QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIA

WINTERZ 2013/14oo quariAISSUE 84

LONG LIVE THE KING THE FUTURE OF EAZA’S KING PENGUIN POPULATION

Gene genius HOW GENETIC STUDIES CAN BENEFIT THE GREAT APES 1 1 Age of aquariums MEET JOAO FALCATO, CHAIR OF EAZA’S AQUARIUM COMMITTEE

Contents Zooquaria Winter 2013/14

6 12 20

32

4 From the Director’s chair 19 Breeding Programme There’s a brighter way to spread the The quest continues for a solution to the problem conservation message of sub-specific hybridised African lions in zoos 5 Announcements 20 Campaigns A round-up of news from EAZA including King penguins, tackling climate change, and a exciting births and hatchings look back at the SE Asia Campaign 9 Endangered animals 26 Education A conservation breeding programme will help How the IUCN Red List is being introduced to a us find out more about the ecology of the saola larger audience 12 International cooperation 28 Collection management Long-distance teaching methods that could Why it’s important to bring more mustelids back help save the black rhino. Plus, a look at to our zoos how Brazil is making its way back onto the 30 international zoological map Training How funding can help growing zoos gain 16 Interview experience through international internships Meet Joao Falcato, the new chair of EAZA’s 32 Aquarium Committee Science Conservation of the great apes can be enhanced through a greater study of genetics

Zooquaria EDITORIAL BOARD: EAZA Executive Office, PO Box 20164, 1000 HD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Executive Director Lesley Dickie ([email protected]) Email: [email protected] ISSN 2210-3392 Managing Editor David Williams-Mitchell ([email protected]) Cover image: King Penguin/Shutterstock Editor Malcolm Tait ([email protected]) For information on print subscriptions to Zooquaria visit: http://tinyurl.com/zooquaria. Editorial Staff Danny de Man, William van Lint The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of EAZA. Designer Louise Tait Printed using vegetable inks on paper containing 50% recycled waste and 50% Zooquaria is the quarterly magazine of the sustainably sourced virgin fibre; bleached using an Elemental Chlorine Free process. European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Printed by Drukkerij Valkenstadt 3 From the Director’s Chair We live in a digitally democratised age. We can post on time in 15 years (see page 25). Facebook, tweet, and upload videos onto YouTube and other They also tend to be funny people, inventive people, people social networking sites. Our online presence is increasing, who are good fun to be with – but this is not the image that leaving a trail of who we are and what we believe behind us, the general public would get from watching our gloomy like the wake of a powerboat. We also have access to more and messages. Who wants to join the club of those people? If we more information from tens of thousands, if not millions, of just compare the ‘hits’ on serious videos about nature decline organisations all vying for attention for their messages. to the 40 million hits and rising of those who watch the Conservation organisations have been trying to make ‘dramatic chipmunk’ on YouTube it’s self evident that our good use of these various tools to get out the message that messages are challenging and not of sufficient interest. They the natural world is under attack and that it is at our peril also are not ‘funny’ – I don’t use that word lightly, because if if we continue to let nature be destroyed. As conservation something makes you smile you may just feel more positive professionals we know that the rate of decline of species and about doing something about it. Go to this link (http://bit. their habitats is frightening. We also know what we don’t ly/1iRdyJW) and see a great video about single use plastic know, that as we slowly break down our natural world we bags that is funny, uses popular culture and has a serious have no idea of how nature will respond – but respond she message. Being ‘green’ shouldn’t mean being boring. will. There are still arguments about whether the increase So how do we create engaging messages, without them in extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and becoming banal and meaningless? I believe we have lots of tropical storms is really down to human activity changing our material to do just that. We have a rich research pool in social climate, but given that they are increasing shouldn’t we apply sciences and we can start supporting more social science the precautionary principle? So in our commitment to asking research in our facilities related to changing behaviours for for change and action we highlight the issues, we show the the benefit of nature. We have a network of committed, frightening pictures, we state repeatedly that nature, species knowledgeable, funny, engaging people, whose skills could be and individuals are declining and that they will soon be gone. channeled in non-traditional ways and messages to reach new But are we going about this the right way? What if we are audiences. actually putting out a message that there is no hope, that of A final thought. Confucius said ‘it’s better to light one small course species are going extinct? What if we have created a candle than to curse the darkness’. Conservationists are by giant ‘social norm’, that this is the normal state of affairs? It’s definition ‘candle lighters’ but our messages are cursing the depressing to read about poaching, falling trees, mistreated darkness. Let’s try and light a few candles in everything that animals and so on. Social science in conservation issues is we do and say. still in its relatively early days but the social sciences have long demonstrated that social norms are powerful tools and that we need to think more about the language we use if our messages are to move from simple information that charts a decline to real social change. There are signs in the last few years that more organisations are trying to make that shift from gloom and doom to wonder and awe. The IUCN ‘Love not Loss’ video went some of the way to talking about the great things about nature but was Dr Lesley Dickie more of a message to the conservation community itself, not Executive Director, EAZA the wider public. Personally, the conservationists I know are amazingly optimistic people – how could you be anything else, knowing in depth what they know about nature loss, yet still ploughing on every day, doing their best to solve the problems, devoting their lives to a cause. They also, unsurprisingly, tend to be the people who are most joyful about nature, who find animals amazing, who smile when 4 they hear that a saola has been camera trapped for the first ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICEBOARD

