January 26-31 2007 Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas - zacc conference

January 26-31 2007
Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas
Abulani, Ahbam The KOCP Education Unit: local initiative to enhance
environmental awareness in Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia
Aguado, Dr. Gabriel Temaiken and the Biodiversity Conservation
Agvaantseren, Bayarajargal Protecting Snow Leopards in Mongolia – A Community
Approach to Conservation
Ancrenaz, Marc Role of non-protected forests to secure the orang-utans
(Pongo pygmaeus morio) in Sabah, Malaysia
Armstrong, Beth How to Build a Conservation Reputation: Perspectives from a
Small Florida Zoo
Astore, Vanessa Andean Condor Conservation Project Argentina
Bailey, Hannah Space Chickens: The Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Recovery Program
Ballou, Jonathan The Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program: Where we
are now
Bankey, Laura Funding In situ Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Programs
at the National Aquarium in Baltimore
Berzins, Ilze K Coral Restoration in the Florida Keys Using Colonies
Derived from Aquacultured Fragments
Boardman, Suzanne Overweight and under-sexed: conserving and breeding
elephants as ambassadors and flagship species
1

Booth-Binczik, Sue The Dallas Zoo’s Commitment to Ocelots: An Example of the
Focal Taxon Approach to Conservation
Briggs, Michael B. The Creation of the African Predator Conservation Research
Organization: a Model for taking AZA Zoo Experience into the Bush and Out Again!
Byers, Onnie Field Conservation Project Initiative
Caddick, Gerard “Ged” Ecotourism: Old Wine in a New Bottle? Is this trend merely
“greenwashing?
Cancino, Laura A slightly different project: Conservation of the White-winged
Guan (Penelope albipennis) and the Tropical Dry Forests of Northwestern Perú
Castellanos, Armando Andean Bear Project, Ecuador
Corea, Ravi Saving Elephants by Helping People
Cress, Doug The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance: Reintroduction As
Conservation
Dabek, Lisa Ph.D. Indigenous mapping for community-based conservation in Papua New
Guinea
Daly, Amanda E. Pongos Helping Pongos: Turning Animal Artwork into
Conservation Cash
Deane, Amy A Guide to Grassroots Conservation Practitioners: Experiences from
Long-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) Conservation in Chile
De Silva, Managla The Future of the Sri Lankan Elephant
De Silva, Padma Successful Field Studies of Otters in Asia
Di Fiore, Sonia The Do’s and Don’ts of Applying for Field Grants
Dixon, Orlando The Next Step: Indigenous Conservation of Natural Resources
in Bosawas Biosphere Reserve in Nicaragua
Dominguez, Maria Clara Center for the Conservation of Amphibians in the Southwest of
Colombia: A Cooperative Effort Between the Cali Zoo and Zurich Zoo
Dugelby, Barbara L., Ph.D. Developing a Payment for Environmental Services Program
to Protect a Biodiversity Hotspot and Supporting Local Communities
2

Everest, Tian Science Saving Species: a multi-faceted model for species
reintroductions
Fayomoi, Jonathan O. Transformation from menageries to new millennium conservation
centre
Flocken, Jeffrey , JD Follow the Money: International Biodiversity Funding and U.S.
Government Programs
Foley, Charles Conservation easements: a new model to protect the Greater
Tarangire ecosystem
Forbes, Stephanie Regional Conservation Connections: Backyard Habitats as a Model for
Conservation Partnership Building
Griffith, Edgardo It’s Crazy but I like it: Rapid response to catastrophic
amphibian biodiversity loss in Panama
Hallberg, Karen I. Coyote (Canis latrans) Chorus Howling: Using Acoustics to
Assess Group Size
Hammatt, Hank ECI’s Range Country TB Initiative: TB in Captive Elephants
and Implications for Wild Populations
Heinemeyer, Dr. Kimberly Sustaining people and wilderness: combining ecological and
cultural values to guide conservation in the Traditional Territory of the Taku River
Tlingit First Nation, British Columbia
Hennessey, Bennett Conservation actions for the critically endangered Blue-throated
macaw (Ara glaucogularis) in Beni, Bolivia
Holst, Bengt Development of partnerships - a win-win situation for zoos and
field projects
Horwich, Dr. Robert A Successful Conservation Strategy for the Golden Langur
(Trachypithecus geei) in Assam, India
Hudson, Rick Saving Cyclura - the impact of the International Iguana Foundation: a
five-year history
Hudson, Rick The IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance: A Coordinated Response to a
Conservation Crisis
Kouadio, Akoi The West African manatee and people, conflict and conservation
Krogmeier, John Little Zoos Can, Too
3

Lacy, Dr. Robert The Amphibian Ark: Keeping threatened amphibian species
afloat
Lengel, Kimberly From the Rodrigues Fruit Bat: Emergence of Environmental
Education Initiatives in Rodrigues, Successes and Challenges
Lias, Sahdin Community-based Orang Utan Ecotourism Project in Sukau,
Sabah: challenges and achievements at a local perspective
Lieberman, Alan The Hawai`i Endangered Bird Conservation Program: A tool
for the conservation of the world’s most threatened avifauna
Lukas, John The Gilman International Conservation Okapi Conservation
Project:Partnering with zoos for species based conservation initiatives in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo
MacAllister, Mark Field Trip Earth: Bringing Wildlife Conservation to the World’s
Classrooms
Martinez, Fernando In Situ Conservation in Guatemala: Support by American Zoos for
ARCAS´s Wildlife Conservation Activities in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (MBR) Programs
McCarthy, Tom, Ph.D Monitoring Snow Leopard Populations to Measure Conservation
Effectiveness
McGrady, Michael J. Some ins and outs of in situ wildlife conservation research and
ex situ wildlife conservation education related to Steller’s sea eagles
Medici, Patricia Conservation Biology of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in
the Brazilian Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
Medici, Patricia The IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG): Establishing
Partnerships for Tapir Conservation
Miller, R. Eric, DVM The Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute – It’s First Two Years
of Working in Cooperative Initiatives
Moctezuma, Oscar O. Partnership between Zoos and Conservation groups to preserve
the Northernmost Population of Jaguars in Sonora, Mexico
Monterroso, Miriam Zoos Supporting Wildlife Conservation in Guatemala: Support
for ARCAS´s Wildlife Conservation Activities by American Zoos
Muir, Stewart The Asian Pangolin Conservation Programme, Cuc Phuong
National Park, Vietnam
4

Nadler, Tilo A Primate Reintroduction Project for the Endangered Hatinh
Langur, Trachypithecus laotum hatinhensis, in Vietnam
Navarro, Juan Carlos From the Jungle to the City: Blazing Conservation Trails in
Panama
Ng, Timothy Panda Conservation Programmes in Hong Kong
Nsimango, Wilton Painted Dog Conservation’s Environmental Education Program
O’Connor, Terry Starting and Maintaining a Successful Field Education
Program
Okada, Sumio Conservation of the Japanese giant salamander: how research
and education can contribute
Otte, Mauricio Fabry Health Evaluation of wild flamingo in northern Chile:
Phoenicopterus chilensis, Phoenicoparrus andinus and Phoenicoparrus jamesi: How
humans and wildlife can live together in the South American highlands.
Otte, Mauricio Fabry Making zoo based Integral conservation efforts for the
Tricahue (Cyanoliseus patagonus bloxami) in the Zoológico Nacional, Parque
Metropolitano de Santiago
Paras, Alberto DVM Conservation Projects in Central America supported by Africam
Safari, Puebla, Mexico
Perrotti, Louis The effort to save the endangered American burying beetle on a
shoe-string budget: Making conservation resources go farther with invertebrates
Powell, David The Effect of Visitors on Space Usage in Captive Kori Bustards
(Ardeotis kori)
Ross, Jay Plant Conservation Day: A Partnership to Benefit Conservation
Rubiano, Astrith Characterization of reproductive physiology of Tapirus sp. using
non-invasive endocrine analysis.
Sanderson, Jim An Update on Global Small Cat Conservation
Sandhaus, Estelle Collaborative Conservation at the Santa Barbara Zoo:
Making a Local Impact
Sargent, Eva We sent them back to the wild, isn’t that enough?
Schaffer, Nan, DVM Saving the Sumatran Rhino through Community Based Conservation
5

Selier, Jeanetta Will elephants eat us out of house and home?
Shepherdson, David Butterfly Recovery in the Pacific Northwest: Case Studies in
Conservation Partnerships
Shigeuto, Joanna Alfaro Use of short surveys to assess the impact of in situ projects
Shigeuto, Joanna Alfaro Partnership for the Assessment of Ban Effectiveness on
Dolphin Capture in Peru
Sizemore, Dennis The desert rhino conservation project and regional
conservation planning in the Kunene region of northwestern Namibia
Songsasen, Nucharin Influence of Human Development on Ecology and Health of
the Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
Sonnenschein, Leonard A. Institutions Creating Pathways Toward Understanding
Sustainability
Sullivan, Erin Small Critters, Big Impacts: Invertebrate Conservation in Zoos &
Aquariums and Beyond: International Bug Club
Travis, Dr. Erika Veterinarians as team members in wildlife conservation
VAN SICKLE, WALLY IDEA WILD: HOW SMALL GRANTS BENEFIT BIG CONSERVATION
EFFORTS
Walsh, Allyson Community science lessons for conservation: monitoring
flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus) in eastern Madagascar and Western Indian
Ocean islands
Welch, Charlie The Parc Ivoloina, Madagascar Project: A Model for Effective
and Lasting Zoo-based Conservation
Waters, Sian Baird’s Tapir in Belize: Distribution and Conflicts with
Subsistence Farmers
Weinhardt, Diana Wood Bison Restoration Plan for the State of Alaska
Whiting, Jeff The Role of Art in Conservation: A Natural Strategic Alliance
with Zoos & Aquariums
Wünnemann, Dr. Klaus WAPCA- a joint initiative for Africa’s most endangered
primates
Wyatt, Jeff DVM LEAPING into International In Situ Conservation – Seneca
Park Zoo’s Docents’ Madagascar Experience
6

Abulani, Ahbam bin
Supervisor
Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Program (KOCP)
P.O. Box 3109
90734 Sandakan
Sabah, Malaysia
The KOCP Education Unit: A Local Initiative to Enhance Environmental
Awareness in Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia
Ahbam bin Abulani has been working for the KOCP since 2000. He was hired as a
research assistant and has been observing orang-utan behavior on a daily basis at the
project study site. In 2003, Ahbam was appointed as the Head of the KOCP Orang-utan
Research Unit and last year Ahbam also became in charge of the KOCP
Education/Awareness Unit. He is also part of the KOCP Steering Committee, in charge
of orientating the general conservation strategy for this project.
Ahbam Abulani 1 , Johri Bakri 1 , Isabelle Lackman-Ancrenaz 1,3 , Laurentius Ambu 2 , Marc
Ancrenaz 1
1: Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project (KOCP), PO Box 3109, 90734
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, hutan1@tm.net.my
2 : Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
3 : Pittsburgh Zoo Research Fellow, USA
……….
The recent development of a specific education/awareness unit by the local research
assistants of the Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project (KOCP) was a logical
enlargement of the general activities launched in 1998 to ensure the survival of orangutans
in this area. Enhancing the local people’s understanding and appreciation of the
natural environment they share with orang-utans and other wildlife in the Kinabatangan
region has become a priority for the KOCP Education/Awareness Unit. The Unit’s basic
approach toward increased awareness is to use KOCP results and achievements to bring
conservation messages to the community. In turn, we expect members of our community
to become more responsible about the management of our natural resources and more
aware of their duty to preserve Borneo’s natural heritage for the coming generation.
Over the past couple of years, a few targeted audiences were identified and specific
campaigns were conducted through education outreach events at local primary and
secondary schools, such as the “Fishermen for Conservation Initiative” and the
“Cleanliness Campaign”. The KOCP Education/Awareness Unit also collaborates with
the Honorary Wildlife Wardens, the Sukau Youth Association, the Red Ape Encounters
ecotourism company, and other partners to identify and to promote alternative economic
activities that respect the environment.
7

Aguado, Dr. Gabriel
Fundacion Temaiken
Ruta Provincial 25 Km. 0,700 (1625)
Escobar, Buenos Aires
Argentina
gaguado@temaiken.com.ar
Temaiken and Biodiversity Conservation
Dr. Gabriel Aguado is the Temaikèn Foundation’s senior veterinarian. He graduated
from La Pampa University and worked at the Buenos Aires Zoological Garden for 18
years before coming to Temaikèn in 1999, and currently is in charge of the fauna
collection plan, as well as education, conservation, and research projects. Dr. Aguado
has been a member of the World Association of Wildlife Veterinarian’s Executive
Committee for 10 years and served as President of the Latin American Zoological Parks
and Aquariums Association from 1999 to 2001. He is the current President of the
Argentina Republic Zoological Parks and Aquariums Association and Secretary of the
Buenos Aires Province Zoological Parks and Aquariums Association.
……….
The Temaikèn Foundation carries out the following conservation projects: Native
Butterflies, Pino Paraná (Araucaria angustifolia) Ecosystem, Terrestrial Tapir (Tapirus
terrestris), Aguará Guazú (Chrysocyon brachyu rus), Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus),
and Private Reserve Osununú. Temaikèn’s main conservation priority is to work with
native Argentinian species that are experiencing significant population declines and may
be threatened with extinction. The principal objectives of these projects are to contribute
to the general knowledge regarding the focal species and to offer protection to the native
flora and fauna that comprise their ecological communities. The overall program includes
both in situ and ex situ research projects, as well as captive reproduction initiatives.
For each project, the principal threats to the focal species and their habitats are identified.
These typically include the felling of trees to expand the lands for agriculture and cattle
pasture, the use of pesticides, and general fragmentation of the natural landscape. In
addition, many wildlife populations suffer from uncontrolled hunting, the spread of
diseases by domestic animals, and the illegal pet trade. Following initial surveys to
identify the most significant threats to focal species and habitats, appropriate
conservation actions are planned, including educational initiatives.
Temaikèn develops different training courses for communities associated with each
project, thereby generating commitment at the local level. All conservation actions are
carried out in cooperation with appropriate governmental agencies and non-governmental
institutions, with a view toward developing better environmental protection policies.
8

Agvaantseren, Bayarajargal
Mongolia Program Director
Snow Leopard Trust
www.snowleopard.org
Protecting Snow Leopards in Mongolia – A Community Approach to Conservation
Bayarajargal Agvaantseren became involved in snow leopard conservation in 1998,
working as an English teacher for the Great Gobi National Park staff and a community
school in the town of Bayantooroi. The Snow Leopard Enterprises program was initiated
the following year, providing her the opportunity to work directly with this endangered
species and with women livestock herders, helping them increase their income while coexisting
with wild snow leopard populations. Bayarajargal recently finished her Master’s
Degree in Development Studies, conducting research on the comparative benefits of
conservation to men and women in local communities.
……….
Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) are a flagship species for wildlife conservation in the
spectacular mountainous region of Centra Asia, which includes the Himalayas,
Karakorams, Hindu Kush, Pamirs, Tien Shan, and Altai ranges. These magnificent cats
face serious threats to their survival with as few as 3,500 remaining across some two
million km 2 of suitable habitat. Nearly 1,000 are thought to remain in Mongolia alone,
making it one of the most important areas on the planet for snow leopard conservation. In
order to protect these endangered cats, the Snow Leopard Trust began a unique
community-based conservation program – Snow Leopard Enterprises - in 1999. This
program works through local community participation to protect the snow leopard, its
prey species, and the surrounding ecosystem. The program provides much needed
income and training to nomadic herding families that live within snow leopard habitat.
As part of the program, these herders become involved in conservation activities and set
goals that will help protect protected areas and their surrounding buffer zones. As an
incentive, a financial bonus is awarded to families living in areas where conservation
agreements are maintained throughout the year.
This presentation describes the program in Mongolia since its onset, including how it is
structured, how both the communities and the snow leopards benefit from the Trust’s
projects, specific examples of community involvement and initiatives, and updates on
improvements and modifications to the program that appear to have increased its
effectiveness. The program in Mongolia recently underwent an independent evaluation,
as well as an assessment by one of the granting agencies, the results suggesting that it has
been become a successful model for community-based conservation that can be shared
with other organizations. This presentation also describes future project needs and
opportunities for program involvement and support by zoos and aquariums.
9

Ancrenaz, Marc
Director, Hutan
Sabah, Malaysia
hutan1@tm.net.my
Role of Non-protected Forests to Secure Orangutans in Sabah, Malaysia
Dr. Marc Ancrenaz is a French wildlife veterinarian and Director of the Kinabatangan
Orang-utan Conservation Project (KOCP) in Malaysian Borneo. Marc is also the
Scientific Director of HUTAN, a French wildlife conservation organization that he and
his wife, Dr. Isabel Lackman-Ancrenaz, established in 1998. The KOCP works to ensure
the survival of wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in tropical forest habitats within
and around the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The program includes long-term
ecological and behavioral studies as well as community outreach and awareness
activities. As a result of the KOCP’s efforts, local people of this region actively
participate in managing their natural heritage for better lives today and the benefit of
future generations.
Dr. Marc Ancrenaz 1 , Azri Sawang 1 , Benoit Goossens 1,2 , Patrick Andau 3 , Laurentius
Ambu 3 , Dr Isabelle Lackman-Ancrenaz 1,4
1 : Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project; Austral Park, Lorong 10, House 35,
88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
2 : Cardiff University, Wales, UK
3 : Sabah Wildlife Department
4 : Pittsburgh Research Fellow
……….
Despite efforts to secure their future in Africa and in Asia, most wild populations of the
world’s great apes are in sharp decline throughout their ranges. Surprisingly, population
sizes and distributions as well as population trends of many taxa are still poorly known.
This lack of information hampers the development and the implementation of sound
management and conservation strategies, such that there is an urgent need to secure more
reliable information about the conservation status of these populations.
All great ape taxa are officially protected within their respective range countries, but we
can question whether protected status alone is sufficient to ensure their survival. Indeed,
many protected areas that harbor great apes are in crisis, beset by increasing illegal
human activities (poaching, logging, agriculture encroachments, etc) and natural
catastrophes (disease outbreaks, droughts and fires, etc). Although it is critical to ensure
the integrity of this protected area networks, we must also develop alternative
mechanisms to better protect wild populations of great apes and their habitats.
Indeed, recent surveys show that many populations of great apes are found outside of
protected forests and in areas exploited by people. These populations are vital to the long-
10

term viability of populations that inhabit protected areas - they represent a significant
number of individuals and allow for a better gene-flow between isolated protected
populations – thus conservationists need to identify new mechanisms to better address
their fate.
Sixty percent of the 11,000 western Bornean orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) living
in Sabah, Malaysia are found outside of protected forests. New mechanisms are being
developed by the Sabah Wildlife Department and its partners to enhance their chances for
survival. This presentation describes some of the options - at the community, regional,
national, and international levels - that are currently available to better their prospects for
survival.
11

Armstrong, Beth
Field Conservation Coordinator
Brevard Zoo
8225 North Wickham Road
Melbourne, Florida 32940-7924 USA
Elynn57@aol.com
How to Build a Conservation Reputation: Perspectives from a Small Florida Zoo
The Brevard Zoo, located in east-central Florida, has been committed to supporting in
situ conservation and research projects for the last five years. Based on the Columbus
Zoo’s conservation philosophy, this formula has been adapted for use in a smaller zoo.
The Brevard Zoo believes that conservation is not necessarily about granting large sums
of money, but can also involve allocating small sums of money and building relationships
with our field colleagues over time. In essence, truly effective conservation is about
relationships, our relationship with the field researcher, his or her relationship with local
people, and indigenous people’s relationship with a particular ecosystem.
With that in mind, the Brevard Zoo allocates small grants to a wide array of researchers
both here in the U.S and abroad. Our philosophy on how to create trusting relationships
with our contacts that yield beneficial results both at the zoo and in the field contact will
be discussed, as well as examples of projects that our zoo supports. The type of
application form and requirements from the field researcher will be examined. As with
most zoos and especially smaller ones, fundraising is always a challenge. Creative and
unusual methods of fundraising will be presented. In addition, the Brevard Zoo has
hosted the Zoos & Aquariums: Committing to Conservation (ZACC) conference in 2001
and 2005. This role as a facilitator serves as an example of how zoos and aquariums can
bring together field researchers and zoo professionals to garner increased support for field
conservation efforts.
12

Astore, Vanessa
Licenciada Ciencias Biológicas
Fundación Bioandina Argentina & Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
República de la India 3000
(1425) Buenos Aires – Argentina
vaneastore@bioandina.org.ar
Andean Condor Conservation Project in Argentina
Vanesa Astore is Chief of the Biology Department for the Buenos Aires City Zoo in
Argentina and Coordinator of its Andean Condor Conservation Project. She is also an
associate investigator for Argentina/Chile Bi-Nacional Andean Condor Conservation
Project and the Animal Reproduction and Conservation Assistance (ARCA) project, a
genetic resource bank dedicated to wild species and the application of biotechnologies in
reproductive assistance.
……….
In August 1991, the Andean Condor Conservation Project (ACCP) was born in
Argentina. Through an artificial incubation and hatching program of wild specimens,
conducted in isolation from human caretakers at the project’s Rescue Center, it has been
possible to release 58 condors since 1991 to remote areas of the South American Andes,
such as the Pàramos in Venezuela and the Patagonian region of Argentina.
Thanks to an agreement with NASA, in 1997 the ACCP was the first institution to use
satellite technology to follow released condors in flight over the complex terrain of the
high Andes. The use of radio-telemetry and satellite transmissions allowed for
development of a GIS (Geographic Information System) specific to this species. A
special software program, Decosat, allowed researchers to simulate condor flight and
gain a better understanding of post-release displacement patterns. Thanks to modern
technology, researchers have discovered preferred sleeping sites known as condoreras,
flight capacity, and habitat preferences, among other things. This information helps
conservationists make better decisions regarding the management of released birds.
The ACCP also conducts an educational program that reaches thousand of students every
year with a strong conservation message. Thanks to the participation of indigenous
Andean communities, whose members have honored and lived together in harmony with
this species for thousand of years, before each release, ancestral ceremonies are
organized. Original inhabitants offer a pray in their native tongue, sending a message of
respect and a veneration for all life, asking to return the Andean soul to its own place.
13

Bailey, Hannah
Curator of Birds
Houston Zoo
1513 N. MacGregor
Houston Texas 77030 USA
hbailey@houstonzoo.org
Space Chickens: The Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Recovery Program
Hannah Bailey is Curator of Birds for the Houston Zoo and serves as the Species
Coordinator for the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken SSP, Studbook Keeper for this species,
and the lead representative for the zoo on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Attwater’s
Prairie Chicken Recovery Program.
……….
The Attwater’s prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) is a critically endangered
grouse native to the Texas gulf coast region. Currently, the sustained wild population
hovers at around 50 birds.
In 1900, millions of the APCs made this region their home. During the 20 th century,
however, habitat loss combined with invasive species caused the population to plummet
and led to its endangered status in 1967. When the population reached a low of 32 birds,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formed the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Federal
Recovery Team. The Team’s goal is to restore native prairies in order to sustain a
healthy wild population of Attwater’s prairie chickens.
In 2003, the President of the Houston Zoo contacted the Director of NASA’s Johnson
Space Center (JSC) with an innovative request. Due to space constraints and elevated
noise levels at the Zoo, the breeding flock of prairie chickens required a new home to
improve breeding success rates. The Houston Zoo requested the use of JSC’s
undeveloped property for construction of a new breeding facility. In response, JSC
licensed 5 acres to the Zoo for the new facility. In 2005, a dozen breeding enclosures
were constructed in the first phase of this long-term project.
In December 2005, 24 birds were transferred to their new home at the Space Center. In
May 2006, “Egg NASA 1” was laid. A total of 138 eggs were produced; of these 108
chicks hatched and 63 survived. The egg production at JSC rate represents an increase
of approximately 10% over prior years at the Zoo, while hatchability increased by 15%.
This unique partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial to both the Zoo and NASA,
helping to educate both our employees and the public regarding the plight of this rare
Texas endemic bird, and by linking captive breeding directly to reintroduction efforts and
attempts to secure and restore suitable prairie habitat.
14

Ballou, Jonathan
Research Scientist, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, USA
BallouJ@si.edu
Kleiman, Devra
Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, USA
dgkleiman@aol.com
The Golden Lion Tamarin Program: Where We are Now
Jonathan Ballou received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior from the University
of Virginia in 1977. He began working at the National Zoological Park as a volunteer in
1978, where he eventually teamed up with Katherine Ralls to study the effects of
inbreeding in exotic species. Their research led to the recognition that small populations,
both in zoos and the wild, needed to be carefully managed to maintain their genetic
viability. Since 1983, Jon has maintained the International Studbook for the Golden Lion
Tamarin. His research on small population management yielded the concept of mean
kinship, the genetic management strategy now being used by most SSP programs. Jon
received his Masters in Statistics at George Washington University in 1985 and his Ph.D.
in Population Genetics from the University of Maryland in 1995.
Devra Kleiman is a Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Smithsonian National Zoological
Park, where she worked for 30 years, and Adjunct Professor with the Department of
Biology at the University of Maryland. Her interests and expertise are in conservation
biology (specifically reintroduction and integrating in situ and ex situ conservation
strategies), mammalian reproduction and behavior, zoo biology, and institutional strategic
planning and program evaluation. She has authored more than 150 scientific and popular
publications, most recently The Lion Tamarins, a summary of the lion tamarin
conservation programs and the reference work Wild Mammals in Captivity.
……….
The Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program focuses on protection of the
endangered Leontopithecus rosalia, a tiny but charismatic primate that serves as a
flagship species to preserve, connect and expand forest fragments within the Atlantic
Coastal rainforests of Brazil - one of the Earth’s Hotspots of Biodiversity. A
reintroduction program for golden lion tamarins has been carried out in Brazil since 1984,
representing the only long-term successful reintroduction of a captive primate from zoos
into the wild. Over 150 golden lion tamarins have been reintroduced from the
international zoo community and another 42 golden lion tamarins have been translocated
into protected forest from tiny threatened fragments of the Atlantic Forest. These few
reintroduced and translocated tamarins have now grown into populations numbering well
over 650 animals – over 50% of the entire protected wild population of about 1,200-
1,300 individuals. Through the flagship species approach, the amount of protected habitat
has also nearly tripled since the beginning of this program.
15

Since 1992, the Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program has been coordinated by the
Brazilian Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado (the Golden Lion Tamarin Association). This
program has been so successful that the status of the golden lion tamarin has been
downgraded from Critically Endangered” to Endangered, according to the criteria of the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This presentation reviews the history of the
program, the continuing role of the international captive breeding community in making
it a success, and future directions of conservation and research intended to develop
corridors that will connect the many fragmented populations and allow natural genetic
exchange to take place.
16

Bankey, Laura
Project Manager
National Aquarium in Baltimore
501 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 USA
lbankey@aqua.org
Funding In Situ Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Programs at the National
Aquarium in Baltimore
Laura Bankey, a Project Manager in the Conservation Department of the National
Aquarium in Baltimore, is responsible for coordination of Chesapeake Bay wetland
restoration projects, development and implementation of the Minority Student
Conservation work-study program, and the organization of the Aquarium’s leatherback
sea turtle conservation efforts in Costa Rica. She earned her graduate degree at the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary, where she
studied the effects of chronic doses of industrial chemicals on fish. She is a member of
the Patapsco/Back River Tributary Team for the State of Maryland, Baltimore
City/County Watershed Advisory Group and a board member of the Baltimore Harbor
Watershed Association.
……….
The National Aquarium in Baltimore has recently focused its in situ conservation efforts
on coastal ecosystems in three regions – the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and the Chesapeake
Bay. Within these ecosystems, the Aquarium supports a wide variety of conservation
efforts including community-based habitat restoration, coral reef conservation, sea turtle
protection and rehabilitation, stream bio-monitoring, mooring buoy installation, and local
education initiatives. To support these programs, the Aquarium has been creative in both
obtaining and retaining funds. Monies come from a diversity of sources such as federal
grants, visitor contributions, philanthropic foundations, partnerships, in-kind support,
operational budgets, volunteer contributions, and fund-raising events. This variety of
sources, although requiring considerable staff time to administer, is critical to keeping
these programs running.
The Aquarium also relies on a strong volunteer base, related exhibitry, and status within
the community to reach others to support these projects. Innovative methods are used to
achieve restoration and outreach goals, including getting local citizens and politicians
involved, sponsoring media site-specific events, hosting informational meetings at the
Aquarium, creating interpretive signs and printed materials, and conducting outreach.
This presentation describes sources of funding, strategies for building partnerships and
performance measurement, and subsequent communication back to donors that helps to
ensure and increase future support.
17

Berzins, Ilze K., PhD, DVM
Veterinarian and Vice President of Biological Operations
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, Florida 33602 USA
IBerzins@FLAquarium.org
Coral Restoration in the Florida Keys Using Colonies Derived from Aquaculture
Fragments
Ilze K. Berzins, Craig A. Watson, Roy P.E. Yanong, Jen Matysczak, and Kathy Heym
Kilgore
Ilze Berzins is Vice President for Biological Operations, and the Veterinarian for The
Florida Aquarium located in Tampa. Dr. Berzins has a PhD in marine ecology from the
University of California, Berkeley, a DVM from the University of California, Davis, and
has completed a three-year fellowship in Comparative Pathology at The Johns Hopkins
Medical Institutions. She is responsible for the health and maintenance of a multi-million
dollar aquatic collection, including several coral displays and a Caribbean coral
propagation facility. She oversees husbandry, dive programs, animal health, and is
responsible for helping develop the conservation and research programs. Her role in this
project is to assist in disease diagnostics, evaluate the histopathology, help develop the
protocols for the health certification process, and help with the relocation process.
……….
Caribbean coral reefs are under increasing pressures from various sources, including
dredging, ship groundings, pollution, illegal collecting and harsh weather conditions.
Florida coral reefs, the only shallow water reefs in the continental United States, have
suffered considerable loss. Restoration of damaged coral sites is limited by the
availability of coral colonies. Aquaculture has emerged as a viable method for largescale
production of coral colonies (especially Indo-Pacific species) using fragments from
the aquarium trade. Recent efforts involving the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary,
The Florida Aquarium, the University of Florida, Mote Marine Laboratory, and other
institutions have shown that many species of Atlantic Scleractinia can be fragmented and
grown successfully in tanks and on underwater lease sites. However, several questions
remain: 1) Can these aquaculture fragments be utilized effectively in reef restoration?; 2)
Will aquaculture corals become a vector for disease when introduced to a restoration
site?; and 3) Are growth and survival of reintroduced fragments affected by culture
techniques? The research conducted in this study will provide data and protocols to help
answer these questions and improve coral restoration efforts. The project will evaluate
feasibility and success by using fragments from corals recovered from construction
activities and cultured under three separate conditions (greenhouse; land-based, ocean
flow-through system; open ocean site), and their subsequent survival when placed in a
restoration site.
18

