ZV Conservation Science Plan - Zoos Victoria

ContentsINTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 4SCOPE OF THIS PLAN..................................................................................................................................... 4OVERARCHING STRATEGY............................................................................................................................ 5Strategic assets......................................................................................................................................... 5Strategic approach .................................................................................................................................... 5FOCUS AREAS ................................................................................................................................................. 81. Species conservation ............................................................................................................................. 8Guiding principles for this focus area ........................................................................................................ 9Objective 1.1: Zoos Victoria will ensure that no native Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species becomesextinct in the next ten years ...................................................................................................................... 9Objective 1.2: Contribute to global species recovery through six holistic international field programs .. 11Objective 1.3: Every species in the Zoos Victoria collection will deliver measurable conservationoutcomes ................................................................................................................................................. 14Objective 1.4: Conserve existing native habitat and native species on land managed by Zoos Victoria................................................................................................................................................................ 162. Engaging communities in conservation outcomes .............................................................................. 19Guiding principles for this focus area ...................................................................................................... 19Objective 2.1: Advocate for conservation outcomes.............................................................................. 19Objective 2.2: Involve communities in conservation action ................................................................... 223. Research to support our conservation, collection and visitor experience ........................................... 26Guiding principles for this focus area: ..................................................................................................... 26Objective 3.1: Implement research to improve and evaluate the effectiveness of our conservationactivities and enhance the quality of animal care and wellbeing ............................................................ 26Objective 3.2: Improve capacity to implement priority research ............................................................. 29Objective 3.3: Demonstrate leadership in research and improve knowledge dissemination ................. 32ALIGNMENT WITH CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PLANS ................................................................................ 33COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS ............................................................................................................... 33LEGAL IMPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 33REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 35APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................................. 361. Summary of international conservation program outcomes to 2015 ................................................... 36Tenkile Conservation Program ............................................................................................................... 36Cardamom Mountains Sanctuaries Program .......................................................................................... 36Philippine Crocodile Recovery Program ................................................................................................. 37Kinabatangan Conservation Program ..................................................................................................... 37Melako Community Conservancy ........................................................................................................... 38Community conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo ............................................................ 382. Conservation in a zoo-based conservation organisation ..................................................................... 393. Current and planned research projects in relation to priority research theme .................................... 412

TablesTABLE 1. Species currently included in Zoos Victoria’s threatened species recovery program table……….. 8TABLE 2. Additional threatened terrestrial vertebrate species in Victoria that warrant ex situ intervention toensure that they do not become extinct during the next 10 years…………………………………………... 9TABLE 3. Zoos Victoria’s current international conservation programs……………………………………….. 13TABLE 4. Value - effort criteria for assessment of collection species…………………………………………. 14TABLE 5. Value-effort criteria for assessing the priority of research activities……………………………….. 29FiguresFIGURE 1. Current composition of Zoos Victoria animal collection at each property, showing percentage ofspecies in each category at each property and targets to be achieved by 2016 .................................... 15FIGURE 2. Zoos Victoria’s Connect-Understand-Act model .......................................................................... 233

INTRODUCTIONIn 2002, the world’s governments agreed ‘by 2010 to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversityloss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and as to the benefit ofall life on Earth’ (CBD 2010, p.94). That goal has not been met (CBD 2010).A recent assessment by 45 of the world’s leading scientists unambiguously showed that global biodiversityhas continued to decline over the past four decades and that there is no indication of a significant reductionin the rate of decline. Furthermore, the overall risk of species extinction has accelerated in the last 20 years(Butchart et al., 2010).While this is disturbing in itself, the decline and loss of species is symptomatic of much deeper problems thathave far-reaching implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, and therefore forhuman survival. The pressures are now so great that entire ecosystems are failing. At the heart of this is theunsustainable consumption of natural resources and modification of habitat by humans (Ewing et al., 2008).Governments, communities, non-government organisations, the private sector and concerned citizens haveall implemented mechanisms to address these threats. However, many of these efforts have failed to halt orreverse the downward trend; and opportunities to plan major infrastructure developments in ways thatminimise unnecessary impacts on biodiversity continue to be ignored or simply overlooked. It is nowrecognised that a far more holistic approach which incorporates social, economic and biologicalconsiderations is needed to redress these problems.Many species are approaching the point of no return. It is now time to act on this incontestable evidencewith passion, focus and science to minimise further species extinctions. Zoos Victoria is committed to thegoal of making a meaningful and tangible impact to save wildlife and wild places by reducing threats andminimizing the number of extinctions. Ultimately this means providing long-term security of populations andcommunities of animals in functional ecosystems and natural habitats.It is time to use Zoos Victoria’s considerable expertise and resources to halt the loss of threatened species.In order to achieve this, Zoos Victoria will become a zoo-based conservation organisation, deliveringconservation outcomes through the operations of our three great zoos. This will be achieved by mobilisingall of our activities and assets, and maximising their integration behind the achievement of clearly definedconservation objectives.This Plan identifies the specific conservation objectives that need to be achieved over the next five years inorder for Zoos Victoria to transform into a zoo-based conservation organisation and maximise our delivery oftangible conservation outcomes.SCOPE OF THIS PLANZoos Victoria’s Strategic Plan identifies five ‘Action Areas’ through which we will achieve our goal ofbecoming a zoo-based conservation organisation (Zoos Victoria, 2009). The wildlife collections at each ofour zoos are central to achieving this goal: they provide a platform for conservation programs and aninterface between these programs and the community. This Conservation Science Plan links Zoos Victoria’sStrategic Plan with our detailed program plans. It focuses on the Conservation Action Area in the StrategicPlan, but also identifies key high-level actions in the other areas of Animals, Visitors, People and FinancialSustainability, all of which are essential for the delivery of conservation outcomes.Conservation requires an evidence-based approach. Research is essential to the delivery of ourconservation objectives, enabling us to solve problems and address knowledge gaps across our variedoperations and conservation projects. Therefore, this Plan also identifies the key knowledge gaps andoutlines our research strategy to address these gaps.This Plan spans five years to 31 June 2015.4

tangible outcomes, and direct connections with visitors to our three zoos. Staff engagement and operationalalignment with the vision will underpin delivery of this aim.Zoos Victoria will focus its conservation efforts on two fronts – Wildlife Conservation and CommunityConservation.Wildlife Conservation means:• Conserving threatened species. Zoos Victoria is committed to building on our existing expertise incaptive breeding and reintroduction of Australian vertebrates, along with growing our expertise incaptive management of Australian invertebrates• Supporting direct conservation activities that have tangible conservation benefits. Zoos Victoria willfocus on in situ conservation programs that mitigate key threatening processes to achieve broadecosystem outcomes in biodiversity hotspot regions. Zoos Victoria will prioritise its in situconservation efforts in regions that also reflect the major themes of our properties: Australia (withVictoria being a priority), Oceania, South-east Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa• Extending our commitment to ensure that we demonstrably support direct conservation efforts for thewild populations represented by both native and exotic species within our care, particularlythreatened and CITES-listed (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) species• Protecting and enhancing the conservation and biodiversity value of the native habitat managed byZoos Victoria. Some of these sites have high conservation value, and the potential to supportimportant populations of threatened wildlife and become important refugia for local flora and fauna.Community Conservation means:• Supporting conservation and environmental sustainability by engaging with and influencing thebehaviour of our visitors, community and stakeholders. Using the Connect-Understand-Act model wewill develop engaging visitor experiences within our zoos that inspire people to take action forconservation. Our community conservation campaigns will engage the broader community in actionsthat address the threatening processes which affect the species in our collection, their habitats, andthe regions in which we support in-field wildlife conservation• Using Zoos Victoria’s own commitments to lead in environmentally sustainable practices andconserve and rehabilitate our native remnant habitats to promote actions that visitors and the widercommunity can undertake in their own lives, homes and workplaces to achieve sustainability• Advocating for wild places and wildlife. Zoos Victoria will use our animal collections and involvementin international conservation programs and threatened species recovery programs to connect ourvisitors to real issues and threats facing species in the wild• Building our position as a responsible advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental issues inaccordance with Victorian Government policy and where issues align with our priority conservationprograms, environmental messages and areas of expertiseApplied ResearchApplied research will play a core role in achieving Zoos Victoria’s conservation goals. Scientific research isan essential tool for acquiring knowledge, solving specific applied problems and aiding in evidence-baseddecision-making. Currently there are important knowledge gaps that remain in our understanding of:• Captive management and re-introduction of threatened species• Biodiversity evaluation and threatening processes mitigation with respect to our field-basedconservation activities• Reproductive management of small populations• Management of captive animal wellbeing• Wildlife management and rehabilitation• Maximising visitor experience and effectiveness of community conservationOur conservation objectives need to have tangible measures of success. In many cases, research will benecessary to objectively assess progress and outcomes for specific actions.6

This Plan identifies the priority research themes and actions that Zoos Victoria will address in the next fiveyears to achieve our wildlife and community conservation outcomes. The research actions are linked toeach key objective outlined in the next section. This work will be undertaken through a combination of:• Implementation and further development of in-house research capacity (staff expertise andinfrastructure). This entails:- Professional development through post-graduate training of targeted staff- Incorporation of requirements for research when developing new captive managementfacilities• Partnerships and collaborations with research institutions that are able to assist us address ourresearch needs. This will include local universities as well as institutions in other range states orregions where we work. This entails:- Outsourcing specific specialist research tasks (e.g. genetic analysis) to partner institutionsthat are leaders in those fields- Supporting and co-supervising post-graduate research projects with our partners to addressspecific research questions relevant to our objectives and programs- Pursuing joint funding opportunities (e.g. ARC Linkage Grants)- Facilitating and encouraging new research initiatives in line with the above researchknowledge gaps and our objectivesContributing substantially to scientific research and knowledge will not only address key knowledge gaps, butalso advance Zoos Victoria’s credibility and position of influence in the broader professional conservationcommunity. Therefore, Zoos Victoria will strive to increase its output of publications of research findings inpeer-reviewed journals and books.In keeping with Zoos Victoria’s welfare values and objectives, Zoos Victoria will continue to strive for thehighest ethical standards in all facets of research undertaken involving animals, with the assistance of ZoosVictoria’s Animal Ethics Committee and in accordance with Bureau of Animal Welfare regulations andguidelines.Developing partnershipsPartnerships are critical for achieving our conservation objectives. They also benefit management of ouranimal collection and may encompass:• Government support and collaborations• Non-government environmental organisations as partners in wildlife conservation• The regional and global zoo communities, with particular focus on the Zoo & Aquarium Association(ZAA) and World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA) respectively• Zoos and wildlife sanctuaries in regions where Zoos Victoria’s international conservationpartnerships are located, but which may not be part of existing zoo networks• The wider community, supporting us and working with us to achieve conservation outcomes• Research institutions to work with us in advancing knowledge and developing solutions toconservation questions• The private sector• Schools and academia• Communities and individuals7

