includes the wild places we represent in our exhibits,
D.C.) and Central Park Zoo (New York City) have indoor living walls twice
our building site and our plantings and animals, and also our guests, our
this height. French designer Patrick Blanc has developed living walls up
staff and ourselves. All need to be nurtured by the “…intellectual and
to 30 m high at the Pershing Hall Hotel in Paris, featuring 300 species
emotional…benefits from connections to natural processes and diversity”
of plants supported by a hydroponic irrigation and drainage system
as Kellert (1999) advises, “…by capturing in the built environment the
(Jones, 2002).
widest range of physical, emotional and intellectual values of nature”. We need a deeper design philosophy if we are to sustain a well-balanced
As early as the mid 1980’s I suggested a 10 m high living wall system for recycling water from a large manatee aquarium through overhanging
naturally and socially enriching system, a deep green system. • Living wall on display building, National Zoo photo l. sammons
rainforest cliffs. The project was never realised, but, like Blanc’s proven projects, it suggests the use of living roofs and living walls as bio-filters for treating grey water and perhaps even human and other animal effluent.
Campus ecology Individual green exhibits and buildings are a good start, but we should think of what zoo planner Gary Lee (of CLR design Inc.) terms ‘campus ecology’. How can we make our zoo and aquarium campuses more selfsufficient, producing energy, capturing rainwater, recycling grey water and returning our ‘used water’ in pristine form to local streams and wetlands. Victoria’s Open Range Zoo in Australia is completing a vast hippopotamus exhibit using living reed beds as bio-filters.
Habitats for free-ranging animals Australian naturalist Tim Low (2003) points out in The New Nature: “Nature is not a separate domain hiding away in the wilderness. Animals and plants live all around us and exploit us when they can”. Why not encourage this complimentary relationship? Why not design all buildings to be homes for barn owls, possums, squirrels and songbirds from the beginning? Why not have clear tube raceways for free-ranging squirrels to traverse our exhibit galleries and board rooms?
Humane design While we consider the value of integrating the lives of plants, animals and people, we must also consider humane aspects of design and operation. We can develop innovations far superior to regulated standards, not because we have to, but simply because it brings us joy to do so. This article has been abridged and the references were left out due to space limitations. For the original full version of the article including reference details, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website.
17
eaza news 57
births and hatchings
2007
Wuppertal germany
source u l r i c h s c h ü r e r a n d a l e x a n d e r s l i wa photo wuppertal zoo
Two Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii ) were born in Wuppertal Zoo in 2006. The first offspring, male ‘Chico’, was born on 18 January to eight-year-old female ‘Susanna’. The second calf ‘Moli’ was born on 3 October to ‘Tanya’ and 13-year-old male ‘Tonka’. Tanya was born in San Diego Zoo in 1980 and this is her second young, the first being Susanna. Wuppertal Zoo is the only European zoo keeping this species and consequently is participating in the North American breeding programme. Only some ninety Baird’s tapirs are kept worldwide, with an estimated population of less than 5000 animals in the wild. mother ‘Feline’ was born in Wuppertal Zoo in
In the bird section the breeding of a purple-
Another important breeding event in
2002 and is taking good care of her first offspring.
throated fruit crow (Querula purpurata),
Wuppertal Zoo’s 125 t h anniversary year occurred
The eight-year-old breeding male ‘Jakarta’ was
which is probably a world’s first, and the
in the Asian golden cats (Catopuma
imported from Melbourne Zoo and arrived in
rearing of two male Andean cocks of the
temminckii ). On 19 June 2006 a young female
Europe nearly two years ago in the framework of
rock (Rupicola peruviana), all in 2006, is
was born for the first time in three years. The
an international golden cat exchange programme.
most noteworthy.
Broxbourne united kingdom Paradise Wildlife Park (Broxbourne) is currently enjoying successful
Aron will be reintroduced when the cub is 15 weeks old, and it is hoped
breedings in its primate section. Most recently a pair of silvery
that the cats can remain as a family unit until the cub matures at
marmosets (Callithrix argentata) produced its fourth set of twins on
around 18 months. The cub received its first cat flu vaccinations at nine
21 November 2006. The breeding pair also produced twins in April 2006
weeks, and weighed in at a healthy 3.4 kg. The cub was sexed as a male
and two sets of twins in 2005. Among the tamarin population also housed in
during the second inoculation that took place on 2 October 2006.
the Rainforest Experience, the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
The wild population of snow leopards is estimated at below 2500 mature
male ‘Furby’ and female ‘Ellie’ produced a single offspring on 7 May
breeding individuals, with a declining trend.
2006. Their first offspring were healthy male twins born on 24 April 2004. The pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) have also been busy; male ‘Olaf’ and female ‘Elvira’ produced a single male born on 10 October 2006. This newborn joins the single male born to the pair in October 2004. The red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) are part of the ESB and an offspring from a successful pairing of male ‘Bruce’ and female ‘Kiera’ is expected. This pair produced a single offspring on 8 July 2006 which joins the twin brothers born in 2005. Friday 28 July 2006 was an important day for the team at Paradise Wildlife Park. The successful pairing of the park’s snow leopards (Uncia uncia), male ‘Aron’ born on 5 May 2003 and female ‘Kush’ born on 19 May 2003, resulted in the birth of one healthy cub. The event was witnessed by head keeper Colin Elcombe, as he checked the enclosure late that evening. Kush has taken to the demands of motherhood extremely well and is proving to be an excellent first-time mother. This was both Kush and Aron’s first offspring with both cats being three years of age. Aron, (originally from Basel Zoo), has been kept separated from Kush (originally from Santago Cat Sanctuary) and their cub, in keeping with normal wild behaviour. 18
source press releases
photo paradise wildlife park
eaza news 57
births and hatchings Bristol united kingdom
2007
source press release and philip knowling
Salome, a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Bristol
It was eventually decided to use clomifene, a common fertility drug used
Zoo Gardens successfully gave birth to a healthy baby after a course of
by women to kick start Salome’s ovulation.
ground-breaking fertility treatment. The male baby, yet to be named, was born on 15 December 2006 by natural birth and is suckling well. Salome’s
Bristol Zoo Gardens is also home to Salome’s companion ‘Romina’, famous
first baby was born at London Zoo in April 1988. Salome was transferred
for undergoing the first ever cataract operation performed in Europe on
to Bristol Zoo Gardens in November 1998.
an adult gorilla. This enabled Romina to interact more effectively with the other gorillas and resulted in the birth of Namoki in 2005 following
The birth heralds a new advance in the understanding of captive breeding for the species. It is the result of pioneering fertility treatment
her successful mating with the 24-year-old silverback male Jock. photo bristol zoo
for gorillas developed and administered by Sharon Redrobe, head of veterinary services at Bristol Zoo Gardens. For the first time ever, the condition known as diminished ovarian reserve, a condition also affecting fertility in humans, has been diagnosed and treated in gorillas using methods and medicine that still enabled natural mating. It was discovered that although thirty-year-old Salome (born at London Zoo on 16 July 1976), had been coming into oestrus and was appearing to mate successfully, she had not been ovulating. It was a key priority for the zoo that any fertility treatment ensured that mating and conception were as natural as possible and minimized human interference. Following extensive research on the various fertility treatments available, Sharon Redrobe consulted gynaecologist David Cahill, senior consultant lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Bristol.