Boardman, Suzanne
Director
Twycross Zoo - East Midland Zoological Society
Burton Road, Atherstone
Warwickshire, CV9 3PX
United Kingdom
sboardman@wildlifeinformation.org
Overweight and Under-Sexed: Conserving and Breeding Elephants
as Ambassadors and Flagship species
Boardman S.I. 1 and Bourne D.C 2 .
1 Twycross Zoo – East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Road, Atherstone,
Warwickshire, CV9 3PX
2 Wildlife Information Network - The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street,
London NW1 0TU, UK
Elephants are important flagship species for the conservation of large areas of natural
habitats in Africa and Asia. Because of their size and their social lives, they are respected
by many people. (Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001) Large areas are needed for maintenance
of viable elephant populations, and protection of such ranges also provides habitat for
many other animals. Elephants are "keystone species", important for their ecosystem and
benefiting it in many ways, such as dispersing seeds, distributing nutrients (by way of
their droppings), and digging waterholes (thereby providing water for other species).
(Spinage, 1995; Jumoto et al., 1995, Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001)
Elephants – endangered species
Numbers of both African and Asian elephants have declined considerably over the past
century. There were probably several million African elephants (combined Loxodonta
africana - African Elephant and Loxodonta cyclotis - Forest Elephant) over the whole of
Africa during most of the first half of the twentieth century and in 1979 the total
population of African elephants was estimated as at least 1.3 million, but by 1989 it was
estimated to have declined to a little over 600,000 – a loss of more than 50% of the
population in ten years. (Nowak, 1999; Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001)
Products of dead elephants, particularly ivory, but also and increasingly meat are valued
also, leading to poaching for their tusks and as food. (Cheeran & Poole, 1996;
Nowak,1999; Sukumar, 2003) In recent years there has been an increase in the killing of
African elephants for meat as well as, and even rather than, for ivory. Most elephants are
not in protected areas and even in theoretically protected areas protection is often lacking
in the field. Hunting of elephants for food has increased where humans are displaced into
elephant habitat due to war, civil strife and political instability. Additionally, international
logging concessions open up access to dense forests for hunters, bring in loggers, which
dramatically increases local demand for meat, and provide a mechanism for illegally
killed meat to be transported and sold. (Stein & BCTF, 2002) In Asia, poaching for ivory
has increased, and in some areas this has led to extremely skewed sex ratios: one male to
25 or even 100 females; while birth rate may be maintained with male:female ratios of
19

about 1:15, at the very high ratios birth rates may be much reduced. (Cheeran & Poole,
1996; Menon et al., 1997)
In both Africa and Asia, areas remaining as elephant habitats are shrinking and human
habitation and agriculture are encroaching on former elephant ranges. In Asia in
particular, habitats are fragmented, while in Africa, populations in remaining protected
areas may be too large for the habitat to sustain. Elephants move into human occupied
areas in search of food, leading to destruction of crops and houses by elephants and
human fatalities. Elephants are killed to protect homes, crops and people, or in retaliation
for losses. (Cheeran & Poole, 1996; Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001)
In situ conservation needs include habitat protection, protection from poaching,
education, and development of means to assist humans and elephants to coexist. (Menon
et al., 1997; Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001) The large distances travelled by elephants
means that elephant conservation needs to be planned on large geographical scales, often
crossing national boundaries. (Blake et al., 2001)
There are additional challenges for conservation, and need for research, to understand
elephant genetics and confirm the number of species and subspecies. At present, two
African elephant species are recognised (Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis)
(Grubb et al., 2001, Roca et al., 2001, Roca et al., 2005) and one Asian elephant species,
(Elephas maximus) and there may be two or more clades or subspecies within each of
these (Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001, Eggert et al., 2002, Fernando et al. 2002, Fleischer
et al., 2001, Fernando et al. 2003, Hildebrandt et al., 2006).
Elephants in zoos
Elephants in collections play an important role as ambassadors for the conservation of
their species and native habitats, supporting education and fund-raising for their wild
cousins, as well as permitting important research (Hildebrandt et al., 2006). To ensure
that they continue to fulfil that role it is essential that their management is good, and that
they breed, maintaining the captive population. However, a combination of infectious and
non-infectious diseases, clinical infertility of females, old age and infant mortality means
that zoo elephant populations have not been self-sustaining (Wiese, 2000).
To keep elephants properly, and breed them, it is important to understand elephant
natural history and provide social environments compatible with the social systems seen
in wild elephants.
Social biology
The basic social unit consists of a female and her offspring (females of all ages and males
up to the age of puberty). Family units may join to form larger groups such as "kinship
groups" consisting of perhaps four family groups, and even larger clans made up of
several kinship groups. Bulls leave or are pushed out of the family group at puberty.
While bulls may be found alone they are also found in bull herds, although the
composition of a bull group may change constantly. Sometimes males are found with
family groups; this may be when a female is in oestrus, but may also indicate males,
20

particularly younger males, maintaining ties with their original family group. In the wild,
family units commonly meet and exchange greetings. Contact between larger social units
may be maintained over distances of a few kilometres. (Schulte, B.A., 2000; Langbauer,
2000). Calves are looked after not only by their mother but also by other related females,
allomothers. This care may be important for calf survival, and females may gain
experience before rearing their own calves. (Schulte, 2000; Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006).
It has been suggested that cooperation and assistance between elephants may be more
likely in elephants which are related or have known each other for a long time (Schulte,
2000). While it is not possible to enable elephants to maintain their larger social units in
captive situations, it may be preferable to keep females with their mothers, and to avoid
splitting up groups of females which have been together for long periods.
Poor mothering skills and rejection of infants have been problems recognised in zoos, and
have also been seen in both African and Asian wild elephants in disrupted elephant
societies. (Bradshaw et al., 2005)
Social structure is important also for males; in the absence of older males, young bull
elephants may show abnormally early musth and excessive aggression. (Bradshaw et al.,
2005)
Diseases of captive elephants
To maintain viable captive populations it is important to keep elephants alive and well,
and to breed them. A variety of viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, nutritional, physical and
other diseases can affect elephants.
Infectious Diseases
Several bacterial and viral infections may cause high mortality and/or be important as
zoonoses. In North America, one of the major challenges at present is the detection and
treatment of tuberculosis in elephants. This has also been seen in elephants in Europe and
Asia. Diagnosis and detection of infected individuals (which may not be showing any
clinical signs) has relied on culture of repeated trunk washes – a process which requires
either training or sedation of the elephant. Recently, new immunological tests including
MAPIA (MultiAntigen Print ImmunoAssay) and RT lateral flow test (ElephantTB
STAT-PAK kit, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.), have been developed which can
be used on serum samples and appear to give early detection and, in the case of the
MAPIA, may be useful to monitor the effects of treatment. Treatment requires multiple
drugs used in combination, generally given orally and/or rectally; there are challenges
associated with both routes, including elephant acceptance and side-effects. Another
important bacterial disease is salmonellosis, which can cause severe illness,and is
sometimes fatal. This is seen more commonly in African than in Asian elephants
(Schmitt, 2003). Both these diseases are important not only for the ill health they cause in
elephants but also due to their potential as zoonoses.
In Europe and North America, a major challenge to health has been herpesvirus infection.
While there is a herpesvirus infection causing skin lesions in Loxodonta africana in
Africa (Basson et al.,1971; Jacobson et al., 1986; du Toit, 2001), in Europe and North
America there have been several deaths from herpesvirus infections and one Asian
21

elephant has died of herpesvirus in Asia (Richman et al., 2000a, Richman et al. 2000b;
Reid et al., 2006). In some individuals a course of a human antiviral drug, famciclovir,
has successfully treated this disease, but in other elephants treatment has been
unsuccessful or the elephant has died too quickly for treatment to be attempted (Montali
et al., 2002). Poxvirus infection, mainly in Asian elephants, has been seen in a number of
locations in central Europe, and can cause not only localised skin lesions but more
generalised lesions, with pustules over large areas of the elephant, rapidly fatal
septicaemia, and stillbirth (Kuntze, 1999; Mikota, 1999; Wisser et al., 1998; Hinke &
Wipplinger, 2002) .
Encephalomyocarditis virus has been responsible for a number of deaths, with peracute to
acute disease, in elephants in the USA, Australia, and South Africa (Simpson et al., 1977;
Seaman & Finnie, 1987; Grobler et al., 1995).
For these and other infectious diseases, good hygiene and biosecurity, including premovement
testing for tuberculosis, control of rodents and other pests, and quarantine, are
important for disease prevention. (Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006)
Management-related diseases and nutrition
Just as important as infectious diseases are the common diseases of the feet and teeth.
Foot problems such as nail overgrowth, cracks and abscesses, overgrowth or excessive
wear of the sole, sole cracks and sole abscesses are multifactorial in origin and are the
commonest problem seen in captive elephants (Fowler, 1993; Fowler, 2001; Schmitt,
2003; Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006). Prevention involves ensuring appropriate substrates
in outdoor and indoor areas, adequate exercise and availability of pools for elephants to
bathe in. Additionally, it is important that the feet are checked regularly and problems
treated early, before they progress ato development of chronic pododermatitis and
osteoarthritis (Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006). Dental diseases also are important. Tusks
are prone to injury, particularly in the captive environment (Mikota et al., 1994) Molar
malocclusion is not uncommon, and may be related to insufficient roughage in the diet.
(Dierenfeld, 1994; Hatt & Clauss, 2006)
A major challenge in zoo elephant management is nutrition. On the one hand, it is
important to provide good nutrition with adequate vitamin and mineral levels to maintain
the health of the skin, nails, bones, and other tissues. At the same time, there is increasing
evidence that elephants in zoos are fed too well. This leads to obesity (Hatt & Clauss,
2006); this can increase problems with feet and joints, and may (as is the case in humans)
be associated with reproductive problems such as the development of leiomyomas, which
are common in the female genital tract of older Asian elephant cows in zoos.
(Hildebrandt et al., 1997, Hildebrandt & Goritz, 1999; Hatt & Liesegang, 2001;Hatt &
Clauss, 2006)
Breeding and reproductive diseases
Historically, breeding of elephants in zoos has not been sufficient to maintain populations
at a stable level (Olsen & Wiese, 1998; Taylor & Poole, 1998; Wiese 2000).
Reproductive diseases are common in zoo elephants and range from acyclicity in females
and infertility in males to dystocia, as well as a variety of pathological conditions of the
22

ovaries, uterus (e.g. leiomyomas, endometrial cystic hyperplasia and polyps), cervix (e.g.
cervical cysts, polyps) and vestibulo-vagina (lymphoid follicular vulvitis, cysts, polyps
and inflammation. (Mikota et al., 1994; Mikota, 1999; Hildebrandt et al., 2000;
Hildebrandt et al., 2006; Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006).
Nutrition is thought to play a role in reproductive diseases of captive elephants. In the
wild, female elephants in optimum conditions become sexually mature at about 10-11
years (as young old, although in drought conditions or an overcrowded population,
puberty may be delayed to 16-18 years (Vila-Garcia & Bourne, 2006). In captivity,
female elephants may start to ovulate at 4-7 years of age (Hildebrand et al., 2006). The
early puberty in the captive elephants may be associated with the fact that they have
constant access to high-quality foods. However, it is recommended in the elephant EEP
(European Endangered Species Programme) that first breeding should occur at 10-12
years; it has been suggested that the repeated ovulatory cycles without pregnancy may be
responsible for premature alterations in the female elephant’s reproductive system; a
variety of alterations, seen by ultrasonographic examination, are most common in older
nulliparous elephant cows (Hildebrand et al., 2006). Additionally, Leiomyomas, which
are common in the female genital tract of older Asian elephant cows in zoos, are known
in humans to be associated with obesity, and many zoo elephants are overweight
(Hildebrandt et al., 1997, Hildebrandt & Goritz, 1999, Hatt & Liesegang, 2001,Hatt &
Clauss, 2006). Dystocia in zoo elephants may also be associated with good nutrition,
leading to large calf size (Hildebrandt et al., 2006). Dystocia is a serious problem in
elephants and may lead to the loss of the calf, cow or both (Foerner, 1999).
Reducing reproductive diseases and increasing breeding in elephants is a challenge. It has
been suggested that female elephants should be maintained in intact families, which may
through social factors delay the onset of puberty, that females should be bred after they
have first undergone no more than two years of normal oestrous cycles, and that they
should thereafter be bred at intervals of no longer than five years. (Schaftenaar &
Hildebrandt, 2006). In the wild, although some females move away from the herd to give
birth, often she does not, and other females gather round the calving cow (Sikes, 1971,
Eltringham, 1982, Douglas-Hamilton et al., 2001). Maintaining this social situation may
encourage a normal birth process in captive elephants, and leaving the mother
unrestrained during parturition is suggested to stimulate acceptance of the calf by its
mother (Schaftenaar & Hildebrandt, 2006). Close monitoring of pregnancy, using
ultrasonographic and hormonal monitoring should allow accurate estimation of the
expected time of parturition, allowing early intervention if calving does not progress
normally (Schaftenaar & Hildebrandt, 2006).
Artificial insemination
Another problem limiting breeding in zoos is the relative lack of male elephants, which
has been compounded by low sperm counts and low libido in captive bull elephants
(Hildebrandt et al., 2000b). This can be overcome, at least in part, by the use of artificial
insemination.
23

Work has been proceeding on artificial insemination in elephants and there have now
been several successes, both using bulls at the same institution as the cow, and using
bulls geographically apart from the cow being inseminated (Schwammer, 2001; Brown et
al., 2004). Effective use of artificial insemination in elephants has required a number of
developments in endocrinology and insemination technique. Elephant cows (both African
and Asian) have a unique "double LH surge", the first, anovulatory surge occurs three
weeks before the second, ovulatory LH surge (Kapustin et al., 1996; Brown et al., 1999),
and this can be used to calculate the optimum time for insemination (timing from the first
LH peak). Female elephants also have a unique reproductive tract anatomy, with a long
(1.2 m) urogenital canal leading from between the hind legs up towards the tail then
curving cranially. A technique has been developed using endoscopy and transrectal
ultrasound to reliably guide a catheter and allow accurate deposition of semen in the
cervix or anterior vagina (Brown et al., 2004).
Conclusion
Much work has already been carried out to conserve elephants but much more needs to
be done, particularly if the genetic diversity of the different species and subspecies is to
be conserved. Sustainable management of captive populations requires more work to
improve health and reproductive management, reducing infectious and non- infectious
diseases, and improving fertility and breeding. More research is necessary on the role of
social interactions in captive elephants as well as feeding, and technical aspects such as
artificial insemination.
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Schulte, B.A. (2000) Social structure and helping behaviour in captive elephants. Zoo
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elephants (Loxodonta africana). A Research Update on Elephants and Rhinos:
Proceedings of the International Elephant and Rhino Research Symposium. Vienna, June
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infection of captive elephants Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
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Association, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Vila-Garcia, G. & Bourne, D.C. Wildpro v10.0 Elephants: Diseases and Treatment.
Wildlife Information Network, London, UK. Accessible at
http://www.wildlifeinformation.org.
Wiese, R.J. (2000) Asian elephants are not self-sustaining in North America. Zoo
Biology 19, 299-309
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Stillbirth in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) caused by intrauterine poxvirus
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T., Yamagiwa, J. & Mwanza, N. (1995) Seed-dispersal by elephants in a tropical rain
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28

Booth-Binczik, Sue
Mammal Research Technician
Dallas Zoo
650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75203 USA
sbooth@mail.ci.dallas.tx.us
The Dallas Zoo’s Commitment to Ocelots: An Example of the Focal Taxon
Approach to Conservation
Susan D. Booth-Binczik, Mammal Research Technician; Cynthia L. Bennett, Curator of
Conservation Education and Science; Kenneth Kaemmerer, Curator of Mammals, Dallas
Zoo
As the Dallas Zoo’s Mammal Research Technician, Sue Booth-Binczik coordinates the
Ocelot Conservation Research Program. Prior to coming to the Dallas Zoo, she studied
the social organization and mating system of white-nosed coatis in Guatemala for her
Ph.D. dissertation research. Her previous zoo experience includes a study of chemical
communication in tigers at the Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo.
……….
The conservation efforts of the Dallas Zoo are centered on a handful of focal taxa. The
ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) was selected as one of these taxa fifteen years ago. The
northernmost subspecies of ocelot (L. p. albescens), which is found in Texas and the
Mexican state of Tamaulipas, is listed as endangered by the IUCN and both the U.S. and
Mexican governments. With the goal of making a meaningful contribution to a local
conservation need, we have taken an all-encompassing approach to ocelot conservation.
We conduct both captive and field research on ocelots, addressing scientific questions
with conservation applications, ranging from nutrition to juvenile dispersal. We were
instrumental in creating both the Ocelot SSP and the Texas Ocelot Research and
Conservation Consortium, a collaboration of Texas zoos. We are heavily involved in the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ocelot Recovery Team’s efforts to develop a conservation
management plan for wild ocelots in the U.S. and Mexico. We also collaborate with
Mexican non-governmental organizations on ocelot field research, conservation, and
management in Mexico. We have created a bilingual (English and Spanish) website with
an interactive educational game focused on ocelot field research, designed to teach
elementary school children about ocelots and interest them in conservation.
Our adult education efforts primarily take the form of Wildlife Research Expeditions,
semi-annual field sessions in Mexico, during which paying volunteers participate in
research on ocelots and other wildlife. Financial support for our ocelot conservation
efforts has come from a wide variety of sources, including corporate grants, our
zoological society, other zoos, interested private groups and research expedition
participants. The focal taxon approach has strengths and weaknesses, and we have
learned some important lessons from our early missteps.
29

Briggs, Michael B., DVM, MS
CEO/ Principal Investigator
African Predator Conservation Research Organization
289 Butte View
Bolingbrook, Illinois 60490
mbbriggs@apcro.org
The Creation of the African Predator Conservation Research Organization: A
Model for taking AZA Zoo Experience into the Bush and Out Again!
Dr. Michael Briggs is the co-founder, CEO and Principal Investigator of the African
Predator Conservation Research Organization (APCRO). His zoo/wildlife career began
in 1984 after graduating from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary
Medicine. He spent 20 years in the zoo world as Staff Veterinarian and Director of
Research at Wildlife Safari and Associate Veterinarian at the Brookfield Zoo. In the
field, he has worked exclusively in Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana,
and Cameroon, where his research projects have focused on carnivores, rhinos, and
elephants. Dr. Briggs is currently the AZA veterinary advisor for white rhino, lion,
African wild dogs, and polar bears.
……….
This presentation is an overlay of how experiences in animal management at AZA
institutions have helped develop a new NGO that is dedicated to the goals of AZA and
sustains strong ties to the Association, but also directly impacts research, animal welfare,
and wildlife conservation in the field. It examines the animals that are often displayed
and in zoos and directly cross-pollinates from the field to the zoo and from the zoo to the
field. The presentation begins with a short history of the author and the institution’s cofounders,
and then moves to how experiences in the zoo world led to the establishment of
a small non-governmental organization that remains strongly tied to several AZA
institutions and universities. It will speak to how zoos can develop strong associations
with serious field conservation/ research projects without accruing heavy expenses. It
will address specifically how very small- to medium-sized zoos can not only have an
impact on conservation by supporting projects financially, but how they can involve key
people in field initiatives, offering them experiences that are genuine and motivational
and helping them deliver conservation messages to fellow staff and the visiting public.
Specific information will be presented on projects that APCRO is either leading or
assisting in Botswana, Cameroon, Morocco, and Namibia.
30

Byers, Onnie
Executive Director
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road
Apple Valley, MN 55124
onnie@cbsg.org
Field Conservation Project Initiative
Onnie Byers, Executive Director, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group; Jo Gipps,
Director, Bristol Zoo and Chair WAZA Conservation Committee; Jeffrey Bonner,
President and CEO, St. Louis Zoo
Onnie Byers earned her Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from the University of
Minnesota and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution's
National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Onnie joined the Conservation Breeding Specialist
Group (CBSG) staff in 1991 as a Program Officer and was responsible for organization,
design, and facilitation of CBSG's Population and Habitat Viability Assessment,
Conservation Assessment and Management Plan and Comprehensive Conservation
Planning workshops. In addition to these tasks, her responsibilities now include
management, fundraising and development, new tool development, and strategic
planning.
……….
The international zoo and aquarium community, with over 600 million visitors annually
and unparalleled expertise in the care of wildlife, has the potential to impact conservation
like no other industry – if its efforts are coordinated and sustained. The IUCN/SSC
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), in collaboration with the World
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), proposes to assist with the realization of
this potential through the development of tools that zoos and aquariums can use to
identify and prioritize field conservation projects on the basis of conservation need and
opportunity for significant impact.
Building a Future for Wildlife: The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy
(WZACS) articulates ways in which zoos and aquariums can contribute to the
conservation of species and their habitats. The CBSG’s Field Conservation Project
Initiative is intended to help zoos of all types and sizes to implement the Strategy. The
focus of this initiative has been development of a decision tool to assist zoos in choosing
among existing projects. This tool will be accessible at the institutional level but will be
most effective and have the greatest conservation impact when applied regionally and
collaboratively.
Effort is also being made on a process to identify sites and species in need of
conservation attention from zoos and aquariums. This will require adoption of a field
conservation site or species prioritization scheme to identify these sites/species for
31

coordinated conservation program development, and then the establishment of consortia
of zoos around each program. Through these prioritized projects, zoos and aquariums
have the potential to make effective, measurable contributions to field conservation to a
degree not possible when working independently.
This initiative will result in the establishment of integrated, long-term, field conservation
programs leading to protection of numerous threatened species. In addition, it will
increase the quality and quantity of conservation efforts in the zoo and aquarium
community, thereby gaining acknowledgement of this sector as a respected and effective
force for conservation.
32

Caddick, Gerard “Ged”
Terra Incognita Ecotours
4016 West Inman Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33609 USA
www.ecotours.com
ged@ecotours.com
Ecotourism: Old Wine in a New Bottle? Is this Trend Merely “Greenwashing”?
Gerard "Ged" Caddick founded Terra Incognita Ecotours in 2004 after more than 15
years working in the expedition travel industry. Ged worked for Lindblad Expeditions as
Expedition Leader from 1992-2004, and for International Expeditions while living in
Belize in the 1980's. Ged has led trips for the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic
Society, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Audubon Society and
the Smithsonian Institution, as well as many college alumni groups. Prior to his work in
the travel industry, Ged worked four years with Gerald Durrell at the Jersey Wildlife
Preservation Trust, at the Belize Zoo for two years, and at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa,
Florida. It is this mix of expedition travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) and captive breeding for
conservation that has helped to shape the manner in which Terra Incognita Ecotours
operates.
……….
Proponents of ecological reserves and protected areas, particularly from the Western
world, often argue for the designation of large areas of land for preservation purposes.
Thus, for example, IUCN-The World Conservation Union has suggested that national
parks, if they are to receive international recognition, should be large in size, with
minimal human presence, and should be managed by the highest authority in the country.
This has proven to be an unobtainable ideal in many countries with long histories of
settlement and the growing pressures of human populations upon resources. Thus,
compromises have been struck with the proliferation of “protected areas” with titles such
as biosphere reserves, wilderness areas, heritage rivers, and other such innovative
categories of land designation which acknowledge mixed and multiple uses of resources.
The tension between preservation of ecological integrity and use for tourism and
recreation has long been a dilemma facing managers of such reserves. This presentation
speaks to how it may impact conservation of remaining wild areas and species. Indeed,
browse through any travel publication or visit a travel agency and you will see the myriad
travel opportunities and destinations preceded with the prefix “eco”. These operations
espouse that combining ecology with tourism is the miracle agent for sustainable
economic development. In recent years, proponents of ecotourism have suggested that
this seemingly new activity may be both ecologically benign and economically profitable,
and thus may contribute to the resolution of the dilemma. However, a full consideration
of the environmental, economic and social consequences of ecotourism perhaps leads to
the conclusion that much ecotourism may be little more than "old wine in new bottles"
33

and raises fundamental questions concerning the forms which tourism might take if it is
to be ecologically sustainable, culturally sensitive, and economically viable.
The logic of their arguments appears sound and, on face value, beyond reproach. The
ecotourism movement is based on the increasing awareness and sensitivity of consumers
wanting to become a part of the solution instead of the problem. Ecotourists prefer to
travel to and interact with areas of unspoiled beauty, where the act of travel contributes
financially to the preservation of the resource itself. By creating an alternative means of
valuing unspoiled natural areas, the governments of these nations may choose to create
more preserves, sparing areas from the ravages of mining, logging, and agricultural
interests. These are good intentions indeed!
But are these good intentions born out, and do zoos and aquariums help or hinder the path
to true ecotourism?
34

Cancino, Laura, M.S.
Regional Conservation Coordinator-Latin America
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
4200 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, Ohio 44109 USA
lrc@clevelandmetroparks.com
A Slightly Different Project: Conservation of the White-winged Guan (Penelope
albipennis) and the Tropical Dry Forests of Northwestern Peru
Laura Cancino, M.S., Regional Conservation Coordinator-Latin America, Cleveland
MetroParks Zoo; Fernando Angulo Pratolongo, Director, Asociación Cracidae Perú
Peruvian researcher Laura Cancino has been involved in the White-Winged Guan Project
since 2002. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Zoology at Kent State
University and is working towards her Ph.D. in Conservation Genetics on the population
genetics of the white-winged guan (Penelope albipennis), as well as on the classification
of the genus Penelope. She has been working for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since 2002
and is now its Regional Conservation Coordinator for Latin America
……….
The white-winged guan (Aves, Cracidae) is a Peruvian endemic categorized by IUCN-
The World Conservation Union as Critically Endangered due to hunting pressure and
habitat loss. It inhabits the Peruvian dry forests, one of the world’s most threatened
ecosystems, and its wild population is estimated at no more than 300 individuals.
Captive breeding efforts supply birds for the reintroduction program, which was launched
in 2001 and has been responsible for the release of more than 40 birds to the wild, many
of which are now breeding in their natural habitat.
The slightly different approach taken by this project is due to the significant lack of
information about its basic biology. Conservation actions directed toward the species in
the wild must focus not only on emergency measures, such as the rezoning of the reserve
that hosts the largest remaining wild population, but also on field research, public
awareness campaigns, public education, the identification of sustainable development
alternatives, and protected area management. This project intends to implement an
integrated conservation strategy.
The White-winged Guan Project is run by the Asociación Cracidae Perú, which has
received financial, logistic and training support from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for
the past five years. Zoo staff is also encouraged to travel to Peru to assist and interact
directly with project staff. An anticipated product of this project is the White-winged
Guan National Conservation Strategy.
35

Castellanos, Armando
Research Leader
Fundación Espíritu del Bosque-Ecuador
Andean Bear Foundation-USA
Andean Bear Project, Ecuador
The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only bear species in South America. The
species ranges from western Venezuela through the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
and Bolivia and south towards northwestern Argentina. It is listed as an Endangered
species in Ecuador, a categorization resulting mostly from habitat fragmentation caused
by livestock farming and logging.
Wild Andean bear populations are extremely isolated. This isolation contributes to lower
levels of genetic diversity than are reported for other Neotropical carnivores. The gene
diversity level for Andean bears in Ecuador, for example, is approximately only half the
level found in jaguars. It is also very low compared with that reported for other bear
species. To minimize the damage caused by this isolation, and to reinforce Andean bear
populations in northern Ecuador, the Andean Bear Project has rehabilitated and released
10 bears of different ages in three separate protected areas. The bears have been tracked
by means of radio-telemetry in order to monitor their well being and re-adaptation to the
wild.
Between September 2001 and October 2006, researchers have also radio collared 12 wild
Andean bears (six females and six males) in an effort to determine habitat use, activity
patterns, and home range size. The ultimate goal of the program is to gather sufficient
information to help develop alternatives for the conservation and management of bear
populations in the country’s Intag region.
Preliminary calculations, using a 100% minimum convex polygon estimate, show
average home ranges of 150 km 2 for males (n=3) and 34 km 2 for females (n=5). Females
have well defined, stable, and overlapping home ranges. Males use some corridors,
especially along ravines. The bears are most active during the day, with peaks 6:00am to
6:00pm. Habitat use results are not yet available, requiring a high resolution satellite
image to complement preliminary data analysis. Male bears have proven extremely
difficult to track due to the large distances they cover over rough terrain. At times they
have disappeared from radio contact for more than two weeks. We recommend the use of
GPS collars for future monitoring of male bears.
During the last three years, the Andean Bear Project has initiated a damage compensation
program (focused primarily on the region’s poorest farmers) to prevent human conflicts
when the bears raid cornfields (typically between May and July). This effort should help
build community support and involvement. In 2007 we hope to begin research on
Andean bear and mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) interactions.
36

Corea, Ravi
President
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (www.SLWCS.org)
127 Kingsland Street
Nutley, New Jersey 07110 USA
ravi@slwcs.org, ravicorea@aol.com
Saving Elephants by Helping People
Ravi Corea watched the destruction of the marsh where he learned to watch birds, catch
snakes and turtles, and taught himself how to observe wild animals patiently. He was 14
years old, realized how powerless he was to stop the destruction, and vowed someday he
would be in a position to help protect and nourish vulnerable ecosystems and
marginalized communities. He made good his vow 30 years later when he founded the
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (www.SLWCS.org). Now in its eleventh year,
SLWCS has established several long-term, community-based initiatives to resolve
human-elephant conflicts, an ongoing elephant ecology research project involving local
residents, a leopard research project, a marine, coastal and wetlands conservation project,
and a program to teach English and computer science to rural students.
……….
Human-elephant conflicts (HECs) are among the most significant environmental
concerns facing Sri Lanka today. New human settlements spreading across former
elephant habitat are creating unprecedented suffering to both humans and elephants.
Elephants pressed out of essential habitats raid villages and fields in order to survive.
Some herds and mature bulls become habitual raiders, subjecting themselves to being
shot, poisoned, electrocuted, maimed, or falling into abandoned wells and pits when
farmers retaliate in whatever manner they can to protect their lives, property, and crops.
Over the last 14 years in Sri Lanka, an average of 150-200 elephants and about 60 people
have died annually as a result of escalating HECs. Currently, farmers regard elephants as
agricultural pests and there are no incentives for them to support elephant conservation.
Electric fences are the most effective deterrent to elephants, but they are very expensive
to install, labor intensive to construct and require frequent maintenance. In addition, if
electric fences are not properly planned and erected they can unnecessarily obstruct
elephants from accessing essential habitats and food sources, i.e. seasonally cultivated
fields, land that has been abandoned after slash and burn agriculture, and perennial water
sources. The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, through its Saving Elephants by
Helping People project, is developing innovative and pioneering efforts to address these
issues. The Society’s latest effort enables communities to balance ecosystem protection,
economic development, and the resolution of human-elephant conflict by pioneering a
model for sustainable agriculture, eco-forestry and eco-tourism.
37

Cress, Doug
Executive Director
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)
P.O. Box 86645
Portland, Oregon 97206 USA
PASAapes@aol.com; www.panafricanprimates.org
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance: Reintroduction as Conservation
Doug Cress is the executive director of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the
organization of refuges across Africa that care for thousands of chimpanzees, gorillas,
bonobos, and other endangered primates. Mr. Cress is also a board member of the Great
Ape World Heritage Species Project (GAWHSP) and is a trustee of the Chimfunshi
Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. He formerly served as director of the Great Ape Project
(2001-2004), and is co-author of In My Family Tree: A Life with Chimpanzees. From
1979 to 1994, Mr. Cress was an award-winning journalist with The Washington Post, the
Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Los Angeles Daily News, Time, and Sports Illustrated.
……….
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) was formed in 2000 to unite the 17 African
sanctuaries that provide permanent care and rehabilitation to literally thousands of
endangered primates. With a 63% rise in confiscated chimpanzees in the last five years
and studies that indicate some primate sub-species (such as Pan troglodytes vellerosus)
could be extinct in the wild within the next quarter century, PASA and its members have
embraced the controversial choice of reintroduction as a priority, both to return animals
to the wild and to encourage protection of tropical forests.
PASA sanctuaries are required to conduct all reintroduction programs in accordance with
guidelines established by the IUCN-World Conservation Union. Encouraged by the
results of reintroduction programs already undertaken by PASA members in Congo and
Gabon, where chimpanzee survival rates are at 67% and gorilla survival rates have
topped 80%, PASA is helping nine member organizations prepare to return hundreds of
chimpanzees, bonobos, mangabeys, guenons, drills and gorillas back to the wild over the
next decade.
PASA staged the African Primate Reintroduction Workshop in April 2006. Numerous
studies point to the conservation benefits of reintroduction beyond those to the species in
question, including the protection of forest areas and national parks, education and
sensitization projects that support reintroduction, local employment for guards, wardens,
and research staff, and increased monitoring of other species. Finally, reintroduction
raises national government awareness of wildlife and wild spaces. By engaging national
and regional governments in Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone,
and the Democratic Republic of Congo, PASA hopes to encourage partnerships that
regard the reintroduction of primates as a positive step forward.
38

Dabek, Lisa
Director, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program
Director of Conservation
Woodland Park Zoo
601 N 59 th St
Seattle, Washington 98103 USA
Lisa.Dabek@Zoo.org
Indigenous Mapping for Community-based Conservation in Papua New Guinea
Dr. Lisa Dabek has directed the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) since
1996 and conducts fieldwork in Papua New Guinea (PNG) each year. She is leading a
community-based initiative with indigenous landowners to create the first Conservation
Area on the Huon Peninsula, PNG. As the result of the TKCP’s research, education,
conservation outreach, and mapping work, landowners have set aside over 200,000 acres
of wildlife habitat. Dr. Dabek is an Affiliate Researcher at the University of Papua New
Guinea and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources Science,
University of Rhode Island. As Director of Conservation at Woodland Park Zoo,
Seattle, Dr. Dabek oversees on-site and field conservation programs supported by the
zoo. She is Chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Field Conservation
Committee, Research Coordinator of the AZA’s Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan,
and member of the AZA’s Marsupial and Monotreme Taxon Advisory Group.
……….
Papua New Guinea (PNG), particularly the Huon Peninsula, has been designated a highpriority
area for conservation efforts due to the significant amount of intact rainforest,
high species endemism, and relative lack of protected areas. Conservation in PNG is
challenging because land-use decisions are made by village-based landowners who face
extreme economic and social hardships. The ultimate goal of the Tree Kangaroo
Conservation Program (TKCP) is to establish a locally-managed conservation area that
protects at least 200,000 acres of wildlife habitat on the Huon Peninsula.
Recognizing that long-term conservation depends on the actions of local people, the
TKCP works to provide tools essential to making informed decisions. In November 2005,
the TKCP and the Center for the Support of Native Lands (Washington, DC) launched a
one-year Indigenous Mapping Project. Indigenous mapping, a field pioneered by the
Center for Native Lands in 1992, has proven to be a powerful tool worldwide for
indigenous peoples to negotiate land tenure, effectively manage natural resources, and
document native history and culture. This project combined the traditional knowledge of
PNG villagers with scientific cartography to produce geo-referenced maps containing
information about significant physical features, land-use patterns, and culturally
significant sites. Research for the maps was done by village landowners and their data
were digitized by the cartography department at the University of Technology, Lae, PNG.
The resulting maps, and the process that generated them, will support the long-term
maintenance of the community-managed Conservation Area. This is the first Indigenous
Mapping Project ever undertaken in PNG and therefore serves as a model for other
conservation programs in PNG and other places.
39

