QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIA

SPRINGZ 2020 oo quariAISSUE 108

A NOBLE CAUSE SAVING THE DANISH NOBLE CHAFER

WHICH FISH? CAMPAIGNING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC 1 BUILDING A FOOD FOREST BEHIND THE SCENES AT A NEW PRIMATE EXHIBIT Elegant enclosures with Webnet

The robust wire rope net Webnet enables the realisation of the typically delicate and customized solutions. Jakob Rope Systems supplies both materials and know-how to create functional yet architecturally sophisticated animal enclosures. jakob.com Contents Zooquaria Spring 2020

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4 From the Director’s chair 18 Shifting the population How Covid-19 has affected the EAZA community management paradigm Some insights into the effectiveness of the new 5 From our Chairman RCP process A message of support for EAZA Members 20 A plan for the cinereous vulture 6 Noticeboard An update on the Cinereous vulture EEP Decisions from the latest EAZA Council Meeting 22 Planning for a revolution 7 Just keep swimming How CPSG Europe is ramping up its efforts for An update on our new Which Fish? campaign species conservation

8 Births & hatchings 24 Saving the Danish noble chafer The latest success stories from EAZA zoos Reporting on a new conservation project at Copenhagen Zoo 10 Let’s help nature become part of the solution 26 Taking action for Indonesia Zooquaria talks to Luc Bas, Director of IUCN How threatened ungulates benefited from the first European Regional Office ever Action Indonesia Day

12 A bright future for songbirds 27 Flexible funding for a brighter The Silent Forest campaign has reached its end, but future the work to save Asia's songbirds will continue How the LIFE fund is offering a new flexibility for these extraordinary times 14 Adapt and survive How two EAZA Members coped with the challenges 28 A walk in the food forest of conservation education during the Covid-19 crisis Behind the scenes at Apenheul’s primate exhibit

17 Helping vets to help wildlife 30 Contributions to conservation Introducing a new handbook from the EAZWV The latest data from the EAZA Conservation Database Zooquaria

EDITORIAL BOARD: EAZA Executive Office, PO Box 20164, 1000 HD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Executive Director Myfanwy Griffith ([email protected]) Email: [email protected] ISSN 2210-3392 . Managing Editor David Williams-Mitchell ([email protected]) For information on print subscriptions to Zooquaria visit: Editor Joanna Swinnerton http://www.eaza.net/about-us/communications Editorial Staff Katharina Herrmann, William van Lint, Lauren Florisson The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of EAZA. Designer Louise Tait The paper used for printing is FSC quality (sustainable). Organic inks are used. Zooquaria is the quarterly magazine of the Plates for printing are free of chemicals. All waste is disposed of in an environmentally European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). friendly manner. Printed by Euro Mail BV. 3 FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

As I sit down – at home rather than in the office – to write acknowledged that the European Union and Member States this, it is difficult to know quite where to start. The Covid-19 have failed to deliver on many aspects of the EU Biodiversity crisis has changed the world so much and will have long- Strategy to 2020. Things need to change to ensure this does lasting impacts on how everyone lives and works. It is hard not happen again. EAZA welcomes the recently published to believe that at the start of the year we were excited about EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 as an ambitious plan for 2020 being the year that biodiversity would capture the protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems attention of the world and help push humanity to change in Europe and beyond. Nevertheless, the Member States and course. Within a few months, biodiversity had indeed their partners will need to work hard to fulfil these ambitions. captured the attention of the world, brutally and inescapably, With two-thirds of EAZA Members based in the European but we do not yet know if the crisis will make humanity Union, we stand ready to play our part. We have released reconsider its direction. a Position Statement whereby we respond to the points in One thing that is constant though, is the absolute the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 that are most relevant commitment of our community to care for our animals and to to progressive zoos and aquariums, make recommendations work together to support each other. At the peak of the crisis, for the implementation of the Strategy and for the global 96% of EAZA Member zoos and aquariums were closed; negotiations, and outline areas in which the EAZA for many this was the longest time they had been closed in community can provide its expertise. The EAZA Executive their history. The amount of pressure and uncertainty this Office staff will be using this Position Statement in a variety has caused and is still causing our Members is immense, of lobbying efforts, and I encourage all our Members to do the but we should take great pride in how progressive zoos and same. In this way we will have a strong and united call for our aquariums reacted. We saw staff rapidly adapting to new involvement and the ability to demonstrate the important working conditions, switching to innovative and engaging roles that progressive zoos and aquariums play in biodiversity online activities to keep people connected with animals and conservation. our work. Our community shared best practice examples Speaking of strategies, you may be wondering where the for animal care, health and safety, and operations and current crisis leaves plans for developing our own EAZA engagement, comparing the experiences of institutions in the Strategy 2021–2025. Our Committees and Working Groups same and different countries across our region. We’ve seen have remained dedicated to looking ahead with ambition and Members lending their influence and resources to reinforce realism to what our future directions will be. Their action collective actions to lobby for our needs. And from another plans will be integrated into our overarching strategy due angle, we have seen a huge outpouring of support from for roll-out from 2021. It is clear that our newly approved people, vocally, financially and via actions such as petitions, vision statement – ‘Progressive zoos and aquariums saving demonstrating that progressive zoos and aquariums play a species together with you’ – remains a valid statement of our much-appreciated and vital role in our societies and in the intent and the future world we envisage as we emerge from conservation of nature. this crisis. I look forward to working with you on making it a Our zoos and aquariums are now more important than reality. ever. No one else has such an ability to educate and act on the importance of maintaining species, ecosystems and the fragile links between animal health, human health and planetary health. Many of our opportunities to demonstrate these abilities this year have needed to be postponed or re- imagined. The sad decision was made to cancel our face-to Myfanwy Griffith face Conservation Forum and Annual Conference; however, Executive Director, EAZA we will be providing virtual offerings to share our experiences and continue to lead on conservation. The IUCN World Conservation Congress and the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have both been postponed, but we remain committed to providing our input into these key conservation meetings to help achieve lasting and effective outcomes. An additional area of conservation work to which we will 4 contribute this year is the EU Biodiversity Strategy. It is sadly FROM OUR CHAIRMAN THOMAS KAUFFELS

Associations for their extraordinary quarantine restrictions to be lifted Dear colleagues, efforts and for demonstrating the role responsibly for zoos and aquariums, and that zoos and aquariums play in their tuning in to the countless educational There is no need for me to remark on communities and beyond. We must and other activities you have designed the seriousness of the challenge we ensure that we remain in view for our for them. People have shown that have faced over the last few months democratic representatives and that support for zoos and aquariums, with the Covid-19 pandemic, and that view is an accurate one – and especially those accredited by EAZA which we will continue to face for we must use the attention to pressure and the National Associations, is months or years to come. Many zoos governments to do more to protect widespread and mainstream. Let us and aquariums are now open and species. therefore never forget to earn that there seems to be light at the end of We have proven that our love, respect and support by doing the tunnel. Unfortunately, this might Association can function under some everything we can to connect people be too late for some of our Members, tough circumstances. We may have with nature, involve them in species and indeed, like all of you, I felt an had to cancel all of our events from conservation and tell them about the immense sadness to hear of the closure March onwards, but Members have extraordinary lives of the animals that of Living Coasts in the UK, a respected been meeting, talking and sharing we can work together to save. And in and popular Member of EAZA and a knowledge by all the means that are conservation terms, let’s make sure that strong actor for coastal conservation in available. We have held and will hold we are able to prove our contribution the area. informative and useful meetings that and justify that support – I therefore It is tempting to look at what has have the potential to reach more ask that every one of you enter as happened, and what will happen, people from inside and outside our much data as possible into the EAZA and be downhearted. Undoubtedly, community than ever before and get Conservation Database. the financial pressure on zoos and them discussing the ways in which zoos Colleagues, friends, I salute your aquariums and the uncertainty facing and aquariums can be most effective resilience, your imagination, your in situ projects is worrying for the future for nature. This dialogue is priceless, cooperation and most of all your of the natural world, as well as for in that it can help to involve many commitment. Let’s continue to work everyone who loves it and wants to see more people in our collaborations – to together to do our part to ensure that it protected. But instead of despair, I put more shoulders to the wheel – and nature is protected and a crisis such as would like to ask every Member to look to let us hear a more diverse range of this does not happen again; and as we at the commitment and appreciation opinions that could help us to save design a strategy for the next part of that has been shown during this crisis species over the long run. Let’s not lose our future, I ask you to keep in mind and be glad that our planet has such this openness. our vision statement: ‘Progressive zoos allies. Finally, we have seen the love that and aquariums saving species together National Associations have brought the people of our communities have with you’. zoos and aquariums right to the heart for our institutions. It is humbling of policy agendas across Europe. On to see the committed activism of our Thomas Kauffels behalf of every Member, I thank the supporters in raising funds, calling for Chair, EAZA 5 NOTICEBOARD

CANCELLATIONS EAZA CORPORATE MEMBERS Due to the Covid-19 crisis, all EAZA events and meetings have been cancelled until AB Aqua Medic GmbH September at the earliest. The Executive Office will continually review the Aqua-Sander government guidance on disease control, and decisions about other meetings Aqua-Teknik A/S during the year will be addressed on an individual basis. Arie Blok Animal Nutrition Beresford SAS Due to these cancellations, a number of online activities have been taking place, Billings Productions, Inc including webinars on welfare (to replace the Animal Welfare Forum) which can be BioZoo Information found at the EAZA YouTube page: Brogaarden ApS https://www.youtube.com/user/EAZAvideo Bureau d'Etudes AKONGO Bureau d'Etudes Bioparc Details of the Annual Conference programme (online) will be distributed as soon Carl Stahl Architecture as possible. China Light Festival BV Close to Bone Crossborder Animal Services BV EAZA COUNCIL WITHDRAWING MEMBERS Dino Don Inc. With Directors’ Days cancelled, the spring • Stichting 'De Harpij', the Netherlands Dorset Identification BV meeting of the EAZA Council took place (Associate Member – Zoo staff EKIPA Fachjan online on 22 April. The following organisation) Fox Consulting decisions were made regarding approval • Zoo de Pont-Scorff, France Gantner Ticketing of recommendations for institutions in Granovit the EAZA application procedure. CORPORATE MEMBERS HMJ Design New Corporate Members IFA SKYFAST NEW APPLICANTS • Dinodon, USA Immotion Jakob Rope Systems Temporary Membership (2 years) • BLV Licht und Vakuumtechnik GmbH, KaGo & Hammerschmidt GmbH awarded to: Germany Kiezebrink International • Peak Wildlife Park, UK • Aqua-Sander, Germany Marine Nutrition • Río Safari Elche, Spain • Jakob Rope Systems, Switzerland Mazuri • Slottsskogens Djurpark, Sweden Withdrawing Corporate Members Nautilus Full Membership awarded to: • PGAV Architects Nieuwkoop Pangea Rocks • Orsa Rovdjurspark, Sweden • Lionhouse Architects Ralf Nature • AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, Rasbach Architeken Switzerland FURTHER DECISIONS OF COUNCIL Ravensden Plc New Candidates for Membership: The EAZA Membership and Ray Hole Architects • Krasnoyarsk Park of Flora and Fauna Accreditation Manual and Pathways of Saint Laurent S.A. Sanero Kunstfelsen "Roev Ruchey", Russia Communication protocols for Seafoodia • Gan-Garoo Australian Park, Israel relationships between EAZA and TVK Zoodesign • Negev Zoo, Israel National Associations regarding Zoological Adviser • Rostov-on-Don Zoo, Russia complaints of joint members were Zoologistics approved. Zoopoli MAINTAIN FULL MEMBERSHIP AND Zooprofis ACCREDITATION DECISIONS FROM THE AGM • La Vallee des Singes, France The 2019 accounts were presented. The COVID-19 RESPONSE • Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny (Chorzow), 2020 and 2021 budgets were revised DOCUMENTS Poland and discussed with the key aims of: During the crisis, the Executive Office • Reserve Africaine de Sigean, France • being considerate to Members published a number of documents • Alpenzoo Innsbruck, Austria during the crisis and offering including guidance on animal • Artis Zoo, the Netherlands maximum flexibility; management, comparisons of • Blackpool Zoo, UK • supporting as many Members as situations and government responses • Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Netherlands possible to stay with EAZA long-term; across all countries in our region, • Parco Faunistico 'La Torbiera', Italy and reopening guidance and • Musée d'Histoire Naturelle et Vivarium • maintaining the key strategic communications guidance for de Tournai, Belgium directions of the Association with reopening. • Edinburgh Zoo, UK minimum negative impact on core Additionally, a collaboration with • Paradise Wildlife Park, UK activities. EAZWV provided guidance on the • Miejski Ogród Zoologiczny (Zoo A number of financial measures were transmissibility of the disease between Płock), Poland agreed to help Members with animals and humans in both • Gdański Ogród Zoologiczny, Poland membership fees. If your institution directions. If you need these • Réserve d'Animaux Sauvages, Belgium needs more details on these measures, documents, please contact the EAZA 6 please contact the Executive Office. Executive Office ([email protected]). CAMPAIGNS