Randers denmark
source randers zoo photo randers zoo
Randers Zoo is the only Scandinavian zoo currently keeping aardvarks (Orycteropus afer). This species has been kept in the African exhibit in the ‘Danish rainforest’ since 2002. On 27 August 2006 the female ‘Maxima’ gave birth. Only six days prior to this, the male ‘Plucky’ was sent to Berlin Zoo to make space for a genetically more desirable male from Colchester Zoo. Even though Plucky is a full sibling of Maxima, it had been initially decided that they, at Randers Regnskov, should have the possibility to breed, as the European population is small and there is a need for proven breeders. Maxima did not have any experience in taking care of her offspring as this was her first birth. The newborn aardvark was frequently left alone
During the first 14 days the staff brought the baby home at night and in
and was not given an opportunity to suckle. After some hours the staff
the beginning it was bottle-fed every three hours. Additionally, the baby
decided to step in and to take action. The baby was moved to a heated
was introduced to its mother several times a day, and encouraged to
box, and studbook keeper Wineke Schoo of Burgers’ Zoo was contacted,
suckle. After two weeks it started to suckle by itself, and at that time
as Burgers’ Zoo has much experience in breeding aardvarks.
weighed 1540 g. The young aardvark gained weight rapidly thereafter, and on 15 January 2007, the young aardvark’s weight was 13 kg. It is doing
The weight of the baby was less than 1200 g, which was alarmingly low
well together with the mother and the new male from Colchester Zoo
when compared to the records of birth weights at Burgers’ Zoo, and the
which was introduced on 17 December 2006 without complications.
staff started to bottle-feed the newborn baby immediately. As artificial aardvark milk is hard to get, it was decided to begin with a milk
Even though aardvarks are normally not considered as a flagship species, the
substitute intended for dogs. Later we found that Maxima could
public has shown much interest in this aardvark baby. The baby was mentio-
relatively easy be milked, and gradually most of the milk for the
ned several times on both television and in newspapers, and never has
offspring came from Maxima, supplemented with the milk substitute.
Randers Zoo received so many e-mails concerning one single animal.
19
eaza news 57
births and hatchings
2007
Berlin germany
source press releases and bernhard blaszkiewitz
The last rhinoceros to be born during the EAZA
in Berlin in 1989, with a second chick hatching
continued to produce eggs but a third chick did
Save the Rhino Campaign year was welcomed
in 2001, some 12 years later. The small colony
not hatch until 3 July 2006. The chick unfortu-
in Berlin Zoo just before Christmas 2006.
of seven birds, kept together with six Andean
nately had to be euthanised in November 2006
A black rhino (Diceros bicornis) was born
flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus) has
due to problems with its legs.
on 20 December after an almost 15 months
photo berlin zoo
pregnancy. Eleven-year-old female ‘Kumi’ is a first-time mother and is taking good care of her female offspring ‘Zawadi’. The 15-year-old male ‘Jasper’ sired the offspring. Berlin Zoo has been very successful in breeding black rhinos over the years, with 14 animals born since 1981. The hatching of a James flamingo (Phoenicopterus jamesi) was one of the most exciting avian births at Berlin Zoo in 2006. This species bred for the first time in captivity
Arnhem the netherlands A successful exchange of epaulette sharks
The young do not eat for the first few days
While it is common to exchange mammals or
(Hemiscyllium ocellatum) resulted in a second
while absorbing the internal yolk, and this
birds between zoos, these exchanges are rare
captive generation. This is a very attractive
shark took seven days before eating its first
for fish. This bilateral exchange was a great
shark species with a maximum size of 1 m, but
meal of Mysis, a small shrimp species. In the
success. Hopefully more of these initiatives
is not commonly held in captivity. Besides two
mean time more eggs hatched, but they all
will follow to broaden the genetic scope of
very large shoulder spots that resemble the eyes
hatched too early. The young sharks still had a
captive shark populations and increase the
of a large animal it has a peculiar behaviour.
0.5 to 2 cm large external yolk sac attached.
success in captive breeding of sharks or other
When the shark wants to move to another
Different techniques were applied to try to keep
fish.
place it does not swim but walks with its pelvic
the sharks alive, but all were in vain until now.
and pectoral fins, as if it is an amphibian. Two female epaulette sharks were born at Burgers’ Zoo in 2000. In 2006 one of the captive born females was exchanged with a wild born male from Berlin Zoo to form a pair at Berlin Zoo with another male and a pair at Burgers’ Zoo. At Burgers’ Zoo the animals were placed in a 5000 l aquarium behind the scenes. Sharks use different reproductive modes. Depending on the species, they are viviparous (give birth to life young), ovoviviparous (lay eggs in the mother and then give birth to life young) or oviparous (lay eggs). The epaulette shark is oviparous. After three months the first egg was laid, and every eight to 14 days two eggs were produced. A total of thirty were laid, of which 80% were fertile. After 119 days the first young hatched, which was 15 cm in size. 20
source max janse
photo burgers’ zoo
eaza news 57
new enclosures
2007
photos paradise wildlife park
Karen Hanford, Gary Watts and Sally Smith, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, United Kingdom
Lemurs flourish in their easy access enclosure
As natural sun-worshippers and foragers, the ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) can feel right at home in their new enclosure at Paradise Wildlife Park. This enclosure has been branded ‘the best thing we’ve ever done’ by staff member Barry Howard. A grand statement indeed, you may think, but when pressed to explain himself, he pointed out the merits of an enclosure that is not only as near to the lemur’s natural habitat as is possible, but that is also accessible for all of our visitors regardless of any disability.
Accessibility to paradise!
into uncomfortable positions or to be held up by exhausted parents. !
At Paradise Wildlife Park (Broxbourne) we are always striving to improve
Safety for the animals and visitors alike is ensured by the use of stand-
our service and to make the park’s access and attractions as easy and
off barriers alongside the meshed walls which are heavily planted to
straight forward as possible. We aim to provide accessibility to all our
add interest, soften and camouflage the enclosure.
users, which involves attending to and responding to the needs of both able-bodied and disabled visitors equally. We support the theory that
Enrichment
quality of life is related to the freedom of people to make their own
Just like their native Madagascar, the lemur area is richly planted. New
choices. For a significant number of disabled people having the freedom
tree branches are regularly added to enable the climbing frame to organi-
to decide how they access the natural world, how they travel and how
cally change shape and provide interest without covering the floor space
they visit attractions, all help to vastly improve their quality of life. To
entirely, as lemurs typically prefer to walk along the ground. The keepers
complement this idea we have plenty of commended disabled features
can throw fruit on top of the mesh ceiling, and the lemurs then have to
around the park; adapted easy access toilets, equipment available for use
work out how to access it. Other food is hidden in the ever-changing
on site (e.g. wheelchairs), an adapted minibus service, playground rides,
scenery, which the lemurs have to explore to find it. With mesh and
level-viewing for enclosures and exhibits and wheelchair access to our
recycled glass outer walls allowing maximum light to enter and plenty
meerkat (Suricata suricatta) and ring-tailed lemur enclosures.