Daly, Amanda E.
Supervisor
Houston Zoo
1513 N. MacGregor Drive
Houston, TX 77030
adaly@houstonzoo.org
Pongos Helping Pongos: Turning Artwork into Conservation Cash
Amanda Daly has been with the Houston Zoo for six years, working with mandrills,
gibbons, orangutans, and an assortment of other primate species, and is currently
Supervisor of Natural Encounters. She earned B.A. degrees in English and Anthropology
at the University of Texas and an M.S. in Human Evolutionary Ecology at the University
of New Mexico, specializing in juvenile primate play behavior.
……….
Pongos Helping Pongos is an on-going conservation project designed to use art created
by orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) as part of the Houston Zoo’s enrichment program to
raise money for the conservation of orangutans in the wild. In one night, $13,300 for
conservation and $2,000 for an enrichment project was raised in a silent auction of 32
orangutan paintings, accompanied by several supplementary sources of revenue. In the
four months following the event, an additional $4,000 was raised through smaller
community shows of orangutan art. In addition to raising funds for infrastructure,
outreach programs, field research, and conservation initiatives at Gunung Palung
National Park in Indonesia and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Malaysia,
Pongos Helping Pongos has introduced the individual orangutans of the Houston Zoo to
many members of the local community and increased awareness of the tenuous
conservation status of this great ape species in the wild.
Born in the Houston Zoo Primate Department, Pongos Helping Pongos was spearheaded
by primate keepers with great support from other zoo staff and volunteers, as well as
members of Houston’s business and art communities. Having learned through trial and
error how to effectively market animal artwork to raise funds for a worthy cause, the staff
of the Houston Zoo would like to share this process with staff from other institutions in
hopes that our fundraiser can be repeated, customized, and improved, resulting in a
greater contribution to conservation on the part of the zoo community.
40

Deane, Amy
Save the Wild Chinchillas
Casilla 32
Illapel, IV Region, Chile
http://wildchinchillas.org/
amy_deane@yahoo.com
A Guide to Grassroots Conservation Practitioners: Experience from Long-tailed
Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) Conservation in Chile
Amy Deane is the driving force a behind a restoration project in the transverse mountains
of arid north-central Chile, home of the elusive and endangered chinchilla. After
completing an MS in Geography (with a minor in Wildlife Conservation Techniques),
Amy moved to Chile to begin restoration of wild chinchilla habitat. Her introduction to
wildlife fieldwork began as a graduate student studying forest songbird nest predation.
Projects she has worked on include: compiling a GIS database system of Auco, Chile;
creating a GIS/GPS data layer of burn compartments within UF’s Catharine Ordway
Nature Preserve; and mapping a study area for the endangered Darwin’s fox near Castro,
Chile. Amy’s work has been included in both popular and scientific publications. She
has walked the Chilean mountains collecting seeds, growing them in a nursery and
planting 6,500 seedlings. Amy created Save the Wild Chinchillas in 1996. Her long-term
goal is to establish a field school to ensure long-term research, preservation, and
restoration of critical habitat for the chinchilla.
……….
Drawn from our experiences in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) conservation, this paper
is presented as a guide to assist people getting started in grassroots projects with
relatively small budgets. Topics discussed include: the importance of literature research
prior to conservation planning, the usefulness of replicating prior researchers’ methods,
some basic techniques used for gathering base-line data, and creating appropriate data
sheets. In terms of on-site activities, this presentation also addresses the importance of the
local knowledge base, the participation of local people, and information sharing. Further
emphasis is placed on the logistics of maintaining NGO status, grants and funding, and
writing progress reports and final reports.
Over the last ten years, we have continued to restore plant communities that make up
essential habitat for endangered wild chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) in a semi-arid
ecosystem of north central Chile. For chinchillas to survive and thrive, its habitat needs
to be restored and protected (Eisenberg, J. F. pers. com.). Clearing land for hunting,
mining and farming has resulted in habitat fragmentation as well as degradation to vital
chinchilla habitat. Our strategy is to restore key vegetal species that support stability and
growth of native animal populations, while providing alternative foraging areas for
domestic animals. Drawn from our experiences, this paper outlines the techniques used to
identify and recreate chinchilla habitat. The methods are explained in a manner that they
can be replicated. With support from members of the local community, we have
collected seeds, created nurseries, and planted ~6500 trees, shrub seedlings and grass
41

clumps. Much of this has been accomplished with very limited and often intermittent
funding. Although we recognize that each situation is unique, much of the research, time,
and cost can be greatly reduced by taking advantage of prior experiences of others.
References
Albert, F. 1900. La chinchilla. Act. Soc. Scient. Chile. 10:379-407.
Bainbridge, D. 2003. New hope for desert lands. In Proceedings of Arid Southwest
Lands Habitat Restoration Conference. Palm Springs, California 2003.
Bainbridge, D., M. Fidelibus, and R. MacAller. 1995. Techniques for plant
establishment in arid ecosystems. Restoration and Management Notes. 13(2):190-197.
Deane, A.L. 1999. Statistical analysis of biologically important rainfall events in North
Central Chile. Master Thesis. University of Florida. Gainesville, Florida.
Hoffmann,A. 1998 Flora Silvestre de Chile Zona Central 4th ed. 254 pp. El Mercurio,
Santiago
Iriarte, J.A. and F.M. Jaksic. 1986. The fur trade in Chile: an overview of seventy-five
years of export data (1910-1984). Biological Conservation. 38:243-253.
Jiménez, J.E. 1990. Poryecto Conservacion de la Chinchilla Chilena Resumen del
Informe Final, CONAF - WWF 1297. 17 pp.
Jiménez, J.E. 1990. Proyecto Conservacion de la Chinchilla Chilena Informe de
Avance, CONAF, 33 pp.
Jiménez, J.E. 1990. Proyecto conservacion de la chinchilla chilean (Chinchilla lanigera),
CONAF-WWF 1297. Final report, March 1987 -February 1990. Corporation Nacional
Forestal, Illapel, IV Region, Chile.
Jiménez, J.E. 1994. Overuse and endangerment of wildlife: the case of Chilean
mammals. Medio Ambienta (Chile), 12:102-110.
Jiménez, J.E. 1995. Conservation of the last wild chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
archipelago: a metapopulation approach. Vida Silvestre Neotropical. 4(2):89-97.
Jiménez, J.E. 1996. The extirpation and current status of wild chinchillas Chinchilla
lanigera and C. brevicaudata. Biological Conservation, 77:1-6.
Jiménez, J.E., P. Feinsinger, and F.M. Jaksic. 1992. Spatiotemporal patterns of an
irruption and decline of small mammals in north central Chile. Journal of Mammalogy,
73:356 364.
42

Lagos, V. O. 1996. Informe preliminar del proyecto: Prospecciones de chinchilla
andina (Chinchilla brevicaudata) y chinchilla costina (Chinchilla lanigera) en La IV
Region de Chile. Informe a CONAF. La Serana, Chile mammals. Santiago.
Miller, S. et al. 1983. Endangered mammals of Chile: Status and Conservation.
Biological Conservation, 25:335-352
Mohlis, C. 1983. Informacion preliminar sobre la coservacion y manejo de la chinchilla
silvestre en Chile. Boletin Tecnico No.3, Corporation Nacional Forestal, Santiago, Chile.
41 pp.
43

De Silva, Mangala
Department of Zoology
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
The Future of the Sri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), which is endemic to the island, is
one of the three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant. In the past, when the forests
were largely non-degraded and covered about 70% of the land area, the elephant was
common and distributed over a wide area throughout the island, which has a total area of
66,166 km 2 . The closed-canopy forest cover is now only 17% and native wildlife species,
especially those that require large ranges such as the elephant, are therefore threatened
with extinction.
The elephant population of Sri Lanka, which at present is thinly-distributed over an area
about half that of the island, has been variously estimated, but there may be between
4,300-4,800 individuals. Overall, about 60% are adults and about 8% calves less than one
year of age. The inter-calving interval is four years and the population appears to be
reproducing well. The overall adult male to female ratio is 1:1.5. The recorded deaths are
around 150 animals per year, almost all being due to man’s activities. There may be an
equal number of unrecorded deaths within forests.
Attempts to increase the area available for agriculture through deforestation have led to
conflict with elephants because, as their range has contracted, elephants have started to
invade villages and croplands. This conflict is increasing today.
Very small elephant populations scattered among the human habitations and agricultural
areas have little hope, particularly because of the rapidly increasing human population,
which is over 18 million at present. Conservation actions must therefore be concentrated
on populations that inhabit major wildlife reserves, which cover approximately 7,000 km 2
and harbor about 3,200 elephants. With good management, which is unfortunately
lacking at present, it should be possible to conserve an elephant population of about 3,000
in Sri Lanka in the long run.
44

De Silva, Padma
Professor of Zoology
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
padmades@sltnet.lk
Field Studies of Otters in Asia
Dr. Padma De Silva is Professor of Zoology at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka
and the Asian Coordinator of the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. She has organized
otter survey workshops and training techniques for range country researchers and
governmental agencies, and has also completed a storybook, wetlands coloring book, and
five jigsaw puzzles for children that feature otters and other wetlands species.
……….
Otters (Carnivora, Mustelidae) are important indicator species for pollution in wetland
ecosystems. In Asia there are four freshwater species: Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra);
smooth-coated otter (L. perspicillata); small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus); and hairynosed
otter (L. sumatrana). The marine otter (Enhydra lutris) is also found in the
northern seas of Japan and Kuril Islands.
The Eurasian otter, which is found throughout Asia as well as in Europe, is a vulnerable
species in most of Asia. It is endangered or extinct in highly industrialized countries such
as Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The smooth-coated otter, which is found in South and
Southeast Asia, is also a vulnerable species, and the small-clawed otter, which is found
throughout much the same region, is at low risk. Existing data is insufficient to comment
on the status of hairy-nosed otter, known only from Southeast Asia. In many Asian
countries, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Laos and Myanmar, no reliable field data on otters is
available.
The 1990 IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Action Plan gave high priority to otter
surveys and awareness programs in Asian countries from which little reliable information
about otters presently exists. To coordinate these activities, the Asian Otter Secretariat
was established in Sri Lanka. Since its establishment, progress has been made on otter
surveys and research in the region. One success story that resulted from these efforts was
the rediscovery of the hairy-nosed otter in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The establishment of the Otter Rescue Centre in Bangladesh is also an important step that
has been undertaken. The Columbus Zoo has been the principal sponsor of field projects
carried out through the Otter Secretariat thus far.
45

De Silva, Padma
Professor of Zoology
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
padmades@sltnet.lk
FIELD STUDIES ON OTTERS IN ASIA
Introduction
Apart from the sea otter, 4 freshwater species of otter are known from the Asian region.
They are the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), smooth-coated otter (L. perspicillata), hairynosed
otter (L. sumatrana) and small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). The Eurasian otter is
very widely distributed ranging from Europe to Asia. The smooth-coated otter is
distributed through southern Asia, S. China and India. The distribution of hairy-nosed
otter is somewhat restricted to Indonesia (Sumatra), Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar,
Cambodia and Malaysia. The smallest otter species, the small-clawed otter is found
through Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and Southern China and also in Bangladesh, Bhutan
and Nepal. The sea otter is found in the northern coastal areas of the Japanese
archipelago.
The Otter is an insignificant mammal in Asia although it is considered as an indicator of
clean wetlands. In most Asian countries, the otters are threatened by habitat destruction
brought about as a result of ever increasing human population. The forests are being
cleared for other land uses, which cause high turbidity and destruction of marginal
vegetation. Also quick industrialization brings many pollutants, especially chemicals,
organic as well as inorganic, into inland waters. As a consequence, the otters have almost
disappeared from some developed countries, such as Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
Furthermore, the otters are being killed for their meat, pelts and also certain body parts,
which are used in native medicine in countries such as Vietnam and China. In some
countries where there are on-going aquaculture projects, the otter is destroyed as it is
considered a pest. Therefore, the IUCN/SSC Asian Otter Specialist Group during several
regional meetings on otter conservation identified the following areas to be given priority
on otter studies in Asia.
1. To conduct otter awareness programs.
2. Surveys on otters in countries where there are no/little information
3. Special emphasis on surveying hairy-nosed otter, the rarest species
The Asian Otter Secretariat established in the Department of Zoology, University of
Peradeniya, Sri Lanka has been coordinating a significant number of activities along the
above priority areas during the last decade. Several workshops on methods of otter
surveying, otter awareness programs in selected countries in the region and surveys of
hairy-nosed otter were conducted as and when the funds were available. Table 1 gives a
list of the on-going field projects funded by the small grants scheme of the Columbus
Zoo Organization, Ohio, US.
46

Investigator Country Research Project
Ms Budsabong Kanchanasaka Thailand Home range studies on hairy-nosed
otter in Toa Daeng Peat Swamp Forest
Drs N X Dang & P T Anh Vietnam Survey of hairy-nosed otter in U Minh
Ha & Vo Doi Nature Reserves
Dr Reza Lubis Indonesia Survey of hairy-nosed otter in Way
Kambas & Sembilang NPs
Dr S A Hussain India Home range studies on small clawed
otter in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala.
Dr Padma K de Silva Sri Lanka Survey on otters in the central
highlands of Sri Lanka
Dr M M Feeroz Bangladesh a. Use of otters in fishing activities in
Sunderbans.
b. The establishment of an Otter
Rescue Centre.
Present paper describes 3 of these field projects, (1) field work carried out on hairy-nosed
otter, the rarest species, in Thailand and Vietnam, (2) a unique situation of fishing using
otters in Bangladesh and (3) the establishment of an Otter Rescue Centre in Bangladesh.
1. Rediscovery of hairy nosed otter in Thailand & Vietnam
Hairy-nosed otter has been recorded earlier in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia,
Vietnam and Myanmar (Foster-Turley, 1990). However, nearly for three decades there
were no records of sightings of this species from these countries and it was thought that it
might even have become extinct.
1.1 Survey of hairy-nosed otter in Phru-Toa Dang forest - Thailand
Ms. Budsabong Kanchanasaka of the Royal Forest Department, Bangkok, Thailand
carried out a survey on hairy-nosed otter in Phru-Toa Dang peat swamp forest situated in
the Narathiwat Province of Southern Thailand (Fig. 1).
47

Fig. 1. The location of the Phru-Toa Dang peat swamp forest (•) in southern Thailand
Study site and the survey
Phru-Toa Dang peat swamp forest is a unique evergreen forest with thick peat layers, a
large accumulation of decaying debris, and dark brown acidic water. Two zones of
vegetation have been recognized in the forest, a single level formation of Melaleuca
cajeputi in the outer zone and a three level formation in the inner zone. A detailed survey
on signs for the presence of hairy-nosed otter, spraints, foot prints and dens, was
conducted within the inner zone of the forest. Eleven spraint sites and several tracks of
otters were located and with meticulous measurements of these, and the study of size and
shape of the spraints, it was concluded that these belong to the hairy-nosed otter (Plate 1).
Plate 1. Hairy-nosed otter (The first picture taken after re-discovery)
Subsequently, a few traps were set up in the habitat and two animals, a male and a female
were caught, which were unequivocally identified as hairy-nosed otters. Unfortunately,
both animals escaped soon afterwards to the forest as the enclosure provided was not
strong enough. Nevertheless, various useful taxonomic data were obtained and the
identification of the species was established after successful DNA finger printing studies.
Some Ecological Information
Subsequently, an ecological study on otters was carried out in two different habitat types
of Toa Daeng Peat Swamp forest, namely the evergreen peat swamp forest and a
secondary forest. Track and signs of the otters were identified and the locations of these
were recorded and mapped (Kanchanasaka, 2001). The results confirmed that there are
two populations of otter species, the hairy nosed otter and the small clawed otter,
inhabiting the area.
The population of the hairy-nosed otter seems to co-exist with small-clawed otter inside
and outside the wildlife reserve utilizing both habitat types. In the evergreen peat swamp
48

forest, the signs of the hairy nosed otters were always found along the canal flowing
through while the signs of the small clawed otter were found in the drier part of the
swamp forest inside the wetland. In the secondary forest both otter species coexist in the
same habitat but they often utilize the area at different times viz. the hairy nosed otter
utilized the wetland area while the water level is high and the small clawed otter utilized
that area when the water level is low.
The studies conducted on the diet of the otters showed that the main food item of the
hairy nosed otter is fish. Crustaceans and snails composed the main food of small clawed
otter (Kanchanasaka, 2001). It was also found that the distribution of the hairy nosed otter
closely followed the distribution of fish in the study area. During the dry season fish were
abundant in the canal that flows through the western and southern areas of the evergreen
peat swamp forest and the hairy nosed otter was also frequently found to attack the
fishing traps that were set along the canal. In the wet season, fish moves searching for
suitable places for spawning. They were found to be in the shallow areas of the wetland
which floods through the evergreen swamp forest. This area provides more cover for the
fish than the canal. The results revealed that the hairy nosed otter population also closely
followed the movement of fish.
Group size
Direct observations made in the secondary forest inside the wildlife reserve showed that
the group size of hairy nosed otter is about 2-3 individuals and the group composed of a
female and the cubs. Males were frequently observed to be solitary. However, in the
fragmented forest outside the wildlife reserve, a family group composed of a male, a
female and their cub had been observed. According to the fishermen in the evergreen peat
swamp forest, the population of the hairy nosed otters was estimated to be more than 50
individuals.
Activity Pattern
The studies done by camera trapping and direct observations indicated that the hairy
nosed otters are active all day. Frequency of photographs taken during daytime and in the
night were nearly the same (11 times by day and 8 times in the night, N=19). During the
daytime, they often spend their time on feeding or doing other activities in the forest.
They visit the ponds or canals or open areas in the evening or at night. During the dry
season where parts of the Melaleuca forest and peat swamp forest dry up, otters would
concentrate in the pond, the canal and the remaining wet areas in the forest.
Home range studies
Otter trapping was tried several times for home range studies but it was not successful. It
was difficult to set the traps at the places where the otters frequently visited due to the
inability in access. The places where the traps were set were not frequently visited by the
otters.
1.2 Survey of hairy-nosed otter in Vo Doi & U Minh Thuong Nature
Reserves - Southern Vietnam
49

The hairy-nosed otter was thought to be almost extinct in Vietnam as well for several
decades. However, the survey carried out by Dr. Nguyen Xuan Dang and his colleagues,
showed positive evidence to indicate the presence of this rare species in the Vo Doi & U
Minh Thuong Nature Reserves in the Southern Vietnam.
Study area and the survey
On the available information, two localities were selected for the survey, namely, (a) the
Vo Doi Nature Reserve located in Tran Van Thoi District of Ca Mau Province and (b) the
U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve situated in Vinh Thuan and An Minh Districts of Kien
Giang Province (Fig. 2).
(a) Vo Doi Nature Reserve
The Vo doi Nature Reserve, which is 3,688 ha in area, was established in 1986. It has a
forest area of 3,195 ha and an open swamp and grassland area of 494 ha. The reserve is in
the form of four blocks demarcated by man made canals. The reserve receives a rainfall
about 2360 mm during May to October. But during the dry season, which lasts from
November to April, it receives very little or no rains at all. As a result, the forest fires are
quite frequent during the dry season. However, the high water level maintained in the
canals in the forest prevents to a considerable extent the spread of forest fires.
(B) U MINH THUONG NATURE RESERVE
The U Minh Thuong NR, which was established in 1992, has a total area of about 21,800
ha and it is divided into a core zone of 8,505 ha and a buffer zone of 13, 291 ha. The core
zone is surrounded by a perimeter canal, and internal cross canals subdivide the area into
four blocks. The core zone contains about 3,000 ha of mature peat swamp forest. The
buffer zone is inhabited by more than 3,000 households with about 20,000 inhabitants.
The natural vegetation in the buffer zone consists of the natural grasslands, reed strands,
and Melaleuca forests. But, as a result of human inhabitation, it also includes a
substantial area of rice fields, which are cultivated by the local farmers.
Fig. 2. Map of Vietnam showing the
locations of Vo Doi and U Minh Thuong
nature reserves.
Collection of data from the inhabitants
Initially a preliminary interview with the
inhabitants in the reserves was conducted
in order to obtain information on the
possible areas of otter distribution within
the reserves. In Vietnam, the otters are
50

hunted (poached) for their skins, which are sold in the market for medicinal use.
Therefore, a survey was carried out to check on captive otters and otter skins in the
households in the vicinity of the two reserves.
Fifty persons were interviewed in Vo Doi Nature Reserve and 34 of them provided
reliable information on otters in this area. According to them the otters had been quite
common in this area prior to 1980. They described two types of otters living in the area,
namely the small-clawed otter (Rai cai cui in Vietnamese which means “otter without
claws”) and the hairy-nosed otter (Rai ca mong in Vietnamese which means “otter with
claws”). According to them, the otter populations have decreased significantly owing to
the clearance of the swamp. However, they had experienced occasional destruction of
fishing nets by the otters in the area.
Using the information gathered, survey transects were demarcated in the two reserves to
look for otter signs, such as otter tracks and spraints.
The local people also informed that some of the otters caught in the area are kept at the
zoo at Ca Mau town, which is situated about 40 km south of Vo Doi Nature Reserve.
Therefore, a visit was made to the zoo and, it was found that there were 12 small-clawed
otters at the time. Some residents reported about the capture of a different type of otter
from the same locality, and according to their description of the animal, it could have
been a hairy-nosed otter although it was not located as such.
Direct observations of otters were extremely difficult in the forest because of the thick
growth of vegetation. However, a few direct observations were made by waiting at sites,
where the otters were likely to come for foraging and swimming. Also, spotlights were
used on several days to look for otters in the nights and early mornings, especially along
the canals.
Evidence for the presence of hairy-nosed otters in U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve
Although the otters were not directly observed in U Minh Thuong reserve also, the
following important indirect observations confirmed the presence of hairy-nosed otter
and small-clawed otter in the reserve.
Photographs of hairy-nosed otters by camera traps.
A hairy-nosed otter kept as a pet.
Four pelts of hairy-nosed otters kept at different households in the vicinity of the reserve.
A male small-clawed otter kept by the officials of the Head Quarters of the reserve.
A pelt of small-clawed otter in a shop near the reserve.
(All these animals and pelts were recorded from the buffer zone of the reserve.)
Thus, there is convincing evidence that the rare hairy-nosed otter and the small-clawed
otter are present in the in U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve in Southern Vietnam.
1.3 a. Fishing using smooth-otter in Sundarbans (Bangladesh)
51

One of the largest contiguous areas of mangroves in the world is in the Sundarbans forest,
covering nearly one million hectares of the delta of the Padma (Ganges) and Jamuna
(Brahmaputra) rivers. Of the Sundarbans, 38% is in the Indian sector and 62% is in the
Bangladesh sector. Smooth-coated otter inhabits this mangrove area.
The study was focused on,
the status and the distribution of smooth-coated otter in and around the estuary,
use of smooth-coated otter in fishing,
the socio-economic status of the fishermen,
major threats for the survival of otters in Sundarbans.
STUDY AREA IN SUNDARBANS
The study was conducted in the mangrove forests of the southwest of the Sundarbans in
Bangladesh (Fig. 3). At present, there are 3 wildlife sanctuaries located inside
Sundarbans and in addition, with a view to draw the global attention, this fragile
ecosystem has been declared a World Heritage Site. The total area of Bangladesh-
Sundarbans is about 5, 777 km 2 of which 4,016 km 2 is land and the remainder is under
water in the form of rivers, canals and creeks of varying widths from a few meters to
several kilometers. A total of about 790 km of rivers, canals, creeks and forested areas
were surveyed for otter signs. The data on the socio-economic conditions of the
fishermen was collected from the adjacent districts of Khulna and Norail.
OTTER SURVEY AND THE RESULTS
The status and the distribution of otters in the area were studied over a period of 3
months. Only the signs of smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) were found in the
estuary and its numbers were estimated to be very low, with a density of about 0.12 km -2 .
Use of smooth-coated otter in Fishing
The use of otters in fishing has been a traditional practice in Sundarbans for the last 200
years or so. For this purpose, the smooth-coated otters are bred in captivity by the
fishermen. The otters breed well throughout the year while in captivity. Therefore, this
traditional practice may play an important role in ex-situ otter conservation. (However, it
is slowly declining in the area at present owing to several reasons, viz. habitat destruction,
water pollution, conflicts with the government due to imposition of taxes, etc.)
The use of tamed smooth-coated otters by the fishermen in the Sundarbans estuary and
the socio-economic condition of the fishermen in Khulna and Norail districts (Fig. 3)
adjacent to the estuary were studied over a period of 3 months. The largest tamed otter
populations are found in these two districts. Twelve villages in the two districts were
visited and the numbers of tamed otters found in these villages were noted. Other
important details such as the size and the sex of otters were also recorded. A total of 47
fishermen were interviewed and a pre-designed questionnaire was distributed to gather
information on their socio-economic status.
During the study period 46 groups of fishermen that use tamed otters in fishing were
recorded in the two districts. In Narail there were 29 groups while in Khulna 17 groups
52

used the otters for fishing. Each fishing group consisted of three to five fishermen. Each
group used one fishing boat, one special fishing net and up to three otters. About 300
people are directly involved in this traditional method of fishing in Sundarbans
(Bangladesh sector) and about another 1000 are involved indirectly on fishing using
otters for their livelihood. A total of 176 otters of different sex and age-classes were
recorded in captivity among 46 fishing groups. Out of these, 136 were actively involved
in fishing and the rest were too young or too old to be used in fishing.
Fig. 3. Map showing the Khulna &
Narail District near Sundarbans.
Each group of fishermen was engaged
in 8 to 12 times of fishing in each
night. The boat is stationed in the
middle of the canal and the special
net, which is tied to poles, is set on the
side of the boat so that it extended to
the bottom. The otters (usually two),
which are tied up to poles with long
ropes, are released into water, and
made to chase the fish from various
directions towards the net by two
fishermen. Each group of fishermen
usually caught 4 to 12 kg of fish in a
single night.
b. Establishment of the Otter
Rescue Centre in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a transitional zone between the flora and fauna of the subcontinent and that
of Southeast Asia because of its geographic location at the eastern end of the Indian subcontinent.
Of the five Asian species of otter, three are found in the swamps, marshes,
ponds, lakes, low land rivers and even in coastal areas of Bangladesh, of which the
Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is vulnerable, the smooth otter (L. perspicillata) and the
Asian short-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) are ‘insufficiently known’ (IUCN-BD 2000).
Unfortunately, no steps have ever been taken to conserve these species in the country.
Dr Feeroz, has been working on the otters and their use in fishing in Bangladesh during
the last one and half decade (Lombardi & de Silva, 2003). As a recognition of his work
towards the conservation of wildlife in Bangladesh, Jahangirnagar University authority
had kindly allocated an area encompassing 3 water bodies in the southern corner of the
campus for the Wildlife Branch, Dept. of Zoology, Dhaka to establish an otter rescue
centre (Photo 1 & 2). This was later changed into a rescue center for any wild animals
53

that are in distress. The Rescue Centre gets the credit of being the first of its kind in the
country.
1. Field Laboratory of the Rescue Centre
2. Lake in the Rescue Centre used by
wildlife
The WRC covers and area of about 3 ha enclosing three lakes (also covering about
another 3 ha) with well grown marginal vegetation and it provides a suitable habitat to
carryout any captive breeding program. Mainly the Centre is used to save confiscated and
threatened wildlife of Bangladesh, especially the otters. It works on otter conservation
through rescuing, captive breeding, re-introduction and providing non-formal
environmental education to school children in addition to the rescue operations of other
large animals.
It has become the routine work to rescue confiscated otters, keep them in rescue centre
during their traumatic condition and release them in their remaining natural habitat
(Sanctuaries and National Parks) when the animal recovers from initial shock (Photo 3, 4,
5 & 6).
3. An otter is being rescued by the villagers.
54

5. Otter is being released into the
natural habitat.
4. The otter is being carried to the Rescue
Centre.
Breeding facilities are provided in the centre for the rescued otters. Newly born cubs are
brought up in their natural habitat in the
rescue centre and they are able to survive
when released into the National parks in the
country. Already several confiscated otters
have been released successfully into their
natural habitat after initial treatment.
Simultaneously, the scientists study most of
the aspects of their ecology, behaviour,
breeding, morphometry and human-otter
interactions.
6. A pair of rescued otters freely roaming
References:
Kanchanasaka, B. 2001. Tracks and other signs of the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra
sumatrana). IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 18(2), 57-63.
Lubis, R. 2005. First recent record of Hairy-nosed otter in Sumatra, Indonesia. IUCN
Otter Spec. Group Bull. 22(1), 14-20.
Foster-Turley, P. et al. 1990. Otters. An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC
Otter Specialist Group. Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois.
55

Vinh, N.X., Dang, N.X. & Sasaki, H. 2003. In: Proceedings of the workshop on
Enhancement of knowledge and conservation of otters in U Minh Thuong National Park,
Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. February 25-27, 2002.
56

Di Fiore, Sonia
Conservation Coordinator
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland Ohio 44109 USA
sld@clevelandmetroparks.com
The Do’s and Don’ts of Applying for Field Grants
Sonia Di Fiore has a BS in Zoology from The Ohio State University and a MA in
Conservation Biology from Columbia University. She has broad and varied experiences
working on both field and lab projects - from using GIS and remote sensing to
documenting land cover changes in Belize to radio-tracking black-backed jackals in
Kenya. Sonia has worked for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Conservation and Science
program for approximately two-and-a-half years. In her role as Conservation
Coordinator, she administers the Zoo’s competitive grants programs and facilitates local
conservation projects.
……….
Given from the perspective of a zoo grants administrator, this presentation offers helpful
hints to field researchers who are preparing to apply for funding in support of their
projects. The speaker offers an insider’s look at the process and what grantors are looking
for that will increase the applicant’s chances of submitting a successful proposal. Advice
will also be provided on building and maintaining good relationships with donors and
funding agencies.
57

Dixon, Orlando
Field Coordinator
Saint Louis Zoo, Biodiversity of Bosawás, Nicaragua Office
Altamira del Este
Casa Blanca #537
Managua, Nicaragua
JJPolisar@aol.com
The Next Step: Indigenous Conservation of Natural Resources in Bosawas
Biosphere Reserve in Nicaragua
Orlando Dixon comes from the Mayangna community of Amak, deep in Nicaragua’s
Bosawas Biosphere Reserve. He studied nursing in secondary school in northeastern
Nicaragua’s Puerto Cabeza, worked as a Health Educator in Rosita for the government’s
Ministry of Health, and obtained a technical degree in Public Health from San Antonio
College in 1999, after which he accepted a position working in reproductive health with
the non-governmental organization, Alistar Nicaragua. In 2001, Orlando began working
for the Saint Louis Zoo’s Biodiversity Project in Bosawas and has been involved with
every aspect of the Zoo’s project in the reserve for the past five years, participating in
workshops, supervising the collection and reduction of hunting data, and managing the
payroll and schedules of indigenous field crews.
……….
Since 2000, the Saint Louis Zoo has conducted collaborative research on wildlife
resources within three indigenous territories, which comprise 2,843km² of the core area
of the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, the largest tract of tropical moist forest north of the
Amazon. In 2005, these territories received legal title for their land, and now share
management authority with Nicaragua’s federal government. The Mayangna and Miskitu
inhabitants of Bosawás have been successful in defending forest resources against outside
agricultural encroachment, but hunting within the reserve appears to threaten certain
species. The Zoo’s research projects have involved an indigenous field staff conducting
biological inventories and evaluations of impacts due to subsistence hunting. The result
has been multi-lingual research summaries and participatory workshops that initiated
discussions regarding the development of wildlife harvest regulations; these will be
followed up by indigenous-driven monitoring and management of wildlife resources.
The indigenous territories have designated three land use zones: agriculture; hunting and
forest extraction; and conservation. The series of statistical tests and models used to
evaluate sustainability included comparisons of animal abundance across land use zones
and distances from the nearest communities. The majority of heavily hunted species
were hunted on a sustainable basis, with the most commonly hunted species being more
abundant closer to communities (where hunting pressures were higher) than farther away
(where hunting pressures were lower). For these species, the mosaic of agricultural fields
and post-agricultural secondary forests, all set within a matrix of primary forest, were
beneficial factors that overcame hunting effects. For a small set of species, large body
58

size, hunting ease, and palatability drove selection patterns. These factors, in
combination with slow reproductive rates, resulted in unsustainable harvests. The next
step is tri-territorial collaborative wildlife management and monitoring, with an emphasis
on practical methods that are adapted to logistical and financial constraints, and will thus
be sustainable.
59