AB Aqua Medic GmbH (www.aqua-medic.de) AQUA-TEKNIK A/S (www.aqua-teknik.com) Base Structures Ltd (www.basestructures.com) Billings Productions (www.billingsproductions.com) Brogaarden (www.brogaarden.eu) CelsiusPro AG (www.celsiuspro.com) Claxitalia (www.claxitalia.com) Doublecheck Oy (www.doublezoo.com) Dowman Soft Touch (www.dowman.com) EKIPA (www.ekipa.nl) Fachjan Project Plants (www.fachjan.nl) HMJ Design (www.hmj-design.dk) Instituto Bioclon (www.bioclon.com.mx) Jardine Lloyd Thompson Leisure (www.jltgroup.com) Kiezebrink International (www.kiezebrink.eu) CAIMAN OUT IN STYLE Mapcards (www.mapcards.net) THE FIRST BLACK CAIMANS TO BE A further 22 successfully hatched, too. The Marchegay Technologies (www.marchegay.com) bred in captivity outside their natural young caimans were fed earthworms Marine Nutrition (www.marinenutrition.com) home countries were hatched in Aalborg regularly from day five after hatching. As Mazuri Zoo Foods (www.mazuri.eu) Zoo on 1 May 2013, writes Trine H Jensen, they grew older they also received mice. Pangea Rocks (www.pangea.dk) Jens Sigsgaard, Aalborg Zoo, Denmark. The parents have been in Aalborg Zoo pricetag (www.pricetag.nl) Interest in the nest had been noted for a since February 2011 on loan from Ralf Nature (www.ralfnature.com) long period and one day the female was Krokodille Zoo, Denmark. The black Rasbach Architekten (www.rasbacharchitekten.de) on guard just outside the nest area caimans were both wild collected as new Ravensden Plc (www.ravensden.co.uk) looking very slim. It turned out that 26 hatched babies in 1997 and 1998 in ray hole architects (www.rayhole-architects.com) eggs had been laid in a mound made of Ecuador by Krokodille Zoo’s extensive St. Laurent (www.st-laurent.fr) leaves and sand, and they were removed involvement in crocodilian conservation Triumph Gate Ltd (www.triumphgate.org) by keepers and placed in an incubator in projects. Aalborg Zoo started out with 1,2 Wildlife Trading Company (www.wctnm.com) plastic boxes with vermiculite and water individuals and after 18 months the Zoolife s.l (www.zoologicaladviser.com) (1:1) at 31-32°C. Of the 26, 24 were smaller female was returned to Krokodille ZOOPROFIS (www.zooprofis.de) fertilised and the first hatched after 89 Zoo as the other female became too ZooTrend (www.zootrend.com) days, a 30cm long black caiman emerging. aggressive. Zoos Online Services (www.zoos.pro)

