ICZ newsletter - the Association of British Wild Animal Keepers
Transcription
ICZ newsletter - the Association of British Wild Animal Keepers
July 2016 Volume 9 Number 2 From the ICZ President Updates about the ICZ and encouragement to support International Zookeeper Day. Page 1 From the President Welcome dear ICZites, friends, followers, colleagues and people interested in news from the ICZ. Between conferences it appears a bit quiet within ICZ. Besides the great workload of providing a conference every three years, the ICZ steering committee is still working on other topics. The ICZ Steering Committees welcomed two new representatives elected from the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). They are Penny Jolly and Yvette Kemp. Unfortunately, one of the AICAS representatives, Tiago Nabičo resigned from the Steering Committee and the Spanish zoo keeper association Asociación Ibérica de Cuidadores de Animales Salvajes (AICAS) are preparing to elect a second representative. The Dutch zoo keeper association, the Harpij, are also in the process of electing a second representative after Rolf Veenhuizen stepped down at the last meeting. The ICZ has created a new position to assist managing the Steering Committee. This is the position of an Executive Officer and we are happy to welcome Sara Wunder Steward who has accepted this volunteer position. The biggest challenge for the ICZ is to become financially stable. Currently, the only way the ICZ has funded itself is by holding the conferences and we have been lucky to have made some profit at the 5th conference last year. This was only possible by all the sponsors, exhibitors and the generous Zoo 1 Conservation News Bonobo conservation through community engagement Page 2 Upcoming Events 2017 IRKA Calendar now available! Page 6 Leipzig which supported us extraordinarily and to those we give a big thank you. The unfortunate side of this was the cost of registration, and the additional costs for traveling and accommodation were higher than we would have liked. The cost makes it difficult to invite keepers from areas that are not financially sound and sponsors had to be found for these as well. For this reason we started last year with contacting WAZA institutions around the world to become a supporting institutional member. The response was unfortunately, not as good as we expected. Perhaps you can encourage your Directors about this great opportunity to help to support us by becoming an institutional supporting member. Because of our financial situation we have suspended our membership with WAZA we have had several discussions with the Director of WAZA and the CEO on how to solve this problem. We would like to maintain a close relationship with WAZA because of the exchange of information which is very important as well as the access to the members for both organizations. Last but not least I would like you to remind you to celebrate the second International Zoo Keeper Day (IZD) at the October the 4th this year. This date is also the day of Francis of Assisi so it matches perfectly to zoo keepers. The goal of the IZD is to raise awareness of the work of zoo keepers around the world by showing the world what we are doing. Even now there are places people that still think we are just shit shovellers and water swingers. Of course we know better and with the IZD we hope to show this to the whole world. Please send us some photos of your activities you run on this special zookeeper day. Enjoy our reading the newsletter -Carsten Vol 9 No 2 Conservation News Mbou-Mon-Tour : for the conservation of bonobos (Pan paniscus) Description: The Bolobo Territory in DRC, presents a particular ecosystem of forest-savanna mosaic and shelters one of the largest populations of bonobos (Pan paniscus), in the country (2.1 individuals in km²). Unfortunately, this ape is classified according to the IUCN Red List of threatened species as being Endangered. The natural resources necessary for the survival of the local human population is decreasing rapidly too, caused by destruction of habitat by logging companies, and at a lesser scale, by the slash-andburn practices of the villagers. Much of the habitat degradation caused by the locals are products of a lack of education and poverty. In light of this, a local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT) and nine local communities decided to protect their forest and the bonobos through awareness campaigns and the creation of a community reserve of 84,735 hectares, the management of which will be the sole responsibility of local communities. In exchange for their conservation efforts, alternative sustainable economic activities such as ecotourism and agroforestry were developed for these forestdependent communities. A bonobo female and its young, above; below, Bonobo habituated to human presence Currently, 46 trackers are employed to protect the forests and to habituate groups of bonobos to human presence so as to to develop scientific study and ecotourism. This activity seems like a job for keepers in most parts, so keepers from the world are welcome to visit this project, to exchange knowledge with trackers of Mbou-Mon-Tour, with the aim of increasing knowledge on the behavior of the wild bonobos and to better understand the implication of their conservation. Contact information: Website: www.mboumontour.com Facebook: Mbou-Mon-Tour Email: [email protected] (in French only) or [email protected] Perspective: In the future, the NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour needs financial support