Just keep swimming HOW EAZA HAS CARRIED ON CAMPAIGNING DESPITE THE CONSTRAINTS OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Laura Myers, EAZA Academy Manager

In common with the rest of the zoo awareness-raising such as keeper talks educational kit, which has resources world, the Which Fish? campaign has and guest experiences may not be and activities on fishing that can readily not been immune to the effects of the available for many of us at the moment, be adapted for use at home. With Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign but at the same time we are almost all changes and challenges to food supply committee has been affected by changes much more open to the possibilities and chains, the pandemic also presents an in work status, and many campaign power of virtual engagements. opportunity for us all to consider how to participants have had their plans to It’s been heartening to see so many integrate sustainability into acquisition deliver on their campaign commitments live social media interactions and policies and procedures. With many significantly affected. behind-the-scenes videos shared institutions having to restructure aspects Nevertheless, conservation issues with the public while it’s difficult for of their food supply, it’s a chance to can’t wait while we deal with the us to welcome visitors in person to incorporate more sustainable practices proximate issues of the pandemic, and our institutions. In addition, these for the consumption of marine products sustainable marine consumption is no virtual engagements provide a great at an institutional level. exception to this. The campaign team opportunity to raise awareness of all While of course there are many other also believes that the positive approach the axes of the campaign, whether factors that zoos and aquariums need of the campaign is a good one for this that’s talking about your population to consider at this moment, this may unprecedented time. management successes in your provide us with a moment to challenge Most of the campaign participants aquarium, sharing innovations in our suppliers by asking them the same have committed to raising awareness sustainable animal feeding, or teaching questions that we want our visitors to of the three axes of the campaign, your visitors how they can make start asking about the products they buy, namely sustainable consumption of more sustainable choices for feeding such as whether the species used can be marine products by humans, sustainable themselves. Campaign participants considered sustainable, if they are from consumption of marine products by (zoo Warsaw Zoo made an excellent video a part of the ocean with resilient fish and aquarium) animals, and sustainable for World Ocean Day which touches on stocks, and if they have been harvested aquatic collection planning for zoos all three campaign axes. using more sustainable methods. and aquariums. Raising awareness has You can also challenge your visitors It has been a difficult period for the become more challenging than anyone (or staff) to share their sustainability campaign, as for many of you, but we are anticipated, but certainly far from knowledge and cooking talents by starting to see signs that our creativity impossible. preparing a tasty and sustainable dish and determination can help us recover Many people have been left feeling using one or more of the species from from this enormous challenge. We powerless by the current situation, so the campaign green list, available on would like to think that this same it can be a good moment to focus on the website at whichfish.eu. Recipe creativity and determination can help the empowering aspects of the Which inspiration can be found on the Which our oceans recover from the enormous Fish? campaign, encouraging visitors Fish? campaign Facebook page and in challenge that unsustainable human and supporters to take small, achievable the campaign participant newsletter. activities represent. We encourage you actions by changing their own choices Many schools are also still to sign up to join us in this challenge if and habits to more sustainable ones experiencing disruptions, as large you are not yet a campaign participant, and to act in the interests of marine numbers of children continue to be share the resources available from the biodiversity. educated at home. This is a great website, and engage with us on social The more traditional methods for opportunity to promote the Which Fish? media.

EAZA is supported in this work by the European Union LIFE NGO funding programme. The European Union is not responsible for the views displayed in publications and/or in conjunction with the activities for which the grant is used 7 BIRTHS & HATCHINGS

NEW ARRIVALS

YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOOS POSE CHALLENGES AT NEUWIED ZOO

THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (Cacatua sulphurea) includes seven subspecies, of which one, Cacatua sulphurea parvula, successfully reproduced in Neuwied Zoo, Germany in the summer of last year writes Tessa Schardt, Scientific Assistant. After examining various individuals at EAZA institutions, a male cockatoo from Stuttgart Zoo was selected as a potential mating partner for a female bird already living at Neuwied Zoo in February 2019. Both birds had been confiscated from private holders due to inadequate husbandry conditions. Separated by a double-layered grid and under camera observation in a private area behind the scenes, the two birds spent about a week getting to know each other. When the potential breeding partners were finally brought with two entrance holes and a wooden mixed grains combined with a huge together, they immediately started board between them to create an amount of proteins from March to July. stripping the bark of one of the trees in escape opportunity for the female bird. On 8 May keepers found the first egg, the aviary and later began grooming Furthermore, all four entrance holes followed by two more over the next each other. were closed with cardboard sheets to four days. Between 10 June and 15 In March that year, two nesting boxes increase the interest of the birds. June 2.1 chicks hatched. Keepers were offered, one inside the house, the The hen inspected both, removed weighed them every other day, other in the outside aviary. As male the cardboard and then settled for the recording the data to decide whether it cockatoos are known to show outside one. The second trigger the would be necessary to add feeding or intraspecific aggression in human care, keepers used was to stop rationing the not. Only the smaller male required the nesting boxes were constructed parrots´ diet and offer a surplus of additional nutrition on two occasions.

8 NEW ARRIVALS

About two months after hatching, the first chick left the nest and slowly BROWN TROUT SUCCESSFULLY REINTRODUCED learned to fly short distances. The FROM HELLABRUNN ZOO TO THE RIVER ISAR family seemed harmonious at this point, so they were left together as a group. Unfortunately, this changed rather suddenly about six weeks after the chicks fledged and the only female offspring was killed by the parents without the keepers noticing any behaviour change beforehand. This tragic event leads us to one of the problems Neuwied Zoo and the EAZA Parrot TAG are facing trying to breed Cacatua sulphurea parvula and developing an EEP for 2020: white cockatoo species are often very BUILT AROUND A WATERMILL, the aggressive to conspecifics than the aggressive towards conspecifics and Mühlendorf section of the Hellabrunn rainbow trout. By reducing the group size frequently imprint onto humans rather Zoo in Germany is home to native species and removing injured animals we were than birds, especially those obtained of wild animals and old livestock breeds. able to improve the situation, keeping from private holders. Other Since July 2018 visitors have been hostilities to a low level. considerable difficulties are the lack of fascinated by the diversity offered by Against all the odds, Hellabrunn Zoo females, the declining number of nature close to home. Many visitors are has now successfully reared many brown holding institutions and the still surprised to learn that numerous native trout. When they reached a size of about insufficient knowledge in fish species are also endangered; but this 12cm, we reduced the amount of distinguishing subspecies and does explain why Hellabrunn Zoo built a available food sources to prepare them recognising hybrids. Even if one is lucky fish hatchery in the Mühlendorf to breed for reintroduction into the wild in autumn enough to put together a pair of birds endangered fish species with the aim of and winter. In October 2019, supported that fits genetically as well as in their reintroduction as an in situ project. by the Isarfischer, an association of behavioural aspects, they often carry At the start of this project, we began by Munich fishermen, we were able to circo-, polyoma- or bornavirus and are breeding the relatively robust North reintroduce the first group of our young therefore not suitable for breeding. American rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus trout into the River Isar. The river flows To address those issues, in 2016 the mykiss) to test the newly built hatchery. To through Munich and is one of the original EAZA Parrot TAG set the goal of grading our delight, we successfully reared several habitats of the brown trout, but the individuals housed by EAZA hundred rainbow trout from eggs to hydroelectric power plants and institutions by their subspecies and to adults. This gave us confidence that the displacement by rainbow trout have led exclude hybrids. There is evidence that fish hatchery seemed to work. We suspect to alarmingly low animal numbers. At the at least the stocks of the subspecies C. a key aspect to be the cold oxygenised beginning of 2020, we reintroduced s. sulphurea and C. s. parvula look fresh water that is constantly flowing about 500 brown trout into the wild. promising for EEP purposes. As there through the breeding facility. In addition, To monitor the fish population in the already is an EEP for the orange-crested our efforts to keep the breeding basin Isar, once a year the Isarfischer dam the cockatoo C. s. citrinocristata at Dublin scrupulously clean seemed to pay off; we waters of the Auer Mühlbach, a tributary Zoo (coordinated by Sandra Molloy), changed the water and removed surplus to the main River Isar that flows through the TAG aims for more ex situ food, excrements and unhealthy eggs Hellabrunn Zoo and also drives the management for the different several times a day. watermill next to the hatchery. Based on subspecies of this intelligent After this initial success, we began the the numbers they take, we hope to Indonesian parrot. Furthermore, a more difficult project: hatching the more receive feedback on the survival rate of growing number of holding institutions sensitive brown trout (Salmo trutta). As we the released brown trout soon. and consistent virus management is feared, this species was much harder to We would like to expand the in situ needed to bring together more single rear than the rainbow trout. We suspected project even further and exhibit more birds from different institutions, not that the brown trout hatchlings are more native fish species for our visitors. only for animal welfare reasons but also sensitive to light than their rainbow trout Therefore, we plan to breed the European for successful ex situ breeding on the cousins. Consequently, we darkened the grayling (Thymallus thymallus) next. We one hand and for raising awareness of hatching tanks with custom-made covers. are looking forward to the process of illegal pet trading and habitat With those, the young animals greatly fine-tuning their environment to meet destruction in Indonesia on the other. benefited from reduced light levels, while their specific demands and to be able to Best Practice Guidelines for breeding still being visible to visitors. We also support the local fish populations with white cockatoo species already exist. realised that the brown trout was more regular reintroductions. 9 INTERVIEW Let’s help nature become part of the solution EAZA EU POLICY MANAGER TOMASZ RUSEK TALKS TO LUC BAS, DIRECTOR OF THE IUCN EUROPEAN REGIONAL OFFICE TR: We planned to discuss what which has also been delayed until 2021. 2020 means as the ‘super-year for In the past, four global conventions biodiversity’. Instead, we are talking had their roots in the IUCN congresses: in a totally new context shaped by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Covid-19. the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, the Convention on International Trade in LB: Let me begin by expressing my Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and sympathy for EAZA Members, many of Flora (CITES) and, finally, the CBD. whom had to close their gates to the It was through an IUCN congress that public for the longest time in history. the world recognised climate change Zoos, aquariums and their associations as an emerging challenge. Congress have been an important partner for resolutions have supported indigenous IUCN for decades. My colleagues peoples, gender mainstreaming and and I witness your commitment the connection between nature to conservation in many IUCN SSC conservation and human rights. Specialist Groups and at all our major IUCN’s focus on species conservation events. I also witnessed it while and protected areas has led to the attending your annual conference development of global standards in in Valencia last year. Today this these fields. commitment is more important than up to the EU Member States to show ever. I hope the whole EAZA community TR: The CBD summit in Kunming ambition on the national level. will get safely through this crisis. will set new targets for biodiversity protection. Meanwhile, the targets TR: I am sure all readers of TR: Thank you for these kind words. of the past two decades have not Zooquaria are familiar with the 17 How is the pandemic affecting been met. Will we learn from this colourful icons of the SDGs. But how IUCN? failure? do we actually translate them into an improved state of nature? LB: The most visible effect is the delay of LB: I am optimistic. Back in 2000 and the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2010, biodiversity was still a separate LB: It starts with joint ownership of in Marseille from June 2020 to January marginalised goal, like climate action. the next biodiversity framework by of next year. The IUCN Congress will be Then the world began acknowledging all those who have an impact on the one of the decisive stages for shaping that these two challenges are environment. All those people, from the the post-2020 global biodiversity interlinked with the other challenges conservation community – including framework. We have been building of sustainable development. That led zoos and aquariums – all the way to the the momentum for several years. It to the creation of the UN Sustainable farmers and heavy industry, need to be won’t culminate with the ‘biodiversity Development Goals (SDGs), which fully on board with the next targets that super-year’ in 2020, but we can use the 193 countries signed up to in 2015. will be decided in Kunming. At the end time to attract even more attention to The SDGs help us to move from the of the day, all the stakeholders need to conservation for 2021. old silo approach to working in ways step out of their comfort zones to see that can simultaneously benefit the what is in this for them. TR: What is the role of the IUCN environment and human prosperity. congresses? The EU has recently published its TR: Zoos and aquariums too? Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It is a LB: They bring together governments chance for Europe to establish itself as a LB: Yes. Everyone in the conservation and civil society to set priorities leader in the global arena ahead of the community needs to make the case for for conservation and sustainable Kunming negotiations. By integrating the benefits that nature brings us. Your development. The outcomes from this Strategy within the EU Green Deal, communication power is immense, Marseille will influence the decisions the EU is responding to the SDGs in that and I know you have been putting it at the summit of the Convention on it aligns biodiversity and climate action to good use. You educate your visitors 10 Biological Diversity (CBD) in Kunming, with all the other challenges. Now it’s about all the drivers of biodiversity loss. You explain why healthy ecosystems the pressures on the environment. The and other alarming analyses, we know matter not only to nature, but also to us EU Strategy lays down good targets – that business as usual is not possible if humans and to our wellbeing. but European countries can do a lot we want to slow climate change and I would challenge you to step more voluntarily on top of the targets. stop the decline of biodiversity. That also up this work even more. As well as For example, countries could means dedicating more public funds to communicating about the tropical work with their national Red Lists of this goal. The money is available – it is deforestation that we cause by threatened species in a much more out there in society; it just needs to be importing products that are not strategic way. Each country could channelled in the right direction. sustainable, you have great potential prioritise several critical species from Securing enough funding and to talk about the biggest challenge for its list and pledge to let them fully spending it correctly is not the only the European environment – and that recover or at least improve their status, challenge. We also need to make is unsustainable European agriculture. e.g. from Endangered to Vulnerable sure that we use Earth’s natural You can reach millions of people, from in a set time frame, such as a decade. capital more wisely. Our life depends cities and rural areas alike, with positive That would be an easily measurable on it. It is possible to use it in ways messages about how a different commitment. Of course, each species that simultaneously provide human approach to agriculture could make a should be carefully assessed for whether wellbeing and biodiversity benefits. The positive impact on biodiversity around it requires contribution from ex situ. concept of ‘nature-based solutions’ was us. This is the spirit of the IUCN Guidelines defined at the last IUCN Congress in on the Use of Ex situ Management for 2016, and in Marseille we will work on a TR: What about lobbying Species Conservation and the One Plan global standard and universal principles governments to be more ambitious? approach, which was developed by to ensure that the concept is used in the Can we play a role there too? the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning right way. Specialist Group and which EAZA We can all help nature become part LB: Absolutely, because you have a clear follows. of the solution – but in a much more mandate for it. The hundreds of EAZA ex sustainable way. situ programmes will make an impact TR: Will there be enough funds for only if they are matched by serious, ambitious action? TR: Thank you for the interview. measurable efforts in situ to save the species and their habitats. This includes Thanks to the Intergovernmental LB: Thank you. I look forward to seeing direct conservation work as well as the Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity many Zooquaria readers at the congress bigger societal challenge of taking away and Eco-System Services (IPBES) report in Marseille! 11 CAMPAIGN A bright future for songbirds THE SILENT FOREST CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, AND CAN RIGHTLY CELEBRATE ITS SUCCESS – BUT ITS FOUNDERS ARE DETERMINED THAT THEIR EFFORTS TO SAVE ASIAN SONGBIRDS WILL GO ON Simon Bruslund, Barbara Tesařová, Matyáš Adam, Nigel Collar, Andrew Owen, Roland Wirth, David Jeggo, William van Lint, Constanze Merger, Lucia Schröder and Tomas Ouhel