Dominguez, Maria Clara
Directora
Fundación Zoológica de Cali
Carrera 2 oeste Calle 14 esquina
Santa Teresita, Cali
Colombia
mclarad@zoologicodecali.com.co
Center for the Conservation of Amphibians in the Southwest of Colombia: A
Cooperative Effort Between the Cali Zoo and Zurich Zoo
A global amphibian crisis threatens 32% of the world’s amphibian species and is believed
to be caused by the synergistic effects of habitat loss, climatic changes, pesticides,
pollution, and the disease known as chytridiomycosis. Implementation of immediate
conservation actions is required.
Colombia, with approximately 730 species, is the richest country in the world in terms of
amphibian diversity. Colombia’s Cali Zoo, visited by approximately a half a million
people a year, and Switzerland’s Zürich Zoo will launch a cooperation project for the
conservation of the amphibians in southwestern Colombia. Three main components have
been defined for this project: 1) an ex situ conservation center for the management of
endangered species (e.g., the families Dendrobatidae and Bufonidae, and the genus
Atelopus); 2) in situ research in the Departament of Valle del Cauca to gain a better
understanding of amphibian distribution and ecology, to assess the status of existing
populations, and to determine what effect chytrid may have upon them; and 3)
conservation education activities based at the Cali Zoo.
60

Dugelby, Barbara L., Ph.D.
Conservation Scientist
Round River Conservation Studies
1268 Riverbend Drive
Blanco, Texas 78606 USA
bdugelby@moment.net
Developing a Payment for Environmental Services Program to Protect a
Biodiversity Hotspot and Supporting Local Communities
Barbara Dugelby has over 20 years of experience in the fields of ecology and
conservation. In the mid-1980s, she directed several conservation campaigns in Texas,
including successful efforts to protect endangered species and native habitats in the Hill
Country and East Texas. She received her Ph.D. in Ecology and Anthropology from
Duke University and from 1995-1998 served as human ecologist for the Latin America
and Caribbean Division of The Nature Conservancy. From 1998-2002 Barbara was the
wildlands ecologist for The Wildlands Project. She joined Round River Conservation
Studies in 2002 as a conservation scientist and is currently the director of their Latin
America Program. Dugelby’s research and work has focused on tropical forest ecology
and conservation, protected area design and management, and community-based resource
management. Since 1986, she has worked in Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Madagascar,
Indonesia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
……….
Round River Conservation Studies, in partnership with Fundación Cordillera Tropical,
EcoCiencia, and the Ecuadorian Center for Environmental Law, has initiated a regional
conservation and land-use planning project in the cloud forests and high mountain
grasslands of southeastern Ecuador. The Nudo del Azuay region encompasses over
100,000 ha across six major watersheds and is located along and within the southern
border of Sangay National Park. The area is of extremely high biological value and yet is
threatened by ongoing road construction, land clearing, and resource extraction. The
purpose of the Nudo del Azuay Wildlands Conservation Project is to engage local
communities, landowners, park authorities, and other stakeholders in a region-wide land
use planning process aimed at protecting the remaining habitats and biodiversity of the
region, while developing alternative income sources based on the sustainable and
ecologically sound use of natural resources.
One of the central components of the Nudo del Azuay project is the proposal to establish
a “Payment for Environmental Services” (PES) program, in which “users” of the
environmental services provided by the region compensate the “producers” of these
services, the goal being to provide landowners with strong incentives to protect intact
habitats. At present, the PES program is focused heavily on the hydrological services
provided by the six watersheds in the planning region. We are also evaluating the
potential to include the biodiversity and carbon sequestration services provided by the
native habitats of the region. This presentation will give an overview of how we are
assessing the potential for creating a PES program that addresses all three types of
environmental services.
61

Everest, Tian
Conservation Research Program Coordinator
Centre for Conservation Research Calgary Zoo
1300 Zoo Road NE
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2E 7V6
tiane@calgaryzoo.ab.ca
Science Saving Species: A Multi-faceted Model for Species Reintroductions
Growing up on the Queen Charlotte Islands off British Columbia’s northwest coast, Tian
Everest developed a passion for wildlife and wild spaces. After completing her B.Sc. in
Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Victoria, she joined the Calgary
Zoo and is one of the founding members of the Zoo’s Centre for Conservation Research.
Tian’s diverse experiences range from observing and monitoring wild orca behaviour to
educating the public about alpine plant ecology. She has studied health parameters in
mountain bluebirds and is currently evaluating how burrow selection affects the success
of reintroduced burrowing owls. In addition to providing support to a range of initiatives
within the Centre, Tian coordinates the Zoo’s Biological Research Review Committee for
scientists proposing to conduct research involving the Zoo and its collection. She also
holds a seat on Black-footed Ferret/Black-tailed Prairie Dog National Recovery Team,
Canada’s first joint species recovery team.
……….
The Calgary Zoo’s Centre for Conservation Research has developed a multi-faceted
approach to address one of the world’s most pressing crises - species extinction. Species
reintroduction is a powerful conservation tool that requires scientific study and action at
key stages: feasibility assessment, conservation breeding, release, and sustainability in
the wild. Unfortunately, reintroduction efforts often fail due to inadequate documentation
and poor science. We are striving to reverse this trend by conducting collaborative
scientific research at all levels of the recovery process.
At the feasibility assessment stage, we are developing a collaborative national recovery
strategy for black-footed ferrets (Extinct in Canada). At the conservation breeding stage,
we are using science to maximize the number of animals produced for reintroduction.
Our global assessment of conservation breeding programs has identified ecological
characteristics that affect the likelihood of breeding programs resulting in reintroductions.
At the species level, we are identifying factors associated with successful reproduction
and developing scientific tools to maximize the reproductive success of Vancouver Island
marmots and whooping cranes (both Endangered in Canada). At the release stage, we are
conducting critical field research to improve the survival of reintroduced northern leopard
frogs (Threatened in Alberta) and burrowing owls (Endangered in Canada). Finally, we
are assessing biological factors related to extinction risk to ensure sustainability of
reintroduced swift fox (Endangered in Canada) populations in Canada and Montana,
62

After over two decades of work, the Canadian swift fox reintroduction effort has become
the most successful reintroduction of a nationally extinct carnivore in the world.
However, scientific research in itself is insufficient to save species; scientific findings
must be transferred into conservation action. By working collaboratively with
government and stakeholders, we influence actions and policies that protect endangered
species. Finally, we are creating a conservation legacy by inspiring youth and providing
hands-on training to young Canadian and international biologists.
63

Fayomoi, Jonathan O.
Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan
Oyo State, Nigeria
j_fayomi@hotmail.com
Transformation from Menageries to New Millennium Conservation Centres
Jonathan Olugbenga Fayomi was born in 1970 and demonstrated an interest in animal
husbandry early in his childhood, keeping a variety of rodents as pets. In 1996 he took a
job as a zoo keeper. He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1999 and
subsequently received a training scholarship from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust to attend a course on the island of Jersey. Upon his return to Nigeria, he initiated a
conservation education program at the zoo, and founded the West African Animal
Conservation Network. Jonathan is a member of several international conservation
associations, has attended and presented papers at many conferences, and has been
promoted to Head Zookeeper & Educator at his zoo. His presentation will focus on the
early history of zoological parks and gardens and the evolving state of these institutions
around the world is working to change the nature of such institutions in his country.
64

Flocken, Jeffrey
International Affairs Specialist
US Fish & Wildlife Service – Division of International Conservation
4401 North Fairfax Blvd., Suite 730
Arlington, Virginia 22203 USA
jeff_flocken@fws.gov
Round Table: Follow the Money - International Biodiversity Funding and U.S.
Government Programs
Jeff Flocken is an International Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s
Division of International Conservation, where he focuses on international species
conservation policy, outreach, and grant programs. Prior to joining the USFWS, he
worked as an Education and Outreach Director for Conservation International (CI). He
has a law degree from Wayne State University, and graduated with honors from the
University of Michigan. Before working at CI, Mr. Flocken created and managed the
leading national endangered species conservation campaign for the United States' largest
conservation organization, National Wildlife Federation. In this capacity he worked on
national and regional endangered species policy, orchestrated species conservation
initiatives across North America, and developed-award winning educational and outreach
materials on the need for endangered species conservation. Additionally, Mr. Flocken
has worked with the general counsel at Greenpeace, USA; edited for the scholarly
publication, The Yearbook of International Environmental Law; and is also the founder
and Board Chair of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders initiative which mentors
and provides campaign training for up-and-coming leaders in the wildlife field.
……….
This session will include synopses of existing U.S. Government programs that provide
funding for international biodiversity conservation, with an emphasis on which agencies
and multi-national environmental agreements offer opportunities for grant proposals from
the public and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The presentation will include
basic background information on biodiversity aid programs found at USAID, Department
of State, National Science Foundation, the Global Environmental Fund, National Fish &
Wildlife Foundation, World Bank, and other government and quasi-government
institutions. In addition to this general information, specific application guidelines and
tips will be offered for applying to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Multinational
Species Conservation Funds and the Wildlife Without Borders - Regional grant programs,
which distribute over $7 million in funding annually for global biodiversity conservation.
The presentation will also include broad pointers on the “dos and don’ts” when applying
for money from governments, NGOs and foundations.
65

Foley, Charles
Tarangire Elephant Project
Tanzania
cfoley@wcs.org
Conservation Easements: A New Model to Protect the Greater Tarangire Ecosystem
Charles Foley has spent the past 13 years studying the elephant population of Tarangire
National Park in northern Tanzania. His work has covered a range of topics including
elephant behavior, demography, genetics, habitat change, and human-elephant conflict.
More recently the focus of his project has been on protecting the main elephant migration
corridors and dispersal areas outside the park through collaborative partnerships with
local communities and tour operators.
……….
The movement of large ungulates in the Tarangire ecosystem, until recently the third
largest in East Africa, has decreased dramatically due to the twin threats of land loss to
agriculture and heavy poaching for the bush meat trade. Large areas of the Simanjiro
Plains, the main calving grounds for the large ungulates of Tarangire, have been
cultivated in the past three years. This cultivation threatens the long-term ecological
integrity of the ecosystem. In response to this threat, a coalition of local tour operators
and safari hunters was organized to negotiate land protection deals with the Masai
communities living in the Simanjiro Plains. As a result of these negotiations, Terat
village established a conservation easement that protects a large portion of the main
calving grounds in the Simanjiro Plains for cattle grazing and wildlife use. Such easement
agreements offer value to both local communities and conservation bodies, and represent
a good model for land and wildlife conservation in East Africa.
66

Forbes, Stephanie
Conservation Coordinator
Woodland Park Zoo
601 N. 59 th St.
Seattle, Washington 98133 USA
Stephanie.Forbes@Zoo.org
Regional Conservation Connections: Backyard Habitat as a Model for Conservation
Partnership Building
Stephanie Forbes worked as a zoo keeper for 16 years before transitioning to the
Woodland Park Zoo’s Conservation Department. Growing up in North Carolina, she was
inspired by the biodiversity found in the Appalachian Mountains she called home. She
studied biology and ecology at Emory University before beginning her career in zoo
keeping. Stephanie is passionate about the need for the conservation of biodiversity and
the employment of indigenous peoples in the development of conservation strategies.
……….
Recently, the Field Conservation Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
strongly encouraged member institutions to create regional conservation consortia that
would concentrate conservation efforts and allow for the sharing of resources. The Zoo
and Aquarium Alliance was formed in the Pacific Northwest to focus on regional
conservation efforts. The group of institutions decided that a backyard habitat was one of
the initiatives on which it could work effectively and in collaboration. The relatively new
concept of landscaping for wildlife allows for the introduction of many conservation
topics and directly relates to some species preservation initiatives for the region.
Woodland Park Zoo created an Inspiration to Action program that houses the in-house
efforts for sustainable practices, staff education regarding conservation issues, and
backyard habitat programs as part of the Alliance work. This program allowed
Woodland Park Zoo to create partnerships with other organizations that have a backyard
habitat focus. Partnerships were developed on multiple levels in workshops designed to
provide follow-up opportunities. Workshop participants leave with a background on the
basics of habitat landscaping, the importance of gardening with native plants, care and
maintenance of feeders and nest boxes, and an individual action plan for where to start in
their yard. Participant evaluations are used to drive improvements for future programs
and to provide follow-up that ensures the successful efforts of participants at home. The
collaborative process for creating the workshops generates local action on conservation
efforts, partnership opportunities with local conservation organizations, and allows zoos
to reach a new target audience for conservation education and advocacy. It is a effective
model for a conservation initiative; people can make a direct and important impact that is
visible and measurable.
67

Griffith, Edgardo
Project Manager
El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center
El Valle de Anton, Panama
virolasboy01@yahoo.com
It’s Crazy but I Like It: Rapid Response to the Catastrophic Loss of Amphibian
Diversity in Panama
Edgardo Griffith is a young Panamanian biologist whose field experience in herpetology
has placed him in a unique position to ensure the survival of threatened native
amphibians. Edgardo is still working on his undergraduate degree at the University of
Panama, but has spent the last few years helping to conduct field research for Project
Golden Frog, the Smithsonian Institution, and Southern Illinois University, and learning
the effects of serious fungal epidemics on the status of tropical amphibian populations.
Recently, Edgardo was hired by the Houston Zoo to oversee the collection and rescue of
several dozens species of frogs, toads, and salamanders, and to direct the new El Valle
Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC).
……….
With nearly one third of the world’s amphibian species threatened and close to half in
population decline, it is becoming increasingly clear that conventional in situ threat
mitigation techniques are too time-consuming to save the most critically endangered
species before it is too late. The recent identification of the pathogenic chytrid fungus
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd as the causative agent behind the enigmatic
declines has led to creation of the Amphibian Recovery and Conservation Coalition
(ARCC) and the launch of a rapid response pilot project in west-central Panama. The
creation of the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) coincided with the
early arrival of the fungus in El Valle. Tried-and-tested rapid response procedures were
implemented to ensure the survival of target species that are being recruited to ex situ
colonies at the in-country facility.
68

Hallberg, Karen I., PhD Candidate
Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology
The Ohio State University
1315 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212
hallberg.5@osu.edu
Poster Session: Coyote (Canis latrans) Chorus Howling: Using Acoustics to Assess
Group Size
Karen graduated with a BS in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 1996
and earned an MA in Psychology (emphasis in Psychobiology) from The Ohio State
University in 2000. Her Master’s thesis research investigated the referential nature of
chimpanzee food calls, based on work in a captive setting. In Autumn 2001, Karen
entered the PhD program in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal
Biology at Ohio State. Her dissertation research explores whether group size information
is available in the chorus howls of coyotes (Canis latrans). Through her work with wild
coyote populations, she hopes to further explore issues of human-wildlife conflict and the
potential of public education to promote coexistence.
……….
Although it seems clear that chorus howling is a component of territorial behavior and
inter-group spacing in wild canid species, how much information the animals glean from
this signal is not known. The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium funded the research presented
here, which tests the hypothesis that information about group size is available to coyotes
(Canis latrans) in the howling choruses of conspecifics. These studies provide important
insights into the territorial behavior of coyotes and the potential cues involved in
population density regulation. In addition, the results of this research could aid in the
development of acoustic population censusing techniques.
Both captive and wild coyote populations were studied to determine the acoustic structure
of howling choruses and the vocalization’s effects on the behavior of conspecifics. In
one study, audio- and video-recordings of captive coyotes’ chorus howls were analyzed
to determine individual roles in the chorus and to measure acoustic properties of the
vocalizations. In a second study, field playback experiments were conducted with wild,
radio-collared coyotes to investigate whether they actually use this information. Results
of these studies are the focus of this presentation.
The coyote’s range and population density have increased dramatically in many areas of
the United States over the past 200 years and it is not considered a threatened species. In
fact, efforts to exterminate local populations are often undertaken in attempts to eliminate
human-coyote conflicts. Many of these control programs fail to fulfill their purpose and
simply result in the unnecessary killing of thousands of coyotes each year. The current
situation provides researchers and conservationists an opportunity to explore coexistencebased
solutions derived from sound behavioral research and promoted through
enlightened public education. The research presented here contributes to this effort.
69

Hammatt, Hank
Executive Director
Elephant Care International
438 N. Central Ave
Waveland, Mississippi 39576 USA
hankhammatt@elephantcare.org
Elephant Care International’s Range Country TB Initiative: TB in Captive
Elephants and Implications for Wild Populations
Hank Hammatt is a co-founder and the Executive Director of Elephant Care International
(ECI). ECI is the first 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization devoted to elephant healthcare.
Hank and fellow co-founder Susan Mikota, DVM have been working with elephants for a
combined 33 years, including three years in Sumatra, Indonesia. ECI has active field
projects in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India. Hank designed and maintains the ECI website,
www.elephantcare.org, an extensive, open–access resource for elephant healthcare and
conservation information.
……….
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease introduced to elephants by humans. Over 12% of
captive Asian elephants in the U.S. have been diagnosed with TB. What are the
implications for elephants in Asia? Globally, 36% of humans have TB (2 million die
annually). India alone accounts for one-third of the world’s human cases. India is also
home to more than half of all wild and about 3,600 captive Asian elephants. TB rates of
humans in Asia are more than 50 times higher than the U.S., yet systematic surveillance
of TB in elephants began only last year (2006) in Nepal.
In collaboration with Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, the Institute of Agriculture
and Animal Science (School of Veterinary Medicine), Rampur, Nepal and the
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal, ECI conducted the firstever
comprehensive study of tuberculosis in elephants in Asia to: 1) evaluate new
diagnostic techniques; and 2) establish a surveillance system and database. We tested
120 elephants. In phase two of this project the remaining captive elephants in Nepal will
be screened and management and treatment protocols established for infected elephants.
Diagnostic and therapeutic research will also continue with an emphasis on evaluating a
dung test that could be used to screen wild elephants for TB.
ECI continues to provide leadership, technical expertise in diagnostics and treatment, and
funding to help range countries of Asia combat TB in elephants. Our vision is to
complete TB testing of all captive elephants and human handlers in Asia by 2015. We
have begun and are working with colleagues in Nepal to test, eradicate, or control this
disease in elephants and mahouts by 2010. In India, we are advising and funding
veterinarians in what has become the most extensive healthcare survey ever of Asian
elephants, conducting exams and disease testing on some 800 captive elephants.
70

Why is caring for infected captive elephants also important for conservation? TB must
be brought under control in captive elephants to eliminate the threat of introduction to
wild elephants—where TB might be impossible to diagnose and treat. In Nepal, India,
and especially in Myanmar, captive elephants are often allowed to browse freely at night.
During these times, many cows intermingle with wild bull elephants for breeding. With
high rates of TB in captive elephants, we must act quickly to prevent the spread to their
wild cousins.
Unlike many of the intractable problems faced in conservation today (loss of habitat,
human-animal conflict, government corruption, bush meat issues), TB is a problem
caused by man, that man can resolve if we heed the call to action. You can help.
71

Heinemeyer, Dr. Kimberly
Conservation Scientist
Round River Conservation Studies
2591 Kid Curry Dr.
Bozeman, Montana 59718 USA
kim@roundriver.org
Sustaining People and Wilderness: Combining Ecological and Cultural Values to
Guide Conservation in the Traditional Territory of the Taku River Tlingit First
Nation, British Columbia
Kimberley Heinemeyer graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1988 with a
BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. She completed her MS in Wildlife Biology at the
University of Montana in 1993. Kim completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Studies at the
University of California, Santa Cruz in 2002, focusing on carnivore ecology and
conservation. Kim has worked for Round River Conservation Studies since 2000 and has
led or contributed to ecological analyses for conservation area designs in several regions
of British Columbia. She continues to lead the ecological work in the Taku River Tlingit
Traditional Territory to support the Tlingit in achieving meaningful conservation across
their Territory; this work includes ground-based field research and conservation and
monitoring regimes for key species including grizzly bear, woodland caribou, and wild
salmon.
……….
For cultures that historically and currently depend upon landscapes and natural resources
for not only basic subsistence, but for cultural sustainability, there is a pressing need to
use both ecological and cultural information to guide land management. In northwestern
British Columbia, the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) combined ecological
analyses with traditional ecological knowledge to produce a conservation area design
(CAD) for their 4.1 million-hectare territory. The CAD identifies Core Areas and
Connectivity Areas that are recommended for priority conservation management to
maintain the ecological productivity, viability and landscape-scale dynamics. The
ecological analyses were partly based on focal species habitat requirements, including the
requirements to maintain or recover woodland caribou, thin-horn sheep, grizzly bear, and
wild salmon populations. Connectivity modeling focused on grizzly bear movement
requirements and used key landscape characteristics to identify potential corridors
connecting Core Areas.
Additionally, extensive data on historic Tlingit land uses, contemporary Tlingit resource
use patterns, and current Tlingit community values for land uses provided spatiallyexplicit
data of cultural values. These spatially-explicit cultural values were used to
identify key regions within the Traditional Territory that are essential for both cultural
sustainability (including areas with key archeological values) and those areas currently
utilized for subsistence hunting and gathering. Combining the ecological and cultural data
provided dynamic scenarios allowing the Tlingit to evaluate potential synergies and
72

trade-offs between ecological protection, cultural protection and economic opportunities.
The analyses show a strong overlap between historical land use patterns and areas of high
ecological values, while more contemporary land uses shifted to regions with road access
near the only settlement in the Territory. These analyses are being used to guide land use
planning, with scenarios protecting 30% to 60% of the territory identified for sustaining
cultural and ecological values.
73

Hennessey, Bennett
Associacion Armonia
Casilla 3081
Calle Mexico 110
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Conservation Actions for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara
glaucogularis) in Beni, Bolivia
A. Bennett Hennessey was born in Quebec City, Canada. After finishing his zoology and
environmental sciences studies at the University of Toronto, he worked on conservation
projects in the Republic of the Congo for a year, with his most memorable experience
being the 10 weeks that he stayed in a remote forest Mbendjelle Pygmy village recording
bird song. In 1995, Bennett moved to Bolivia to continue his bird research and
conservation activities. He has guided over 15 Bolivian bird-watching trips, been
involved in over 25 ornithological expeditions within all the main habitat types in
Bolivia, and has completed research on such threatened species as wattled and southernhorned
curassow and the blue-throated macaw. He is the director of BirdLife’s Saving
Americas Rare Birds program, which supports on-ground conservation actions and trains
new conservationists in the Americas. Bennett became the executive director of the
Bolivian Bird Conservation NGO Armonía/ BirdLife International in 2002.
……….
The blue-throated macaw is a critically endangered species endemic to the savannas of
the department of Beni, Bolivia. The species underwent a drastic population decline in
the last 30 years due largely to capture for the pet trade. The conservation strategy for this
species is complicated because of its widespread distribution (approximately 6,000 km 2 ),
that it is easily confused with the similar blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), the fact
that it appears to survive only on privately-owned ranch land, and that animal trafficking
laws are poorly enforced in Bolivia.
In 2002, the Armonia/ Loro Parque Fundacion Blue-throated Macaw Conservation
Program began conservation actions based on the completion of the species recovery
plan. The first clear priority was to complete a census of the entire possible range of the
species. Research results discovered a range extension for the species of 100 km west of
known records and doubled the number of known sites of its occurrence, but found less
than 250 individuals. The program placed a strong emphasis on public education with
posters, stickers, pamphlets and T-shirts created and given out to children and adults.
Local people from the department of Beni were informed that a critically endangered
macaw species lives only in their region. In 2005, Armonía created 20 nest boxes as a
possible remedy to the paucity of nest cavities, which is believed to be a factor that limits
reproduction. Eighteen of the nest boxes were used in the breeding period, but only one
by the blue-throated macaw.
74

Holst, Bengt
Vice-Director
Copenhagen Zoo
Denmark
beh@zoo.dk
Development of Partnerships – A Win-Win Situation for Zoos and Field Projects
Bengt Holst is the Vice-Director and Director of Science and Conservation of the
Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark, as well as the co-custodian of the Lion Tamarins of Brazil
Fund, the EAZA’s Species Coordinator for Lion Tamarins, and a member of the
Executive Committee of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group. His special focus is on
the survival of the Malayan tapir. Bengt has worked with conservation issues for many
years with a special focus on the integration of ex situ and in situ conservation efforts.
……….
Zoos can contribute to conservation in many ways. Development of partnerships is just
one of them, but certainly a very efficient one. By combining the ex situ conservation
activities and experience of zoos, including interpretation, education and fundraising,
with the in situ conservation activities of field projects one can develop a valuable
cocktail that both parties can benefit from. Field projects get access to the networks of
zoos and can benefit from fundraising in other regions, whereas the zoos get access to
exciting and authentic stories from the field that they can use in their conservation
education and interpretation.
But partnerships must be nursed and organised, and long-term commitment, cooperation,
communication and capacity building are key words in these arrangements. Copenhagen
Zoo has focused on conservation partnerships for many years and has developed specific
partnerships for conservation in Malaysia, South Africa and Brazil. A special “Adopt a
Group” concept was developed ten years ago in Brazil and is now used by a number of
European zoos to raise money for field projects in other regions and to make their own
conservation message more exciting for their public.
Regional conservation campaigns are another significant tool linking the ex situ
conservation efforts of zoos to conservation projects in the field. European zoos have
conducted specific conservation campaigns annually since 2000 and have in that way
channelled close to $US 2 million from Europe to field projects all over the world.
75

Horwich, Dr. Robert
Director
Community Conservation
50542 One Quiet Lane,
Gays Mills, Wisconsin 54631 USA
ccc@mwt.net
A Successful Conservation Strategy for the Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) in
Assam, India
Dr. Robert Horwich received a B.A. from Rutgers University (1962), and an MA (1964)
and PhD in Zoology (1967) from the University of Maryland. He was a Postdoctoral
Field Representative in India for the Smithsonian Institution (1967-8,) Research
Zoologist at the Brookfield Zoo and Research Associate at the University of Chicago
(1970-76), Visiting Lecturer at Northern Illinois University, Chicago State University and
Grand Valley State Colleges (1975-6), Resident Ethologist, at the International Crane
Foundation (1984-6), and Director of Community Conservation from 1989 to the present.
His research interests are the infant development of mammals and birds, primate behavior
and ecology, and community conservation. He developed a method for crane
reintroduction used in a number of endangered crane species and established a new black
howler population in Belize through the process of translocation. Dr. Horwich has
written and produced over 100 professional and popular publications, books and videos
on community conservation, ecology, primatology and animal behavior.
……….
The golden langur, one of India’s most endangered primates, is endemic to western
Assam and Bhutan. In the past decade, over a third of the golden langur’s range has been
lost due to a complex political situation. The Golden Langur Conservation Project
brought together five non-governmental organizations, each focusing on different
regions, to protect almost the complete Indian range of the species. The organizations
coordinate over 100 communities to replant and protect forests around their villages.
Some villages are creating buffer forests within, around and adjacent to protected areas
by actively protecting their forests. The basic strategy is to: 1) engage regional NGOs to
focus on all langur populations in the entire range; 2) focus the NGOs’ community work
on empowering economic and forest protection groups; 3) create community tree
nurseries to supply reforestation; 4) have NGOs carry out conservation awareness and
education; and 5) carry on community-based langur censusing. Two formal tools used
with communities are Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Self-help Groups (SHG). JFM
community groups replant forests under agreements with the Assam Forest Department
to benefit from these plantings. SHGs develop alternative village incomes by collectively
saving money to develop micro-enterprises such as fisheries and livestock, crop, and
weaving projects. Active protection by communities such as signage in their forests,
patrolling and confronting encroachers, bodes well for the success of the program.
Currently the project has recruited a 100-man protection group of villagers to work with
the Assam Forestry Department and the newly elected Bodoland (tribal) Territorial
Council to strengthen protection against illegal log smugglers in the Manas Biosphere
Reserve.
76

Hudson, Rick
Conservation Biologist
Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Pkwy
Fort Worth, Texas 76110 USA
rhudson@fortworthzoo.org
Saving Cyclura – The Impact of the International Iguana Foundation: A Five-year
History
Rick Hudson earned a degree in Biology from the University of Richmond in 1977 and
started his career in 1980 with the Fort Worth Zoo’s Department of Herpetology, where
he served as the Assistant Curator for 20 years. He moved to the zoo’s Conservation &
Science Department in 2000 as Conservation Biologist. Rick has been very active in
AZA’s reptile conservation programs; he serves as co-chair of the Crocodilian Advisory
Group and was the founder of the Lizard Advisory Group, which he chaired from 1990 to
2003. He currently serves as Species Coordinator for the Rock Iguana SSP. From 2001
– 2003, Rick also served as chairman of the AZA’s Field Conservation Committee (FCC)
and helped to develop the curriculum for an AZA course: Developing an Institutional In
Situ Conservation Strategy.
……….
To address a chronic shortage of funding for iguana recovery programs, the International
Iguana Foundation (IIF) organized as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization in August 2001.
With a stated mission to ensure the survival of iguanas and their habitats through
conservation, awareness and scientific programs, the primary purpose of the IIF is to
raise the financial resources essential to implementing iguana conservation programs.
Working in concert with the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group (ISG), the IIF provides
critical support to initiatives prioritized in the ISG’s Conservation Action Plan and their
various Species Recovery Plans. The IIF is a diverse group of conservation professionals
with multi-disciplinary expertise. With a governing board comprised of scientists, zoo
administrators, fund-raisers, field biologists, captive managers, private breeders and
veterinarians, the IIF brings a uniquely broad perspective to iguana conservation. Board
members represent primarily U.S. zoos but also foundations, corporations and
conservation NGOs. The group has been successful in receiving and administering
grants - $181,500 from 2002 to 2005. In the five years since forming, the IIF raised over
a half million dollars for iguana conservation and administered $185,000 through their
small grants program. Core programs include recovery efforts for the critically
endangered Jamaican, Grand Cayman blue and Anegada iguanas. Other projects have
been funded in the Bahamas, Mona Island, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia and Fiji. The
IIF is also prepared to respond to emergencies and in 2004 directed $15,000 in Hurricane
Ivan disaster relief to the Blue Iguana Recovery Program in Grand Cayman and
Jamaica’s Hope Zoo. When 16 Jamaican iguanas were released in February 2005, the IIF
reached a significant milestone, bringing to 100 the number of iguanas released with IIF
funding since 2003.
77

Hudson, Rick
Conservation Biologist
Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Pkwy
Fort Worth, Texas 76110 USA
rhudson@fortworthzoo.org
The IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance: A Coordinated Response to a Conservation
Crisis
Formed in 2001 in response to the growing Asian turtle crisis, the IUCN Turtle Survival
Alliance (TSA) was organized with the belief that captive populations had a crucial role
to play in the survival of many species. Described as an IUCN Partnership Network for
Sustainable Captive Management of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises, the stated goal is
preserving options for the recovery of wild populations. Built on the strength of
partnerships, the TSA brings together a diverse range of talents and skills – veterinarians,
zoo managers, serious private breeders, field biologists, research scientists,
conservationists – all united to prevent turtle extinctions. While ex situ captive
management of selected turtle species is still a major component of the TSA, in recent
years the emphasis has shifted to capacity building in range countries, primarily in Asia.
More specifically the TSA’s niche is in supporting existing range country facilities and
programs with a captive component, i.e. head-starting, captive breeding, rescue. The
receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Batchelor Foundation in 2005 has allowed the TSA
to vastly expand their support for in situ turtle conservation activities. Today the TSA is
involved in 10 Asian countries – India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and China – and southern Mexico.
Projects in Madagascar and Africa are expected to be added soon. In the six years that
TSA has been in existence, the organization has developed into a global turtle
conservation network and emerged as the recognized leader for turtle conservation action.
78