FOCUS AREAS1. Species conservationEach year more species are added to national and global listings of taxa under threat – for vertebrates alone,the current totals are more than 4,000 species globally, and almost 400 in Australia and 250 in Victoria(EPBC 2010; IUCN 2010; Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009). These numbers donot include species now considered extinct or extinct in the wild. The totals for plants are equally daunting: inVictoria alone, more than 700 species of plants (or 44% of known species) are listed as threatened.Invertebrates in Victoria are much less well known, but 177 species were listed as threatened in 2009(Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2009).Zoos Victoria has considerable specialist skills that we will focus on helping to reverse this trend. As a zoobasedconservation organisation, we will engage with government agencies, conservation bodies, other zoosand the wider community to ensure that no Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species becomes extinct in thenext ten years. We will achieve this through captive breeding and reintroduction, establishing insurancepopulations, and engaging with communities and other committed organisations across Victoria. The currentset of threatened species captive programs managed by Zoos Victoria is detailed in Table 1. All elevenspecies are endemic to south-east Australia and most are currently classified as ‘Endangered’ or ‘CriticallyEndangered’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.We conducted a detailed assessment of 50 species of threatened terrestrial vertebrates endemic to southeasternAustralia identified an additional three high priority species and five medium priority specieswarranting ex situ intervention due to their likelihood of extinction in the wild over the next ten years (Table2). The high priority species are considered to have a high probability of extinction in the wild in the next fiveyears if no conservation action is taken.Table 1. Species currently included in Zoos Victoria’s threatened species recovery program tableCommon Name Scientific Name ConservationStatus(EPBC Act)YearcommencedProgramcategoryCaptivebreedingReintroductionTasmanian DevilMountain PygmyPossumEastern BarredBandicoot(mainland)Orange-belliedParrotHelmetedHoneyeaterRegentHoneyeaterSpotted TreeFrogSouthern BarredFrogSouthernCorroboree FrogNorthernCorroboree FrogLord Howe IslandStick InsectSarcophilusharrisiiEndangered 2006 Ark Burramys parvus Endangered 2007 Recovery Perameles gunniiunnamed subspp.NeophemachrysogasterLichenostomusmelanops cassidixAnthochaeraphrygiaEndangered 1990 Recovery CriticallyEndangered1991 Recovery Endangered 1989 Recovery Endangered 2002 Recovery Litoria spenceri Endangered 2006 Research Mixophyes balbus Vulnerable 2001 Recovery PseudophrynecorroboreePseudophrynepengilleyiDryococelusaustralisEndangered 2008 Recovery Vulnerable 2010 Recovery CriticallyEndangered2010 Ark 8

Table 2. Additional threatened terrestrial vertebrate species in Victoria that warrant ex situ intervention toensure that they do not become extinct during the next 10 yearsCommon Name Scientific Name Conservation Status (EPBC Act)Leadbeater’s Possum (YellingboESU)HIGH PRIORITYGymnobelideus leadbeateriEndangeredGrassland Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla EndangeredBaw Baw Frog Philoria frosti EndangeredBrush-tailed Rock-wallaby(Southern ESU)MEDIUM PRIORITYPetrogale penicillataVulnerableSmoky Mouse Pseudomys fumeus EndangeredNew Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae VulnerableGuthega Skink Egernia guthega NominatedAlpine She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus praealtus EndangeredGuiding principles for this focus area• We will prioritise threatened native Victorian species and environmental issues in our Australianconservation programs• Our international conservation programs will have holistic outcomes that benefit species, habitatsand people• Our conservation programs will be based on sound science• The objectives of both native and international conservation programs will be designed to generatetangible and measurable beneficial outcomes for wild populations• We will maximise opportunities to engage the wider community and our staff and stakeholders inconserving wildlife and wild places• We will align our animal collection with our conservation goalsObjective 1.1: Zoos Victoria will ensure that no native Victorian terrestrial vertebratespecies becomes extinct in the next ten yearsZoos Victoria will become an industry leader in developing and implementing intensive species recoveryprograms that require the application of captive breeding and reintroduction science. Our highest priorityregion will be the state of Victoria, where we will take a lead role in ensuring that no Victorian terrestrialmammal, bird, reptile or amphibian species goes extinct in the period of 2011 - 2020 (priority species areshown in Tables 1 and 2). In this context, extinction is defined as total extinction, not extinction in the wild. Assuch, we will engage in a range of approaches, including captive-care where appropriate, even if the speciesbecomes extinct in the wild. Endemic Victorian species and Victorian species that also occur elsewhere butfor which the Victorian component of the distribution is critical to the species’ survival will be prioritised.These criteria do not trigger action for species that are threatened in Victoria but secure in other states orterritories.Zoos Victoria has demonstrated success with breeding several priority south-eastern Australian threatenedspecies in captivity. Our staff are also conducting pioneering mate choice and genetic hybridisationexperiments for threatened species (an emerging field in the reproductive biology of captive populations).Moreover, we will become increasingly involved in the process of recovery planning, placing greateremphasis on target setting, the decision-making process, quantitative data analysis, project evaluation andthe development of research projects targeting key knowledge gaps.9

Effective collaboration between stakeholders is central to all successful recovery projects. Collaborationsmay include government departments, universities, land managers, conservation organisations andcommunity groups. To maximise the effectiveness of Zoos Victoria’s threatened species recovery programs,it is essential that priorities are aligned, and that there is effective cooperation and communication with otherkey stakeholders in the biodiversity conservation sector.Key challenges in achieving Objective 1.1• Develop infrastructure and expertise to meet critical ex situ needs of all priority threatened terrestrialvertebrate species in Victoria• Ensure appropriate demographic and genetic management of captive populations of selectedthreatened species• Improve the overall process, management and administration of the threatened species programs inwhich we are involved• For those programs in which we participate, re-evaluate our roles and effectiveness on a regularbasis• Address key knowledge gaps to improve captive management of native Australian threatenedspecies• Improve the success of re-introducing captive-bred animals into the wild• Improve our capability to support conservation of globally threatened species through coordinatedmanagement of captive populations• Ensure effective collaboration with various government and non-government stakeholdersOptions for achieving Objective 1.1OptionRegionalpriorityAdvantagesDisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Primaryrole in threatenedspecies recoveryprogramsVictorian species(e.g. HelmetedHoneyeater,Eastern BarredBandicoot)• Can apply necessary intensityand scientific rigour tomaximise likelihood ofsuccess• Integration between in situand ex situ recovery actions• Development of specialistexpertise on captive-breedingand re-introduction• High cost of recovery programs• Requires substantial time and staffinvestment• Long duration of recovery programs• Zoos Victoria is not the land managerfor the locations where these speciesoccur in the wild• Clarity around roles andresponsibilities• Recognition for Zoos VictoriaOPTION TWO:Contribute tocollaborative regionaland global speciesmanagement andrecovery programs (ona case-by-case basis)Australian speciesincluding thosethat occur outsideVictoria (e.g.Tasmanian Deviland SouthernCorroboree Frog)• Less time investmentrequired• Contribute towards theconservation of a largernumber of species• Strengthened collaborationand partnerships with otherstakeholders• Potential disconnect between in situ andex situ recovery actions• Lack of capacity or accountability canhinder progress in recovery programsbeing implemented by multiple agencies• Financial investment remains high whencaptive-breeding is required10

OptionRegionalpriorityAdvantagesDisadvantagesOPTION THREE: Guideand supportstakeholders orcommunities to preventspecies extinctionsAustralian andinternationalspecies• Flexible staff time andresource investment• Contribute towards theconservation of a largernumber of species• No leadership role in preventing speciesextinctions• Little control or ‘ownership’ ofconservation programs• Strengthened collaborationand partnerships with otherstakeholders.• Zoos Victoria’s financialstability can assist developingnations with less capacity togenerate conservationfunding domestically.• Responsive to emergingconcernsPreferred strategyOur preferred strategy is to implement a mix of the above options depending on the geographic distribution,conservation status and recovery requirements of the particular species.Actions and measures of success for Objective 1.1Broad actions• Develop infrastructure and expertise to meet critical exsitu needs of all threatened terrestrial vertebratespecies in Victoria• Complete five year plans for all Australian Zoos Victoria‘Recovery’ and ‘Ark’ species• Integrate captive and in situ recovery programs• Establish research projects addressing key knowledgegaps for ex situ threatened species recovery programs• Improve the overall process, management andadministration of current threatened species programsand re-evaluate our role where necessary• Strengthen professional networks with keystakeholders in the conservation of Victorian fauna andflora• Develop a Victoria-wide campaign to support action bycommunities and organisations to conserve threatenedspeciesMeasures of success• Self-sustaining population(s) of at least oneVictorian recovery species established in thewild• No further extinctions of terrestrial vertebrates insouth-eastern Australia• Zoos Victoria recognised as an industry leader incaptive-breeding and reintroduction science• Management/captive breeding targets achievedfor priority speciesObjective 1.2: Contribute to global species recovery through six holistic international fieldprogramsA zoo-based conservation organisation recognises that we live in a globalised society and that our everydayactions have both local and global impacts. Many exotic species are iconic and provide powerfulopportunities to inspire and motivate conservation action, and are therefore an integral part of Zoos Victoria’sanimal collection. Most regions from which our exotic species originate have inadequate environmentallegislation, resources and expertise to tackle environmental problems and conserve species. Conservationfocusedorganisations, including zoos, are often the only sources of expertise, leadership and resources11

available to achieve biodiversity conservation in these regions. Zoos Victoria will build partnerships withother conservation organisations to tackle the key threatening processes in our priority internationalconservation regions and deliver broad-based and sustainable biodiversity outcomes. Our internationalconservation programs will also engage other in-country partners in order to broaden Zoos Victoria’sinvolvement and sustain long-lasting outcomes for wildlife and human communities.Key challenges to achieving Objective 1.2• Increase the scope and effectiveness of the six current international wildlife conservation programs• Develop measures of biodiversity net gain and ‘conservation success’ for use by Zoos Victoria andcriteria for existing programs• Increase staff skills and capacity to directly assist with wildlife conservation projects and share theseskills with local zoos and sanctuaries in regions where our projects are based• Identify key threatening processes affecting biodiversity and evaluate options for mitigating theseprocesses• Increase in-country program management capacity and advocacy with national governments• Integrate Zoos Victoria’s community conservation principles into our field conservation programs toensure that our conservation work benefits people and wildlife• Maintain and enhance culturally sensitive approaches to engaging with local/indigenous stakeholdersto deliver conservation program outcomesOptions for achieving Objective 1.2Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Donate onlyfinancially to one or moreprogramsOPTION TWO: Be the principaldriver of one or two largeprogramsOPTION THREE: Be a partnerwith other organisations onmultiple programs• If multiple programs, providesflexibility in delivering support• Low commitment of time andnon-financial resources• If multiple programs, mayincrease alignment with ZoosVictoria animal collection• Enables program developmentand outcomes to be influenced• Increased public recognition forprogram successes• Enables broad staff involvementin programs• Allows for broad alignment withspecies animal collection• Strong visitor engagement andpublic profile opportunities• Good opportunity to guideprogram development• Very limited influence overprogram development oroutcomes• Prevents us from building staffskills and involvement• Financial allocation per programmay be ineffective• Limited capacity for visitorengagement as no staffinvolvement• Limited staff involvement• Severely limits capacity to aligncollection animals withcommunity campaigns andinternational programs• Risk to organisation reputation ifprogram fails• Zoos Victoria seen as havinglimited focus• Requires more Zoos Victoriastaff input to maintain and growpartnership12