It seems that songbirds have become part of the conservation agenda for good; over the past decade, several dozen excellent publications documenting various aspects of the Asian songbird crisis have appeared. Even so, songbird conservation in Asia has struggled to gain the attention needed to make an impact. It takes more than just good research papers to get real attention and funding for what is often thought of as a fringe group of animals within the zoo and conservation communities. An informal working group within EAZA, under the Songbird TAG, has dedicated much time to this subject since 2009. Deliberately kept small to remain effective, we initially operated under the title ‘Working Group for NEAR EXTINCTION IN THE WILD – NIAS HILL the Conservation of Asian Songbirds MYNA ON THE STREETS OF GUNUNGSITOLI Threatened by Trade’. Meeting mostly twice annually, we struggled to get Threatened Asian Songbird Alliance and resulted in more than €525,000 institutional support and participation, (TASA), remaining an informal being invested in Asian songbird but we were reluctant to develop grouping under the TAG to be more conservation during or just after the a more formal structure in case we visual in the EAZA landscape. Initially, campaign. A small amount of pledged got bogged down by bureaucratic the application to run a campaign for funding is still pending. Regular procedures. songbirds met with little enthusiasm. updates from all the funded projects The group was heavily involved in The EAZA Executive Office (EEO), can be found at www.silentforest.eu. the first Songbird Crisis Summit, held Conservation Committee and zoo The targets in terms of the number in Singapore in 2015, and we then educators’ community all expressed of individual EAZA institutions realised that we needed to define the reservations about how ambitious and participating in the campaign were also roles and goals of the group in relation measurable the proposed campaign met and surpassed, with 193 EAZA to other entities. This proved rather targets were. Fortunately, the campaign institutions participating. Of these, 150 difficult, as the same few people tended core group included very experienced registered within the first year of the to be involved in all the different zoo educators, and the negotiations campaign. Additionally, 53 non-EAZA activities and roles. resulted in a set of modifications organisations signed up. The 2015 Songbird Crisis Summit that gave everyone the courage to One important component of the triggered two important developments. double the fundraising goals, and the campaign has been the EAZA Position First, it gave real momentum to the application was duly approved. Statement on Songbird Trade. This is formation of an IUCN specialist a formulation of intent on behalf of all group, which was formally approved as SETTING GOALS EAZA Members, and we are convinced the Asian Songbird Trade Specialist The primary goal of this campaign, that all EAZA Members who have Group (ASTSG) in 2018. Second, with pre-selected ex situ and in situ insights into current trade practices it stimulated the idea of applying for projects within the Asian region, was will support and endorse it. In the near an EAZA conservation campaign on fundraising. We were humbled at the future we must be even more self- songbirds threatened by trade. level of commitment of participating critical in regard to sourcing songbirds Before the two-year Silent Forest institutions and were amazed and and other animals when there are Campaign started in 2017, the delighted when donations swept alternatives. working group adopted the new name past our ambitious €400,000 target In meetings with the Environment

EAZA is supported in this work by the European Union LIFE NGO funding programme. The European Union is not

12 BRUSLUND SIMON responsible for the views displayed in publications and/or in conjunction with the activities for which the grant is used to make their Silent Forest installations long-term or even permanent.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE The EEP Committee approved the name change of the EAZA Passeriformes TAG to ‘EAZA Songbird TAG’ as of 6 January 2020, linking the TAG even more explicitly to the campaign that brought attention to this fantastic and diverse group of birds. Meanwhile TASA has now adopted ENTRANCE TO THE PRIGEN CONSERVATION BREEDING ARK the name ‘Silent Forest Working Group’ WHICH HAS A STRONG FOCUS ON SONGBIRDS AND WAS ONE OF SIX PRE-SELECTED PROJECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN and taken over the campaign logo and website. The roles and mandate Ministry in Indonesia in late 2017, adapted and modified into an IUCN of this group need to be redefined to it became clear that we also have motion for the upcoming IUCN complement the international effort deficiencies in the legislation and World Conservation Conference, being undertaken by the ASTSG. enforcement of the regulations in place urging nations and stakeholders to The focus will primarily be on the to protect songbirds in Europe. As we support and initiate stronger songbird European region and involve EAZA wish to work on common problems conservation measures. The recently population management, monitoring and functional solutions with scientific formed EAZA Working Group on regional trade and cooperation with authorities and enforcement agencies Wildlife Trade will surely also promote European environmental authorities, in Indonesia, this also includes doing the understanding and tackling of sharing and exchanging information our homework in Europe. We cannot these issues and will have Silent Forest and maintaining fundraising activities. afford for EAZA institutions knowingly core team members amongst their Decisions on the allocation of funds or unknowingly to be involved in the membership as well. raised by the working groups are very activities we are campaigning Silent Forest core team members deliberately handed over to the ASTSG against elsewhere. have also started several initiatives for in order to have a transparent and The purchase or exchange of collecting data on the international independent process. In the future a wild-caught songbirds imported into songbird trade. These data will be an structured application process will be the EU, where large commercial invaluable resource for future songbird established. shipments have been banned since regional collection plans (RCPs) and as The expenses and manpower 2006, is not ethically consistent with a source of documentation for political needed for the media management the aspiration of modern zoological decision-makers e.g. by listing more and content procurement of the www. institutions. Illegal imports are negatively affected species on CITES silentforest.eu website are kindly frequent and unacceptable. In most or on a higher appendix and generally covered by the zoos involved in the cases, the capture of songbirds is either for improving regional legislation and Silent Forest Working Group. The unsustainable or illegal; if the species enforcement. educational resources developed by are protected in the country of origin, In the past two years many initiatives zoos and offered to participants in the the export of them is illegal. The have sought to improve husbandry and campaign have become open source entry of such shipments into the EU population management for songbirds and are freely available to anyone is not only illegal but also unethical in EAZA institutions, including a first wishing to do environmental education and, due to the absence of any kind RCP session in the new integrated on unsustainable and illegal songbird of quarantine measures, unsafe: birds style. Furthermore, a first Long-term trade. The merchandise will, however, are moved from the most uncontrolled Management Planning workshop was no longer be available. Importantly, mixed wildlife and domestic animal carried out for the Emei Shan Liocichla fundraising will continue with the same markets in Asia and arrive on public (Liocichla omeiensis). Three best practice EAZA account for at least another display in crowded bird markets in guidelines were published, and more are five years. Donations should always the UK, Netherlands, Germany and coming soon; in addition, several new be marked ‘Silent Forest’ and projects Italy within 48 hours. It is clear that EEPs are now starting their work. will be selected in accordance with this practice cannot be condoned; The many Silent Forest and priorities determined by the IUCN apart from the obvious breaking and songbird exhibitions, theme days SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist bending of rules in the EU, there are and additional education materials Group. Please also see cases in Asia of people going to prison from zoos throughout Europe have www.asiansongbirdtradesg.com. for attempting to traffic birds for the all contributed to a greater public We warmly thank all the supporters international market. understanding of the work that zoos of the Silent Forest Campaign, which The EAZA Position Statement support, and in particular of the ended in 2019. You have all helped on Songbird Trade has been a useful conservation commitment that EAZA to achieve amazing fundraising results component of EAZA’s ongoing lobby institutions have. It is encouraging to and put songbirds firmly on the EAZA work in Brussels and has even been learn that so many zoos have decided conservation agenda. 13 EDUCATION Adapt and survive IN COMMON WITH THE WHOLE ZOO COMMUNITY, EDUCATORS HAVE FACED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. HERE, TWO EAZA EDUCATORS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION MISSION AMIDST A GLOBAL CRISIS.

