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Proceedings of the 69th Annual ConferenceNew Delhi, India

2–6 November 2014

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Editor: Gerald Dick, WAZA Executive Office IUCN Conservation Centre Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland Switzerland

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Layout &Typesetting: [email protected] Cover photo: Cover photo: India Gate, originally called the All India War Memorial, is a war memorial located astride the Rajpath, on the eastern edge of the ‘ceremonial axis’ of New Delhi, formerly called Kingsway © Gerald Dick, WAZA

Edition: © WAZA 2015

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ISSN: 2073-6576

Proceedings of the 69th Annual Conference

Hosted by Central Zoo Authority India 2–6 November 2014

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page IV

Proceedings of the

69th Annual Conference

October 2014

New Delhi

Editorial

Gerald Dick, WAZA Executive Director

Dear WAZA Members and Friends!

I would like to express my special thanks to our hosts, the government of India, the Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the Central Zoo Authority for hosting our conference 2014. The outstanding hospitality and warm welcome to the Indian subconti-nent made sure that all participants were well received in a lovely atmosphere.

The conference theme was dedicated to the WAZA project theme, “Biodiversity Is Us”, a support of the zoo and aquarium community to the UN Decade on Biodiversity. After the colourful introduction to the topic by beautiful images taken by National Geographic photog-rapher Joel Sartore, the relationship of animal welfare to biodiversity conservation was ad-dressed by Prof David Mellor.

The programme this year was very much focus-ing on strategic issues such as the development of a revised conservation strategy as well as the development of the first Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy. Furthermore six differ-ent groups discussed the future focus of WAZA for an updated corporate strategy, and eutha-nasia and population management were other important topics. I also would like to highlight the Indian day with colourful and outstanding examples of conservation work being under-taken in India and neighbouring countries.

Biodiversity is truly us – us being part of it, us as being part of increasing threats, but us also being increasingly working for being part of a solution!

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Welcome Address by the Host ..........................1Address by Director General of Forests & Special Secretary ..........................2Address by Secretary Ministry ..........................3Welcome Address by the WAZA President........4Inaugural address by Chief Guest .....................5Vote of Thanks ................................................ 8

Keynote Addresses .............................. 9Keynote speakers introduction .......................10Animal Welfare and Biodiversity Conservation: Two sides of the one coin? ........ 11Earth’s creatures ............................................ 17

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts ....... 19

WAZA Congress Contributions ............ 38The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) – The One Plan Approach to Conservation in Action ...................................39How Zoo Exhibit Design is Fighting the Extinction of Species ................................40The Role of Wildlife Reserves Singapore in the Conservation and Enhancement of Biodiversity in the City State ......................45Why Do We Do What We Do? Animal Welfare and Biodiversity Conservation: Two Sides of a Coin? ................ 48WAZA’s Contribution to the Decade on Biodiversity; the “Biodiversity is Us” Project ....................... 57A Global Evaluation of Biodiversity Literacy in Zoo and Aquarium Visitors ............61Nature Connections: A Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation....61Zoos in India: Supporting Biodiversity Conservation ........... 66Wildlife Institute of India’s Initiatives for Captive Animal Welfare ............................ 69

List of Participants ..............................71

Group Photo of Participants ................79

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Welcome addresses

Welcome Address by the Host

B. S. Bonal, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority (Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India)

Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, WAZA Mr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director, WAZA Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MoEF & CC Mr. S. S. Garbyal, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary, MoEF & CC

Other distinguished guests and participants

Dear Colleagues, Namaskar and a very good morning.

It is matter of great privilege for me to welcome all the participants from 35 countries to the 2014 WAZA Annual Conference here in Delhi. On behalf of our team at Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, my fellow Indian Zoos and Partner Wildlife Trust of India, I extend warm welcome to all of you to India and to city New Delhi. When I look back, it is hard to be-lieve that I spent more than 27 years of 34 years of my service, working with wildlife equally in Protected Areas & Zoos and happy that this journey continues.

Delhi, the capital of India has a strong historical background. It was ruled by some of the most powerful emperors in Indian history. The town was known as Indraprastha, where Pandavas used to live. Delhi has been a witness to the political turmoil for over five centuries. It was ruled by the Mughals in succession to Khiljis and Tughlaqs. After independence in 1947, New Delhi was officially declared as the Capital of India. Delhi metropolitan region is the world’s second most populous city and the largest city in India. After Mumbai it is also the wealthiest city in India, and has the 2nd highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.

During your stay at New Delhi, enjoy the taste of Indian food and experience the culture & hos-pitality.

The long detailed programme provided in your registration kit is overlaid in such a manner that you visit the historical places, cultural evening, Gall Dinner and Indian deserts. Some of you have already visited the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and Bear Rescue Facility which houses dancing Sloth bears. We have also made arrangements for your visit to Delhi Zoo and monument in Delhi.

I am happy that Zoo Directors from major zoos of India are also participating in this conference, and I am sure this will provide a good platform to develop acquaintances and relationship with each other for further development of zoos and experience sharing.

I hope that your visit shall be fruitful and enjoy-able. The participants who are attending for the first time and even those who have visited India in past, I am sure you will enjoy the hospitality of the people of India and enjoy the monuments and cultural heritage of the country.

My team at Central Zoo Authority and partners have worked tirelessly to organize this confer-ence and to make your stay comfortable and a successful conference with support and guid-ance of the Core -Committee. My entire team will be ahppy to assist you during your stay in India and feel free to contact us in case you need any help. I do shoulder responsibility of inconvenience caused if any.

Once again, I welcome all honorable members, guests, participants, ladies and gentle man pre-sent in this hall and hope you have a pleasant and memorable stay in Delhi & India.

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Address by Director General of Forests & Special Secretary

Mr. S. S. Garbyal, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India

Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, WAZA Mr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director, WAZA Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MoEF & CC Mr. B. S. Bonal, Member Secretary, CZA


I am extremely happy to be here with all of you at the 69th Annual Conference of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. All of you know that our country has been richly endowed by nature in terms of great biodiversity. This unparalleled natural bounty places India among the seventeen Mega -Biodiversity countries of the world.

Historically, forests have been recognized as one of the most important natural resources and constitute a major land use. The scientific management of forests in India is one of the oldest in the world, started way back in 1864. The National Forest Policies of 1952 and 1988 have constantly laid emphasis on the sustain-able management of forests, which are under the control of the States/Union Territories. The subject matters of ‘forest and protection of wild animals and birds’ being in the ‘Concurrent List’ of the Constitution of India, the broad policy framework and umbrella legislation are enacted by the Government of India in consultation with the States. In India the States have their own forest laws and regulations for managing these resources under the overall ambit of legislation enacted by the Government of India.

India has forested lands spread across 692,027 km2 that constitutes 21.05% of the country’s landmass. In the last decade, India has added 3 million hectares of forest and tree cover. From a total Protected Area (PA) network of 1,09,652 km2 in 1988, the network has grown to include 691 protected areas (102 National Parks, 528 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 57 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community reserves) covering 1,67,408.29 km2, and covers 5.09% of the coun-try’s geographical area. The best example of in situ and ex situ linkages in our country is that all Protected Areas are controlled by the Forest Department. Further more than 90% of the zoos in India are controlled by the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the States.

In the last two decades of Central Zoo Author-ity, National Zoo Policy, National Wildlife Action Plan, Recognition of Zoo Rules have been laid and a mechanism set in place to control unplanned mushrooming of zoos and closure of more than 300 zoos.

To achieve the conservation of country’s biodi-versity, the Government of India has Working Plan for forests, Management Plan for Protect-ed Areas and Master Plan for long term scien-tific management of Zoos in the country.

I would like to emphasize that biodiversity con-servation is too important a task to be treated lightly or ritualistically. The ethos of our culture put an ethical responsibility towards conserva-tion of species created by Mother Nature and one of indicators of our progress is how well we care for our natural resources and biodiversity. In this direction, India has prepared its fifth national report to the convention on Biological diversity and is committed to protection and securing its rich diversity.

With these remarks I extend my best wishes to everyone present here for a very meaningful deliberations and a very pleasant stay in India.

Thank you.

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Welcome addresses

Address by Secretary Ministry

Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Secretary (Environment & Forests) Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India

Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, WAZA Mr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director, WAZA Mr. S. S. Garbyal, DGF & SS, MoEF & CC Mr. B. S. Bonal, Member Secretary, CZA


On behalf of the Government of India, I wel-come you all to this 69th Annual Conference of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, hosted by the Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.

I have been informed that the theme of this year annual conference of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is “Biodiversity is US”. I feel that that no place fits better than India to organize such conference with theme of Biodiversity. I am also told that not many WAZA Conferences were held in Asia, maybe 3 or 4 (Singapore, Taipei and Seoul).

India is a land of diverse culture, tradition, food, habitats, fauna and flora. The diverse physical features and climatic conditions have resulted in a variety of ecosystems such as forests, grass-lands, wetlands, deserts, coastal and marine ecosystems which harbour and sustain high bio-diversity and contribute to human well -being. And to preserve the rich biodiversity in India, all possible efforts are being made by the Govern-ment of India, to improve environment, forests, wildlife and effect of climate change. We have in place adequate legislations for better preser-vation of the environment and conservation of forests and wildlife in India.

India has made sustained efforts in fulfilling her commitments towards conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity and natural resources. We are a firm belief in conservation of biodiversity as a national priority and recognise its crucial linkages with the livelihoods and well -being of millions of her people, particularly the poor and vulnerable. The country is committed to international obligations and commitments for the conservation of Biological diversity.

I am sure that the Central Zoo Authority has made all efforts to make your stay at New Delhi comfortable. You might be carrying many ap-prehensions about India, but I assure you that Government of India will not spare anything for your safety, comfort, health during your stay in New Delhi and any other part of the country.

All of you are our esteemed guests of Govern-ment of India and the State Governments are there to extend their support while you may visit various parts of the country as post-

-conference tours.

I am confident that in coming years, the Indian zoos will be able to make positive impact on the overall conservation scenario of wild animals and their conservation breeding in the country.

With these few remarks, I once again welcome you to this Conference.

Thank you…

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Welcome addresses

Welcome Address by the WAZA President

Lee Ehmke, Minnesota Zoological Garden

Dear Minister, Dear Post Master General, Dear Secretary, Dear Director General, Dear Member Secretary, Dear WAZA members and honored guests; ladies and gentlemen:

On behalf of WAZA Council, I would like to thank our gracious hosts for such a warm and colorful welcome to New Delhi. The spectacular event last night at the Old Fort, and the fantas-tic dinner provided for us and our CBSG col-leagues – so generously hosted by the Central Zoo Authority – were certainly an auspicious prelude to our Conference. We are delighted to be here, and are looking forward to a very inter-esting programme of presentations, discussions, workshops and social events. I am particularly excited about opportunity to partake in the marvelous history and culture of this magnifi-cent city and amazing nation.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the goals and objectives of zoos and aquariums around the globe are converging as well. Our colleagues from Indian zoos and the Central Zoo Authority have been active participants in the work of WAZA for many years, and we have long looked forward to increased engagement with the large community of zoological institu-tions represented by the CZA. So, WAZA is posi-tively excited to be meeting in south Asia – for the very first time – in a region with hundreds of zoos and a remarkable wildlife heritage. We believe this will be a great opportunity to learn from each other, and to advance WAZA’s mis-sion of harmonizing and fostering collaboration among the many regional and national zoo and aquarium associations represented here.

We all share a desire to connect our visitors with the amazing animals in our care; and to find ways to create meaning and positive action as a result of that connection. I have always found the WAZA Annual Conference to be a great venue to learn from the very best minds on our profession, and to take lessons from each of the places hosting our annual gathering. This very first Indian WAZA Conference offers a special opportunity for cross -pollination.

The theme of this Conference is – very appropri-ately – Biodiversity is Us. In support of the UN Decade on Biodiversity, WAZA and our mem-bers have launched our first global awareness campaign. You will hear much about Biodiver‑sity is Us during the course of the meeting, as well as news about a number of other key initia-tives, including a new Animal Welfare Strategy, a major re -visioning of the WAZA Conservation Strategy, and the re -invigoration of global col-lection sustainability efforts through our Com-mittee for Population Management.

I look forward to a stimulating and productive Conference. I am pleased to see so many of you that have traveled so far to be here today. I am equally pleased to welcome and thank the many Indian colleagues who are joining us. My very best wishes to everyone for a successful and enjoyable week.

Thank you.

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Inaugural address by Chief Guest

Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State, Environment, Forests and and Climate Change, Chairman, Central Zoo Authority

Hon’ble

Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, WAZA Mr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director, WAZA Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Secretary (E& F), MoEF & CC Mr. S. S. Garbyal, DGF & SS, MoEF & CC Mr. B. S. Bonal, Member Secretary, CZA


It is a matter of great privilege for me to wel-come you all to the 69th Annual Conference of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The theme for this years conference is

“Biodiversity is Us” which is quite apt. My Minis-try of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Central Zoo Authority has great pleasure to host the conference. On this occasion let me thank WAZA for agreeing to hold this 69th WAZA Annual Conference in New Delhi. The Central Zoo Authority is all prepared to wel-come you to India and New Delhi and hope you will have a great stay and conference in India.

I am particularly thankful to all of you for taking out time for this conference. Your presence and guidance today will be a source of strength and inspiration to us in the pursuit of the difficult task of preservation of our wild flora and fauna, especially ex situ conservation.

India possesses a distinct identity, not only because of its geography, history and culture but also because of great diversity of its natural eco -systems. It is situated at the tri -junction of the Afrotropical, Indo -Malayan and Palaearctic realms, all of which support rich biodiversity.. India, with only 2.4% of the world’s land area, commands 7–8% of the world’s biodiversity including 91,000 species of animals (6.7% of the animal species that the world holds) and 45,500 species of plants and hence is among the 17 megadiverse countries of the world. It also has four of the 34 globally identified biodiversity hotspots, so -called for the extraordinary high levels of species richness and endemicity, and threatened species.

Many of you may not be aware of the fact that India’s first wildlife protected areas were not set up by the government, or by kings and sultans. They were created by the ordinary people, by indigenous or tribal communities who set aside parts of landscape for cultural, ethical or eco-nomic reasons. There are literally thousands of such areas in India. These include forest sacred groves, village tanks, Himalayan grasslands and individual species (such as langur, nilgai, elephant and ficus species).

No where in the world will one come across an incident which took place in 1730 in which 363 men, women and children of the Bishnoi com-munity laid down their lives at the hands of the then rule of Jodhpur state to prevent felling of Kehjri trees. This tradition of sacrifice for the sake of nature among the Bishnois continues even today. There are numerous such examples in our country, of community initiatives for preservation of forests and wildlife. One of the manifestations of this cultural tradition is seen in preservation of about 13,270 ‘sacred groves’ across the country by the people. These sacred groves are repositories of gene pools of valu-able plant and animal life.

Our efforts in the past have paid dividends and our achievements in the field of wildlife conser-vation are noteworthy. With only 2% land area, 16% of human population and equally large live-stock population of the world, India supports about 50% of the world tiger population and 60% of Asian elephant and rhino population and only surviving population of Asiatic lion. Having said so, it is necessary to mention that gains of conservation of 70s and 80s are now showing a slippage in the face of mounting threats from il-legal wildlife trade. On a global scale, the illegal trade in wildlife is a matter of concern. In dollar terms, it is likely to be second only to the illicit drug trade.

Pressures of an enlarged and impoverished population and industrial development have also taken a heavy toll on forest areas, causing pronounced shrinkage and degradation, which have adversely affected wildlife leading to frag-mentation of species population and genetic bottlenecks.

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We have to consider the recommendations of the National Wildlife Action Plan 2002–2016 and the National Zoo Policy, 1998 which were adopted by the Government of India and imple-ment them in letter and spirit. India has also prepared the fifth national report to the con-vention on Biological diversity highlighting our rich biological diversity and outlining the role and responsibilities of Government, Institutes, Non -Government Organsiation and educational Institutes to protect and conserve the biodiver-sity of the country.

As we all know, over the last two centuries, zoos have been evolving and many are now in a posi-tion where they can contribute to the conser-vation breeding. Originally menageries, con-cerned with displaying in cages a broad range of taxonomically diverse animals, zoological institutions became parks with the emphasis on showing animals displaying species -typical behaviours in habitat enclosures, cooperating with other zoos and developing zoo -keeping as a profession.

The Zoo Movement started in India soon after India became Democratic Republic. The Indian Board for Wildlife resolved in 1952 that the Central Government should set up modern zoos in major cities of the country for educating the people at large the rich fauna of the country and the need to conserve them. I must men-tion that in 1972 itself the Central Government in India appointed an “Expert Committee on Zoos”’ to study the various zoos in the country and formulate norms on the basis of which the zoos can be classified. Later the Central Zoo Authority was established in 1992, perhaps only one of the kind in the world. Soon after, the National Zoo Policy was laid in 1998. To imple-ment the objectives laid under the National Zoo Policy, Recognition of Zoo Rules were laid in 1992 which were amended in 2002, 2009 and last in 2013.

Currently zoos are on their way to being Con-servation Breeding Centres – institutions and communities where problems solving science in the context of biological diversity can occur – with an emphasis on environments and ecosys-tems, with their visitors encountering animals and plants in immersion exhibits, and with a focus on biodiversity conservation and multi-

-institutional organizational networks. Initiative for setting up of Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species at Hyderabad, National Stud Book Cell at Wildlife Institute of India and major zoos of the country becoming member of International Species Information System to utilize the web based Zoological Information Management System with the help of CZA have been undertaken to compliment the ongoing conservation breeding programme for various endangered species.

In particular zoos offer a rare venue for re-searchers and the public to meet and commu-nicate, providing a platform for interpreting the outcomes of research and its implications for conservation action. The zoos are being asked to get their master plan approved for the long term development plan. MoU’s are being signed with zoos and organizations abroad for capac-ity building between the zoos and experience sharing.

I am happy to inform you that a Species Recov-ery Plan – an initiative of Government of India has been in action to support the endangered species and their in situ and ex situ conservation.

Conservation Action Plan for conservation of Vultures has been a great success. Recently Conservation Action Plan for Great Indian bustard has been also prepared as a followed up. The Ministry and Central Zoo Authority is supporting conservation breeding centre’s for 23 species, which includes species like Snow leopard, Red panda, One -horned rhino, Mouse deer, Western tragopan, King cobra to name a few.

During recent years, accidents regarding visi-tors in -avertedly falling into the animal enclo-sures or deliberately reaching the animal exhib-its have been reported across the globe. Such accidents create a feeling of insecurity in the minds of zoo visitors. We have already initiated a program for disaster management in our zoos. Necessary financial and technical inputs will be provided to make services more effective.

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I also understand that regular technical and sci-entific personnel are not adequate in our zoos. The State Zoo Authorities have been asked to deploy trained manpower during the next plan period. I am confident that the zoos in India will be able to come up to our expectations and be in a position to compliment the efforts of the wildlife conservation in the country by giving species, which have no chance of survival, through coordinated breeding under ex situ conditions and raise stocks for their rehabilita-tion in wild. I am sure our Zoo managers will immensely benefit from the conference.

Though the task of preservation of wildlife is daunting but there are many positive factors like greater public and media concern, envi-ronmental awareness among the children and youth. It is now up to us to integrate these factors in a constructive way in our develop-ment process in keeping with our heritage and traditional conservation ethos and restore the ecological balance to the extent possible. We in the Ministry of Environment and Forests are prepared and look forward to doing our part. We also look forward to working with all of you to preserve the biodiversity of our country and also contribute towards achieving the Aichi targets for global biodiversity conservation.

As zoos continue to develop their conservation, research and education potential into the next millennium, they can become Centres for Con-servation and make an important contribution to stemming the loss of biological diversity and ecosystem function.

With these ideas and inputs of this conference I am sure that India will open a new vision for it-self. I am confident that the endangered species in ex situ and in situ are managed to maximize retention of genetic diversity over long period, the captive populations can provide individuals for reintroduction. If not, the surplus animals will establish the ex situ populations of endan-gered species for research, animal exchange and yielding knowledge that can be apply to conservation in the wild.

With these words, I inaugurate this programme of conference and wish all success. Your pres-ence and inputs shall go in long way in further improvement of our zoos and establish relation-ship with world zoo community.

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Vote of Thanks

Amitabh Agnihotri, Director of Delhi Zoo

Respected Shri Prakash Javdekar, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Respected Shri Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, Minis-ter of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Respected Dr. S. S. Garbayal, Director General & Special Secretary, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Respected Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Respected Shri B. S. Bonal, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my great privilege to have been asked to propose a vote of thanks on the occasion. I on behalf of the entire zoo fraternity present here and on my own behalf take this opportunity to express my deep sense of gratitude to all of you for addressing us and sharing your valuable thoughts and ideas with us. We are all inspired by your great thoughts and vision.

We are very grateful to you Mr. Lee Ehmke, President, World Association of Zoos and Aquar-iums and Dr. Onnie Byers, Chairperson, Conser-vation Breeding Specialist Group for choosing New Delhi to hold the Annual Conference of the WAZA and the Annual Meeting of the CBSG.

I would also like to place on record our deep sense of appreciation to the guidance provided by Mr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director, WAZA and his support staff for continuously guiding us all through the preparation for the event.

We consider ourselves to be fortunate to have the able guidance of the members of the Cen-tral Zoo Authority who have always been more than willing to lend a helping hand.

As you know an event of this scale cannot hap-pen overnight. We have been fortunate enough to be backed by a team of highly dedicated and motivated professionals from Indian Tourism Development Corporation, INDIBO, Wildlife Trust of India, Wildlife SOS, Indian Zoo Direc‑tors Association and all our sponsors, partners and supporters. A big thank you to all of you for making this event a grand success.

I also wish to express our sincere thanks to friends from Electronics and Print media for providing a wide coverage to the event.

I also would like to place on record my sincere thanks to members of the core committee of the event for their involvement, their commit-ment and readiness to take up the responsibility.

I also wish to express my gratitude to all of you, the members of WAZA the members of CBSG, my fellow Directors from SAARC nations and India, my colleagues from Ministry of Environ-ment, Forests and Climate Change and all of you present here for sparing your valuable time to be with us.

You are all cordially invited to visit the National Zoological Park. Your entry to the zoo as well as ride on the hop ‑on ‑hop ‑off Golf Cart service would be free. All you have to do is to flash your conference badge at the gate and leave rest to us.

I cannot thank everyone enough for their in-volvement and discharge of responsibilities well beyond their comfort zones.

Once again I want to say that we are all most grateful to Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and all the speak-ers on the stage. We thank you for being with us this morning – it’s been a great pleasure.

Thank you very much.

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Keynote Addresses

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Keynote addresses

Keynote speakers introduction

Lee Ehmke, Minnesota Zoological Garden

Joel Sartore

First, it’s my great honor to introduce Mr. Joel Sartore. Joel is a renowned photographer, author, teacher, conservationist and a regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine.

Joel specializes in documenting endangered species and landscapes in order to show a world worth saving. He is the founder of The Photo Ark, a multi -year documentary project to save species and habitat. As part of this project, Joel has worked closely with many zoos around the world, traveling widely to document species in our care that are disappearing. He freely shares his stunning images with the zoos he works with, providing yet another avenue for reaching people.