REGISTRATIONS FOR EAZA CONFERENCES REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2014 EAZA the Netherlands. CONSERVATION FORUM which will be held at Leipzig Zoo. The The EAZA Mid Year TAG meetings will take place at Vogelpark forum, which is based on the theme ‘One Species, One Plan’ will take Avifauna directly after the Joint TAG Chairs Meeting, from 4-6 June. place in the first week of May – for more information and to register, Registration is open to all TAG members from EAZA, and visit www.eaza.net/NEWS/Pages/ConservationForum.aspx. participants in the Joint TAG Chairs Meeting. In addition to the Registration is also open for the Joint TAG chairs meeting organised working meetings, there will be opportunities to discuss the by EAZA on behalf of the WAZA Committee for Population involvement of EAZA TAGs in the global initiatives discussed at the Management (CPM). The Joint TAG Chairs meeting is by invitation Joint TAG Chairs Meeting. Please be careful to register for the EAZA only and will draw together TAG leaders or their equivalents from Mid Year TAGs Meeting only unless you have received an invitation across the world to discuss the global integration of efforts to to register for the Joint TAG Chairs meeting. For more details on safeguard the future of vulnerable species. The meeting will take these events, please visit http://www.eaza.net/News/Pages/ place from 1-3 June at Vogelpark Avifauna in Alphen aan de Rijn in Alphen2014.aspx. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICEBOARD NEW AND REACCREDITED MEMBERS GORILLA GOES SOUTH A PAIGNTON ZOO GORILLA HAS JOINED ‘This has been a fabulous opportunity the Royal Navy on a voyage to the for me to create a piece of artwork to Antarctic. The adventurous ape, named showcase Living Coasts and highlight PEG (Polar Explorer Gorilla) has sailed on the EAZA Pole to Pole campaign,’ says board HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s ice Jackie. ‘I made her a member of the patrol ship. Fittingly, this plastic Paignton exploration team. PEG became one of Zoo gorilla will be painted with an image the crew of HMS Protector and will of a Living Coasts’ macaroni penguin, encounter many adventures on her alongside a number of other penguin journey along with her shipmates.’ species. ‘The artwork also features the many The curious arrangement came about penguins that inhabit the Antarctic after the Executive Director of Paignton region, some of which are struggling Zoo and Living Coasts, Simon Tonge, was with changes to climate that are invited to lunch on board ship with other affecting the environment they rely on. I dignitaries. ‘During conversation the hope that this inspirational and unusual Great Gorillas Project came up and I piece of work will aid the EAZA campaign think it was Captain Hatcher who to protect biodiversity and generate suggested, in jest, that they could take a collective action in Zoo visitors.’ The gorilla to the Antarctic and photograph deployment, including a round trip of it on an iceberg,’ he says. ‘As it happens, her kitchen studio. She used ordinary almost 20,000 miles, lasts for 20 months. EAZA has just launched its major new acrylic paint; the model – which is 77cm For more information go to www. climate change campaign Pole to Pole. tall and 76cm long – was then varnished livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 And I realised that we had an unpainted at the zoo before setting sail. 3366. gorilla that was perfect for the job. After that it all fell into place very easily!’ POLAR EXPANSION Artist Jackie Kidd was invited to paint As the gorilla tracks further south, there is more good news for Pole to Pole and PEG because the zoo was so pleased the movement to reduce emissions: ALPZA, the Latin American Association of with her work on interpretation panels Zoos and Aquariums has joined the campaign, bringing another 20 million for the new coati enclosure. The task potential visitors into the community. took her a week and was completed in VULTURE SUCCESS THE RED-HEADED VULTURE (SARCOGYPS CALVUS) WAS ONCE into this goal. In collaboration with raptor expert Alberto widespread in India and SE Asia, but is today Critically Fagan, the zoo has worked with two pairs of the vulture, with Endangered due to an extremely rapid range and population success in early 2013. An egg was laid on 16 February and put decline. Feeding on carcasses of livestock treated with the into an incubator nine days later, and a second egg was laid on veterinary drug Diclofenac is presumed to be one of the major 29 March and put into the incubator after 17 days. The zoo causes of this massive decline, and conservation breeding discovered that the eggs required a longer incubation period efforts are urgently needed for this bird. – 55 days – than had previously been reported in the literature, Parco Natura Viva has been putting great effort and energy and the chicks were born in March and April and hand-reared.