Preferred strategyOption 3 is our preferred strategy, as it provides us with the greatest scope to build meaningful relationshipswith program partners and local communities, and so increases our capacity to positively influence theprograms and achieve broad, sustained and measurable conservation outcomes. Working with a realisticnumber of partners also enables broad alignment of the programs with our animal collection, and providesopportunities to expand the field conservation and research capabilities of Zoos Victoria staff. Hence, ZoosVictoria’s international conservation work will focus on our priority international conservation regions andtarget areas of high conservation value. Zoos Victoria currently supports six international conservationprograms (see Table 3 and Appendix 1) and we will focus our efforts on these programs over the next fiveyears.Table 3. Zoos Victoria’s current international conservation programsProgram Location Partner Key species Habitatprotectedwhen programgoalsachieved (ha)TenkileConservationProgramCardamomMountainsSanctuariesProgramPhilippine CrocodileRecovery ProgramMelako CommunityConservancyKinabatanganConservationProgramCommunityconservation in theDemocraticRepublic of CongoPapua New GuineaCambodiaPhilippinesKenyaTenkileConservationAllianceFauna & FloraInternationalMabuwayaFoundationNorthernRangelands TrustScott’s TreekangarooandGolden-mantled TreekangarooAsian Elephant, Gaurand Banteng200,000330,000Philippine Crocodile 70,000Grevy’s Zebra andAfrican Wild DogSabah, Malaysia Hutan Bornean Orang-utanand BorneanElephantDemocraticRepublic of CongoJane GoodallInstituteEastern LowlandGorilla90,000200,0001,200,000Actions and measures of success for Objective 1.2Broad actions• Broaden the scope and effectiveness of our wildlifeconservation programs, and Zoos Victoria’s focusand depth of involvement in them• Develop measures of biodiversity net gain for ZoosVictoria and criteria for existing programs• Increase staff skills and capacity to directly assistwith wildlife conservation projects• Identify key threatening processes affectingbiodiversity and evaluate options for mitigatingthese processes• Increase in-country program management capacityand advocacy with national governmentsMeasures• Measures of biodiversity net gain identified• Improved conservation status of focal species inthe in situ conservation programs• Increase in number of hectares of habitat securedor rehabilitated by our direct conservation actions• Percentage increase in the number of species inour collection for which we have an intervention inthe wild• Positive shifts in community attitudes to, andengagement in conserving local ecosystems13

Objective 1.3: Every species in the Zoos Victoria collection will deliver measurableconservation outcomesZoos Victoria’s animal collections are the foundation of all our operations and play a central role in deliveringour conservation outcomes, either by linking our visitors with real wildlife conservation issues or engagingthe community to take conservation action. Whether for Recovery, Ark, Ambassador, Enabling or Research,every species must have a conservation role, for which its purpose is clearly identified. The composition ofour current collections will evolve to achieve this outcome. Furthermore, we must sustainably managecaptive populations of all species in our collections. This includes seeking opportunities to participate incollaborative programs that are managed by ZAA to ensure that priority species are not lost from theAustralasian region.CategoryRecoveryArkAmbassadorEnablingResearchDefinitionThose species that are held at Zoos Victoria as part of a range stateauthority-managed Threatened Species Program that includes reintroductioninto protected habitatThose species that are held at Zoos Victoria as an insurance populationto support a range state authority-managed Threatened SpeciesProgramThose species that are either the ‘face’ of a field conservation programsupported by Zoos Victoria, or are the focus of a Zoos Victoria ‘call toaction’ community campaignThose species that support visitor experiences consistent with ZoosVictoria’s Connect-Understand-Act model, enabling visitors to makeconnections with animals and related conservation issuesThose species that enable research and knowledge acquisition, therebysupporting Zoos Victoria’s conservation efforts (both field- andcommunity-based) or further delivery of animal welfare.Zoos Victoria has developed the Species Selection and Assessment Tool to help us assess the value ofeach species within our collection and determine the effort associated with acquiring and maintaining thesespecies; this tool will enable us to support the transition of Zoos Victoria to a zoo-based conservationorganisation. The key value-effort criteria for this tool are listed in Table 4. Over time, the composition of ouranimal collections will change to include a greater proportion of Recovery, Ark and Ambassador species(current composition shown in Figure 1). This will entail changes to some species within our collections andenhanced use of species to support conservation outcomes. We should strive for a collection where mostspecies satisfy the criteria of more than one category.Table 4. Value - effort criteria for assessment of collection speciesValueBy 2016 a species must satisfy at least one of thefollowing criteria to be included within the collection:• Recovery• Ark• Ambassador• Enabling• ResearchEffortThe effort associated with acquiring/maintaining aspecies shall be determined by:• Ethical/welfare considerations• Legislative requirements• Availability• Health of population• Display potential• Expertise required• Financial implications• Environmental footprint14

Figure 1. Current composition of Zoos Victoria animal collection at each property, showing percentage ofspecies in each category at each property and targets to be achieved by 2016Key challenges in the next five years• Aligning choice of species for inclusion or retention in the animal collection with Zoos Victoria’sstrategic direction• Accepting that the value of a species to Zoos Victoria is determined by its support of conservationoutcomes rather than its IUCN status (i.e. a critically endangered species may be of little value toZoos Victoria if it is not effectively used to achieve conservation outcomes).• Promoting the understanding that we are still in the business of being a zoo, and that the expertiseand passion of our Life Sciences staff shall determine our success as a zoo-based conservationorganisation.Options for achieving Objective 1.3Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Ad hoc speciesselectionOPTION TWO: Programmedevolution of collection• Fits with immediate availabilityof species• Provides for short-term displayrequirements• In some ways this is the‘default’ situation andrepresents ‘business as usual’• Consistent with strategic planand evolution of zoo-basedconservation organisation• Decisions regarding speciesselection made withconsideration of support forconservation outcomes• Provides a strategic approachto collection planning.• Decision-making not necessarilyaligned with the Strategic Plan• Potential for no consideration tosupport of conservation outcomes• May dilute evolution as zoo-basedconservation organisation• This approach differs from previousthinking regarding speciesselection• For success, need to manage‘change’ effectively15

Preferred strategyOption 2 is our preferred strategy, as it provides a strategic approach to the development of our collections,being mindful of the need to provide for visitor experience and seek opportunities for involvement inRecovery Programs.Objective 1.3: Actions and measures of successActions• Conduct regular reviews of ‘value’ and ‘effort’ tomonitor alignment of the animal collection with a zoobasedconservation organisation• Identify opportunities to increase value and decreaseeffort for species in the current collection• Identify visitor experience themes for all precincts at allproperties• Embed Species Selection and Assessment as a keyanimal management tool• Align our exotic species collection with regional/globalspecies management prioritiesMeasures• The conservation role of each species in thecollection is identified and its conservation valuemaximised• All phase-out species identified and plans inplace to move them out of the collection• Species composition plans completed for eachprecinct using Connect-Understand-Act modeland wildlife conservation objectives• Species selection tool used to shape alldecisions relating to collection composition• Future collection reviews demonstrate shift tozoo-based conservation organisationObjective 1.4: Conserve existing native habitat and native species on land managed byZoos VictoriaZoos Victoria is the State Government’s custodian for more than 600 ha of Crown Land across our threeproperties. This includes significant remnants of native vegetation in Coranderrk Bushland Reserve andalong the Werribee River, as well as scar trees at Melbourne Zoo. As a conservation organisation, we have aresponsibility to manage and enhance the conservation values of these habitats. We will implement plans tomanage these environments for their ecological, environmental, cultural and community values. Furthermore,we will endeavour to rehabilitate and restore populations of threatened flora and fauna species thathistorically occurred in these areas.In an age of urbanisation where people are increasingly separated from their local natural environments,these areas are very important because they will help us engage people in conservation at a local level byconnecting them with natural habitats and showcasing biodiversity solutions. Management plans havealready been prepared for the Coranderrk and Werribee River. Implementation of these plans will be the keyfocus for the next five years, along with the development of conservation plans for specific significantspecies.The Zoos Victoria Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will articulate our commitment to facilitating an ongoingrelationship with the traditional owners of the land on which our three zoos are located, and the land itself.This is particularly relevant for Healesville Sanctuary-Coranderrk Bushland and Werribee Open Range Zoo.The RAP will speak to the importance of respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenouspeople; respect for Indigenous people, and their culture, land and history; and providing opportunities forIndigenous people and organisations.Key challenges to achieving Objective 1.4• Insufficient funding to fully implement the management plans• Inadequate staff skills to manage these areas of land in line with Zoos Victoria strategies• Implementing solutions to managing over-abundant populations of certain species at CoranderrkBushland Reserve• Inadequate knowledge and understanding by staff of the value and importance of these areas ofland• Managing these habitats in ways that align with the interests of Indigenous communities16

Options for achieving Objective 1.4Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Management ofCoranderrk Bushland Reserveand Werribee River to bemaintained at current levelOPTION TWO: Coranderrk andWerribee River sites fenced toprevent entry by feral species, butmanagement retained at currentlevelOPTION THREE: Coranderrk andWerribee River areas to beactively managed for theirbiodiversity values and used assoft-release sites.• Minimal expense• Staff have some opportunity togain skills in managing nativehabitat• Short-term benefit to somespecies/habitat throughpreventing entry of feral species• Zoos Victoria seen as affordingthese areas some protection• Biodiversity values restored inthe long-term• Zoos Victoria viewed as meetingits obligations as a manager ofnative habitat• Staff have increasedopportunities to gain skills inmanaging native habitat andwild populations• Sites provide options for softrelease of wildlife, includingthreatened species• Sites provide conservationresearch opportunities• If successful, these areas will bemodels of habitat/wildliferestoration• Risk that biodiversity is notadequately protected ormanaged• These areas not viewed by staffas important• Previous management work isnot valued• Zoos Victoria potentiallyexposed to community criticismfor not managing native habitatappropriately (particularlyCoranderrk)• Opportunities for staff to gainhabitat management skills arelimited• Zoos Victoria could be seen asfailing in its duty to sustainablymanage these areas• Long-term active populationmanagement would still berequired to prevent populationimbalance, over-grazing, etc.• Opportunities for staff to gainhabitat management skills arelimited• The most expensive option• As sole manager, Zoos Victoriawill be held accountable ifhabitat/wildlife restoration workfailsPreferred strategyOption 3 is our preferred strategy, as it meets Zoos Victoria’s strategic goal of becoming a zoo-basedconservation organisation. Options 1 and 2 are not feasible, as they fail to ensure appropriate managementand long-term protection of these native habitats.17

Actions and measures of success for Objective 1.4Actions• Implement the Coranderrk Bushland ReserveManagement Plan• Implement the Werribee River Management Plan• Identify all threatened fauna and flora speciesfree-ranging on Zoos Victoria land, and developmanagement plans as appropriate• Develop management plans for over-abundantspecies on all Zoos Victoria propertiesMeasures• Management plans for Coranderrk and WerribeeRiver implemented in accordance with timelines• Populations of all resident threatened species on ourland are secured in partnership with the relevantland managers18