DELIVERING VIRTUAL for Sustainability. ‘ZOO at Home’ people in the Education Department, ENGAGEMENT was also released on the Portuguese creating new educational strategies for Antonieta Costa, Head of Education, Education Ministry website for the current reality, always with the goal Lisbon Zoo, Portugal; Education all schools (Lisbon Zoo’s school of taking the zoo and the conservation Committee Vice-Chair, IZE Regional programmes have been recognised by of species and their habitats to as Representative the ministry since 2009) and our online many people as possible. The resources sessions and complementary activities available to create strategies and Lisbon Zoo closed on 16 March when have also been used by teachers on the content on platforms that have so the government declared a state ministry’s public television channel. far been little explored were another of emergency; however it quickly For ‘ZOO at Home’ we adapted challenge that required more research reinvented itself to keep taking the our face-to-face programmes for and a new way of working. mission of Conservation Education to schools, in which 75,000 students The other challenge, of course, was families, students and teachers. typically participate annually, to fulfil the professional goals that we Our first step was to adapt our on-site for virtual sessions. Since 2013 set ourselves each day while dealing educational programmes into virtual we have been developing online with the pressures and demands of the ones. The change was very fast, so educational programmes using Skype whole Covid-19 situation. Responding we began by adapting the eight-hour in the Classroom, with the support of to countless requests and to the need Environmental Education workshops Microsoft Education. This experience to put our activities online as quickly developed for university students into was extremely useful during our urgent as possible required a new agility and 45-minute Zoom sessions targeted adaptation to the technological world. huge personal effort to deliver all that at families. There were eight ‘Meet Even so, it was a huge challenge to was required, including housework, the ZOO Biologist’ sessions covering meet the curricular themes of each support for family members and, above nature conservation themes, and school year without the face-to-face all, the demands of schoolwork for around 3,000 families participated environment that a zoo visit provides. our children. As professionals, parents during the emergency closure. In the ‘ZOO at Home’ area on our and sons/daughters, we had to develop Unable to offer face-to-face Easter website we share the themes, schedule several extra pairs of hands to embrace Camps for participants from three and programme of the online videos this new and challenging experience. to 16 years old, we decided to create that took place between 20 April and Our chief goal has always been to online activities on our blog during 29 May; each day was dedicated to continue to involve families, children, the Easter holidays. For 10 days, we a different school level. The themes young people and teachers in the great launched different activities daily, covered were: Sustainability, Ethics and zoo conservation mission, through broken down into four age groups, and Citizenship, Sustainable Production creative activities so that we can all were delighted when more than 26,000 and Consumption, and Biodiversity overcome this unique set of events. people participated. We also launched and Water, which all link to national Without intending to replace the a contest, challenging families to education strategies. All of these face-to-face visit (not least because send us videos of them engaging in online videos are available through it is irreplaceable) we aim to actively the activities, which allowed us to YouTube and also through the MEO contribute to the wellbeing of families, measure the degree of satisfaction and App, thus reaching more students and to be a support and resource for the participation. A total of 3,560 families families. school community (students, teachers sent us videos. This area of our website also had and parents), and to maintain and After Easter, we had a new a set of educational resources with strengthen the connection between the challenge: classroom activities were complementary activities and texts, general public and our zoo and species still suspended for schools, so we adapted to the various levels/cycles conservation. moved forward with the ‘ZOO at of education and teaching, covering Zoos are an innovative learning Home’ programme for schools. This several areas of knowledge related to space with a unique ability to inspire consists of online sessions for schools Biodiversity and Nature Conservation. and encourage different types of and educational resources on our We are planning a virtual Summer audience to change their behaviour website and YouTube channel, with Camp, this time with weekly family to protect biodiversity. Here, teachers themes related to biodiversity and challenges in nature and webinars. can teach a different class, outdoors nature conservation and aligned with The biggest challenge was or online, and have all the support the National Education Strategy undoubtedly the huge change of they need to complement the school for Citizenship and the National scenery, as we all adapted to working curriculum in different areas of 14 Environmental Education Framework from home. We have a team of six knowledge. We reopened to the public after two months and now we welcome We must also remember that the 61 days from 26 March to 25 May. our visitors and students again with commitment of the Marketing, This is my perspective of our journey commitment and enthusiasm as Communication and Design colleagues to reopening and reflections on some partners in conservation education. was and is essential for the success of lessons learned. When looking back over the last few this unique project. Finally, we want to Once zoos could reopen in New months, we would like to celebrate the remember that we are all a great team: Zealand, staff who had been working fact that strength and determination the Lisbon Zoo Team! from home returned to working onsite can beat any pandemic, and that a week before we opened to the public. dedication and commitment can This was to empathetically support overcome barriers and make us all MANAGING THE RETURN OF them to take time to reconnect to better people. We are pleased that we VISITORS themselves and their teams, and to managed to develop the zoo and its Dr Sarah Thomas, Head of Conservation readjust to working back onsite. It also conservation education mission even Advocacy and Engagement, Auckland allowed time for robust training for the further, that we represented happy Zoo, New Zealand new working protocols for our visitor- times, active learning and a connection facing teams and to install new signage, with the natural world in difficult As part of New Zealand’s nationwide hygiene and safety measures. times. lockdown, Auckland Zoo closed for We significantly modified our entry 15 process, limiting visitor numbers 3 Make a plan but be prepared for entry. Conversely, some guests with staggered entry times. All guests to be flexible and make (many) (again primarily annual pass (including annual pass holders) had to changes. We accepted that holders) who had booked time slots book a specific entry time online before changes would have to happen didn’t always show up. their visit. On arrival, we used a virtual even with a good plan in place. queuing system (www.nextup.co.nz) to With excellent communication 8 Frequent and personalised control the volume and flow of guests through daily briefings for conversations helped to deliver into the zoo and comply with contact the visitor-facing teams and our key messages and mission. tracing requirements. opportunities to feed back, we had This was a big unknown. How Novel signage, floor stickers and a robust process to suggest, agree could we effectively provide a safe, regular PA announcements provided and action changes. Make sure you enjoyable and mission-focused reminders to physically distance. have thought about a plan B (and visit… at a distance? Happily, we We made one-way systems on Plan C) in advance for key things found that visitors wanted to talk narrow paths and areas that could such as when your booking system to us. They were so excited to be get congested. Buildings and spaces gets overwhelmed or your virtual back, reflected on their lockdown that could not be managed within queue has a technical hiccup. experiences and wanted to know the safety restrictions were closed. more about how the zoo fared Keeper talks were cancelled, but we 4 Speaking of a Plan B… Our floor while closed. This was a great increased the presence of staff (from stickers were awesome but only ‘way in’ to communicate our care, multiple teams across the zoo) and worked on certain surfaces. They conservation and the importance volunteers at critical locations to help did not stand up to New Zealand of our connections to nature. visitors have a safe, enjoyable visit winter rain, and our visitors loved We also used these conversations while communicating our wildlife to peel them off (and take them to evaluate visitors’ experiences conservation mission. home or stick them somewhere of returning to the zoo. This We implemented a wide range of else!). We resolved this with non- information was collated to help operational and hygiene measures toxic chalk-based spray paint which make decisions on future actions such as going cashless, physical power-washes off easily on different and changes. distance queuing and hygiene screens floor types, lasts in the rain and at catering and retail facilities, is safe for our animals in walk- 9 Supporting our community takeaway-only food options, multiple through habitats. during lockdown positively hand sanitisers and increased levels of influenced their return to the cleaning for toilets and high-contact 5 Some visitors are better than zoo. Our online community areas for visitor and staff spaces. others. At reading the pre-visit engagement content during This was what we learned after we communications, at booking time lockdown had clear aims around reopened: slots, at reading signage, at social wellbeing, resilience and keeping 1 We did not open the same zoo as distancing and understanding why our community connected to the we closed. Individuals and teams we had to modify the zoo layout zoo’s animals, staff and mission…. had to work differently, collectively to help everyone in this Covid-19 and themselves. On reopening, and often in new roles. We merged context. visitors frequently mentioned this several teams to become a mega content, and expressed positive ‘engagement team’ which worked 6 Only when you reopen will sentiments, vocal support and brilliantly out in the zoo daily you truly know what areas and strong gratitude towards the zoo for connecting with our visitors. activities will be an issue. Even providing these connections during with no keeper talks and a visitor lockdown. An unexpected outcome 2 It is important to get the balance management plan in place, if you of reopening is we have a sense between the volume of people bathe an elephant, do a training now, more than ever, of the swell and visitor experience right. We session with birds or feed the of love and support for us from our took a pragmatic approach, deciding tortoises, interested visitors will communities and that the zoo is a to reopen on a Monday, with the naturally start to gather. Through highly valued part of the cultural first two days reserved solely for our good radio communication with fabric of Aucklanders’ lives. annual pass holders. This allowed our keeper teams, our visitor us to test all our entry processes, engagement team were able to 10 Be kind and patient – to yourself, catering, onsite engagement and site manage these visitor hotspots colleagues and visitors. This safety for physical distancing. We effectively throughout the day. pandemic has affected us all in placed a conservative cap on daily lots of different ways. Never numbers despite the first weekend 7 Not everyone knows they have underestimate the power of giving being a public holiday. This was to book a time slot, and those time and compassion to reconnect a great decision as increasing who do book don’t always show with ourselves, our ‘whanau’ the volume further could have up. Some guests, (mostly our (extended family and community) compromised the visitor experience annual pass holder cohort) missed and with nature. 16 and people’s feeling of safety. that they had to book a time slot VETERINARY UPDATE Helping vets to help wildlife INTRODUCING THE NEW TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES HANDBOOK FROM THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS

Rafaela Fiuza, Working Group Coordinator, EAZWV and Katharina Hermann, EAZA Animal Programmes Coordinator

