2008 - 2009 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsConservation ArkVeterinary Conservation ProgramsAssets and InfrastructureConservation EducationThe AnimalsLiving collectionsThreatened SpeciesOperationsCommunications and PartnershipsVisitor ExperiencesHuman ResourcesFinancial ReportFinalsConservationMuch time this year was spent developing a strategic planfor the Animal Health Department with the aim of increasingthe support for conservation medicine, health monitoringand disease investigation and a scoping document to improvefacilities.David Schultz continues to work one day per week as projectveterinarian with special interest in the Brush-tailed rockwallaby recovery program and Sue Bigwood continues toorganise SA wildlife health network meetings to updatestakeholders in wildlife disease issues in the state.Ian Smith ran a course for DEH staff in post mortemtechniques at Innes National Park and provided veterinarysupport for DEH on a cutting-edge project to look at theimpact of fishing exclusion zones on the newly declaredmaritime parks off Kangaroo Island. Western blue groupersand Blue-throated wrasse were surgically implanted withtransponders under anaesthesia.David McLelland was the field veterinarian who investigatedthe health of the reintroduced Brush-tailed bettongs at VenusBay in western SA. Further trips will take place in spring andsummer. David and Ian both took part in another DEH-ledfield trip to the APY lands in north-west SA to trap Warru,obtain Warru for cross-fostering at Monarto Zoo and toundertake health checks on the population.Wayne Boardman was the consultant veterinarian workingwith Dr Mark Lethbridge from Flinders University and DECfrom WA to anaesthetise dromedary camels in the GibsonDesert from a helicopter in order to attach satellite trackingcollars. A new anaesthetic regime was successfully trialled.The aim is to find out more about the ecology ofthis introduced species in order to determine suitablecontrol measures.Wayne Boardman, Ian Smith and Paula Modra were askedto undertake health checks on over 300 Bridle-nail tailedwallabies at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy sanctuary atScotia destined to be released into Stage 2 of the sanctuaryand Wayne continues to work with Jasmin Packer, PhDcandidate, to monitor the health of the Southern brownbandicoot in the Adelaide Hills in order to ascertain themost suitable habitat for this iconic species.Veterinary Conservation Programs - 3 of 4