Final Report - Asian Development Bank

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TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 7
157. Initially the wetland area will be established and allowed to establish before the center and
bird facilities are constructed in a phased approach after the completion of the current Project. This will
ensure the system is working and the water quality and quantity is good at the time of construction.
Crested ibis will be held in standard breeding facilities and in a large aviary in the main center in
Louguantai.
158. The key to the success of the project is the large free-flight aviary. This has been reduced in
area from the original concept but it will still be a major element of the center, perhaps covering up to
1.5 ha. Information must be gathered from other projects using such aviaries to ensure the best
materials and design approach are incorporated. Visits to one or two models will be required plus
visits to the ibis centers at Yangxian and Ningshan.
159. Because of the risk from avian influenza which could be brought into the aviaries by visitors it
is recommended that an alternative route for visitors is designed to enable them to view the ibis
without entering the aviary.
160. Other species to be exhibited in the center need to be identified early in the design process
and the scale and requirements for the visitor center must be clarified, meeting the level of visitor
numbers anticipated.
161. As the center will be reliant on water a study has to be carried out very early to ensure there
will be a reliable source of water for the center in the future. Management systems for this water have
to be considered both for the quantity and quality. The use of grey water can be explored.
162. The development area is raised above the river which may be unstable once the area is
flooded or the ground may not be able to support the superstructure for the net. This needs
geotechnical investigation early in the design process and action taken to find a solution within the
designs. The planting scheme and program for the wetland area is as important as the animals that
will be featured. It is the planting and other landscape features that will set the scene for the ibis and
attract wild species to the site.
163.
164. The current proposals raise the following issues that need to addressed during the detailed
design:
� Water availability and the impact of the center for the communities
� Water quality
� Water quantity required
� Is it possible to source the best materials for the construction?
� Maintenance of the aviary as well as the water-based buildings – funding and
expertise
� The acquisition of food for the ibis in the long term
� Satisfactory management of the ibis in the flight area
� The over-production of ibis and the financial impact of holding too many birds
� Maintaining good data on the breeding program on SPARKS
� The impact of the presence of other wildlife in the flight area
� Biosecurity issues from wild birds and visitors
165. The following actions are recommended:
� A full survey of the site is needed to ensure it is suitable for the plans
� A risk assessment should be undertaken for avian influenza or other diseases that
might be an issue
� A conservation action plan for crested ibis needs to be prepared identifying the role of
the new center in collaboration with the IUCN SSC SIS Specialist Group
� Center staff to work in Yangxian to develop management techniques for large aviaries
� Husbandry guidelines for crested ibis at the new center need to be developed
� Liaise with other ibis centers to analyze all breeding data (on PM2000) and make
future breeding recommendations