6 NOTICEBOARD NEW AND REACCREDITED MEMBERS

EAZA welcomes the new members approved by Council in September 2013 and commends members newly accredited under the EAZA Accreditation Programme (EAP).

BIOPARC ZOOM TORINO Full ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR THE MARINE NUTRITION Corporate Description: Starting CONSERVATION OF SPECIES AND in the 1960s as a nature POPULATIONS Associate park where families Description: The Zoological would gather in the Society for the Conservation weekend, Giueppe Casetta transformed of Species and Populations Description: Marine Nutrition set up two the park over the next 20 years into a park (ZGAP) was founded in 1982 years ago to provide sustainably sourced where rescued and confiscated animals were by a small group of committed frozen seafood products for animal/fish feed. kept. In 2005, his son Gian Luigi Casetta took conservationists in Munich, They supply zoos and public aquariums over and transformed the park into what it Germany, and was soon registered as a throughout Europe including Copenhagen is today; the first Italian immersive biopark non-profit, tax deductable organisation. The Zoo, Oceanario Lisbon and London Zoo which takes visitors on a journey to discover main goal of the society is to contribute to amongst others. They are fully MSC certified two continents, Africa and Asia. In April the conservation of little-known endangered and their aim is for over 50% by volume of 2013, the African savannah opened in which species. Thousands of highly endangered their sales within 3 years to be from MSC visitors can participate in a safari adventure species exist, whose names are often not certified products. and discover giraffes, zebras, ostriches and even known by specialists and many of Country: UK many others on foot. these species have already disappeared Contact: Paul Bird Country: Italy during recent decades, because of lack of Tel: + 44 808 198 2879 Director: Daniel Sanchez knowledge. Currently the ZGAP supports Email: Contact: Leslie Baxter over 30 projects in, amongst others, the [email protected] Tel: +390119070878 Philippines, Indonesia, Peru, Ethiopia and Website: Email: [email protected] Madagascar. www.marinenutrition.com Website: www.zoomtorino.it Country: Germany Short name: Torino Director: Jens-Ove Heckel Date of opening: 2009 Contact: Jens-Ove Heckel Accredited members Size (ha): 21 Tel: +49 57257019912 Planckendael, Boras Djurpark, Nordens Ark, Staff: 19.5 Email: [email protected] Zoologicka zahrada mesta Brno, Zoologicka Number of species: 21 Website: www.zgap.de zahrada Ostrava, ZOO a zamek Zlin-Lesna, Number of visitors: 136,000 Short name: FED-ZGAP Tiergarten Schonbrunn, Helsinki Zoo, Organisational type: Company Date of opening: n/a Ogrod Zoologiczny w Opolu, Wroclaw Zoo, Size: n/a Givskud Zoo, Koelner Zoo, ZSL London Zoo, WILDLIFE HERITAGE Staff: n/a ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Budapest Fovaros FOUNDATION Associate Number of species: n/a Allat-Es Novenykertje, Odense Zoo, Zivalski Description: Wildlife Heritage Number of visitors: n/a vrt Ljubljana, Parken Zoo, Westfalischer Foundation (WHF) is home Organisational type: Private/Commercial Zoologischer Garten Munster. to the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, UK and is established in MARCHEGAY TECHNOLOGIES Temporary members 2000 by the Sampson family who needed Corporate New – Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, Al Ain room to expand for their succesful breeding Wildlife Park and Resort, Planète Sauvage. of big cats in Paradise Wildlife Park (EAZA full member since 2000). It has one of the Downgraded from Full to Temporary – most important collections of big cats in Ranua Wildlife Park, Akvariet I Bergen, the world. The Sanctuary has an excellent Description: Marchegay Technologies Hai Park Zoo, Haifa Educational Zoo and track record for breeding highly endangered assists zoological and themed parks from Biological Institute, Tierwelt Herberstein. felines including Amur leopards, Sumatran the initial design of a greenhouse project tigers and Amur tigers. The charity supports to its completion combining esthetics and Temporary Associate Membership global