When Joel visited us at the Minnesota Zoo from his nearby home in Nebraska, we were delighted to see his excitement over having the chance not only to photograph rare megafauna like Sea Otters and Malayan Tapirs, but more obscure and threatened species like the tiny brown Powsheik Skipperling (rarer than the gi-ant panda) and the only Daurian pikas in North America. His photos have graced the covers of our annual reports; he is truly a partner and col-laborator with zoos and aquariums in creating awareness and concern for biodiversity.

In Joel’s words, “it is folly to think that we can destroy one species and ecosystem after an-other and not affect humanity. When we save a species, we’re actually saving ourselves.”

Dr. David Mellor

Our next keynote speaker, Dr. David Mellor, has traveled all the way from New Zealand to be with us today.

Professor Mellor graduated from New England University, Australia, in 1966 and received a PhD from Edinburgh University in 1969. He spent 18 years as Head of the Physiology De-partment and Leader of the Perinatal Studies Group at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh.

Subsequently he spent 10 years as Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology and Anatomy in the Veterinary Science Faculty at Massey University, New Zealand. Currently he is still at Massey University where he holds the positions of Distinguished Scientist, Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Cen-tre, Professor of Animal Welfare Science and Professor of Applied Physiology and Bioethics. In 1999 the Minister of Agriculture in New Zea-land appointed him as Chairman of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, a position he still holds.

He is an active researcher, teacher and consult-ant in animal welfare science and bioethics as it applies to animals. He has more than 310 publications in these areas.

Too often in debates about the purpose of zoos and aquariums, it is assumed that conservation and animal welfare are inevitably in conflict. Dr. Mellor will address this assumption with his presentation today: Animal Welfare and Biodiversity Conservation: Two sides of the Same Coin?

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Animal Welfare and Biodiversity Conservation: Two sides of the one coin?

David J Mellor, Professor BSc (Hons), PhD, HonAssocRCVS, ONZM – Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand

Scientific foundations of animal welfare thinking

Today, our understanding, assessment and management of animal welfare is built on three to five decades of detailed scientific research into nutritional, environmental, physiological, biochemical, genetic, health, pathophysiologi-cal, microbiological, immunological, husbandry, veterinary clinical and other related disciplines in numerous species. Accordingly, frameworks of thinking in the animal welfare arena are thor-oughly rooted in science. They are not whimsi-cal speculations that lack rational and objective foundations.

Foci of conservation and animal welfare thinking and action

Conservation and animal welfare both focus on harm to animals, but their orientations differ. Whereas conservation is concerned mainly with the survival of populations, species and ecosystems, animal welfare emphasises the subjective experiences or quality of life of individual animals. Also, conservation thinking and activity embraces a wide range of activities mainly involving free -living wildlife as well as captive wildlife in as much as they can con-tribute to conservation aims. The major focus of animal welfare attention to date has been on domesticated animals, including livestock, service, draught, pet, sport & other such spe-cies, with captive wildlife in zoos, sanctuaries, game parks, aquaria and the like also receiving some attention, whereas free -living wildlife, not under the direct control of people, are consid-ered to be outside the orbit of effective animal welfare interventions. The focus here is the welfare of animals kept in zoos and aquariums for whatever purpose, not welfare issues raised by wider conservations activities. It is important to recall that historically the primary conserva-tion focus of zoos and aquariums was survival. Thus, the primary aim was simply to keep wildlife species alive. This raises two important questions. Can welfare be good when the focus in only on survival? If not, how can good welfare be promoted? Before answering these ques-tions, however, we need to consider what the current scientifically supported understanding of animal welfare is.

Three major orientations of animal welfare science thinking

As already noted, this understanding has devel-oped over a period of at least 30 years. Initially, emphasis was given to biological function where maintaining the health, growth, reproductive success and, in the context of farm livestock, the productivity, of animals, were seen as hallmarks of good welfare, with little emphasis given to the experiences that animals may have. Numerous physical/functional indices of these attributes of welfare were and still are available and used to evaluate these features of animal functionality (see below).

Increasingly, however, it became apparent that more attention needed to be given to the subjective, emotional or affective experiences of animals if welfare impacts were to be more effectively understood. Thus, the affective state orientation emerged. The initial focus of this orientation was the minimisation of negative affective experiences that animals may have.

However, increasingly it has been understood that animals may have both negative and positive affective experiences, so that animals would have good welfare when, over time, their negative experiences are outweighed by their positive experiences, i.e. on balance, they have a good Quality of Life.

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Finally, there existed throughout at least the last 30 years a natural living orientation. This held and holds that an animal’s welfare will be good when it is kept in conditions that approxi-mate to its natural, wild or ancestral state. This orientation obviously has relevance to thinking and strategies concerned with environmental enrichment. Interestingly, the welfare implica-tions of the circumstances in which animals are kept need to be evaluated by an amalgamation of the biological functioning and the affective state orientations, which are now understood to be attributes that are integrated within an animal living as a whole entity.

Current integrated understanding of animal welfare

Animal welfare is a state within the animal. It is not the way the animal is managed or the husbandry or veterinary treatments applied to it. These are regarded as animal care, and should not be confused with the animal’s welfare state. Obviously animal care procedures can affect wel-fare. Animal welfare relates to the experienced sensations, emotions or affects the animal may have. Accordingly, its brain structure and func-tion must be sophisticated enough to support a capacity to perceive by the sense, i.e. sentience, and to enable the animal to be aware of and responsive to those perceptions, i.e. it must be conscious. These experienced sensations, emotions or affects arise via two types of sensory input:

First, inputs that are generated by the internal functional state of the animal; second, inputs arising from the animal’s environment that contribute to its perception of its external circumstances. Examples of negative affects include the internally focussed experiences of breathlessness, thirst, hunger and pain, and the externally focussed experiences of anxiety, fear, loneliness and boredom. Animals can also have positive experiences, referred to below.

The Five Domains model for animal welfare assessment

Mellor & Reid originally conceived the Five Domains model in 1994. During the intervening 20 years it has undergone progressive revisions and extensions. These were primarily to accom-modate increasing scientific understanding of the neurophysiological and other foundations of affective experiences related to animals’ internal functional states and the ways they appear to perceive their external circumstances. The initial focus, in accord with the thinking at the time, was entirely on negative experiences. More recently, however, the model has been extended to allow assessment of both the nega-tive and positive experiences animals may have.

It is important to note that the model is a facilitatory device for assessing animal welfare status. It is not intended to accurately represent body structure and function. Its purpose is to aid systematic and comprehensive consideration of key factors relevant to animal welfare. It incorporates four physical/functional domains of nutrition, environment, health and behaviour, and a fifth domain of mental state. The overall affective state as inferred in the mental domain represents the animals’ welfare state.

Table 1: Derived from Mellor, Patterson -Kane and Stafford (2009). The Sciences of Animal Welfare. Wiley -Blackwell, Oxford, UK.

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The five domains and their functional ‑affective interactions are illustrated by the schematic depiction of the 2009 model (see the Table 1 at previous page), which only included negative affective states, although at that time posi-tive affective states were increasingly being considered.

Expanding the neuroscience ‑supported affects that are incorporated in the Model

The number of specific affective states referred to in the Five Domains model has been progres-sively increased during the last 20 years as neu-rosciences evidence supporting their existence has strengthened. Nevertheless, the catchall term ‘distress’ has been retained to include ad-ditional, as yet unspecified, negative affects.

1994• internally generated (negative): thirst, hunger,

pain // distress*• external perception (negative): anxiety, fear //

distress*

2009• internally generated (negative): breathlessness,

thirst, hunger, pain, dizziness, nausea, debility, weakness, sickness // distress*

• external perception (negative): anxiety, fear, frustration, boredom, isolation, helplessness // distress*

• internally generated and via external perception (positive): comfort, interest, engagement, reward, choice, challenge

2012• internally generated negative affects: list ex-

panded further• external perception ‑related negative affects: list

expanded further• internally generated and external perception‑

‑related positive affects: the list of these is expanding.

Indices of specific affects

Of course, affective experiences cannot be measured directly, but their presence (includ-ing duration) and absence can be assessed, and their character inferred, using numerous quan-tifiable indices that have been validated over many years. It is these indices that provide a practical basis for managing the welfare status of animals.

The indices of the physical/function ‑related negative affects include mainly anatomical, physiological, pathophysiological, clinical and behavioural parameters where the linkages be-tween biological function and the specific affects are well understood. These indices have been well validated by at least 50-years of research and practical use.

On the other hand, the indices of the negative and positive situation ‑related affects are mainly behavioural. Underlying their use is 20–25 years of behavioural research aligned with 15–20 years of research into the affective‑

-neuroscience mechanisms linked to the ob-served behaviours.

Structure of the 2014 Five Domains model

Domains 1, 2 and 3, i.e. nutrition, environment and health, are mainly aligned to biological functioning. These domains address mainly survival ‑related factors, for example, breathing, water/food intakes and escaping/avoiding injury. Thus, the aligned negative affects elicit survival

critical behaviours, for example, breathlessness elicits increased respiratory effort, thirst elicits water seeking and drinking, hunger elicits eat-ing of food, and pain elicits escape/avoidance avoidance responses designed to minimise injury. Thus, animals are ‘internally’ motivated to behave in these ways, and they MUST do so in order to survive.

With domains 1–3 the emphasis is on minimis-ing negative affective states, and this approach usually cannot produce anything better than neutral states. Thus, the biological functioning approach can reduce negative welfare states, but it usually does not explicitly promote posi-tive welfare states.

Domain 4, i.e. behaviour, facilitates considera-tion of the animal’s perception of its external circumstances in affective state terms. The affects in question here are mainly align with situation ‑related factors and include, for exam-ple, anger, frustration, loneliness, depression and boredom. The negative affects aligned with Domain 4 often require human intervention to correct. Such interventions represent environmental enrichment, and, when successful, they usually produce positive affective states. Thus, enrichments can replace negative affects with positive affects, and this is how enrichments can explicitly promote positive welfare.

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Summing up key changes to the 2014 Five Domains model

The model now distinguishes between largely survival ‑related biological functioning factors, accommodated by considering Domains 1–3, and the largely situation ‑related ‘environmental enrichment’ factors, accommodated by consid-ering Domain 4.

The model now also identifies both negative and positive elements in each domain. i.e. physical/functional states (Domains 1–3) and perceived external circumstances (Domain 4), as well as the aligned mental experiences of negative and positive affects (Domain 5).

Concluding Questions and Statements

General questions• Q: Is the minimalist conservation aim of mere

survival sufficient?• A: The biological functioning approach, focused

on survival ‑related factors, can achieve survival, but this will usually only minimise or neutralise negative affective states. Nevertheless it is important to do this!

• Q: How can survival be accompanied by a good Quality of Life?

• A: By identifying positive affective experiences that animals may have, and by providing them with opportunities to have those experiences.

• Q: How can such positive experiences be identified?

• A: By using the latest version of the Five Domains model.

• Q: How can the 2014 model be uses to im-prove Quality of Life?

• A: First, consider the potential positive affects that are aligned with survival ‑related and situation ‑related factors. Second, for each domain, assess whether the circumstances would impede or allow animals to have positive (i.e. rewarding) experiences. Third, seek to introduce and/or maintain beneficial circumstances, recognising that such changes are enrichments.

Questions that support enrichment initiatives

• Q1 What opportunities have been provided for the animals’ comfort, pleasure, interest, confidence, choice and challenge?

• Q2 What provisions have been made to ensure that consuming the food provided will be an enjoyable experience?

• Q3 How will expressions of normal behaviour be encouraged and harmless wants met?

• Q4 What environmental choices will be avail-able that will encourage exploratory and food acquisition activities which are rewarding?

• Q5 What provisions have been made to enable social species to engage in bonding and bond affirming activities and, as appropriate, other affiliative interactions such as maternal and group care of young, play behaviour and sexual activity?

Statements• S1 Zoos and aquariums have a growing com

mitment to promoting good animal welfare and moving well beyond mere survival.

• S2 Zoos and aquariums are increasingly engaging in environmental enrichment and are showing great ingenuity in developing new enrichment strategies.

• S3 Use of the 2014 Five Domains model: (1) facilitates these explicitly welfarefocused initiatives, and (2) facilitates the assessment and management of the welfare implications of every conservation ‑related activity conducted in zoos and aquariums.

• S4 Let us be clear:• It is not possible to completely eliminate all

of the negative experiences that animals may have, but it is possible to minimise them.

• It is also possible to replace some situation‑related negative affects by positive ones using enrichments.

• The zoo and aquarium sector have been admirably committed to enrichment for many years, and that is to be warmly commended.

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Useful Review Articles

• Anonymous. 2009. Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future. Farm Animal Welfare Council, London, UK.

• Anonymous. 2010. Chapter 4: Environmental enrichment. In: Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, 3rd Edition. Pp 30–44. Federation of Animal Sci-ence Societies, Champaign, USA.

• Beausoleil, N. J. 2014. Balancing the need for conservation and the welfare of individual animals. In: Dilemmas in Animal Welfare, MC Appleby, DM Weary & P Sandøe (Eds), pp 124–147. CABI Wallingford, UK.

• Beausoleil, N. J., Mellor, D. J. 2012. Comple-mentary roles for systematic analytical evalu-ation and qualitative whole animal profiling in welfare assessment for Three Rs applications. ALTEX Proceedings 1 (WC8), 455–460.

• Beausoleil, N. J., Mellor, D. J. 2015. Advan-tages and limitations of the ‘Five Domains’ model for assessing animal welfare impacts associated with vertebrate pest control. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63 – In press.

• Beausoleil, N. J., Fisher, P., Mellor, D. J., Warburton, B. 2012. Ranking the negative impacts of wildlife control methods may help to advance the Three Rs. ALTEX Proceedings 1 (WC8), 481–485.

• Beausoleil, N. J., Mellor, D. J., Stafford, K. J 2004. Methods for marking New Zealand wildlife: amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals. ISBN 0-478-22631-4, Department of Conserva-tion, Wellington, New Zealand, pp 1–147.

• Boissy, A., Manteuffel, G., Jensen, M. B., Moe, R. O., Spruijt, B., Keeling, L. J., Winckler, C., Forkman, B., Dimitrov, I., Langbein, J., Bakken, M., Veissier, I., Arnaud, A. 2007. Assessment of positive emotions in animals to improve their welfare. Physiology and Behavior 92, 375–397.

• Duncan, I. J. H. 2005. Science -based assess-ment of animal welfare: farm animals. Scientific and Technical Review, Office International des Epizooties 24, 483–492.

• Duncan, I. J. H., Petherick, J. C.1991. The impli-cations of cognitive processes for animal wel-fare. Journal of Animal Science 69, 5017–5022.

• Fraser, D. 2003. Assessing animal welfare at the farm and group level: the interplay of sci-ence and values. Animal Welfare, 12, 433–443.

• Fraser, D., 2008. Understanding animal welfare: The science in its cultural context. Wiley-

-Blackwell, Oxford, UK• Fraser, D. (Ed). 2010. Conservation and Animal

Welfare. Animal Welfare 19 (2), 121–192.• Fraser, D., Duncan, I. J. H., Edwards, S. A.,

Grandin, T., Gregory, N. G., Guyonnet, V., Hemsworth, P. H., Huertasm S. M., Huzzey, J. M., Mellor, D. J., Mench, J. A., Paranhos da Costa, M., Spinka,

• M., Whay, H. R. 2013. General principles for the welfare of animals in production systems: The underlying science and its application. The Veterinary Journal 198, 19–27.

• Green, T. C., Mellor, D. J. 2011. Extending ideas about animal welfare assessment to include

‘quality of life’ and related concepts. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 59, 316–324.

• Littin, K. E. 2010. Animal welfare and pest con-trol: meeting both conservation and animal welfare needs. Animal Welfare 19, 171–176.

• Littin, K. E., Mellor, D. J. 2005. Strategic ani-mal welfare issues: Welfare and ethical issues arising from the killing of wildlife for disease control and environmental reasons. Scientific and Technical Review, Office International des Epizootice 24, 767–782.

• Littin, K. E., Mellor, D. J., Warburton, B., Eason, C. T. 2004. Animal welfare and ethical issues relevant to the humane control of vertebrate pests. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 52, 1–10.

• Mason, G., Rushen, J. (Eds.). 2006. Stereotypic Animal Behaviour: Fundamentals and Implications for Animal welfare, 2nd edition. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.

• Mason, G., Clubb, R., Latham, N., Vickery, S. 2007. Why and how should we use envi-ronmental enrichment to tackle stereotypic behaviour? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102, 163–188.

• Mellor, D. J. 2004. Comprehensive assessment of harms caused by experimental, teaching and testing procedures on live animals. Alternatives of Laboratory Animals 32, Supplement 1, 453–457

• Mellor, D. J. 2012. Affective states and the assessment of laboratory -induced animal welfare impacts. ALTEX Proceedings 1 (WC8), 445–449.

• Mellor, D. J. 2012. Animal emotions, behaviour and the promotion of positive welfare states. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 60, 1–8.

• Mellor, D. J. 2015. Enhancing animal welfare by creating opportunities for ‘positive affec-tive engagement’. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63 – In press.

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• Mellor, D. J. 2015. Positive welfare states and promoting environment -focused and animal-

-to -animal interactive behaviours. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63 – In press.

• Mellor, D. J. 2015. Positive animal welfare states and reference standards for welfare assessment. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63 – In press.

• Mellor, D. J., Bayvel, A. C. D. 2011. The scien-tific assessment of animal welfare. In: Proceedings of the First OIE Global Conference on Evolving Veterinary Education for a Safer World, Paris, France, 12–14 October, 2009, pp 167–174.

• Mellor, D. J., Bayvel, A. C. D. (Eds) 2014. Ani-mal Welfare: Focusing on the future. Scientific and Technical Review, Office International des Epizooties 33, pp 1–358.

• Mellor, D. J., Beausoleil, N. J. Extending the ‘Five Domains’ model used for assessing animal welfare compromise to include the promotion of positive welfare states. Animal Welfare – Submitted.

• Mellor, D. J., Reid, C. S. W. 1994. Concepts of animal well -being and predicting the impact of procedures on experimental animals. In: Improving the Well ‑being of Animals in the Research Environment. Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, Glen Osmond, South Australia pp 3–18.

• Mellor, D. J., Webster, J. R. 2014. Develop-ment of animal welfare understanding drives change in animal welfare standards. In: Animal Welfare: Focusing on the future, D. J. Mellor and A. C. D. Bayvel (Eds). Scientific and Technical Review, Office International des Epizooties 33 (1) 121–130.

• Mellor, D. J., Beausoleil, N. J., Stafford, K. J. 200). Marking amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals: animal welfare, practicalities and public perceptions in New Zealand. ISBN 0-478-22563-6, Department of Conservation, Wel-lington, New Zealand, pp 1–55.

• Mellor, D. J., Patterson ‑Kane, E., Stafford, K. J. 2009. The Sciences of Animal Welfare. Wiley-

-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.• Williams, V. M, Mellor, D. J., Marbrook, J. 2006.

Revision of a scale for assessing the severity of live animal manipulations. ALTEX 23, Special Issue, 163–169.

• Wemelsfelder, F. 1997. The scientific validity of subjective concepts in models of animal welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 53, 75–88.

• Wemelsfelder, F. 2007. How animals communi-cate quality of life: the qualitative assessment of behaviour. Animal Welfare 16, 25–31.

• Yeates, J. W. 2011. Is ‘a life worth living’ a concept worth having? Animal Welfare 20, 397–406.

• Yeates, J. W., Main, D. C. J. 2008. Assessment of positive welfare: A review. The Veterinary Journal 175, 293–300.

• Young, R. J. 2003. Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, UK.

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Keynote addresses

Earth’s creatures

Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photographer

For many of Earth’s creatures, time is running out. Half of the world’s plant and animal species will soon be threatened with extinction. The Photo Ark is a collection of photographs that documents the worlds species that we have a chance of losing. It is a visual connection between the animals and people who can help protect them. By isolating animals on black and white backgrounds, we can look them directly in the eye and quickly see that these creatures contain beauty, grace and intelligence. Perhaps some even hold the key to our very salvation.

They say that people will only save what they love. And they certainly can’t love something if they don’t know it exists. That’s where these photos come in.

No one person can save the world, but each of us certainly can have a real and meaningful impact. Many of the species that are featured in The Photo Ark can indeed be saved, but it will take people with passion, money or both to step up and get involved. A little attention is all some need, while other species range globally and will be harder to protect. Every bit of effort helps though, and awareness of the problem is the first step towards a solution.

The plain truth is when we save species, we’re actually saving ourselves.

A chital (Axis axis) at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad, India. | © Joel Sartore

A federally endangered, common Indian monitor (Varanus bengalensis) at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad, India. | © Joel Sartore

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An endangered pair of Gee’s golden langurs (Trachypithecus geei) at the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in India. | © Joel SartoreAn endangered pair of Gee’s golden langurs (Trachypithecus geei) at the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in India. | © Joel Sartore

A federally endangered, female Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad, India. | © Joel Sartore

Female Himalayan wolves (Canis lupus himalayensis) at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, India. | © Joel Sartore

A male Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos melanota) at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, India. | © Joel Sartore

WAZA Congress Papers Abstracts

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Table of contentsAbstracts

1. Raman Sukumar | Elephant‑human conflicts and the imperatives of captive elephant welfare in Asia

2. William Robichaud | Saving the Unseen: Saola, zoos and the extinction crisis in South-east Asia

3. Anne Baker | Tales from the Front: battles won and lost and new strategies in the fight against amphibian extinction.

4. Dan Maloney | Conservation Connection: Adopt Your Own Sumatran Wildlife Protec-tion Unit

5. Eric Miller | The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center: the Saint-Louis Zoo, the University of Missouri – StLouis and the Mis-souri Botanical Gardens Working together to Conserve International Biodiversity

6. Kevin Tanner | How Zoo Exhibit Design is Fighting Extinction of Species

7. Wen‑Haur Cheng | The Role of Wildlife Reserves Singapore in the Conservation of Biodiversity in the City State

8. Bernard Harrison | Why do we do what we do? Animal welfare and biodiversity conser-vation: two sides of a coin?

9. Rachel Lowry | Zoos Victoria’s Willy Wonka (Welfare) Revolution Theme: Animal welfare and biodiversity conservation: two sides of a coin?

10. Cameron Kerr | Supply chain integrity and sustainable biodiverstiy; navigating the tur-bulent waters of community education and supply chain integrity.