to pay the trackers. Moreover, to finance education activities such as awareness campaigns to explain to the local communities, the importance of biodiversity and bonobos, the rational use of natural resources, the process of creation and management of the community forest reserve and the laws relative to the trade and hunting of protected species. Sustainable agriculture allows the communities to diversify their food & income, while protecting forests and bonobos Mbou-Mon-Tour trackers 2 Vol 9 No 2 Biodiversity Is Us Zoos and Aquariums are actively getting people to act to preserve biodiversity, which is shrinking at an alarming rate. WAZA’s Biodiversity is US campaign is a set of free to use tools to have a meaningful impact on CBD Aichi Target 1 by increasing awareness of biodiversity and personal actions with a positive impact. All BIAZA members are invited to join us in engaging as large an audience as possible. The project is timed to support the UN Decade of Biodiversity (2011-2020). You can find them on our YouTube Channel: http:// www.youtube.com/BioDiversityIsUsWAZA/ The films can also be branded with logos under the same condition as detailed above for the posters. 3. Mobile Phone / Tablet App An application available for smart phone users in seven languages, and at no cost, films and social media. Use the QR code to download or go directly to your smartphone marketplace and search for “Biodiversity is Us” The tools provided for FREE are the following: (QR code with link to https://www.biodiversityisus.org/) 1. Posters Six different posters have been created, playfully connecting visitors with different species. These attractive posters are adaptable and brand-able. Links and promotions to the other tools of the project are also promoted. WAZA members can brand them with their own institutional logo while regional association members that are not also WAZA members can use them using the regional association branding. 2. Films The Biodiversity is Us project produced three informative films uploaded on YouTube, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Save the Bilby TheSavetheBilbyFundwasestablishedbyQueensland ParksandWildlifeServiceScien;stPeterMcRaeandFrank MantheyOAMin1999.The“BilbyBrothers”astheyhave becomeknown,wereconcernedourBilbiesandmany otheraridandsemi-aridspeciesweredisappearinginthe “outback”whenmostAustralian’swereunawaretheyeven existed.WiththesupportofQueenslandgovernmentat the;meFrankandPeterestablishedanappealtoraise fundstoconstructapredatorprooffenceonCurrawinya Na;onalParkinSouthwestQueensland. Sinceitsforma;ontheSavetheBilbyFundhasworkedto placeaspotlightontheissuesfacingourthreatened speciesandraisemuchneededfundstoassistformal recoveryefforts.In2015theFundini;atedtheGreater BilbyRecoverySummitbybringingtogether39experts from29stakeholdergroupstoformconsensusonfuture recoveryac;onsandpriori;es.TheGreaterBilbyRecovery SummitReportandInterimConserva;onPlan,2015was developedandpublishedandwillunderpinarevised Na;onalRecoveryPlanforthespecies.TheFund hasalsosupportedongoingresearch, cap;vebreedingandformaland informaleduca;on programs. Through use of the app, you can learn about 400 hundred different animal species, take part in games and quizzes, build your own animal check-lists and share your favourite animals, pictures and actions with friends via Facebook. Find out more on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruRqJ0u-eN8 4. Social media You can also engage with us on the following social media streams:<image003.jpg> For any additional questions please email [email protected] or contact [email protected] . Successfulcampaignshavebeenini;atedtoimprove communityawarenessandunderstanding,includingapush fortheGreaterBilbytoberecognisedasAustralia’sEaster Iconinplaceoftherabbitthathascausedsignificant environmentaldamagesinceitsintroduc;onintoAustralia. Inlightofthisiconicstatus,SavetheBilbyFundhavealso beensuccessfulinlobbyingtheFederalGovernmentto proclaimNa;onalBilbyDayonthesecondSundayof Septembereachyear.TodatetheGreaterBilbyistheonly Australianna;veanimaltohaveitsownNa;onalDay. Bilbiesareaflagshipforouraridspecies,savingbilbies meanssavingmany,manyotheranimalsfacingthesame threatsthatarefarlesscharisma;cthanthisbeloved AustralianEastericon.SavetheBilbyFundrecognisesthat conserva;onofourenvironmentisasharedresponsibility andbyworkingtogetherwe standourbestchanceof successinprotec;ngwhatis leZofourpreciousandunique na;vewildlifeforournext genera;onsofyoung Australianstoenjoy. Toassistourworkdirectlyor gainabe]erunderstandingof ourFundandourcauseplease visit: www.savethebilbyfund.org 3 Vol 9 No 2 Association News We have been working on and producing with Polar Bears International (PBI), an educational flyer about AAZK'S Trees for You and Me program and how climate change is affecting polar bears. We are also in the process of updating the brochure we give to students and other people interested in the zoo and aquarium field in the U.S. The International Outreach Committee is up and running now and will be able to assist the ICZ and the AAZK SC Representatives with projects. What we Can do to To Make a Difference The Plight of the Polar Bear Did you know? What is causing climate change? The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) is the only bear species that is known to be a marine mammal. They are the apex predator in the Arctic and feed primarily on ringed seals. Polar bears rely on the formed platform of sea ice to reach these seals. Polar Bears are unique because they are adapted to survive the harsh climate of the