Kouadio, Akoi
Conservation Biologist
Wildlife Conservation Society
West African Manatee Conservation
04 bp 1240 Abidjan 04
Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa
akouadio@wcs.org
The West African Manatee and People: Conflict and Conservation
Akoi Kouadio is a Conservation Biologist with a Ph.D. in Biodiversity Management from
the Durrell Institute of Conservation Ecology and serves as the Project Leader in charge
of Coastal Biodiversity Management for the WCS West African Manatee Conservation
Program. Previously, Akoi was employed by the Ivorian Ministry of Water and Forests as
Assistant Director of the Azagny National Park Management Authority, where he was
involved with field projects focused on the pygmy hippopotamus, crocodile, elephant and
forest buffalo.
……….
The endangered West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) probably plays an
important role in its aquatic ecosystem and has various values for people. However, the
species is little studied and is threatened with extinction in the near future due to
competition and the growing resource needs of humans. Therefore, accurate information
on how manatees and people can coexist is required to develop sound and lasting
conservation initiatives. Thus, a study was conducted in the lagoon complex of Fresco,
one of the six most important habitats for manatees in Cote d’Ivoire, to examine the
conflicts that arise between humans and manatees.
Several manatees were caught and tagged with radio transmitters designed by the Florida
Marine Research Institute and the Sirenia Project of the National Ecology Research
Center. Manatee behaviour was recorded over 24-hour periods using a method similar to
that of Altman’s (1974), and Martin and Bateson’s (1996) focal animal sampling and
continuous recording. The response of focal manatee to human presence was classified
as: diving; swimming away; fleeing with a splash of water; and ignore, when the manatee
does not respond to the presence of humans.
Results indicated that the West African manatee is a solitary animal, is less active during
the day than at night, and spends its time resting, moving, feeding and cavorting. Human
presence impacts time spent on certain activities, and manatees swim away or flee in
response to humans at close distance. Manatee flight reactions are a direct response to
approaching boats, the number of people transported, and the type of activity in which
they are engaged. To minimize conflicts between manatees and humans in the Fresco
lagoon complex, it has been proposed that the number of users should be strictly limited
and areas heavily used by manatees should be zoned so that human activities can be
regulated.
79

Krogmeier, John, Animal Curator &
Kathy Krogmeier, Docent
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50315 USA
jwkrogmeier@blankparkzoo.org
Little Zoos Can, Too!
John Krogmeier has been a keeper at Blank Park Zoo since 1989. He moved to an
Animal Curator position in 2005 where he oversees the Discovery Center (a botanical
conservatory with animals) and the Zoo’s marine area. In real life, Kathy Krogmeier
works in Human Resources for an insurance company. She has been a docent at the Zoo
since 1986. The couple met at the Zoo and held their wedding reception there in 1995.
Both are very active with the Zoo's Conservation Committee.
……….
Can little zoos contribute toward conservation projects all around the world? You bet!
Here's the story of the Blank Park Zoo, located in Des Moines, Iowa.
In 1996, two keepers wanted to purchase a rainforest parking meter for the Zoo.
However, the Zoo was in the middle of a capital campaign and staff was unable to go to
the usual sources for funding. A committee of staff and volunteers was formed to
fundraise for the meter. Once that was accomplished, the decision was made to continue
to look outside of the Zoo, and the Blank Park Zoo Conservation Committee was formed.
Recently, keepers from the Great Ape Trust have joined our committee.
A very informal group, the Conservation Committee has sent over $30,000 around the
world to various conservation projects. Our story outlines how we got started, how we
raise our funds, and how we choose our programs. Little zoos can make a difference in
conservation efforts around the world.
80

Lacy, Dr. Robert
Chairman, IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd
Apple Valley, Minnesota 55124-1851 USA
rlacy@cbsg.org
Zippel, Kevin
CBSG/WAZA Amphibian Program Officer
zippelk@yahoo.com
The Amphibian Ark: Keeping Threatened Amphibian Species Afloat
After working for 17 years as an IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
(CBSG) member, volunteer, and Strategic Associate, Bob Lacy accepted the position as
Chairman of the CBSG in 2003. Bob also works as a Population Geneticist in the
Conservation Biology department of the Chicago Zoological Society and he has a faculty
position on the Committee on Evolutionary Biology of the University of Chicago. He has
published more than 100 scientific papers on topics ranging from genetics, population
biology, evolutionary theory, ecology, behavior, physiology, taxonomy, and
conservation. His current scientific interests include the effects of inbreeding on
individual fitness and population viability, genetic management of small populations, and
the use of simulation models to understand interactions among demographic, genetic, and
environmental processes in wildlife populations and to project the impacts of human
activities on population dynamics. Bob has developed techniques for genetic analysis and
the management of pedigrees, genetic management software used to guide breeding
programs of zoos worldwide, and the Vortex software for population viability analysis,
and is now working with collaborators to link the Vortex model of population dynamics
to epidemiological models of disease in wildlife, spatial models of landscape pattern and
change, and models of human demography and impacts on the environment. Bob serves
on the Small Population Management Advisory Group of the American Zoo and
Aquarium Association (AZA), is a co-administrator of the AZA Population Management
Center, and serves on the board of the International Species Information System.
Kevin Zippel received his B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell
University in 1994 and his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida in 2000. He
worked for one year as a curatorial intern in the Department of Herpetology at the
Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo as he finished the latter degree. There he was
also a founding member of Project Golden Frog, an organization he continues to serve as
coordinator. Kevin went on to work five years as Curator of Amphibians at the Detroit
Zoo where, along with Curator Andy Snider, he oversaw the construction and initial
years of operation of the National Amphibian Conservation Center, which won the 2002
AZA Exhibit of the Year Award. During his years in Detroit, he developed adjunct
associate professor status at Michigan State University and George Mason University. He
continues to teach in the AZA courses Population Management I and Amphibian Biology
& Management, and serves as a consultant for various amphibian conservation and
research projects.
81

……….
One-third to one-half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with more
than 100 already gone in recent years. The IUCN Global Amphibian Assessment has
alerted us to the fact that hundreds of species face threats that cannot be mitigated in the
wild, i.e., they require zoos to save them in the short term until adequate conservation
measures to secure wild populations can be developed. CBSG, WAZA, and the
IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) have formed an Amphibian Ark (AArk)
to help the zoo community save as many species as possible by providing global
coordination, technical guidance, training, necessary linkages to other IUCN groups,
communications, etc. In 2007, zoos must immediately ramp up their own programs,
support efforts by their regional associations, and commit to continue these activities as
long as the need remains. In 2008, AArk will lead zoos in a globally coordinated public
awareness campaign "2008: The Year of the Frog." The publicity campaign will help
leverage a simultaneous worldwide capital campaign managed at the level of the
individual institutions. While individual institutions are campaigning to their normal
donor base, regional/national associations will engage in a simultaneous program
targeting regional/national corporations at a higher level. This money will help fund
regional initiatives such as workshops, rescues, cooperatively managed centers, and
coordination of activities within each region. The outcome of AArk will be that we will
have saved hundreds of species from extinction, developed capacity both within our
institutions and globally to continue to provide amphibian species with care and
protection when needed, formed a true partnership between ex situ and in situ
components of conservation, established a model framework for responding to future
species conservation crises, and demonstrated to the world that zoos and aquariums are
essential conservation organizations.
82

Lengel, Kim
Vice President for Conservation
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 USA
lengel.kim@phillyzoo.org
From the Rodrigues Fruit Bat: Emergence of Environmental Education Initiatives
In Rodrigues, Successes and Challenges
Kim Lengel, Philadelphia Zoo and Mary Jane Raboude, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
Kim Lengel is the Vice President for Conservation at the Philadelphia Zoo where she has
worked for 20 years in various capacities such as zookeeper, Children’s Zoo Director,
and Curator of Mammals. As the VP for Conservation, she directs the Zoo’s regional,
national, and international conservation program. Kim’s graduate work at Villanova
University focused on developing genetic techniques to guide the conservation and
captive management of an insular, endangered, endemic pteropid bat, the Rodríguez fruit
bat (Pteropus rodricensis). She has managed the Rodríguez Fruit Bat SSP for a decade
and the Rodríguez environmental educator project since 2000.
Mary Jane Raboude is a Mauritian citizen born in Rodrigues (a dependency of Mauritius)
with professional studies in languages and humanities from the Australian Catholic
University in Australia. She has a strong teaching background, as she has been a
secondary school teacher for four years. For the last eight years she has worked as the
Environmental Educator for the Rodrigues Environmental Education Project of the
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. In 2000, she was selected from 120 applicants to
participate in an international environmental education course funded by the South
African Development Community (SADC).
……….
The Rodrigues Environmental Education Project (REEP) was initiated by the
Philadelphia Zoo and its partners in 1998. Initially the environmental education project
focused on raising awareness in the local community of the conservation challenges of
the critically endangered Rodrigues fruit bat.
REEP now involves broader environmental education for all age groups on a range of
Rodriguan conservation issues. REEP works closely with schools, community
organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the local government such that the
Rodriguan community, as a whole, benefits from REEP. Some of REEP’s impacts, such
as school education programs, should help produce a long-term, general effect in the way
Rodriguans treat their environment. In other projects, such as those focused on pressing
environmental issues, there will be immediate action that will accrue both immediate and
long-term benefits.
83

The emergence of environmental education in Rodrigues is two-fold. On the one hand,
education empowers people to speak out and shape their own development. On the other,
it gives them the tools to preserve their environment and restore native forests, which will
contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the ecotourism sector in Rodrigues.
REEP has been and continues to be very important in Rodrigues because the island is at
the interface of development, hence the local people need to be very informed about the
importance of the natural resources before they accept any kind of development in their
particular region or on the island as a whole.
84

Lias, Sahdin
Managing Director, Red Ape Encounters Snd. Bhd.
P.O. Box3109
90734 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
info@redapencounters.com
Community-based Orang-Utan Ecotourism Project in Sukau, Sabah: Challenges
and Achievements from a Local Perspective
By Mr. Sahdin Lias 1 , Mr. Azmey Sakong 1 , Dr. Isabelle Lackman – Ancrenaz 2 , Dr Marc
Ancrenaz 2 , Mr. Patrick Mahedi Andau 3 , Mr. Laurentius Nayan Ambu 3
1 Red Ape Encounters & Adventures, P.O. Box 3109, 90734 Sandakan, Sabah.
info@redapeencounters.com, Website: www.redapeencounters.com
2 HUTAN, Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation Project, P.O.Box 3109, 90734
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia hutan1@tm.net.my
3 Sabah Wildlife Department. Wisma Muis, Block B 5 th Floor, 88100 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia
Sahdin bin Lias began work with the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project
(KOCP) in 1999. Following intensive training by various KOCP partners, Sahdin was put
in charge of the community-based ecotourism project Red Ape Encounters in 2003. He is
now Director of the tourism company and a member of the KOCP Steering Committee.
……….
Ideally, local communities should play a major role in the stewardship of their natural
heritage. In 2001, an eco-tourism project was initiated by the Sabah Wildlife Department
and local communities within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Initial
funding was provided by the Danish Cooperation Agency and technical expertise was
offered by the KOCP. This project established a licensed tour company registered as Red
Ape Encounters & Adventures (RAE), the first tourism company in Sabah fully owned
and managed by local citizens. RAE’s objective is to provide alternative sources of
income to community members who respect the environment in general and the orangutan
in particular. Tourists who book with RAE are offered a unique opportunity to
encounter wild orang-utans in their natural habitat, to be associated with behavioral and
ecological research activities, and to gain a better understanding of conservation issues
affecting this species. The project channels tourism benefits back to the village in
exchange for an integrated variety of services.
In order to maximize conservation and social impacts on a local scale, a portion of the
revenue generated by tourism activities is allocated to the Tourism Development Fund
and the Conservation Fund of the village of Sukau. These two Funds were created to
support local development and conservation activities and are administered by village
committees. Although this approach directly involves members of local communities in
the management of their natural resources, many shortcomings had to be overcome
during the first few years; we review these in this presentation.
85

Lieberman, Alan,
Conservation Program Manager
Division of Applied Conservation, Conservation and Research for Endangered
Species (CRES)
Zoological Society of San Diego
15600 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, California 92027 USA
alanlieberman@earthlink.net
The Hawai’i Endangered Bird Conservation Program: A Tool for the Conservation
of the World’s Most Threatened Avifauna
Alan Lieberman has been in the zoo and conservation discipline for over thirty years,
working for the San Diego Zoo, The Nature Conservancy, the Smithsonian Peace Corp
Environmental Program, and The Peregrine Fund. For the past 12 years he has been
responsible for the design, development, construction and operation of the Hawai`i
Endangered Bird Conservation Program. Most recently, in addition to managing the
Hawai`i Program, he has assumed supervision of CRES’s San Clemente Island Shrike
propagation effort as well as other translocation and propagation release projects
managed by CRES.
……….
The Hawai`i Endangered Bird Conservation Program (HEBCP) is a unique conservation
partnership of the San Diego Zoo's CRES Department of Applied Conservation,
government agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii), and
Hawai`i's private landowners, working together to recover 22 species of endangered
Hawaiian forest birds. This program clearly demonstrates the significant role captive
propagation can play in worldwide conservation efforts, and also provides a model for a
collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to endangered species recovery.
The HEBCP is playing a pivotal role as an "endangered species bank account" for the
reestablishment of endemic Hawaiian species of birds into managed habitat. Without this
propagation effort, many of these endangered species might go extinct while their habitat
is being identified, reserves are being designed, and management measures are being
implemented. The propagation effort, based on many years of technological advances in
zoos and the private avicultural community, has saved many of these species from
extinction and will continue to play a role in their recovery. Currently, the program
manages nine Hawaiian species at the Maui and Keauhou Bird Conservation Centers, as
well as three active release programs: the Puaiohi on Kauai, now completing its eighth
year of releases (113 birds); the Palila (21 birds) in its third year on Mauna Kea Volcano;
and the Nene on three islands (346 birds). Successful hatchings have been accomplished
with the `Alala, Hawaiian `Akepa, Hawaiian Creeper, Palila, Puaiohi, Nene, Maui
Parrotbill, `Akohekohe, `Apapane, Common `Amakihi, `I`iwi, and `Oma`o.
86

Lukas, John
President
Gilman International Conservation
White Oak Conservation Center
581705 White Oak Road
Yulee, Florida 32097 USA
The Gilman International Conservation Okapi Conservation Project: Partnering
with Zoos for Species-based Conservation Initiatives
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
John Lukas is the General Director of White Oak Conservation Center and White Oak
Plantation, the base of conservation and research efforts for over 40 species of threatened
animal species and the creative home of the White Oak Conference & Residency Center.
John is also the president of Gilman International Conservation and a founding member
of the Wildlife Conservation Network, which provides operating funds and technical
support for entrepreneurial conservationists working on the front lines of wildlife field
programs. He is the president of the International Rhino Foundation, which operates and
funds in situ protection and research studies for rhino species in ten countries worldwide,
serves on the advisory boards for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Mountain Gorilla
Conservation Fund, and is a trustee of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
……….
International conservation projects face a variety of cultural and logistical challenges,
both to initiate and sustain the work, and to achieve the intended goals. These issues are
further complicated when particular regions or countries experience extended periods of
civil unrest. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced decades of
regional and internal strife resulting in hundreds of thousands of human deaths and
displaced refugees, international competition for DRC’s significant natural resources, and
the disintegration of economic, education, and health resources for the country’s people.
Ecosystems, and particularly wildlife, have been severely impacted, including the
degradation or destruction of infrastructure intended to protect the environment.
The Okapi Conservation Project was created in 1987 in the Ituri Forest of northeastern
DRC. In a contract with the Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN),
Gilman International Conservation (GIC) provides direct support to promote and assist
the management of the Okapi Faunal Reserve (OFR). The OFR was created in 1996 to
protect the important lowland Ituri rainforest and the multitude of plant and wildlife
species therein, including an important population of the endemic okapi. The Okapi
Conservation Project’s objectives include education, training, protection, health, and
agro-foresty initiatives for communities located in and around the Reserve. With strong
links to the AZA’s Okapi SSP and Okapi EEP, international zoos have directly supported
okapi conservation for over a decade, through the oversight and work of GIC. The
resilience of the Okapi Conservation Project, despite the significant challenges to
conservation work in the DRC, is a direct result of sustained support by GIC and our
international zoo partners.
87

MacAllister, Mark
Coordinator of Online Learning Projects
North Carolina Zoological Society
70 Rock Ridge Road
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 USA
markmacallister@mac.com
Field Trip Earth: Bringing Wildlife Conservation to the World’s Classrooms
Mark MacAllister received his B.A. from Oberlin College in1982 and his M.A. from the
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1990, and is currently the Coordinator of
Online Learning Projects at the North Carolina Zoological Society. Over the last 25
years, he has worked to integrate conservation, technology and education. His primary
responsibility is the day-to-day administration of Field Trip Earth (FTE;
http://www.fieldtripearth.org), which focuses on the activities of field researchers at work
around the world. FTE supports classroom learning in all 50 states and more than 100
countries, and is also used by wildlife professionals, veterinary students and other
conservationists.
……….
A key component of the North Carolina Zoological Society’s education mission is Field
Trip Earth (http://www.fieldtripearth.org). Field Trip Earth makes it possible for K-12
classrooms to actively participate in conservation projects by supporting student
interaction with wildlife professionals working in the field and in captive facilities.
A variety of research programs, species and landscapes are represented as “field trips” on
the website (programs need not be associated with the North Carolina Zoological Society
in order to appear on Field Trip Earth). Current projects include elephant migration
research in Cameroon, sea turtle conservation in North Carolina, and Mexican wolf
recovery in the Blue Range region of Arizona and New Mexico. Each field trip provides
users with background information on the objectives and methods of the research, the
species under study, and the region in which the program is occurring. Attention is given
to both field- and captive-based activities. This narrative information is supplemented
with a significant selection of digital photographs, video and audio clips, and GIS maps.
Datasets of morphology, location and other information are also available for download.
Students may interact with project teams by reviewing online field diaries, by sending
interview questions to the site, and by responding to discussion prompts posted by the
teams. Classrooms may also interact with each other via moderated discussion forums.
The basic goal of this presentation is to familiarize attendees with the Field Trip Earth
website and to share information about how the project is funded, designed, and
executed. A second goal is to invite attendees to partner with Field Trip Earth by adding
their projects to the website, taking advantage of an already-established resource and
worldwide audience.
88

Martinez, Fernando
Director, ARCAS/Peten
4 Ave. 2-47, Sector B5, Zona 8 Mixco, San Cristobal, Guatemala or
Section 717, PO Box 52-7270 Miami, Florida 33152-7270, USA
fernando_martinezgalicia@hotmail.com
In Situ Conservation in Guatemala: Support by American Zoos for ARCAS’s
Wildlife Conservation Activities in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (MBR) Programs
Fernando Martinez first came to the ARCAS Rescue Center in 1994 as an intern studying
veterinary medicine at the National San Carlos University…and he never left. In his 12
years at the Rescue Center, he has built up a wealth of practical, field-level knowledge on
the rehabilitation and release of wildlife in the Petén region. This knowledge combines
the technical skills needed to provide veterinary treatment in a resource-poor
environment like Guatemala with the very important cultural and social skills needed to
successfully implement conservation projects in an unstable region such as the Petén.
……….
With the support of American zoos, ARCAS is collaborating in three tri-national, in situ
conservation consortiums in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (MBR): Macaws Without
Borders, Jaguars Without Borders, and the Spider Monkey Release Program. One of the
most threatened species in the Peten region is the scarlet macaw. Researchers estimate
that there exist less than 300 individuals in Guatemala, Belize and Mexico, and these are
under constant threat due to the loss of habitat and poaching for the illegal pet trade.
ARCAS is currently reproducing non-releasable macaws at its Rescue Center and is
providing veterinary back-up for nest monitoring and re-introduction activities. In the
future, the consortium plans to release adolescent macaws raised at the Rescue Center in
order to reinforce wild populations, a technique used successfully in Costa Rica and Peru.
Jaguars in the MBR are facing increasing pressures from agricultural expansion;
“problem jaguars” routinely attack cattle. Hunters have reduced the density of prey,
forcing jaguars to expand the minimum territory they need to survive. Under the Jaguars
Without Borders consortium, ARCAS helps trap and radio-collar jaguars. These
activities allow researchers to better assess the current status of the jaguar populations in
Peten and their territorial needs.
Spider monkeys are routinely received at the ARCAS Rescue Center. During the last few
years, ARCAS has been working to strengthen its spider monkey rehabilitation and
release program by developing protocols and building several soft-release sites. In
November 2005 a trial release of 10 spider monkeys was conducted on Cante Island.
The results thus far have been good, the monkeys having survived and behaving similar
to their wild counterparts.
ARCAS benefits from the support of the Cincinnati, Columbus and Oregon Zoos, as well
as the American Society of Primatologists.
89

McCarthy, Tom
Science and Conservation Director
Snow Leopard Trust
4649 Sunnyside Ave N. Suite 325
Seattle, Washington 98103 USA
tmccarthy@snowleopard.org
Monitoring Snow Leopard Populations to Measure Conservation Effectiveness
Tom McCarthy joined the Snow Leopard Trust in 2000 and leads their field programs
across Central Asia. He conducted his Ph.D. research in Mongolia from 1993-1999, the
first to use satellite-telemetry to study snow leopard ecology. He serves as Executive
Director of the Snow Leopard Network, a consortium of approximately 200 professionals
around the globe involved in snow leopard research and conservation. Tom also sits on
the Board of Directors of the Society for Conservation Biology’s Asia Section.
……….
Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) are a flagship species for wildlife conservation in Asia’s
spectacular mountains, including the Himalayas, Karakorams, Hindu Kush, Pamirs, Tien
Shan, and Altai ranges. These magnificent cats face serious threats to their survival with
as few as 3,500 remaining across some 2 million km 2 of habitat. Hence, there is an
immediate need to address information gaps that now inhibit appropriate conservation
actions. Perhaps more importantly, given the cat’s extremely cryptic behavior and sparse
distribution, there is currently no proven methodology to monitor the impacts of ongoing
conservation actions. The Snow Leopard Trust, the acknowledged leader in research and
conservation of this species, recently initiated a major study of snow leopards and
associated large carnivores in Pakistan’s famous Chitral Gol National Park. Automated
camera-trap and genetic finger-printing using feces are two cutting-edge methods
currently used in the study, and both have produced encouraging results. Multiple photos
of snow leopards and other large carnivores were obtained in the summer of 2006 and the
Trust has developed a suite of micro-satellite markers that allow the genetic identification
of individual cats. In late autumn 2006, Trust scientists will begin placing advanced
GPS-Argos satellite collars on up to six cats. These collars provide multiple daily
locations and will yield critical data on snow leopard home-range size, movements,
activity patterns, and human-snow leopard interactions (habitat use in relation to human
habitation and livestock pastures).
Collared cats will also provide “marked” animals (visually and genetically), allowing
validation of camera-trap and genetic studies. By calibrating these tools we will be better
able to monitor snow leopard populations and identify effective conservation strategies.
In this presentation we will provide research updates and also explain future project
needs and opportunities for zoos to become involved in the program.
90

McGrady, Michael J.
Managing Director
Natural Research Ltd, Banchory Business Centre
Burn O’ Bennie Rd. Banchory AB31 5ZU, Scotland
mike.mcgrady@natural-research.org
Some Ins and Outs of In Situ Wildlife Conservation Research and Ex Situ Wildlife
Conservation Education Related to Steller’s Sea Eagles
Michael McGrady is the managing director of Natural Research, Ltd., a small wildlife
research charity based in Scotland. His training is in avian ecology with a special
emphasis on raptors. Michael has worked on projects in North and Central America,
Europe, Asia, and Africa. Natural Research’s mission is to provide high quality objective
research to underpin the wise use of natural resources. Currently, Michael is working on
projects involving golden eagles, peregrine and sooty falcons, sandgrouse, Steller’s sea
eagles, cinereous, griffon, and bearded vultures, Levant’s sparrow hawk, and wintering
shorebirds. Natural Research’s agenda also includes other projects on topics ranging
from vegetation change in southern Spain to predation to the effects of wind farms on
red-throated divers.
……….
Research and conservation funds are scarce. In general, research efforts do not find a
popular outlet and this sometimes undermines the researchers’ ability to raise money for
studies. Often rather dry research data need only be ‘repackaged’ to be used by
conservation organizations, and thereby provide added value to the research effort.
However, wildlife researchers often lack the expertise or the time needed for this
repackaging.
Natural Research is a wildlife research charity that has partnered successfully with
conservation organizations, including zoos, in Europe, the United States and Asia.
Despite these connections, our research results are often under-utilized when they find no
outlet other than reports and peer-reviewed articles in journals. I present the ongoing
research on Steller’s sea eagle that we are conducting in collaboration with the San Diego
Zoo and the popular outlets we have created for information regarding this project. I
discuss other examples of working partnerships with Natural Research and present results
that multiply benefits when used by partner organizations.
91

Medici, Patricia
Research Coordinator, IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, Brazil
Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)
Ph.D. Candidate, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), UK
Convener, IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) – Brazil
epmedici@oul.com.br
Conservation Biology of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the Brazilian
Panatanal, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
Patricia Medici is a Brazilian conservation biologist whose main professional interests
are tapir and tropical forest conservation, meta-population management, and landscape
ecology. Patricia has a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry Sciences from the University of
São Paulo and a Masters Degree in Wildlife Ecology, Conservation and Management
from the University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Currently, Patricia is a Ph.D. Candidate at
the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent in the
United Kingdom. For the past 15 years, Patricia has been working for the Brazilian nongovernmental
organization IPÊ (Institute for Ecological Research), which she helped to
establish. Since 1996, she has coordinated a long-term research project on lowland
tapirs, and for the last six years she has also served as the chairperson of the IUCN/SSC
Tapir Specialist Group.
……….
This project will investigate the conservation status of the lowland tapir population at a
field site in the Brazilian Pantanal. The lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is distributed
widely from north-central Colombia and east of the Andes throughout most of tropical
South America. However, the species is threatened by habitat destruction and
fragmentation, and hunting. The Pantanal, located in the center of South America, is one
of the largest contiguous wetlands on the planet, covering approximately 160,000 km² of
low elevation floodplain of the upper Rio Paraguay and its tributaries. During the past
few decades, economic and political changes have increased pressure on the Pantanal and
to large-scale, irreversible wetland degradation. For the past 10 years, IPÊ staff has been
carrying out a long-term lowland tapir conservation project in the Atlantic Forests of the
Pontal do Paranapanema region, São Paulo State, Brazil. As a next step in terms of
promoting tapir conservation in Brazil, we will be establishing a second “arm” of the
initial project, a lowland tapir long-term conservation initiative in the Pantanal, where
virtually no tapir research has been undertaken and where the threats and conservation
issues are very different. Specifically, population demography, habitat use and animal
movement, and genetic and health status will be evaluated within the perspective of
establishing a long-term monitoring program. The main goals of this project are to use
research data to assess the conservation status and viability of lowland tapir populations
in the Brazilian Pantanal, to design a specific set of recommendations for the
conservation of lowland tapirs in the region, and to compare the data collected in the
Pantanal with results obtained from the Atlantic Forest.
92

Medici, Patricia
Research Coordinator, IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, Brazil
Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)
Ph.D. Candidate, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), UK
Convener, IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) – Brazil
epmedici@oul.com.br
The IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG):
Establishing Partnerships for Tapir Conservation
The Tapir Specialist Group (TSG) is a scientific organization founded in 1980 as one of
the 120 Specialist Groups of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s
(IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC). The SSC is a network comprised of
Specialist Groups and Task Forces, some addressing conservation issues related to
particular groups of plants or animals while others focus on topical issues such as
veterinary medicine, reintroduction or the sustainable use of species. The mission of the
TSG is to conserve biological diversity by stimulating, developing, and executing
practical programs to study, save, restore, and manage the four tapir species and their
remaining habitats in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. The TSG strives to
achieve this mission through the implementation of the following strategies: 1) Frequent
review, status determination, and publicizing of tapirs and their needs; 2) Promoting and
supporting research; 3) Promoting the implementation of conservation and management
programs by appropriate organizations and governments; and, 4) Establishing strong and
effective relationships among tapir conservationists to stimulate communication and
cooperation. Currently, the TSG has 105 members, including field researchers,
educators, veterinarians, governmental agencies and non-governmental organization
representatives, zoo personnel, university professors, and students from 27 different
countries worldwide, and all members are directly or indirectly involved in tapir field
research and/or captive breeding in their respective regions. The TSG, together with the
Houston Zoo Inc., the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s (AZA) Tapir Taxon
Advisory Group (TAG), and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
Tapir Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), are the key groups working to develop and
implement tapir research, conservation and management programs.
93

Miller, R. Eric, DVM, Dipl. ACZM
Director, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute
1 Government Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1396 USA
remiller@stlzoo.org
The Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute – Its First Two Years of Working in
Cooperative Initiatives
R. Eric Miller, DVM, is the Director of the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute. He is
A graduate of the Ohio State University (BS, DVM), and in 1981 came to the Saint Louis
Zoo and the University of Missouri, Columbia where he completed a residency in Zoo
Animal Medicine. He has served as the President of American College of Zoological
Medicine (ACZM) and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), and in
2003 he received their Dolensek Award for “exceptional contributions to the
conservation, care and understanding of zoo and free-ranging wildlife.” He has
authored/co-authored more than 50 scientific articles and textbook chapters, and with Dr.
Murray Fowler, he has served as Co-Editor of the fourth, fifth and sixth editions of Zoo
and Wild Animal Medicine. Eric has worked on biomedical surveys of captive South
China tigers, giant pandas, and free-ranging avifauna in the Galapagos.
……….
The Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute (WCI) was launched in 2004, and this
presentation will summarize its overall cooperative initiatives in its first two years (2004
and 2005). The WCI has focused its conservation initiatives in 12 places (descriptions
available at www.wildcareinstitute.org). Recent support has also been provided for
emergency captive breeding programs for amphibians (Ecuador) and Asian elephant
conservation (Indonesia and Sri Lanka). The Saint Louis Zoo is the “home base” for
some programs (e.g., the Madagascar Fauna Group), a partner in some (e.g., Humboldt
Penguin Conservation in Peru), and a collaborator in programs led by other institutions
(e.g., Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program and the Serengeti Carnivore Institute).
Initiated with a generous gift from the Saint Louis Zoo Friends’ Association (ZFA) of
$750,000/year for four years and an additional $4,000,000 placed in an endowment for
each of those 4 years, plus $450,000/year from the Mary Ann Lee Conservation
Carrousel, the WCI was challenged to take those funds and use them in cooperative
ventures that would achieve the greatest conservation value for each dollar. For 2004 and
2005, $2,669,000 was available through the WCI for field conservation (52% from WCI,
24% from partners, 16% from donors, 8% from grants). Perhaps most notable was that
WCI’s partnerships have grown to include 180 different institutions. They represent 55
conservation and development organizations, 37 US zoos, 31 universities, 30
international zoos, 22 governmental agencies, and five other institutions. Historically, the
Saint Louis Zoo, like so many others, has been a “lifeboat” for many endangered species.
However, we believe that cooperative zoo-sponsored, field-based conservation initiatives
are critical to building a larger “Ark” to ensure a future for endangered species in
Missouri and around the world.
94

Moctezuma, Oscar O.
General Director
NATURALIA, A.C.
Amores # 1104, Col. Del Valle
México 03100, D.F. México
direccion@naturalia.org.mx
A Partnership between Zoos and Conservation Groups to Preserve the
Northernmost Population of Jaguars in Sonora, Mexico
Oscar Moctezuma is a Mexican biologist who received his degree from the National
Autonomous University of Mexico. For the last 21 years has been actively involved in
wildlife conservation activities in Mexico and is an active member of numerous Mexican
and international conservation organizations, including the National Consultative
Committee for the Recovery of the Mexican Wolf, the Northern Jaguar Project, and the
Wildlands Project (for which he served as Vice President from 1999 to 2001). Since
1990, Oscar has been General Director of the Mexican conservation organization
Naturalia, A.C., for which he oversees all conservation projects, including the
management of two private reserves in northwest Mexico. These protected areas are
critical to the survival of jaguars, prairie dogs, and Mexican wolves in that region.
……….
Due to habitat loss, fragmentation and over-hunting, jaguar populations are rapidly
declining and are considered threatened throughout their entire range. Jaguars have been
virtually eliminated from the United States and while they continue to be documented in
the mountains of Southern Arizona and New Mexico, these are dispersers from the
nearest surviving population in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, just 120 miles
south of the international boundary.
This area harbors between 100-120 jaguars (Panthera onca), as well as numerous other
threatened species including ocelots, military macaws, bald eagles, Neotropical river
otters, and gila monsters, among others. Within the past four years, at least 27 jaguars
have been killed by ranchers. Strategic efforts are underway to stem these losses, to
recover jaguars and to conserve the borderland ecosystem. Naturalia, A.C. has partnered
with conservation institutions from Mexico and the United States in order to recover
jaguars by expanding these Mexican populations and by preserving habitat connectivity
to allow for dispersal and re-colonization of appropriate areas in the United States.
Strategic partners in this alliance include the Philadelphia Zoo, the Northern Jaguar
Project, the Wildlands Project, Defenders of Wildlife, the Brevard Zoo, and the Africam
Safari Zoo in Mexico. The Philadelphia Zoo’s Bank of America Big Cat Falls exhibit
highlights this program through videos, graphics, computer games, live programming,
and donation opportunities. We offer this partnership as a model for others interested in
achieving similar goals through compelling interpretation of their conservation activities.
95