2. Engaging communities in conservation outcomesEvery project, action, program and operation of Zoos Victoria will be aligned with the delivery of tangibleconservation outcomes. As such, we will take the World Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Strategy’s coremessage of ‘integrated conservation' to a new level. Enhancing the understanding by all our staff of theirroles in achieving this objective will be critical.Guiding principles for this focus area• We will be a responsible advocate for conservation and the environment in accordance withVictorian Government policy• Our expertise will be used to support and influence the development of pertinent policies thatinfluence wildlife conservation• Our advocacy work will provide a voice for wildlife within our care• Our advocacy will prioritise issues that impact conservation programs in which Zoos Victoria is a keystakeholder• We will align our animal collection, in situ conservation actions and advocacy in order to maximiseconservation outcomes and community action• Our community conservation programs will make it easy for visitors and the broader community totake action in support of conservation• The Connect-Understand-Act model will guide our practice to influence pro-environmentalbehaviours (Appendix 2)• Call to actions will alleviate priority processes threatening wildlife within Zoos Victoria’s conservationprograms (Appendix 2)• Calls to action will be targeted and measurable• Our community conservation work will allow for mass involvement, and will benefit people andwildlife• We will draw upon best-practice research from the conservation, social science and educationdisciplines to inform our efforts in facilitating community conservation action• We will select partners strategically to maximise our conservation reach and impact• Our organisation’s ambition to conserve wildlife will be at the core of all decisions that affect ourvisitorsObjective 2.1: Advocate for conservation outcomesIn order for Zoos Victoria’s vision of becoming a zoo-based conservation organisation to be meaningful, wewill need to be recognised as such. This will require an increased profile across the Victorian communitythrough public advocacy, community conservation campaigns, the scientific literature, conservation programsthat deliver tangible outcomes and direct connections with visitors to our three zoos. Staff engagement andoperational alignment with the vision will underpin the delivery of this objective.The community receives a wide range of information on the environment and wildlife conservation issues,some of which can be confusing and even contradictory. Therefore, Zoos Victoria’s conservation messageswill need to be simple and unambiguous.Within the overarching objective of advocating for conservation outcomes, Zoos Victoria will:• Advocate within the zoo community (regional and international industry representatives) and torelevant stakeholders to:- Develop a partnership with the Victorian Government, which enables Zoos Victoria to activelyinfluence conservation policy- Mobilise industry partners to effectively support priority conservation issues• Advocate across the broader community to:- Effectively harness the community’s voice on Zoos Victoria’s priority conservation issues- Successfully demonstrate the conservation impact of all advocacy efforts- Explore opportunities to generate financial gains through advocacy to support Zoos Victoria19

Key challenges to achieving Objective 2.1• Developing and implementing advocacy campaigns might put pressure on our relationships withgovernment and sponsors, requiring significant investment of staff time before roll-out of campaigns• Some advocacy campaigns could alienate sectors of the broader community, potentially exposingZoos Victoria to legal action and adverse publicity, and/or disenfranchising donors and supporters• Prudent selection of topics and judicious use of political capital and energy will be critical to thesuccess of our advocacy as a zoo-based conservation organisation• Aligning staff and organisational priorities will require much open dialogue to manage staffexpectations• Allocating appropriate resources, including those required to measure impacts, will be essential inorder to assess the effectiveness of advocacy effortsOptions for achieving Objective 2.1Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Revert tobusiness-as usual approach (notargeted approach, nocommunications strategy, etc.)OPTION TWO: Zoos Victoriaengages external party/consultantto develop and deliver advocacyfor Zoos Victoria• Least expensive• Zoos Victoria potentially atarm’s length fromsensitive/controversial issues• Requires minimal humanresources• Risk that Zoos Victoria notviewed as serious aboutconservation and our role as aleader• Risk that Zoos Victoria’s valuesand objectives are notcommunicated adequately• Ineffective at influencing changethrough community behaviours• Very limited capability tomeasure outcomes• Limits ability to transition ZoosVictoria to a zoo-basedconservation organisation• Zoos Victoria not aligned withefforts and therefore not seenas a serious advocate forconservation• Zoos Victoria less able tocontrol messages, effectivenessof tactics and actions• Low likelihood of linkingadvocacy to conservation• Limits ability to transition ZoosVictoria to a zoo-basedconservation organisation20

Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION THREE: Zoos Victoriadevelops and implementstargeted advocacy campaigns• Zoos Victoria able to effectivelyinfluence change throughcommunity actions by usingbest-practice technique• Increases communityawareness of Zoos Victoria ascommitted to conserving wildlifeand the environment• Increases integration ofconservation goals andoutcomes across Zoos Victoria• Increases internal (staff)understanding of Zoos Victoriaas a zoo-based conservationorganisation, and engagementwith this goal• Zoos Victoria can amplify thecommunity voice and speak onbehalf of the animals in ourcare, generating communitypride• Measurement of social changeis easier to determine thanbiodiversity gains (due to easeof measurement and limitedresource requirements)• Most expensive option (ifimplemented fully)• Requires greatest investment ofstaff time to research issues anddevelop tactics• Zoos Victoria exposed to morelegal risks (especially ifunguided by legal advice)• Advocacy is generally requiredwhen there is an issue withpolarised views, meaning thatZoos Victoria risks ostracisingcertain community and industrysectorsPreferred strategyOption 3 is our preferred strategy. To deliver Zoos Victoria’s goal of becoming a zoo-based conservationorganisation, we need to have a strong and credible public profile, and be seen as an active player insupporting wildlife conservation and the environment. Targeted campaigns that resonate with the broadercommunity and align with our wildlife conservation programs will be most effective in achieving theseoutcomes.Key actions and measures of success for Objective 2.1Key ActionsCultivate government relationships:• Develop working relationships with relevantgovernmental departments• Assist government with the dissemination of keymessages and support government campaignswhen applicable• Follow formal processes to share research andinsights into priority environmental issuesrelevant to Zoos Victoria identified threateningprocessesMeasures• Government relationships maintained with keyliaison points updated within the stakeholder plan• Government funding secured for synergistic projects• Zoos Victoria called upon regularly to assist with thedevelopment of policy and plans that impact wildlifeconservation21

Key ActionsWork with regional and international zoo networksto support ZBCO objectives:• Use communication with the ZAA Board andSpecial Advisory Groups, and staff attendanceat regional conferences/workshops to identify,influence and support regional priorities• Work with WAZA Board and members, as wellas International Zoo Educators Board to identify,influence and support international prioritiesMobilise targeted community sectors to assistpriority conservation efforts:• Identify priority advocacy efforts annually withthe flexibility to respond to pertinent issueswhen resource is available• Align appropriate research measures withadvocacy goalsEngage sponsors and corporations aligned withZoos Victoria’s advocacy position:• Top five ideal corporate partners are identifiedfor each community conservation campaign andapproached for sponsorship.Integrate our advocacy position through corebusiness to ensure that it permeates through ourvisitor experience, website etc.:• Ensure that community conservation objectives(and therefore the Connect-Understand-Actapproach) permeate throughout all Zoos Victoriaplans and projects (e.g. Communications Plan,Retail Plan, Marketing Plan, capitaldevelopment projects, etc).Measures• Zoos Victoria recognised as a leading zoo-basedconservation organisation within the zoo industry• The majority of regional and internationalconservation priorities align with Zoos Victoriapriorities• Community conservation plan is developed annually• Community conservation targets are met andsuccesses shared to generate community pride• At least one sponsor is secured for each communityconservation campaign within six months of launch• All staff support community conservation campaigns• Community Conservation objectives can beidentified throughout all Zoos Victoria planningdocuments• All new capital development projects supportConnect-Understand-ActObjective 2.2: Involve communities in conservation actionZoos Victoria defines Community Conservation as conservation driven by community action.Most processes threatening wildlife are driven by human activities. Communities can therefore help toconserve wildlife when they decide to take action to alleviate threatening processes within their influence.Zoos Victoria has developed a Community Conservation model that has been shown to influence communityattitudes, knowledge and pro-environmental behaviours: the Connect- Understand- Act (CUA) model (Fig. 2).Application of the model is supported by Zoos Victoria’s Connect-Understand-Act toolkit (sets of activitiesand approaches for Connect-Understand-Act); the appropriate tools are embedded into the formal andinformal visitor experience to ensure attitudes, knowledge and behaviours are effectively influenced. Thefinal step is to evaluate and measure the program’s success.To achieve the objective of involving communities in conservation action, Zoos Victoria will:1. Implement community conservation campaigns that influence members of the community toundertake conservation actions that have measurable outcomes.2. Have Zoos Victoria recognised as active in conservation3. Develop visitor experiences which link our animal collection with conservation actions throughoutevery precinct across Zoos Victoria22

Key challenges to achieving Objective 2.2• Enhancing understanding by all staff of their roles in achieving conservation through communityaction will be critical• Our ability to meet community conservation targets is largely dependent upon meeting visitor growthtargets and extending our reach well beyond our gates• Our community’s understanding of conservation is generally low (as indicated by market research),which could limit our ability to measure organisational alignment with conservation• Timing the strategic planning process to coincide with operational realties will be vital to ensure thatstaff time is secured for creative planning and resources• Engineering a visitor experience that speaks to our brand position and exceeds expectations will bea key challenge• With securing and investing in talented staff who have the ability to create leading communityconservation experiences comes the added challenge of succession planning1.Select threatening3.processIdentify targetaudience2.Identify ambassadorspeciesIdentify connectionConfirm enduring6. opportunity5. understanding4.(CONNECT)(UNDERSTAND)Select targetbehaviour(ACT)7. Select appropriate tools 7. Select appropriate tools 7. Select appropriate toolsFigure 2. Zoos Victoria’s Connect-Understand-Act model23

Options for achieving Objective 2.2Option Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE: Zoos Victoriacampaigns focus on improvingvisitor awareness ofconservation issues surroundingour animal collectionOPTION TWO: Zoos Victoriacampaigns include a call toaction embedded into visitorexperience. Facilitation andmeasurement not a priorityOPTION THREE: Campaignsinclude facilitated conservationaction with measurableoutcomes embeddedthroughout the visitorexperience• Least expensive• Requires least investment ofstaff time to develop• Increases visitor understandingthat they can take conservationaction• Cost/time effective way toconvey conservation messagesto visitors.• Increases communityawareness that Zoos Victoria isserious about conservation andthe environment• Maximises effectiveness ininfluencing behaviour changeand alleviating threateningprocesses• Allows Zoos Victoria toeffectively measure visitoruptake rates and, more broadly,social change• Instils the belief in our visitorsthat they can make a difference• Increases integration ofconservation goals andoutcomes across Zoos Victoria• Increases internal (staff)understanding of Zoos Victoriaas a zoo-based conservationorganisation, and theirengagement with this goal• Ensures Zoos Victoria focuseson issues that our visitors cangenuinely impact• Risk that Zoos Victoria not viewedas serious about conservation.• Risk that Zoos Victoria’s valuesand objectives are notcommunicated adequately• Visitors not given the opportunityto take action to help wildlife• Unable to measure outcomes• Is likely to have no impact onalleviating threatening processesin situ• Limits ability to transition ZoosVictoria to a zoo-basedconservation organisation• Information alone is generally notenough to influence behaviourchange• Not likely to lead to any alleviationof threatening processes in situ• Very limited capability to measureoutcomes• Limits ability to transition ZoosVictoria to a zoo-basedconservation organisation• Most expensive option• Requires greatest investment ofstaff time to research issues anddevelop• Limits issues Zoos Victoria canincorporate into the visitorexperience as not all issues canbe alleviated by our community orlinked to facilitated action24