conservation efforts to protect big functionality with technology. With the Downgraded from Associate to Temporary cats and their habitats. The sanctuary is not help of their team of architects, engineers Associate – H.E. Sheikh Butti Maktoum’s open to the public but is available for private and draftsmen they design full-equipped Wildlife Center, Ed Palmieri. big cat experiences, functions, product projects that are the best suited to your launches and has four luxury wooden lodges needs. Temporary Member for a unique overnight stay. Country: France Under Construction Country: UK Contact: Baudouin Vidalin Zoo de Martinique Director: Peter Sampson Tel: +33 251 56 10 40 Contact: Lynn Withnall Email: Joining the candidacy for Membership Tel: +44 123771915 [email protected] programme: Email: [email protected]. Website: Lietuvos Zoologijos Sodas (Kaunas Zoo), uk www.marchegay.com Zoologika Zarada Kosice Kaveca, Palic Zoo. Website: www.whf.org.uk Short name: Ashford Terminated from membership: Date of opening: n/a Pheasant Foundation (Harehatch), Size: 13 Hammerton Zoo Park. Staff: 7.5 Number of species: 18 Number of visitors: n/a Organisational type: Non-profit organisation 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICEBOARD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UPDATE WIM VERBERKMOES HAS RETIRED AS Chair of EAZA’s Technical (a student from the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Assistance (TA) Committee after four years at the helm. Wim Sciences) and updated and revised by the TA Committee in 2013, chaired the committee with great commitment and dedication the manual is designed as a tool for institutions that are in the and was instrumental in building EAZA’s capability to help process of joining EAZA to assist them towards compliance with existing and new members reach the association’s standards. EAZA standards. Wim officially retired during the Annual Conference in The manual gives a concise but complete overview of the Edinburgh where he was awarded an EAZA lifetime achievement basics of zoo management and all aspects involved in running a award for all his hard work with the committee and for EAZA as a zoo. It describes in short all the considerations that directors, whole. He will stay active in the TA Committee as a mentor for curators and other managers need to keep in mind when Sofia Zoo in Bulgaria. managing and reconstructing a zoo, including new enclosure Wim has handed over the reins to Mark Challis, Zoo Manager development or improvement of animal record-keeping of Belfast Zoological Gardens in Northern Ireland. ‘I am excited systems. Based upon the combined knowledge of several to take over the reins after four years of exemplary leadership renowned zoo experts, it is the definitive starting point for zoo from Wim,’ he says. ‘I look forward to continuing his great work managers committed to reaching EAZA standards. and meeting the challenges of an ever-expanding membership, Used in conjunction with the advice offered by a dedicated and the ever-evolving role of the modern zoo.’ Technical Assistance Committee mentor who can identify Mark has been Zoo Manager for Belfast Zoo for many years priorities, the manual can help EAZA Candidates for Membership now and is a member of the BIAZA Membership and Licensing follow a step-by-step approach towards better animal welfare, Committee. He brings a wealth of experience to his new role and more efficient business practice and improved management will be a key player in the continued development of the EAZA systems. membership. EAZA currently has 15 Candidate for Membership institutions One of the first items on the committee’s agenda under Mark’s in 12 countries, all of whom will receive the new manual in hard chairmanship is the release of a new edition of the Technical copy. A digital version will be made available on the EAZA Assistance Manual. Entitled Foundations for a modern zoo – website. If you wish to receive a printed copy, but your institution strategies for management & development, the manual is the is not an EAZA Candidate for Membership, then please contact result of several years’ work. Developed in 2008 by Marco Snijder the EAZA Executive Office.