11. Deokjong Yoo | Current Korean Governmen-tal Policies for Marine Conservation and Our Institution Activities and Future Agenda

12. Chris Hibbard Shepherd | Zoo partnership with traffic SE Asia – combating wildlife trade

13. Haig Balian | Knowing Next Nature14. Tiago Pinto Pereira | WAZA’s contribution

for the Decade on Biodiversity; the Biodiver-sity is Us Project

15. Markus Gusset | A Global Evaluation of Biodiversity Literacy in Zoo and Aquarium Visitors

16. Karen Fifield | Nature Connections – a Part-nership for Biodiversity Conservation

17. Pyria Ranjan Sinha | Zoos: Looking Beyond Our Boundaries

18. Bishan Brij, Bonal G. Gupta, Kishor Gupta | Zoos in India: Supporting Biodiversity Con-servation

19. Alankar K Jha | Conservation Breeding of Red Panda in Darjeeling Zoo – 1990 to 2013

20. Vishva J Rana | Asiatic Lion – in situ and ex situ linkages

21. Mohan Lalit | Ex situ conservation of Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi) in Himachal Pradesh: Current status and perspective planning for its release

22. Goutam Narayan | Recovery Programme for Critic ally Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) helping Biodiversity Conservation in Threatened Grasslands of Assam

23. Kartikeya Sarabhai | Zoo a Living Labora-tory – a CEE experience

24. Vivek Menon | Redefining the role of rescue and rehabilitation centers in conservation of wildlife in India

25. Kartick Satyanarayan | Rescue and rehabili-tation of sloth bears in India – a conserva-tion success story from the agra bear rescue facility

26. Praveen C Tyagi | Wildlife Institute of India initiatives for captive animal welfare

27. Meenakshi Dhote | Biodiversity Conserva-tion And Zoo Planning: Way forward in urban areas of India


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1 | Elephant‑human conflicts and the imperatives of captive elephant welfare in Asia

Raman Sukumar

Wildlife‑human conflicts continue to perpetuate and even escalate in many regions of Asia to the detriment of conservation. This is exemplified by the sharp increase in elephant- human con-flicts in recent times. The basis of such conflicts can be traced to a complex interplay of factors related to the behavioural ecology of elephants, climatic variability, patterns of land-use, the diverse nature of elephant-human interactions or relationships, and locally increasing elephant populations. With wild elephants increasingly moving into human settlements and produc-tion areas, one option to mitigate conflicts is to capture a limited number of such elephants. This option must obviously be exercised with great caution but is already becoming inevita-ble in many parts of India. This management imperative is bringing into sharp public focus the need to considerably improve the welfare standards for elephants in captivity. In this talk I would argue that the four pillars on which we have to develop the framework for elephant welfare are setting standards for (i) the capture of elephants from the wild, (ii) humane training of elephants, (iii) elephant husbandry including nutrition and health care, and (iv) acceptable use of captive elephants.

2 | Saving the Unseen: Saola, zoos and the extinction crisis in Southeast Asia

William Robichaud

The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) was dis-covered by science only in 1992, and was one of the most surprising zoological discoveries of the 20th century. This mysterious bovid is en-demic to the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam. Today, it remains one of the world’s least-known large mammals, and also one of the most endangered. Saola and many other species are under severe threat from the re-gion’s wildlife trade, which has made Southeast Asia the epicenter of today’s wildlife extinction crisis. A small but closing window remains to save Saola from extinction, and, surprisingly, although there are no Saolas in captivity, zoos play an increasing role in the effort.

3 | Tales from the Front: battles won and lost and new strategies in the fight against amphibian extinction

Anne Baker

Drawing from Amphibian Ark experiences over the past eight years, this talk will highlight achievements in the field of amphibian con-servation. It will also reflect on losses and why those losses occurred. In addition, it will present a new strategy for addressing those areas where chytrid has established itself.


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4 | Conservation Connection: Adopt Your Own Sumatran Wildlife Protection Unit

Dan Maloney

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has made a unique commitment to fund annual operations of one Wildlife Protection Unit. These units are making a real difference in the survival of Su-matran wildlife and zoo support forges a direct connection between visitors to the new “Land of the Tiger” exhibit and wild tigers.

WPUs are highly trained five‑person teams patrolling key areas within the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. They monitor threatened wildlife, gather intelligence, remove snares, and apprehend poachers. Protection Units have been very effective, keeping tiger numbers poached within the park to a single individual in the last three years.

5 | The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center: the Saint‑Louis Zoo, the University of Missouri – St Louis and the Missouri Botanical Gardens Working together to Conserve International Biodiversity

Eric Miller

The Harris World Ecology Center, a partnership between the University of Missouri – St. Louis, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, is a unique collaboration that enhanc-es conservation through biological research and training of international scientists. Students from 38 countries have performed research in 44 nations. 29 graduate students have worked in collaboration with the Saint Louis Zoo’s Wild-care Institute. biodiversity “hotspots” studied include Armenia, the Galapagos Islands, Mada-gascar, and Peru. This partnership provides an excellent model of how a zoo, a botanical garden and a major university use science to provide critical support for biodiversity conser-vation.

6 | How Zoo Exhibit Design is Fighting Extinction of Species

Kevin Tanner

Recently zoos have contributed substantially towards Biodiversity Conservation through on- ground conservation programs; ex situ breeding programs; education programs; and public fund-raising programs directed towards conservation activities. While these efforts should be applauded, they are only part of the solution of having species safe in the wild. Zoo exhibits themselves can help.

Good zoos do two things well:• We are good at caring for small populations of

animals; and• We are good at inspiring large groups of

humans

This paper will look at how we connect these two important aspects of our operations so that any future zoo exhibit design provides the con-servation outcomes needed for our challenge of Fighting Extinction of species


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7 | The Role of Wildlife Reserves Singapore in the Conservation of Biodiversity in the City State

Wen‑Haur Cheng

Singapore is one of the most urbanised and densely populated countries in the world. De-spite the passing of many species of megafauna in the making of this bustling modern metropo-lis, there remains an amazing biodiversity on the island.

WRS contributes to the conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity in Singapore by funding local biodiversity conservation and research projects including the critically endan-gered Singapore Fresh Water Crab (among the 100 most critically endangered species in the world); breeding and releasing formerly extinct species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill; tak-ing part in the rehabilitation of rescued local wildlife such as the pangolins; conducting out-reach and education programmes; serving as a local biodiversity hotspot; and working hand in hand with partners including national authori-ties, academic institutions, nature societies and NGOs.

8 | Why do we do what we do? Animal welfare and biodiversity conservation: two sides of a coin?

Bernard Harrison

For 200,000 years Homo sapiens were hunter/gatherers, living off the land, much in the same as many omnivorous animals do. Modern hunter/gatherers still obtain 50% of their nutri-tion from hunting. Carnivorous animals have an instinct to kill and eat other animals: it’s innate and we humans are still hard wired to kill and eat prey species. The more affluent, modern man still enjoys hunting and fishing, treating it as a sport rather than a means for survival. However, modern man has now become far re-moved from the hunting and killing process. We have domesticated animals, primarily for our meat consumption, specialists slaughter these animals and process them. We have become detached from the whole, bloody process. And many are unaware of the lack of respect we give them – even if they are to be killed, they should retain some dignity. We are probably the only animals on earth with a conscience, an ability to be retrospective and understand the conse-quences of our actions. Is there a biological ba-sis to our apparent innate callousness towards other species on the earth?

1 | Zoos Victoria’s Willy Wonka (Welfare) Revolution Theme: Animal welfare and biodiversity conservation: two sides of a coin?

Rachel Lowry

Willy Wonka is a fictional character from Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He is depicted as a genius, an innova-tor and an inventor that lives to push bounda-ries. For the past two years, Zoos Victoria has drawn upon this iconic character to drive shifts in our animal welfare benchmarks and practice, inspired by creativity and a broadened scale of thinking. Consequently, we are experiencing and measuring progress across both our animal welfare and conservation objectives whilst posi-tively impacting staff culture. This paper aims to place banana blasters, one-way vision mirrors, feeding poles, possum gymnasiums, scent bombs and other innovative projects within a zoo-based context. Could Willy Wonka guide the next phase of the zoo revolution?


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9 | Supply chain integrity and sustainable biodiversity; navigating the turbulent waters of community education and supply chain integrity

Cameron Kerr

More than ever there is an expectation for com-panies to operate with ethical and sustainable practices across their supply chain.

The consumer backlash against confection-ary manufacturers over palm oil and clothing brands over the Bangladesh factory deaths have provided us with a salient reminder of the reputational damage caused by poor supply chain ethics. The days of being judged by one’s end product or experience alone are rapidly coming to an end.

Leading blue chip global companies have quickly realized their social license to operate and grow requires a comprehensive review of the integrity of their business.

Zoos and aquaria see ourselves as advocates for sustainability, and we are quick to cast a critical eye on manufacturers and suppliers, but how closely are we willing to look into our own sup-ply chain? Crucially, the one that is at the very core of our operations – our animals?

This paper reviews the changing expectations of the community and considers whether our own industry may need to question more carefully our supply chain to protect our biodiversity, our organisations and our industry from accusations of hypocrisy or worse still, a complete loss of legitimacy.

10 | Current Korean Governmental Policies for Marine Conservation and Our Institution Activities and Future Agenda

Deokjong Yoo

Recently Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisher-ies (KMOF) established ‘Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystem’, in order to support R&D and necessary tools for marine biodiversity. KMOF’s policy includes en-dangered marine species increase and restora-tion project, designation of ex-habitat con-servation institutions, and selecting exclusive medical rescue centers for marine animals. As an aquarium operator running four large-sized public aquariums, our company is carrying out various marine and biodiversity conservation activities. For example, aqua planet JEJU, one of our aquariums, is conducting various conser-vation projects such as restoration of domestic coral and medical care of endangered marine lives in Jeju island, Korea. Additionally our company plans to contribute to conservation of marine lives by performing research for more species and building up data.

11 | Zoo partnership with traffic SE Asia – combating wildlife trade

Chris Hibbard

With the recent trends of wild animals being traded out of SE Asia and offered to the global market the Zoo & Aquarium Association (ZAA) sought to partner with TRAFFIC SE Asia to establish a wildlife crime analyst in SE Asia the region. The position directly supports the capac-ity of TRAFFIC to identify trends, trade routes and centralize data to directly inform enforce-ment agencies and lobby Governments on key fact based issues.

The relationship has identified a number of key roles for zoos to directly support this work. This paper will be jointly presented by TRAFFIC SE Asia and ZAA to demonstrate the critical role of zoos and zoo based data in contributing to reducing trade impacts on biodiversity.


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12 | Knowing Next Nature

Haig Balian

Artis Royal Zoo Amsterdam is one of the old-est educational institutions in the Zoo world. This presentation will show how we reveal to the public a never presented part of nature: Microbes. The first microZOO in the world is embedded in our animal, plant and cultural her-itage collection and will open September 30th 2014. Visitors will experience the smallest and most powerful organisms on our planet. Until now we have limited knowledge about them, most species are still unknown. But for sure we shall learn a lot more from them. This will lead to new solutions regarding the big questions on sustainable use and production of energy, water, food, waste and will influence our health. A rev-olution has started that will have an enormous impact on conservation of biodiversity. True to our name, Natura Artis Magistra (nature is the teacher of art and science), we communicate, educate and create public awareness of these unknown and omnipresent creatures.

When you look at nature from very close a new world opens, the greatest micro experience in the world. In the microZOO next nature may be known and understood.

13 | WAZA’s contribution for the Decade on Biodiversity; the Biodiversity is Us Project

Tiago Pinto Pereira

This session will highlight the work of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and its members at spreading the message on the importance of Biodiversity, and actions visitors can do to help preserve it.

Indeed, WAZA and its members, with their experience in awareness raising and interac-tion with the public, are well positioned to help educate the public about the need to protect biodiversity during the Decade on Biodiversity. During its 66th Annual conference WAZA mem-bers unanimously endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity and supported both the Aichi Biodi-versity targets and a WAZA global project sup-porting both the Decade and the Aichi targets.

Therefore, together with a selection of more than 30 zoos and aquariums in six different re-gions of the world, a modular set of awareness raising tools were developed as a recognisable framework, but adaptable to regional, cultural and individual institutional situations. These tools are now available to the whole WAZA membership and beyond through the imple-mentation by national and regional associations. The development of the tools, designs and all content is financed by WAZA and is offered for free.

The target is to reach out to up to 700 million zoo/aquarium visitors (which represents 10% of the world population). The numerous conserva-tion projects of the WAZA community are con-vincing arguments and the animals displayed in the WAZA members’ facilities are great ambas-sadors to increase public awareness and trigger action.

This presentation will be an opportunity to pre-sent the tools again and to show how the pro-ject has been implemented by WAZA members and to highlight the progress done in ensuring the best possible outreach.


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14 | A Global Evaluation of Biodiversity Literacy in Zoo and Aquarium Visitors

Markus Gusset

In a global evaluation of biodiversity literacy in zoo and aquarium visitors, aggregate biodiver-sity understanding and knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity both significantly increased over the course of zoo and aquarium visits. There was an increase from pre-visit (69.8%) to post‑visit (75.1%) in respondents demonstrating at least some positive evidence of biodiversity understanding. Similarly, there was an increase from pre‑ visit (50.5%) to post‑visit (58.8%) in respondents that could identify a pro-biodiversity action that could be achieved at an individual level. Therefore, zoo and aquarium visits can contribute to increasing the number of people who understand biodi-versity and know actions they can take to help protect biodiversity.

15 | Nature Connections – a Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation

Karen Fifield

Singapore is one of the most urbanised and densely populated countries in the world. De-spite the passing of many species of megafauna in the making of this bustling modern metropo-lis, there remains an amazing biodiversity on the island.

WRS contributes to the conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity in Singapore by funding local biodiversity conservation and research projects including the critically endan-gered Singapore Fresh Water Crab (among the 100 most critically endangered species in the world); breeding and releasing formerly extinct species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill; tak-ing part in the rehabilitation of rescued local wildlife such as the pangolins; conducting out-reach and education programmes; serving as a local biodiversity hotspot; and working hand in hand with partners including national authori-ties, academic institutions, nature societies and NGOs.

16 | Zoos: Looking Beyond Our Boundaries

Pyria R Sinha

As the pressure on our Biodiversity is unrelent-ing and natural habitats are increasingly getting fragmented, species in wild habitats continue to decline and ability of our ecosystems to provide ecological services is getting compromised. Our Natural Capital base which sustains life on earth is getting eroded. As per Global Biodiversity outlook 3 (which is currently being revised for placing it in the next CBD COP 12), the targets agreed by world Governments in 2002, ”to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the Global, regional and national level “ has not been met. The rapid Economic Development Trajectory on which the world has embarked upon will make the task of reversing or halting loss of Biodiver-sity an unattainable goal by the mankind. Zoos across the world should, therefore, reposition themselves in this fast changing world and work with sectors outside our conservation commu-nity to have a world order which is sustainable. Due to its visibility among the urban dwellers and among those who shape public policies,

Zoos are uniquely placed to play significant role in complementing in situ conservation and sustainable development by articulating alternative models of biodiversity conservation and economic growth. To achieve it, new and in-novative approaches are required to be tried by the Zoo fraternity. We need to align ourselves with the fast changing perception and aspira-tions of our people to stay relevant and be able to make our mother earth a better place to live. For that, we need to think laterally and Look Beyond Our Boundaries.


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17 | Zoos in India: Supporting Biodiversity Conservation

Bonal G. Gupta Kishor Gupta

The zoos in India play a potent role in the conservation of biodiversity and they strive to strengthen their contribution to national conservation in various ways. The National Zoo Policy notified on 28th October, 1998 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, aims at giving proper direction and thrust to the scientific management of zoos. The policy gives due importance to education and outreach activities in zoos also.

Many zoos in India are located within the high biodiversity regions often invest much of their time, energy and financial re‑sources in providing rescue and rehabilitation of many species of wild animals. These include those animals which come into conflict with people in cities and towns also and those which have been intercepted in illegal trade, wild animals taken as pets which have become a burden for their owners, or those which become victims of natural disasters.

Zoos focus their conservation attention on Bio-diversity Action Plan priorities, thereby contrib-uting to wider processes and collaborating with a broader set of partners than those generated by the zoo community alone. The area fallen under the jurisdiction of the zoos (varies from 5 hectares to 1500 hectares) acts as preserve for number of species of plants and free ranging invertebrates, reptiles, birds and small mam-mals. Some zoos still have free ranging popula-tion of various species of deer and antelopes. Some zoos are also visited by the large cats like Leopard, Tiger and even by the Asian elephants. The campus of many zoos are bird watcher’s

paradise and recorded as many as 200 species of birds in a zoo. It indicates the biodiversity richness, pertaining to free ranging faunal spe-cies. The flora richness is also very high in zoos, the Assam State Zoo at Guwahati has reported 610 species of flora. At the same time Assam State Zoo at Guwahati has reported 227 species of butterflies and moths, 153 species of insects, 40 species of Spiders, 41 species of herpeto-fauna, 173 species of Avifauna and 24 species of mammals as free ranging species in the Zoo.

There are 192 zoos in the country, which in-cludes 23 nos. of circuses. The animals housed in major zoos are over 47838 animals of various taxonomic orders including exotic fauna. The mammals form the largest numbers (43%) of the captive animals followed by birds (39%) and reptiles (18%). There just 23 amphibian and no species of Fish or of lower orders are housed in Indian Zoos.

The design of exhibits in zoos in India is now based on the habitat and that include ap-propriate habitat of the species, and the zoos make use of plants and climate. Visitors will then more easily understand the concepts of biodiversity and the interdependence of species, habitats and ecosystems, and recognize the links with human action. Today zoos not only increases the understanding and appreciation of its role in the conservation of biodiversity but also encourage visitors to take positive actions to make a difference to life on this planet.20

18 | Conservation Breeding of Red Panda in Darjeeling Zoo‑1990 to 2013

Alankar K Jha

The paper shall focus on the ex situ conservation breeding efforts of Darjeeling zoo and its link-age with the in situ condition through a study conducted at Singalila National Park, and Neora Valley national Park; concerning its pattern of distribution, status, preferred habitat, avail-ability and quality of such habitats in relation to food, cover and safety, population dynam-ics, home range, movement pattern and their casual factors and various problems of conser-vation in different areas of its distribution and to identify site‑specific conservation measures for red panda in Singalila National Park.

The present paper focuses on the Husbandry techniques, behaviours, environmental enrich-ment, diet, breeding biology and post breeding behaviour, health and veterinary implications of the park towards successful captive breeding and thereafter its conservation.


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19 | Asiatic Lion – in situ and ex situ linkages

Vishva J Rana

Gir protected area of Gujarat hosts the last sur-viving wild population of Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica). The population has been brought back from the brink of extinction after almost a century of conservation efforts. The Sakkarbaug Zoological Park (SBZP) has contributed notably for ex situ conservation of Asiatic Lion.

The SBZP not only one of the oldest zoos of India, but perhaps it is the only zoo set up to interact closely and serve the interest of Gir Protection area.

The Sakkarbaug Zoological Park has maintained the purity of its stock of Asiatic Lion and thus recognized world over. Sharing the fruit of breed-ing success and to achieve a healthy captive population of the Asiatic lion World over, SBZP has supplied more than 170 lions to different zoological collections of India and abroad. Simi-larly the SBZP is renowned for the breeding of highly endangered wild animal like, Indian Wild Ass, Indian Wolf, Four horned antelope, Indian gazelle and Vulture. At present holding a healthy and fairly large captive population of these spe-cies in captivity. SBZP has successfully bred and released more than 250 chital, the axis deer for restocking the prey base of lion in certain area.

The SBZP maintain special wildlife rescue team with rescue center to manage wildlife in problem. The special orphan center for lion and other endangered spp. Helps in artificial rear-ing and rehabilitation. Well-equipped animal hospital with laboratory help in providing better medical care to captive as well as wildlife of protected area.

The SBZP is deeply involved with the promotion of conservation education activities like, nature education camp for school children, celebra-tion of special event like, Wildlife Week, World Environment day, World forestry day etc. SBZP actively encourage Research opportunities in zoo and providing platform to students of various discipline to conduct hands of research experience. The zoo is also associated with special training to student of veterinary colleges, veterinarians from the field, students from sci-ence, forensic, forestry colleges and employees of forest department etc.

20 | Ex situ conservation of Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi) in Himachal Pradesh: Current status and perspective planning for its release

Mohan Lalit

A conservation breeding programme for the IUCN red listed Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi) is ongoing, initiated and funded by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and Cen-tral Zoo Authority of India (CZA) in 2007–08. The growing captive population managed under this programme at Chail pheasantry (Khariyun and Blossom) consists of 58 individuals (28 males, 30 females) which is based on a total of 12 wild born founders, of which 11 are still alive (5 males and 6 females). Preliminary analysis of the captive population indicates the potential of the population as a ‘model’ population with, positive growth rates, parent-reared birds and no inbreeding. A target captive population size ranging between 80–100 individuals has been planned to be achieved and perspective plan has been developed for carrying out release in future under Species Recover Programme ap-proved by CZA. WAZA Congress

Papers Abstracts

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21 | Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) helping Biodiversity Conservation in Threatened Grasslands of Assam

Goutam Narayan

The highly threatened tall and wet alluvial grasslands of Assam are the last refuge for critically endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania). This habitat is also crucial for survival of a number endangered species such as the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), tiger (Panthera tigris), eastern bar-asingha (Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhi), water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) and Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis).

Conservation breeding of pygmy hog started in 1996 with six wild-caught hogs, and the re-covery programme has so far released 85 cap-tive-bred hogs in two PAs of Assam over the last seven years. As the pygmy hog is one of the most sensitive indicators of these grasslands, restoration and improved management of habitat for their reintroduction is proving ben-eficial to overall biodiversity of these grasslands. Preserving these wet grasslands will also help in maintaining long term ecological and economic well being of the region as they serve as buffer against floods in rainy season while maintaining high groundwater levels in dry season, indi-rectly benefiting farming communities living in the fringe areas.

22 | Zoo a Living Laboratory – a CEE experience

Kartikeya Sarabhai

By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably”…(Aichi Biodiversity Target 1)

Having recognized that Education is as impor-tant as a mandate as Conservation for Zoos, the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), India in collaboration with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), India, developed the pilot documents for the Zoos of India – “Master Education Plan for Zoos of India” and “An Ideas Source Book”. A Master Plan creates a vision that is supported by policies, guidelines, and priorities; it supports the coordinated growth of the separate facili-ties and functions to achieve the specific objec-tives. The plan faces these challenges, shares experiences and gives a direction for the future.

CEE advocates and promotes appreciation, understanding and conserving biodiversity in ex- situ centres. This is being undertaken through programmes and activities conducted using free ranging fauna and local flora in and around the zoo. CEE has developed education and interpretation centres, conservation educa-tion programmes and resource materials with a focus on local biodiversity, wildlife and conser-vation issues, targeting children, youth and the general public.

Training and capacity building programmes for teachers, volunteers, NGO’s, Zoo staff and oth-ers are also conducted by CEE. Also the Hand-print tool, developed by CEE is an action and solution oriented tool designed for today’s and tomorrow’s leaders of sustainability.

23 | Redefining the role of rescue and rehabilitation centers in conservation of wildlife in India

Vivek Menon

As a result of habitat fragmentation, natural calamities and anthropogenic pressures, in-cidents of wildlife displacement is on the rise. Lifetime care option is still considered the only feasible placement option for displaced wildlife, as euthanasia is considered impracticable and rehabilitation perceived difficult. Origi-nally perceived as important only as an animal welfare activity, the successful rehabilitation of some of the threatened mammals in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has demonstrated that res-cue and rehabilitation can not only contribute to conservation, but also help to understand as-pects of species distribution, disease prevalence, animal behaviour, and their status and threats.