Preferred strategyOption three is our preferred strategy as it is by far the most effective path for supporting Zoos Victoria’stransition to a zoo-based conservation organisation. Solely increasing awareness, without linking that tomeaningful actions, is an outmoded model and is very unlikely to lead to conservation outcomes. It is alsocritical that the outcomes are measurable in order to demonstrate that the implemented strategies aresuccessful.Objective 2.2: Actions and measures of successKey ActionsMerge recreation and conservation objectives to leadinnovative behaviour change programs that generateconservation gain through mass involvement:• Develop annual community conservation initiativesto engage and influence mass community action• Work with Zoos Victoria Visitor Experiencemanagers and relevant stakeholders to developand implement Connect-Understand-Act VisitorExperience plansUtilise conservation work to place Zoos Victoriafront-of-mind through the implementation ofinnovative community conservation initiatives:• Promote zoo-based conservation organisationachievements through website, media, secureawards and survey community recognition of ourdevelopment in this area annually• Invest in innovation through staff developmentDraw upon social science, education andconservation research to maintain best practice andevaluate effectiveness:• Attend regional and international zoologicalconferences/workshops and institutions tobenchmark best practice• Develop research partnerships to evaluate andincrease effectiveness of community conservationinitiativesMeasures• At least 1,300,000 community members takeconservation action• 50% of visitors who leave our zoos commit toundertake conservation action• 20% of Victorians recognise Zoos Victoria as aconservation organisation• Conservation is reflected in Zoos Victoria’s brandpositioning• Community Conservation staff e-zepps reflectdevelopment needs to nurture creativity andinnovation• Reports generated from International ZooEducators and World Association of Zoos andAquaria conferences every two years tobenchmark community conservation best practice• Each Community Conservation Campaign isaligned with a research project to measuresuccess against targetsZoos Victoria’s community conservation approach will continue to be motivated by conservation science anddraw upon best-practice social science. This will ensure that Zoos Victoria effectively influences communityattitudes, knowledge and behaviours that alleviate threatening processes for wildlife. Partnered with strategiccommunications and the stakeholder engagement actions outlined above, Zoos Victoria will increaseeffectiveness and reach in this area by 2015.25

3. Research to support our conservation, collection and visitor experienceScientific research is an essential tool for acquiring knowledge, solving problems and aiding evidence-baseddecision making. Consequently, applied research will become increasingly integral to Zoos Victoria achievingits conservation and management objectives.Applied research underpins the improved effectiveness of our direct conservation activities, includingcaptive-breeding and reintroduction programs, and in situ conservation programs. Research is also central toimproving the health, welfare and husbandry of our collection animals. Moreover, the effectiveness of ZoosVictoria’s community conservation programs will benefit from on-going research. The focus of our appliedresearch is to understand and provide solutions to problems that are evident or foreseen within ourconservation programs and collection management activities.Additionally, research has a central role to play in the assessment of progress and outcomes. This Planidentifies a broad array of tangible and measurable outcomes that are expected from our conservationactivities and programs. In many cases, research will provide the only means of objectively assessing ifthese outcomes have been achieved.A strong research profile will also contribute significantly to Zoos Victoria building a credible and influentialposition on conservation issues within the broader community. Consequently, building on Zoos Victoria’sresearch reputation will improve our capacity to deliver on broader conservation objectives.Guiding principles for this focus area:• Conservation research will support our conservation objectives• Research in our animal collection will be undertaken to enhance animal wellbeing, speciessustainability and duty of care of wildlifeObjective 3.1: Implement research to improve and evaluate the effectiveness of ourconservation activities and enhance the quality of animal care and wellbeingScope of research and key themesResearch in zoos can embrace a remarkably wide range of both applied and fundamental topics (EAZA2008; Hutchins & Thompson 2008). Zoos Victoria will focus on applied research that has tangible outcomesfor the key areas of:1. Direct conservation2. Animal care and wellbeing3. Visitor experience and community conservationWithin these broad areas, we have identified a number of research ‘themes’ that align with Zoos Victoria’sstrategic goals and operational imperatives. The scope and rationale for these eight themes are summarisedbelow. A summary table of current research projects within each of these themes is provided in Appendix 3.Theme 1. Wildlife captive breeding and reintroductionAt both a state and national level, Zoos Victoria is a leading authority on threatened species captive breedingfor reintroduction. This role is likely to become increasingly important given the declining investment in thisarea by both government and non-government organisations. Moreover, Zoos Victoria invests considerableresources into these programs, and conservation agencies and the general community have highexpectations of the programs’ success. Hence, our key task is to improve the success of all threatenedspecies captive breeding/reintroduction programs over the next five years.Reintroduction success is expected to depend on:1. The number of released individuals2. Ecological fitness of these individuals3. Method of release4. Suitability of the release environment26

However, our understanding of how these factors influence reintroduction success and interact with oneanother is generally very poor, in part because of the limited investment in post-release monitoring andevaluation. Therefore, experimental research directed towards optimising these parameters for each of ourreintroduction programs is essential from a conservation, welfare and financial perspective.Theme 2. Animal health and nutritionThe physical health of the collection animals is of paramount importance to a modern zoo. Currentknowledge of zoo and wildlife medicine has evolved from several decades of clinical research, much of itundertaken in zoos. However, large knowledge gaps remain in diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention ofdisease and other health conditions. Nutrition is an area of particular interest because knowledge of wilddiets is often limited and, in many species, nutrition may have implications for reproductive success andhence population sustainability. Research in these areas is therefore essential for the continuingadvancement of zoo and wildlife medicine, and the improved health, welfare and longevity of the collection.Theme 3. Collection welfareEnsuring the psychological wellbeing of captive animals is a high priority for zoos in general (WAZA 2005;EAZA 2008), and is highlighted in Zoos Victoria’s Strategic Plan and Animal Welfare Code. An animal’swellbeing will often also impact on its physical health and reproduction. The psychological wellbeing ofcollection animals will depend on the suitability of their social (number and composition of individuals withwhich they interact) and physical environment. A suitable physical environment usually includes adequatespace, appropriate climatic conditions and environmental enrichment, which may include naturalistsurrounds and dynamic stimuli that encourage species-appropriate behavioural repertoires and limitstereotypic behaviour.Research to improve wellbeing in zoos is often limited to an adaptive management approach: behaviour ismonitored before and after the exhibit environment is altered. Nevertheless, rigorous monitoring can providecritical information about changes in the frequency and repertoire of behaviours that are believed to beindicative of psychological wellbeing. Generalising findings beyond the individuals in a specific exhibit maybe speculative because of small sample size and non-independence of animals, but this does not detractfrom the value of the findings for those particular individuals. As the study of multiple captive groups enablesgreater general insights into welfare issues, collaborations with other zoos will be pursued where possible.Theme 4. Reproductive managementZoos Victoria is committed to collection sustainability, numerous collaborative species managementprograms and the improved success of all threatened species breeding programs. Reproductivemanagement plays a central role in all these areas. While the specific objectives of reproductivemanagement will vary between different programs (e.g. exhibit populations, insurance populations, breedingfor reintroduction), they share many common issues including selection of pairings (genetic suitability, matechoice), detection of ovulation, infertility problems, fertility control, maintenance of genetic diversity, offspringsex ratio and quality, population modelling and reproductive senescence. Research has a key role to play insolving problems and improving our understanding of these and other aspects of reproductive management.Theme 5. Wildlife rehabilitation and managementAustralian zoos are increasingly undertaking wildlife rehabilitation work. This could be seen as a response togrowing community appreciation of wildlife and general biodiversity conservation. However, engaging inwildlife rehabilitation reinforces community expectation that zoos have a role in this practice. Currently, ZoosVictoria invests considerable resources into wildlife rehabilitation, primarily through the Australian WildlifeHealth Centre at Healesville Sanctuary. However, the direct conservation value of these activities isnegligible, as most rehabilitated animals are very common species. Moreover, the fate of most rehabilitatedindividuals is unknown; the limited information available suggests that successful integration back into thewild may be low for many species. Consequently, research is required to evaluate the health andsurvivorship of reintroduced individuals and methods that can enhance reintroduction outcomes, particularlyfor the most commonly rehabilitated species.Similarly, there is now greater community expectation that the control of endemic wildlife populations, whendeemed appropriate (e.g. urban possum populations), should be conducted as humanely as possible (e.g.fertility control). Zoos Victoria currently contributes to fertility control research, and our participation in thisarea is likely to continue and expand in the future.Theme 6. Importance and evaluation of biodiversity and mitigation of threatening processesEffective conservation is underpinned by knowledge of biodiversity values (species richness andabundance), and the ecological and anthropogenic processes that influence these. As reflected in this Plan,many of Zoos Victoria’s conservation programs depend in one way or another upon integrated managementand applied research on biodiversity and the ecology of threatening processes (e.g. invasive species, wildlifedisease, forestry management, hunting or fire). Hence, there is a broad need for Zoos Victoria to engage in27

iodiversity evaluation and research on threatening processes, focal species population dynamics and theinteraction between these elements. Such research activities are relevant to both our national andinternational conservation projects, including the restoration of native habitat and ecosystems within ourproperties (e.g. Coranderrk Bushland Reserve and Werribee River Corridor).Theme 7. Visitor experiencePublic expectations of the ‘zoo experience’ continue to evolve, and for many decades the zoo industry hasinvested in research to understand the relationship between animal encounters and visitor experience.Historically, visitor satisfaction, exhibit stay times, repeat visitation and acquired visitor knowledge havereceived considerable attention. Zoos Victoria will continue to invest in this socially and financially importantresearch theme to ensure that we continue to provide a relevant, vibrant and stimulating experience to ourvisitors, without compromising animal welfare.However, there is a need for Zoos Victoria to move beyond visitor satisfaction and knowledge acquisitiontoward experience management and assessing how interpretation and other elements, such as specieschoice, influence the visitor experience. Zoos have long been viewed as places for social and familybonding, and for providing a sense of being part of nature. In today’s faster-paced world, these attributes arearguably more important than ever. As part of Victorian society, Zoos Victoria will seek to understand andprovide for these needs at our three zoos.Theme 8. Community conservationWhile visitor satisfaction remains an important research theme, zoos are become increasingly interested inhow visitor attitudes and, more importantly, behaviours can be influenced by their zoo experience. Inducingpro-conservation behaviours in our visitors and the community at large is now a central element of ZoosVictoria’s Strategic Plan (primarily using the Connect-Understand-Act model). This field of conservationpsychology is in its infancy and can be defined as the scientific study of the reciprocal relationships betweenhumans and the rest of nature. Research in this area is an emerging priority as it will help to evaluate andimprove the success of our conservation strategies and campaigns among our visitors and the broadercommunity.Identifying and prioritizing research projectsWithin these themes, we will continue to identify and develop specific research projects that address keyknowledge gaps and particular problems encountered by our conservation and animal care activities. Foreach of our threatened species recovery programs (see Tables 1 and 2), specific research projects will beoutlined and prioritised in five-year action plans. We will also encourage and contribute to the developmentof research projects initiated by external organisations (e.g. universities, government agencies) that alignwith our research themes and utilise our animals, facilities and/or expertise. Inevitably, resources orexpertise will not be available to support all desirable research projects. Consequently, we will prioritise ourresearch activities using a value-effort assessment based on the criteria outlined in Table 5. Projects thathave high potential value and require low effort will be determined as high priority, while projects that havelow potential value and require high effort will be avoided.All research that Zoos Victoria initiates, and most that we support, will fall within our defined researchthemes. However, we recognise that zoos are uniquely positioned to contribute to scientific knowledge morebroadly. Hence, on occasions we may support research that is outside these priority themes but is deemedto be of high value and requires only modest investment of Zoos Victoria resources.28