LANDAU CATCH-UP LACK OF SPACE IN RECENT ISSUES of Zooquaria has meant that some births and hatchings haven’t found room in these pages, but their importance is such that, despite several months having gone by, they need to be recorded. Zoo Landau has had two of them. After numerous trials over several years, on 24 October 2012 Zoo Landau welcomed a much longed-for first ever litter of 2.3 northern cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii). This The other three however developed Ghana. Little Ivy is being raised by her is also the first successful breeding of very well with a caring and extremely mother without any problems, and it is this subspecies in a German zoo. The relaxed mother. encouraging to see the other females northern cheetah has been held at Another long expected and special also taking care of the youngster. This Landau since 2006, but various pairings birth has been of a female white-naped was the second birth of this subspecies had turned out to be fruitless. In mangabey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus) in Landau, after the female Leonie November 2011 Landau received the on 23 February 2013 at Landau. Her was born at the zoo in 2001. She was female Shaina (born 2008 at Zoo de la mother Pirina (born 2008 at Bioparc transferred to London Zoo in 2006 and Palmyre) within the scope of the EEP. Valencia) came to Landau in April 2012 Leonie’s daughter Conchita came back She was paired with male Fareed (born to be paired with Charles, a wild-born to Landau in October 2011. Being the 2006 at Safaripark Beekse Bergen) confiscated male, who came to Landau second ‘favourite’ female of Charles we and mating proved successful. Two in October 2010 from the rescue may hope for more offspring of this female pups, who turned out to be and breeding centre for endangered rare subspecies in the future. A further smaller and weaker than their siblings, primates run by NGO WAPCA (West mangabey was born at Landau on 23 died at days three and four after birth. African Primate Conservation Action) in November.

8 HESS STEFFI ENDANGERED ANIMALS Saving the saola

SO VERY LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SAOLA, BUT A CONSERVATION BREEDING PROGRAMME, WITH SUPPORT FROM ZOOS, MIGHT HELP US FIND ANSWERS

Terry Hornsey, Animal Manager, Africa Alive!, Chair of the European Cattle & Camelid TAG, Coordinator for the EAZA Cattle & Camelid TAG ‘Intensive Management of Saola Advisory Group’

More than two decades after its discovery, in the rapidly expanding economies of we still know very little about the saola. countries such as China and Vietnam. It is by far the largest terrestrial animal Paradoxically, saola seem to be among of undisputed existence in the world the few mammals in the region without that has yet to be seen in the wild by a high price on their head, as they do not a biologist. We know the saola only appear in traditional Chinese medicine, through information from local people, yet they still still fall victim to wire snares examination of some saola remains, set in their thousands by commercial observations of a few short-lived captives poachers, targeting other species. (most recently in 2010), and we were The Saola Working Group (SWG) was all very excited to learn when it was Red List. The saola was already rare established in 2006 by the IUCN Species announced in November that a Saola when discovered, and its population has Survival Commission’s Asian Wild Cattle had been camera-trapped – the first in continued to decline, with illegal hunting Specialist Group, in recognition of the nearly 15 years. being the principal threat. Southeast critical status of saola. It comprises more Few species match the saola’s need for Asia is home to the greatest extinction than 20 conservation professionals with urgent conservation intervention. With crisis in the world today, driven by the broad expertise and deep connections just a few dozen possibly left in the wild demand for animals for traditional Asian in Laos and Vietnam. The SWG’s (and, at most, a few hundred), the animal medicine and bushmeat, a demand Coordinator, William Robichaud, has is Critically Endangered on the IUCN intensified by newly emerging wealth worked on wildlife conservation in Laos