The European Association of Zoo and developed in conjunction with as disease agent, susceptible animal Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) is the EAZA, including a new and updated groups, distribution, transmission, membership organisation representing chapter on European legislation, a new clinical signs, pathology and post- European veterinarians. Its members Mammalian Tuberculosis Handbook, mortem findings, diagnosis, treatment, are committed to improving the and new chapters on important prevention, control, legislative health, welfare and conservation of transmissible diseases such as African requirements and a list of reference wildlife through advancements in zoo swine fever and Usutu virus. laboratories. The chapters provide and wildlife medicine and promotion All content has been authored further information on specific topics of the full use of veterinary expertise in and peer-reviewed by experienced and diseases. the management of wildlife in human veterinarians and experts in their fields. We would like to invite you to care and in the wild. The simple and standardised format visit the online platform for the One of our key strategic actions is of the fact sheets should help the Transmissible Diseases Handbook at the development of the Transmissible reader to find the desired information www.eazwv.org/inf_handbook. Please Diseases Handbook, a reference quickly. The fact sheets include an use and share this resource, and help manual that provides guidance not initial summary table with information us improve it by bringing issues to only for zoo and wildlife veterinarians, on all topics, followed by a more our attention and by volunteering to but also for government officials and detailed description of topics such contribute. European legislative authorities dealing with infectious diseases that threaten THE HANDBOOK INCLUDES DETAILED FACT SHEETS ON DISEASES SUCH AS TUBERCULOSIS zoological collections. The EAZWV Infectious Diseases Working Group was created in the year 2000 at the EAZWV Annual Conference in Paris, and the first edition of the handbook was published in 2002. Regular updates and three new editions followed in 2004, 2006 and 2010. In 2016, the close relationship and aligned objectives with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) led to both associations combining their efforts and establishing the Joint EAZWV/EAZA Infectious Diseases Working Group. Its EAZA/EAZWV MAMMALIAN TUBERCULOSIS MANAGEMENT goal was to pool resources and increase GUIDELINES effectiveness in producing content The information in the fifth edition of the Transmissible Disease and influencing European legislation Handbook provided on mammalian tuberculosis and considerations pertaining to zoos and wildlife. for the management of the disease across taxa is forthcoming from the For this fifth edition, the EAZWV EAZA/EAZWV Mammalian Tuberculosis Management Guidelines (2020) has taken a big step in guaranteeing available on the EAZA Member Area. that the handbook remains a valuable The Tuberculosis Management Guidelines are the result of the EAZA/ and useful resource for members and EAZWV Tuberculosis Management Workshop, hosted by Paris Zoo other interested parties. A new, fully in France, and the work of the joint EAZA/EAZWV Infectious Disease searchable online platform has been subgroup following the workshop. The guidelines provide an overview developed to foster the Transmissible of the relevant EU legislation in light of infectious diseases in general Diseases Handbook, allowing for and considerations for managing populations in human care in frequent updates and simplifying access particular, with summarising information on sampling, testing regimes and consultation, while guaranteeing and management of positive animals. Species-specific considerations free and easy access across the world. on tuberculosis testing in elephants and rhinoceros were provided by The fifth edition of the Transmissible the EAZA Elephant TAG and the EAZA Rhinoceros TAG. More species- Diseases Handbook includes a majority specific information will be enhanced over the coming months, with of the fact sheets updated between consideration on tuberculosis testing for pinnipeds and tapirs. 2017 and 2019, as well as resources CDC 17 PROGRAMMES Shifting the population management paradigm AS WE REACH THE HALFWAY POINT OF IMPLEMENTING THE NEW REGIONAL COLLECTION PLAN PROCESS, IT IS BECOMING CLEAR IS THAT OUR EEPS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE A HUGE CONTRIBUTION CONSERVATION IN A VARIETY OF WAYS

Elmar Fienieg, Kristin Leus, Danny de Man, Raymond van der Meer and William van Lint, EAZA Executive Office/EAZA Population Management Centre

EAZA Members collaboratively in 2018 (see IUCN Quarterly Report, will help break down these lingering coordinate population management September 2018, page 17). With this misunderstandings. programmes for more than 400 species. we are moving away from a ‘one size fits It is often assumed that these species all’ approach to one where each EAZA CONSERVATION AND NON- must be threatened and that the role Ex situ Programme (EEP) is assigned CONSERVATION ROLES FOR EEPS of these managed populations is that of species-specific roles and goals, which So far, 18 of EAZA’s 42 TAGs have a back-up in case of species extinction are jointly determined in the spirit of developed a new RCP. These have in the wild. This is most likely because the One Plan approach by in situ and ex recommended 258 EEPs, ranging zoos and aquariums have essentially also situ experts using the decision process from Anoa to Pupfishes, almost all of communicated this paradigm for more in the IUCN ex situ guidelines. These which were assigned multiple roles. than 30 years. At a time when zoos were decisions are then documented in a Eighty-three per cent of EEPs (214) still learning to work together for the Regional Collection Plan (RCP) for have at least one direct conservation benefit of species, this ‘one size fits all’ every Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). role, meaning that the role is a critical approach served the community well These new RCPs specify not only which component of a species’ conservation because this focused philosophy was species should be prioritised within strategy. Furthermore, 55% (158 EEPs) easy to implement and to communicate, EAZA zoos and aquariums, but also were assigned at least one indirect both within EAZA and to the outside what the roles of these species should be conservation role, which means the role world. and roughly what we should do to fulfil is less critical, but still beneficial for the Several decades later, it has become these roles. species or for biodiversity conservation clear that ex situ management can Despite our having entered this more generally. The roles of insurance contribute to conservation in a variety ‘brave new world’, the above-mentioned and source for reintroduction and other of ways. Also, zoos and aquariums misconceptions persist, most likely conservation translocations remain have meanwhile become much more because this more intricate concept important. Currently, 67 EEPs are valued as conservation partners by is more challenging to communicate. actively planning or already involved other conservation organisations, However, now that we are almost in a translocation project in line with making it possible to better integrate halfway through the implementation the IUCN Conservation Translocation our conservation activities into the of our new RCP process, we can guidelines. These are not limited to larger conservation world. To adapt demonstrate how this has resulted situations where the species is extinct to this new reality, EAZA launched a in clearly documented and diverse in the wild, but include genetic rescue new population management structure roles for each EEP, which we hope of the wild population, establishing

Together with the North American One of the direct conservation roles A direct conservation role of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of the Barbary macaque (Macaca recommended Vietnamese giant the Roti Island snake-necked sylvanus) EEP is stopping European magnolia snail (Bertia cambojiensis) turtle (Chelodina mccordi) EEP tourists from paying for pictures EEP is building husbandry aims to research how Chelonian with Barbary macaque photo-props knowledge to support the reintroductions work and use this to during their holidays in Morocco; a establishment of an ex situ train in-range institutions. cause of one of the main threats to population in Vietnam. their survival. 18 BY CC / UK CAMBRIDGE, MCINTOSH, NEIL CC0; / BIODIVERSITY CENTER NATURALIS BY-SA; CC / REDCOAT BY-SA; CC / ZELL H. NUMBER OF NEW STYLE EEPS THAT HAVE A CERTAIN ROLE ASSIGNED. (DEFINITIONS OF DIRECT CONSERVATION ROLES DESCRIBED IN THE IUCN SSC EX SITU GUIDELINES). ONE EEP CAN BE ASSIGNED MULTIPLE ROLES new populations locally and ecological Selected roles for Direct Indirect Non-conservation replacement. Also, there are 26 Ark new-style EEPs conservation conservation (123 EEPs) EEPs for species that are extinct in the (214 EEPs) (158 EEPs) wild and for which reintroduction is Ark 26 the only conservation option. There Rescue 15 are 209 EEPs that were assigned an Insurance 209 insurance role, which means that Source 67 they are maintained to preserve future Education 80 130 44 conservation options. For some this Research 128 59 12 may involve reintroduction, but for others it refers to other possible future Training 57 17 6 conservation roles, such as research. Capacity building 15 2 However, it is equally evident that Fundraising 8 85 most of the EEPs also have additional Advocacy 8 7 and/or other roles. There are 156 EEPs Ambassador 4 4 that aim to contribute directly to the Model 12 5 conservation of a species through Exhibit 101 education, research, training, capacity building, fundraising and advocacy. These roles have been selected as automatically should be managed in still considered important and many often as the roles of insurance, ark EAZA. Not every threatened species new EEPs with direct conservation or being the source of individuals for needs an ex situ population as part of roles were recommended. There is a conservation translocation. Moreover, its conservation strategy. Even when need for more EAZA Members to step when indirect conservation roles are they do, EAZA is not always in the up and take these new programmes taken into account as well, only a best place to do it and does not have on. Moreover, we will have to work quarter of the selected roles are related capacity to manage an infinite number together to implement these RCPs, not to ark, insurance or translocation. of species. Species are only managed as only by prioritising these species at our Indeed, there are 30 EEPs for threatened an EEP if there is a need and capacity institutions, but also by working towards species that do not have any of these for management at EAZA level to fulfilling all of their roles; an education three roles at all. fulfil selected roles. Furthermore, role should get as much attention as non-threatened species can still breeding and transfer recommendations CONSERVATION STATUS contribute to conservation as model to reach population targets. This should Over 71% of the taxa managed by species or through indirect roles such not mean more work for the same new style EEPs species are globally as education, research and fundraising. people, but rather for more institutions threatened or extinct in the wild at Finally, 32 EEPs (15%) were assigned and people of different backgrounds to species level according to the IUCN only non-conservation roles but are become involved. For example, there Red List. Two percent is data-deficient still proactively managed to ensure they are many EEPs with education roles, but or not evaluated. Some of the species successfully fulfil other societal roles only few educators so far that coordinate that are not threatened globally are of zoos and aquariums, such as general an EEP or are actively involved in one. threatened at subspecies level, locally biological education, more general It is also clear that we have to threatened in Europe or are suspected to conservation messaging, fundamental change our communications and be threatened. This does not mean that research, or because they are attractive better explain what we do. The every population of a threatened species to visitors. enormous contribution that EAZA All of the above does not diminish Members provide to conservation the value of non-EEP species kept by by collaboratively running EEPs is individual institutions. It is hoped not limited to the stereotypical role that some of these will be managed in of insurance or reintroduction, but the future if there is capacity to do so, involves a diversity of roles such as which is, for instance, the case for many education, capacity building and freshwater fish species. Furthermore, research. The threat status of the any species can play a role to connect managed species gives some indication people to nature when exhibited in the of the importance of a programme, but right way. The exact roles of a species the picture it provides is incomplete. While the maned wolf (Chrysocyon at an institution can be found in the The remaining EAZA TAGs will brachyurus) is not listed as respective Institutional Collection Plan. develop new RCPs in the coming threatened, one of the EEP’s indirect years. Meanwhile, the implementation conservation roles is to educate MOVING FORWARD of these programmes will be done visitors about the impact of soy One of the lessons learned from the with a tailor-made approach for extraction for meat consumption, RCPs finalised so far, is the opportunity each EEP, fundamentally changing which is the main threat to its for EAZA to have a larger conservation the contribution of EAZA zoos and habitat, the Cerrado. impact. Most existing programmes were aquariums to conservation. 19 PROGRAMMES A plan for the cinereous vulture AT A RECENT WORKSHOP TO INCREASE THE EX SITU REPRODUCTION SUCCESS WITHIN THE CINEREOUS VULTURE EEP, THE FIRST STEPS WERE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN

Marleen Huyghe, Curator of Birds, Antwerp Zoo & Zoo Planckendael, Belgium, and EEP Coordinator for the European Black Vulture

The cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), also called Eurasian or European black vulture, is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List (Birdlife, 2017). An EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) for this species was established in 1987, and since 1998, Zoo Planckendael in Belgium has been running this population management programme, coordinated by Marleen Huyghe. The status of these species is not THE EEP CURRENTLY INVOLVES 43 ZOOS, thought to reflect the sensitivity of HOLDING AROUND 45 BREEDING PAIRS these populations to catastrophes. Large IN EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS. IN THE US, BREEDING IN HUMAN CARE IS COORDINATED and healthy vulture populations have THROUGH AN SSP, LED BY DENVER ZOO, collapsed due to the widespread use INVOLVING 18 ZOOS HOLDING 47 BIRDS of poisoned carcasses set for livestock predators and anti-inflammatory drugs still an aged population. From 2012 for cattle, such as Diclofenac. Other onwards, releases of young chicks threats to the species include collision were very restricted to strengthen the with powerlines and wind turbines, demography of the ex situ population habitat degradation and a decline in of cinereous vultures and to enable food availability due to a decline in releases of chicks in the new release wild and domestic ungulates (BirdLife, sites in the future. At the same time 2017). Europe is seen as a relatively research was conducted by the Centre stable region for vultures, with a lower for Research and Conservation (CRC), chance of catastrophes. Therefore, situated in Antwerp Zoo, to tackle the an important component of their low reproduction success. Analysis of conservation strategy is to maintain all available egg data of EEP cinereous these stable populations and further vulture pairs showed that more than increase healthy wild populations of 50% of eggs laid were infertile and only these vulture species in Europe. one in four eggs survive to adulthood; The European vulture programmes also 27% of the eggs broke. Comparison of EAZA work closely with the of the behaviour of successful and Vulture Conservation Foundation CINEREOUS VULTURE AT VIVARIUM DARMSTADT unsuccessful pairs indicated that pair (VCF), which is the main organisation bond behaviour is an important key connecting the different stakeholders factor for breeding success. To allow and reintroduction projects that birds to build a natural pair bond, young are working on the conservation of France and Spain, and since 2018 in birds were put together in a ‘dating European vultures. Bulgaria. It is hypothesised that birds or socialisation’ aviary. Furthermore, The Cinereous vulture EEP holds a being released at a very young age, all birds were sexed by DNA analysis. unique position in vulture restoration, before fledging, fixate more easily on Cinereous vultures are morphologically as it is a good source for provision their reintroduction site (cf. inborn not distinguishable, and in the past birds of fledglings that can be used within philopatric behaviour). This increases were identified on sight, females being the reintroduction projects linked the likelihood of local colony formation a bit larger than males; but as Asian to the EEP to restore the population and the establishment of a population. birds are larger than European ones, this in its historic range. Since 1988, However, the EEP suffers from a can be very misleading. DNA analysis reintroductions with chicks bred in low reproduction success rate, so even revealed several errors and this allowed human care started in Mallorca; this though birds bred in human care have us to form some new pairs. was followed by reintroductions in continuously been released, there is In 2015, Philippe Helsen from the 20 RÜCKERT JULIUS endangered species such as Bearded vulture and Californian condor, it was agreed that a structure including specialised population management centres and individual zoos with a close collaboration between both would be the most promising way forward. On the second day, husbandry topics related to breeding success were reviewed, starting with very specific behavioural information from in situ experts translated into seven golden rules to take into account in ex situ situations. Experiences from the GREFA (Native Fauna and its Habitat Rehabilitation Group) specialised breeding centre in Spain were exchanged, together with information on artificial incubation, egg-laying intervals, fostering and veterinary diets. PARTICIPANTS OF THE WORKSHOP, WHICH WAS FACILITATED BY KATHARINA HERMANN AND KRISTIN LEUS These presentations were followed by workshops on housing, breeding CRC, became scientific advisor for establishment of specialised population management, artificial incubation the EEP and supports the programme management centres (multiple aviaries, and veterinary issues, all of which with genetic research. This research is off-exhibit, with dedicated staff) was led to a great many new ideas and considerable and covers both in situ and recommended as a tool to build up recommendations. The expertise of all ex situ populations, and eventually aims the necessary husbandry skills and the participants combined with their to come to a better understanding of the knowledge and to increase breeding enthusiasm made it a very productive species as a whole. success. Having a specialised breeding workshop, and the outcome of each During the Long-term Management centre has led to huge improvements working group will be included in the Plan (LTMP) meeting in Jerez, 2018, in the reproductive rate in the Bearded future new Best Practice Guidelines. where both in situ and ex situ partners vulture and Californian condor EEPs. were present, it was confirmed that the This required more in-depth discussions INTO THE FUTURE EEP serves two major conservation goals: on the best way forward. Incorporating specialised population first, to establish a long-term sustainable management centres, active back-up population; and, second, to CINEREOUS VULTURE EEP collaboration with individual holders provide individuals to support ongoing WORKSHOP 2019 and reviewing existing husbandry reintroduction initiatives. However the Following up on the outcome of the procedures (e.g. re-pairing of non- analyses from that workshop showed that LTMP meeting, a two-day workshop successful pairs) are just some of the the EEP needs to work more to reach (9–11 December 2019) was organised recommendations made during the these goals (Sanchez et al., 2019) and by Zoo Planckendael. This workshop workshop and will be implemented over that reduced reproductive output is the united in situ and ex situ experts the coming years by the EEP coordinator main driving factor. The target for the in (cinereous) vulture breeding, and the Species Committee. It is hoped population size was to maintain at least successful breeders of the species, and that the recommended changes will soon 170 birds and preferably to increase this specialists in artificial incubation, have a positive impact on the breeding to 200 individuals, to avoid a population population dynamics, nutrition and success of the Cinereous vulture EEP. crash in the coming years. The ultimate veterinary issues. Furthermore the SSP goal is to produce 15 chicks per year in coordinator and population biologist REFERENCES order to meet the demands for both the of the Cinereous vulture SSP were • BirdLife International (2017). Aegypius monachus population management programme and present. The workshop was facilitated (amended version published in 2016). The IUCN Red the reintroduction projects (Sanchez et by Katharina Herrmann and Kristin List of Threatened Species 2017. al., 2019). Leus from the EAZA and Conservation • Huyghe, M., Gottschlich, J., Pereboom, Z. (2009). In order to help achieve this goal, Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) Husbandry guidelines for the European black vulture, the LTMP emphasised the need to offices, who guided us through the Aegypius monachus. organise a workshop to revise the brainstorming sessions and the • Sanchez, I., Huyghe, M., Frey, H., Llopis, A., Leus, current husbandry guidelines that were discussions. K., Fienieg, E. (2019). Eurasian griffon vulture produced in 2009 (Huyghe et al., 2009). On day one, the strategic way (Gyps fulvus) ESB, European black vulture (Aegypius Over the last decade, new insights into forward to meet the demands of both monachus) EEP and Bearded vulture (Gypaetus practical management of the species breeding and reintroduction projects barbatus) EEP Long-term Management Plan. have emerged, which should ultimately was developed, and in accordance ZooBotanico de Jerez, Planckendael Zoo and the lead to increased breeding success. The with the successful model for other Vulture Conservation Foundation. 21 CONSERVATIONCITES CONFERENCE

GOLDEN LION TAMARINS Planning for a revolution

THE IUCN SSC CONSERVATION PLANNING SPECIALIST GROUP IS USING ITS FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE FIGHTING FOR THREATENED WILDLIFE TO CATALYSE A SPECIES CONSERVATION PLANNING REVOLUTION Jamie Copsey, Director of Training, and Fran Webber, Communications Officer, IUCN SSC CPSG

Stories of species survival are long. steadfast supporters, such as zoos and which all SSPs are now modelled. The first workshop led by the IUCN aquariums, to meet the growing needs This partnership with zoos led Species Survival Commission (SSC) of threatened species. to some of CPSG’s most impactful Conservation Planning Specialist early work to change the future Group (CPSG) to plan a future for the PARTNERING WITH ZOOS AND for threatened species. In 1985, golden lion tamarin was held in 1990 AQUARIUMS CPSG became involved with the when there were only a few hundred CPSG’s connection with zoos and development of the population of these striking animals left in the aquariums goes back to the very management programme for the wild. Through our unique blend of beginning. In 1979, CPSG emerged Critically Endangered black-footed quantitative analysis and stakeholder from the IUCN SSC’s Zoo Liaison ferret, on which the recovery of this facilitation, a population benchmark Committee with Dr Ulysses S. Seal as species hinged. In the 1990s, CPSG, of 2,000 wild tamarins was identified as its Chair. (We were then known as the in collaboration with our host the required for the species to survive. The Captive Breeding Specialist Group. Minnesota Zoo, began working with tamarins have far exceeded that goal. Over the years our name has changed Chinese colleagues to develop a Long- As of 2018, there were just over 2,500 twice to reflect our expanding term Management Plan (LTMP) for golden lion tamarins thriving in their mission.) CPSG quickly became, and the South China tiger. And, in late native habitat. remains, one of the SSC’s largest and 1996, at the invitation of the Chinese However the story is not as simple most productive Specialist Groups, an Association of Zoological Gardens, as that. The golden lion tamarin accomplishment that would not have CPSG facilitated the development population reached a high of 3,700 been possible without the generous, of a masterplan for the population in 2014. An outbreak of yellow fever loyal support of donors to the Global of giant pandas being kept in human in 2018 reduced the population to its Conservation Network, the registered care. current number, demonstrating how nonprofit formed to fund CPSG. The 1990s also saw the geographic fragile these recovering populations Dr Seal’s conservation work was expansion of CPSG. Sally Walker can be — and their need for ongoing closely entwined with that of zoos. formed the first CPSG regional office support from all of us. He founded the International Species in India in 1990, the aim of which CPSG has been fighting for Inventory System in 1974 (known was, and is, to bring CPSG tools and threatened species for 40 years. But today as Species360) to help zoos principles to the region or country in 2020, we’re not only celebrating and aquariums around the world according to the needs of the wildlife, our four decades of success in maintain and share animal records. Dr culture, society of the area. There are changing the future for wildlife, but Seal collaborated with a colleague to currently 11 CPSG Regional Recourse also leading a species conservation develop the first model for a Species Centres (RRCs), including CPSG 22 planning revolution that will rally Survival Plan (SSP) programme on Europe. CPSG Europe was established in more species at once, exponentially 2002 with Bengt Holst of Copenhagen increasing the impact of conservation Zoo as convener, a position he still planning. And, in partnership with holds today. CPSG Europe works the SSC and Parque das Aves, CPSG closely with EAZA, which benefits set up the Species Survival Centre both organisations. Over the years, this at our RRC in Brazil to empower has led to a number of constructive conservation efforts through training initiatives, resulting in both capacity and support for assessing, planning and building in conservation facilitation acting to save species. and the development of important These successes are helping us to conservation tools, such as EAZA’s scale up our efforts to change the new Population Management Structure future for threatened species, but we’re ROTE ISLAND SNAKE-NECKED TURTLE and the multi-species planning process not stopping there. In May 2019, (CHELODINA MCCORDI) called ICAP, or Integrated Collection we convened a Strategic Planning Assessment and Planning — designed Meeting to consider the future of the to optimise the ex situ conservation organisation so we can continue to contribution of zoo and aquarium evolve and bring species conservation collection planning. planning into a new era. The result ULYSSES S. SEAL, FIRST CHAIR OF CPSG, AT A WORKSHOP FOR CPSG Europe initially focused MEDICINAL PLANTS IN 1995. was the identification of three strategic on European conservation tasks but pillars that will carry us well beyond soon broadened its reach, with CPSG 2020: Europe staff, including Kristin Leus, • Shared Ownership: uniting supporting other regions in need of breeding programme that has government leaders behind our facilitation or population modelling resulted in the birth of more than shared responsibility to save species. capacity and developing new tools, 2,000 snakes, of which hundreds • Access to Knowledge: transforming including the ‘IUCN Guidelines for have been released into the wild. information into more effective the Use of Ex Situ Management for • We helped source the best available species action. Species Conservation’ and CPSG’s data and research on wattled cranes · Inclusive Voices: supporting local ex situ needs assessment workshop. In so that groups working to save the communities and indigenous peoples the years to come, CPSG Europe will species could plan for its future. The organisations to effectively drive be heavily involved in fulfilling the birds' population in South Africa change. new task of CPSG: ensuring that every increased by more than 60%. species that needs one is covered by an SUCCESSFUL NUMBERS effective, implemented plan. CATALYSING A SPECIES As of 2020, CPSG members number CONSERVATION PLANNING just over 300 individuals from CONSERVATION WORKS WHEN REVOLUTION nearly 50 countries. The number of GUIDED BY PLANNING We are now ramping up our efforts to institutional and individual donors Our 40 years of planning futures for increase global capacity and to scale has gone from 57 in 1989 to 120 in threatened species has taught us that up species conservation planning to 2018, many of whom have been annual conservation action can work, when address the growing threats to species donors for more than 20 years. Since guided by effective planning. A recent worldwide. We added more face-to- its inception, CPSG has assisted in the study (Lees et al., in prep) comparing face facilitation training courses to development of conservation plans the rate of species declines before and our schedule and in 2018 debuted a involving over 280 species through after CPSG intervention illustrates the new online training course. Last year, more than 785 workshops in 75 powerful role of CPSG workshops as we launched a Species Conservation countries. CPSG has collaborated with a turning point for threatened species. Planners Development Path more than 200 zoos and aquariums, 180 Species decline continued to slow for programme to support a select group conservation NGOs, 65 universities, 55 over a decade after an initial workshop of conservation professionals over an SSC Specialist Groups, 50 government took place. Success stories resulting 18-month period of formal training, agencies and 35 corporations. from CPSG workshops include: ‘on-the-job’ coaching and mentorship. The 40-year story of CPSG is an • The tenkile tree kangaroo As a result of these investments in impressive one. But it’s truly only population rebounded to an capacity building, we nearly doubled just beginning. There is much more estimated 300 individuals after the number of species conservation work to do for the more than 27,000 CPSG connected local landowners, planning workshops conducted in species that are threatened with conservation scientists and 2019. extinction. Our goal is to ensure that government to equitably share But capacity building isn’t all we’re every species that needs one is covered knowledge and responsibility for the doing to scale up to save species. In by an effective, implemented plan conservation of this species. 2018, CPSG developed a new planning of action for its survival. That’s why · Bringing the right people together tool called Assessing to Plan (A2P), we’re catalysing a species conservation to plan a future for the Hungarian allowing us to move more quickly from planning revolution. We hope that you meadow viper led to a conservation Red List assessment to planning for will be part of it. www.cpsg.org 23 CONSERVATION Saving the Danish noble chafer