of space to play and explore, this enclosure is a wonderful environment. The lemurs are further encouraged to behave as they would in the wild
An ‘open’ enclosure
through natural wood platforms and ropes to exercise on. They are kept
The forward thinking design of the new lemur enclosure involved the
busy by instinctively marking their territory through addition of scents,
use of large glass viewing panels and natural wood with some meshing,
either synthetic fragrances or logs from other lemur enclosures. The
allowing the enclosure to become almost invisible when the outside
lemurs are getting on very well in their new home, and a new birth
borders were planted. This design allows maximum light to flow through
indicates that they are relaxed, content and stress-free. •
the enclosure and enables the lemurs to fully integrate with the world outside. The openness of the enclosure also allows the lemurs to do what comes naturally! Well known for their love to sun, our lemurs are able to bask on their raised platform whilst grooming each other and relaxing as a family group. The size of the enclosure will easily accommodate the naturally confrontational behaviour of the males and provides enough space for the group to develop. Visitors benefit from waist-height wooden rails to rest on while they interact with the lemurs. Both wheelchair users and children are able to get an excellent view at their own level, without having to manoeuvre
21
eaza news 57
new enclosures
2007
HRH Princess Margriet photo ronald van weeren/artis royal zoo
The insect house and butterfly pavilion at Artis Royal Zoo Eugène Bruins and Ko Veltman, Artis Royal Zoo, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Insects generally do not receive the same attention as vertebrates in zoos. However, insects have been accorded the attention they deserve in Artis Royal Zoo (Amsterdam) for more than a century. The new insect house opened in July 2005, which is in fact the third insect house since 1898, the year in which Artis began to display insects. A butterfly pavilion was added in 2006.
The insect house
Other themes include eating and being eaten, reproduction, endangered
The former feed distribution centre of the zoo was entirely renovated and
invertebrates and the relationship between man and insect. One can also
converted into the new insect house. Handicapped visitors were consulted
peek into Dutch invertebrate life; red wood ants, ant lions and bumble-
during the design phase, which resulted in a building that is easily acces-
bees live together in a mixed-species enclosure. The ants live on an island
sible for wheelchairs, and has easily readable information and hearing
and walk through a 6 m transparent tube to their foraging area. Ants that
devices. Special guided tours for blind or deaf people are provided on
escape are eaten by the ant lions that live in the surrounding sandy parts
request and insect models for (partially) blind visitors are available, so
of the enclosure. The bumblebees fly around while feeding on flowers
they can ‘see’ an insect by touching it.
in the enclosure. ‘In-nest’ activities of both ants and bumblebees are presented via a video screen next to the enclosure.
The visitor area of the insect house is approximately 250 m2. Visitors can also view the keeper areas, since the doors to the keeper areas have large
In addition to the thematic presentations, ‘Expedition Prikkebeen’ (named
windows. The insect house displays about 55 invertebrate species in fifty
after a classic Dutch children’s story) includes several educational games
insectariums. Not surprisingly, the insect house also displays invertebrate
and tasks. Most popular is an interactive game in which visitors can
species that are not part of the insect kingdom, e.g. spiders, centipedes and
construct their own insect by selecting a type of body, head, legs and
snails. Three off-exhibit climate-controlled breeding rooms are located on
wings. This game teaches visitors that insects have six legs and a special
the second floor of the insect house to ensure that enough insects can be
body shape.
displayed at all times. Only guided tours are allowed in the breeding rooms.
Thematic presentations A fast-moving slide show in the insect house presents information on invertebrate life, to arouse the visitors curiosity and invite them into the invertebrate world. The residents of the Insect House are being displayed according to themes. The theme ‘successful survival’ uses skeletons of each vertebrate class to explain the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates (surprisingly few people know this). By sticking their head in three human-sized models, visitors can see themselves with a human skeleton, an insect body and a knight’s armour. This illustrates the fact that humans need bones to be able to stand up, that insects protect themselves by an external skeleton and that humans used the external 22
skeleton idea to protect themselves in combat.
photo eugène bruins/artis royal zoo
eaza news 57
new enclosures
2007
photo eugène bruins/artis royal zoo
The pavilion is kept at a constant 27°C and a large waterfall ensures a high relative humidity. A specially designed roof, consisting of three layers of plastic between which air is blown, provides the greenhouse with much natural sunlight. No additional lighting is used to increase butterfly activity, as no butterfly house could really assure us that this method would help.
Seven main species Visitors in the butterfly pavilion can enjoy a wealth of tropical butterfly species, of which seven are selected to be the main species; the postman butterfly (Heliconius melpomene), the glasswing (Greta oto), the morpho butterfly (Morpho sp.), the owl butterfly (Caligo sp.), the atlas moth (Attacus atlas), the Thoas swallowtail (Papilio thoas) and the paper butterfly (Idea leuconoe). Breeding is done mostly for educational purposes and mainly with postman butterflies, since their pupae are difficult to
Termites nest
transport. Visitors can see the caterpillars grow in a separate breeding area
A 1.5 - year-old nest of the African termite (Macrotermes bellicosus) was
of 50 m2 next to the butterfly house, and how once a week newly arrived
added to the insect house in July 2006. The nest, which was kindly donated
pupae are put on a needle before being placed in the pupae cabinet.
by Basel Zoo, then weighed 240 kg and measured 90 cm in height. The photo eugène bruins/artis royal zoo
nest, grown in two plastic crates placed on a board, was transported by the transport firm Ekipa. A temperature just below 26°C kept the termites inside their nest, so no further protection was needed. The nest is now housed in an 4.5 x 2.1 m enclosure. The height right above the nest is 3.1 m. The nest was placed on a 380 x 160 cm bed of loam and clay, with a depth of 45 cm. Water flows around this area, to protect the termites from escaping (the insect house mainly consists of wood…). A 50 mm diameter PVC pipe goes from the nest through the concrete floor of the enclosure to groundwater level. With this constant access to the groundwater, the termites can regulate the moisture level within the nest themselves. The temperature is kept at 27°C. The termites are fed several times a week with hay, straw, wood or elephant dung (a favourite!) and often the termites can be spotted eating. About once every week, thousands of termites suddenly start expanding the
More than butterflies
nest, producing a new bump 35 cm in diameter, about 3 cm thick, within
One will not only find butterflies in the butterfly pavilion, but other
approximately two hours. The educational presentation now consists of
species as well. Leafcutter ants have to walk 7 m from their nest through
an information panel and a video screen. We plan to construct a camera
a transparent tube to reach their feeding terrarium. Some visitors are
above the feeding site for live footage. Visitors are much attracted by this
pleasantly surprised when they spot a Guyana grasshopper (Tropidacris
new, interesting enclosure.
collaris) or a fruit beetle (Pachnoda marginata) between the plants. By releasing only males, it is guaranteed that no plague of these species
Butterfly pavilion
develops. Several bird species are planned to be released for biological
The insect collection in Artis Royal Zoo grew even more after the inaugu-
control. Hummingbirds are deployed to combat spiders, as they construct
ration of the butterfly pavilion on 4 October 2006, by Her Royal Highness
their nests from spider web gossamer. Quails will forage on the floor of
Princess Margriet. A team of butterfly specialists, architects, landscape
the pavilion, functioning as a ‘natural’ enemy to the ‘local’ ants. The
artists, botanists and educators worked together to turn a unique concept
excreta of these and other bird species are vital to the glasswing butterfly,
into reality in the pavilion’s design and construction. The aim was not
which needs the minerals in these faeces as food. •
to reproduce an entirely natural environment, but to create a spatial experience in a 1000 m2 large greenhouse. Butterflies flutter through the air and alight on flowers in colourful patches as visitors wander around freely. The pavilion is an island in the zoo and the pavilion itself also has a pattern of green and colourful islands. This pattern reflects the atmosphere of the historical zoo with its curved paths and surprises around every corner.