Although, CZA recognised rescue centres exist all over India, most of them function as lifetime care facilities. Rehabilitation centers on the other hand envisages to put animals back in the wild. Examples of such centers can be found in Northeast India, where elephants, rhinos, Asiatic black bears, clouded leopards and many other species of birds, mammals and reptiles have been rehabilitated. The major benefit of such animals being rehabilitated is that they be-come brand ambassadors for their conspecifics in the wild by bringing to public attention their precarious status in the wild and thus the need for conservation. Rehabilitation centres act as a buffer between zoos and wilderness. With the commencement of rehabilitation centres and satellite stations in states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, only non-releasable animals now get resigned to lifetime care centres and zoos.


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24 | Rescue and rehabilitation of sloth bears in India – a conservation success story from the agra bear rescue facility

Kartick Satyanarayan

Wildlife SOS established the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to address the sloth bear poaching crisis in India. Hundreds of sloth bears were being poached from the wild each year by nomadic gypsy community called ‘Kalandars’ who then trained these bear cubs to perform tricks using cruel and torturous practices.

The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 banned the ex-ploitation and hunting of sloth bears, however there were over 1200 dancing bears across India in 1997. Wildlife SOS worked with the Govt. of India and State Wildlife Departments to address this issue by creating rescue centers.

Following this Wildlife SOS then had to address the harsh reality that while this practice was illegal, it was in fact a livelihood that the com-munity depended on for survival.

Wildlife SOS then carried out scientific studies to understand the socio economic relation-ship between the Sloth Bears and the kalandar communities and then working hand in hand with the gypsy communities created alternative livelihood options.

Today, over 3000 Kalandar families have been successfully rehabilitated in alternative liveli-hoods. Wildlife SOS eradicated the 400 year old brutal practice of Dancing and performing Bears by rescuing over 627 sloth bears held in illegal captivity by the Kalandars thus bringing an end to the demand for the poaching of bear cubs.

The Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) is today the largest rehabilitation center for sloth bears in the world. It is run by Wildlife SOS in col-laboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Forest Department and recognized by the Central Zoo Authority and currently houses about 250 sloth bears, thus making it the largest sample size and platform for veterinary, behavior and other ground breaking research.

A team of 90 staff including Veterinary Doctors, paravets, bear keepers, biologists, conserva-tion education officers work at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) to carefully carry out the Quarantine, rehabilitation and intricate social calibration of rescued sloth bears housed at the center. ABRF also functions as a conservation education and outreach platform to educate Indian public about the biodiversity wealth of India and the ecological value of species like the endangered sloth bear.

Studies at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility are giving us insight into the hidden world of sloth bears in the wild and will help us address chal-lenges regarding the wild sloth bear population and Human Bear Conflict mitigation issues in India.

25 | Wildlife Institute of India initiatives for captive animal welfare

Praveen C Tyagi

The Wildlife Institute of India was established in 1982, as an autonomous research and training institution with a mandate to provide technical expertise in the field of wildlife conservation to various government agencies. The CZA has entrusted the Captive Breeding and Zoo Man-agement Cell of the Institute with two tasks. First, being the maintenance of a centralized database for threatened species in Indian Zoos. We have compiled studbooks of 18 species and have initiated studbooks for 16 more species. Second, to address the welfare concerns of animals in Indian zoos we assessed the housing and enclosure enrichment conditions in Indian zoos for 40 species. The paper discusses species specific best practices.


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26 | Biodiversity Conservation And Zoo Planning: Way forward in urban areas of India

Meenakshi Dhote

The Convention on Biological Diversity has em-phasised the need for conservation of Biodiver-sity in ex situ and in situ situations. The Biodi-versity Act 2002, National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan and India’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity has also brought forth the threats to biodiversity in vari-ous Biogeographic Zones of India. India hosted the Biodiversity Summit in 2012 and during the deliberations highlighted the role of Zoos in addressing Aichi Target 1 and 12, while contrib-uting towards urban biodiversity conservation. The paper outlines an approach for addressing the biodiversity conservation along with zoo planning in urban areas; also touching on the need to relate the provisions of earlier conven-tions with the present legal and policy issues.

Table of contentsPoster Presentations

1. Cesare Avesani Zaborra | Captive breeding and spec ies survival: Sarcogyps calvus at Parco Natura Viva

2. Chandan Bora | In situ and Ex situ Link-ages – Conserving Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros in Assam

3. B. C. Choudhury | Integrating ex situ, in situ and science in to India’s Journey in Conserva-tion Breeding Efforts.

4. Sandeep Goel | Testis Cryopreservation and Xenografting as an Aid to Conservation of Endangered Species

5. Umapathy Govindhaswamy | Biotechno-logical Interventions in Wildlife Conservation and Management – The LaCONES

6. Alankar K. Jha | Conservation Bredding of Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

7. Faiyaz A. Khudsar | Biodiversity Parks of Delhi: ex situ to in situ-a new approach for Biodiversity Conservation

8. Madelon Willemsen | Communic ating Climate Change to visitors – a component of Zoos & Aquariums for 350

9. Júlia Hanuliaková | Promoting Biodiversity through Zoological Design

10. Bishan Brij, K Bonal Gupta | Caring Abused And Orphaned Animals

11. Bishan Brij, K Bonal Gupta | Elephants in In-dian Zoos – As Care Centres

12. Ajay Gaur | Conservation Breeding ensures a high degree of genetic diversity in captive population of Indian mouse deer (Moschiola indica)

13. UN World Ocean Day: Winners of the first an-nual World Oceans Day Photo Contest


WAZA Congress Poster Presentations

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1 | Captive breeding and species survival: Sarcogyps calvus at Parco Natura Viva

Cesare Avesani Zaborra – Parco Natura Viva – Garda Zoological Park

Sarcogyps calvus is listed as “Critically Endan-gered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM due to an extremely rapid range and population decline in the recent past which is likely to continue into the near future. Follow-ing the hand-reared protocol, two chicks have been reared at Parco Natura Viva, one in 2013 and one in 2014 giving an important contribu-tion to the captive population of red-headed vulture. When a species is critically endangered, intensive efforts must be made both to ensure the survival of the remaining individuals in the wild and to maintain a healthy captive popula-tion.

2 | In situ and Ex situ Linkages – Conserving Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros in Assam

Chandan Bora

Assam has more than century old experience of Rhino conservation. At present Assam is having at least 2550 nos (as per census of 2013) indi-viduals & is showing an increasing trend since 1993. The Assam State Zoo is having the record of keeping the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoc-eros since 1957. The Assam State Zoo and the Centre for Rescue and Rehabilitation (CWRC) located in Panbari areas of Kaziranga National Park cater to the needs of rescue of stray and marooned rhinos from the notified protected areas of the state.

The Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 is a joint pro-gram of the Assam Forest Department, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and International Rhino Foundation (IRF) formulated by the “Task Force for Translocation of Rhinos within Assam” in November 2005. The aim was to work for the long-term conservation of the rhinos in the state through enhanced protection and range expansion and the vision set was “To have a rhino population of 3000 in the wild in Assam spreading over seven of its protected area by the year 2020”.

Since 2008 up to 2012, a total of 18 rhinos have been successfully translocated to Manas NP from Pobitora WLS and Kaziranga NP. The rhinos have adapted well in Manas and till date a total of 11 rhino births have been recorded in the park both to the translocated rhinos as well as to the 3 rhinos under the rehabilitation program. Some of the rescued Rhinos have been rehabilitated in Manas from the C. W. R. C as well.

The translocation program is conducted by a dedicated committee formed, “the Transloca-tion Core Committee (TCC)” and as per the various specialized activities to be carried out six sub-teams have been formed by the TCC (B. S. Bonal, Amit Sharma, et al, 2008). The Assam State Zoo has played a major role in the successful implementation of the rhino trans-location mostly in terms of the logistics and veterinary arrangements..

Through this paper, an attempt is made to pre-sent the experience gained by the Assam State Zoo in the rescue of rhinos and range expansion of rhinos in Assam.


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3 | Integrating ex situ, in situ and science in to India’s Journey in Conservation Breeding Efforts

B. C. Choudhury

In it’s post independence journey, India launched its first successful conservation breed-ing program targeted at the heavily depleted three species of crocodilians. Initiated im-mediately after the enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the project from late 1970 to late 1990 had successfully set up a network of ex situ crocodile breeding and rearing centres, a network of Protected Areas, a capacity building institute and a team of professional biologists which made it possible for sending back to the wild several thousand crocodilians. Several zoos in the country are now successfully breeding the crocodilians and taking up reintroduction programmes.

As a policy support, Conservation Breeding found its place in India’s first Wildlife Action Plan in 1983 but was given a direction after the creation of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in 1990. A list of species selected by the CZA were allocated to select group of zoos for co- ordi-nated conservation breeding. The prioritised species list of CZA now includes species ranging from amphibians to mammals. These efforts and other internationally collaborative projects had seen successful conservation breeding of species ranging from pygmy hog, snow leopard, red panda, Asiatic lion, vultures, mouse deer, sangai, pheasants and pangolin.

The way forward now is to consolidate con-servation breeding programmes in India by integrating ex situ, in situ and complimenting scientific inputs for which a range of profession-al institutions such as BNHS, CCMB. LACONE, WII, SACON, ZOO and WTI are available. India also boasts of a large number of IUCN-SSC spe-cialist group and CBSG group members whose expertise as well as that of the international zoo community can be brought in for a image changeover of the Indian Zoos. The zoos have been asked to formulate long term projects in the prescribed guidelines for financial support from CZA for biologists and veterinary assistant and keepers mainly. The experts working in in situ areas are also involved in this programme.

4 | Testis Cryopreservation and Xenografting as an Aid to Conservation of Endangered Species

Sandeep Goel

Death of neonatal and prepubertal males, from which mature gametes cannot be retrieved, leads to the loss of their valuable germplasm. Testis cryopreservation, when

combined with testis tissue xenografting, can prove to be a powerful method for conservation of germplasm of rare and endangered species. Our laboratory focuses on developing cryo-preservation methodologies and assaying their efficiency by cell and molecular methods includ-ing xenografting. We have shown that cryopre-served testis from endangered juvenile males can produce meiotic cells after xenografting cryopreserved testis into recipient nude mice. These findings are encouraging for developing testis tissue bank for several endangered spe-cies in zoos.


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5 | Biotechnological Interventions in Wildlife Conservation and Management – The LaCONES

Umapathy Govindhaswamy

Approximately one quarter of the world’s mam-mal species, one eighth of the birds and one third of the amphibians are considered to be threatened with extinction. About one thou-sand species have been listed critically endan-gered and these need immediate attention.

Conservation responses in the field can be di-rected towards habitats or localities or can work directly with species by management interven-tions (in situ) or captive breeding (ex situ). The Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) was established by the CSIR- CCMB in collaboration with the Central Zoo Authority of India, Department of Biotech-nology and Government of Andhra Pradesh to cater the needs for the conservation of endan-gered species in India. The scope of the La-CONES program is much wider in terms of the spectrum of technologies related to determina-tion of genetic polymorphism, development of assisted reproductive techniques, genome resource banking and disease diagnostics.

The major objectives of the laboratory include i). Monitoring of genetic variation by DNA fingerprinting, ii). Establishment of gene and cell banks by cryopreservation of semen, eggs, embryos and tissues of endangered species for future breeding purposes, including cloning; iii) Fertility analysis based on semen and hormonal profiles, iv). Artificial Insemination, In vitro ferti-lization (IVF), embryo transfer and cloning, vii). Disease monitoring using PCR based molecular markers. Significant achievements of LaCONES include i) development of molecular markers for genetic studies, wildlife forensics and disease diagnosis, ii) Live births of black‑ buck and spot-ted deer by assisted reproduction iii) Develop-ment of non-invasive techniques for estimation of tiger population based on DNA analysis of scat samples. Iv) Development of fecal steroid hormone analysis for fertility and pregnancy detection, iv) Development of protocols for preservation of gonads, etc.

6 | Conservation Breeding of Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

Alankar K. Jha

The Snow leopard (Uncia uncia, formerly Panthera uncia) inhabits the high, remote mountains of Central Asia, and has been listed in the Red Data Book as an endangered spe-cies throughout its range since 1972 (Goodwin and Holloway 1972). The Snow leopard meets criteria for endangered status under newly proposed cirteria (IUCN 1994).

The programme of ex situ conservation for Snow leopards in India had started prior to the In situ conservations. I n this regards, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park Society, dedi-cated the Conservation of Himalayan Wild Life, took a serious note of the present position of Himalayan Wild Life, particular on the rare spe-cies and examined possibilities of embarking upon a captive Breeding Programme pertaining to Snow leopard with the objective to estab-lish and maintain a breeding centre for Snow leopard at a suitable location in the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling and to acclimatise, rear, breed and multiply the endangered species and provide scope for research. The park is the only facility that has been successful in breeding the Snow leopards since the inception of the programme.

The present paper focuses on the Husbandry techniques, behaviour, environmental enrich-ment, diet, breeding biology and post breeding behaviour, health and veterinary implication of the Park towards successful captive breeding and thereafter its conservation.

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7 | Biodiversity Parks of Delhi: ex situ to in situ – a new approach for Biodiversity Conservation

Faiyaz A. Khudsar

Biodiversity is a part of sustainable life support-ing system upon which all life in the biosphere includes human depends. Urban centers cannot pursue or sustain economic activities without maintaining its biological resources that consti-tute the life support systems.

River Yamuna and Aravalli Mountains supported economic development in Delhi, as they provid-ed important ecological services and goods to the society. However, high biotic pressure has rendered these life support systems severely degraded which causes variety of threats on the survival of city.

In urban centers so far we have been looking at the possibility of ex situ conservation measures only. But Biodiversity Parks of Delhi is a new approach where it started with ex- situ conser-vation by establishing biotic communities but approaching towards in situ conservation by achieving the self sustaining biotic communities.

Biodiversity parks can be defined as the assem-blage of species in the form of biotic communi-ties belonging to a particular ecological range performs all necessary ecosystem functions and provide conservation, education and recrea-tional benefits to the cities.

Today, 8–10 years old Yamuna and Aravalli Biodiverity Parks harbour more than 2500 plant and animal species ecologically assembled into 50 self-sustaining communities and species richness and diversity are comparable to the natural forest ecosystems in the watershed of sub-Himalaya and Aravalli and attracts more than 15000 visitors from schools, colleges, civil societies and international organizations.

Biodiversity parks in an urban setup are very important not only for creating ecological cor-ridors but also play important role in mitigating climate change.

8 | Communicating Climate Change to visitors – a component of Zoos & Aquariums for 350

Madelon Willemsen

The zoo’s and aquaria are conservation organi-sations and excellent at educating their visi-tors on conservation. As a collective, we are currently watching the biggest opportunity, to educate and make the global community act on Climate Change, pass us by. Campaigns, such as EAZA’s and partners, Pole to Pole campaign, are extremely valuable, but as a global collec-tive, zoo’s and aquaria are so much stronger in impact and reach. The creative might of WPP have offered to deliver the creative concepts that bring the climate change and educational zoo messaging together in a simple, emotive, impactful manner. The idea will be a long-term solution that can be applied throughout the year and across a variety of channels. The idea will represent a WAZA global symbol and it’s af-filiates in saying to the public, we are taking the lead in this relevant issue.

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9 | Promoting Biodiversity through Zoological Design

Júlia Hanuliaková

This presentation will explore the many lever-age points during a typical zoological design process when an informed facilitation can make a difference for the sustainability of the zoo or aquarium’s populations: from select-ing species based on their threatened status, planning larger and more flexible habitats and back-of-house facilities, programming for animal welfare within natural groups, connect-ing with conservation projects, and planning for visitors’ engagement and the wow factor that comes from interacting with populations of animals. We will summarize resources and give a checklist for best practices and use examples of well-developed, population-friendly facilities from around the world.

10 | Caring Abused And Orphaned Animals

Bishan Brij K, Bonal Gupta

In 1998, the Government of India enforced a ban on performance/exhibition of 5 species of nonhuman animals: (a) lions, (b) tigers, (c) leopards, (d) bears, and (e) monkeys. The Ministry of Environment and Forests gave the responsibility to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for rehabilitation of these animals. Be-tween 1999 and 2005, the CZA created rescue centers for rehabilitation of lions and tigers in the off‑display areas of 5 zoos: (a) Bangalore, (b) Chennai, (c) Vishakhapatnam, (d) Tirupathi, (e) Jaipur, (f) Bhopal, and (g) South Khairabari. Today, the CZA has rehabilitated 314 lions and tigers from circuses. The CZA has been meeting the expenses toward maintenance (feeding of and providing health care for) of the animals, outsourcing of staff, and maintaining enclo-sures. The presentation focuses on the mam-moth work that the selected zoos had to carry out in rehabilitating the lions and tigers from the circuses.

11 | Elephants In Indian Zoos – As Care Centres

Bishan Brij K, Bonal Gupta

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had issued an advisory during November 2009 banning housing of elephants in Zoos on animal welfare grounds. In return several zoos had filed their application to exempt them from the advisory issued by CZA. On the initiatives taken by the CZA 30 nos. of elephants of 9 zoos out of 72 elephants in 21 zoos were rehabilitated from zoos to forest camps of Wildlife Sanctuaries and Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres where the elephants have follow to regimes as of followed by forest elephant housed at the camps. There have been mortality of 3 elephants also. To un-derstand the housing and upkeep of remaining elephants in zoos, an appraisal committee was constituted to carry out the evaluation of the elephant housing facilities in zoos.

The report submitted by the appraisal com-mittee was discussed with all stakeholders and recommendations against each zoo/elephant along with detailed guidelines for the upkeep of elephants in zoos were laid. The final decision was taken to retain the elephants 19 no. of zoos and function them as Life Time Care Centre for Elephants. No further breeding and acquisition of elephants is now permitted as such facilities.


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12 | Conservation Breeding ensures a high degree of genetic diversity in captive population of Indian mouse deer (Moschiola indica)

Ajay Gaur

Mouse deer or Chevrotains are a group of even-toed ungulates with a history dating back to the Miocene. They are considered as ‘Living fossils’ as they seem to have evolved very little from the early Artiodactyls like Diacodexus of the Miocene epoch to the present day Tragulids. They are not true deer but are of great impor-tance due to their Cervid as well as Bovid like characters. The Indian Mouse deer, Moschiola indica, is found to be a distinct genus from its counterparts and has been selected as an important species for Conservation Breeding program of the Central Zoo Authority. In the present study, genetic diversity in a captive population of Indian Mouse deer at the Hy-derabad Zoo was estimated using 12 polymor-phic nuclear microsatellite markers. High level of allelic diversity (0.625) was observed in this population, indicating importance of controlled breeding, for maintaining genetically healthy founders for future population management and reintroduction programs.

13 | Winners of the first annual World Oceans Day Photo Contest

• Above water seascapes by Mark A. Johnson from Australia

• Human interaction with the ocean by Ellen Cuylaerts from Belgium

• Underwater life by Alan Lo from Hong Kong• Underwater seascapes by

Ethan Daniels from the US• Youth photography by Svenja Nanfelt

from the US• And the Overall 2014 World Oceans Day

theme winner: Above Water seascapes by Jonas Thormar from Denmark


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Received Full WAZA Congress Contributions

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The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) – The One Plan Approach to Conservation in Action

R. Eric Miller, Saint Louis Zoo

The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) is a conservation consortium that supports con-servation at Betampona Natural Reserve and Parc Ivoloina, both near Tamatave, Madagascar. Its members include 24 zoos and aquariums, a university, and a botanical garden in 7 countries on 5 continents. Membership levels are Manag-ing ($10,000/year), Contributing ($5000/year), Supporting ($2500/year), and Friends of the MFG (<$2500/year). Commitments are request-ed for at least 3 years for, as elsewhere, the conservation needs are ongoing and long term.

The MFG was founded in 1988 by Charlie Welch and Andrea Katz in response to a request from the Malagasy government for assistance in protecting their biodiversity. Since Madagas-car is one of the world’s 10 poorest countries, has a booming population, and faces massive deforestation, the conservation needs of this biodiversity “hotspot” are immense. As noted above, the MFG focuses on: 1) Parc Ivoloina, a 4 hectare native fauna zoo, eco-agricultural station, botanical propagation center, training center, and an environmental education center, and 2) Betampona Natural Reserve, where it provides protection and carries out research in one of the most biodiverse remnants of Mada-gascar’s eastern lowland rainforest.

The MFG’s activities are integrated across vari-ous disciplines and at both sites are centered around four “pillars” of activity:

• Conservation Action• Capacity Building• Environmental Education• Conservation Research

Conservation Action: Conservation action takes many forms at both Parc Ivoloina and Betampona. At Parc Ivoloina, three priority lemur species are part of a breeding program that serves as a reservoir for global lemur populations. For example, exchanges of the greater bamboo lemurs, Prolemur simus, have taken place between Parc Ivoloina and Euro-pean zoos. The Zoo’s collection consists of 129 individual lemurs of 12 species, 50 of which are free-ranging. The Zoo also exhibits endemic amphibians and reptiles. The Ivoloina Forestry Station is working on sustainable agriculture, a tree nursery for endangered plant species, and restoration of a burnt parcel of land. The MFG is also part of an emergency conservation ac-tion to control the invasive toad, Duttaphrynus

melanostictus, in the Tamatave region. At Bet-ampona, the patrols of the park are supported by the MFG. Also, at Betampona, from 1997 to 2001, 13 captive‑bred black‑and‑white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegatas, were reintroduced. Some were predated, but several survived, and have genetically reinforced the wild population. Around Betampona, there is an active native tree planting program to restore the peripheral zone of vegetation.

Capacity Building: Capacity building includes the use of the Ivoloina Conservation and Training Center at Parc Ivoloina, a facility that includes a conference room, a dormitory that sleeps 32, dining hall and laboratory. Training in sustainable agriculture and agroforestry for lo-cal farmers and school children is carried out at Parc Ivoloina and in the villages around Betam-pona. A unique program to train Malagasy vet-erinarians in conservation medicine also exists.

Environmental Education: A newly renovated Environmental Education Center offers envi-ronmental classes for Malagasy students and trainings for their teachers. The community actively participates in several annual events, including World Environment Day. One program that was adopted by UNICEF and replicated at three other conservation sites in Madagascar is

“Saturday Schools.” When large numbers of vil-lage students were failing to pass the exam that would allow them to continue on in school, their parents asked MFG to help them improve. This school features “cram” courses in math, science and French and the pass rate for the area has gone from ~15% to 80+%.


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Conservation Research: MFG’s conservation research program is multifaceted. Long term mapping and meteorological data at Betam-pona allows for monitoring of climate change in a way few other places can. Plant research focuses on long term botanical plots and regeneration studies. Amphibian researchers have identified 30+ new species at Betampona. Mammalian research has focused on lemurs, particularly following the Varecia reintroduc-tions, and recently has begun studies on the impact of introduced carnivores and rodents on small mammals and endemic carnivores. Invasive plants, particularly guava and torch ginger, are a significant problem at Betampona. Mapping of their pattern and spread has been followed by research on how to best eradicate them. It looks like coppicing, repeated cutting of the plants, is the most effective and environ-mentally safe way to remove them. Recently, a One Health project surveyed the health of the people living around Betampona and studied their consumption of bush meat (which fortu-nately was relatively low), and a program is un-derway to evaluate the health of the Reserve’s small mammals.

