Gerard Meijer: Gerard Meijer is a curator/ registrar

Gerard Meijer:
Gerard Meijer is a curator/ registrar, working in Ouwehands Zoo over 35 year in all parts of our animal
department. From birds to marine mammals, from guinea pig, to elephants. EAZA Marine mammal TAG
chair. Regional studbook keeper for the Californian sealion. Zoo inspector, for EAZA, EAAM and NVD and
member of Harpij, IMATA, AAZK, AATA.
Title: Introduction to animal husbandry & training at Ouwehands Dierenpark
Erna Philippi-Gho:
Erna Philippi-Gho is founder, teacher and advisor at Nature and Law. Nature and Law provides for a broad
public courses and advice on species protection and animal welfare. Perspective is the international,
European and national legislation.
Abstract:
The lecture will focus on the European and national regulations that zoos should meet. Because these
requirements become more stringent, it is important for zoos that there is a clear translation of legislation
into practice. By Erna Philippi-Gho a system is developed which implements this translation and allows
zoos to analyze whether the existing situation and new developments meet the legal requirements.
Rolf J. Ornée:
Rolf has over 25 years of international corporate experience in several industries, ranging from financial
services to manufacturing, telecommunications to retail, leisure and Zoo’s. He works as Management
Consultant, Business Advisor and Executive Trainer/Coach. Owner/Founder of IC/DC Consultancy. Typically Rolf helps to improve the resilience and performance of organizations, especially if organizations are
under “siege” of activist stakeholders. Strategic alignment of stakeholder interest. Issue Management &
improvement of internal communication and media approach. (see: www.makingnews.nl.) Clients include
zoo’s, leisure industry and financial/ investments companies, that since the last few years are faced with
activists share*stakeholders. This domain is also part of his PhD. research.
Abstract:
Communication & The Non Animal Stakeholders, how to get better aligned?
Increasingly frictions arise between the interests of different stakeholders. The animals are regarded as
key-stakeholders in this case, though the “voice” of the animals, the ones that communicate about their
interests in terms of animal welfare are human. The humans to speak different languages.
On the one hand there are the Zoo people that speak the “animals under human care” language. On the
other hand we have the pro wild life voices, that speak another anthropomorphic language regarding animal welfare, playing the rhetoric of the owners of domestic animals. The media are an important factor
in raising money for all sorts of causes as well as in forming the public opinion. Next to that, as external
stakeholders they have their own interests as well. Is there a possibility for a dialogue? Should we strive
to improve animal welfare for individual animals or look holistically at the species? The aim is to jointly
formulate some advice aimed at better stakeholder alignment based on dialogue and communication.
How to tell the animal story better?
Marco Westerhof:
Marco Westerhof (1973) was part of the first graduation group in BSc.(hons) Animal Management at the
Van Hall Institute in 1996, with specializations in Policy & Education, and Wildlife Management & Zoos.
After working as an animal keeper in ‘The Lagoon’ ecodisplay exhibit at Dolfinarium Harderwijk, and later
on as the manager of the education department, he started his independent project-agency WildWorld
B.V. in 2000. Since then Marco works as a consultant and project manager for various companies in the
field of wildlife, nature & sustainability.
Abstract:
Researching Animal Welfare: Combination of complex factors plays role in defining animal welfare
Around the central theme ‘Animal Welfare’ we delve into topics of animal use and ethics, social and societal aspects, and biological effects. A few current research projects will be highlighted. Clearly, a number
of complex factors play a role in the setup, execution, dissemination and valorization of excellent animal
welfare research.
Francesco De Giorgio:
Francesco De Giorgio is a scientist but also a practical man, having a band of eight horses with his
partner in life and work José Schoorl, at their farm. He is an Italian ethologist and applied behaviour researcher, currently living in the Netherlands and working both in Italy and in the Netherlands. He is Guest
Lecturer of Equine Cognition at several universities and his special field of research is applied social
learning in horses. Francesco De Giorgio is member at the International Society for Applied Ethology
(ISAE), at the Netherlands Society for Behavioural Biology (NVG) and at the Italian Society for Veterinary
Physiology (SoFiVet).