Monterroso, Miriam
Executive Director
Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association (ARCAS)
4 Ave. 2-47, Sector B5, Zona 8 Mixco, San Cristobal, Guatemala or
Section 717, PO Box 52-7270 Miami, Florida 33152-7270 USA
arcas@intelnet.net.gt
Zoos Supporting Wildlife Conservation in Guatemala: Support for ARCAS’s
Wildlife Conservation Activities by American Zoos Programs
Miriam Monterroso has served as the Executive Director of ARCAS since 1994. A
lawyer by profession, she handles the legal and networking responsibilities of the
association. She closely manages ARCAS’s very successful environmental education
program. Miriam also serves as the ARCAS representative on a variety of national and
international committees, including the IUCN National Committee, the Species Survival
Network, the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Forestry Institute (INAB) and the
Guatemalan Association of Environmental NGOs (ASOREMA).
……….
ARCAS is a Guatemalan non-governmental organization established in 1989 and
committed to preserving wildlife and its habitat. It was originally created as a rescue
center to care for and rehabilitate wild animals confiscated on the black market by the
Guatemalan government. Since then it has branched out into other very necessary
activities including environmental education, ecotourism, marine turtle conservation,
reforestation, and habitat preservation.
American zoos have been instrumental in ARCAS’s establishment and growth, and the
purpose of this presentation is to highlight ways in which zoos can collaborate with
developing country organizations in the conservation of tropical wildlife. The Columbus
Zoo helped ARCAS build and equip its Rescue Center and, since 1990, this has grown
into one of the largest and most complex rescue centers in the world, handling from 300-
600 animals/year, representing at least 35 different species. The majority are the result of
seizures from wildlife traffickers by government authorities. The Columbus Zoo has also
supported ARCAS’s sea turtle conservation project on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, where
nearly 30,000 olive ridley and leatherback eggs are laid each year.
One area in which zoos and developing country conservation organizations can most
effectively collaborate is in environmental education; ARCAS and the Columbus and
Cincinnati Zoos have collaborated over the years in a variety of educational activities,
producing educational materials, and holding workshops and ecotours for underprivileged
children. Several ARCAS in situ projects have also benefited from the support of US
zoos, projects focused on scarlet macaws, jaguars and spider monkeys. Zoo and ARCAS
employees have participated in staff exchanges that have benefited both institutions with
a sharing of technical knowledge, as well as of cultural attitudes regarding the role of
wild animals in our lives.
96

Muir, Stewart
Assistant Director
Newquay Zoo
Trenance Gardens, Newquay
Cornwall TR7 2LZ
United Kingdom
stewartmuir@btconnect.com
The Asian Pangolin Conservation Programme, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam
Stewart Muir is currently Assistant Director of the Newquay Zoo, a conservation charity
and part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust. He is also the honorary director of
Shaldon Wildlife Trust, which he founded and ran for 25 years, a government advisor to
DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) for the licensing of
zoos, Chairman for the EAZA Small Carnivore TAG, and the European advisor for the
Vietnamese Small Carnivore Conservation Programme and the Asian Pangolin
Conservation Programme.
……….
Pangolins are a small group of mammals that feed mostly on ants and termites. In
Vietnam there are two species: Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and Sunda
pangolin (Manis javanica). These nocturnal, inoffensive creatures are found in most
countries throughout southeast Asia and are illegally traded in massive quantities for their
meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine in China and Vietnam.
Populations have been so reduced in many range countries that field sightings are now
exceptionally rare. Both species are listed on CITES and a zero annual export quota has
been established for wild caught individuals. In Vietnam, pangolins are listed in national
species protection laws, making it illegal to hunt or trade both species.
Confiscations of live pangolins by forest rangers vary from single individuals to trucks
filled with several hundreds. Confiscated pangolins are either released back to the wild
with no post-release monitoring or placed in rescue centers. The current network of
rescue centers in Vietnam is underdeveloped. Most pangolins die within a few days of
arrival, probably due to the poor understanding of their nutritional requirements. To date
there has been no focused conservation actions towards these confiscated animals to
improve this situation. The goals of the Asian Pangolin Conservation Programme are to:
• raise awareness of the unsustainable and critical trade in pangolins;
• increase knowledge regarding the captive management of Asian pangolins;
• increase knowledge regarding the ecology and behavior of Asian pangolins;
• develop a conservation breeding programme; and
• improve the options and decision-making process regarding Asian pangolins
confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade
97

Nadler, Tilo
Endangered Primate Rescue Center
Cuc Phuong National Park
Nho Quan District / Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam
t.nadler@mail.hut.edu.vn
A Primate Reintroduction Project for the Endangered Hatinh Langur
(Trachypithecus laotum hatinhensis) in Vietnam
Tilo Nadler is the Director of Vietnam’s Endangered Primate Rescue Center, which he
founded in 1993. The center is the leading institution for primate conservation activities
in the country, both in-situ and ex-situ, and focuses on the rarest endemic species. The
center’s work contributed immensely to our knowledge regarding the distribution, status
and systematics of the rarest Vietnamese primates, which also count among the world’s
rarest primate taxa. Nadler described a new douc langur species in 1997, endemic to
Vietnam. He received two medals of honor from the Vietnamese government and the
highest German award for nature conservation.
……….
Frankfurt Zoological Society established in 1993, in cooperation with Cuc Phuong
National Park, the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC). The center was given the
task to care for endangered primates confiscated by Forest Protection Authorities within
the country. Further responsibilities of the EPRC include the captive breeding and reintroduction
of very rare taxa. The breeding success and the rapid growth of the captive
population, especially Hatinh langurs (Trachypithecus laotum hatinhensis), allows for the
consideration of a re-introduction program. The EPRC operates according to the IUCN
“Technical Guidelines for the Management of ex-situ Populations for Conservation” and
the “Guidelines for Nonhuman Primate Re-introduction”.As release site was chosen the
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam, about 400 km south of the EPRC.
The first phase of the re-introduction project is the establishment of a 20 ha (50 acre)
electric fenced semi-wild area with primary forest on the edge of the national park. This
phase was completed at the end of 2006. The second phase is the translocation of langur
groups in stable social structures from EPRC to the “semi-wild” area. This is planned for
2007. The third phase should be the translocation of the groups from the “semi-wild” area
into the wild of the national park.
During the first phase we have started already surveys to study the distribution and
density of Hatinh langurs inside the national park in order to locate suitable areas for
further release. Parallel to the re-introduction project runs a training program for the staff
of the national park rangers, to improve the protection at and save the re-introduction
areas. Additionally, there is an education program for the communities located in the
surrounding of the national park. The re-introduction project of the Frankfurt Zoological
Society is carried out in close cooperation with and support from Zoo Cologne, Germany.
98

Navarro, Juan Carlos
Alcaldía de Panamá
Apdo 503 Panamá 1
Panamá
From the Jungle to the City: Blazing Conservation Trails in Panama
Selected among the planet’s 100 most promising leaders by TIME magazine (1994) and
as one of the key Latin American Leaders for the new millennium by both TIME and
CNN (1999), Juan Carlos Navarro is widely regarded as one of Panama’s most prominent
national figures. He founded ANCON, Panama’s leading non-profit environmental NGO,
in 1985 and established it as the top independent environmental group in Panama and one
of the most important in Latin America. Navarro served as the first Environmental
Ambassador of his country, appointed by the President of Panama to advise key officials,
in both the public and private sectors, on national and international environmental policy
(1995-1999).
He was elected to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as Regional Councilor for
Latin America in 1990, and was re-elected to that post in 1994, serving as the first
Panamanian and the youngest member ever elected to the Council. Selected in 1998 as
the first Inter-American Conservation Fellow by The Nature Conservancy’s Center for
Compatible Economic Development, with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, Mr.
Navarro was the first conservation leader from the Caribbean, Latin America and the
Pacific rim to be so honored. In 1998 he authored the book Panama National Parks,
which was published in Madrid, Spain, and is the country’s first comprehensive text on
national parks and nature reserves (currently in its second edition).
Juan Carlos Navarro was originally elected Mayor of Panama City for a five-year term
(1999-2004) after winning his party’s primaries (October 1998) and the general election
in May of 1999. He was reelected for a five-year term (2004-2009) in May 2004. The
youngest citizen elected to the Mayor’s office; Navarro oversees 5,000 municipal
employees and a US$59.8 million annual budget (2005). He was elected unanimously as
the first President of the National Mayor’s Association of Panama (2001) and reelected
twice for the same position (2003, 2005). Mayor Navarro also served as co-President of
the Unión de Ciudades Capitales de Iberoamericanas (UCCI) together with Mayor
Alvarez del Manzano of Madrid, Spain (2002).
He joined the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) in April 1998 and was elected
to the nine-member National Executive Committee, the PRD’s top governing organism,
in August 2002. Mayor Navarro was awarded the International Award for Excellence in
2001 by the prestigious Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), in recognition of
his global environmental leadership. Born in Panama City on 19 October 1961, Navarro
is fluent in Spanish, French and English. He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College
(1983) and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University (1985).
99

Ng, Timothy
Assistant Director, Zoological Operations and Education
Ocean Park Corporation
Wong Chuk Hang Road
Aberdeen, Hong Kong
timothy.ng@oceanpark.com.hk
Panda Conservation Programmes in Hong Kong
Mabian Dafending Nature Reserve is one of 56 national panda reserves in mainland
China. It is located at the southern part of Sichuan Province and is surrounded by villages
of the Yi tribe. The last survey indicated that the Reserve's wild giant panda population
has dropped from 30 to 11, the decline being due, at least in part, to bamboo collection
and mining.
As the conservation arm of Ocean Park, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation - Hong
Kong has adopted the Reserve and is committed to work with the Sichuan Forestry
Department (SFD) to improve the Reserve’s capacity as a stronghold for giant pandas.
The Foundation has helped to fund a symposium focused on a long-term conservation
management plan, sponsored a technical training workshop for Reserve staff, and
provided essential field equipment. With funding from the Foundation, SFD just
completed their first biodiversity baseline survey in the Reserve, collecting data useful
for further investigations and monitoring activities.
In addition to these in situ projects, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation has helped
renovate the veterinary hospital at the Wolong Nature Reserve, which has an increasing
giant panda population, and works in collaboration with the San Diego Zoo to develop
better husbandry and research practices focused on captive animals in China.
100

Nsimango, Wilton
Environmental Education Officer
Painted Dog Conservation Project
Zimbabawe
Painted Dog Conservation Project
Studies have shown that 100 years ago there may have been as many as half-a-million
painted dogs (Lycaon picta) in Africa, but today only three to five thousand remain. Of
the 39 countries that once harbored healthy population, only four have populations that
are considered viable over the long-term: Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana and South
Africa, with Zimbabwe possessing the second largest population.
Today, the most significant threats to the survival of this species are snares (poaching),
cars, negative attitudes, loss of habitat, and a declining prey base. The Painted Dog
Conservation project was established in 1989 by Zimbabwean Gregory Rasmussen and
has expanded to become a multi-faceted project involving research, monitoring,
rehabilitation, anti-poaching patrols, community education and community development.
Some of the objectives of this project are as follows:
• Make a contribution to the conservation of all painted dog populations in Africa,
and Zimbabwe in particular.
• Build bridges with local communities through education and community
development in order to affect attitudinal changes about conservation and the
sustainable use of natural resources.
• Educate local children, who will become future decision-makers, so that when the
economy improves they will be capable of making wise decisions regarding
sustainable development.
101

O’Connor, Terry
Terry O’Connor Consulting
Seattle, Washington USA
terry@terryoconnor.net
Starting and Maintaining a Successful Field Education Program
Terry O’Connor holds a B.S. in Zoology and is pursuing a Master’s in Zoo and Aquarium
Conservation Education Leadership at George Mason University. Terry is the principal
of Terry O’Connor Consulting, a conservation education consulting business. She has
over 24 years of professional education experience at Woodland Park Zoo, has co-chaired
the AZA Bat TAG for 10 years, and remains the chair of the TAG’s education
subcommittee. For the Bat TAG, she developed bat education teaching kits and curricula
used on Rodrigues, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea. She is currently working for the
Philadelphia Zoo to develop a bat and bird teaching kit and curriculum for Guam.
For the nonprofit GLOBIO, Terry taught a biodiversity workshop for teachers in Wolong,
China and completed needs assessments with teachers in India and Bhutan. She also
worked with Zoo Atlanta to develop and teach a conservation education training program
for Chinese zoo educators in Chengdu. She is currently an advisor to the AZA’s
Conservation Education Committee and an instructor in the AZA professional
development school, Developing an Institutional In situ Conservation Strategy.
……….
This session will offer a practical approach to planning an appropriate strategy for local
and global field conservation education. Examples of best practices will illustrate creative
partnerships, engaging different audiences, meeting logistical challenges, and ensuring
program sustainability.
102

Okada, Sumio
Ph. D. Candidate
Shimane University, Japan
shichibu@mocha.ocn.ne.jp
Poster: Conservation of the Japanese Giant Salamander: How Research and
Education can Contribute
The Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus, is considered both a species of
conservation concern and a cultural treasure by the Japanese government. Its montane
riverine habitat receives little protection, however, much of it being targeted for dams and
flood control. Because the species has a lifespan that may exceed 50 year, population
responses to such perturbations can be difficult to detect. For the past five years we have
investigated the extent to which giant salamander habitat is fragmented by dams and
whether its biology differs with site conditions. This research has revealed important
insights into the movements, ecology, habitat use, population structure, diet, and
reproductive biology of the species. One area of recent focus is habitat use and
movements of larval giant salamanders. Results of past research have reached a wide
audience throughout Japan and the world through grassroots education at the local level,
a website, reports to various governmental agencies, and appearances on numerous
television programs. American zoos and aquariums have played a vital role in supporting
our research. With continued support, future research will contribute to a more complete
understanding of age and population structure, larval ecology, genetic structure, and
impacts of dams on populations of the species. The goals are to better inform those
involved with management of the Japanese giant salamander and to leave a legacy of
information for future generations.
103

Otte, Mauricio Fabry, M.V.
Director Zoológico Nacional de Chile
Parque Metropolitano de Santiago
Pío Nono 450, Recoleta
Santiago, Chile
MFabry@parquemet.cl
Health Evaluation of Wild Flamingo in Northern Chile - Phoenicopterus chilensis,
Phoenicopterus andinus and Phoenicoparrus jamesi: How Humans and Wildlife can
Live Together in the South American Highlands.
There are three wild species of flamingos that inhabit northern Chile: Phoenicopterus
chilensis, Phoenicoparrus andinus and Phoenicoparrus jamesi. Flamingo habitat in the
highlands of South America has suffered changes due to human activities such as mining
and uncontrolled tourism. Nowadays, the three species are sympatric only in the north of
Chile and a few other highland regions of South America. Populations of the three
species are also reported to be in decline since 1986. Many breeding sites have
disappeared due to human alteration, while once suitable sites such as the salt lakes of
Surire and Atacama are increasingly affected by growing numbers of tourists and mining
activity. We have worked for more than five years studying the health status of
flamingos and environmental factors that affect population abundance and breeding,
including new pathogens (e.g., West Nile Virus) and parasites (e.g., Flamingolepis sp.),
as well as physical factors such as dust and declining water levels. Along with the results
of our research, we offer recommendations regarding the regulation of human activities,
especially mining, and seek to resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife.
104

Otte, Mauricio Fabry, M.V.
Director Zoológico Nacional de Chile
Parque Metropolitano de Santiago
Pío Nono 450, Recoleta
Santiago, Chile
MFabry@parquemet.cl
Making Zoo-based Integral Conservation Efforts for the Tricahue (Cyanoliseus
patagonus bloxami) in the Zoologico Nacional Parque Metropolitano de Santiago
The tricahue is one of four subspecies of the burrowing parrot or Patagonian conure and
actually inhabits central Chile, where it can be found close to metropolitan areas. The last
census, conducted in 1985, indicated that there were less than 3,300 birds left in the entire
country and that the species had already disappeared from at least four districts. Today,
two distinct sub-populations remain. Population declines are attributed to habitat loss,
hunting, and the illegal pet trade. The Zoológico Nacional has developed conservation
actions to address these threats, including:
- health evaluations of wild tricahues;
- genetic diversity assessments of the two sub-populations and comparison with
other subspecies;
- an education campaign that targets local communities and rural schools.
- captive breeding with a view toward reintroduction in areas where the species
has been extirpated; and
- habitat restoration via reforestation with preferred food species.
To asses these objectives we have worked for more than three years with several
government agencies, non-governmental organizations, local communities, using both in
situ and ex situ approaches. The experience has provided a great opportunity to
coordinate tricahue conservation efforts, a broader perspective regarding conservation,
and the inspiration to involve zoo personnel directly in biodiversity protection.
105

Parás, Alberto DVM
11 oriente 2407 Col. Azcárate
C.P. 72000 Puebla Pue.
Mexico
pago@servidor.unam.mx
Conservation Projects in Central America Supported by Africam Safari, Puebla,
Mexico
Alberto Parás is currently the Director of Animal Health Services at Africam Safari,
Valsequillo, Puebla, Mexico as well as the Manager of the Conservation, Investigation
and Outreach Department. Alberto is also a Professor at the Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México, focusing on the Medicine and Management of Wildlife
……….
Over the course of the last decade, a growing number of zoos have become involved in
establishing programs that impact the conservation of wild animal populations and their
habitats, and the biologically rich region of Central America is the focus of many of these
programs. Africam Safari, is a wild animal park created in 1966 and located in Puebla,
Mexico. Its Department of Research, Conservation and Outreach was established to
promote multi-institutional conservation efforts in Central America that focus both on
species and ecosystems.
Africam Safari’s conservation efforts are divided into three distinct areas: 1) Habitat
Protection; 2) Restoration of Wild Populations; and 3) Sentinel Species Monitoring
Programs for Ecosystem Conservation. The Habitat Protection Program features three
main projects: 1) a secondary rain forest habitat in southern Mexico associated with the
Bacalar Research Station; 2) Valsequillo Puebla in central Mexico, where the National
Oak Collection for Mexico is maintained along with a local community environmental
education program; and 3) the North Jaguar Reserve in northwest Mexico, created to
protect the northernmost population of jaguars. The Restoration of Wild Populations
Program targets the Socorro island dove, Mexican wolf, scarlet macaw, military macaw,
Cozumel Island greater curassow, thick-billed parrot, Valsequillo land orchid, Amazon
parrot species, the horned guan, and the Manatee rescue and rehabilitation center in
Quintana Roo, Mexico. Lastly, the following Sentinel Species Monitoring Programs for
Ecosystem Conservation have been established: 1) health assessments of the brown
pelican and other sea birds populations in the Gulf California; health monitoring of
jaguars, pumas, and small carnivores in the Sierra Madre Occidental; health assessment
of the Caribbean flamingo population in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve; 4) health
assessment of the Caribbean manatee population in Chetumal Bay; and 5) health
assessments of pinnipeds in the Galapagos Islands and Baja California
106

Perrotti, Louis
Conservation and Research Coordinator
Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, Rhode Island 02907 USA
Lperrotti@RWPzoo.org
The Effort to Save the Endangered American Burying Beetle on a Shoe-string
Budget: Making Conservation Resources go Farther with Invertebrates
Lou Perrotti is the Conservation Program Coordinator for the Roger Williams Park Zoo
(RWPZ) in Providence, Rhode Island. Lou serves as the Zoo’s representative on most
local and national conservation collaborations and manages the Zoo’s on-going
conservation initiatives. He serves as Project Coordinator for the American Burying Beetle
(Nicrophorus americanus) Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Project at the RWPZ and
species coordinator for the AZA American Burying Beetle Species Survival Plan®. As
Project Coordinator for the RWPZ Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)
Project, Lou designed and implemented a working partnership with the New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department and the USFWS involving the RWPZ in the recovery efforts of
the endangered Karner blue butterfly. In addition, Lou serves as Field Conservation
Advisor for the AZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group, helping to initiate
invertebrate-based conservation programs in AZA institutions in the US and beyond.
……….
The effort to save the endangered American burying beetle on a shoe-string budget:
Making conservation resources go farther with invertebrates
Louis Perrotti
Conservation Programs Coordinator
Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, RI 02907
Lperrotti@RWPzoo.org
Ming Lee Prospero
University of Rhode Island, Department of Natural Resources Science
Kingston, RI
MLprospero@RWPzoo.org
Edward M. Spevak
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45220
Ph. 513-475-6170
Zoospevak@hotmail.com
107

Abstract
An example of an inexpensive and valuable conservation program is Roger Williams
Park Zoo's partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the captive breeding
and reintroduction of the federally endangered American Burying Beetle Nicrophorus
americanus. By contributing a breeding facility, expert keeper staff, breeding data, and
field support, the zoo has become a vital part of the recovery program. Zoo staff-time is
the most valuable contribution. Other costs to the zoo include food, boxes for housing,
breeding equipment, and field support, which total under $2,000 annually. The
partnership between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Roger Williams Park Zoo
provides a means to conduct important invertebrate species conservation on a regional
scale in a cost-effective manner.
The development and implementation of conservation programs have several factors with
which to contend; money, staff-time and captive breeding space. Invertebrates have the
potential to allow zoos, universities and other organizations to participate in conservation
programs therefore having a greater impact on conservation. Because invertebrates are
found worldwide, participation by institutions can be on a local, regional or international
level. Opportunities for zoos and other facilities to participate in invertebrate
conservation programs will also be discussed in this paper.
Introduction
Conservation need not be all about the cute and cuddly, the big and ferocious. The Roger
Williams Park Zoo (RWPZ) is dedicated to supporting diverse conservation efforts both
in captivity and in the wild. The support RWPZ has given to the American Burying
Beetle Project is just one example that educates the public and our colleagues that
conservation is about saving and protecting all aspects of life on earth. In addition, the
project has allowed the RWPZ to contribute to the important conservation of a local
endangered species. Our keepers have gained valuable experience in the propagation of
an interesting endangered invertebrate species with the opportunity to participate in
fieldwork and to learn more about reintroduction methods. The collaboration between
RWPZ, USFWS, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and
the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife have been a major factor in the
successful conservation efforts for this species. Strong working partnerships can serve as
a model for other institutions interested in conservation efforts like the American Burying
Beetle project.
Natural history and conservation status
The endangered American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus, is a member of the
carrion beetle family Silphidae and are the largest of the Nicrophorus beetles in North
America, measuring approximately 35 mm in length. All Nicrophorus species require a
vertebrate carcass to rear their brood; this method of reproduction makes them valuable
to the environment by recycling the dead back into the ecosystem. Because of their large
size, American burying beetles require larger carcasses for reproduction than other
species of Nicrophorus beetles ( Kozol, 1990). There are 14 other Nicrophorus species in
North America with American burying beetles being the only species to experience a
dramatic decline in numbers and range. Once found throughout the Midwest and eastern
108

United States and into the southern borders of three Canadian provinces, evidence of a
serious decline was noted beginning in the late 1800s through the mid 1900s. The
American burying beetle was listed as a federally endangered species in 1989. The
eastern population is now limited to Block Island (BI), a small island off the southern
coast of Rhode Island and two islands in Massachusetts were the beetle has been
reintroduced. Populations of the species also exist west of the Mississippi and can be
found in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska and in extreme southern South
Dakota, and just recently two remnant populations have been found in north eastern
Texas in 2004. The reasons for the decline of the American burying beetle may be due to
habitat loss and alterations, competition for reproductive resources, pesticides, unknown
diseases, nighttime lighting, and bug zappers (Amaral, M., A Kozol and T. French.
1997).
Conservation Efforts
Since attaining endangered species status the USFWS initiated a conservation strategy for
this species. The recovery plan includes; monitoring the existing populations, maintaining
captive populations, conducting a pilot reintroduction effort on Penikese Island (PI),
prioritizing areas and conducting surveys for additional wild populations, and conducting
additional reintroductions and manage new In and Ex situ populations (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1991).
Penikese Island (PI) is a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. The last recorded
specimens of the American burying beetle on PI were in 1947. Subsequent surveys
conducted in 1989 and 1990 indicated the species extirpation. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1991). A pilot reintroduction study from 1990 through 1993 used captive reared
beetles from Boston University (BU) along with translocated beetles from the BI.
Annual monitoring from 1991-2001 confirmed a continued presence of American
burying beetles on PI (Amaral, M., A Kozol and T. French, 1997). RIDEM monitors the
BI population using pitfall traps to census beetle populations. Carrion provisioning is
another strategy used to augment the BI population and allows biologists the opportunity
to collect larvae for the RWPZ colony. The Nature Conservancy aids in the BI project by
supplying housing as well as personnel assistance.
Given the success of the pilot reintroduction on Penikese Island, in 1994 USFWS started
a second reintroduction program on the nearby island of Nantucket (NI) Massachusetts.
The last record of American burying beetles on NI was in 1926 (Amaral, M., A Kozol
and T. French, 1997). Larger than PI, NI has the potential to support a large population of
reintroduced beetles over time. Recognizing the need for an additional source of captive
raised beetles, the Roger Williams Park Zoo was asked to participate. This was seen as a
great opportunity to participate in a local endangered species conservation initiative,
RWPZ was honored to become involved. The zoo received its founding stock from BU
in September of 1994. Since then the zoo has produced over 60 generations of beetles
and has released over 2500 beetles on NI. Since 1995, the RWPZ had been the sole
breeding facility for the American burying beetle recovery program. Currently, in
addition to RWPZ, ABB’s are being housed and reproduced at the Ohio State University
and the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri, for an ongoing reintroduction effort in Ohio.
109

Husbandry Costs to the Zoo
One of the benefits of working with most invertebrate species is the relatively small space
required to house entire colonies. RWPZ first housed the colony in a converted men's
bathroom measuring three square meters fitted with shelving made from scraps of
materials found on zoo grounds. The room was maintained on a twelve-hour light cycle
at approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit with a used heater and used air conditioner (both
donations). The initial cost to the zoo was the containers used to house beetles. Beetles
are kept in clear plastic boxes separated by same sex groups of siblings. Plastic boxes
were purchased each fitted with sliding Plexiglas covers capable of housing 6-20 beetles,
and a number of small clear plastic boxes that each house 1-5 beetles. The total cost for
caging was $340.00. Substrate for the containers consists of brown bi-fold paper towels
supplied by the zoo, the same type of towels used in our restrooms. The towel is placed
in the containers and moistened with aged tap water using a plant sprayer. The beetles
are maintained on a diet of mealworms with an average annual cost to RWPZ of $600.00.
Due to the strong initiative the keeper staff has given to this project, the number of
beetles produced has dramatically increased in the past five years. Due to the success of
the breeding program, the room has since moved into an eight by 12-foot former animalholding
space modified to house the beetles. With a large number of beetles projected
from breeding from 2001 to 2005 an extra $240.00 was spent to purchase additional
containers for housing the expected numbers. Total cost of housing containers over the
past thirteen years has been $580.00.
Breeding the American burying beetle is a relatively low cost affair; five-gallon black
plastic flowerpots, donated by the zoo horticultural staff, are filled three-quarters with
rich topsoil and used as the nursery. The soil is then firmly packed down to make carcass
burial and the excavation of a brood chamber possible. A pre-determined pair of beetles
is then placed in each bucket, based on an in- house studbook to insure that unrelated
pairs are selected. The studbook is the result of the hard work of fellow beetle worker
Jennifer Hennessy and serves as a valuable tool. We then place a frozen-thawed 80 to
180 gram quail on the soil surface. The quails used for captive breeding and for field
supplementation are paid for by USFWS at a cost of approximately $1.00 per bird. The
current annual quail use for this project amounts to approximately 300 birds. In the past,
suitable sized rats supplied by RWPZ had been used in place of quail with equal results.
The flowerpots are then covered with cut to fit clear Plexiglas covers and weighted with
bricks or rocks to prevent escape. To date the cost to the zoo for these covers has been
$253.00. The rest is up to the beetles! Once their parental role of carcass preparation,
and larvae rearing is complete the adults are removed and housed separately, heavily fed
mealworms for about two weeks and placed into hibernation. We use an old zoo
refrigerator donated for this purpose. The duration of the hibernation period is 3-5 months
at a temperature of 42 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hibernated, the beetles may be
bred a second time if necessary. Dr. Andrea Kozol of the Boston University (BU)
developed the husbandry and breeding protocols for the species.
Considering that invertebrate husbandry can be quite time consuming and labor intensive,
the most valuable contribution is zookeeper time and expertise. The project currently has
110

three keepers responsible for the daily husbandry, brood set up and maintenance,
population management, upkeep of notes and logs, as well as pre-release field
preparations and planning. The colony is at its minimum the first few months after the
release in the month of June, with only 15 to 20 pairs to start the breeding for the
following field season. From July to October husbandry is at a minimum with one keeper
spending approximately 15 hours a month servicing the colony. During this period, a
small amount of breeding is done with adults expected to eclose in November. As the
beetle numbers increase, total keeper time for the months of November and December
more than doubles to approximately 34-38 hours a month. Annually, from January
through April, keeper-time averages 57 hours a month. These four months see a dramatic
increase in beetle numbers from broods set up in the previous months. This is also the
time large numbers of broods are set up and maintained to produce the group of beetles to
be used for the June release. During May, the most intense month, the beetle numbers
are at their peak and field preparations begin, including notching beetles. A small V
shaped notch is cut into the beetle's elytra (wing cover) using a cautery tool, this notch
will aid in field identification. Total keeper time spent on the average for the month of
May is approximately 81 hours, with husbandry alone usually taking two keepers an
average of 2 ½ hours a day each. By the month of June all field preparations have been
completed the only task is to maintain the colony. Total keeper time spent in the month
of June drastically drops to approximately 32 hours. From July 2004 to July 2005, the
RWPZ dedicated a total of 482 hours in keeper time to this conservation effort for
husbandry and captive breeding, resulting in the release of 160 pairs of beetles on NI in
the summer of 2005. This is a miniscule amount of time compared to, for example, the
1825 hours per year it takes our penguin keeper to maintain a colony of 10 Humboldt
Penguins.
2006 marks the thirteenth year for the NI reintroduction effort, with no releases planed
for 2006 and 2007, the project now takes on a monitoring phase to determine the success
of the reintroduction effort. The 2006 season will also be the sixteenth year of monitoring
and Data collection on the naturally occurring American Burying Beetle population on
Block Island, RI, making it the longest running monitoring and conservation initiative in
the nation for an endangered insect.
Annual Field Costs
For transport to NI beetle pairs are packed into 2-oz deli containers with a piece of damp
paper towel. Our local supermarket has donated all the deli containers used. We have
found that most delis and supermarkets when told what we use them for are more than
happy to help, and, in turn receive a valuable lesson in invertebrate conservation. Even if
these were to be purchased, the cost would be minimal. All the deli containers are placed
into two 48-quart Igloo coolers along with re-freezable ice packs to keep the beetles cool.
The coolers and ice packs are reusable therefore were a one-time purchase, totaling under
$60.00. The Rhode Island Zoological Society supplies the reintroduction effort with an
annual budget of $1000.00, which covers the cost of travel expenses and food stipends
for the zookeepers. Because this conservation effort is local, logistical costs are at a
minimum. Zookeeper staff is given professional leave to participate in field activities
with USFWS.
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In 2005 the RWPZ has dedicated 60 hours to allow three zookeepers the opportunity to
participate in the NI reintroduction with USFWS. Logistical costs for the 2005 field
season totaled to $450.00. The RWPZ will remain committed to captive rearing for future
reintroductions, research, education, and display, and provide field support for research
being conducted on the success of the reintroduction efforts on NI and PI.
Summary
The American Burying Beetle Project has allowed RWPZ to become a key player in
collaboration with USFWS, RIDEM and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife in the conservation of a local endangered species. The partnerships formed by
this recovery program illustrate how conservation efforts by state and federal agencies
can be enhanced by a zoo’s involvement. In turn, the beetle project has enriched keepers
in invertebrate husbandry and conservation skills with the opportunity to participate in
fieldwork. Education programs have been initiated at the zoo from the knowledge our
keepers have gained. This has enabled our institution to spread the important message to
our visitors and colleagues that conservation should not discriminate, that all aspects of
life command the same respect. Public awareness of the American burying beetle has
dramatically grown in the past seven years due to RWPZ's commitment, and the hard
work and dedication of the keeper staff. RWPZ has been recognized for its contributions
to conservation and has been a feature on the Discovery Channel, the children's show
'Arthur' and on the syndicated show, 'Wild Moments,' as well as numerous local
newspaper and magazine articles such as Wildlife Conservation magazine. Invertebrate
conservation is an excellent way for institutions to help save some of the most fascinating
parts of the natural world and educate its visitors of the importance of invertebrates and
the roles they play in the ecosystem, while using a modest budget.
Getting Involved
Invertebrate husbandry and natural history has many frontiers to conquer. It is vital for
institutions to consider supplying the time and space to allow animal care professionals
the opportunity to make a difference with invertebrate conservation. Diversity and
worldwide distribution of invertebrates, makes it possible for institutions to participate in
conservation on a local, regional, national, and international level. Conservation does not
have to be expensive to be effective. It can be as simple as implementing education
programs dealing with invertebrates to collaborating with USFWS, state wildlife
agencies, universities, and other local organizations to conduct population surveys and
habitat restoration projects, as well as captive breeding and reintroduction efforts. Urban
zoos can work together with local youth groups and schools to restore unsightly vacant
lots into beautiful butterfly gardens. More live invertebrates can be incorporated into
education programs and exhibits with endless possibilities. Butterfly houses and stand
alone invertebrate facilities are also becoming increasingly popular in the United States.
Invertebrate collections are a great way to bring together zookeepers, biologists,
horticulturists, and amateur enthusiasts to share important information essential to the
survival of invertebrate species as well as to educate the public on their value to the
ecosystem.
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It is encouraging to see that some institutions have already begun to develop and
implement programs dealing with endangered invertebrates. The Phoenix Zoo has been
working on conservation and education initiatives dealing with the Kanab amber snail
(Oxyloma sp.). The Toledo Zoo, Metro Toronto Zoo, and the Roger Williams Park Zoo
has continued its efforts on developing education, captive breeding, and reintroduction
programs for the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Butterfly World
has dedicated time and space to the captive breeding and reintroduction of the Schaus'
swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus) and the Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus
reses). The Oregon Zoo and the Woodland Park Zoo has developed captive rearing and
reintroduction techniques for the Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta).
The International Partula Snail Program, co-ordinated by Paul Pearce-Kelly of the
London Zoo, along with the Partula Snail SSP in North America have been working for
several years on a genus of snail in which several species were saved from extinction due
to the efforts of captive breeding. London Zoo’s other invertebrate conservation
initiatives are as local as the British wart-biter cricket (Decticus verrucivorus) and as far
reaching as the giant Fregate beetle (Polposipus herculeanus) from Fregate Island in the
Seychelles. In California, the Palos Verde blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus
paloverdesensis) has had the help of a group of scientists, volunteer organizations, and
students, in partnership with the USFWS since 1994. Their implementation of a
successful three-phase conservation program consisting of population surveys, habitat
restoration, captive breeding and reintroduction, is another fine example of the
importance of partnerships. These are just a few examples of the hard work and
dedication given by institutions to insure the survival of the “little things that run the
planet." It is vital that when master planning, conservation planning, developing new
education programs, or just looking to exhibit something new and different, to be sure to
consider invertebrates. RWPZ has touched a lot of people with the fascinating story of
the American burying beetle, sending the important message of the value invertebrates
serve in ecosystems and the relationships they share with other species.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Michael Amaral, Senior Endangered Species Biologist of
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Christopher Raithel, Wildlife Biologist of RI Department
of Environmental Management and Tom French, of the Mass. Division of Fisheries and
wildlife for their ongoing support in RWPZ's involvement in this project. We would also
like to thank the Roger Williams Park Zoo and RI Zoological Society for all their
contributions and support. Many thanks to fellow beetle workers Jennifer Hennessy and
Ken Curtin, Mike Jefferies, Kelly Garner, and Nikki Mann for their hard work and
dedication. We owe special mention to the continued support of the Rhode Island Nature
Conservancy, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the University of Massachusetts,
Boston, Field Station and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Maria Mitchell
Association.
References:
Amaral, M., A Kozol and T. French. 1997. Conservation status and reintroduction of the
endangered American burying beetle. Northeastern Naturalist 4:121-132.
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Kozol, A.J. 1990. The natural history and reproductive strategies of the American
burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus. A report for U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus
Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, MA. 62 pp.
114