In summary, the MFG offers a holistic ap-proach to protecting and studying an extremely biodiverse portion of Madagascar, which is an extremely biodiverse country. The support of zoos and botanical gardens allows this program to perform an immense amount of research, habitat protection, education and community development in an integrated manner. The MFG always welcomes new members and partners and the contact information is listed below.

A special thank you to Maya Moore, MFG Program Director in Madagascar, Dr. Karen Freeman, MFG Research Director, and Ingrid Porton, MFG Vice-President for Research and Conservation for supplying materials for this presentation.

Contact Information

• www.madagascarfaunaflora.org• [email protected]• Facebook: MadagascarFaunaGroup• Twitter: MFG@MadaFaunaFlora


How Zoo Exhibit Design is Fighting the Extinction of Species

Kevin Tanner, Melbourne Zoo

It’s important for all good zoos and aquariums to consider how exhibit design at their facility is contributing to Biodiversity Conservation, or more simply, how a visit to your zoo or aquari-um can contribute to Fighting the Extinction of species.

Orange Bellied Parrot

This is what good exhibit design looks like for the survival of species. The image shows an Orange Bellied parrot endemic to the southern part of Australia. There are fewer than 50 ani-mals left in the wild, and unless something sub-stantial happens they will be extinct in 5 years. So how can exhibit design save this species?

http://www.madagascarfaunaflora.org/

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/MadagascarFaunaGroup

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In the middle of last century we changed our exhibit design to reflect our changing attitudes towards animals and started to design exhibits that had more sympathy towards the animals we had on display. An acceptable name for this style is Biocentric Exhibitory, where biology or in a zoo context, the animal, is the centre of thought. We saw exhibits with natural sub-strates, natural groupings and a substantial growth in the field of animal health and research.

It was also around this period that there was a flourish of ‘Safari Parks’, and ‘Open Range Zoos’, where animals roamed in multi species environ-ments in naturalistic habitats and humans were the ‘caged animals’. The Biocentric Exhibitory period also saw a great advance in the role zoos played in our community and the formal Zoo Education movement commenced in many zoos around the world. My own zoo, Melbourne Zoo established a formal Education service in 1969. I think the International Zoo Educators as-sociation had its genesis around this time with its first official meeting at Frankfurt Zoo in 1972.

Biocentric Exhibit

I joined the Zoo family just when we were dis-cussing building exhibits that closely resembled the animal’s natural habitat, and I think one or two of the leaders in this thinking are at the conference this week. Biogeographic Exhibi‑tory progressed our concept of how good zoos should display animals in natural groupings in naturalistic surroundings that enhanced the visitor experience. We designed and built rain-forests, wetlands, deserts and forests for our animals and visitors. Conservation was a major part of the mission statements of many zoos, in particular our involvement in Field or Wildlife Conservation

In a similar theme, Bioclimatic Exhibitory displayed animals and plants as a sub-set of their geographical area by choosing a particular habitat based on the climatic conditions. The Tropical rainforests, the Australian Outback and the Coral Reef.

However, the most recent approach to zoo and aquarium design, called Immersion Exhibitory, arose from the early naturalistic traditions of Hagenbeck and Akeley and was carried forward by designers such as Hancocks, Bernard Har-rison, Jon Coe and Bec Hanson to name a few leading designers in the zoo world. Immersion Exhibitory showcases naturalistic environments that give visitors the sense they’re actually in the animals’ habitats.

Tigers in Immersion Exhibit

Immersion Exhibitory also includes the human cultural element as part of the natural world. By recreating sights, smells and sounds from natural environments, immersion exhibits provide an indication about how animals and humans live harmoniously in the wild. These exhibits are now ‘Experiences’ where we walk through a Thai Rainforest, hear music, see rice fields destroyed by wild elephants, enter village meeting places, and pause to peek at elephants walking through the forest.


Anthropocentric Exhibitory

Unfortunately this is what zoo exhibit design used to look like, and it certainly wasn’t for the purpose of saving species. I have termed this style of exhibitory as, Anthropocentric Exhibi‑tory – where the exhibit was built for the main purpose of humans. To make it easier to see the animal, to feed them, and to clean the exhibit. Bars and concrete were the dominant materials used in Anthropocentric Exhibitory and we had a preference of organising animals into taxo-nomic groups to see different varieties.

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This period of zoo and aquarium development coincided with the launch of WAZA’s seminal conservation document – ‘Building a Future for Wildlife’ (WAZA 2005) and stated that zoos and aquariums have an opportunity to be models of Integrated Conservation, where conservation work is not only done in the field but inside your zoo. This was the first time that we thought that we could do conservation work through our zoos.

Lions and kids sharing an experience

When designing a new exhibit at Melbourne Zoo recently we discussed all these develop-ments, including new ideas of ‘Activity-Based Design’ which was a support for Animal Enrich-ment; and Jon Coe’s ‘Rotation Design’ (1997) which blends Animal Welfare needs and Visitor impact.

But we wanted to think about how an animal ex-hibit could promote our major reason for being a zoo. We agreed that Zoo Exhibitory must reflect the Strategic Direction of the organisation.

The Strategic Direction for Zoos Victoria, (2009) which includes Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo, is to be recognised as a World Leading Zoo-Based Conservation Organisation. With a commit-ment to Fighting the Extinction of species in our region.

In the 2005 World Zoo and Aquarium Conserva-tion Strategy I mentioned previously it clearly stated that zoos and aquariums must focus their attention on conservation in the field, Wildlife Conservation and in the zoo, Community Con-servation.

So what is the next generation of Zoo and Aquarium Exhibitory? Exhibits that keep all of the positive elements of previous exhibit designs: and according to WZACS (WAZA 2005)

“excite and inspire the visiting public whilst con-tinually reviewing and improving the welfare of captive animals”; and build experiences that connect humans with wildlife so that we help save animals in the wild.

At Melbourne Zoo we have tried to draw a direct connection between a visit to our zoo and making animals safe in the wild. It’s a difficult and thought provoking experience. Because when you consider it – there is no better reason for the existence of zoos and aquariums world-wide, that we directly contribute to animals safe in the wild.


Melbourne Zoo contributing to “Animals Safe in the Wild”

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Zoos contributing to Animals Safe in the Wild

To secure animals safe in the wild, in general we need to tackle 3 areas:

1. We need to provide secure habitat for the animals to return to. Few zoos have tackled this massive problem to date, but there are some who have been actively working with all levels of government and NGO’s to find solutions to this problem

2. We need to provide more of these threat-ened animals to release back to the wild. Zoos have been very good at caring for animals and breeding small populations for many years, and during this time we have had a few significant successes of animals released back to the wild.

3. Zoos and aquariums are also very good at providing a wonderful time for our visi-tors when they visit. But to make sure that animals are safe in the wild the threatening process that drives the species to extinc-tion in the first place must be lessened or removed. This is an area where we have had very few successes.

In Australia some zoos have had reasonable suc-cess in inspiring our visitors to take community conservation action on behalf of wildlife, but this is still a growing discipline. We need to get better at the two bottom boxes. My thinking is that we need to plan and provide Profound Ex-periences that Connect visitors with wildlife and wild places that will lead to their commitment to make animals safe in the wild.

Connection Exhibitory, that is, designing and building exhibits that strongly connect visitors with wildlife, is the conduit to these Profound Personal Experiences. It’s creating the ‘Oh My God’ phone call experience. The experience does not need to be your own – it can be some-one close to you. Social science research has shown that having had a powerful and unique experience opens us up to an intention to act. Whether it is to stop smoking; put car seatbelts on; or donate to a welfare organisation.

Our zoos must provide innovative, profound and powerful connections between our visitors and wildlife through exhibit design that can in-spire and facilitate visitors to take conservation actions that make a measurable and positive difference. In other words we can design and construct exhibits that CONNECT animals and visitors; provide UNDERSTANDINGS that sup-port conservation; and provide opportunities to take immediate ACTION on behalf of wildlife and wild places.

Here are some examples of how we have achieved this outcome at Zoos Victoria.

Gorilla Conservation action

Lemur Island is the newest exhibit at Melbourne Zoo. It is the gateway to a larger precinct – Go-rilla Rainforest. The entire journey has been planned to draw a link between a visitor to the zoo and helping to keep Lowland Gorilla safe in the wild. We have created powerful visitor expe-riences and close encounters with the animals (Connect), immediately followed by interpretive elements that reinforce the message of remov-ing threatening processes that are threaten-ing gorillas (Understand). Finally with support from social science research we have included simple and easy ways to take personal action that directly relates to saving gorillas in the wild. Recycle old mobile phones (Act). The Connect/Understand/Act model of community conserva-tion has been operating for a couple of years and has contributed over $200,000 to the Jane Goodall Institute directly from our visitors. This has been used to outfit local rangers that patrol the Park in the DCR.


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Wild Sea Conservation action

In another example. The Wild Sea Exhibition starts with powerful connections between visi-tors and animals, builds understandings that lead to immediate and measurable community actions. In 12 months over 272 kilometers of dis-carded fishing line has been recycled, but more importantly 60 community groups have now become involved to take over the program

Building exhibits that encourage community conservation actions are not difficult when the action is not too burdensome – recycling a disused mobile phone and sending an email are vitally important but do not create great conflict in our visitors. They understand that it is something good to do. What happens if the conservation action conflicts with the visitor’s personal values?

I started this paper with an image of the criti-cally endangered Orange-bellied Parrot, with fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild. This further image is an Eastern Barred bandicoot, classified as extinct in the wild within its range in Victoria.

Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Zoos Victoria has committed to stopping 20 local vertebrate species from going extinct – however we are passionate about ensuring that one of these species is taken off the Threatened species list and is ‘Safe in the Wild’. That species is the EBB.

Only one species has stepped back from extinc-tion in Australia since white settlement and that’s the Estuarine Crocodile, and this was ac-complished mainly for commercial reasons.

Reviewing my earlier image of how a visit to your zoo can contribute to making animals safe in the wild. How can we save the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (EBB)?

• We have successfully bred hundreds of EBB’s at our zoos for many years

• We have ensured that they are fit for release• We have released waves of healthy young• We have, along with Recovery Groups and the

Victorian State government, secured suitable habitat for release

But they are still threatened in the wild, be-cause what no-one has been able to do is to reduce or remove the threating process that is killing EBBs in the first place – introduced foxes and in particular cats

According to recent research (2014/15) feral cats alone kill 75 million native animals EVERY NIGHT in Australia. That does not include those killed by domestic cats and un-homed cats in urban areas. Our challenge to save the EBB is to make Australia feral cat free and ensure that every person who owns a cat in our country becomes a responsible cat owner

This is a huge challenge, but it’s a challenge we must adopt if we are to save the EBB. It’s some-thing all good zoos and aquariums in Australia and New Zealand are currently discussing. If we tackle the difficult conversations around problem cats with our visitors then we can truly draw a direct link between a visit to our zoo and aquarium and keeping animals safe in the wild

References

• Coe, Jon. C. 1997 ‘Entertaining Zoo Visitors and Zoo Animals: An Integrated Approach’. Origi-nally prepared for the 1997 AZA Conference

• Copley, Martin. AM. 2014. ‘Leading the fight against Feral Cats’. Wildlife Matters Summer 2014/15

• WAZA (2005): Building a Future for Wildlife – The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy

• Zoos Victoria 2009. ‘Making the Transformation to a Zoo‑Based Conservation Organisation’. Zoos Victoria Strategic Plan 2009–2029.

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The Role of Wildlife Reserves Singapore in the Conservation and Enhancement of Biodiversity in the City State

Wen‑Haur Cheng – Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Abstract

Singapore is one of the most urbanised and densely populated countries in the world. De-spite the passing of many species of megafauna in the making of this bustling modern metropo-lis, there remains an amazing biodiversity on the island. WRS contributes to the conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity in Singapore by funding local biodiversity conservation and research projects including the critically endan-gered Singapore Fresh Water Crab (among the 100 most critically endangered species in the world); breeding and releasing formerly extinct species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill; taking part in the rehabilitation of rescued local wildlife such as the pangolins; conducting outreach and education programmes; serving as a local biodi-versity hotspot; and working hand in hand with partners including national authorities, academ-ic institutions, nature societies and NGOs.

Introduction

Wildlife Reserves Singapore operates four wildlife attractions, namely Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari. These parks started operations in 1971, 1973, 1994 and 2013 respectively. Since the mid-2000s WRS parks have not been receiving public fund-ing from the government and the company has been financially self‑reliant since.

Conserving the Least of the Wild

Biogeographically Singapore is situated in the biodiversity hotspot of the Sundaic region. Physically Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of just over 700 km2. It has had human habitation for thousands of years but intensive growth started only after 1819 post Raffles’ founding of the island as a trading post for the British East India Company. With the current human popula-tion at 5million and growing, it is one of the most densely populated places in the world.

95% of Singapore’s forests have been cleared with only 24 km2 of rainforest left, of which less than 10% are primary forests. It is estimated that 1/3 of recorded species on the island have gone extinct. The last of the mega-carnivore the Malayan tiger was shot dead in 1930. As a reflection of the threats faced by the local biodiversity, many of the still relatively com-mon species in the surrounding countries are considered threatened in Singapore as assessed by the Singapore Red Data Book. Despite all these the tiny island nation still hosts ~40,000 species of animals and some species are found nowhere else.

In a recent article Dr Cristian Samper, CEO of Wildlife Conservation Society highlighted that with the increasing urbanisation of the world and the great loss of biodiversity, the conserva-tion of biodiversity in urban centres, which he terms “the least of the wild” is as important as conserving the last remaining wilderness in the world, or “the last of the wild”. Dr Samper argues that “cities are both incubators for inno-vative technologies and provide a constituency for conservation that is critical to the passage of laws and regulations at the local, state and federal level that protect natural resources both near and far.”

In my view conserving the remaining biodiver-sity of Singapore is as much for the animals and plants as for the Singaporeans. In the end it is really about cultivating the value of caring and respect for nature among Singaporeans and develop among the people a sense of pride and ownership for our natural heritage. There should be a sense that, “it may not be much, but it is ours.”

WRS’ Contribution to Local Biodiversity Conservation

• WRS contributes to local biodiversity conser-vation by

• funding local biodiversity conservation and research projects

• rehabilitation, breeding and releasing of res-cued local wildlife

• community outreach and education pro-grammes

• serving as a local biodiversity hotspot• partnering national authorities, academic

institutions, nature societies and NGOs


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Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund

WRSCF is a charity and an institution of public character (IPC) set up in 2009 with the primary purpose of conserving native wildlife. The fund is made up of donations and part of the internal proceeds of park operations. It is managed by an independent Board of Trustees with advice from a Scientific Specialist Panel. It funds local conservation related scientific research, conser-vation field work, education and public outreach campaigns, human animal conflict resolutions and capacity building programs.

Since its inception WRSCF has supported pro-jects that include,

• Effects of habitat disturbance on canopy amphibians and reptiles in Southeast Asia (2010–2013)

• Population monitoring and feeding analy-sis of the banded leaf monkey in Singapore (2010–2011)

• The ecology and conservation of Leopard Cats in Singapore (2010–2012)

• Biodiversity of vertebrate scavengers in Singapore: implications on conservation and nutrient cycling (2010–2013)

• Enhancing wildlife habitats and accelerat-ing forest recovery in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (2011–2013)

Current ongoing projects supported by WRSCF are:

• Evaluating the Success of Coral Reef Restora-tion in Singapore

• Saving the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis) from extinction

• Spatial Ecology of the Reticulated Python (Broghammerus reticulatus) in Urban Singapore

• Long Term Viability of Four Species of Bab-blers of Singapore

• The Urban ecology of Bats in Singapore: Un-derstanding the human-wildlife interface

• Habitat Enrichment for Tropical Butterflies in Forest and Urban Landscapes

• Enhancing wildlife habitats and accelerat-ing forest recovery in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (2011–2013)

Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis)

One of the species WRS is trying to save from impending extinction is the Singapore Freshwa-ter Crab. It is endemic to Singapore; discovered, described and named by a Singaporean for Sin-gapore. While undoubtedly uniquely Singapore-an it is also assessed to be Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. It grows to only 3cm in size across the carapace. Its native habitat is the hill streams of Singapore and is known only from very small populations in a few streamlets in the nature reserve. It performs the important ecosystem functions in nutrient recycling for hill streams and acts as an indicator of pollution and climate change.

The causes of its decline are thought to be changes to its habitat brought on by factors which include loss of forest cover, pollution, water acidification, lowering of water table and reduced stream flow.

To help save the freshwater crab, WRS funded and co-organised the Roundtable on Freshwa-ter Crab Conservation in Mar 2014 with partici-pation from global specialists who included Dr Neil Cumberlidge, Chair of the IUCN SSC Fresh-water Crab and Crayfish Specialist Group; local experts (from the Singapore National University, including Prof Peter Ng, the discoverer of the crab); German hobbyists in freshwater crab cap-tive care as well as key national authorities such as National Parks Board (NParks), Ministry of Defence and Singapore Land Authority.

Following the roundtable a Conservation Action Strategy for the Freshwater Crab was published to guide the multi-partner approach on the conservation of the species. A local Freshwater Crab Conservation Working Group was created to coordinate and implement the conservation efforts. These efforts include funding the ongo-ing ecological research, conducting outreach programs to raise public awareness as well as setting up a captive colony at River Safari.

Sunda Pangolin (Mani javanica)

The Critically Endangered Sunda Pangolin is another species WRS works on. Globally its sur-vival is threatened by widespread illegal trade on an industrial and unsustainable scale to meet East Asian consumption demands. In Singapore the species faces dwindling habitats, habitat fragmentation and road traffic accidents.


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WRS co-organised and hosted two Pangolin Workshops in 2008 and 2013. At the local level WRS provides rehabilitation services for res-cued, injured and displaced pangolins. We work with the National Parks Board on the release of rehabilitated animals. Those that are not suitable for release are kept in Night Safari for captive breeding and husbandry research as well as for public education and visitor engage-ment purposes. Achievements to-date include formulation of artificial diet, drafting of hus-bandry manual, and the first record of captive breeding for the species.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

While relatively common in neighbouring countries, the Oriental Pied Hornbill was last observed in Singapore in 1855 by none other than Alfred Russell Wallace, the co-discoverer of the theory of evolution. In 1994 a wild pair was sighted on one of Singapore’s offshore islands. A collaborative research, captive breeding and release programme was initiated between the National Parks Board (NParks) and Jurong Bird Park to help boost the numbers of these ‘return-ing Singaporeans’ in the wild. As of 2014 there are no fewer than 100 Oriental Pied Hornbills in Singapore and the local population is deemed to be stable.

In 2013 three dislodged eggs were collected by NParks from the wild and were successfully artificially incubated by WRS. In exchange three captive bred offspring from the Bird Park were released to augment genetic diversity of the wild population. This effort was highlighted by the Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong in his Facebook page. While a relatively small win in terms of conservation hopefully

this attention and praise by the country’s leader will help to spur more Singaporeans to value our native biodiversity, and to regard the protec-tion and conservation of native biodiversity as a worthy endeavour.

Human/Wildlife Conflict

Apart from saving the locally threatened species WRS also works closely with national authori-ties in ameliorating issues arisen as a result of wildlife coming into contact with the human population. Most of the human/animal conflict cases in Singapore are in the nuisance category and involved species that thrive in the proxim-ity of human habitation. The most common of these are the long-tailed macaque, com-mon palm civet and reticulated python. WRS conducts and supports ecological studies and provides expert advice to help policy makers formulate informed decisions in the manage-ment of these species. Multi-agency specialist working groups exist to help in the manage-ment of key conflict species and WRS plays a key role in these working groups.

WRS also provides ongoing rehabilitation and release services for many of the conflict ani-mals. Outreach and education programmes are another important initiative that WRS undertake to communicate to the public to be more toler-ant and learn to co-exist with the native wildlife. A Singapore Snake Identification App (available on IOS as well as Android) was created in 2013 to this end. In addition WRS plays a leading role in capacity building and training in the proper han-dling and management of wildlife related cases, ranging from professional talks for medical prac-titioners in the management of snake bites and zoonoses; to training safe and humane handling and capture of selected wildlife species.

Illegal and Unwanted Exotic Pets

WRS supports our national authority by receiving many unwanted and illegal exotic pets including many species of invertebrates; reptiles including red-eared slider, star tortoise, pig-nosed turtle; mammals such as sugar glider; and tropical fishes. These species are assessed and where feasible (rarely) are repatriated back to the country of origin, but in most cases are either absorbed into our collection or disposed of humanely. This service, in conjuction with public education programmes, help to prevent illegal release of exotic species into the native habitats that would lead to invasive species problems.

Sanctuary for Native Wildlife

The grounds of WRS parks collectively provide a safe haven for many species of local wildlife. Ongoing surveys over the years have confirmed many species across taxa that are relatively rare in other areas can still be found on WRS grounds. Examples include Singapore Zoo ground being recognised as the only breeding site for the Purple Heron in Singapore, as well as home to 6 locally threatened bird spe-cies. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are also well‑known among local wildlife aficionados as the places to observe and photograph wild Sunda Flying Lemur or Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus), an oddball gliding mammal.

While protection from harassment is a key fac-tor that many local species thrive in our parks, the provision of ample food supply in the plant-ing of many species of food plants such as nec-tar producing flowers for sunbirds, and browse trees for the Colugo, is also an important factor.

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Another factor is the preservation of many and varied microhabitats. An example is the existence of a forest stream in Night Safari that is home to two endemic species of fresh-water crabs (not the critically endangered J.singaporensis) and recent survey discovered that silting has threatened the integrity of the stream. Since then an ongoing maintenance and monitoring program has been instituted to ensure the stream remain healthy and function-al to continue support the local aquatic fauna.

Going Forward

As the world population trend is set to become even more urbanised, it is hoped that the efforts by WRS to help conserve our local biodiversity in the city state may be useful as a model as more and more of the world are becoming “the least of the wild”.

WRS will continue to work collaboratively with our partners in the academia, government authorities, NGOs, local and foreign experts to help conserve what we have left. Going forward WRS aims to start work on species that tend to do less well with human encroachment and to explore other approaches including conserva-tion genetics.

Why Do We Do What We Do? Animal Welfare and Biodiversity Conservation: Two Sides of a Coin?

Bernard Harrison

Why Do We Do What We Do?

We are the supreme species on earth but have not yet learnt how to rule with justice and com-passion. For we still subjugate members of our own kind and treat the other 16 million species on earth with utter contempt.