Abstract:
Taking cognitive abilities into account, what does that mean for zoo animals, husbandry and for the
animal-human relationship? In the wild, cognition is a crucial surviving factor. Domestic and exotic animals living in anthropic context often loose their cognitive heritage and with that an important element of
welfare. The zooanthropologic approach and experiential-cognitive enrichment, help us to understand how
to respect the animal mind and how to preserve it in the daily interaction with animals, for an improved
welfare and wellness aspect and a better animal-human relationship.
Marcella Spoor:
Bachelor in Psychology, Master of Science in Biological and Cognitive Psychology and a PhD in Neuroscience graduation in 2013. One of the topics studied is the effect of enrichment on cage behaviour, on
explorative and anxiety related behaviour and on learning performance. Since 2011 active as volunteer
in Rotterdam Zoo (Blijdorp), working as an educator about behaviour, anatomy and habitats of several
animals living in the Zoo.
Abstracts:
Assessing zoo animal welfare
Zoo professionals, scientists and the public consider animal welfare to be a matter of great importance.
However, despite this importance we all place on animal welfare, the assessment of welfare remains challenging often due to a lack of a clear useful definition of welfare and scant practical guidance available.
So what is a workable definition of welfare and how can we tell if our animals experience good welfare?
Environmental enrichment and stereotypic behaviour in zoo animals
The best zoos manage their animals with care, but successfully keeping wild species can be challenging
and not infrequently animals show stereotypic behaviour. Due to the concerns raised in zoos regarding
stereotyping animals, zoos begun to develop strategies to reduce stereotypic behaviour. Nowadays environmental enrichment is the main husbandry tool for tackling stereotypies. But how does environmental
enrichment affect stereotypic behaviour and how effective is it in mitigating it?
Paul Koene:
Paul is currently lecturer at Wageningen University and researcher at WUR Livestock Research. Subjects
of teaching are behaviour and environment, animal welfare assessment, natural behaviour, (de-)domestication and conservation and behaviour. His current research is focussed on vocal expressions, density,
group size and social networks in chicken, social networks in horses, determining suitability of animals as
companion animals and zoo animal welfare assessment.
Abstract:
Good welfare of zoo animals is important for the animals, but also for all those involved in their care. The
relationship between all stakeholders in zoo animal welfare are given and the definitions of zoo animal
welfare are discussed. A distinction is made between input indicators (e.g. housing) and output indicators,
i.e. animal-based parameters, such as behavioural measures. The possible goals of welfare indicators
and indices are discussed. Welfare is obviously important for the animals (living with a good welfare),
but also for the zoo staff (good management of welfare), politicians (good control and / or guarantee the
welfare of animals) and researchers (science and animal welfare). The development of transparent animal
welfare indicators will be presented using input from all stakeholders. Furthermore, recent developments
in zoo animal welfare theory and practice will be highlighted. Especially examples from daily practice (a.o.
from orang-utans) are given and forthcoming research on zoo animal welfare with cooperation between
caretakers and researchers will be outlined.
Pieter-Bas Stolte:
Pieter-Bas Stolte, MSc, is a biologist with six years’ experience within the zoo community under his belt,
during which he investigated zoo technical problems, provided advice on animal husbandry and welfare
and was the scientific advisor during the design process of planned exhibits for a great variety of species.
Now a freelance writer, researcher and animal welfare advisor, Pieter-Bas is endeavouring to use the
knowledge gained during his career to rethink husbandry procedures and captive settings and bring them
up-to-date with current scientific knowledge. By doing so, he hopes to better cater to the animals’ speciesspecific and individual needs and thereby improve their well-being. He invites anyone to join him in this
pursuit and welcomes open discussion.
Abstract:
Where Trainers Bite Animals: Training boundaries from an animal welfare perspective.