Table 5. Value-effort criteria for assessing the priority of research activitiesValue• How well it addresses key problems andknowledge gaps• Alignment with research themes• Alignment with our priority geographicregions of Australasia (particularly southeasternAustralia), South-east Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa• Likelihood of achieving meaningful andmeasurable outcomes• Potential for leveraging external expertise,students and resources• Opportunity for staff professionaldevelopment• Potential to enhance reputationEffort• Financial cost of research• Staff time to conduct research• Difficulty in recruiting or developingadditional expertise that is not availablein-house• Potential to detract from reputationActions and measures of success for Objective 3.1Actions• Implement new, applied research in linewith our current priorities (as outlinedabove)• Evaluate all external research proposalsusing the value-effort criteria (as outlinedabove)• Assess the progress and relevance of allexisting research projectsMeasures• New research projects targeting highestpriority areas• Increased proportion of collaborative projectsthat score highly in value-effort analysis• Increased proportion of projects that havesuccessful outcomes, leading to modificationor validation of our conservation or animalmanagement practicesObjective 3.2: Improve capacity to implement priority researchHigh quality research that provides informative and robust outcomes requires adequate resourcing in termsof:1. Expertise2. Personnel and time to conduct the research3. Appropriate facilities4. FundingOptions to achieve these requirements are outlined below. In general, different approaches will suit differentresearch themes and different projects within those themes. In most cases, a combination of options will bemost effective. Beyond these aspects of resourcing, effective research will also require strong institutionalsupport and endorsement, and an environment in which high quality research is recognised and rewarded.29

1. ExpertiseZoos Victoria currently has specific research expertise in the disciplines of reproductive biology, animalbehaviour, wildlife ecology and veterinary medicine. Areas in which internal expertise is desirable but largelylacking include population modelling, animal nutrition, endocrinology, population genetics and visitorbehaviour/experience. Options for acquiring expertise to fill these and other areas of need include:1. Train existing science staff in areas of need. This could involve:- External courses (higher degrees and specialised courses)- Engaging external experts for internal workshops- Short-term placements of staff with other agencies2. Develop collaborations with external researchers that have the required expertise3. Employ additional personnel that have the required expertise. Options here include:- Fixed-term fellowship(s) of one - three years’ duration that allow for rapid recruitment ofexpertise in a particular area for a limited period- Joint appointment of academics with universities- Additional continuing appointment(s) in highest priority area(s)Options for acquire additional expertiseOption Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION 1: Trainexisting researchstaff in requiredareasOPTION 2: Developcollaborations withexternalresearchersOPTION 3: Employadditional personnelthat have therequired expertise• High level for access to expertise• Develop expertise in specific areas ofneed• Strong ownership of research• Relatively inexpensive• Access to high level of expertise• Flexible depending on specific needs• Strong expertise in specific area• Strong ownership of research• Flexibility change area of expertise iffixed-term appointments• Contribute to synergies with andtraining of other staff• Momentum to publish findings• Limited number of staff• Compromises time that staff can sendon other activities• Moderate training costs• May not achieve high level ofexpertise• Limited ownership of research• Limited access to expertise• Limited control of delivery• Limited control of specific researchobjectives• Expensive• For continuing or longer-termcontracts, locks in financial support forparticular area of research, therebyreducing flexibility30

2. Options for increasing the personnel and time available for research activitiesOption Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION 1:Recruitment ofstudents throughuniversitiesOPTION 2: Engagenon-research staffand FOTZ intospecific researchprojectsOPTION 3: Increasethe time availablefor existing researchstaffOPTION 4: Fixedshort-termappointments toassist with specifictasks• Relatively inexpensive• Engages external expertise fromuniversity supervisor• Momentum to publish findings• High ownership• Good professional development• Build internal capacity to performresearch• Build staff awareness of value inconservation research• High ownership• High quality research• No training costs• High ownership• High degree of flexibility depending onspecific needs• Variable quality of research• Limited ownership of research• Staff time to supervise• Time delays in gaining capacity• Costs in training• No publication momentum• Reduces time for other activities• Relatively expensive• Some training and supervision expenses• Relatively expensive• No publication momentum3. Options for engaging the facilities required to perform high priority researchOption Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION 1: Developcollaborations withexternal agenciesOPTION 2: Developinternal facilitiesOPTION 3: Sendsamples tocommerciallaboratories• Inexpensive• Gain external expertise• High ownership• Potentially rapid access to results• High ownership• External expertise• Limited ownership of research• Little control over delivery time of results• Expensive• Requires in-house expertise• Moderately expensive• Can be delays with delivery of results4. Options for securing additional funding to undertake researchOption Advantages DisadvantagesOPTION ONE:Developcollaborativefunding applicationswith externalagenciesOPTION TWO:Increase recurrentinternal funding forresearchOPTION THREE:Apply for grants/donations throughZV Foundation• Leverage from internal funding and inkind support.• Gain external expertise.• High ownership of research.• Rapid response to research needs.• High ownership of research.• Limited ownership of research.• Organisational complexity.• Expensive.• Time consuming applications.• Priority topics for Zoos Victoria may notalign well with those of funding agencies.31

Actions and measures of success for Objective 3.2Actions• Develop collaborations with externalresearchers in key areas of need (e.g.population modelling and genetics)• Train existing research and non-researchstaff in areas of need• Evaluate options (see above) to increasethe number of internal research staff• Increase time that current staff canengage in researchMeasures• Increased number of co-supervised students• Strong collaborations with researchers in keyareas of need• Development of new MoUs• Increased participation in relevant training• One additional FTE research position• Greater proportion of time allocated toresearch and reflected in KPOsObjective 3.3: Demonstrate leadership in research and improve knowledge disseminationCommunicating the central role of research in conservation is an important element of Zoos Victoria’smission. Publicising our research activities and outcomes is essential to:1. Maximise the reach of findings that have national and international application2. Raise awareness within Zoos Victoria and the broader community about how research can benefitconservation and animal welfare3. Promote the integration of evidence-based decision-making into all Zoos Victoria policy andplanning4. Enhance Zoos Victoria’s research reputationActions and measures of success for Objective 3.3Actions• Greater publicising of our researchactivities• Promote our research profile in thescientific and wider communityMeasures• Increased number and quality of publicationsin peer-reviewed journals and books• Up-to-date summaries of current researchactivities on the Zoos Victoria website• Greater communication of research findingsby other means (e.g. conferencepresentations, popular articles, electronicmedia, internal newsletters)• Increased editorial involvement in relevantjournals and books• Increased level of acknowledgement of ZoosVictoria in collaborative research• Organised and hosted scientific meetings andworkshops• Increased involvement in external scientificadvisory groups32

ALIGNMENT WITH CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PLANSIn order for Zoos Victoria’s vision of becoming a zoo-based conservation organisation to be meaningful, wewill need to be recognised as such. To a large extent, community attitudes to Zoos Victoria as aconservation organisation will reflect the degree to this is achieved. We aim to have 20% of Victoriansrecognising Zoos Victoria as a leading conservation organisation by June 2015. This will require anincreased profile across the Victorian community through public advocacy, community conservationcampaigns, publications in scientific literature, delivery of tangible outcomes from conservation programs,and direct connections with visitors at our three zoos. Staff engagement and operational alignment with thevision are already very strong, and these will underpin delivery of this objective.At the property level, every precinct will be linked to either a wildlife or community conservation program.Furthermore, each property will have at least one showcase program that integrates community- and fieldbasedconservation aspects.Fully integrating conservation in all activities requires us to establish clear and justifiable links between ouroperations and conservation outcomes. By 2015, we aim to have 80% of commercial activities fully alignedwith conservation objectives and outcomes.COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONSZoos Victoria’s Communications Strategy aims to position Zoos Victoria as a leading authority onconservation and animal care by profiling our appropriate senior staff through high profile interviews,targeted articles and media stories. Each major conservation and animal care event will be preceded bydetailed consideration of all relevant issues and specific messages developed to articulate and highlight keypoints. This will ensure a consistent approach to meeting our priority corporate goal that 20% of Victoriansrecognise Zoos Victoria as a leading conservation organisation by June 2015.Our Stakeholder Plan will also support delivery of our conservation vision by mapping and prioritising ourstakeholders, enabling us to focus on those relationships that will generate the greatest return forconservation and animal care. Wherever possible, we will align stakeholder relationships with our priorityprograms in wildlife conservation animal management.To promote our profile as a conservation organisation, we will work with external advisors to develop a clearZoos Victoria ‘brand’ that articulates our strategic conservation goals in a way that engages our diverseaudiences, inciting them to join us on this journey. This brand will link the conservation and animalthemes/experiences of our three properties and present a consistent and exciting visitor experience. It willalso strengthen commercial opportunities, which in turn will benefit Zoos Victoria and our conservationoutcomes. This Conservation Science Plan will be crucial in developing and implementing this work.LEGAL IMPLICATIONSZoos Victoria manages its animal collection in accordance with relevant State and CommonwealthGovernment policies and legislation, some of which reflect global agreements. Zoos Victoria also holds aScientific Procedures Premises Licence, and the Zoos Victoria Animal Ethics Committee ensures that allresearch that uses Zoos Victoria’s animals (or wildlife occurring on our properties) meets internal andexternal standards of ethics, welfare and wellbeing. We will continue to liaise with government agencies toreview regulations and policies as opportunities arise.All our wildlife conservation and research programs within Australia are conducted in line with relevant stateand federal wildlife legislation. Internationally, our engagement in field conservation programs is through ourpartner organisations, which hold the necessary permits and approvals and which enable us to supportagreed conservation actions.33