With the insect house, Artis Royal Zoo has created a new benchmark for invertebrate exhibitions in the Netherlands and Europe. The butterfly pavilion further reinforced this reputation. Both exhibitions attract many visitors.
23
eaza news 57
new enclosures
2007
photos odense zoo
A tropical paradise for the giants of the Tortoise World, the Aldabra tortoises Bjarne Klausen, Odense Zoo, Denmark
Why do Aldabra tortoises (Geochelone gigantea ) readily breed on the Seychelles islands and not in zoos? Only a few zoos have successfully bred this species; in general Aldabra tortoises in zoos are animals on exhibit, with no real chance of breeding. With this in mind, Odense Zoo started planning a new ‘Aldabra Tortoise Paradise’ in 2005. The primary focuses in the preparation phase of this new building were to provide the tortoises with optimal breeding conditions, to have our visitors feel and experience the climatic conditions of the Aldabra atol and for them to obtain in-depth knowledge of this fascinating tortoise. Her Excellency, Countess of Frederiksborg, officially opened the exhibit to the public on 13 June 2006.
Two distinct seasons
During the dry season on Aldabra (winter in Denmark) we will keep the
We tried to mimic the extreme conditions found in the natural habitat of
tortoises inside and also restrict feeding to simulate the harsh conditions
the Aldabra tortoises as much as possible. The exhibit provides much
on Aldabra.
space to allow these naturally curious and active tortoises to move around. The exhibit also provides the tortoises with many opportunities to hide
Breeding
from each other and from the visitors. The females in particular need to be
At the moment Odense Zoo has two female adult tortoises. Unfortunately
able to find refuge from the males’ constant libido.
we lost our big male two weeks prior to the opening of the new exhibit. We have spotted egg follicles in both females through ultrasound scanning.
The exhibit is a 400 m indoor enclosure. The visitors follow a wooden
We also keep four much younger tortoises, which will not be reproductively
walkway inside with information and interactive spots about the Aldabra
mature before 2020. •
2
tortoise along the way. The exhibit contains a small pool, heating features (from below and from above), ultraviolet-panels, places to dig and places to hide. The two distinct seasons on Aldabra can be imitated by using a temperature control system that can bring the temperature up to 28 to 30°C and a rain system that can turn the exhibit into a very wet place.
Harsh conditions The summer in Denmark is planned to correspond with the rainy season on Aldabra. During the summer season the tortoises will have the 24
opportunity to go outside onto a grassy island of approximately 450 m2.
eaza news 57
conservation
2007
photos park&zoo santo inácio
Protocol signed to recover the Iberian golden eagle population in northern Portugal H e l d e r Fe r n a n d e s , Pa r k & Z o o S a n t o I n á c i o , A v i n t e s , P o r t u g a l
As currently only one female Iberian golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri) remains in Peneda-Gerês National Park, the Portuguese Ministry of Environment (represented by the Institut0 Conservação da Natureza (Institute for Nature Conservation - ICN) and Park&Zoo Santo Inácio (Avintes) signed a protocol in May 2006, with the aim of recovering the population of Iberian golden eagles in the park.
if both remain in the nest. The chicks will be reared at the zoo until they are capable of thermo-regulation. During this phase, disease screening and preventative medicine protocols will be performed. Finally, the young eagles will undergo a soft release by ‘hacking’, in artificial nests in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Before the birds are released they are ringed by the ICN and after release they are monitored via a GPS tracking system. • Lurdes Carvalho/ICN (left) and Roberto Guedes (Director Park&Zoo Santo Inácio)
Projecto Aquila The protocol to recover the Iberian golden eagle is part of a vast integrated conservation programme called ‘Projecto Aquila’, which includes in situ intervention as a primary tool. Several partners are working to correct factors contributing to the decline of the Iberian golden eagle population (e.g. prey availability, human pressure and poisoned baits). The programme has an estimated duration of ten years.
Captive breeding Park&Zoo Santo Inácio has agreed to breed the species in captivity and to support the recovery of the Iberian golden eagle population with financial, technical and human resources. The zoo will house eagles that were confiscated by Portuguese authorities, obtained as unrecoverable birds from the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Network, or donated by EAZA member institutions. The zoo will also assist in translocation of individuals from other parts of the country to the target area.
Translocation Translocation will include three phases; the collection of chicks, rearing and the release into the target area in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Chicks will only be collected until the eighth day and from nests with more than one chick, as the second chick is at risk of ‘cainism’ (siblicide)
This is the first official conservation-related protocol ever signed between the Portuguese government and a zoo in Portugal, which clearly demonstrates the national recognition of zoos as valid partners in conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.
25
eaza news 57
research
2007
Animal conservation genetics An overview with relevance to captive breeding programmes John O’Brien, Dublin Zoo and Department of Zoology, University College Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Zoo has collaborated with two universities (Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin) in recent years in developing a mutually beneficial research programme. These partnerships have allowed the zoo to fulfil its research obligations under the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, and additionally to contribute to effecting improvements in animal welfare and husbandry. In collaboration with University College Dublin, Dublin Zoo recently undertook its first genetic study of an endangered species, the Rodrigues fruit bat (Pteropus rodricensis). Because genetic studies are highly technical and expensive, they are often considered beyond the scope of many zoos. Inter-institutional collaborations can facilitate such projects. Some aspects relevant to genetic studies of captive animals are summarized below.
Zoos act as valuable reservoirs of genetic material. Given increasing i
Hybridisation events
pressures on wild populations and the need to manage them more
Genetic analyses can also reveal hybridisation events, which have
proactively, much in the same way as captive populations, the application
important implications for conservation planning. For example, plans
of conservation genetic methodologies to ex situ populations can generate
for an intensive breeding programme for the Ethiopian wolf (Canis
considerable benefits to animal conservation in general. Conservation
simiensis) have been hampered by difficulties in finding purebred
genetics can operate at three levels; population level, species level and
animals due to introgression of domestic dog (Canis familiaris) DNA
individual level. All are relevant to captive breeding programmes.
(Gottelli et al., 1994).
Species level studies
Phylogeography
The identification of taxonomic units is one of the most fundamental
Studying the genetic relationship between species and their geographic
applications of conservation genetics. In some cases, morphological
distribution (phylogeography) enables placement of the speciation pro-
taxonomies are insufficient to quantify genetic diversity due to cryptic
cesses in an evolutionary context. This is relevant to contemporary levels
speciation. For example, genetic studies have supported suggestions that
of genetic variability (Avise, 2000). Zoos are sometimes able to contribute
the two island populations of orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) on Borneo
to phylogeographic studies, since captive specimens are often sourced
and Sumatra are separate sub-species and differ to such an extent that
from throughout the range of a species (e.g. jaguars Panthera onca,
it has prompted zoos to manage them separately (Warren et al., 2001).