Arctic, where temperatures can plunge to -50º F. Polar bears have two layers of fur and a thick fat layer to insulate them, as well as compact ears and a small tail to prevent heat loss. Polar bear feet are furred and covered with small bumps called papillae to keep them from slipping on the ice. Their sense of smell is powerful for detecting seals. And their powerful claws can haul out a 150-200 lb. seal from the water for dinner- now that is some power! Why is the Polar Bear in trouble? Polar Bears rely on the sea ice in order to hunt their primary food source, seals. Seals provide the polar bear with all the calories that they need to survive in the arctic. With a warming climate, the sea ice is not forming as early nor is it lasting as long. Less ice throughout the year is causing the Polar Bears to have a shorter hunting season. While polar bears primarily feed on seals, seals they are always alert to other food sources, such as plants, bird eggs, geese, and even small mammals. Though this might fill the belly of a bear temporarily, these land based food items are not abundant enough to sustain them, and would negatively impact the grizzly bear, arctic fox, birds of prey and other species that rely on these food sources to survive. Photo: Anthony Nielsen Why should you care? Greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere act like a blanket that keeps the earth warm. This protective blanket helps make our planet habitable. But over the past 200 years, humans have greatly increased the level of GHGs in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal. This is like throwing on a second blanket, causing temperatures to rise. Other factors such as deforestation have added to the problem. Trees soak up carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases, from the air. Fewer trees, especially in the tropics, means less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. Trees naturally remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Large forests create what are called carbon sinks- an area which absorbs more carbon than it releases. Tropical rainforests are among the largest and most productive carbon sinks in the world! Zoo keepers are making a difference Zoo keepers across the globe have been working to save polar bears not only in a zoo setting but also from their own back yards. Since 2009, zoo keepers started a grassroots effort, Trees for You and Me (TFYM), which is a campaign for keepers to work in their own communities to get more trees planted and help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Chapters of the American Association of Zoo Keepers have held fundraisers to support urban tree planting, plantings in tropical rainforests, and local reforestation efforts. Since this program began, zookeepers, with the help of their local communities, have raised $81,436 and planted 100,000-150,000 trees. The TFYM fundraising initiative will go towards a TFYM grant focused on carbon reduction through reforestation efforts And you can make a difference too! Photo: Anthony Nielsen Every little bit helps! Individual actions can make a difference. You can make individual actions multiply when you inspire others to join your activity, particularly when you create change on a community level. You also make change with your dollar and can influence the marketplace through your buying habits. Lastly, donate to the TFYM grant and aid in carbon reduction by simply going to www.aazk.org and clicking on the TFYM donation button! Some easy things that you can do to help protect and restore vital habitats are: Besides the fact that they are charismatic and cute, polar bears are important for many reasons. Polar bears are what are known as an umbrella species; many organisms are connected to polar bears via a food web. For example, the Arctic Fox depends on the polar bear for food - they eat the left over seal carcass after the polar bear is done. Without this top predator the entire Arctic food web (seals, fish, etc...) will be in disarray and killer whales will take their place. Another reason to care about the polar bears is the overall notion of biodiversity, biodiversit which refers to the number and variety of different species. For example, there are millions of different species of beetles. While it may not seem important to have so many types, each is a specialist in terms of food, habitat, behavior, etc. Each plays a role in their ecosystems. Polar Bears are also a specialist and the sea ice is necessary for their survival. Without sea ice, we won’t have polar bears. There is so much focus on polar bears because they get the attention of the public. They serve as an "ambassador" species for what's happening in the Arctic right now. They serve as a gauge to measure effects of climate change. Climate change is not only affecting the survival of the polar bear, but will eventually affect the survival of humans as well. ❄REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE ❄ TURN OFF LIGHTS AND ELECTRONICS ❄ UNPLUG ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR TURN OFF POWER STRIP WHEN NOT IN USE SET UP A NO IDLE ZONE AT SCHOOL USE REUSABLE BAGS WALK OR BICYCLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PLANT TREES GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLES GREENING YOUR GROCERY LIST THROUGH LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE FOOD ITEMS ❄ SUPPORT FOOD CO-OPS AND FARMERS' MARKETS ❄ EAT LESS MEAT AND MORE ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCES, LIKE SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED BEANS, LENTILS, NUTS, AND EGGS. ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ DRINK WATER FROM A REUSABLE CONTAINER BE A CONSERVATIONIST COMPLETE AN ENERGY AUDIT OF YOUR HOME BE A SMART CONSUMER REPLACE OLD APPLIANCES WITH ENERGY STAR™ COMBINE ERRANDS OR CARPOOL TO DRIVE LESS WEATHER-PROOF YOUR HOME USE A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT TO SAVE ENERGY SET YOUR THERMOSTAT UP/DOWN 2°DEPENDING ON THE SEASON LIMIT THE TIME YOUR VEHICLE IDLES VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN DOING ANY OR ALL OF THE ABOVE YOU ARE REDUCING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD! THANK YOU! Find and follow us on Social Media! Trees for You and Me On February 24th, AICAS and ICZ presented at the annual meeting of AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) www.aiza.org.es, held in San Sebastian, Spain and sponsored by the Aquarium Donostia. We want to thank outgoing President of AIZA Miquel Trepat, the incoming President Jesús Férnandez, to the Board, and Olga Santacana, secretary, for providing us with a space on the Conservation group program, and for the warm welcome. Also the coordinators of the group, Pepa Ruiz (Curator of the Zoo Córdoba) and Alex Perez (Conservative Cosmocaixa) for the warm welcome and accommodations. This year marks the 6th AICAS Congress at the Cultural Center of Lagos (Algarve, Portugal), sponsored by the Lagos Zoo (www.zoolagos.com). We thank in advance to the Director, Paulo Figueiras, for his involvement in order to ensure the success of the Congress. The theme will be "Caregiver and Animal: a mutual learning/apprenticeship" and we will receive professionals like Ken Ramirez (Executive Vice President and Training Director at Karen PryorClicker Training and Animal Care and Training Advisor at Sheed Aquarium of Chicago), who will provide us with his knowledge in the field of animal learning and conditioning for medical or management purposes; and Rolf Veenhuizen, Collection Manager at Safaripark Beekse Bergen, Holland, VicePresident of Stichting De Harpij, and former President of ICZ (2012-2015), who will talk about his experience at the center where he works, as well as ICZ. The Congress will take place on October 22nd and 23rd www.aazk.org © 2016 AAZK www.aazk.org © 2016 AAZK IACAS group from AIZA Meeting with a post-congress on the 24th and 25th where we will visit the Badoca Safari Park, the RIAS (Centro de Recuperação e Investigação de Animais Selvagens), and the natural park where this center is located. The last congress of AFSA, at the end of March, was a great success for three reasons: the number of participants, expanding the number of people in the steering committee of AFSA and money collected for a conservation fund! 120 delegates attended the congress, composed of members from AFSA’s steering committee, stakeholders, the staff from the hosting institution (Zoo de La Boissière-du-Doré, in western France) and 93 other registrants - a record for an event of AFSA! Our stakeholders presented diverse and very different subjects over the 3 days, including presentations such as an intervention of Guillaume Romano (Scientific Officer at the Natur'Zoo de Mervent) on Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus) and the question "Why is it so rare in captivity? ", which implied that there are many problems with this species. He demonstrated why and explained what points to watch out for in this canine breed. 4 Vol 9 No 2 Association News Olivier Marquis’s (Curator of Reptiles at the Parc Zoologique de Paris), presentation which showed us the importance of ecoethological data for reptiles and amphibians, highlighting the importance of gathering information not only on the meteorological data of the country, or an island in its entirety, but also the minibiotops in relation to the habits of animals and their biological needs. Pauline Kayser, zookeeper at the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes in Paris presented her Association (ABConservation: http:// abconservation.org) which she created for the safeguarding of Binturong (Arctictis binturong) in-situ. In the afternoons, there were either a behind-the-scenes tours of the hosting institution or workshops including a competition for the best enrichment (with constraints) battled out between groups) and a rope workshop (inspired from the ICZ congress in Leipzig last September by ABWAK). The general meeting of the association also took place during this conference where the elections for AFSA office bearers, reducing the office to 6 people but creating a steering committee which can be made up of 15 people! This gives the opportunity for more people to get involved in the association of which one of the priorities is to organize 4 events a year instead of only one, and revive the newsletter, which ceased due to the lack of manpower and time! AFSA Open Auction At this congress there is always a gala evening which has an auction (again, based on the one held in Leipzig, at the last congress of the ICZ), with a silent auction of small objects brought by participants, with the live auction open to the most prestigious or large objects! The evening was a great success with all participating and no less than € 1,145 was raised for conservation. The sum will be divided between the two charities supported this year: Proyecto Mono Tocón (http://www.monotocon.org) for San Martin titi (Callicebus oenanthe) in Peru and antenna "bearded vulture" (Gypaetus barbatus) in Spain of the Vulture Conservation Fundation (http://www.4vultures.org). It