Key legislation relevant to wildlife conservation and science at Zoos VictoriaActEnvironment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act1999 (Commonwealth)Flora and Fauna GuaranteeAct 1988 (Victoria)Zoological Parks andGardens Act 1995 (Victoria)Wildlife Act 1975 (Victoria)Catchment and LandProtections Act 1994(Victoria)Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals Act 1986 (Victoria)Impact / implicationAustralian native species, particularly threatened species. This Act alsocovers the international movement any species that may be listedunder the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES)Species listed as threatened in VictoriaDetermines those areas that are managed by, and which activities arerequired to be undertaken by Zoos VictoriaDetermines requirements for protecting wildlife and managing nativehabitats in VictoriaDetermines those species that may be held by zoos in Victoria, and,those species that should be humanely destroyed if received as ‘wildlifedonations’Provides the framework for research affecting animals at Zoos Victoriaproperties34

REFERENCESButchart, S.H.M., Walpole, M., Collen, B., Strien, A.V., Scharlemann, J.P.W., Almond, R.E.A., Baillie, J.E.M.,Bomhard, B., Brown, C., Bruno, J., Carpenter, K.E.., Carr, G.M., Chanson, J., Chenery, A.M., Csirke, J.,Davidson, N.C., Dentener, F., Fosterm M., Galli, A., Galloway, J.N., Genovesi, P., Gregory, R.D., Hockings,M., Kapos, V., Lamarque, J-F., Leverington, F., Loh, J., McGeoch, M.A., McRae, L., Minasyan, A., Morcillo,M.H., Oldfield, T.E., Pauly, D., Quader, S., Revenga, C., Sauer, J.R., Skolnik, B., Spear, D., Stanwell-Smith,D., Stuart, S., Symes, A., Tierney, M., Tyrrell, T.D., Vie, J-C. and R. Watson. (2010) Global biodiversity:indicators of recent declines. Science 328: 1164-68.CBD (2010) Global Biodiversity Outlook 3. Montreal, Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity.EAZA (2008) Developing the research potential of zoos and aquaria. The EAZA Research Strategy.European Association of Zoos & Aquaria, Amsterdam.EPBC (2010) EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna. Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and theArts, Canberra. Downloaded from www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthtreatenedlist.plEwing, B., Goldfinger, S., Wackernagel, M., Stechbart, M., Rizk, S.M., Reed, A. and J. Kitzes (2008) TheEcological Footprint Atlas. Global Footprint Network, Oakland, CA.Hutchins M & Thompson S (2008) Zoo and aquarium research: priority setting for the coming decades. ZooBiology 27: 488-497.IUCN (2010) 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded from http://www.iucnredlist.org/ on 28August, 2010.Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2007) Advisory List of Threatened VertebrateFauna in Victoria – 2007. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009) Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Florain Victoria – 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.WAZA (2005) Building a Future for Wildlife – The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. WorldAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums, Berne, Switzerland.Zoos Victoria (2009) Zoos Victoria Strategic Plan 200-2029: making the transformation to a zoo-basedconservation organisation. Zoos Victoria, Parkville.Zoos Victoria (2010) Zoos Victoria Animal Welfare Code. Zoos Victoria, Parkville.35

APPENDICES1. Summary of international conservation program outcomes to 2015Tenkile Conservation ProgramAs the major partner with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance, Zoos Victoria provides core program funding,research and general program management advice, advocacy, administration support, and placement ofZoos Victoria staff, and acts as a point of contact for other organisations (nationally and globally). Thisconservation program is recognised as the most effective wildlife conservation program in Papua NewGuinea and a model for community-based conservation in a developing tropical country.Key outcomes by 2015 are:• 100,000ha in the Torricelli Mountains secured as a Conservation Area managed by localcommunities• A further 100,000ha covered by community-based forest protection schemes linked to the ReducedEmissions from Deforestation and Forest Destruction (REDD) scheme• Program management responsibility sitting with local managers and supported by external advisers• Key wildlife species secured (focussing on two tree-kangaroo species, but many other species willbenefit)• The biodiversity of the Torricelli Mountains understood and documented through integrated fieldstudiesCardamom Mountains Sanctuaries ProgramZoos Victoria’s primary role in this program is major funder of the Cardamom Mountains Research Group(CMRG), which is the key operational unit for documenting and protecting the 330,000ha Phnom SamkosWildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is at the heart of the two million hectare Cardamom Mountains, which isthe largest single area of original forest left on mainland South-east Asia and hence is of global significance.The area was once a centre of operations for the Khmer Rouge and so its biodiversity has largely beenundiscovered. With the end of the Khmer Rouge, the area has been opened up and so it has come underincreasing pressure from development.Key outcomes by 2015 are:• Biodiversity of the Phnom Samkos Sanctuary fully documented• Effective and sustainable protection for the Phnom Samkos Sanctuary• Priority threatened species protected, e.g. Asian Elephant and Gaur• Strong partnerships with government and communities, that counter poor governance and preventdamaging development projects• Strengthened project management and publication capacity of the Cardamom Mountains ResearchGroup36

Philippine Crocodile Recovery ProgramZoos Victoria has actively supported conservation of the Philippine Crocodile (the world’s most threatenedspecies of crocodile) since 1994 and has three primary roles:1. Partnering the Mabuwaya Foundation in securing one of only two viable populations of PhilippineCrocodile (in north-east Luzon Island), including as a flagship for freshwater wetland conservation2. As International Coordinator on the Philippine Crocodile National Recovery Team, buildinginternational support for in situ actions3. Working with the Philippine Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau to strengthen the effectiveness of theNational Recovery TeamSince 2008, the conservation program has expanded to integrate with protection of the 350,000ha NorthernSierra Madre Natural Park, the Philippines’ largest and most biodiverse protected area.Key outcomes by 2015 are:• Reestablishment of the Philippine Crocodile across its previous range in northern Luzon Island• Improved management of freshwater wetlands across north-east Luzon• Effective management and protection of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park• Improved conservation management of the Philippine Crocodile across its range throughout thePhilippines• Sustainable long-term funding in place for the Mabuwaya Foundation.Kinabatangan Conservation ProgramZoos Victoria is partnering Hutan, a French non-government organisation, to protect 200,000ha of the LowerKinabatangan River floodplain in the Malaysian state of Sabah. The conservation program is more farreachingbecause of Hutan’s very strong partnership with the Sabah Wildlife Department, which enables it toinfluence wildlife conservation and habitat protection across all of Sabah. This is one of Zoos Victoria’snewest conservation partnerships, commencing in early 2010 with support for wildlife surveys of key species(such as Bornean Orang-utans) and strengthening local capacity for video recording and production andwebsite development. Moving forward, Zoos Victoria will be a major partner in a new wildlife monitoringprogram that will establish sound understanding of the status and importance of habitat patches and wildlifepopulations across the broader landscape. This will strengthen long-term ecosystem management of theKinabatangan wetlands.Key outcomes by 2015 are:• Orang-utan population in Sabah known and fully protected (this includes protection mechanismssigned by Sabah Government)• Habitat corridors established to link forest fragments and support expansion of wildlife populations• Illegal logging and poaching controlled by community wardens• Crop raiding by elephants measurably reduced• Local management capacity strengthened• Indigenous communities empowered to sustainably manage natural resources• Bornean Elephant population ecology known and documented• Holistic survey project in place to understand biodiversity of the entire floodplain, rather thanconcentrating on particular species.37

Melako Community ConservancyZoos Victoria’s partner for this program is the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), which is an umbrellaorganisation facilitating the establishment and development of community conservancies across more than500,000ha of dry savannah country in northern Kenya. The priority wildlife species is Grevy’s Zebra, which isrecognised as the most threatened zebra species. Zoos Victoria’s support is focused on the MelakoCommunity Conservancy, where our priorities are providing funds and material for the wildlife scouts, andassessing conservation education needs across the entire community. We also work closely with NRTTrading to grow a trade campaign that increases local business and production skills for bead products,generates funds for the Melako communities and Zoos Victoria, raises awareness of the conservationprogram and Zoos Victoria’s participation, and acts as a vehicle to decrease community reliance onlivestock.Key outcomes by 2015 are• Melako Community Conservancy expanded from 45,000ha to over 90,000ha• Grevy’s Zebra population secured• Melako community engaged in conservation education• Wildlife scout teams effectively protecting wildlife and preventing poaching• Bead trade campaign employing 300 women• Native pasture managed to sustain both wildlife and livestock.Community conservation in the Democratic Republic of CongoThis is the second of Zoos Victoria’s new international conservation partnerships. This partnership builds ona previous partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute which originated with Melbourne Zoo’s They’re CallingOn You mobile phone recycling campaign. The program is located in the east of the Democratic Republic ofCongo and the long-term goal is to establish ten community reserves which will act as habitat corridorsbetween the Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks – protecting a total of 1.5 million hectares. This areaencompasses more than 90% of the remaining range of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla (the program’s priorityspecies). Many other species, including the Chimpanzee and Okapi, will also benefit from the reserves. ZoosVictoria is funding conservation education programs, water sanitation and eco-guards working to protectwildlife in these reserves.Key outcomes by 2015 are:• Four community reserves established• Measurable decrease in the level of wildlife poaching• Effective community structures in place to manage the reserves• Conservation education program delivered in areas adjacent to the created reserves• Reliable supply of clean water for ten villages, and associated reduction in preventable diseases• Increase in the numbers of Eastern Lowland GorillasIn addition to these outcomes, Zoos Victoria will have annual staff presence at each program, the programswill increasingly align with other Zoos Victoria functional areas (animal collection, communications, retail,education, research, advocacy, etc.), and have strong on-site and on-line profiles.38

2. Conservation in a zoo-based conservation organisationAs a zoo-based conservation organisation, Zoos Victoria has made a strategic decision to focusconservation efforts on two fronts – Wildlife Conservation and Community Conservation - by specializing inthe following:Wildlife Conservation:• Working to conserve threatened species• Supporting direct conservation activities that have tangible conservation benefitsCommunity Conservation:• Supporting conservation and environmental sustainability by engaging with and influencing thebehaviour of our visitors, community and stakeholders• Advocating for wild places and wildlifeZoos Victoria aims to strengthen our conservation efforts to ensure the delivery of tangible conservationoutcomes. Our primary goal is to maximise our contribution to biodiversity conservation, i.e. to providinglong-term security for populations, species and communities in functional ecosystems and natural habitats.Community conservationCommunity Conservation is a term given to conservation efforts driven by community action. Zoos Victoriaaims to facilitate and influence community actions through the careful design of zoo interfaces such asexhibits, visitor experiences and learning programs.Zoos Victoria’s Community Conservation Plan recognises that threatening processes are largely driven byhuman behaviour and that, in order mitigate the impact of these threatening processes on biodiversity, weneed to change the underlying human behaviours driving these threatening processes. To do this effectively,Zoos Victoria has developed frameworks to guide the design, implementation and communication of ourCommunity Conservation initiatives.Connect-Understand-Act modelThe Connect-Understand-Act model (below) is to be used to guide the work of Zoos Victoria across allcommunity interfaces to ensure we effectively target attitudes, knowledge and behaviours sensitive toconservation needs.The model draws upon the strengths of three disciplines - Conservation Science, Education and SocialScience, to determine the threatening processes that our visitors can alleviate, and how best to utiliseengaging and fun tactics to achieve community conservation outcomes.1.Select threatening3.processIdentify targetaudience2.Identify ambassadorspeciesIdentify connectionConfirm enduring6.opportunity5.understanding4.(CONNECT)(UNDERSTAND)Select targetbehaviour(ACT)7. Select appropriate tools 7. Select appropriate tools 7. Select appropriate tools39