This paper addresses the ethics of the way we treat animals and tries to understand why we are so cruel and callous, exploring the following possibilities:

1. Is it because we evolved into carnivores – but have not yet evolved the mentality to respect our prey?

2. If socially we had developed more like bono-bos than chimpanzees, would we be less cruel?

3. Could it be that we have developed war and are one of the few species that kill our own kind?

4. Was it civilization that made us immune to cruelty?

5. But shouldn’t our conscience prevent us from such cruelty?

6. Perhaps it was religion, especially Christian doctrine, which gave us the right ‘to do as we will’ with animals?

7. Or perhaps it was European philosophers who impacted the way we think of animals?

8. Now that modern science has established that many animals possess consciousness, cognition and feel pain – how can society rectify the situation?

9. And the final ethical enigma – how does our conscience handle conservation breeding projects with slaughter as an end product?

What We Do to Our Own Kind

Slavery

Until recently slavery in the western world way considered not only an acceptable practice, but condoned by the church itself. Even to this day, according to the International Labour Organi-zation, 20.9 million men, women and children around the world are in slavery.

In 1888, after all countries other than the Vatican State, had abandoned the practice of slavery, Pope Leo XIII condemned slavery in general terms. In 1918 a new Code of Canon Law promulgated by Pope Benedictus XV con-demned ‘selling any person as a slave’. However, there was still no condemnation of slave own-ing, only of slave trading. It was only in 1965, that the Second Vatican Council finally gave up on slavery, denouncing all violations of human integrity.

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Picture 1. A donkey with overload

We are anthropocentric and treat animals and plants in a totally utilitarian manner, as they have no intrinsic value to us. They are only tar-gets of protection if they are useful to us: as a resource, as source of aesthetic delight or form of recreation.

We slaughter and eat an estimated 56 billion land animals (and probably an equal number of aquatic animals), amounting to some 300 billion kgs of meat each year.

However there is a major disparity as to who eats the meat. The chart below is selected from countries listed in the FAO World Food Report 2009. The world average is about 39kgs of meat per head, the consumption in predominately Christian USA with 125.5kg predominately, predominately Muslim Saudi Arabia with 52.3kg, predominately Buddhist Thailand with 28kg and predominately Hindu India with 3.2kg.

Ran

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Bee

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Pork

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Mut

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2 USA 42.1 30.3 51.8 0.5 0.7 125.4

68 Saudi Arabia 5.9 na 39.3 5.4 1.7 52.3

96 World Average 9.5 14.9 12.5 1.9 0.0 38.7

113 Thailand 4.3 12.8 10.8 0.0 na 28.0

177 India 1.5 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.1 3.2

NB. It should be noted that these figures ex-clude aquatic meat.

Meat consumption does not necessarily increas-es with a higher standard of living, religion play-ing a serious part in this equation. There is surely some correlation between the amount of meat we consume and our attitudes to animal life.

The way we raise and slaughter these animals in modern factory farming is totally callous, mainly driven by large agri-food conglomera-tions that treat animals as commodities with little sensitivity for their welfare.

Animal Exploitation in World

Animal Testing: Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industry

We also abuse animals in the pharmaceuti-cal and cosmetic industry and with animals in scientific research, the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection estimates that 100 mil-lion vertebrates are experimented on around the world every year. We keep animals in dingy and horrific conditions in many of the probably 10,000 zoos around the world, of which only 1,300 are linked to WAZA and thus follow some kind of ethical and animal welfare code.


Tibet retained serfdom until 1959, when it was annexed by China and the Dalai Lama fled to India.

Human trafficking and prostitution are still rife. According to U. N. estimates, approximately 2.5 million people are being trafficked around the world at any given time, 80% of them women and children. Conservative estimates suggest that the sex industry generates some $32 billion annually.

Women

We treat our women as second-class citizens; the west leading in reforms through the British led Suffragette movement, which finally led to women the right to vote only in 1928.

The six countries where women have the least rights are Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nepal, Sudan and Mali.

It is estimated that 125 million women and girls in those countries are affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) primarily in African countries and of which 20% are in Egypt.

What We Do to Other Species

If we do this to our own kind, it is little wonder that we treat animals with such callousness and contempt.

Modern man treats animals in a brutish man-ner, without concern for their feelings, often unaware that many possess feelings and a con-sciousness. Animals are totally subservient to us and they are there purely for our use.

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We Became More Carnivorous?

Could it be that our hunter and carnivorous tendencies have changed the way we relate to other the species on earth?

Our Recent Evolution from Vegetarians to Carnivores

It appears the 7 million years ago, all apes shared a common ancestor – Toumai, from East Africa, a forest dwelling vegetarian much like gorillas are today. Some 3.5 million year old Australopithecus appears to be the ancestor of true hominids.

It is postulated that climate change, some 2 mil-lion years ago, dried the forests of East Africa into savannas, forcing Homo erectus to change from a vegetarian to a hunter-gatherer.

The lack of body hair and presence of sweat glands allow the hunter to chase and out run his prey in the heat of the day.

One great advancement was our ability to cre-ate and use fire for cooking meat, warmth and to scare away potential predators. Cooked meat is much easier to chew and digest, thus fire unlocked this new food source.

The Out of Africa Theory begins with the erup-tion of Super Volcano Toba about 70,000 years ago. Because of volcanic wintering lasting several years, the human species was reduced to a handful of individuals in East Africa. The Khoe-San is the oldest existing human group in the world based, on mitochondrial DNA studies and were probably the original Eve and Adam.

Their descendants migrated all over the world and apparently eradicated, (directly through consumption or indirectly through competition) most of the land based mega-fauna (save Africa, where we originated) around the world.

And our yearn for meat has not waned much over the years as we now focus our attention on eating our way through the world’s ma-rine-based maga-vertebrates.

We evolved from being almost exclusively veg-etarian (probably pure folivores or partly frugi-vores) to having a major diet of meat (faunivores) about 2 million years ago. The length of our small intestine (for meat digestion) being much longer than chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang utans and our colon, which is used for fermenta-tion of plant material, comparatively short.

Our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bono-bos, do take some meat in their primarily vegetarian diet.

Picture 2: Male chimpanzee, with rib case of a red colobus | Photo by Cristina M. Gomes

Yet unlike other carnivores, we are not equipped with the claws, powerful jaws and large canines to kill efficiently, effectively and quickly. Our prey often suffers, because we are clumsy in despatching the final deathblow.

Early hunter-gatherers killed and ate all species of wild animals for there were no domestic animals as yet. So it is not really surprising that we still have a taste for wild animals.

Culinary skills developed and various wild ani-mals were sought for the dishes. The Romans certainly enjoyed flamingoes, ostrich and dormice at banquets. Often the animals used in the Coliseum were cooked and eaten. However these were for banquets of the rich rather than every day fare. Chinese and French chefs de-veloped dishes using wild animals ranging from deer, wild boar, hares, partridges, and pigeon to sea cucumbers, sharks fins and bears paws.

Today, at the Carnivore Restaurant chain in Kenya and South Africa, one can find giraffe, crocodile, kudu, ostrich, springbok, impala, warthog, wildebeest, hippopotamus and zebra on the buffet menu.

The bush meat trade which flourishes today in Africa for chimpanzees and gorillas amongst many other species and to a lesser extent in Asia for orang utans and gibbons, still under-scores our panache for wild animals.

Chinese medicine also uses a range of wild ani-mal parts such as rhinoceros horn and bear bile.

Modern man has now become far removed from the hunting or the raising and killing pro-cess. We have domesticated animals, primarily for our meat consumption, specialists slaugh-ter these animals and process them into neat, pieces of pork and beef. The thought of slaugh-tering an animal to eat is almost repulsive for many people today.


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Could our callousness and cruelty towards animals be a product of our hunter instincts, having at best, a utilitarian attitude towards animals, coupled with a detachment from the raising and killing process?

The Third Chimpanzee?

There are great similarities in chimpanzees, bonobos and humans: we share 98.7% of the same genetic material. DNA sequences in hu-mans diverged from bonobos and chimpanzees, between 7 to 5 million years ago, while bonobos and chimpanzees diverged from each other about 2 million years ago.

The main difference between humans and chim-panzees/bonobos is that human chromosome 2 is fused together, thus we have 23 pairs of chro-mosomes compared to chimpanzees, bonobos and other great apes, which have 24 pairs.

Although extremely similar, chimpanzees and bonobos followed two very different paths in their social behaviour. Chimpanzees have a very male dominated, strict hierarchical, social sys-tem. They use power to resolve questions of sex. Beta males form alliances to overthrow leaders. Conversely, bonobos use sex to resolve ques-tions of power. They have a female dominated society, thus male aggression is greatly reduced.

If we had remained vegetarian and followed a socially path similar to the bonobo, instead of the chimpanzee, would we treat each other and animals any differently today?

We Developed War?

Some 10,000 years ago we settled down in villages and towns, becoming depended more on agriculture than hunting, for our basic nutrition. (It is interesting to note that modern hunter-gatherers still obtain 50% of their nutri-tion from hunting.) During our ‘civilization’ a period of psycho-cultural evolution, we devel-oped many characteristic of social living such as writing (the accompanying accumulation of knowledge), speech and conceptual thought.

Surplus food allowed for specialization. We shifted from an egalitarian social structure, as is still the case with true modern hunter-gatherers, to create specialists: farmers, butchers, artisans, artists and soldiers.

The accumulation of objects and wealth led to territoriality. We developed armies to defend us. We needed priests and kings to lead us, and who in turn, subjugated us. Soldiers enforce the noblemen’s wishes and armies waged war against neighboring city-states.

There is a great difference between violence and war. Modern hunter-gatherers and chim-panzees are known to engage in violent, group-level encounters. For males are biologi-cally programmed to fight over resources, thus innate appeasement gestures have been devel-oped to allow the looser to survive.

War is not based on emotion and its subsequent violence, but rather is structured and premedi-tated, requiring resources and logistics. There are fewer appeasement gestures in modern warfare as often one cannot see the face of the enemy and the commanders are not at the frontline.

Ants are the only other species, beside man, to engage in war – being social and having the population size. However ant war is instinctive while human war is premeditated.

Could it have been the development of war, the calculated violence, that made us the way we treat other men and animals?

We Developed a Conscience?

During this period of psycho-cultural evolution we also developed a conscience, which allows us to make moral judgments, to differentiate: right from wrong; good from evil; and under-stand the concept of justice.

Moral judgment is derived from our values or norms and leads to feelings of remorse when we commit actions that go against our moral values.

We are probably the only species on earth with a conscience, an ability to be retrospective and understand the consequences of our actions. Although the conscience appears to be innately inherited, it is honed by those who are close to us: our parents, teachers and peer groups – as role models.

For we are only as good or as bad as the society in which we live.

Picture 3. If you parents are cannibals, eating people is OK


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Peter Singer1 in his book the Expanding Circle postulates that altruism began as a genetically based drive to protect one’s kin and community members but has developed into a consciously chosen ethic with an expanding circle of moral concern.

Our conscience allows us to understand the consequences of our actions. It is a judgment that assists in distinguishing right from wrong. Yet why do we not use it collectively, in the way we treat animals?

The Effects of Civilization

There were great psycho-cultural changes associated with our shift from living as hunt-er‑gatherers (with a group size of about 50) where everyone one knows each other, to living in a large village, town or city, where one only knows a circle of family and friends. This imper-sonality leads to crime and violence.

A noble-class of feudal lords emerged extract-ing work and rent out of the surfs working for them, through fear. Various forms of torture were devised to ensure compliance; crucifixion was a preferred form of punishment for death as it is long, drawn out and public. The stocks were for a non-fatal, but a good form of public punishment.

However there were a range of other devices developed for all occasions, such as the rack for extracting confessions and ducking stools for revealing witches.

Man became accustomed and hardened to violence. Life was cheap and animal life was cheaper. Cruelty was a source of entertainment with public floggings, torture and cat burning.

A range of blood sports emerged, from dog and cock fighting to bear and bull bating. Gladi-atorial contests to the death were favoured, especially in Imperial Rome, using slaves or other sub-humans pitted against each other, or against wild animals.

Picture 4: Bear batting in Pakistan

Interestingly the USA psychologist Steven Pinker2 argues that there has been a surprising decline in violence over the centuries to modern times. The punishments for petty crimes in medieval times were far more severe than now, there being the death penalty for stealing a loaf of bread or criticizing the king. One was easily sent into slavery or subsequently sent off to penal colonies.

So perhaps there is hope for us, some time in the future, as we become more globalized and understand each other’s cultures better.

The Effect of Religion

It seems that much of our human attitudes to-wards animals has been shaped by our religious beliefs.

Zoroastrianism, an old religion originating from Persia, preaches reverence for the earth, water, air, animals and plant life; a complete formula for ecology. So as not to contaminate the es-sential elements of air, water, earth and fire their dead are placed in a Tower of Silence, to be eaten by vultures.

Jainism, once a major religion in India prescribes a path of ahimsa – nonviolence – towards all liv-ing beings, and emphasizes spiritual independ-ence and equality between all forms of life as all animals and plants contain living souls. Jains were the first vegans.

Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, perhaps because of their beliefs in reincarnation, preach compassion towards all animal life.

Picture 5: Buddhist monk blessing an elephant

A Native American proverb states ‘Regard Heav-en as your father, Earth as your mother and all things as your brothers and sisters.’

Judaism and Islam preach compassion towards animals despite eating them and slaughter-ing them in a rather gruesome manner, that of draining the blood from the animals’ body. Thus for Muslims, the slaughter itself is preceded by the words ‘In the name of Allah’ as it is an act of subdual rather than mercy. The Prophet


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Muhammad forbade his followers to harm any animal and asked them to respect the rights of animals. To the Jews the animal must be killed

‘with respect and compassion’.

Christianity doctrine on the other hand preach-es that God created animals and granted the humans ‘dominion’ over the animals. The term

‘dominion’ is obviously subject to interpretation; the Christian scholars have interpreted it as the right ‘to do as we will rather than as responsible stewardship’.

The 11th century Christian philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas published ‘Of God and His Creatures’ in which he concludes ‘because animals can comprehend only the present and not the future…their souls are not immortal like human souls.’

In the early 13th century, Pope Gregory IX ac-cused a sect in southern France of devil worship. The devil, he said, appeared in the form of a black cat. Cats officially became the symbol of heresy and those who showed any affection towards cats came under the church’s suspicion. Cats are still persecuted to this day.

Picture 6: Cat Crucifiction

In 1347 the bubonic plague swept across Europe. Called the Black Death, it killed 25 million people (nearly a third of Europe’s population) in three years. The plague was spread to humans by fleas on infected rodents. Centuries of cat slaughter had allowed the rodent population to surge out of control. Perhaps an example of Divine Intervention!

England’s Witchcraft Act of 1563 associated the keeping of cats with “wickedness” and led to the executions of many more cats and their owners.

Animal defendants appeared before both church and secular courts, and the offences alleged against them ranged from murder to criminal damage. For instance, in 1750 a French-man was tried for copulation with the female donkey. The donkey was also put on trail. The man was found guilty and hung but the donkey was acquitted as the court decided that the animal was a victim and had not participated of her own free will.

In the middle of the 19th century Pope Pius IX forbade the opening of an animal protection office in Rome on the grounds that humans had no duties to animals. In the 19th century veg-etarianism was associated with Atheism, largely because ‘God made animals for us to eat’. In the 1990’s a British Cabinet Minister and committed Christian, John Gummer reaffirmed publicly that it was a ‘God-given duty to eat meat’ (at the height of the mad cow crisis).

Vegetarianism is still considered by many Christian to be ungodly. Clergymen still fea-ture as supporters, participants and patrons of blood sports – fox hunting, hare coursing, cock fighting and bull fighting, wherever the law still allows them.

Thus the influence of Christianity, through Europe’s colonization of the world, commenc-ing with the crusades, has resulted in a global spread of Christian attitudes towards animals in over 2 billion people.

Picture 7: The influence of Christianity worldwide

It is thus heartening that the new Pope Francis stated, in December 2014, that ‘One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures’. If animals can now go to Heaven, perhaps the Catholic Church also agrees that animals have consciousness and feel pain.

The Effect Of Western Philosophy

Some important Western philosophers have cul-tivated insensitivity in our treatment of animals.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle (who accu-mulated a large collection of animals from the travels of his pupil Alexander the Great) argued that animals lack reason, reasoning, thought and belief, so were not comparable to man.

Rene Decartes the 16th century French philoso-pher argued that non-human are nothing but complex automata (self‑operating machine) with no souls, minds or reason. The power of these philosophies apparently had a toll on our attitudes to the way we view and treat animals.


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One of the first Western philosophers to differ from this mindset in the 17th century was John Locke who stated, perhaps obviously to us in this day and age, that ‘animals have feelings and unnecessary cruelty towards them in mor-ally wrong, but the right not to harm them is up to the animal’s owner’. Locke’s philosophy in-stilled a sense of animal welfare, but still left no uncertainty that animals were the property of man, echoing the Western attitudes to slavery.

Charles Darwin3 ‘On the ‘Origin of Species’ (1859) revolutionized the way humans viewed their relationship with other species, propound-ing not only that human are descended from animals, but they also have social, mental and moral lives as well. Darwin crystalized the idea that animals are entities with their own rights.

The British philosopher Henry Salt, a friend on Mahatma Gandhi, wrote ‘Animals’ Rights: Con-sidered in Relation to Social Progress’ (1894). This was probably the first book on animal welfare, echoing Gandhi’s immortal phrase ‘The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’

This is very similar to the 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant who stated ‘He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.’

The setting up of the RSPCA in 1824, spear-headed by British MP Richard Martin, (two years before the founding of the Zoological Society of London in 1826) was to combat ani-mal abuse and welfare in the UK following his apparently unenforceable Martin’s Act, passed in 1822, which made it an offence for anyone (including the owner) to abuse, beat or mistreat farm animals such as cattle, horses and sheep.

Animal Consciousness, Cognition and Pain

Modern science has now established that many animals possess consciousness, have cognition, use language and feel pain.

Animal cognition, the ability to learn, has been well documented in mammals, birds, reptiles and some invertebrates (cephalopods, spiders and insects.)

Picture 8: An octopus plays with a Rubik cube

Non-verbal communication is documented in animals ranging from dolphins, elephants and bees. Koko the gorilla, cared for by Penny Patterson, has a vocabulary of 1,000 signs and understands 2,000 spoken words.

Researchers have argued that consciousness only arises in the neocortex. However the mirror test, a behavioural technique developed in 1970 by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr.4 to determine whether a non-human animal possesses the ability of self-recognition established that most mammals and some birds (which do not pos-sess a neocortex) respond. It is now established that vertebrates and some invertebrates pos-sess consciousness.

Picture 9: A baboon recognizes itself in a mirror

Current research on animal consciousness culminated in ‘The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in Non-Human Animals’ signed in 2012 by a group of eminent cognitive and neuroscientists, in the hope that the world will become more aware of rights of animals.

It is now also established that all vertebrates and some invertebrates like crustaceans – feel pain, through nociceptors, which are nerve cells that responds to potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the spinal cord and brain. This process, called nociception, usually causes the perception of pain.

The British RSPCA in the UK formally prose-cuted an individual for cruelty to fish in Au-gust 2014.


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So how can society now rectify the situation? How can we begin to change the way we have treated vertebrates and higher invertebrates, through a misguided ignorance, derived from both the Church and western philosophers, to their possession of consciousness, cognitive attributes and their ability to feel pain? Unfortu-nately, it’s going to be a long hard road!

Animal Welfare And Animal Rights Philosophies

The twentieth centaury’s animal welfare move-ment can be attributed, in part anyway, to the British writer Ruth Harrison’s5 book ‘Animal Machines’ (1964) which exposed the intensive housing of veal, chickens and pigs.

This influenced and was followed by Australian and US philosopher Peter Singer’s6 book ‘Ani-mal Liberation’ that set out a manifesto for the bettering of the life of animals. Singer’s focus is not on the moral rights of animal, but rather on the argument that animals have interests – par-ticularly an interest in not suffering – and that there is no moral or logical reason not to award those interests equal consideration.

Picture 10: Ducks going to market

The American philosopher Tom Regan7 in his book ‘The Case for Animal Rights’ (1983) propounds that certain animals have conscious-ness: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and some invertebrates (octopus) and thus should be given the same rights as humans. It is now established that these and some other species of invertebrates (spiders and insects) experience pain such as.

Thus it is surprising that veterinarians trained in the USA before 1989 were taught to ignore pain in animals.

Picture 11: Lobsters feel pain

The American philosopher and lawyer Gary Francione, argues that animals need only one right – the right not to be owned. Everything else will follow from that paradigm shift. Fran-coine is the first, real protagonist for animal rights, for all animals, as opposed to animal welfare. He feels that animal welfare laws, like the anti-slave laws, have been in established in most western countries (and many Euro-pean colonies) for well over 100 years, yet they have done little to reduce animal suffering and they certainly have not resulted in the gradual abolition of any practices. Like the anti-slavery laws where legislation existed that appeared to protect them, while the courts ignored that the institution of slavery itself, rendered the protec-tion unenforceable.

Many NGO such as PETA and Green Peace argue the need for animal rights, much falls on deaf ears. Thus some more militant groups have taken the situation into their own hands: Sea Shepherd has rammed and sunk several whaling ships and the Animal Liberation Front has conducting covert sabotage operations on animal facilities where animal rights are abused.

Singer argues purely for animal welfare, Regan maintains that animals which have conscious-ness should be treated equally to man and Francione’s stand is that all animals should have the right not to be owned.

So where do we draw the line?

This Roboroach kit, which can be purchased over the Internet, allows you to remotely con-trol a cockroach.

Picture 12: Roboroach kit … some surgery is required.


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The Ethical Enigma

Finally the ethical enigma: How does our con-science handle conservation breeding projects for endangered species with pure commercial objectives as the end product?

Picture 13: Newly hatched crocodile

If there is a market for an endangered spe-cies product, by default, the species will be conserved. The farming of apex predators like crocodiles for their skin and meat has been accepted by society for many years. This apex predator doesn’t have that fuzzy appeal.

A recently produced giant panda poo green tea – sells at US$88,000 per kg and if successful, the future survival of giant pandas will surely be guaranteed.

Picture 14: Giant panda poo

The Python Conservation Partnership – collabo-ration between Kering (the owners of Gucci), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the IUCN, will conserve pythons, to ensure a con-stant source of skins for Gucci handbags.

Picture 15: A python for its skin

Yet the farming of tigers for their body parts, in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for the ever-growing China market, has drawn sharp criticism from many segments of society and disgusts me immensely. What have we reduced these noble hunters to?

Picture 16: Tigers bred for the China market

However, at a meeting of CITES in 2012, Chi-nese officials demanded that critics show the evidence that tiger farms encourage poaching of wild tigers. And there apparently is none!

So it’s really a question of ethics. Similar to try-ing to establish which animals have a conscious-ness or feel pain and thus perhaps should be treated on par with humans. Where do we draw the line? So crocodiles are OK but tigers and are not?

Picture 17: Chimpanzee bush meat

I would like to leave you with this extremely disturbing yet very real thought. So what about the farming of gorillas and chimpanzees for the ever growing African bush meat appetite? After all Africa will soon be the new China – as its population and GDP will rise faster than their education and moral values.