David Powell, Department of Mammalogy, Wildllife Conservation Society/Bronx
Zoo, dpowell@wcs.org
Brostek, Jennifer and Hallager, Sara , Animal Programs, Smithsonian National
Zoological Park
jbrostek@nsf.gov; hallagers@si.edu
Jamie Ford, Education Advisor-Kori Bustard SSP, Houston Zoo
jamierford@yahoo.com
Poster: The Effect of Visitors on Space Usage in Captive
Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori)
Understanding the effect of visitors on captive animals is important for assessing animal
welfare, interpreting behaviors and promoting breeding. Understanding the visitor effect
may be particularly important for species such as the kori bustard (Ardeotis kori), which
in the wild, has a low tolerance for human activity and whose breeding season in
captivity generally coincides with peak crowd levels at most zoos. In this study, we
examined the effect of crowd levels on a captive flock of kori bustards at the Smithsonian
National Zoological Park. Location data for each bird was recorded at both low and high
crowd levels under two different “visitor access” conditions (restricted access - visitors
had access to one side of the enclosure and expanded access - visitors had access to two
sides of the enclosure). We found that crowd levels had no effect on the location of the
birds within the enclosure when visitor access was restricted. However, when visitor
access was expanded, three of the five birds modified their use of the enclosure during
high crowd levels. When crowd levels were high and visitors access was expanded, two
birds significantly decreased the amount of time spent in the area along the newly
accessible visitor pathway while a third bird increased the amount of time spent in the
areas closest to the visitors. There was no effect on enclosure use in the remaining two
birds. These results suggest that high crowd levels and changes in enclosure design may
be stressful to certain birds, causing them to move from previously preferred areas of the
exhibit. Understanding the different responses of individual kori bustards to increased
crowd levels may be particularly important when designing enclosures for captive birds.
Enclosures that provide areas free from human disturbance could help to reduce stress
levels for certain birds.
115

Ross, Jay
Horticulture Curator
Tulsa Zoo and Living Musem
5701 E. 36 th Street
Tulsa, OK 74115 USA
jross@ci.tulsa.ok.us
Plant Conservation Day: A Partnership to Benefit Conservation
By Jay Ross, Horticulture Curator, Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum
Jay is a native of Tulsa, OK and an Oklahoma State University graduate (’79) with a B.S.
in Agriculture with a major in Horticulture. He has been an employee of the City of
Tulsa Parks Department since 1982 and as the Horticulture Curator at the Tulsa Zoo since
1996. Jay has been an active member of the Association of Zoological Horticulture for
over ten years and currently serves as the Vice-President for the organization and a
participant on its Conservation Committee.
Jay enjoys gardening, camping, bike riding, traveling, and enjoying a good beer in his
spare time. He finds age keeps trying to slow him down but still lives a fairly active life
with just a few more aches.
……….
Plants are the most endangered species on the planet today. It is said that over 100,000
individual plant species are threatened with extinction today. As one of the keystones to
habitats, the disappearance of one plant species can result in the disappearance of up to
30 other plant or animal species associated with that plant.
These facts alone cry out for action but understanding and recognition of this crisis are
the first steps. To assist in this education process, Plant Conservation Day was created.
Through the promotion and participation of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and other
related institutions in Plant Conservation Day activities, more people will come to
appreciate the roles plants play in their lives and why their protection and conservation
are important.
In 2001, Gin Wall of the North Carolina Zoo initiated the idea of Plant Conservation
Day. It was simple idea that she developed to create awareness about plant diversity,
native plants, and to generally promote the importance of plants. Ms. Wall took her idea,
created some simple flyers and stickers, and distributed them to her fellow Association of
Zoological Horticulture members for spreading the word in their respective communities.
There were no restrictions or designations as to when you could hold your event or
celebration. Ms. Wall’s primary objective was just to do it, in some way, shape, or form.
You were given the liberty to schedule your PCD when it worked best for you. Some did
something in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day, some did something
with Earth Day, while some did something strictly on its own. The objective was to do
something.
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The Association of Zoological Horticulture, AZH, is a non-profit organization dedicated
to the advancement of horticulture in zoological parks, gardens and aquariums. Formed
in 1980 after its first conference was held Philadelphia, AZH facilitates the exchange of
ideas and information among zoo horticulture professionals. Plant conservation is among
the areas focused on by AZH.
Over the years, AZH adopted Ms. Wall’s original idea as part of their workings and
developed a “PCD starter kit”. This was basically a collection of ideas and suggestions
that an AZH member could use for reference in trying to develop their PCD. Part of the
kit included a poster and sticker template designed for an individual institution to
customize for their use. The objective was still to do something at your institution and
promote the day in your community when it worked best or most conveniently for you.
The starter kit was made available over the next few years and PCD was still promoted
through AZH to its members and its success was there but there was a need to get the
concept to a broader audience. In 2005, AZH entered into a partnership with the US
office of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) to accomplish this.
BGCI is the largest professional body uniting botanic gardens from around the world. It
has 537 members in 116 countries. Its focus is on plant conservation, public policy,
advocacy, and conservation. Its goal is to conserve 50% of the world’s endangered plant
species by 2010.
The two organizations met to determine how this new partnership could be best utilized
to further develop and promote Plant Conservation Day. BGCI agreed to become the
primary developer of promotional materials and work to get this information in the hands
of the botanic gardens around the country. AZH would continue it role of promoting the
event through zoos and aquariums through its membership. One of the first major acts
was to agree to a specific date that would be recognized as Plant Conservation Day. This
would allow for a more focused promotional campaign and help establish a particular day
to associate with and become recognized by all as Plant Conservation Day. It was
understood that institutions could still plan activities at their convenience but it was
emphasized that the actual day would not change from year to year. The date decided on
was May 18.
BGCI developed a website, www.plantconservationday.org, devoted totally to Plant
Conservation Day. On this site, one can learn all about the day, ways to celebrate and
how others are celebrating at their location.
A new logo was also designed for use throughout the new campaign. A blanket press
release was created that could easily be customized by anyone to target their specific
audience. BGCI also made available to anyone that requested them copies of the
publication “A Plant Conservation Checklist for Gardeners” for distribution during or
associated with their PCD event.
The creation of the concept of Plant Conservation Day was born by an individual that
saw the need to spread the word about plants and their importance from a conservation
standpoint. The idea has grown from that simple beginning to a partnership that has
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strengthened it and will allow for even greater awareness. It is the hope that this date will
one day be recognized the world over. And as this recognition grows, the perils of plants
and the natural world as a whole will be better appreciated and subsequently cared for.
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Rubiano, Astrith
University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Rd, Unit 308
Storrs CT, 06269 USA
astrith.rubiano@uconn.edu
Poster: Characterization of reproductive physiology of Tapirus so. Using noninvasive
endocrine analysys
By Astrith Rubiano, DVM, University of Connecticut
Astrith Rubiano received her Veterinary degree from the National University of
Colombia in 2000 and has 4 years of experience in tropical wildlife, animal health and
welfare research. She was a research fellow at the Conservation and Research Center
from 2003 - 2005 conducting fecal hormone analyses (enzyme immunoassay, EIA) for
reproduction studies on maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and in vitro fertilization
and cryopreservation studies on domestic cats. At present she is a graduate student at the
University of Connecticut developing noninvasive fecal steroid assays for monitoring
reproduction and stress status in tapirs housed at zoos throughout the United States.
……….
There are over 500 tapirs in captivity worldwide. Establishment of effective breeding
management strategies for these species is hampered in part by our limited knowledge of
their reproductive biology. Non invasive methods such as fecal steroid analyses for
measuring hormonal metabolites are the easiest way to obtain reproductive information
without causing stress.
Fecal samples from 18 tapir females (6 Tapirus bairdii, 10 T. indicus, 1 T. terrestris and
1 T. pinchaque), housed at 13 zoos in the United States were collected three times a week for
14 months. Concurrent blood samples also were collected 1-2 times weekly from ?? of these
females during the same time period to help validate the fecal assays. Studies are being
conducted to: 1) provide a hormonal database to characterize the reproductive physiology of
tapirs, 2) determine if fecal hormone metabolite concentrations correlate with serum
progesterone concentrations and ovarian activity, 3) determine if the fecal metabolite
monitoring can be used to diagnose pregnancy, 4) compare reproductive parameters among
the four species, and 5) assess the reproductive status of individual tapirs in North American
zoos.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is being used to characterize the
proportion and composition of progesterone metabolites in feces and blood in the four
species of tapirs. This information will be used to develop and validate an appropriate
progestin enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) to characterize ovarian cyclicity and pregnancy.
Longitudinal fecal steroid patterns will be compared to serum profiles, with data lagged by 0,
1, and 2 days to compensate for potential excretory lag time effects.
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Sandhaus, Estelle
Conservation and Research Coordinator
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Niños Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 USA
esandhaus@sbzoo.org
Poster: Collaborative Conservation at the Santa Barbara Zoo:
Making a Local Impact
By Estelle Sandhaus, Conservation and Research Coordinator, Santa Barbara Zoo and
Alan Varsik, Director Animal Collections, Santa Barbara Zoo
Estelle received her B.S. in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience at the University of
California at San Diego. As an undergraduate at UCSD, she assisted with giant panda
behavioral research as a Giant Panda Conservation Volunteer at the San Diego Zoo's
Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species. Upon completing her degree, Estelle
began graduate work at the Center for Conservation and Behavior at the Georgia Institute
of Technology. While at the Center, she organized and managed a number of
collaborative research projects on endangered and vulnerable animal species at Zoo
Atlanta and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She completed her
M.S. on captive giant panda feeding behavior and is completing her Ph.D. work on giant
panda acoustic communication. Estelle came to the Santa Barbara Zoo in 2006 to
develop, implement, and coordinate the zoo’s in situ conservation programs and scientific
studies involving the animal collection.
……….
The Santa Barbara Zoo, situated on 30 acres of land in Santa Barbara, California, overlooks
the Pacific Ocean out to the Channel Islands to the south and the chaparral covered slopes of
the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north. Although the Zoo has a modest animal collection of
about 600 specimens, we play an active role in field conservation, collaborating with various
agencies on conservation projects of immediate local concern. Our efforts, currently
concentrated on three programs – Channel Island fox, California condor, and amphibians of
the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF), provide a successful working model for the
involvement of modest-sized zoos in collaborative conservation efforts. Our conservation
work with the island fox began in 1999 and has involved providing support to our
conservation partners on the Islands in the form of medical equipment, veterinary care, and
personnel for husbandry and field work, as well as the execution and support of independent
and collaborative behavioral and physiological studies of the island fox. The Zoo became an
official partner of the California Condor Recovery Team in 2002 and provides support in a
variety of ways, such as volunteer work at multiple condor release sites, participation in field
and recovery team meetings, and biological specimen storage. Through a partnership
between the Zoo and the US Forest Service, Zoo staff survey streams in the LPNF for the
federally threatened California red-legged frog and the federally endangered arroyo toad.
Public awareness is key to any conservation endeavor, and Zoo staff share vivid stories of
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field experiences with many sectors of the community - Zoo guests, schoolchildren, museum
patrons, and university students. Accordingly, the Zoo is developing a themed area dedicated
to celebrating and promoting conservation of our local wildlife. This area will include
exhibits of species that are the focus of our local conservation programs.
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Sargent, Eva
Southwest Director
Defenders of Wildlife
Tuscon, Arizona 85716 USA
esargent@defenders.org
We sent them back to the wild – isn’t that enough?
By Eva Sargent, Program Director, Defenders of Wildlife, Tuscon, Arizona
……….
Many reintroduction programs have depended on zoos as a source for animals released,
in fact some reintroduction programs were initiated by zoos. However good it may feel to
send one of your charges (or a boxful) off to the wild, a zoo’s responsibility shouldn’t
end there. This presentation will explore zoo involvement in a number of North
American reintroduction programs and how various types and levels of involvement
influence program outcomes. The case will be made that zoos need to act as strong
advocates for their animals and the success of reintroduction efforts, and this often takes
the form of political advocacy that may be outside a zoo’s comfort zone (or governing
rules). The presentation will end with a brief description of the work of the field offices
of Defenders of Wildlife, with an invitation to contact us about opportunities for
collaboration.
122

Sanderson, Jim, Ph.D.
Fellow, Wildlife Conservation Network
356 Freeman Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-4227 USA
gato_andino@yahoo.com
An Update on Global Small Cat Conservation
Jim Sanderson received a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1976. He is an
active member of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. He completed the first study of
the Guigna to better understand habitat fragmentation and landscape connectivity. He has
also used camera photo-traps to survey wildlife populations and monitor biodiversity.
Jim's photograph of the rarest of all small cats, the Andean mountain cat, appeared in the
February 2000 issue of National Geographic. In 2004, Jim and his colleagues, Lilian
Villalba and Constanza Napolitano, captured and radio-collared the first Andean
mountain cat. He has written two books. Wildlife Issues in a Changing World, now in its
second edition, and a graduate text, Landscape Ecology. After 3 years as a Partner of the
Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), Jim, along with his colleague John Lukas,
became WCN’s first Fellows.
……….
Small wild cat conservation is gaining momentum. Some projects are already running
and others are being planned. This presentation features an around-the-world-tour of
conservation projects involving small cats. Wildlife Conservation Network’s Andean
mountain cat project serves as a model conservation project for small cats. From the sand
cat in the Saudi Arabian desert to the Chinese mountain cat in the bitter cold Tibetan
plateau there is much to be encouraged about. Conservationists are working hard to
better understand threats to the world’s rarest cats. Each cat faces unique pressures, and
solutions vary according to the threats. This is the who’s who and what’s what of small
cat conservation. Learn what’s happening now, what’s going to happen soon, and what
needs to happen. Find out how you can make a difference.
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Schaffer, Nan, DVM, M.S.
President/Executive Director
SOS Rhino
Chicago, Illinois USA
nan@sosrhino.org
Saving the Sumatran Rhino through Community Based Conservation
By Nan Schaffer, DVM: nan@sosrhino.org, President SOS Rhino, 680 N. Lake Shore Dr.
#807, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Phone (312) 335-0868; M. S. Thayaparan, DVM:
thaya@sosrhino.org, Field Officer SOS Rhino Borneo Bhd., Visa Light Industrial Center,
Mile 5 ½ Tuaran Road, Inanam, 88856, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Phone +60-88-
388405
Introduction
Conservation of any endangered species ultimately depends upon the commitment of the
governments and populace of the range-state. Accordingly, successful field conservation
efforts must address the concerns of the local community. SOS Rhino (SOSR) is a nonprofit,
international foundation dedicated to preserving the five rhinoceros species in their
natural habitats. SOS Rhino has been involved in rhinoceros conservation since 1983 and
directly in field conservation since 1997. Our conservation programs combine
awareness, education, research, and protection, all working collectively to achieve
sustainable results. Through diverse stakeholder support, SOS Rhino programs directly
build on the capacity of countries to conserve by raising local awareness and promoting
protection of habitat and animals. SOS Rhino’s Mission embraces the SSC/AsRSG plan
to create practical conservation strategies that can be integrated into local communities
and cultures through multiple stakeholder involvement. Accordingly, we assist the local
government with their conservation efforts, build awareness and promote avenues for the
local community to become involved.
To ensure survival of the Sumatran rhino in Malaysia, vigorous protection by traditional
Rhino Protection Units is necessary, but insufficient, particularly in a country without a
shoot-to-kill policy in defense of the rhino. Indeed, no matter how many expensive
Rhino Protection Units (RPUs) are deployed, the units cannot be everywhere at once.
Thus, engaging surrounding villages and plantations to the conservation effort is vital as
they represent the first line of defense against poachers and encroachment into a Reserve.
Engaging these stakeholders improves both the efficiency and effectiveness of protection
efforts. Accordingly, since 2000, SOS Rhino’s RPUs have continued to engage and
support the local stakeholders through its Community Outreach Program in the largest
wildlife reserve in Malaysia, Tabin Wildlife Reserve (Tabin or Reserve) (See: Map of
Sabah, Malaysia). This multi-dimensional, multiple stakeholder approach has been—and
must continue to be—the cornerstone of sustainable Sumatran rhino conservation in
Borneo.
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When SOS Rhino established its relationship with the Sabah Wildlife Department in
1998, the Malaysian general public was basically unaware that the Sumatran rhino still
existed in Malaysia; poachers and illegal loggers were comfortably established in Tabin
Wildlife Reserve; the local government’s resources for the rhino were exhausted; and
conservation initiatives for the Sumatran rhino were practically nonexistent because
NGO’s had essentially abandoned the cause. Two years later, SOS Rhino began its
awareness campaign by creating public service announcements for the local television
channels, conducting local rhino conservation seminars, establishing Rhino Protection
Units as a visible conservation presence, and directly engaging the villagers and oil palm
plantations in the effort to save this critically endangered species. These efforts have
been successful and recent survey results indicate that the rhino population in Sabah has
stabilized and may be increasing.
Conservation of the Sumatran Rhino in Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In recognition of the drastic and continuous population decline of the Sumatran
rhinoceros, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, the conservation community has identified this
rhino as the most critically endangered of all the rhinoceros species in the world.
Poaching and significant loss of habitat are the major factors responsible for their
population decline. This diminished habitat places the remaining rhinos at increased
exposure to poaching threats and decreases the potential for individual interaction and
reproduction.
The North Eastern region of the island of Borneo is the last known location where the
subspecies of the Sumatran rhinoceros, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harissoni, exists. The
population of this subspecies is mainly found in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the Malaysian
State of Sabah on the Island of Borneo. Although our field surveys and fly-over studies
have indicated the remaining population of the Sumatran rhino in Tabin is now greater
than 20, these surveys and studies also demonstrated logging encroachments in the
middle of the Reserve. Although, an incidence of poaching has not been reported since
one female was killed and beheaded on 10 th March 2001 in a logging concession south of
Tabin, this incident emphasizes the critical need to continually protect the Reserve from
further human encroachments and promote sustainable conservation.
SOS Rhino’s Community Outreach Program
To ensure survival of this subspecies, every avenue should be pursued and must involve
as many stakeholders as possible to secure the protection of this rhino and its habitat.
Thus, conservation efforts must evolve beyond traditional RPU programs into
multidimensional collaborative programs that involve as many stakeholders as possible.
The success of conservation organizations ultimately depend upon the commitment of the
governments and the populace they assist. Accordingly, successful conservation
programs must combine intense research and vigorous protection efforts with community
outreach projects that capture the attention and address the governmental and local
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community’s concerns. SOS Rhino’s Community Outreach Program was designed with
these goals in mind.
SOS Rhino has been operating at Tabin Wildlife Reserve since November 2000 where
we have established a Community Outreach Program that focuses on the areas of
protection, education, research and awareness to promote sustainable conservation. SOS
Rhino assists the Sabah Wildlife Department in preventing poaching within the Reserve
through active RPUs that both patrol the Reserve and secure the borders through our
Community Outreach Program. In Tabin Wildlife Reserve SOS Rhino’s Rhino
Protection Units directly engage local governments, villagers, local businesses and the oil
palm plantations surrounding the Reserve in the effort to protect the rhinos through SOS
Rhino’s Community Outreach Program. By securing the assistance of these stakeholders,
the SOSR Protection Units more efficiently monitor and patrol the Reserve and cut off all
potential entry or exit points utilized by poachers. In addition to these anti-poaching
measures, SOSR Protection Units have helped gather important demographic information
on local rhino ecology. The RPUs continually assess the Sumatran rhino’s distribution
and population density and this information is incorporated into the region’s wildlife
management and protection plans. More importantly, by educating local villagers about
the Sumatran rhino and conservation through the Community Outreach Program, SOS
Rhino aids the unemployed villagers by presenting alternatives to poaching as a means of
financial support. To date, more than a third of the 27 Rangers are recruited from the
villages and taught wildlife conservation, animal tracking techniques and eco-tourism
skills.
SOSR field teams are divided into five RPUs. Each month the RPUs spend at least 15
days in the jungle undertaking rhino survey and surveillance. Surveys of Tabin are
completed every two years. Because SOS Rhino RPUs have rhino tracking expertise,
they are in high demand to assist the government and other organizations with surveys
outside of Tabin in other reserves around Sabah.
SOS Rhino Rangers receive training from the Sabah Wildlife Department and are then
recognized as official Game Wardens with the authority to enforce the law. During the
rest of the month, the RPUs focus on the Community Outreach Program in their
respective areas. This program helps to secure Tabin Reserve boundaries by producing
incentive for local communities to become involved by raising awareness about wildlife
laws and through the establishment of alternative income sources.
Engaging the plantations and villages is a critical element of protection for the Sumatran
rhinoceros through the Community Outreach Program. (See: Monthly Field Report, May
2004: http://sosrhino.org/news/fieldreport_05_2004.php). SOS Rhino acknowledges that
the villagers and oil palm plantations are critical partners in conservation as they
represent the first line of defense against poachers and encroachments into the Reserve.
SOS Rhino engages with oil palm plantations because they share a long boundary with
the Reserve. SOS Rhino’s RPUs continuously remind plantation owners and employees
of their role in the protection of the Reserve and the wildlife within it.
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Relationships with the plantations are developed through direct engagement, seminars,
and workshops. The RPUs are responsible for visiting oil palm plantation sites to keep
managers informed of illegal activities and to enlist their help in monitoring the borders.
SOS Rhino RPUs also help the Sabah Wildlife Department by distributing their wildlife
posters in oil palm plantation offices, gates and the village community meeting halls.
Now that these relationships are established, the plantation owners seek advice from SOS
Rhino on other conservation-related issues. SOS Rhino actively participates in these
conservation activities and presents papers at annual oil palm seminars.
In six short years, SOSR has earned the reputation for not only enlisting, but also
facilitating communication between the stakeholders surrounding Tabin by fostering
communications between the local government and the local villages such as our
facilitation of the governments’ protection of additional fishing areas for the village. As
villagers see SOS Rhino’s commitment to their communities, they become more
receptive to SOS Rhino’s presence in their village and to our conservation message. In
addition to the Malaysian government, targeted local government stakeholders include
the villages of Dagat, Tidung and Parit that are located north of Tabin Wildlife Reserve
and in the areas along the lower Segama river and its estuary.
These communities depend on the sea and rivers for their livelihood and prawn and fish
are the main source of income. Lately, these two resources are dwindling and the people
are beginning to worry for their future. Without another source of local income, the
younger members of the village must leave the area to look for employment opportunities
elsewhere, causing a decline in the population of the indigenous peoples and loss of their
culture and traditions. The government of Malaysia is very concerned about the
preservation of their indigenous cultures and has been supportive of attempts to help local
villages. One source of local income is eco-tourism. While protection of the rhino, other
wildlife and nature is crucial, SOS Rhino has also supported the development of
adventure travel tourism through SOS Rhino’s Volunteer Program.
SOS Rhino established its Volunteer Program in 2002 as an important component of the
COP. Volunteers travel to Sabah to assist our field staff on rhino surveys by collecting
data on the Sumatran rhino and other flora and fauna found in the area such as orangutans
and elephants. SOS Rhino Volunteers help build field camps, teach English to our field
staff and villagers, are involved in local fundraising events and conservation education.
Volunteers are introduced to the culture of the people in the area, and have the
opportunity to experience, first-hand, a conservation and research program in action.
Thereafter, the Volunteers act as agents of conservation by sharing their experience and
raising awareness at their workplace, in their schools, and in their communities. (See
Volunteer Reports:; http://www.sosrhino.org/news/volunteer_surveymay2004.php
http://www.sosrhino.org/news/volunteer_0506.php).
To date, 30 to 40 individuals per year have participated in this program, traveling from
the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, France,
Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. These individuals come from
diverse backgrounds and are interested in a variety of species. Some Volunteers are
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students working toward degrees in veterinary medicine, biology, sociology and
international relations; some work in zoos as animal keepers and educators; and some
simply pursue their passion of adventure travel. Their lengths of stay range anywhere
from five days to three months. Many of our Volunteers also participate in the Borneo
Rhino Survey Expedition which is conducted through the local tour operator, Tabin
Wildlife Resort.
Many zoo Keepers and zoo staff have gained valuable conservation experience from
exposure to the SOS Rhino’s Volunteer Program. They return home with a greater
appreciation for their work, the global conservation perspective and become more
effective in promoting the sustainable conservation message for any species to both
visitors and donors to their zoos. After participating in this Volunteer experience,
keepers have enriched their interaction with zoo visitors through Keeper Chats by
relaying their community based conservation experience. Other zoo personnel have
developed more compelling solicitations for their conservation programs.
Visits by volunteers through SOS Rhino’s Volunteer Program helps to secure the
villages’ economic future by diversifying sources of income. The increasing number of
Volunteers and visitors to SOS Rhino’s base camps have ultimately led to new incomegenerating
opportunities — for example, local village men were employed to build the
existing Volunteer chalet housing accommodations; local women were employed to sew
the Nipah palm leaves for roofing the chalets; some local villagers have opened canteens,
fuel depots and engine repair shops and other have been employed as SOS Rhino field
staff and tour guides along the river. In addition to these economic benefits, the villagers
learn new skills as they gain understanding of their vital role in the global conservation
effort.
Conclusion: The Future of Rhino Conservation in Tabin Wildlife Reserve
SOS Rhino has established a successful Sumatran rhino conservation program through its
multidimensional, multiple-stakeholder approach in Sabah, Malaysia. The Malaysian
general public’s awareness of this unique species and interest in conservation has
increased dramatically since 1998. SOS Rhino’s conservation message is spread locally
through posters, leaflets, seminars and press coverage and internationally through
broadcast and print media. This coverage is increasing as over 50 media outlets reported
on SOS Rhino’s efforts and successes in 2006 alone, such as the recent discovery of
juvenile Sumatran rhino footprints in Tabin. However, only one percent (1%) of the
funding for this program has come from Malaysian private and community contributions.
SOS Rhino’s mission is to capacitate the conservation efforts of the local government and
populace, not replace them—especially in a capable country with abundant resources.
The future of Sumatran rhino conservation in Sabah ultimately rests in the hands of the
Malaysian people. Toward this end, SOS Rhino established an independent local
nonprofit, non-governmental affiliate, SOS Rhino Borneo, Bhd. in 2003 with its own
office, staff and board of directors in order to provide a local presence for fundraising and
networking.
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129