Eizirik et al., 2001)
C a n i s s i m i e n s i s photo martin harvey
Population level studies The comparison of genetic variability between populations is important for both in situ and ex situ conservation. The impact of founder effects, genetic drift, gene flow and bottlenecks on variability are important questions for the effective management of captive populations, with significant implications for inbreeding and outbreeding. If a founder population becomes reproductively isolated, random genetic drift will lead to divergence, of which the extent will be determined by gene flow (i.e. mating). If regular gene flow occurs between populations, the populations will tend to follow the same evolutionary trajectory. 26
eaza news 57
research Thus, it is important that zoos continue to exchange individual animals,
Genetic incompatibility versus mate choice
since failure to do so will ensure that each group or programme will
The role that genetic incompatibility plays in mate choice and the repro-
diverge not only from each other, but also from the wild population.
ductive success of animals remains largely unknown, but evidence is
2007
accumulating that it is an important factor (Tregenza and Wedell, 2000).
Bottleneck events
Thus, potentially, the lack of reproductive success of some animal pairs
Species with short generation times, high reproductive output and equal
or groups may be explained by the absence of natural mate choice
mating opportunities tend to retain most of their genetic variability
mechanisms in the captive environment. Further investigation of genes
following a population bottleneck, provided that such events are
implicated in mate choice could prove fruitful for studbook management
infrequent (e.g. European rabbits in Australia, Zenger et al., 2003).
and techniques for artificial reproduction.
In contrast, species with long generation times, low reproductive output and a skew in mating opportunities tend to suffer from eroded genetic
Potential pitfalls
variability (Luikart et al., 1998), particularly following repeated bottleneck
There is no consensus as to what degree of genetic differentiation
events (e.g. North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis, Schaeff
constitutes separate species (Ferguson, 2002), and indeed no such
et al., 1997).
consensus is ever likely to be reached. Instead, genetic analysis must be used in conjunction with other evidence such as morphological
In instances where a bottlenecked population remains small, the risk of
or behavioural differences to confirm species or sub-species status.
inbreeding increases (e.g. captive wolves Canis lupus, Laikre and Ryman,
Evidence of genetic invariability or genetic divergence must be treated
1991). This tends to reduce heterozygosity (the proportion of individuals
with caution. Since gene fragments may evolve differently and the choice
in a population possessing two variations of a gene at a given gene
of genes for analysis is largely subjective, the fragments selected may
fragment) and increases the likelihood of the expression of recessive
not be truly representative of the genome-wide genetic variability of an
lethal genes. Evidence is accruing for the negative impact of inbreeding
individual or population. This problem can be overcome somewhat by
on ‘fitness’ in terms of reproductive success and offspring survival
comparing results to other more distantly related species.
(Crnokrak and Roff, 1999), particularly in zoo populations (Ralls et al., 1979, Kalinowski and Miller, 1999 and Miller and Hedrick, 2005).
Systematic tissue sampling A potentially significant drawback to the use of parentage analysis in
Two populations may suffer lower overall ‘fitness’ if they interbreed,
pedigree confirmation for captive breeding programmes is the absence
as this tends to disrupt linked gene complexes that may be important
of parental genotypes in the sample set. To overcome this, zoos should
evolutionary adaptations to the local environment (Zschokke and Baur,
consider systematically taking post-mortem tissue samples from
2002). Marshall and Spalton (2000) described simultaneous inbreeding
individuals of species in current or planned captive breeding programmes.
and outbreeding in reintroduced Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) popula-
Given the limited space requirements and low cost of sampling,
tions. Encouraging breeding between different populations without
this process should not confer any additional financial burden (see
considering their origins can be counter-productive.
www.protocol-online.org for sampling and storage techniques).
Individual level studies
Conclusion
In some cases genetic parentage analysis can assist in verifying pedigrees
Despite continuing cost reductions, genetic analysis remains an expensive
(e.g. Asian elephants Elephas maximus, Vandebona et al., 2005), allowing
technique. Furthermore, the technical and laboratory requirements are
studbook managers to make confident decisions regarding breeding and
restrictive, although many aspects can now be outsourced to private
transfer of individuals between zoos. This ensures that genetic diversity is
firms. As increasing numbers of genetic studies are being carried out on
retained and inbreeding is limited.
endangered species in the wild, the benefits of comparative studies with
The assignment of individual animals to their source population based
captive populations should be apparent. Such studies are prudent, given
on their genetic profile is proving to be a valuable technique in the fight
growing limitations on the size of captive breeding populations and the
against poaching and the illegal movement of animals by ensuring that
increasing need to offset any negative genetic effects of small population
animals are sourced from approved populations (Manel et al., 2002).
size through intensive management in zoos. •
Genetic methodologies have also been successfully used in sex determination of juveniles and monomorphic species, such as many birds (Griffiths et al., 1998) and reptiles (Mohanty, 1992), which is of significant benefit to the management of studbooks.
Given that zoo-based research centres are beyond the financial means of most zoos, the greatest benefits will be achieved if zoos form collaborative projects with local universities that can provide the technical and academic expertise necessary and additionally, share the financial burden.
27 This article has been abridged and the references were left out due to space limitations. For the original full version of the article including reference details, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website.
eaza news 57
conservation
2007
The second SECORE workshop; conserving the threatened elkhorn coral D i r k P e t e r s e n a n d M i c h a ë l L a t e r v e e r, Ro t t e r d a m Z o o , t h e N e t h e r l a n d s , E r i c B o r n e m a n , U n i v e r s i t y o f H o u s t o n , U n i t e d S t a t e s of America, Mike Brittsan, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, United States of America, Mary Hagedorn, Smithsonian Institution, United States of America
Coral reefs are declining rapidly throughout the world, mainly due to human influences. Habitat preservation is the best way to conserve ecosystems, but global patterns threatening coral reefs show no signs of abating and allowing coral reefs to recover. Fortunately, ex situ conservation techniques, such as maintaining captive stock collections and establishing genetic banks using frozen samples, hold promise for rapid and profound improvements in preserving species.
Sexual reproduction techniques
Status of the elkhorn coral
The SExual COral REproduction (SECORE) Project (www.secore.org)
Due to its massive, wave-resistant structure, the elkhorn coral is a
involves a network of public aquaria and research institutions aimed
critically important reef-building coral in the Caribbean. Unfortunately,
at applying sexual reproduction techniques to enhance sustainability
field populations of elkhorn corals have declined over 90% in the last few
among in situ and ex situ coral populations (Petersen et al., 2006).
years. Although many populations have been observed to actively spawn
It was possible to supply more than 35 institutional members with
throughout the Caribbean, recruitment of newly-settled larvae has been
coral recruits using methods developed by Dirk Petersen in the marine
limited. Leading coral specialists are trying to supplement populations
laboratory of Rotterdam Zoo in 2001.
with new recruits.