THE REDISCOVERY OF A RARE BEETLE THAT WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE DISAPPEARED INSPIRED A NEW CONSERVATION PROJECT AT COPENHAGEN ZOO, WHICH AIMS TO SECURE THE BEETLE’S SURVIVAL IN DENMARK.

Signe Ellegaard, Research Assistant, and Eddie Bach, Zookeeper and Ranger, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark

In and around a protected forest area (Bombina bombina) and the natterjack transformation into mature beetles. in Ringsted Municipality on Zealand, toad (Epidalea calamita) by restoring The imagoes live off nectar, usually you might be lucky enough to see a habitats, breeding the species in human from white umbellifers; in Denmark photogenic metallic-green beetle, care and then releasing tadpoles. The they are most often found in flowering which is easily mistaken for the rose expertise gained through this project elder on warm sunny summer days in chafer (Cetonia aurata). However, now forms the basis for the current forest glades. The saproxylic species unlike the more common rose chafer, work with the beetles. When zookeeper are important to the forests because of the noble chafer (Gnorimus nobilis) is and nature ranger Eddie Bach and the role they play in wood decaying classified as Endangered on the Danish his colleague Lene Rasmussen were and nutrient recycling. In this way they Red List (2019). It was in fact thought notified about the rediscovery of the also contribute to the creation of new that the noble chafer had disappeared noble chafer, it was not long before the habitats for other organisms. completely from Denmark, as it had new project was in the pipeline. This It should not be surprising that the not been registered since 1998. It conservation project aims to secure population of the noble chafer is in was therefore a big surprise when the and expand what is believed to be the decline, as at least 13% of all assessed beetle was suddenly rediscovered in last population in Denmark through ex European beetles are decreasing in Allindelille Fredsskov in Ringsted situ breeding, the release of larvae and number. For the saproxylic beetles, the Municipality in 2012 – and shortly habitat restoration in situ. decline is primarily caused by modern thereafter also at Frijsenborg close to forestry and the accompanying removal Aarhus. However, very few individuals THE SPECIES of old veteran trees from the forests have been seen since, and in the last The noble chafer is a so-called – a problem that is well recognised couple of years only a few imagoes saproxylic species, meaning that during in Denmark. The Danish forests are (fully-developed insects) have been its lifecycle it is dependent on dead dominated by plantations resulting observed in Allindelille, which now or decaying wood to complete its in a lack of old, open forest, a habitat probably comprises the last known development. The female imago lays that is necessary for the decaying population of the noble chafers in her eggs in a decaying cavity in a tree wood cavities that the species needs to Denmark. that is still alive and standing. After develop. It is more than 20 years since the a few weeks, the eggs hatch and the zoo’s first Danish conservation project larvae then live in and off the dead EX SITU BREEDING AND IN SITU began. The focus was then (and still is) wood for up to three years while they HABITAT RESTORATION to save threatened Danish amphibians undergo three larval stages. The larvae Breeding has proven to be a relatively 24 such as the European fire-bellied toad pupate in spring and undergo the last easy task. Since 2016, Copenhagen Zoo has bred noble chafers from two Studies on eDNA will contribute to founder pairs collected in Allindelille. developing non-invasive monitoring The first generation bred in human methods where field samples care consisted of 10 imagoes, which containing frass can determine this. increased to 63 the following year, resulting in more than 750 larvae. This THE FUTURE FOR THE DANISH is seven times as many individuals NOBLE CHAFER as have ever been registered in By studying the species at the zoo as Denmark. This proves that the noble well as in the field, we will gain useful chafer is fully capable of breeding knowledge about its biology. This and developing in a Danish climate knowledge will help in understanding and confirms that the lack of suitable the species’ ecology and is therefore habitat in situ is a factor in the essential when making targeted declining population. conservation plans for the future In the area around Allindelille, very survival of G. nobilis and hopefully few breeding trees are available for other species with similar ecology. The the species, so the project also intends noble chafer will hopefully function as to create more breeding sites. One of an umbrella species, as the efforts to the ways to do this is to veteranise save it will have positive consequences suitable trees. Veteranisation is a for many other species as well. With physical intervention using a chain species due to its saproxylic lifestyle the plans for the continuous release saw on a healthy tree, which speeds up and it may be difficult to find. The of larvae bred in human care, as well the tree’s natural ageing process. The number of observed imagoes might as habitat restoration and habitat intervention allows fungi, insects and therefore not give a realistic picture expansion, the future of the wild other animals to create cavities within of the true status of the population, populations is looking brighter. We the wood, which many species need, which is why a more systematic effort hope that in the future, many more including the noble chafer. The tree is needed to determine population size people will be able to see the noble does not die; it is only partly damaged, and dynamics in the area. One way to chafer in Denmark. and after a few years it can function do this will be to use pheromone traps The project is financially supported as a breeding site for the noble chafer for luring in imagoes and then applying by The Danish Nature Fund, and is a and other species. However, although a mark-recapture approach. Estimating collaboration between Copenhagen the intervention does not take long, the population size in the breeding Zoo, the Danish Nature Agency, the natural decaying process in the season after the first reintroduction of Vesterskoven I/S, Danmarks tree might take 10 to 20 years, so larvae will not only give us extremely Naturfond, Ringsted Municipality and an instant solution is also needed. valuable information about the status multiple private landowners. Specially designed nest boxes (inspired of the population, but also indicate the by boxes used for the hermit beetle degree of success from the first release RELEVANT LITERATURE on Öland, Sweden) which resemble a in 2019. Furthermore, the study will • Bengtsson, V., Hedin, J. & Niklasson, M. (2012). natural cavity are hung up in trees in be designed to include data that will Veteranisation of oak – managing trees to speed up the project area. These will function provide us with new knowledge on habitat production. Trees beyond the Wood, 1–11. as temporary breeding sites for the the dispersal abilities of the species • Blake, M., Mckeown, N. J. & Shaw, P. W. (2015). species, and it is in these boxes that in Denmark. The resulting maximum DNA isolation from single pieces of beetle frass: the first release of 450 zoo-bred larvae dispersal distance of the imagoes will a resource for conservation genetic studies of took place in the autumn of 2019. equal the maximum distance between Gnorimus nobilis. European Congress of Entomology, More boxes will be deployed in the veteranised trees, foraging areas and (August), Special Edition 64-65. coming years, which should increase nest boxes to ensure that dispersal • Cálix, M., Nieto, A., Alexander, K. N. A., Nieto, the population. between these vital areas can be A., Dodelin, B. S. F., Telnov, D., … Purchart, L. reached from each other. (2018). European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles. MONITORING AND RESEARCH While both imagoes and larvae of In IUCN Species Programme. https://doi. As well as population management the noble chafer might be very difficult org/10.2779/84561. and reintroduction, the project aims to to locate, the frass (hard faecal pellets) • Hooper, A., Finch, P., Id, D. J. H., Woodcock, M., increase our knowledge of the species’ of the larvae can more easily be found Caulfield, J. C., Id, M. K., … Birkett, M. A. (2018). biology and ecology, which will help in open hollows of the veteran trees Environmentally vulnerable noble chafers exhibit in targeting our efforts to secure the inhabited by the species. Though unusual pheromone-mediated behaviour. 1–16. species and its last natural habitat. This faeces of different species can usually https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7223453. includes studying the species in human be distinguished by shape and size by a v1.Funding. care to learn about such things as larval trained field worker, more definitively • Jansson, N., Ranius, T., Larsson, A. & Milberg, P. development, but also includes working conclusive methods are needed to (2009). Boxes mimicking tree hollows can help in situ to develop efficient non-invasive establish exactly which species the conservation of saproxylic beetles. Biodiversity and monitoring methods. faecal pellets belong to and thus which Conservation, 18 (14): 3891–3908. https://doi. The noble chafer is a rather elusive species live inside that specific tree. org/10.1007/s10531-009-9687-2. 25 CONSERVATION Taking action for Indonesia MORE THAN 40 ORGANISATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD JOINED FORCES LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRST EVER ACTION INDONESIA DAY, TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR THE REGION’S THREATENED UNGULATES Stuart Young, Programme Officer, IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group

Action Indonesia is an international partnership of over 50 institutions – including zoos, NGOs, governments and universities – coordinating the Global Species Management Plans (GSMPs) for anoa, banteng and babirusa. These threatened ungulate species, all found in Indonesia, are often little-known and under- appreciated by zoo visitors (and even among zoo workers). As well as reaching a demographically and genetically healthy global ex situ population, and utilising the technical and financial support of zoos forin situ conservation, one of the key goals of the Action Indonesia partnership is to raise awareness of these species among zoo visitors. To do this, the GSMP Education Working Group organised ‘Action Indonesia Day’. The first ever Action Indonesia Day was held on 18 August last year. More than 40 organisations across four continents got involved for a day of events and activities to connect people to anoa, banteng and babirusa and raise awareness about the global efforts to conserve them. The events conservation, including using camera of Sumatran tiger. The Sumatran tiger held in zoos, and posts on social media traps to monitor wild populations of GSMP is aligned with the ungulate (searchable with the #ActionIndonesia anoa and babirusa in Sulawesi. GSMPs in Indonesia, making an ideal hashtag), helped to increase the profile There were 26 Indonesian link with this day of awareness raising. of these largely unknown and under- organisations involved in Action Indeed, you do not have to be a holder appreciated threatened ungulates. Indonesia Day, and this was the largest of one of the GSMP species to get Zoos got involved with special representation of any single region. involved; this is a great opportunity to keeper talks and ‘artefacts tables’, many This was down to the hard work of the raise awareness about the role of zoos of them making use of the educational Indonesian members of the Education in cooperative breeding programmes, resources available to download from Working Group to promote the day to or conservation issues in Indonesia in the Action Indonesia website. Some zoos and universities across Indonesia. general. zoos also used this as an opportunity for Due to its success in 2019, we will be To find out more about last year’s fundraising as well as awareness raising. running Action Indonesia Day again event, and the Action Indonesia Drayton Manor Zoo in the UK held a this year, on 16 August. This year, GSMPs in general, please visit the variety of games and activities to raise however, we are hoping for a much Action Indonesia website at www. money – including one in which the greater European showing! Last year, actionindonesiagsmp.org or search keepers were sponsored to get a tattoo four EAZA Members got involved for the #ActionIndonesia hashtag on of an anoa! Through this, Drayton with activities, fundraising and social social media. Manor raised £700 (around €840). media posts (Big Cat Sanctuary, To find out more about getting A further $1,568 (£1,210/€1,450) Chester Zoo, Drayton Manor Zoo and involved in Action Indonesia Day was raised by Zoo Miami and several Marwell Wildlife, all UK). More than 2020, please contact Charlotte Smith, chapters of the American Association 30 EAZA collections hold at least GSMP Education Working Group of Zoo Keepers. These funds will one of the three ungulate species, and leader and European representative be used to support important in situ there are more than 50 EAZA holders ([email protected]). 26 SAFARI BALI TSI FUNDING Flexible funding for a brighter future THE EU LIFE PROGRAMME IS ADAPTING TO THESE EXTRAORDINARY TIMES BY OFFERING FLEXIBILITY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND BEYOND. ACTION INDONESIA DAY ACTIVITIES AT BALI SAFARI Dalila Frasson, EAZA Funding Coordinator