Process:Step 1. Select Threatening Process – determine which threatening process you wish to help alleviate. ZoosVictoria recognises five key threatening processes as requiring mitigation to conserve species: habitat loss,introduced species, pollution, climate change and disease.Step 2. Identify ambassador species – use the Zoos Victoria Species Selection and Assessment Tool toselect a suitable ambassador species that will engage visitors with the selected threatening process. Alwaysaim to choose ambassador species that scores the highest possible value on the Values axis of the Tool.Step 3. Identify a target audience – ensure that zoo visitors and the broader community can influence thisthreatening process with the help of the zoo.Step 4. Select target behaviour - identify one behaviour (or ‘action’) that you would like the zoo to influenceto help alleviate the threatening process (and therefore make a difference) though collective communityaction.Step 5. Confirm enduring understanding - identify an understanding that compliments your target behaviour(action). This is often an ecological understanding that provides context for why it is important to take aspecific action for wildlife. For example, using recycled toilet paper helps save trees, which benefits wildlifeand the environment.Step 6. Identify connection opportunity - zoos have enormous potential to ignite emotional connectionsbetween people and wildlife. Consider ways in which visitors can get the opportunity to ‘connect’ with yourselected ambassador species. Precinct design, exhibit design and program design all play a critical role inensuring visitors have the best opportunity to experience powerful connections with the species and animalsinvolved. Best-practice exhibit and interpretive design principles need to be used to maximise thisopportunity. This should include starting planning for a new exhibit with the conservation story rather than thespecies.Step 7. Select appropriate Connect-Understand-Act tools - use the Connect-Understand-Act toolkit anddecide which tools within each phase will best enable the zoo experience to influence attitudes, knowledgeand behaviours (see below)Step 8. Determine Measure – determine whether measurements can be put in place to help the zoo assessthe impact of the community conservation initiative.Connect-Understand-Act toolkitZoos Victoria has developed a Connect-Understand-Act toolkit that is used to help develop a visitorexperience designed to ignite emotional connections, facilitate enduring understandings and inspire action.TOOLSTactileClose encounterObservationCONNECT UNDERSTAND ACTTell a story (includescharacterising animals)Get personalUnique insight (includesdiscovery, unexpected,surprise)Role Play/DramaObservationAnalogyProvoke ThoughtTell a story (includesAnecdotes)PropsBe Relevant - Location,Location, LocationRole PlayGet Active/Interactive (includesGames)Questions – closed, open &rhetoricalRemove BarriersIncentiveEco-badgingLikeness/Social NormsCommitmentPromptsPersuasive languageConvenienceWalk the TalkJoin others (link)FeedbackAccess expertsSalience*Targeted Behaviour, TangibleActionFun – ‘ham it up’ humour or performance, ‘Dr Doolittle’ talk to your animal, fun facts, rhymesEngage all senses Layered Themes40

3. Current and planned research projects in relation to priority research themeSee Focus Area 3. Projects shaded in grey are driven by Zoos Victoria.Theme Program Individual project StatusCurrent (C) orPlanned (P)ExpectedcompletiondateCollaborating organisationThreatened speciescaptive breeding andreintroductionHelmeted HoneyeaterHelmeted Honeyeater reintroduction and geneticmanagement of captive and wild populationsC 2013 DSE; Monash University (Hons student– co-supervised by WCS); Parks VicEvaluating the potential use of Passive IntegratedTransponder tags in the endangered HelmetedHoneyeaterC 2011Investigating the processes threatening the survival ofthe critically endangered Helmeted HoneyeaterC 2013 Monash University - PhD student (BecRose) co-supervised by WCS); DSEAnalysis of survival and reproductive success of captiveversus wild reared helmeted honey-eatersC 2011 DSEOrange-bellied parrotDetermining the cause of egg development failure incaptive Orange-bellied ParrotsC 2012 University of Sheffield, UK(collaboration with Postdoc)Effects of nest-box characteristics on box use andreproductive success in wild Orange-bellied ParrotsC 2011 DPIPWETasmanian DevilAnalysis of factors governing captive breeding success inthe Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)C 2011 Taronga Western Plains ZooAnalysis of behaviour in captive Tasmanian Devils: arethere practical indicators for improved captive breedingmanagement?C 2011 Taronga Western Plains ZooDoes a ‘wild’ feeding regime promote health, naturalbehaviours and reproductive success in captiveTasmanian Devils?C 2011 Deakin University (Hons student – cosupervisedby WCS)Effects of group size and composition on the behaviourand welfare of Tasmanian Devils in free range enclosuresP 2013Mountain PygmypossumDietary effects on reproduction in the Mountain PygmypossumC 201141

Theme Program Individual project StatusCurrent (C) orPlanned (P)ExpectedcompletiondateCollaborating organisationMonitoring subnivean temperatures at Mt Buller toinform captive breeding and reintroduction of theMountain Pygmy-possumC 2012 Alpine Resort Management BoardMate choice effects on productivity in captive of theMountain Pygmy-possumC 2012Using induced ovulation to improve breeding success inthe Mountain Pygmy-possumP 2012 University of MelbourneEastern BarredBandicootMonitoring introduction of Eastern Barred Bandicoots toFrench Island (includes captive radio-collar trials)C University of Melbourne (MSc student –co-supervised by WCS)Development of genetic markers for genotyping ofEastern Barred BandicootsC University of MelbourneEffect of mate choice on captive breeding andreintroduction success in Eastern Barred BandicootsP 2015 University of MelbourneLord Howe Island StickInsectReproduction and population genetics in the criticallyendangered Lord Howe Island Stick InsectC 2012 University of MelbourneSpotted tree frogOviposition site preference and reproductive success incaptive Spotted Tree FrogsC 2011 University of Melbourne – MSc studentco-supervised by WCSEffect of mate choice on oviposition and reproductivesuccess in Spotted Tree FrogP 2012GeneralBehavioural and fitness consequences of captivity in amammal model: third generation effectsC 2012 University of MelbourneExternally fundedBiodiversity evaluationand threat mitigationTropical forestbiodiversityconservationResource use of Asian Elephants in Borneo; impacts ofpalm oil plantationsC 2012 Wellington University, NZ (PhDstudent); Hutan, Sabah MalaysiaBiodiversity of theCoranderrk BushlandReserveBiodiversity surveys of terrestrial mammals in theCoranderrk Bushland ReserveC 2011Forests are life: effectsof disturbanceprocesses to Victorianforest wildlifeAssessing the influence of natural and prescribed fire onsmall vertebrate and bird communitiesAssessing the influence of forest management on reptilecommunitiesC 2012 University of MelbourneC 2010 University of Melbourne42

Theme Program Individual project StatusCurrent (C) orPlanned (P)ExpectedcompletiondateCollaborating organisationAssessing the genetic consequences of disturbanceprocesses on a forest lizardAssessing the genetic consequences of predatormanagement for the lace monitorAssessing the influence of multiple disturbanceprocesses on arboreal mammalsC 2010 University of MelbourneC 2010 University of MelbourneC 2011 University of SydneyUnderstanding threatsto the Komodo dragonsIdentifying and understanding the influence ofthreatening processes on Komodo dragonsAssessing methods to determine the relationshipbetween Komodo dragon density and their ungulatepreyC 2015 University of Melbourne; KomodoSurvival Program, ARI, University ofFlorence, AZA and EZA.C 2011 University of Melbourne; KomodoSurvival Program, ARI, University ofFlorence, AZA and EZA.Other Population monitoring of Leadbeater’s Possums post-fire C 2011 Deakin University; Parks VicInvestigation of contrasting demographic impacts ofinvasive fish and emergent disease on the Spotted TreeFrogBehaviour and ecology of the tawny frogmouth in anurban landscapeC 2015 University of Melbourne (PhD student –Matt West)C 2012 Deakin UniReproductivemanagementInvestigating the use of saliva 'ferning' patterns to detectthe time of ovulation in Sumatran Orang-utans andWestern Lowland Gorillas at Melbourne ZooInvestigation of the composition of the milk of twofemale Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in the firsttwo years of lactationC 2011C 2012Hormonal control of reproduction in male lions C 2011Assisted reproduction in amphibians P 2014 Monash UniversityAnimal health andwellbeingWildlife medicineChemical restraint of selected snake and lizard specieswith alfaxaloneC 201243

Theme Program Individual project StatusCurrent (C) orPlanned (P)ExpectedcompletiondateCollaborating organisationUse of intravenous and intramuscular alfaxalone toanaesthetise cheloniansInvestigation into the effects that toltrazuril andponazuril have on coccidial oocyst shedding in handraisedcommon wombats (Vombatus ursinus)C 2011C 2011Collection wellbeingEnhancing the welfare of captive Platypus - quantitativeanalysis of handling tolerances and the benefits ofenrichment programsC 2013Effects of zoo visitors on collection animals C 2014 University of Melbourne – PhD student(Sally Sherwen) co-supervised by WCSBehavioural changes in captive Western LowlandGorillas after relocation from MZ to WORZBehavioural changes among individual baboons aftertranslocation to new exhibitC 2011C 2011 University of Gothenburg –Undergraduate Student co-supervisedby WCSWildlife diseaseDisease surveillance and epidemiological investigationsof Australian fur sealsExamination of the prevalence of chlamydia in koalapopulationsInvestigation into the prevalence of Macropod herpesvirus in VictoriaInteraction between micro-habitat selection and chytridfungal infection in two sympatric species of tree frogC 2011 Deakin University, Philip Island NatureReserve (PhD of Michael Lynch – MZvet)C 2011 MZ Vet in conjunction with Universityof MelbourneC HS Vet in conjunction with University ofMelbourneP 2012 Deakin University (Honours Studentproject);Wildlife rehabilitationand managementRehabilitation ResearchPost-release survivorship of rehabilitated Greater gliders(Petauroides volans)Post-release survivorship of rehabilitated Lace Monitors(Varanus varius)Effect of duration in captivity on reintroduction successof rehabilitated brushtail possumsC 2012C 2012P 2013 University of Melbourne/Deakin UniFertility control Humane control of possums in public parks P 2017 University of Melbourne; ARC linkagesubmitted.44

Theme Program Individual project StatusCurrent (C) orPlanned (P)ExpectedcompletiondateCollaborating organisationVisitor experience andcommunityconservationCommunicatingcommunityconservationWhat works best? Comparing the effectiveness ofcommunication to influence pro-wildlife behaviourC 2012What should zoos ask visitors to do to help wildlife? C 2012Co-creation in the heritage sector: a multi-stakeholderperspectiveWildlife in the service-scape: customer satisfaction andpersonal impactsC 2011 University of MelbourneC 2011 University of Melbourne45