In order to disseminate these techniques, Rotterdam Zoo organised the
Coral reproduction
first SECORE workshop in June 2005. A limited number of institutions was
Brooding corals release competent planula larvae following internal
trained in breeding techniques and gained basic knowledge in coral repro-
fertilisation. The larvae can be collected from captive corals and settled
duction biology. Following the workshop, the majority of these institutions
on appropriate substrates, where they will metamorphose into coral
successfully started breeding their own coral stock. The second SECORE
polyps. However, it is currently impossible to initiate captive reproduction
workshop was held in Puerto Rico, United States of America (USA), from
in broadcast spawning corals, which usually release their gametes for
10 to 17 August 2006. Researchers and coral specialists from 13 public
external fertilisation in annual mass spawning events. Nevertheless,
aquaria in Europe and the USA participated. This was the greatest effort
field-collected gametes of only a few colonies are sufficient to produce
ever undertaken to establish an ex situ population of the threatened
thousands of larvae for controlled settlement experiments in a protected
elkhorn coral (Acropora palmate).
aquarium environment. A c r o p o r a p a l m a t e photo eric borneman
Collecting gametes in the Caribbean The west coast of Puerto Rico has some of the largest remaining elkhorn stands left in the Caribbean. During spawning, these table-shaped corals release massive numbers of egg/sperm bundles into the surrounding water. During coral spawning nights at the coastal area of Rincon and the offshore site of Bajo Gallardo, SECORE participants dove to capture gametes. Most of the egg/sperm bundles captured were placed in a 60 l cooler and mixed to break up the bundles. After two hours, the fertilised eggs were rinsed with seawater several times. The fertilisation rate was monitored in 1 ml samples of each fertilisation event. In spawning trials where the sperm concentration was at least 106 ml-1 or higher, fertilisation rates 28
between 60 and 90% were achieved.
eaza news 57
conservation photo brenna hernandez/shedd aquarium
2007
Approximately 500,000 larvae transported in plastic bottles photo brenna hernandez/shedd aquarium
Development was monitored on a phase contrast microscope, and samples
be used actively to increase genetic diversity within an ecosystem through
were fixed in 4% para-formaldehyde throughout the first five days of
the use of thawed samples to ‘seed’ shrinking populations. Because the
development.
threats to our reefs are global, genetic banks can maintain enormous numbers of gametes to maintain the full genetic diversity of a species that
Rearing embryos
habitat restoration and captive propagation can not currently address.
Standard rearing procedures used for the elkhorn coral involved stirring
Initial studies of Mary Hagedorn suggested the cryo-protectant propylene
the floating suspension, cleaning the coral larvae with a 40 µm mesh net
glycol may prove useful to successfully cryo-preserve sperm and not
to remove debris and bacteria, and monitoring the survival of the coral in
inhibit fertilisation of eggs with this frozen sperm. Elkhorn coral larvae
each tank with repeated 1 ml samples. In addition, the workshop partici-
and sperm can be damaged by chilling temperatures to around 0°C and
pants applied innovative detection techniques to identify coral larvae
thus an ultra-rapid freezing technique will have to be used to cryo-preserve
and primary polyps, using yellow filter glasses and blue LED flashlights
the larvae. An elkhorn coral spermatoza has an extremely long tail (>150 µm)
(www.nightsea.com) to detect the natural fluorescence in the larvae.
and is a vigorous swimmer (which may help fertilisation of eggs in the
The collected larvae were successfully transported in 0.5 to 2.0 l plastic
high surf areas). Early day one blastula stage larvae were more sensitive
bottles, using the protocol of Petersen et al. (2005a), and settled on
to hypo- and hyper-osmotic events, and permeable to cryo-protectants.
specially designed substrate tiles.
First results Cryo-preservation of coral propagules
During the workshop more than 900,000 larvae were successfully reared,
Mary Hagedorn, a cryo-preservation specialist at the Smithsonian Institution,
of which approximately 500,000 were taken back to the participating
conducted basic physiological research to develop cryo-preservation techni-
institutions for further research. The remaining larvae were donated to
ques to conserve larvae and sperm of the Elkhorn coral. Cryo-preservation
support conservation research. Larvae were transported to the institutions
can be used to establish a genetic bank for corals (Hagedorn et al., 2006 a
in the USA, attaining maximum post-transport survival rates of 90 to
and b). Genetic material can remain frozen but alive for hundreds of years
100%. Settlement experiments were immediately started. The majority of
in liquid nitrogen, allowing the time necessary to mitigate and restore
the larvae settled within the first two days. Settlement varied between
habitats prior to restocking efforts. Also, large samples of a gene pool can
institutions with rates of 10 to 30%. The European participants will receive
be maintained, preventing species extinction. Furthermore, the banks can
primary polyps from their American colleagues as soon as CITES permits
Bringing freshly collected elkhorn coral gametes to shore photo brenna hernandez/shedd aquarium
are issued.
Advance in establishing populations The participating institutions will use the coral recruits to establish a living stock collection of the elkhorn coral in their facilities. Only very few facilities, including those of Eric Borneman of the University of Houston, and Rotterdam Zoo have experience in keeping fragments and semi-adult specimens. During the workshop, a major advancement towards the establishment of ex situ populations of the elkhorn coral was made. Participants learned essential hands-on techniques, including collecting gametes during the spawning events, ex situ fertilisation, rearing of embryos and maintenance of larval cultures and settlement and transport of larvae. A 12-month post-workshop monitoring period will provide important information on husbandry conditions. • This article has been abridged and the references were left out due to space limitations. For the original full version of the article including reference details, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website.
29
eaza news 57
conservation
2007
SAZA focuses on its own backyard Helena Olsson, Eskilstuna Zoo, Sweden
Imagine that you are on a trip in the middle of Sweden during winter. The snow is falling, and through the falling snow you see a couple of large stones in front of you, all covered in white. Suddenly, one of them starts to move, and then one after another the ‘stones’ reveal themselves. Thanks to the Swedish Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (SAZA), people can still experience musk-oxen in Sweden. Nature conservation
The short-term goal is to improve the genetic status of the current
SAZA currently runs 12 conservation projects for 12 different species.
herd and its possibility to survive in the region. One cow was mated
Criteria for species selection are that the species must be Nordic, it must
with a bull at Järvzoo (Järvsö), after which she was reintroduced to the
be rare or threatened in Swedish or Nordic nature and it must be a tar-
herd and successfully gave birth to a calf. More short-term actions will
get for research and/or other in situ work. It is also important that the
take place, including the introduction of musk-oxen from other countries
species is found in SAZA member institutions.
to the original herd. The long-term goal is to conserve two herds of muskoxen within the region of Harjedalen.
Vulnerable musk-ox population One of the 12 conservation projects focuses on the musk-ox (Ovibos
Communication and education
moschatus). Together with the Swedish Environmental Protection
Thanks to the attention the musk-ox project received, it has become quite
Agency (EPA), several zoos in Sweden are working to conserve this arctic
a success. The project provides SAZA with the opportunity to teach people
species, which now naturally lives on the arctic tundra of Greenland,
through exhibits and lectures about ecological patterns and the impor-
Canada and Norway. Fossil records in Sweden show that the musk-ox
tance of a holistic way of thinking. The Swedish EPA and SAZA have had
was already part of our fauna about 40,000 years ago. Musk-oxen
several informative meetings and the project board includes Laplanders,
immigrated from Norway to Sweden in 1971 and a population has lived
landowners and representatives from the musk-ox reintroduction group.
in the middle of Sweden since then. This population is very vulnerable
Interested people can also sign up to receive updates on the musk-ox
though. In 2001 only seven musk-oxen were left and after one calve was
project or even participate in musk-ox safaris, which has also opened up
born in the succeeding year, today the herd still consists of eight animals.
a way for SAZA to initiate more reintroduction projects. The association has seen the positive effects of working together with locals. This is
Musk-ox project
very important since several discussions with the public are taking place,
The Swedish EPA came up with a proposal to save the musk-ox in
mostly concerning large predators such as wolves, lynxes, bears and
Sweden, both on a short-term and long-term basis.
wolverines. • photo järvzoo
The Swedish Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria has shown that its focus on conservation works, and that it succeeds thanks to the public. A public that, through education, has started realising the importance of biological diversity and conservation.
