Final Report - Asian Development Bank

TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 7
� Develop training plan for key senior staff at the rescue center
� Develop a protocol for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals
� Develop a research program for the center
189. This project will provide an excellent opportunity for SARC to develop a facility of
international standards in the veterinary care of wildlife which will also support the important work of
the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals. Knowledge and information gained through formal and
informal research undertaken at the center will be invaluable in developing techniques and skills in the
husbandry of the endangered and other species at the center. With the addition of the experiences
working with critically endangered species in the satellite centers, SARC will become one of the
leading organizations in this field of wildlife conservation.
190. The rescue center also has the potential to become a training center for wildlife vets and
other professionals in the skills needed to rescue, capture and manage wild animals for conservation.
191. Animal Exposition and Display Area: The senior management team at SARC recognizes the
need to bring the center up to international standards and it is through this element of the program that
this will be achieved. The center will become the major attraction for Chinese wildlife with the giant
panda as the flagship species, however the many other species that will be on display at the center
will add significant value to the site. Visitors will be able to observe Qinling Mountain species in natural
habitats as examples of the tremendous biodiversity of this beautiful area. Most of the animals
exhibited will have been rescued but in the future there will be some new species brought into the
center as part of a conservation program that require ex-situ breeding or research on aspects of their
biology.
192. Ultimately all the animal and support facilities will either be replaced or upgraded over a
relatively short period to ensure international standards for animal housing are achieved as quickly as
possible. For all species improvements will be made, where required, in the husbandry and care of
those species which will also be to international standards. Some of these objectives will be achieved
by developing the skills within the staff but for some species major improvements will be necessary in
both the facilities and the husbandry.
193. Although satellite centers will be constructed for giant pandas and crested ibis, these species
will also be displayed in the center because of their popularity and to inform visitors of the specialist
centers in operation. Visitors will have access to the golden monkeys and takin exhibits from the
center.
194. Landscaping and planting will be a key element of the site development providing a pleasant
and relaxing environment for visitors with the benefit also to staff and the animals.
195. The senior SARC staff will develop an institutional collection plan that will identify all the
species to be kept long term at the center. This plan will then drive the master planning process and
then the detailed design. Other major buildings and support facilities (Education Center, Rescue
Center, administration, etc) will be then be incorporated into the master plan.
196. Husbandry guidelines produced by center staff will identify the key elements required for
each species which will assist the design team in the process of formulating the master plan and
placing the species in the best locations. Consideration will be given to the movement of visitors
around the site and service access to all buildings.
197. It may be necessary to consider organized tour groups as well as standard day visitors within
the master plan as groups may have a different requirement for and use of the site due to time
constraints. Clustering the key species closer to the visitor center and developing a guided tour
program may be worth considering.
198. Within the planning process it is necessary to include the construction of the satellite areas
where necessary (giant pandas) as this may influence the timing of the work and the capacity needed
for that species on the site in the short and long term.
199. The following issues are identified:
� This is a large task, are funds sufficient to achieve the aims
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