References

1. Singer, Peter (2011) The Expanding Cir-cle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress, Princeton University Press

2. Pinker, Steven (2011) The Better Angels of our Nature, New York: Viking.

3. Darwin, Charles (2003) The Origin Of Spe-cies: 150th Anniversary Edition Mass Market Paperback originally published in 1859

4. Gallup, GG Jr. (1970). “Chimpanzees: Self recognition” Science 167 (3914): 86–87.

5. Harrison, Ruth (1964) Animal Machines, Vin-cent Stewart Publishers Ltd

6. Singer, Peter (1975) Animal Liberation, Harper Collins,

7. Regan, Tom (1983) The Case for Animal Rights, University of California Press


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WAZA’s Contribution to the Decade on Biodiversity; the “Biodiversity is Us” Project

Tiago Pinto‑Pereira – WAZA Executive Office

Background

The “Biodiversity is Us” project was launched in May 2014 in Bristol (UK) and aims at raising awareness of biodiversity to zoo and aquarium visitors and, more importantly, to ensure these people have ideas of how they can contribute positively to biodiversity by carrying out simple actions every day. The WAZA community has been regularly informed on the progress of this project and the tools being made available to them.

The presentation was, therefore, an opportunity for an update on the progress of the project and a call for action to ensure as many WAZA members contribute to the project so that as a community we can have a meaningful impact contributing to the Decade on Biodiversity.

Tools

Social Media

The social media has been growing steadily but we would like to have more engagement from our members providing content. The engage-ment on social media is good and mentions of

“biodiversity is us” fluctuates with mentions on “biodiversity” on publically accessible sources, demonstrating that our social media campaign is in-line with existing discussions on biodiver-sity (Fig1).

Facebook

The key facts about our facebook engagement are true at the time of the presentation at the WAZA Technical Congress, please contact us for up to date figures. The graph below shows the growth in numbers of users. In terms of demo-graphics we have successfully targeted a young audience with an above Facebook average of 18–24 year olds. It was requested that WAZA members ensure they are following the face‑book page www.facebook.com/BioDiversity-IsUs so they can share content (Fig2).

• Key facts• 8’877 followers• Good youth engagement• Many followers in India• Good gender distribution


Figure 1

http://www.facebook.com/BioDiversityIsUs

http://www.facebook.com/BioDiversityIsUs

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Twitter

The key facts about our twitter engagement are true at the time of the presentation at the WAZA Technical Congress, please contact us for up to date figures. The graph below shows the growth in numbers of users but more im-portantly we have a respectable engagement rate of 6%. As Twitter is a social platform that depends on immediate reaction, as opposed to Facebook where the content stays visible for longer, this engagement rate is good and dem-onstrates the quality of the content we provide (Fifg3).

• Key facts• 1’060 follower• Good engagement rate, approx. 6%• Good engagement with relevant stakeholders• Many follower are institutions• Good gender distribution


Figure 2

Figure 3

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Application for Smartphones / Tablets

The key facts about our application are true at the time of the presentation at the WAZA Tech-nical Congress, please contact us for up to date figures. Feedback, in terms of rating is good and numbers are growing steadily (see graph) and should increase ever faster as more and more institutions adapt the posters and implement the posters and films within their institutions thereby increasing the visibility of the app. However, availability of free WiFi near posters promoting the app would also significantly increase uptake but appears to be problematic for some members to implement (Fig4).

• Key facts• 2’379 downloads• Good ratings• Free WiFi near posters helps• Need to improve uptake of actions

Implementation from WAZA members

The key facts about implementation by WAZA members are true at the time of the presenta-tion at the WAZA Technical Congress, please contact us for up to date figures. Implementa-tion by members is facilitated with the use of the online platform. Since the launch of the pro-ject we have engaged with members from all over the world; 152 individual users of the plat-form, representing 112 different institutional members of WAZA have accessed the platform representing a good global spread (see map). For examples of implementation (pictures of use of the tools) please contact us (Fig5).

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Going Forward

As the Biodiversity is Us project evolves we need to ensure it is as successful as possible in engaging our visitors to raise their awareness on biodiversity and ensure they act to preserve it through simple everyday actions. For this we need to work as a community to ensure we reach our goals.

• Actions needed from WAZA Members• Promote the social media contacts, actively

share our content and add our names to rel-evant content you share

• Share the videos• Provide WiFi in poster areas to help App

uptake• WAZA’s engagement at reaching out to

WAZA Members• Actively engage marketing communicators,

education and communication people• Ensure all our members are following us on

existing social media links

Contact

• [email protected]

Poster in support of the Decade on Biodiversity, National Zoo, Washington DC, USA



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A Global Evaluation of Biodiversity Literacy in Zoo and Aquarium Visitors

Markus Gusset1,* | Andrew Moss2 | Eric Jensen3

The United Nations Strategic Plan for Biodiver-sity 2011–2020 is a key initiative within global efforts to halt and eventually reverse the loss of biodiversity. The very first target of this plan states that “by 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustaina-bly”. Zoos and aquariums worldwide, attracting more than 700 million visits every year, could potentially make a positive contribution to this target. However, a global evaluation of the educational impacts of visits to zoos and aquari-ums is entirely lacking in the existing literature. To address this gap, we conducted a large-scale impact evaluation study, using a pre- and post-visit repeated-measures survey design, to evaluate biodiversity literacy – biodiversity un-derstanding and knowledge of actions to help

protect biodiversity – in zoo and aquarium visi-tors. Our findings are based on the largest and most international study of zoo and aquarium visitors ever conducted worldwide; in total, more than 6,000 visitors to 30 zoos and aquari-ums around the globe participated in the study. The study’s main finding is that aggregate biodi-versity understanding and knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity both significantly increased over the course of zoo and aquarium visits (see the figure). There was an increase from pre‑visit (69.8%) to post‑visit (75.1%) in respondents demonstrating at least some positive evidence of biodiversity understanding. Similarly, there was an increase from pre-visit (50.5%) to post‑visit (58.8%) in respondents that could identify a pro-biodiversity action that could be achieved at an individual level. This study provides the most compelling evidence to date that zoo and aquarium visits can contrib-ute to increasing the number of people who understand biodiversity and know actions they can take to help protect biodiversity.


1 WAZA Executive Office

2 Chester Zoo, Chester, UK

3 Department of Sociology,

University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

* E-mail for correspondence:

[email protected]

Overall comparison of biodiversity understanding and knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity in zoo and aquarium visitors between pre- and post-visit.

Nature Connections: A Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation

Karen Fifield – Wellington Zoo

What is the Nature Connection project and who is involved?

Eight years ago the then Director General of the NZ Department of Conservation and the CE of Wellington Zoo Trust discussed the future strategy of a seamless visitor eco experience in the Wellington region. Wellington region is renowned for its eco assets and biodiversity. It ranks highly in NZ for nature experiences.

The opportunity arose for this to occur when the Wellington Regional Amenity Fund was created by five of the region’s city councils. The project was given NZ$300k to create this vision and turn competitors into colleagues for the benefit of nature. An additional $100k funding has been received this year for ongoing development of the project.


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What is the WRAF?

The WRAF is comprised of contributions from Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, Kapiti and Masterton Councils. Projects are chosen annually by a panel of mayors from the 5 cities. Projects that create better experiences across the region are prioritised. (Fig1)

What has happened on the project to date?

Research Baseline

The research results were shared with partners at our first two day workshop in November 2013. Key personnel from each partner organi-sation attended the workshop. The research acted as a great conversation starter: it showed that each partner had strengths and areas for improvement – and that together we could do a better job of telling our visitors about how we work together across the region.

This research measured of visitor perceptions before the start of the Nature Connections pro-ject. 576 visitors were surveyed across the five participating organisations. Data will be com-pared to subsequent research after the project ends. The research consisted of face-to-face and self-complete surveys during the October school holidays of 2013. The results have a margin of error of +/‑4% at the 95% confidence level.

Key findings:• Overall, 61% of visitors across the partners

had had some interaction with staff or volun-teers as part of their visit. There was variation between organisations.

• First time visitors across the sample were more likely to have spoken to staff or listened to a talk (70%), while those who visit every few months or more were less likely to have done so (47%). Likewise, members/volunteers were slightly less likely (51%) than non‑members (63%) to have spoken with staff. This indicates that regular visitors feel less of a need to engage with staff, they know the organisation and potentially have their own routine – so they will be somewhat harder to reach with Nature Connection messages.

• When asked to describe these interactions, the most frequently mentioned theme from the comments, related to specific stories visi-tors had heard about the animals and wildlife at the organisation (29%). There were also a number of comments about how informative and interesting these staff interactions were, and how much visitors enjoyed them.


Nature Connections is led jointly by Wellington Zoo and Zealandia Eco-sanctuary. The project in-volves Staglands Wildlife Reserve, Pukaha Mount Bruce and DOC & the Harbour Islands Kaitiaki Board representing Matiu/Somes Island. Year 2 funding has been approved and up to 5 new part-ners, will join the group of existing partners.

The aim of the project is to create a seam-less, high quality visitor experience across the region’s eco-assets by forging stronger relation-ships and interpretive connections between par-ticipating organisations: turning competitors into colleagues.

Working together the partners have created a common research baseline which will be re-visited at the end of the project; shared a common training platform to build visitor-fac-ing staff’s interpretation skills; created a set of new trainers; selected and filmed stories of successful partnership working, and celebrated each other’s work by inviting their visitors to:

Join us to discover Wellington’s inspiring nature stories.

Figure 1

Figure 2

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• There were fewer mentions of specific stories about the Wellington region’s environment or ecology (1%).

• Likewise, when asked to relate a specific story or piece of information visitors had heard about the Wellington region’s environment, 71% could not do so. Among those who could relate such a story or information, the most frequent-ly mentioned theme involved stories about specific birds and other wildlife in the area.

• Ratings were less positive concerning the way in which staff and signage helped visitors learn about Wellington’s unique environment and how the organisations work together to conserve Wellington’s environment.

Follow Up:

Once the Nature Connections project has been successfully implemented we would expect to see the following improvements:

• The number of visitors who have some interac-tion with staff or volunteers as part of their visit should remain high and be more consist-ent across the participating organisations.

• When asked to describe these interactions, visitors should continue to mention stories about the wildlife at the organisations and how informative and interesting these staff interactions were. However, in addition we would expect to see an increase in the number of visitors who are able to relate a specific story or piece of information they had heard about the Wellington region’s environment.

• We would also expect to see some rich narra-tive emerging from these visitor descriptions – indicating genuine engagement.

• Visitor ratings of the staff and information in terms of conveying a sense of passion and enthusiasm about nature and informing them about the organisations’ history and conserva-tion role should remain high and be more con-sistent across the participating organisations.

• Ratings concerning the way in which staff and signage help visitors learn about Wellington’s unique environment and how the organisa-tions work together to conserve Wellington’s environment should improve across the partic-ipating organisations.

• Finally, a secondary measure of success will be an increase in the amount of cross-visitation between the participating organisations.


Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

• When asked to rate the staff/ volunteer inter-actions and signage they had read, visitors were very positive about the organisations’ ability to convey a sense of passion and enthu-siasm about nature. They were also positive about information and stories regarding the organisations’ history and conservation role.

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Shared Common Staff Training Platform

The cornerstone of the Nature Connections project is the roll out of a common training plat-form across partner organisations. This serves a number of purposes:

• Staff coming together to train immediately creates camaraderie and connections, The group networks, learns about each site and the skills, experiences of its staff and the niche it occupies;

• Staff gain skills and confidence – as visitor‑fac-ing hosts and as trainers. Some of the attend-ees will be expected to become trainers at their own institution,

• We create a common language and high-quali-ty template for training across the partners.

Nature Connections has licensed the POWER/ Hook, Line & Sinker training platform from Zoos Victoria. Wellington Zoo has used this platform for a number of years with great suc-cess. Interpretation Specialist John Pastorelli leads 2 x 2 day workshops with our group and visits each institution to help bed in training and identify opportunities for change. Partners were also invited to observe a POWER training session led by the team at Wellington Zoo.

Since April 2014, ‘POWER’ training roll out has begun at each partner site, kick started by in-dividual visits by interpretation facilitator John Pastorelli.

Shared Stories of Successful Partnership Working

Research into connecting stories between part-ners has been a key part of the project. A story bank of connecting stories was created and is regularly circulated among partners. Stories are also celebrated via the Nature Connections Facebook page and bi monthly e-newsletters.

15 stories were chosen to become the Nature Connection videos; visually highlighting how Year 1 partners work together to preserve na-tive species. These videos are shown on screens alongside Nature Connection signage at each partner site and can be viewed on the Nature Connections website http://natureconnections.org.nz/our-stories.html

Our Successes

Summary of Year 1 Achievements

• Baseline research conducted at all partner sites

• Two x 2 day POWER workshops for partners led by John Pastorelli at Wellington Zoo result-ing in 15 new trainers

• New trainers have trained staff at Staglands Wildlife Reserve, Pukaha Mount Bruce and Matiu/Somes Island

• One POWER training session for Zoo staff at-tended by partners

• Nature Connections Facebook page, bi-monthly e-newsletter and blog posts

• Train the Trainer manual published and used• Storybank and matrix of connecting stories

created and circulated• Follow up partner workshop at Staglands

Wildlife Reserve


http://natureconnections.org.nz/our-stories.html

http://natureconnections.org.nz/our-stories.html

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• Six presentations by invited speakers• Presentation (selected for a workshop discus-

sion) at Zoos & Aquarium Association Australa-sia conference in Auckland

• Nature Connection website launched (www.natureconnections.org.nz)

• CE/GM workshop at Zealandia to discuss next steps and how to market the project to the community

• Staff visits to all partner sites• World Environment Day at Wellington Zoo

2014 featured a tuatara talk from Zoo, Zealan-dia and Matiu/Somes Island DOC staff

• 15 videos of connecting stories filmed and available online

• Custom made screens (for videos) and signage at each partner site.

The Future for Nature Connections

Thus far, Nature Connections has:• enhanced working relationships connecting

partner organisations;• created greater awareness of each other’s

skills, strengths and niches;• provided common language and a shared

training platform designed to improve visitor-facing interpretation;

• improved staff skills and confidence, and;• created a suite of resources to promote the

way that partners work together and improve outcomes for the region’s native species (www.natureconnections.org.nz).

At the CE/GM workshop held at the end of Year 1, facilitated by David Perks CE of Positively Wellington Tourism, Year 1 partners made it clear that they saw Nature Connections as an opportunity to jointly market the region. Two goals were articulated, to:

• Instil a sense of pride in Wellington region residents about what we already are achieving together for our native species

• Promote Wellington region as a fantastic place to explore and connect with nature, using channels like www.wellingtonNZ.com, i-sites and the Destination Wellington initiative.

As a result of funding confirmation, the project team has been able to continue seamlessly into shaping Year 2, so, as well as working across Year 2 to realise the joint marketing goals, the Nature Connections team will offer each Year 1 partner a range of opportunities. Maintaining and building robust relationships between staff at partner institutions is hugely important to the success of the project. Hence, networking, joining any relevant workshops, buddy-training, peer review and sharing of connecting stories will be encouraged.

All partners from Year 1 and Year 2 will partici-pate in the research in October 2014 – establish-ing a baseline for new partners or monitoring against previous markers for those continuing in the project. Year 2 partners will be expected to attend training workshops led by John Pastorelli as well as the other opportunities for learning, sharing and training that Nature Con-nections offers.

As more partners join Nature Connections, our wealth of connections and shared stories grows, as does our capacity to improve staff capability and confidence. By forging stronger relation-ships and interpretive connections between participating organisations we are turning competitors into colleagues, and increasing our collective ability to build a seamless, high quality visitor experience across the region’s eco-assets.

Acknowledgements

• Amy Hughes, General Manager, Community Engagement, Wellington Zoo

• Dr. Sarah Rusholme, Nature Connections Project Manager

• Linda Cardiff, Nature Connections Project Coordinator

• Nature Connections Partner Organisations and Funding Councils

Contact

• [email protected]


http://www.natureconnections.org.nz/

http://www.wellingtonNZ.com/

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Zoos in India: Supporting Biodiversity Conservation

B. S. Bonal1 | Brij Kishor Gupta²

Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life. In other words it is the sum total of all variety of living organisms present on earth and is the totality of all genes, species, and ecosystems of plants, animals or micro-organisms inhab-ited by a region. Biodiversity or Biological diversity is considered at three levels-genetic, species and ecosystem. In the world there are certain regions which are found to be very rich in biodiversity i.e. bio-diverse regions are not distributed uniformly across the globe. Those biodiversity rich regions or areas are known as

“mega diversity zones” or “hot-spots”. Around the world a group of countries that harbour the majority of the Earth’s species or biological diversity are known as mega diverse countries. In 1998, 17 mega diverse countries have been identified by Conservation International and all those mega diverse countries are located in or partially in tropical and subtropical regions.

Around the world 34 biodiversity hot spots have been identified. These hot spots are character-ized by having exceptionally high biodiversity i.e., it is a bio-geographic region with a sig-nificant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from human beings. Over 50 percent of the world’s plant species and 42 percent of all terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to those 34 biodiversity hotspots. Today each hotspot faces extreme threats and has already lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation.

Being a predominantly agricultural country, India also has a mix of wild and cultivated habitats, giving rise to very specialized biodiver-sity and has only 2.7 percent of the land area, 4 percent of fresh water and hold 11th rank among the mega bio-diverse countries. For any one country in the world, it has perhaps the largest array of environmental situations by virtue of its tropical location, varied physical features and climate types but it contributes approximately 8 percent species to the global diversity. Among the 34 hot spots of the world, 4 are found in India namely- Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Sundaland and the Eastern Himalayas. More than 45000 species of plants and 81,000 species of animals are found in India. India is also one of the eight primary centers of origin of cultivated plants and has a rich agricultural biodiversity. The two hot-spot areas of India are found to be exceptionally rich in flora and fauna. The eastern Himalayan hot-spot extends to the north-eastern India and Bhutan. Many deep and semi isolated valleys are exceptionally rich in endemic plant species. The Western Ghats re-gion lies parallel to the western coast of Indian peninsula for almost 1600 km in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

India has ten biogeographic zones- Himalayan zone, Desert zone, Semiarid zone, Western Ghats zone, Deccan plateau zone, Gangetic plain zone, North-east zone, Coastal zone, Island present near the shore line zone and Trans-Himalayan zone. Biogeographic regions are those large areas with particular flora and fauna. India also accounts for the largest congre-gation of mangrove forests in the world namely Sunderbans. In India a total of 115 wetlands and 40 lakes have been identified under national pro-gramme and 25 wetlands were covered under Ramsar Convention. It is surprising to note that one-fourth of India’s total forest cover is under Protected Area management i.e., it has 102 National Parks, 515 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 47 Tiger Reserves, 4 Community Reserves, 28 Elephant Reserves, etc. Apart from this, India has the following seven Natural Heritage sites as per the UNESCO namely: Manas National Park, Assam (1985); Kaziranga National Park, Assam (1985); Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (1985); Nanda Devi and Valley of Flower National Park, Uttarakhand (1988); Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal (1987); Western Ghats (2012) and a newly added site- Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh (2014).

There are 192 Zoos in India- 11 Large Zoos, 27 Medium Zoos, 36 Small Zoos, 81 Mini Zoos, 22 Circuses and 15 Rescue Centres. Zoos are the first introduction to India’s wildlife and play an important role in implementing Aichi Target-1 which states that “By 2020 at the latest, peo-ple are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably”. Zoos also create awareness among the visitors through various outreach programmes and contribute to global conserva-tion efforts. Zoos have contributed in the ex situ conservation of endangered wild populations through breeding and re-introduction initiatives.


¹ Member Secretary

² Evaluation and Monitoring Officer,

Central Zoo Authority

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In 1998, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India brought out National Zoo Policy which gives due importance to educa-tion and outreach activities in zoos. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has formally endorsed the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) and decided to develop a framework which can guide the participation of zoos and aquariums in achievement of the Global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. In order to initiate the conservation efforts at the global level the theme of the conference is “Biodiversity Is Us”. The conference aims at sharing and learning the overall advancement and knowl-edge in the field of biodiversity around the world and also to improve the up-keeping and welfare of animals in Zoos.

• The Central Zoo Authority (statutory body of Ministry of Environment & Forests) es-tablished in the year 1992 to oversee the functioning of the zoos in the country and to enforce the minimum standards of upkeep and care of animals.

Around five crore visitors visit Indian zoos each year. Zoos are the first introduction to India’s wildlife which is charismatic, unique and truly Indian. From well-known mega fauna like Ben-gal tigers and Asian elephants, to lesser-known endangered Indian species like the pangolin, slow loris and Gyps vultures; zoos’ showcase India’s faunal wealth in harbouring around 129 species of mammals, 252 species of birds, 96 reptile species and one amphibian species.

Zoos play a powerful role in implementing Aichi target 1 (Table 1), through various awareness programmes, to the visitors through outreach programmes, the conservation of biodiversity and they strive to maximize their contribution to global conservation in various ways. National

Zoo Policy 1998 of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India aims at giving proper direction and thrust to the management of zoos by mustering cooperation and partici-pation of all concerned. The policy gives due importance to education and outreach activities in zoos.

Zoos can focus their conservation attention on Biodiversity Action Plan priorities, thereby contributing to wider processes and collaborat-ing with a broader set of partners than those generated by the zoo community alone. The de-sign of exhibits based on habitat should include aspects of human culture appropriate to the species, and make use of plants, and features such as animal habitats and climate. Visitors will then more easily understand the concepts of biodiversity and the interdependence of species, habitats and ecosystems and recognize the links with human action.

Youth play a very important role in this endeav-our. Children enjoy watching and learning about animals and zoos use a wide variety of devices to explain behaviour of animals, species require-ments, as well as what is needed for species conservation in the wild. This can be achieved firstly, through the enclosure itself which should be as naturalised as possible, so that the animal can behave the way it would behave in the wild. Secondly, a range of activities are planned for educating the public, so that lessons from zoos can be applied in everyday life. Through quizzes, signages, painting competitions, interpretations, programmes during Wildlife Week, interactive installations that make ani-mal sounds- like a bark or a roar, zoos perform important conservation education functions. Zoos will not only increase the understanding and appreciation of its role in the conservation of biodiversity but also encourage visitors to take positive actions to make a difference in the life on this planet.

Received Full WAZA Congress ContributionsAichi Biodiversity Target 1

By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

National Zoo Policy, 1998 states the following:1.5 As zoos are visited by a large number of visitors, zoos are a point a potent tool for education people about the close linkage between protection of natural areas and maintaining the life supporting processes of nature. Well-planned and appropriately designed zoos can sensitize visitors to the dangers of a hostile or indifferent attitude towards nature.2.1.2 To inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of natural resources and for maintaining the ecological balance.

Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.

National Zoo Policy, 1998 states the following:1.4 Today when wildlife habitats are under severe pressure and a large number of species of wild fauna have become endangered, the zoos have not only to sustain their own populations but also augment the depleting populations of endangered species in the wild. This new role has been acknowledged by the global conservation community and Article 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.2.1.1 Supporting the conservation of endangered species by giving species, which have no chance of survival in wild, a last chance of survival through coordinated breeding under ex-situ condition and raise stocks for rehabilitating them in wild as and when it is appropriate and desirable.