30
eaza news 57
conservation
2007
CBSG Europe conducts conservation workshop for green toads Bengt Holst, CBSG Europe, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
A number of exciting working groups was formed at the annual meeting of CBSG in Halle, Germany, from 24 to 27 August 2006. The reports of these working groups will be published in the next issue of the CBSG Newsletter. One of the working groups focussed on the development of a future action plan for CBSG Europe. As there was so much interest in this topic, the group needed to be divided into three subgroups, focussing on finances, future workshops and how to involve the CBSG membership in the daily work.
Workshops for European species
Moreover, it is important to include all major stakeholders in the necessary
So far, CBSG Europe has primarily been involved in conservation work-
discussions and decisions regarding the plan, which must provide
shops for exotic species such as the Malay tapir (Tapirus indicus), the
priorities in what needs to be done to secure a self-sustaining population
Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) and the four
of green toads in the future.
species of lion tamarins (Leontopithecus spp.). The workshops were all urgently needed and resulted in conservation action plans that set
Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA)
priorities for the future conservation activities in the involved regions.
The PHVA process is a very helpful and efficient tool for such a process.
However, it is now time to focus on European species as well. Several
CBSG Europe will provide the necessary staff to conduct the workshop
workshops are in preparation, but the first one to be conducted will be
and Nordens Ark will provide the framework, including accommodation,
a PHVA (Population and Habitat Viability Assessment) workshop for
meals and a suitable social atmosphere. The CBSG Europe staff will
the green toad (Bufo viridis) in Sweden. The workshop is scheduled for
consist of two facilitators and two modellers. The modellers will make
11 to 14 June 2007 and will be hosted by Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand,
computer simulations for the population using a set of biological data
Sweden, one of the institutions that have been heavily involved in
(known or estimated). Such simulations help identify the most important
captive breeding and reintroduction of this species for years.
threats and thus also the most important conservation actions to be taken. The facilitators take the participants through the necessary ‘brain
Towards a self-sustaining population of green toads
exercises’ to get all relevant input on the table and after that to prioritise
The green toad was previously widely distributed in the southern-most
and organise the information into the final conservation action plan.
part of Sweden, with over fifty known localities primarily in coastal
CBSG Europe expects to have a workshop with forty to fifty participants,
areas. During the past fifty years the population has declined drastically;
selected among specialists, decision makers and other stakeholders
now numbering less than 400 adult specimens in three local populations.
who will be influenced by the decisions made at the workshop. A special
The reasons for this decline are not fully understood, but decreasing
briefing book with relevant information about the status and threats,
water quality and loss of breeding pools are most probably part of the
existing plans and local conditions will be produced by the CBSG Europe
explanation. In order to help the population increase again, reintroductions
staff and will be distributed to all participants prior to the workshop.
have been conducted at selected localities. However, in order for such
After the workshop the final PHVA report will be produced and distributed
activities to be efficient they need to become part of a more comprehen-
to all participants as well as to relevant local authorities for implemen-
sive plan, looking far into the future and taking all relevant threats and
tation. In addition it will be made available for download on the CBSG
opportunities into consideration.
Europe website; www.cbsgeurope.eu •
NEW ESBs Kowari esb (previously Kowari eep) ( Dasycercus byrnei )
CHANGES TO EXISTING ESBs Kea esb (Nestor notabilis )
David Barclay, Edinburgh 14 November 2006
Ewa Tresowska, Poznan 10 November 2006
Kate Atwell, Bristol 28 November 2006
31
programme updates
Bjarne Klausen (vice-chair), Odense 22 November 2006
CHANGES TO EXISTING EEPs Pallas’ cat eep (Otocolobus manul )
As approved by the EEP Committee
CHANGES TO EXISTING TAGs EAZA Pelecaniformes tag
eaza news 57
books
2007
In EAZA News announcements are published of books that have relevance to zoo staff and other people with a professional interest in zoos. On the EAZA website more information can be found on these books as well as on the publishers.
david m. lavigne (ed.; 2006)
Gaining ground; in pursuit of ecological sustainability This book is written by a variety of conservationists and amongst others covers the fields of conservation biology, wildlife biology, ethics, economics and social sciences. The contents can be of interest to all people concerned about the current state of the planet and human attempts to achieve ecological sustainability. The book confirms that there are serious difficulties to confront, but that there is sufficient understanding of the factors involved to solve many of them. Pages: 425. ISBN: 0-9698171-7-7 (pb). Price: UK£30.00. To be ordered from: IFAW (www.ifaw.org).
susie green (2006)
Tiger ‘Tiger’ describes the role of this fascinating animal in human history, mythology, art and literature. This book shows how the decline of the tiger’s natural habitat and relentless pressure from poachers and farmers have turned a naturally retiring, solitary animal into an aggressive predator. The book is nicely illustrated and written in a lively approachable style. Pages: 192. ISBN: 1-86189-276-4 (pb). Price: UK£12.95. To be ordered from: Reaktion Books (www.reaktionbooks.com.uk).
michael lannoo (eds.; 2005)
Amphibian declines; the conservation status of United States species ‘Amphibian declines’ documents in detail a major environmental crisis; rapidly declining amphibian populations and the disturbing developmental problems that are increasingly prevalent among many amphibian species. The book reinforces the suspicion of scientists that amphibians are a lens through which the state of the environment can be viewed more clearly. And, that this view is alarming and of serious concern for all life, including that of our own species. Pages: 1,115. ISBN: 0-520-23592-2 (hb). Price: US$95.00. To be ordered from: California University Press (www.ucpress.edu).
chris rose (eds.; 2005)
How to win campaigns; 100 steps to success
directory updates
This book is a comprehensive and systematic exploration of what works in campaigning, and a practical how-to guide for using principles and strategy in campaigning as a new form of public politics. The book describes how to start a campaign, motivating people, research and development, planning, organising communication, constructing campaign propositions, how to keep a campaign going, how to use media and what to do and what not to do. Pages: 160. ISBN: 1-85383-962-0 (pb). Price: UK£16.99. To be ordered from: Earthscan (www.earthscan.co.uk).
personalia ———————————————————— Dipl. Biol. Achim Winkler is the new director of Duisburg Zoo, Germany, as per 1 Januari 2007. He replaces Dipl. Biol. Reinhard Frese. ———————————————————— Mr. Fedir Romash is the new director of Kyiv Zoo, Ukraine, as per 12 October 2006. He replaces Mr. Yevgen Kyrylyuk. ————————————————————
terminated membership ———————————————————— Baguley Brow Farm, United Kingdom (former associate member) ———————————————————— Omega Parque, Portugal (former full member) ————————————————————
i n
m e m o r i a m
EAZA was sad to learn of the death of Professor
supported scientific work in zoological institu-
Zdenek Veselovsky, who passed away on
tions, and published numerous scientific papers
24 November 2006 at the age of 78. Professor
and books himself. He was especially active in
Zdenek Veselovsky was the director of Prague
the field of ethology, and was the first ethology
Zoo from 1959 to 1988. Under his management,
teacher at the Charles University in Prague.