As readers of Zooquaria already into both the application process the guidelines. Larger companies know, the LIFE programme is an and the scope of projects eligible for have been invited to consider EU fund supporting environmental, funding. Modifications to the NGO their LIFE project as a potential nature conservation and climate Operational Grant are as follows: incubator for start-ups. action projects throughout the EU. • There is an extension of two If you would like to know more, a It is funded and administered by the months for submission of the final webinar about the Covid-19 flexibility European Commission. report, which can now be done measures for the LIFE 2020 call can be The European Commission and electronically. found at the following link: https://eu- many other government institutions • Cost reimbursements related to life-2020.b2match.io/ all around the world have taken cancellations have been made Last but not least, flexibility in the severe measures to slow down the available if venues or other next LIFE (2021–2027) stream of spread of the Covid-19 virus and cost centres cannot provide funds will be as follows: we are observing a strong negative reimbursement. • to launch specific calls for proposals impact on economic activity in many • It is permitted to include costs or other actions to target specific countries. The severity of this impact related to Covid-19 measures (e.g. issues or topics; depends on how long these measures webinar/ remote meeting IT, masks • to extend the scope of the strategic need to be upheld and the monetary to continue work, etc.). integrated projects; and fiscal actions taken to overcome • It is permitted to adapt the work • to extend the scope of the Strategic structural damage to economies. programme as long as the budget Nature Projects (SNaPs) beyond We believe that the LIFE shift is <20%. Prioritised Action Frameworks; programme must adapt to meet the Regarding the 2020 LIFE calls, the • to finance capacity-building projects global challenge we all now face, so European Commission has introduced for upscaling or replicating the that funding contributes to lasting several measures to lessen the impact project results; outcomes that can help prevent of the restrictions we all have to live • to finance other actions such as this kind of crisis in the future – an with. Amongst the various measures, prizes or contests; assessment that the Commission some have addressed the submission • to define the priority topics on an appears to share and which is leading process, while others opened up new annual basis; and to flexibility around the funds and the possibilities in terms of project design. • to have cumulative financing with application process. Some examples below: other programmes. LIFE’s key priorities are the • All submission deadlines are being To wrap up, we would like to give environment and climate, but the link extended by one month. some tips to all beneficiaries of LIFE to human health is now unavoidable. • First pre-financing payment has projects during this pandemic and for With greater understanding of the been increased (40% instead of the next few months. interconnectedness of human and 30%). • Take a new approach: the rules have ecosystem health comes the potential • There is increased flexibility for the changed. to promote greater social and resource 2% rule. • Be flexible: although life could sustainability over the long term, • No depreciation in case goods are return to normal in the short or which in turn could help reduce the used after the project for the same medium term, it may not, and you risks of further pandemic outbreaks as purpose. must be prepared to operate in the well benefit species conservation. • Priorities and topics remain, but new context well into the future. In the light of the opportunities and ideas connected with pandemic • Be very clear in communicating the challenges posed by the pandemic, the management are welcome. benefits of your offer, especially to LIFE fund has been reviewed by the • A special section on start-up vulnerable groups. Commission to build some flexibility companies has been integrated into • Be humane and help those in need!

EAZA is supported in this work by the European Union LIFE NGO funding programme. The European Union is not responsible for the views displayed in publications and/or in conjunction with the activities for which the grant is used 27 EXHIBITS

A walk in the food forest APENHEUL ZOO IN THE NETHERLANDS IS ON A MISSION TO INSPIRE VISITORS AND STIMULATE NATURAL FORAGING BEHAVIOUR IN PRIMATES THROUGH SMART DESIGN FOR LOCAL BIODIVERSITY

Thomas Bionda, Zoological Manager, and Laura de Kruijs, Head of Strategic Project Management, Apenheul Primate Park, the Netherlands

Ever since it opened in 1971, Apenheul result in unwanted behaviours such innovative and to stimulate natural has always been a primate-focused as boredom, stereotypical behaviour foraging behaviour as much as possible. zoo, well known for our free-roaming and/or abnormal behaviour. Simply At the same time, we wanted to boost primates, the large and naturalistic meeting their nutritional requirements our local biodiversity by carefully exhibits and our unique primate does not automatically mean that their selecting a large variety of native collection. We are constantly looking behavioural needs are met as well. flowers, plants and trees. And, perhaps for innovative ideas and progressive needless to say, we wanted to tell a story ways of housing primates. Recently, we BIODIVERSITY LOSS about the importance and complexity have been faced with three challenges; Of course, their wild counterparts of biodiversity and to provide tools • How can we stimulate natural also face a lot of challenges. Nature and information for visitors on how foraging behaviour in primates? is declining globally at rates they could contribute to increasing • How can we boost our local unprecedented in human history – biodiversity themselves. Last but not biodiversity? and the rate of species extinctions is least, the whole project had to be built • How can we inspire and educate accelerating1. This is also visible on in the most sustainable way possible. visitors to stimulate biodiversity in a more regional level. Current data At first, improving local biodiversity, their own backyard? suggest an overall pattern of decline both quantitative and qualitative, ánd The knowledge that zoos and aquariums in insect diversity and abundance: stimulating natural foraging behaviour have regarding animal husbandry for flying insects in Germany up to for (partly) insectivorous primates is continuously increasing. Exhibits 76% - 82% decline in biomass over seemed to be two separate design become larger and more naturalistic, the 27 years of study2. As conservation principles. Almost a contradictio in while our nutritionists design well- organisations, both ex situ and in situ, we terminis. However, we soon discovered balanced diets that resemble our feel responsible for all living creatures, that these principles are strongly primates’ natural diets as much as large and small. This is also mentioned interconnected and can complement possible. There is, however, one big in EAZA’s mission statement: To each other. difference, especially for primates, that facilitate co-operation within the European still remains a challenge: naturalistic zoo and aquarium community with the LANDSCAPE AND EXHIBIT DESIGN foraging behaviour. Despite our best aim of furthering its professional quality We set out to design and build an efforts in feeding enrichment and in keeping animals and presenting them environment that adds value for increasing the number of feeding times, for the education of the public, and of foraging primates and our native we don’t always succeed in recreating contributing to scientific research andto inhabitants. The first step was to their natural situation. the conservation of global biodiversity. attract more insects and other small invertebrates to the area; this stimulates FEEDING VS. FORAGING MULTI-TASKING FOR MONKEYS foraging, as more potential food is In the wild, primates spend around To address these various issues, we present for the primates to look for. So eight to 12 hours a day foraging, but wanted to create a new free-roaming we created a better home for our local in zoos we often feed them only four monkey exhibit, where visitors can inhabitants by: to six times a day. Their dietary needs walk freely through this mixed exhibit • building an exhibit barrier in the are largely met in zoos, and their diet with several callithrichids and other shape of an insect hotel wall (this is is sometimes even better compared small New World monkeys. But described in more detail below); to that of their wild conspecifics. since we already have various free- • adding a moat as an exhibit barrier However, the lack of time spent on roaming primate exhibits in Apenheul, and using it as the beginning of an 28 this important foraging behaviour may we wanted to push ourselves to be ecological succession (see above); a significant increase in biodiversity, it will definitely stimulate and support the species already present. Also, by carefully adding new species of plants and flowers, we may make the area even more attractive, which could boost biodiversity in the future. Think of an increase in native bees, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers and woodlice, but also reptiles, birds and SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION OF AN ECOLOGICAL small mammals. They can use the wall SUCCESSION, AS DESIGNED FOR THE NEW to spend the night, shelter, hibernate FREE-ROAMING MONKEY EXHIBIT or reproduce. And yes, some of the invertebrates will end up in a different • adding new species of native flowers, which are aimed at different target ‘hotel’; the belly of a monkey. But most plants, bushes and deciduous trees and audiences. We also offer practical tools likely this won’t have a substantial fruit trees; and to our visitors to help them to improve impact on a population level. • replacing invasive tree species with and increase biodiversity in their daily To create this exhibit, we went native deciduous trees. lives. To reinforce the importance of through a painstaking process of Secondly, we took several steps to creating such areas, we intend to take thinking and designing. Obviously, stimulate primate foraging time, as various measurements of biodiversity some ideas are perfect in theory, but follows: increase and development in this can work differently in practice; this is • We planted wild fruit and nut trees specific area. all part of the process. If you have any and plants, which, in addition to the questions or suggestions, please feel free native animals, are also part of the A GREAT WALL FOR THE SMALL to contact us. And if you are interested primates’ diet. To make sure that the insects and in seeing what the actual exhibit looks • The indoor exhibit is provided with other small invertebrates that we like, make sure to visit us! continuous ‘fresh’ tree stumps and want to attract are given adequate other enrichment from the outdoors accommodation, we designed our own REFERENCES (containing insects). large insect hotel. It consists of two 1 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ • Both the outdoor and indoor areas separate walls with a combined length blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/ have special dispensers containing of more than 100m. Although the 2 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/ such things as mealworms and gum, insect hotel does not necessarily cause journal.pone.0185809 which requires the primates to make an effort to find food. For example, an extra layer of bark is attached on top of the dispensers, simulating an actual branch. • The increased consumption of nuts, fruits and insects in the outdoor exhibit will be closely monitored by our zookeepers and nutritionist. When required, the primates’ diet will be adapted accordingly; for example, THE INSECT WALL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, to take account of seasonal dietary INCLUDING A SAND-BATH FOR THE NATIVE variations. ANDRENA BEE (ANDRENA SSP)

THE STORY WE SHARE How to design an insect hotel We called the exhibit the Food Forest, • Make sure larger insect hotels are built in compartments. This enables you to to help our visitors understand the easily replace parts in the lower levels. exhibit’s function. Its meaning is • Make sure the hotel is dry (create a roof). twofold: it is a place where the foraging • Variation in materials is essential, not only to facilitate the different species, but behaviour of our primates is highly also to prevent a possible fungus outbreak. stimulated and where native animals • Consult an expert. These people can advise you on design effectiveness for the can themselves find food and, in that animals you are building it for. For example, some native bees require a very way, become part of the primates’ specific diameter and stem depth to nest in. natural diet. It tells the story of the • One of the most enjoyable aspects of designing an insect hotel is creating natural food chain and stresses its different habitats in the wall; the upper parts are designed for all kinds of vulnerability and beauty. We share smaller insect such as bees and beetles, while the lower parts are focused on this story in our park presentations, snakes, small mammals and larger insects and reptiles. guided tours and educational displays, • You can use the insect hotel as a visual barrier, increasing its benefits. 29 CONSERVATION 31 STAINLESS STEEL NET VINE ROPES

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