2008 - 2009 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

More documents

Recommendations

Info

CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsConservation ArkVeterinary Conservation ProgramsAssets and InfrastructureConservation EducationThe AnimalsLiving collectionsThreatened SpeciesOperationsCommunications and PartnershipsVisitor ExperiencesHuman ResourcesFinancial ReportFinalsThe contributions of the long-term research into Southernhairy-nosed wombats to conservation were recognized thisyear with an ARAZPA research award, so congratulations toDr David Taggart and his team of researchers. This year theycompleted surveys on the Yorke Peninsula to identify existingwombat colony sites and the likely size of the colonies, aswell as mapping warren density and distribution in theMurraylands using satellite imagery. Two student projectsinto wombat biology were also completed.Another project has investigated the lives of wild echidnasfound within Monarto Zoo. Also close to Monarto is Ferris-Macdonald Conservation Park which is home to a small groupof Mallee fowl. Several staff were involved in visiting the parkand collecting Mallee fowl eggs from the large vegetationmounds the birds use as nests, and then incubating these atAdelaide Zoo. Three chicks now join others in the collection,and it is intended to start captive breeding when theybecome sexually mature.Other work with birds is also occurring with the long-termpelican study at Outer Harbour continuing and expandingto better understand the effect of fisheries on Black-facedcormorants. In the lab work is being conducted to understandcarotenoids in birds; their metabolic pathways, the role ofmaternal and dietary carotenoids and their role in colourationand breeding.Conservation PsychologyAddressing human consumption patterns is a critical partof conservation as, without doing so, much on-groundconservation work will be in vain as climate change andpollution create dramatic changes in the landscape. Eventoday, events that were thought of as once in 100 year eventsare becoming standard with devastating effects. Withouta change in the way we humans think and behave thecontinued existence of many species remains tenuous.With this in mind, Conservation Ark is developing itsconservation psychology activities. Conservation psychologyis a relatively new field that aims to discover how to changenon-sustainable human behaviour in order to protect thenatural environment and conserve diminishing naturalresources. It draws principles from all areas of psychology,and facilitates collaboration with practitioners from otherfields including ecology, biology and social science.Several projects have been looking at people’s conservationknowledge, as well as attitudes and behaviours. Work isbeing undertaken looking at the impact of viewing a Keeperfeed of Wild dogs, and different experiences with Orangutansand tigers. Research into the impact of a Cheetahencounter at Monarto found people showed an increasein Cheetah knowledge, but no change in pro-conservationattitudes (which were already high initially). Importantly nobehavioural indicators of stress were observed in the animalsparticipating in the encounter either.Conservation and research – 5 of 8
CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsConservation ArkVeterinary Conservation ProgramsAssets and InfrastructureConservation EducationThe AnimalsLiving collectionsThreatened SpeciesOperationsCommunications and PartnershipsVisitor ExperiencesHuman ResourcesFinancial ReportFinalsAs part of a national campaign aimed at raising awarenessof issues facing primates in the Congo, Conservation Arklaunched the They’re Calling on You campaign. This campaignis linked with the new Chimpanzee exhibit at Monarto andasks people to recycle their old mobile phones and so reducethe need for mining of coltan – a precious metal whosemining in the Congo affects the survival of many endangeredprimate species.Other programs are being developed in conjunction withInterpretation to look at the messages we give to our visitorsand partners, to develop campaigns aimed at changing nonsustainablebehaviours and to look further at the impactof wildlife encounters on people’s knowledge, attitudesand behaviours. Conservation Ark is also a participant of anational linkage grant looking at fostering pro-environmentalbehaviour of Zoo visitors through strategic communication.Conservation MedicineConservation Ark’s research and conservation activitiesin relation to animal health and disease are expanding,with details of the activities given under the veterinaryconservation programs. Research continued into the healthof wombats, looking at treatments for sarcoptic mangein wombats, and seasonal changes in antioxidants in thediet of wombats, and projects looking at avian influenzacommenced.Year of the Frog2008 was the Year of the Frog and Conservation Ark was partof the international campaign aimed at raising awarenessand funds for amphibian conservation. With more than athird of the world’s frogs facing extinction, and amphibiansbeing an important part of our natural diversity there was aclear reason to be involved in this campaign and more than$25,000 was sent to aid frog conservation.The Year of the Frog also saw the launch of the revampedcommunity Frog Census program as a web-based program(www.frogatlas.com.au). The Frog Atlas builds on 14 years ofwork by the Environment Protection Authority and enablesmembers of the community to add information about localfrog species that have been heard calling, as well as learnto identify frogs themselves and be able to look at frogdistributions within SA.International eventsConservation Ark was also involved in several internationalevents, hosting the Conservation Breeding Specialist Groupmeeting in Adelaide in October, as well as the Australianarm of the media launch of the release of the revised IUCNredlist with Jane Goodall. Carla Litchfield also took a tourto Africa visiting Great Ape conservation and researchsites. In addition, Conservation Ark signed a twinningagreement with Nordens Ark in Sweden, a not-for-profitconservation organisation which supports species and habitatconservation, as well as informing and inspiring people tocare for the natural world.Conservation and research – 6 of 8
Page 1 and 2: 08/09Zoos SAAnnualReport
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and
Page 40 and 41: CONTENTSCurrent vs Planned - Monart
Page 64 and 65:
CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and
Page 66 and 67:
Page 68 and 69:
Page 70 and 71:
Page 72 and 73:
Page 74 and 75:
Page 76 and 77:
Page 78 and 79:
Page 80 and 81:
Page 82 and 83:
Page 84 and 85:
Page 86 and 87:
Page 88 and 89:
Page 90 and 91:
CONTENTSEvelynCattHeatherCouttsStep
Page 92 and 93:
CONTENTSCorneliaJudsonRyleeKrugerRo
Page 94 and 95:
CONTENTSSelena MSmithJulieSyretteAn
Page 96 and 97:
Page 98 and 99:
Page 100 and 101:
Page 102:
show all

2008 - 2009 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?