Prague Zoo began focussing on breeding endangered species, and he organised the first international symposium for the conservation of the Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii ). Professor Zdenek Veselovsky was a member of the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens and promoted general zoological and conservation education through TV and radio broadcasts. He enthusiastically
publications
photo maarten van der voorde/apenheul primate park (apeldoorn)
32
Recently the Gorilla EEP husbandry guidelines have been published. A further four husbandry guidelines and some 15 European studbooks have been received by the EAZA Executive Office in the period October-December 2006. We are very grateful to all who have contributed to these valuable publications. For more information on the husbandry guidelines a well as a full list of received publications of interest, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website. Please continue to send us your printed publications, so we can incorporate these in the online publications list.
eaza news 57
eadisc|isis
2007
Update on the development of ZIMS Fr a n d s C a r l s e n , v i c e - c h a i r E A D I S C , C o p e n h a g e n Z o o , D e n m a r k a n d D u n c a n B o l t o n , v i c e - c h a i r E A D I S C , B r i s t o l Z o o G a r d e n s , U n i t e d K i n g d o m
The development of ZIMS continues to make steady progress. Over the past few months, we have seen a series of ‘builds’, each more complete than the last. We believe that you will be amazed at how much this software will be able to do for you!
Locating the bugs
User Acceptance Testing
A Quality Assurance (QA) team of key Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
Wider User Acceptance Testing (UAT) will begin early May 2007. This
from around the world and ISIS technical staff have been working
will involve several institutions called ‘alpha adopters’; Bristol Zoo
through each build of the software, trying to make it fail, to locate the
Gardens, Copenhagen Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo (Wichita), Seattle
bugs. Between all of us, we have been finding a lot of bugs. That is
Aquarium (Washington), National Zoo (Washington D.C.), South
actually good news, because the more bugs we find and correct now,
Carolina Aquarium (Charleston) and the Zoological Society of San
the more stable and complete the software will be when it goes into
Diego (California). The UAT will last 12 to twenty weeks, after which
the next stage of testing.
ZIMS’ wider deployment to beta early adopters and fast adopters will begin. The schedule for beta early adopters will be towards the end of
Clinical medicine sections
the UAT cycle.
The software vendor CGI delivered a fresh build containing clinical
It is a long and arduous process to build a state of the art, global web-
medicine pages during late November 2006. Several zoo wildlife
based zoological information system as superbly functional as ZIMS.
veterinarians reviewed these clinical medicine sections of ZIMS in
When completed, ZIMS will offer a quantum leap in information and
Toronto during a three-day meeting in December 2006. Selected SMEs
communication between zoological institutions and zoo professionals. •
have access to the most recent ZIMS builds through the internet. As the software becomes more complete, more specialist SMEs will be joining this team so that bugs across the system are identified quickly,
As always, we wish to thank the hundreds of dedicated people of the ISIS community who have volunteered many thousands of hours to help imagine, design and test ZIMS !
allowing speedy resolution.
Studbook data cleaning project Sander Cozijn, ISIS European Liaison and Bart Hiddinga, EAZA Executive Office
As ZIMS becomes more complete with every passing week, people are working hard on improving their data quality. One of the major challenges institutions face is making sure all data are as complete and linked as well as possible, before transferring the data into the ZIMS database. In order to achieve this goal, EAZA has trained various students in the use of the studbook reconciliation tools. The project started in July 2006 with students Daan Versleijen and
considering that EAZA has a total of 243 studbooks in the ISIS database.
Tineke Henselmans of the Van Hall Institute, Leeuwarden, in the
The influence of the reconciliation is however limited; during the
Netherlands. Their work was continued by two other students;
reconciliation process only changes to the studbook can be made. But,
Dennis Appels and Monique Pijnaker. The students were situated at
to solve a lot of errors, changes in institutional data are required, so
Rotterdam Zoo, Chester Zoo and Frankfurt Zoo. Students help studbook
without the cooperation of all institutions, quality of the studbooks
keepers reconcile their data, to get rid of as many errors as possible.
will not increase.
A total of 29 studbooks has already been completely reconciled. So far, the combined efforts of the students have resolved over 1800 discrepancies.
Getting ready for ZIMS is extremely important for all of us in EAZA,
Since the beginning of the project the overall reconciliation percentage
and with the help of students and the cooperation of all institutions
of all EAZA studbooks has risen 4%. This is a considerate increase
and studbook keepers, we are certain that our goal can be achieved! •
For an overview of reconciled studbooks, please refer to the EAZA website ‘Magazine’ section.
33
Mazuri™ Zoo Foods closer to reality
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eaza news 57
zims; what will it do for you ? ISIS is working with over 500 experts worldwide to build a global web-enabled database system; ZIMS. ZIMS will replace the current ISIS software applications. As ZIMS is important to all of us within EAZA, the most important things ZIMS will do for you are once again listed below:
executive directors – ZIMS will allow you to quickly check on the animal management side of your institution by giving you an executive summary of recent animal activities; – ZIMS will offer time-saving and streamlining benefits to all your staff, including the vets, curators, registrars, keepers and aquarium staff.
curators – With ZIMS, you have a pooled knowledgebase of information about all the animals in your collection (e.g. who is the studbook keeper for a certain species and are there husbandry guidelines for a certain species); – In ZIMS you can set reminders to carry out certain operations (e.g. when to move animals); – When an animal has died, you can use ZIMS to find out if the animal is a studbook species or an animal on loan and whom to notify about the death. You can also find out if there are any research requests for animal body parts, either within the zoo or from an outside researcher.
aquarium staff – When your vet recorded in ZIMS that e.g. tetras cleared quarantine, the system can automatically notify you that they are ready to be put on exhibit; – When a water quality technician enters the results of testing on an enclosure and the pH parameter is out of the acceptable range you entered, ZIMS can immediately send an e-mail message to you, the water quality technician and curator and action can be taken immediately.
keepers – ZIMS will help you stay on top of things, even when you are called away. With ZIMS, you can always rest assured that your animals are in good care and that you will not return to any big surprises; – With ZIMS you can check notes from the veterinarian about a certain animal that was examined.
registrars – You can use ZIMS to find a species coordinator, to check the availability of a certain species at other facilities and to select the top options for mating based on genetic and availability information; – ZIMS easily identifies information relevant for permitting; – With ZIMS you can get an alert the day an animal is shipped to you or a reminder when it is important to remove offspring from the parents’ cage during the troubling teenage years.
studbook keepers – As staff at over 600 ISIS member institutions enter information about your species into ZIMS, the system will automatically send appropriate updates to your studbook; – In case data in ZIMS conflicts with your data, ZIMS will aid you in contacting and working with the submitting institution to resolve any data issues; – ZIMS will notify you of major events (e.g. births, transfers, deaths) and you will have access to other data, such as transponders and notes.
veterinary staff – When an animal is sick, you can start a search in ZIMS for information on similar cases worldwide, including the lifetime medical history of an animal, treatments and results; – Through analyzing the data provided by ZIMS, you are able to determine what is ailing your animal patient and perform the appropriate course of treatment.
educators – With ZIMS you can easily share educational programme ideas among almost 700 institutions worldwide; – With ZIMS you have immediate access to (conservation) information on more than 10,000 species.
marketing staff – With ZIMS you can easily network and share ideas and news worldwide; – With ZIMS you can create interactive services for your guests; – With ZIMS you can gather current information on 10,000 species in zoos, aquaria and other conservation-focused organisations.
Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e r e f e r t o t h e Z I M S w e b s i t e w w w. z i m s . o r g
2007