During this talk, Pieter-Bas brings attention to the ways in which various training techniques can interfere
with animal welfare, and the ways in which training can have differing impacts due to species-specific- and
individual characteristics. The goal is to have an interactive talk, in which open discussion is welcomed.
José Kok:
José Kok specialized in ethology, epidemiology, and didactics as part of her MSc in Biology. After teaching
and running an NGO in Zimbabwe, she ended up as Head of the Department of Biology & Education at
Ouwehand Zoo. Developing educational materials for The Bear Forest was one of the first assignments.
In 2001 she took up the task of EAZA Brown Bear studbook keeper and Bear Tag co-chair. Due to this and
her membership of the IUCN SSC Captive Bear Expert Team she got more and more involved in education conservation in general and the role of zoos specifically. Since 2008 she is also works for Alertis, a
fund for Bear and Nature Conservation that protects bears in the wild and rescues bears in need.
Abstract:
Bears in trouble
Brown bears are found in all kinds of places: circuses, theatres, restaurants, petrol stations, zoos, sanctuaries and in the wild. Conditions are often appalling, but can be improved. New places can be created and
found. Challenges are numerous. The most obvious one being the question if there is a chance for bears
to survive in Europe in the wild.
Sabrina Brando:
Owner of AnimalConcepts. Sabrina has a BSc. in Psychology and is currently enrolled in a MSc. in
Psychology and Animal Studies. Sabrina works as a freelance animal advocate world wide; interested in
welfare, rights, conservation, education and research. She works with zoos, research facilities, sancturies
and wild life parks and lectures at universities. She is involved in several research projected related to
animal welfare, cognition, behaviour and personality.
Abstracts:
Words, attitudes and perceptions: Possible effects on zoo animals
The way we think and talk about animals we care for can have positive but also potential negative effects on
animal welfare. The role we assign the animal can affect the housing and care, the way we label behaviour
can affect the way we perceive the animal, and this in turn potentially our actions. This presentation highlights
how words, attitudes and perceptions used when thinking and talking about animals, as well as the labelling of
different sections in animal care programs can affect animal welfare in different ways by our actions towards
them.
Environmental enrichment and the involvement of the general public.
Dynamic and complex environmental enrichment programs ought to be part of a professional animal care
program. These programs are designed with species specific criteria and for all species under human care.
But environmental enrichment programs can also be time consuming, challenging to do on a daily basis
when budget and staffing is low, when animals are many, or when animals species such as great apes and
elephants require high safety standards or sometimes need strong and large items to be prepared and deliv-
ered. The general public visiting zoos are often looking for an up close and personal activity with animals, and
this is where zoos and public can also work together to expand, execute and realize even more professional
environmental enrichment programs. Under guidance and supervision, the public can help build and prepare
enrichment stock like filled bottles, boxes and tubes which keepers can pick up easily in the storage area, help
prepare food, cut browse and more. Team-building experiences can have people work together to make items
like hammock and climbing frames, with companies even willing to pay for experiences of this kind. This presentation explores the opportunities of public involvement in environmental enrichment programs, which can be
good for people, business and animals.
Con Mul:
Con Mul is the team leader at the Elephant department at Ouwehands Dierenpark in Rhenen. He is 24 years
experience with Asian and African elephants. His experiences range from medical training, births, rehabilitation, working with bull elephants and introductions. Con thinks it is important to have specific and regular
routine with the elephants which he states “ensures a good relationship between keepers and elephants!”
Training Session with African Elephants: ERD (Elephant Restraining Device) training met de bull Tooth. Ultrasound training with Tooth and blood collection from ear or back leg. Taking x-rays with Duna and foot care.
Sijmen Garmt Foeken :
After a study animal management with the focus on animal nutrition and wildlife management, I started as
an all-round keeper at Ouwehands Zoo. During that time I worked with a variety of animals including giraffe,
zebra, camels, polar bears, lions, brown bears, wolves, seals and various bird species including parrots,
penguins and pelicans. In 2002 I acquired a trainer position at the sea lion theatre and in 2004 I became head
trainer/ team leader which is still my current job.