Selier, Jeanetta
Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
P.O Box 136 Alldays, 0909
Republic of South Africa
mashatu.research@telkomsa.net
Will Elephants Eat Us Out of House and Home?
By S.A.J Selier 1 and B.R. Page 2
1. Mashatu Game Reserve, P.O. Box 136 Alldays, 0909
2. School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Durban. 4041
Jeanetta Selier is currently researching the Central Limpopo River Valley elephant
population and is employed by Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. She completed her
degree in BSc Agric (Animal Husbandry & Wildlife Management) in 1995 at the
University of Pretoria. In 1998 she completed a BSc Honours (Wildlife Management)
studying the behaviour of translocated elephants on Mabula Game Reserve, SA. In 1999
she started her Masters degree at the same institution. The title of her thesis is the
distribution, numbers, social and demographic status of the Central Limpopo Valley
Elephant population Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. She runs her own
concession on Mashatu Game Reserve as a means to fund her research and has presented
her work at several national and international conferences and public functions.
……….
Elephants are perceived to be a keystone species that determine the structure and
composition of their habitats. This contention has lead to claims that elephants at high
numbers pose a threat to biodiversity in the conservation areas in which they occur.
Little, however, is known about how elephant populations are limited and how coexistence
between elephants and trees has been achieved in the past. The Central
Limpopo River Valley is an area of relatively low landscape diversity covering three
different countries: Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It carries an elephant
population of approximately 1,400. Elephant numbers and the vegetation in the region
have been monitored over the past 30 years. A coordinated research effort, the Central
Limpopo River Valley Elephant Research Program, was established in 1998 to facilitate a
better understanding of the elephant-plant interaction. A team of several people from the
University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Durban University of Technology and the Northern
Tuli Game Reserve collaborate on the program.
Mathematical and computer simulation modeling is being used to identify gaps in
knowledge and develop a better understanding of the processes driving the elephant-plant
interaction. The core model consists of five modules that simulate (i) climate, (ii) the
population and social dynamics of the elephants in response to seasonal and longer term
changes in climate and other abiotic and biotic factors, (iii) the movements of elephant
family units and individuals under different climatic scenarios, (iv) the habitat occupancy
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of other large herbivores under different climatic scenarios, and (v) the dynamics of
plants and the effects of climate, fire, elephants and other herbivores on the growth,
fecundity and survival of different species. At present the focus is to understand what
determines movements and the social and population dynamics of the population and
what the growth and survival responses of different species of plant to different
frequencies and intensities of herbivory. The model will ultimately be used to establish if
desired states can be achieved by manipulating elephant numbers as contended by
advocates of culling.
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Shepherdson, David
Conservation Program Scientist
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Road
Portland, Oregon 97221 USA
Round Table: Butterfly Recovery in the Pacific Northwest: Case Studies in
Conservation Partnerships
David Shepherdson is the Deputy Manager of the Conservation division at the Oregon
Zoo. In addition to research on animal behavior, enrichment and welfare, David
coordinates the Oregon Zoo's regional field conservation program. This program
currently consists of four main projects: population supplementation with three butterfly
species (Taylor's checkerspot, Oregon silverspot and mardon skipper), Columbia Basin
pygmy rabbit captive breeding and reintroduction, and Western pond turtle head-starting.
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Shigeuto, Joanna Alfaro
ProDelphinus, Octavio Bernal 572-5
Lima 11, Peru
prodelphinus@prodelphinus.org
Use of Short Surveys to Assess the Impact of In Situ projects
Joanna Alfaro Shigueto is a Peruvian biologist. She obtained her BS and Licentiate
degrees in Biology at the Universidad Ricardo Palma in Lima in 1994. After completing
her schooling, Joanna worked at the Peruvian Center for Cetacean Research (CEPEC) on
cetacean by-catch issues. In 1995 she co-founded Pro Delphinus, a small nongovernmental
organization based in Lima, and became its president in 2001. Pro
Delphinus is committed to the conservation of marine fauna. It has developed many
research projects with threatened and endangered marine species such as sea turtles,
sharks, marine otters and seabirds. These projects combine rigorous basic research with
strong environmental education initiatives at the community level. In 2002, Joanna was
invited to join the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
……….
Pro Delphinus has been conducting conservation projects on endangered marine
endangered fauna since 2001. These projects address scientific research and
outreach/awareness. The main objective of the educational program is to increase the
knowledge of marine conservation by stakeholders. Activities performed within this
program include talks and workshops. The target public is authorities, fishermen, school
children from fishing communities, and local researchers. To assess the impact of these
activities on the target public, we conducted a survey before and after each activity. The
surveys were based on a short written questionnaire. The theme of the educational talks
was seabird, marine mammals and sea turtle conservation.
Preliminary results show that most fishermen and authorities know the concepts
‘threaten/endangered species’ and ‘migratory’. Authorities were not well informed on the
legal status of the albatrosses and petrels and seabirds in general. The majority of the
fishermen responded that they were willing to try mitigation measures for seabird by-catch,
and also to release these animals from their fishing gears. The increase in correct answers
after workshops to questionnaires suggests that the talks were successful, at least in the
short term, in their objective of raising awareness on marine fauna conservation issues.
These surveys also proved useful in evaluating levels of knowledge of the different
stakeholders groups. Also, surveys suggest that fishermen (the most important audience)
are the user group that has had the least previous exposure to the issues discussed. We
therefore recommend placing particular emphasis on fishermen as workshops and
evaluations are continued in the future.
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Shigeuto, Joanna Alfaro
ProDelphinus
Octavio Bernal 572-5
Lima 11, Peru
prodelphinus@prodelphinus.org
Partnership for the Assessment of Ban Effectiveness on Dolphin Capture in Peru
The by-catch of cetaceans is a major concern for fisheries worldwide. In Peru, porpoise
and dolphin captures peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From 1990-1993,
approximately 17,000 dolphins and porpoises were caught in Peruvian fisheries. Species
affected included Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis), dusky dolphins
(Lagenorhynchus obscurus), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and common
dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
In 1995, the Peruvian government passed legislation banning the capture, consumption
and trade of small cetaceans and their products. However, fishery by-catch of marine
mammals still occurs and the sale of dolphin meat for human consumption continues in
local markets. The highly diffuse nature of these fisheries and black markets has made it
difficult to assess the effectiveness of this legislation. Moreover, the impact of by-catch
on dolphin and porpoise stocks remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap renders
decision-making difficult and, as a result, conservation efforts in this area are limited.
In 2005, we started a research project in collaboration with Duke University and the
Cleveland MetroParks Zoo to evaluate the effectiveness of the dolphin ban after a decade
of its implementation. This study proposed to: 1) assess the effectiveness of legal bans
on small cetacean protection; and 2) increase local awareness of marine mammal
conservation through the implementation of an on-board observer program and an
education campaign.
This study will provide insights into the effectiveness of a ban on the take of marine
mammals that is in conflict with local fishing practices. It will generate information on
cetacean by-catch, will inform fishermen about cetacean conservation, and will help build
the capacity of local researchers and government offices to manage their natural
resources. Here we present results from the on-board observer work and the educational
campaign, including a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the dolphin capture
ban.
134

Sizemore, Dennis
Executive Director
Round River Conservation Studies
284 West 400 North, Suite 105
Salt Lake City, Utah USA
sizemore@roundriver.org
The Desert Rhino Conservation Project and Regional Conservation Planning in
the Kunene Region of Northwestern Namibia
Dennis Sizemore has been the executive director of Round River since its inception in
1990. He holds a B.S. from New Mexico State University and a M.S. in Wildlife Ecology
from the University of Montana. His conservation work experience spans over 25 years
includes law enforcement, management, education, and research.
……….
The deserts of the Kunene in northwestern Namibia represent one of the last true
wildernesses in southern Africa. This distinctive and floristically rich desert ecoregion is
home to the famed desert elephants, as well as a full complement of large carnivores and
ungulates. The Kunene is also the last stronghold of the black rhino. These free-ranging
black rhino represent the last substantial population of any rhino species outside a fenced
protected area. Today’s high wildlife numbers in the Kunene are largely the result of
actions taken by one small organization, Save the Rhino Trust (SRT). In the early 1980s,
a slaughter of desert wildlife brought rhino numbers to near extinction. SRT was formed
with the aim of stopping the illegal poaching. Since the founding of SRT twenty years
ago, poaching has drastically declined and wildlife populations have recovered to historic
highs.
Round River began working with the SRT in 1999 and has assisted with black rhino
population censuses, habitat modeling, tourism impact analysis, community interviews,
and land use planning for the Palmwag Concession, an important ecological core of the
Kunene.
In 2004, the government of Namibia declared a new national park in the Kunene Region
encompassing 650,500 hectares. The stated purposes of Kunene Region Park are to
conserve this vast wilderness and its wildlife, while also serving to link the Skeleton
Coast with Etosha, thereby, facilitating wildlife migrations and creating one of the largest
protected area complexes in the world.
Round River and SRT propose to assist the Namibian government by conducting a
science-based conservation planning process to asses and map key ecological and humanactivity
information for the Etosha-Skeleton Coast Link of the Kunene region. By
developing spatial biological and socioeconomic information at a regional scale, we can
assist local communities and the government in achieving national and local conservation
goals.
135

Songsasen, Nucharin
Conservation and Research Center
Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
Front Royal, Virginia USA
SongsasenN@si.edu
Influence of Human Development on Ecology and Health of the Maned Wolf
Paula, RC 1,2 , Rodrigues F 1,3 , May, J 1 , Calvacanti F 1 , Santos JP 4 , Filoni C 4 , Rodden MR 5 ,
Wildt DE 5 , Morato R 1.2 , Songsasen N 5 .
1
Projeto Lobo-Guará, Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, São Paulo, Brasil
2
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa para a Conservação dos Predadores Naturais- CENAP-
IBAMA, São Paulo, Brasil
3
Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais,
Brasil
4
Department of Patologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
5
Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Front
Royal, VA, USA
Dr. Nucharin Songsasen is a Gamete Biologist in the Department of Reproductive
Sciences at the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center. She is coordinating a
large-scale, multi-disciplinary project on maned wolf conservation, is the Reproductive
Advisor to the AZA’s Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan, and has published 22
manuscripts in peered reviewed journals.
……….
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) lives in habitats severely compromised by
agricultural development. Little is known about the ecological and health status of wild
populations or how this species is influenced by human activities. The objective of this
study is to determine the impact of human development (i.e. farming) on the maned wolf
population in the Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Twenty-four
maned wolves were captured and radio-collared. Using radio-telemetry, we estimate
home range size of wolves living in this area to be ~42.6 km 2 . Female wolves tend to
occupy a larger home range than males and, given adequate resources, males can have
overlapping home ranges. Furthermore, wolves living on farms tend to forage and use
remaining natural vegetation, suggesting that the species may be able to adapt to habitat
conversions if natural areas remain. Field health assessments suggest that this population
is heavily infested with external and internal parasites. Importantly, it appears that
wolves living on farms have more exposure to pathogens than those living deep in
protected areas. The most interesting and alarming result is that 70% of wild wolves
(especially those living in close contact with domestic dogs) are sero-positive for canine
parvovirus. Thus, although the maned wolf appears to be adapting somewhat to its
rapidly disturbed native habitat, this particular population may be at risk due to increasing
disease susceptibility.
136

Sonnenschein, Leonard A.
President, World Aquarium
Chair, World Ocean Network's Sustainable Actions Committee &
Sustainable Seafood Campaign
701 North 15th Street, 2nd Floor
St. Louis, Missouri 63103 USA
www.worldaquarium.net
Institutions Creating Pathways Toward Understanding Sustainability
With 40 years experience in keeping fish, 32 years experience in scientific research, 20
years experience in science education innovation, and over 100 publications, Leonard
Sonnenschein opened St. Louis Children’s Aquarium in 1993 and on June 8, 2005
(World Ocean Day) opened its expansion facility, the World Aquarium. Leonard
regularly supervises students from over 20 universities which collaborate with the
research component of the aquarium in facility development, exhibit design, fisheries,
aquatic sciences, ecology, legal frameworks, consumer awareness, cultural
comprehension of environmental issues, and public understanding through field,
conference and inter-governmental work.
……….
The World Ocean Network (www.worldoceannetwork.org) is an organization that has
over 350 institutional affiliates and through these facilities communicates to over 300
million interested visitors every year. Institutions that combine stewardship,
conservation, and other practical actions through exhibits are able to transform these
highly motivated individuals to become participants in protecting and preserving our
planets natural resources. The World Ocean Networks messaging strategy includes
exhibit information components, institutional methodologies, individual action
components, and multiple modalities for disseminating pertinent information. Examples,
including the World Ocean Network’s Citizen of the Ocean Passports, Lighthouse
informational platforms, and activities from the Sustainable Actions Committee, will be
demonstrated and discussed. In 2007, The World Ocean Network Sustainable Actions
Committee will be expanding its scope to include global warming and will cotinue its
Sustainable Seafood Campaign. Examples will be presented about how to participate in
actions that help to curb the demise of our oceans and indeed the entire living planet.
137

Sullivan, Erin
Lead Keeper
Woodland Park Zoo
601 N 59 th St
Seattle, Washington 98103 USA
Erin.Sullivan@zoo.org
International Bug Club
Erin Sullivan is the Lead Keeper for the West Team at the Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ),
where she has worked for the past 10 years. Erin has been an active participant in WPZ’s
Oregon silverspot butterfly population augmentation efforts since 2000, and has chaired
the AZA’s Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG) since 2003. A
graduate of the University of California-Davis with degrees in biology and entomology,
Erin’s interest in invertebrate conservation is not limited to insects. She spent 2001 at the
Bristol Zoo in the UK, which led her to increased involvement in in situ and ex situ
conservation efforts for critically endangered Partula snails. Erin is presently working
toward a Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Management from the
Imperial College London.
Round Table: Small Critters, Big Impacts: Invertebrate Conservation in Zoos & Aquariums
and Beyond
138

Travis, Dr. Erika
Associate Veterinarian, DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
2600 E. Sunnyside Ave
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 USA
etravis@hoglezoo.org
Veterinarians as Team Members in Wildlife Conservation
Dr. Erika Travis graduated from veterinary school at Michigan State University in 1997.
After working in emergency medicine for several years, she started her zoo career with a
joint internship at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. She then
completed a three-year residency at the Saint Louis Zoo, having the opportunity to
conduct fieldwork in the Galapagos, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea. At the Hogle
Zoo, she works as an associate veterinarian.
……….
The conservation of wildlife requires a multi-disciplinary team approach. A successful
program may include experts in ecology, behavior, population biology, genetics,
nutrition, geo-spatial analysis, wildlife management, education and public health. When
research or conservation efforts involve medical concerns, veterinarians can be valuable
team members. Zoo and wildlife veterinarians bring expertise to the field in terms of
health assessment, disease ecology and monitoring, sample collection and processing,
epidemiology, anesthesia, and animal husbandry. With the recent outbreaks of West Nile
virus and avian influenza, veterinarians have become increasingly involved in the
human/animal interface due to concerns of zoonotic disease transmission. As a whole,
veterinarians receive broad-based training in animal health, while zoo and wildlife
veterinarians are further trained in the anatomy, physiology, handling and special needs
of exotic animals.
The Saint Louis Zoo, through its WildCare Institute, has utilized veterinarians in field
conservation projects to evaluate the health of numerous endangered species. In the
Galapagos Islands, veterinarians work in conjunction with the University of Missouri –
Saint Louis, Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park to
establish baseline health parameters and disease serology in endemic avian species. A
similar study has been performed on various lemur species in Madagascar. Most
recently, the WildCare Institute has partnered with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation
Program (Woodland Park Zoo) to send veterinarians into the high mountain rainforests of
Papua New Guinea to work with Matschie's tree kangaroos, which required anesthesia for
physical exams, radio-collaring, morphometric data, and biological sample collection.
By acting in concert with existing conservation programs and infrastructure, veterinarians
can be a knowledgeable addition to the panel of professionals charged with wildlife
conservation.
139

Van Sickle, Wally
President, IDEA WILD
420 Riddle Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 USA
www.ideawild.org
IDEA WILD: How Small Grants Benefit Big Conservation Efforts
In 1986, after earning a B.S. in Zoology, Wally Van Sickle volunteered to assist
conservation biologists in Kenya, East Africa. Eventually, Wally returned to the States to
earn an M.S. in Zoology and develop methods of estimating mountain lion populations in
Utah. Soon after, he headed for Australia, and then Belize, again volunteering to assist
conservation biologists. He was deeply impressed by the importance of “front line” work
being done in tropical rainforests by Third World biologists, whose poor countries could
not equip them with even the most basic tools they needed to do their jobs. Thanks in part
to Wally’s efforts in building IDEA WILD, conservation biologists charged with
studying some of the earth’s greatest treasuries of biodiversity are finally receiving some
of the funds and tools that they need.
……….
IDEA WILD was founded in 1991 to minimize the loss of biodiversity by empowering
people on the front lines of conservation efforts in developing countries. IDEA WILD is
unique in the conservation arena and provides basic equipment and supplies for
biodiversity research and conservation education projects. We receive requests daily for
small equipment grants from professors, students, and non-profit staff working to
minimize the loss of biodiversity within their countries. Over the course of 15 years,
IDEA WILD has provided binoculars, mist nets, climbing ropes, computers, global
positioning systems, telemetry, projectors, cameras, and other equipment to over 4,500
projects. These small equipment grants help researchers collect much needed data,
facilitate training, help fill professional positions, and build relationships. We will show
examples of these field projects, evaluate their successes, present ideas on how zoos can
participate in these efforts, and explain the application form to field biologists.
“Do not underestimate the power of the small - the ability of an individual to go out in the
world and make a difference, we often equate largeness with power, rather than seeing
that largeness is in fact a limitation to change – think of smallness as a virtue not a
limitation.” Walter Wink
140

Walsh, Allyson
Lubee Bat Conservancy
1309 N.W. 192nd Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32609 USA
awalsh@lubee.org
Community Science Lessons for Conservation: Monitoring Flying Foxes
(Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus) in Eastern Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean
Islands
By Allyson Walsh, Lubee Bat Conservancy
ALLYSON WALSH 1* RICHARD K. B. JENKINS 2,8 , DAUDET ANDRIAFIDISON 2,3 ,
ANDRIAMANANA RABEARIVELO 4 , ABIGAIL ENTWISTLE 5 , and PAUL A. RACEY 6
1Lubee
Bat Conservancy, 1309 N.W. 192nd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32609, USA
2
Madagasikara Voakajy, B.P. 5181, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
3
Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté de Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo
4
Arongampanihy Communication Culture Environnement, Lot A 422, Moramanga,
Madagascar
5
Fauna and Flora International,
6
School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ,UK
* correspondence author Email: awalsh@lubee.org
Allyson Walsh is a conservation biologist with over 16 years experience in developing
and implementing science-based conservation programs that support endangered species
conservation. She grew up in England, where she completed her doctorate in
conservation biology. She directed the development of a UK-wide citizen science project
for bats, has led North American bat conservation programs for Bat Conservation
International, and is currently working to expand the Lubee Bat Conservancy’s research
capacity and global conservation activities. She is a Courtesy Associate Professor at the
University of Florida’s Wildlife and Ecology Department, serves on the committee of the
AZA Bat Taxon Advisory Group, and is a member of the IUCN/SSC’s Chiroptera
Specialist Group and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
……….
The Madagascar flying fox (Pteropus rufus) is threatened with extinction in Madagascar,
and despite its potential role in forest regeneration, many key roost sites have already
been lost. Sustained hunting pressure threatens the remaining roosts. Whereas most
conservation programs for endangered species in Madagascar (e.g. lemurs) aim to save
species that are protected by law, fruit bat conservation presents a different challenge
because the bats can be legally hunted. Any conservation program for fruit bats must
therefore engage local people and obtain the will of communities to prevent the predicted
local extinctions.
141

In this paper we describe the results of two years of monthly monitoring at seven roost
sites of the Madagascar flying fox. The roost sites were first visited as part of a national
survey in 2000 and were recognized to be of national importance. In 2003, we engaged
local community members in a bat roost monitoring scheme to complement ongoing
education activities in the areas around roost sites. Monthly estimates revealed large
differences in abundance of P. rufus across roosts and between years, and identified
factors leading to roost desertion by bats.
Wide-scale, long-term application of these methods in Madagascar will document rates of
roost desertion and changes in population abundance, both of which will be used in future
quantitative assessments of the conservation status of P. rufus. Three other flying fox
species in the western Indian Ocean – namely the Livingstone’s flying fox (P.
livingstonii) from the Comores, the Pemba flying fox (P. voeltzkowi) from Pemba, and
the Rodrigues flying fox (P. rodricensis) from the island of Rodrigues in the Mascarenes
– are currently also subject to conservation programs that include population monitoring.
It is recommended that lessons learned in all four programs are shared, and, where
possible, similar survey protocols produced.
142

Waters, Sian
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
14 Lindsay Gardens, Tredegar
Gwent NP22 4RP, United Kingdom
sian_s_waters@hotmail.com
Oscar Ulloa
Dept. of Forestry
24/25 Unity Blvd., Belmopan City, Belize
belgreens@yahoo.com
Baird’s Tapir in Belize: Distribution and Conflicts with Subsistence Farmers
Sian Waters is currently a conservation zoologist affiliated to the Royal Zoological
Society of Scotland. Her interests are in human/wildlife conflict, mammal
reintroductions, and the management and welfare of wild animals in captivity. Current
projects include the development of mitigation strategies to ameliorate conflicts between
crop-raiding mammals and subsistence farmers in Belize, and ascertaining the
conservation status of the Barbary macaque in northern Morocco, conducted in
collaboration with the Moroccan Department of Water and Forests and the University of
Tetouan. Sian previously worked as both a keeper and curator in a number of European
zoos and retains links with that community through financial support of her fieldwork.
……….
In Belize, little attention has been focused on subsistence farmers and the problems they
face dealing with damage due to crop-raiding mammals. During a PHVA workshop for
Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in August, 2005, anecdotal reports were received regarding
incidents involving conflicts between subsistence farmers and the endangered Baird’s
tapir which were possibly due to crop raiding by the species. From March-May 2006,
we undertook a questionnaire survey of subsistence farmers in Belize to ascertain the
frequency and severity of crop raiding by various mammals including Baird’s tapir.
Respondents to the questionnaire were all subsistence farmers who grew a variety of
crops in and around villages outside protected areas. A total of 168 respondents were
interviewed from all six districts of Belize. Coatimundi (Nasua narica), peccary (Tayassu
sp.), raccoon (Procyon lotor) and Baird’s tapir were the most frequently reported cropraiding
mammals. If crop raiding occurred, the seasons when it occurred, the crops eaten
and/or destroyed, and any methods used to deter crop raiders were also requested. If the
tapir was not cited as a crop-raiding species, then respondents were asked about its
presence in the area. Retaliatory killing of tapir and hunting of this species for food was
found to take place in some localities. Baird’s tapir appears widespread outside
protected areas in Belize, but continued destruction of available habitat for agriculture
has the potential to accelerate friction between this species and subsistence farmers.
Mitigation of the conflict by means of developing tools to deter crop raiding by Baird’s
tapir in areas where it frequently occurs is recommended.
143

Weinhardt, Diana
Director of Conservation & Wildlife Programs
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
P.O. Box 949
Portage, Alaska 99587 USA
Dianaw1123@aol.com
Wood Bison Restoration Plan for the State of Alaska
Wood bison inhabited Alaska during most of the last several thousand years, but
disappeared by the early 1900s. Suitable habitat still exists in the state. The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game is working with a variety of Alaska Native elders, local
communities, scientists, and organizations in Alaska and Canada to explore the
possibility of restoring wood bison to the state.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), located 40 miles south of
Anchorage, currently holds 22 wood bison. Five years ago, two groups of wood bison
were illegally brought into the state from Canada. After the animals were confiscated
they were brought to AWCC. Due to a closing of the border to animal transfers from
Canada, these animals represent the only wood bison in the state and will be the nucleus
of the restoration program. The herd is currently reproducing and has produced nine
calves in the last two years.
Alaska’s wildlife agencies have been exploring the possibility of restoring wood bison to
the state for over a decade but, according to officials, “a number of things have to fall
into place before that would be possible.” Until then, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation
Center is happy to give the wood bison a home and educate others about a prominent
species that once roamed free in Alaska. Public interest in wood bison has grown and
support for restoring one or more populations in Alaska has been expressed by people in
a number of Alaskan communities and organizations, along with US Forest Service, the
IUCN/SSC North American Bison Specialist Group, Safari Club International and
Canada's Wood Bison Recovery Team.
144

Welch, Charlie
Research Scientist/ Madagascar Programs
Duke University Lemur Center
3705 Erwin Road
Durham North Carolina 27705 USA
askatz@duke.edu
The Park Ivoloina, Madagascar Project: A Model for Effective and Lasting Zoo-
Based Conservation
Charlie Welch, along with his wife Andrea Katz, worked in Madagascar for 17 years
(1987-2004), first on behalf of the Duke University Lemur Center, then as a Technical
Advisor for the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG). The initial focus of his work was to
rehabilitate Parc Ivoloina, which has grown into a multi-faceted conservation center.
Charlie was also Program Director for the Betampona Nature Reserve Conservation and
Research Program which revolved around the first-ever restocking of captive-born lemurs
(Varecia variegata) into the wild. In recognition of their conservation work in
Madagascar, Charlie and Andrea were “knighted” (Chevalier de l’Ordre National) by the
President of Madagascar. Charlie works now for the Duke Lemur Center’s Madagascar
Programs and continues as an Advisor to the MFG. Prior to working in Madagascar,
Charlie gained field experience working as a research assistant for primate studies in
Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador. Before that he also worked in zoos in Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Georgia.
……….
Park Ivoloina is located in eastern Madagascar near the port city of Tamatave
(Toamasina). In 1987, on behalf of the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) and at the request of
the government of Madagascar, Charlie Welch and Andrea Katz began work to
rehabilitate the small zoo at Ivoloina. The project was started with a simple focus on
improving lemur husbandry and breeding management and to repair infrastructure. With
the creation of the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG) in 1989, the project began to evolve
into what eventually became a substantial, multi-faceted conservation project.
The MFG is a consortium of zoological parks, aquariums, botanical gardens, and other
interested institutions from around the world dedicated to support conservation in
Madagascar through mobilization of conservation organizations, institutions and
individuals. Headquartered at the Saint Louis Zoo, the organization is overseen by a
steering committee and advisors from member institutions. At present the consortium
includes 40 member institutions, each of which contributes annual dues on a variable
scale or participates through other means of consistent operational support. The mission
of the MFG is, which has been designated as one of the world’s priority biodiversity
hotspots.
145

The Betampona project was initiated in 1997 as the first ever reintroduction (restocking)
of captive born lemurs to the wild. A total of 13 black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia
variegata) were transported to Madagascar from the US, and through a complex process
the lemurs were released into the reserve in three separate phases. The surviving
individuals continue to be monitored by MFG personnel, but the project has expanded to
include other conservation activities including faunal and floral surveys, other
biodiversity research, reforestation, environmental education and Malagasy student
training.
The initial objectives of the work at Ivoloina were to train Malagasy personnel in lemur
husbandry in particular and also to support repairs of damaged caging. As the MFG
became involved in the project, it quickly became clear that if the principal objective was
conservation, then the methods needed to be expanded. An environmental education
program was first added which principally targets primary school children and has grown
to focus on teacher training and programs for older students in an effort to increase
impact. Training at the university and professional level followed, with the project
sponsoring students from a variety of university programs. The training aspect has now
culminated in the opening of the Ivoloina Conservation Training Center and an active
collaboration with the natural resources management school, GRENE, at the University
of Tamatave. Reforestation activities were conducted on degraded areas in the Ivoloina
forestry station and used as a teaching tool for young and old to emphasize the
importance of forest management for the future. The most recent addition to the Ivoloina
project is the opening of a sustainable agriculture/agroforestry demonstration station.
Because slash and burn cultivation of rice is the most critical threat to Madagascar’s
eastern forests, it is crucial to teach and demonstrate alternative agricultural methods. The
demonstration station includes vegetable production, intensive (paddy) rice production,
and commercial crops such as vanilla, cloves and pepper. The station supervisor is also
an educator and works with villagers to introduce new ideas and offer agricultural advice.
Biodiversity research, too, is a critical aspect of conservation but to date has been mostly
focused at the Betampona project where the forest is still in a natural state.
146

Whiting, Jeff
President, Worldwide Nature Artists Group
Suite #1519, 938 Smithe St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V7Z 3H8
jwhiting@natureartists.com; www.natureartists.com
The Role of Art in Conservation:
A Natural Strategic Alliance with Zoos and Aquariums
Jeffrey Whiting is President and Founder of the non-profit Worldwide Nature Artists
Group (WNAG) with a mission to promote nature art while supporting conservation,
biodiversity and sustainability worldwide. The WNAG is an internationally recognized,
by-invitation-only association of 500 leading nature artists. Many of the world’s most
recognized artists are members of the WNAG and include names such as Robert
Bateman, John Banovich, Guy Coheleach, Pollyanna Pickering, and David Shepherd.
Jeff is an award-winning sculptor, a naturalist, instructor and author and illustrator of
several published books. Jeffrey’s scientific and artistic field studies of flora and fauna
have taken him to many parts of the world. His art and his books aim to educate and
inspire viewers and readers to learn more about our natural heritage. Jeff graduated with
an Honours degree in Biology and Geology.
……….
Like zoologists, “nature” or “wildlife” artists are researchers and communicators,
capturing our natural world in their work for others to appreciate at a visceral level. Both
reach the public in ways that science alone cannot, and compliment each other in
furthering the conservation agenda. Nature artists are amateur ecologists and passionate
ambassadors for the conservation cause. Many also have scientific backgrounds. Nature
artists, like many scientists, are explorers and naturalists, traveling and working in the
field to gain crucial insight and first-hand experiences, which are then shared with others.
While many scientists impart the results of their fieldwork primarily with peers in the
scientific community, artists and zoologists share theirs with the public. Nature artists,
while not a demographic known for its financial capacity, are philanthropists, giving
extraordinary amounts of their time and talent everyday in support of conservation. In
addition to donating original work, artists also provide essential content for other
communication and fundraising tools such as prints, books, posters, calendars, and even
stamps. Virtually every conservation organization, including zoos and aquariums, relies
heavily on artists to help communicate its message to the public. Artists, unlike
photographers, have the ability to not only capture current state, but also project
backwards and forwards in time to illustrate the environmental changes that have taken
place, and those that may take place in the future. Nature art increases support for
conservation. Like zoos and aquariums, nature art exhibitions are venues for showcasing
our planet’s natural heritage, capturing the imagination of the general public, and
impressing upon them the importance and relevance of preserving it. This type of art also
serves to educate, and bring to the forefront the plight of threatened habitats, and of the
flora and fauna of the world. It also serves as a reminder for what has been lost.
147

Wünnemann, Dr. Klaus
Zoodirektor
Tiergarten Heidelberg gGmbH
Tiergartenstrasse 3
69120 Heidelberg, Germany
klaus.wuennemann@zoo-heidelberg.de
WAPCA – A Joint Initiative for Africa’s Most Endangered Primates
Dr. Klaus Wünnemann was born 1962 in Duisburg, Germany, heart of the industrial Ruhr
area. He studied veterinary science at Hannover, did his thesis on carnivore ethology, and
has served as veterinarian and curator at Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark, Hamburg and Zoo
Magdeburg. Since 1998, Klaus has been the director of Zoo Heidelberg. He now also
serves Chair of the EAZA Owl TAG, the West African Primate Conservation Action
(WAPCA), and the Working Group for Zoos of the German Veterinary Association of
Animal Welfare. His special interests include giant otters, small carnivores and
conservation in Africa.
……….
WAPCA (West African Primate Conservation Action) was founded at the Heidelberg
Zoo with a focus on the survival of Roloway guenons, white-naped mangabeys, and
possibly Miss Waldron´s red colobus in their natural habitats. More than 10 European
zoos and several conservation organizations have joined this initiative. The multi-fold
activities include building facilities for confiscated primates, awareness campaigns,
community work around the last strongholds of the focal species, and empowering
rangers in the national parks to work more efficiently and in closer cooperation with the
Ghanaian Wildlife Department. The year 2007 will bring significant new programs and
activities as well in Ivory Coast where Miss Waldron’s red colobus, considered by some
specialists to be extinct, may still survive.
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Wyatt, Jeff DVM, MPH, DACLAM and Seneca Park Zoo Docents
Director of Animal Health & Conservation
Seneca Park Zoo
2222 St. Paul Street
Rochester, New York 14621 USA
vetserve@rochester.rr.com
LEAPING into International In Situ Conservation – Seneca Park Zoo’s Docents’
Madagascar Experience
Jeff Wyatt, Seneca Park Zoo’s Director of Animal Health & Conservation, travels to
Madagascar annually, providing veterinary support to Dr. Patricia Wright’s research
efforts, which focus on eight threatened lemur species in Ranomafana National Park.
The zoo docents financially support Dr. Wright’s integrated conservation efforts,
including community projects promoting sustainable human and economic development
and field research studies.
……….
Small zoos often struggle with participation in international in situ conservation
programming due to financial and other resource constraints. The Seneca Park Zoo
docents spearheaded an annual conservation fundraiser that is now entering its fourth
year. The event, a Madagascar Fete, has raised over $30,000, at no cost to the zoo and
relying 100% on volunteers. The Fete celebrates and supports Dr. Patricia Wright’s
integrated conservation efforts in Ranomafana’s 100,000-acre national park in the
mountains of southeastern Madagascar (http://icte.bio.sunysb.edu/).
Zoo docents selected Dr. Patricia Wright’s conservation programming after she invited
Dr. Jeff Wyatt, the zoo’s Director of Animal Health & Conservation, to join her in
Madagascar to provide veterinary support to the lemur research projects. The docents
recognized the opportunity to make a tangible and cost-effective difference in one of the
world’s biodiversity hotspots. Docent committees work all year grooming corporate
support, planning entertainment, inventorying Malagasy crafts, and preparing the
program. The 150 to 200 attendees at the fundraising event pay $50 for patron level
support or $30 for general admission. Patron attendees enjoy a cocktail hour with Dr.
Patricia Wright and other researchers, and place the first bids on items at the Malagasy
marketplace. Entertainment includes African dancers and musicians, a traditional
Malagasy dinner, and a “notes from the field” lecture by one or two researchers,
including updates describing how the proceeds from the previous year’s fundraiser were
spent. The annual Fete raises about $13,000; last year this paid for a Pen Pal program,
English to Malagasy dictionaries, English and Biology classes held at the ValBio
Research Center, and a bus for visits to the national park by Malagasy children. Funds
also support community based reforestation projects, beekeeping and silk worm-raising,
rainforest-friendly training programs, and veterinary research efforts.
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