Application summary

Application number: ERMA200448 Application type: Non-Notified, Non-GM Import, Containment Applicant contact: Lorne Roberts Applicant: Keystone Wildlife Conservancy RD 4 Barr Road Warkworth Purpose: To import Lemur, Cotton- top , Tapir, , Greater Flamingo, , and into containment for the purpose of conservation through advocacy, education and research Date formally received: 30 August 2010

Application summary prepared by Keystone Wildlife Conservancy

The Keystone Trust was set up in 1997 and has objectives in both the art and natural history arenas. The Keystone Trust formed the Keystone Wildlife Conservancy (KWC) as a specialized subsidiary division in October 2005. The Conservancy has been established to manage a range of non-domestic species, inclusive of present stock, and any future acquisitions. In December 2006, the KWC was approved as a containment facility under MAF Standard 154.03.04 and was approved by ERMA to import into containment and ,. Three Rothschild giraffe are now in residence at Keystone imported from Orana Park (Christchurch) in December 2007 and 2008. Two zebra were also imported into containment from Auckland Zoo in 2008. Also, Keystone secured Zoo Aquarium Association full institutional membership in 2009.

It is the intention of the KWC to now procure further exotic species to fulfil the remit of the Conservancy. The KWC recognizes that in doing so, they potentially become a valuable resource for New Zealand and Australasian Zoo industry and therefore wish to further establish a working relationship that may benefit all parties.

KWC now wishes to transfer Lemur (Ring-tailed and Black and White Ruffed), Cotton- top Tamarin, Tapir (Brazilian), Red Panda, Greater Flamingo, antelopes and Meerkat into their containment facility from within New Zealand.

In the immediate future it is envisaged there will be an enormously beneficial effect on the ex- situ programmes across New Zealand facilities through the freeing up of valuable space for further breeding of the species. In addition the advocacy/education value of the facility through collaboration with tertiary organisations and exposure to invited public is potentially substantial. It is hoped that the advocacy process would be extended to benefit the New Zealand environment. Moreover funds generated from such visits may be distributed for the wider conservation needs.

In the longer term these animals may be a valuable genetic source for future breeding or worst case scenario as a distinct population for preservation. In addition it is hoped that research projects maybe generated utilising these animals, eg, AI techniques, enrichment techniques, training and conditioning and behaviour research.

Risks to the environment and the public are negligible given the purpose built MAF approved containment facility, the husbandry practices in place, the trained keeping staff employed and the actual species to be acquired. It is clear that the benefits significantly outweigh the risks in this case.