Table 1. Aichi Biodiversity Targets-1 and 12 and the relevant portions of National Zoo Policy, 1998.

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The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016) identified ex situ breeding and reintroduction of endangered wild fauna (e.g. vultures, pigmy hog, red panda etc.) as the most important conserva-tion action of the zoos in India. Thus zoos play a great role in achieving Aichi Target 12 (Table 1).

• With the rapid habitat degradation because of human activities, the populations of a number of species are declining rapidly and many spe-cies are on the verge of extinction. The ex situ conservation has now become an important or perhaps the only tool to save species from go-ing extinct. The Central Zoo Authority has initi-ated Conservation Breeding Programme of 23 species out of prioritized 26 species against identified 73 endangered species. Accordingly, zoos in the natural distribution range of the animal or bird are identified as the coordinat-ing zoo for the species. Whereas, participatory zoos are also identified for the same species if they had the animals in their zoos.

• The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has also formally endorsed the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) and decided to develop a framework to guide the participation of zoos and aquariums in achievement of the Global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, which is crucial for achieving the first Aichi Biodiversity Targets and involving the people of the world, particularly the youth and children (Table 2). As such, the zoos in India can also make significant contribution to the Decade in the fields of raising awareness among the visitors and taking effective con-servation measures for threatened species.

Integrated conservation activities will vary in different parts of the country because of cultural, social factors and the everyday reality of life. Zoos located within the high biodiversity regions often invest much of their time, energy

and financial resources in providing rescue and rehabilitation of many species of wild animals. These include those animals which come into conflict with people in cities and towns and those which have been intercepted in illegal

trade, wild animals taken as pets or those which become victims of natural disasters such as floods, fire, earthquakes etc. Zoos are very often involved in animal welfare activities and their conservation.

National Biodiver‑sity Target

Corr

espo

ndin

g

Aic

hi B

iod.

Tar

get Composite

indicatorDescription of indicator Responsible agencies

(indicative list)

Freq

. of m

oni‑

tori

ng/r

epor

ting

1By 2020, a significant propor-tion of the country’s population, especially the youth, is aware of the values of biodiver-sity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably

1 Trends in in-corporating awareness and attitude towards en-vironmental conservation through communi-cation and mainstream education

Number of students opting for higher–level elective subjects and specialization in Environmental Education (EE)

Indian School Certificate (ISC)/ Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) boards

2 ye

ars

Number of schools enrolled in the National Environment Awareness Campaign, Na-tional Green Corps– Eco Clubs Programme, Paryavaran Mitra (Friends of the Environ-ment) Programme, Global Learning and Observations, Gyan Vigyan Vidyalaya, Bird-watching clubs, DNA Clubs (DBT’s natural Resource Awareness Clubs), etc.

MoEF (Ministry of Environment & For-ests), Youth for Coastal Marine Conser-vation, South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD)– Department of Education, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), C.P.R. En-vironmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Centre for Media Studies (CMS), Depart-ment of Biotechnology (DBT)

Trends in Coverage of environment– re-lated programmes and projects with enhanced involvement of youth

Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs (MoSYA)

Trends in visits to Pas, natural history museums and exhibitions and zoological/botanical gardens

SFDs (State Forests Departemts) – Wild-life Wing, Central Zoo Authority (CZA), CEE (Centre for Environment Education)

Trends in promoting awareness at local levels

Trends in number of BMCs constituted/ operationalizedTrends in number of PBRs prepared

NBA (National Biodiversity Authority/SBBs (State Biodiversity Boards)

2 ye

ars

Trends in numbers of JFMCs constituted/ operationalized

SFDs (State Forest Departments), MoEF (Ministry of Environment & Forests)CEE (Centre for Environment Education)

Trends in number of civil society organiza-tions/NGOs, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Community Forest Rights (CFR) commit-tees (under Forest Act (FRA) 2006 engaged in creating environmental awareness

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)

Source for Table: India’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity 2014, Published by the

Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, New Delhi (Edited by Hem Pande & Sujata Arora)

Table 2. National Biodiversity Targets, indicators and monitoring framework.


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Wildlife Institute of India’s Initiatives for Captive Animal Welfare

P. C. Tyagi

Wildlife Institute of India (WII), an autonomous organization of Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change is a premier train-ing and research institution in South Asia in the field of wildlife and protected area manage-ment. The institute’s mission is to nurture the development of wildlife science and promote its application in the field in accordance with our economic and socio cultural milieu.

The institute has adopted a one-plan approach for conservation of wildlife in the region. The in-stitute has conducted research on endangered and threatened fauna of the country through an integrated approach. The institute has collected valuable data on the ecology and sociology of large number of endangered species including Great Indian Bustard, Indian Wolf, Lesser Flori-can, Indian fox, Striped hyena, White-backed vulture, Asian lion and snow leopard.

The institute has also done extensive work in the study of habitat ecology and conservation status of wild ungulates in the trans-Himalayan landscape, ecology of endemic turtles in Western Ghats, and tiger ecology and genomics. Apart from the integrated approach of manag-ing species in in situ and ex situ conditions, the landscape approach to management has been incorporated in the wildlife habitat manage-ment and incorporates a holistic regime includ-ing the concerns of the vulnerable local com-munity, mainstreaming elements of biodiversity conservation in development and mitigating environmental degradation in the landscape with varied land use pattern. Extensive work has been done to standardize protocol for tiger population estimation using non-invasive

techniques. The Institute has also developed spatial database on mammal distribution and their habitats in the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. The ecology of lions in the agro-pasto-ral landscape in the greater Gir ecosystem has been studied, and co-existence of humans and animals are the new imperatives in human dom-inated landscapes adjoining wildlife habitat.

The ultimate goal of conservation is the success-ful propagation of threatened taxa; the institute has succeeded in reintroduction and restocking of source population of tigers in Panna Tiger Re-serve, Madhya Pradesh and Sariska Tiger reserve, Rajasthan. The reintroduction programme was conducted in a multi-phase setup with founders being introduced to the Panna and Sariska re-


Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. | © VII

GIB display. | © Ashok Chaudhury Asiatic lion. | © Kausik Baneerjee

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serves at regular time intervals. While the tigers reintroduced in Panna started breeding early, giving birth to 20 cubs in four years; Tigers in Sariska were not propagating at the same rate. A study to measure the stress levels in tigers at both the reintroduction sites revealed that the Sariska tigers were more stressed.


Based on the findings of the study, manage-ment interventions were suggested and the tiger population is growing unhindered in Sa-riska. The institute has also successfully reintro-duced and monitored 17 gaurs from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, where the source population had faced a major local extinction threat.

The Institute’s expertise in animal handling, transport, and veterinary care was instrumental in the success of the reintroduction exercise and helped avert local extinction of gaurs at Band-havgarh Tiger Reserve.

Figure 1. Stress levels of tigers.

The institute has established linkages between in situ and ex situ conservation by conducting studies on housing and enclosure enrichment of species in Indian zoos and suggesting husbandry and management protocols of endangered spe-cies and comparing with the wild conspecifics.

WII has setup a National Studbook Cell and has prepared studbook for 14 species, which is regu-larly updated. Work on 20 species is in progress and more species would be taken up in a phased manner. The institute has also contributed to the planning, evaluation and monitoring of In-dian zoos based on questionnaire and behaviour studies, and has also developed expertise in enclosure design and zoo master planning. The enhanced protection to wildlife has seen a surge in growth of the population of wild animals leading to spill over of surplus population into non forest habitat causing man‑animal conflict. To capture, confine, and translocate animals from conflict sites to the forest the institute has prepared a protocol for transport of wild animal to mitigate stress to animals.

The institute provides vital support to the Central Zoo Authority in capacity building of zoo personnel and has prepared conservation breeding and species recovery plans for several prioritized endangered species. Several zoos have initiated programmes for conservation breeding of endangered species in collaboration with the institute for the purpose of eventual reintroduction in the wild.

Gaur. | © Sitendu Goswami Liontailed macaque using enrichment device. | © WII

List of Participants

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Last Name First Name Organization email Country

Abe Yoshitaka Aquamarine Fukushima [email protected] Japan

Agnihotri Amitabh National Zoological Park [email protected] India

Ajay Balram WTI India

Al Ashamsi Mariam Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain [email protected] UAE

Al Dhaheri Muna Zoo & Aquarium Public Insitution in Al Ain [email protected] UAE

Al Hajeri Ghanim Al Ain Zoo [email protected] UAE

Al Nuaimi Ibrahim Zoo & Aquarium Public Insitution in Al Ain [email protected] UAE

Antognini Amin Hyatt WAZA [email protected] Switzerland

Andrews Brad SeaWorld Orlando [email protected] USA

Anjankar A.M. Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan & Zoo India

Arai Kazutoshi JAZA [email protected]; Japan

Ashraf NVK CWRC India

Avesani Zaborra Cesare Parco Natura Viva [email protected] Italy

Baban Rasem Muenchener Tierpark Hellabrunn AG [email protected] Germany

Bai R. Yesoda Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park India

Baker Anne Amphibian Ark [email protected] USA

Bala Madhu Central Zoo Authority India

Balian Haig Natura Artis Magistra [email protected] Netherlands

Bandaranayake Renuka Department of National Zoological Gardens [email protected] Sri Lanka

Bar Yehuda Zoological Center Tel Aviv Ramat Gan [email protected] Israel

Barongi Rick Houston Zoo [email protected] USA

Barros Yara Parque das Aves [email protected] Brazil

Bell Kevin Lincoln Park Zoo [email protected] USA

Bensted Elaine Zoos South Australia [email protected] Australia

Bhadauria R.S. India

Bhandari Hari Singh Central Zoo Authority India

Bharucha Erach Bharti Vidyapeeth Institute of Environmental Education and Research India

Bhupen Roka Darjeeling zoo India

Blue Andy San Diego Zoo Safari Park [email protected] USA

Bonal B.S. Central Zoo Authority [email protected] India

Bonner Jeffrey Saint Louis Zoo [email protected] USA

Bora Chandan Assam State Zoo India

Brady Chuck Memphis Zoo [email protected] USA

Brattmyhr John Foundation Skansen [email protected] Sweden

Burreja Seema Central Zoo Authority India

Byers Onnie CBSG [email protected] USA

Byun Kyungsup Hanwha Hotels & Resorts [email protected] South Korea

C Vipin K&M International Inc. India

Calle Paul P. Wildlife Conservation Society [email protected] USA

Carroll Bryan Bristol Zoo Gardens [email protected] UK

Chakrabarty Bipul Tata Steel Zoological Park India

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Chandrasekar S. Sanjay Gandhi Zoological Park India

Cheeran Jacob V. India

Cheng Wen-Haur Jurong Bird Park [email protected] Indonesia

Choudhary Monjur morsheed India

Chowdhary Akanksha Jaipur Zoo India

Coan Steve Sea Research Foundation [email protected] USA

Colas Petr Zoo Ostrava, Czech Republic [email protected] Czech Republic

Craig Mark Al Ain Zoo [email protected] UAE

Cretney James Marwell Wildlife [email protected] UK

Croukamp Anna Parque das Aves [email protected] Brazil

Das Asit Indian Veterinary Research Institute India

Das Thakur Central Zoo Authority India

De Anura Silva Dept. of National Zoological Gardens India

Dhakate Parag DFO TARAI EAST India

Dhamija Inder Central Zoo Authority India

Dhimam Sat Pal Pheasant Conservation Breeding Programme India

Dhote Meenakshi CZA India

Dick Gerald WAZA [email protected] Switzerland

Dominguez Maria Clara Fundacion Zoologica de Cali [email protected] Colombia

Donlon Peter ISIS [email protected] USA

Doron Shai Jerusalem Zoo [email protected] Israel

Dutton Amanda Wild Republic Australia [email protected] USA

Ehmke Lee Minnesota Zoological Garden [email protected] USA

Ensor Jeremy Wild Public Retail [email protected]; [email protected] USA

Eric Tsao Taipei Zoo [email protected] Taiwan

Eriksen Andrew Cango Wildlife Ranch [email protected] South Afirca

Fernandez Jesus Madrid Zoo [email protected] Spain

Field David Zoological Society of London [email protected] UK

Fifield Karen Wellington Zoo Trust [email protected] New Zealand

Fischinger Zdenka Ban Zoo Ljubljana [email protected] Slovenia

Fleming Baird Honolulu Zoo [email protected] USA

Frost Phil Baton Rouge Zoo [email protected] USA

Fukuda Yutaka Tama Zoological Park [email protected] Japan

Gaur Ajay LaCONES, CCMB India

Gendron Suzanne Ocean Park Corporation [email protected] Hong-Kong

Ghosh K. L Zoological Garden India

Goel Sandeep LaCONES, CCMB India

Goel Ak UNESCO chronicle India

Goel Vivek Central Zoo Authority India

Gray Jenny Zoos Victoria [email protected] Australia

Griffith Myfanwy EAZA [email protected] UK

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Gulati Neeti Central Zoo Authority India

Gumay Marsawitri Ragunan Zoological Park [email protected] Indonesia

Gupta Brij Kishor Central Zoo Authority [email protected] India

Gusset Markus WAZA [email protected] Switzerland

Habáň Radomír Olomouc Zoo [email protected] Czech Republic

Halvord Carina Universeum [email protected] Sweden

Hanson Becca Studio Hanson/Roberts [email protected] USA

Harrison Bernard Bernard Harrison and Friends [email protected] Singapore

Hashikawa Hisashi Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo [email protected] Japan

Hauert Michèle WAZA [email protected] Switzerland

Heo Kwang Seo Everland Zoo [email protected] South Korea

Hibbard Chris Zoo & Aquarium Association [email protected] Australia

Hilsenroth Rob American Association of Zoo Veterinarians [email protected] USA

Hofer Heribert Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research (IZW) [email protected] Germany

Honda Kimio Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums [email protected] Japan

Hopp Craig K&M International Inc. [email protected] USA

Horský Roman ZOO a zámek Zlín-Lešná [email protected] Czech Republic

Hossain Enayet Dhaka Zoo India

Hovorka Martin Zoo Brno [email protected] Czech Republic

Hunt Susan Perth Zoo [email protected] Australia

Husher Kira IUCN Bath [email protected] UK

Iveta Rabasová Podkrušnohorský Zoopark [email protected] Czech Republic

Iyer Dinesh K&M International Inc. [email protected] India

Jadhav Rajkumar Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre India

Jadiya Jaykishore Nandanvan Zoo India

Jan Westin Universeum [email protected] Sweden

Javadekar Shri Prakash Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change India

Jayaraman Karthik KMIT Solutions India

Jensen Henrik Mansted HMJ Design Denmark [email protected] Denmark

Jensen Deborah Woodland Park Zoo [email protected] USA

Jeong Rae Rho Seoul Zoo [email protected] South Korea

Jha Alankar Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park [email protected] India

Jha P.K. Central Zoo Authority India

Jnawali Sarita NTNC-Central Zoo India

John Werth PAAZAB [email protected] South Africa

Johnston Craig Wild Public Retail [email protected] USA

Jonas Wahlstrom Skansen-Akvariet [email protected] Sweden

Jones David North Carolina Zoological Park [email protected] USA

Joseph B. Zoological Garden India

Junhold Joerg Zoo Leipzig GmbH [email protected] Germany

Kamolnorranath Sumate Zoological Park Organization [email protected] Thailand

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Kauffels Thomas Opel-Zoo thomas.kauffels@opel‑zoo.de Germany

Kelly Dennis Smithsonian National Zoological Park [email protected] USA

Kerr Cameron Taronga Conservation Society Australia [email protected] Australia

Khudsar Faiyaz A India

KJ Ravikumar K&M International Inc. [email protected] India

Kjellson Bo Boras Djurpark AB [email protected] Sweden

Koelpin Thomas Wilhelma Stuttgart [email protected] Germany

Kossl Roman Zoo Ohrada Hluboká nad Vltavou [email protected] Czech Republic

Krásenský Pavel Podkrušnohorský zoopark Chomutov [email protected] Czech Republic

Kris Vehrs AZA [email protected] USA

Kruszewicz Andrzej G Warsaw Zoological Gardens [email protected] Poland

Kubíková Eliška Zoologická zahrada Jihlava [email protected] Czech Republic

Kumar Ashok Wildlife Trust of India India

Kumar Manish M. C. Zoological Park Chhatbir India

Kumar Mukesh Kanpur Zoological Park India

Kumar Rajesh KMIT Solutions India

Kumar Ajay Central Zoo Authority India

Kumar Arvind Central Zoo Authority India

Lalit Mohan India

Lalumière Joanne Granby Zoo [email protected] Canada

Lange Rogerio Brazilian Federal Council of Veterinarian Medicine Brazil

Lanthier Clement Calgary Zoo [email protected] Canada

Lee Kiwon Hanwha Hotels & Resorts [email protected] South Korea

Lee Susan Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens [email protected] Hong-Kong

Leung Wanda Sino Africa Wild – World Tourism Development Co Ltd [email protected] Rep. of China

Linden Lena M Stiftelsen Nordens Ark [email protected] Sweden

Lowry Rachel International Zoo Educators [email protected] Australia

Lupták Peter Bojnice Zoo [email protected] Slovakia

Luz Sonja Wildlife Reserves Singapore [email protected] Singapore

Maneekul Arkom Zoological Park Organization [email protected] Thailand

Maegdefrau Helmut Nuremberg Zoo [email protected] Germany

Magne Florian HURO programme India

Malhotr Himanshu India

Malhotra A.K. India

Mallapur Gowri Madras Crocodile Bank Trust India

Manansang David Taman Safari Indonesia [email protected] Indonesia

Manansang Jansen Taman Safari Indonesia [email protected] Indonesia

McClintock Keith The Portico Group [email protected] USA

Meena Nareshwar India

Mehta V.P. Central Zoo Authority India

Mellor David J Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre [email protected] New Zealand

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Menon Vivek Wildlife Trust of India India

Miller R. Eric Saint Louis Zoo [email protected] USA

Miroslav Bobek Prague Zoo [email protected] Czech Republic

Moin Ahmed ISIS [email protected] India

Morgan Dave North Carolina Zoo [email protected] USA

Murthy B.N.N. Nehru Zoological Park India

Musinguzi James Uganda Wildlife Education Centre [email protected] Uganda

N.C Bahujuna India

Nagel Udo Zoo Rostock Germany office@zoo‑rostock.de Germany

Narayan Goutam Pygmy hog Conservation Breeding Centre India

Nejedlo David Zoo Liberec [email protected] Czech Republic

Ng Louis ACRES [email protected] Singapore

Niekisch Manfred Zoo Frankfurt [email protected] Germany

Nohara Kenichiro Osaka Municipal Tennoji Zoological Gardens [email protected] Japan

Nxomani Clifford National Zoological Gardens [email protected] South Africa

Pagan Olivier Zoo Basel [email protected] Switzerland

Pagel Theo Cologne Zoo [email protected] Germany

Panda S Nandankanan Zoological Park [email protected] India

Parihar B.P.S. Van Vihar National Park-Zoo India

Pate Dennis Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium [email protected] USA

Patil Tejaswini Arvind High Altitude Zoo India

Patnaik S.K. Government of Orissa India

Patra K. Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park India

Patrick Thomas Wildlife Conservation Society [email protected] USA

Paul Vijay K&M International Inc. India

Pellandini Damian Fundacion Temaiken / ALPZA [email protected] Argentina

Penning Mark Walt Disney Parks and Resorts [email protected] USA

Persanyi Miklos Budapest Zoo [email protected] Hungary

Pilgrim Mark Chester Zoo [email protected] UK

Pillai GB K&M International Inc. [email protected] India

Pinto-Pereira Tiago WAZA [email protected] Switzerland

Prakash K.S K&M International Inc. [email protected] India

Prof. Suneja SPA India

Pugh Craig Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo [email protected] USA

Pullen Kirsten BIAZA [email protected] UK

R.S Arun Manipur Zoological Garden India

Radha Central Zoo Authority India

Rahmani Asad Bombay Natural History Society India

Rahul Kaul WTI India

Rana V. J Sakkarbaug Zoo India

Range Gowda Bannerghatta Biological Park India

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Rao P.Mallikarjuna Nehru Zoological Park India

Ratajszczak Radoslaw Zoo Wroclaw [email protected] Poland

Ravi B.P.S. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Park Gardens [email protected] India

Rawat R.S. Central Zoo Authority India

Rawat Sanjay Central Zoo Authority India

Reddy K.S.S.V.P. Arignar Anna Zoological Park India

Rehák Ivan Prague zoo [email protected] Czech Republic

Rietkerk Frank Apenheul Primate Park [email protected] Netherlands

Robichaud Bill Saola Working Group [email protected] USA

Roy K.G. Sepahijala Zoological Park India

Ruebel Alex Zoo Zurich [email protected] Switzerland

Ruka Gandhi WTI India

Rustagi S.K. Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change India

Sahu R.K. Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden India

Salvelli Alessandro Parco Natura Viva [email protected] Italy

Sanderson Steph Chester Zoo [email protected] UK

Saqib Azizgul Kabul Zoo Afghanistan

Sarabhai Kartikeya Centre for Environment Education India

Sartore Joel Photo Ark/National Geographic [email protected] USA

Satyanarayan Kartick Wildlife SOS India

Seshamani Geeta Agra Bear Rescue Facility India

Sethi Natasha Central Zoo Authority India

Shahidullah A.B.M. Dhaka Zoo India

Sharma Saurabh Aizawl Zoological Park India

Sharma B.R. West Bengal Zoo Authority India

Sharma S.C. Central Zoo Authority India

Singh Anil K&M International Inc. India

Sinha P.R. IUCN India India

Siriaroonrat Boripat Zoological Park Organization [email protected] Thailand

Sobieraj Leslaw Opole Zoo [email protected] Poland

Stonecipher Roger ISIS [email protected] USA

Subba J. B Himalayan Zoological Park India

Sukumar Raman Indian Institute of Science [email protected] India

Sundaramoorthy T. Head- Biodiversity Conservation Education Environmental Education Centre India

Suresh R.S. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens Premises India

Swami Gopal Central Zoo Authority India

Tunwattana Wanchai Zoological Park Organization [email protected] Thailand

Tadap Sorang Itanagar Biological Park India

Tan C K Singapore Zoological Gardens @wrs.com.sg Singapore

Tanner Kevin Zoos Victoria [email protected] Australia

Thakur Devender Kumar Central Zoo Authority India

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Tiwari Sandeep Kumar Wildlife Trust of India India

Tonge Simon Paignton Zoo Environmental Park [email protected] UK

Torre Ace Torre Design Consortium, Ltd. [email protected] USA

Tyagi P.C. Wildlife Institute of India India

Umapathy G. LaCONES, CCMB India

Upashna Rai PNHZP India

Vaish Ritesh HKS Designer & Consultant International Co. Ltd. India

Vasudevan Karthikeyan Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biolog India

Walker Sally Zoo Outreach Organization [email protected] USA

Walters Ursula [email protected] Australia

Willemsen Madelon CBSG [email protected] Australia

Zhou Yu Wei Sino Africa Wild-World Tourism Development Co Ltd [email protected] Rep. of China

Ankur UNESCO chronicle India

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