gives us great pride to donate this money to both conservation institutions. The event was a great success on all aspects and we are delighted! In May, a workshop was held in the Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse (in eastern France). This theme of the workshop was "the south american primates." During this event, many the topics were addressed through various presentations: managing a population of squirrel monkeys, capuchin yellow breast, feeding, taxonomy, diversity of possible species, enrichment, design enclosures, medical training, communication, etc. There were 42 registrants. It had a good ambiance having many discussions about this training. Again, another successful event. In the second half of 2016, two more training workshops will be organized; one on waterfowl and another on medical training (for beginners). BdZ-Biber This year the BdZ-Biber, the award for outstanding animal-enclosure, went to Krefeld Zoo for the new penguin pool. Watching the South American Coast is the main aim of the aviary. Here live 20 Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), 18 Inca terns (Larosterna inca), 6 Ringed teals (Callonetta leucophrys) and 2 Cinnamon teals (Anas cyanoptera) in a 1.000 square meter enclosure. There is a 250 square meter pool with an underwater view and visitors have the possibility to cross the aviary to get an animal experience without borders. The cost of the new enclosure was 550.000€. The Friends of the Zoo Krefeld financed the whole amount.The Humboldt penguin is a critically endangered species. Zoo Krefeld and the Friends of the Zoo Krefeld support Sphenisco (http:// www.sphenisco.org/index.php/en). This non-profit organization works in Chile and Peru to save the penguins in their natural habitat. Zoo animal of the year The BdZ supports the new campaign “Zootier des Jahres” (Zoo animal of the year), which has the purpose to promote one species every year in german zoos to collect money for in situ conservation projects. 2016 the leopard was chosen. There are two conservation projects. The first one is for the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) and the second one is for the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor). The new penguin pool at Krefeld Zoo, which won this year’s Bieber Award 5 Vol 9 No 2 Request for Data Validation of best practices for measurement of iron status in black rhinoceroses PI: Kathleen Sullivan, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, University of Florida, USA Nutrition Advisor for Rhinos, Rhino Research Council (RRC) Not sure about iron overload in your black rhino? Think you know? Have you ever really tested? Answer the most important question for long term health of your black rhino without costing your institution! As part of an International Rhino Foundation (IRF) funded, RRC and SSP (Species Survival Plan) supported survey on iron overload in black rhinos, we are offering blood testing for complete iron markers at no cost to rhino holding institutions in the US (excluding shipping). This would include ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity of the serum. We are working to establish the prevalence of this disorder in North American black rhino holding institutions. It is known that black rhinos have commonly had iron overload under human care, and it may be linked to other clinical chronic ailments, but also can be managed through diet and husbandry. All data regarding iron status of the animal’s samples would be sent back to the holding institution upon completion and only published anonymously as part of a larger data set. We especially would like to aid rhino holding institutions that have not had the opportunity to test their animals. While this is part of a grant funded project, the objective is clinical, and we aim to be flexible in protocol. Ideally samples would be taken from routine physicals and this iron analysis service will be free of charge thanks to the IRF’s generosity, hopefully minimizing paperwork needed. Please contact Kathleen Sullivan at [email protected] for further information. The International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA) & the International Rhino Foundation have produced the 2017 Rhino Conservation Calendar with photographs submitted by rhino supporters from around the world! The calendars are the IRKA’s endeavor as an organization to actively participate in an in-situ rhino conservation project through the IRF. The 2017 Rhino Conservation Calendar is supporting rhino dogs! Rhino dogs are frontline soldiers trained specifically to save rhinos. The dogs learn to track human scent, protect their handler, find ammunition, and even detect rhino horn. A welltrained dog and its handler are powerful weapons against wildlife crime. As poachers become more lethally armed, dogs provide a vital early warning system and safety for rangers, along with rhino protection. The work these dogs do is invaluable to the conservation and protection of rhinoceros. The International Rhino Foundation, along with South Africa’s organization Stop Rhino Poaching (www.stoprhinopoaching.com) will be the recipient of all funds raised by the 2017 Rhino Conservation Calendar. For each $5,000 we raise, we fund another rhino dog soldier and all of its training needs. The 2017 Rhino Conservation Calendar is currently $22 each with free shipping (including international shipping). Please visit www.rhinokeeperassociation.org to order yours today or email [email protected]. 6
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