SAOLA IMAGES: WILLIAM ROBICHAUD WILLIAM IMAGES: SAOLA 9 ENDANGERED ANIMALS

and Vietnam for 20 years. was more about setting the scene for a The role of the group is to formulate The SWG, having already carried possible collaboration with the TAG, and instigate, in partnership with the out some field work in the region, has than merely being a very interesting talk. SWG, protocols that will allow any saola therefore been in need of the assistance Basically, he was asking if we would be coming into a ‘captive’ situation, either of the wider world’s zoo community, willing for our knowledge and expertise planned or unplanned, to be managed as from the small amount of first-hand to be used in helping to try and save this in situ, within a ‘captive/semi-captive knowledge that we have of the saola, incredible animal. environment’ and in a controlled and it is clear that, if it is to be saved from At the end of the meeting we formed professional manner. extinction, urgent captive husbandry a small group of experts from all over However, some members of the skills and knowledge is necessary. Europe and the US who, as members of SWG still needed to be convinced As Chair of the European Cattle & the TAG, wanted to be involved in the that intensive captive management Camelid TAG, I was contacted by Bill project. We held an impromptu meeting was now the only realistic option of Robichaud, asking if he could attend which, some 12 months on, has become conserving this species and if we were and give a presentation at the TAG’s known as the EAZA Cattle & Camelid able to convince them, there was then meeting held during the conference in TAG ‘Intensive Management Saola an even bigger mountain to climb in Innsbruck last year. Bill’s presentation Advisory Group’ (IMSAG). doing the same with both the Laos and Vietnamese governments. The SWG held its third bi-annual meeting in June of this year in Vientiane, Laos PDR and a small representation from IMSAG, The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and San Diego Zoo Safari Park was invited to attend the meeting. This group comprised myself, Nick Lindsay (Senior Curator & Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction Programme Manager, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo), Doug Richardson (Head of Living Collections, Highland Wildlife

10 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: SWG MEETING; HABITAT; SAOLA; SWG MEETING GROUP PHOTO

to identify and obtain the long-term commitment of a stable and qualified zoological institution (or consortium of Park, The Royal Zoological Society trip to look at saola habitat and possible institutions), to provide the necessary of Scotland), Pat Thomas (Vice sites for a holding facility/breeding long-term funding, that will not only President & General Curator and centre and this really brought home cover the construction costs of a rescue/ Associate Director, Bronx Zoo, Wildlife the reality of the situation as, whilst the breeding centre for saola (and possibly Conservation Society) and Andy Blue forest areas that are home to the saola other endangered species such as large (Associate Curator of Mammals, San are stunning in their beauty, the logistics antlered muntjac), but will also meet Diego Zoo Safari Park). of building a breeding facility and the centre’s long-term day-to-day Throughout the week, we met with providing access to it, whilst at the same running costs, as well as areas such as a variety of key government officials time ensuring it is secure, will be a real staff training, transport and equipment, and a variety of meetings were held challenge. Further site visits in the near veterinary, nutrition and conservation both between ourselves, Zoe Greatorex future to both Laos and Vietnam will be research requirement costs, etc. (Wildlife Conservation Society necessary. Due to the saola’s critical situation, field veterinarian, Lao PDR), Ben Having taken the decision to back ‘long-term’ may mean decades of Swanepoel (Site Manager of the Nam our proposal for an intensive breeding continual involvement, especially as we Kading National Protected Area for management programme, the SWG has have no idea as to how long it may take the Wildlife Conservation Society/ asked us to activate the second draft for partners in Laos or Vietnam, such Provincial Agriculture & Forestry of the EAZA ‘Saola Intensive Captive as national and local governments, to Office of Bolikhamxay), Zainal Zahari Management Action Plan’, which has develop enough expertise and interest Zainuddin (Veterinarian, Borneo Rhino been put together gradually by IMSAG to take over the day-to-day running Alliance, Malaysia) who has a lot of since its formation in Innsbruck in 2012. of such a facility (using a local, well- experience carrying out work on serow The Action Plan is a living document trained, long-term husbandry team). and Sumatran rhino in the field and and will continue to evolve, so that Therefore, it is probably unrealistic to Widodo Ramono (Executive Director it stays relevant to both the aims and expect one institution to carry such a of Rhino Foundation of Indonesia) to objectives of the SWG and the on-going cost and, therefore, the reality is that discuss the possibilities and logistics of situation on the ground. Consequently, we need to put together a consortium of intensive captive management of saola a third draft has just been completed zoos to work together for the good of the and with the SWG, to show them why and is in the process of being ratified species. we feel that, in our opinion, the time by members of both IMSAG and the Whilst there is still a long way to go, has come to go down the ‘intensive SWG. It is a far more specific document we are hopefully on the right path and captive management’ route where than the previous draft, in that it goes we can only hope that it will also be seen the saola is concerned. I’m pleased to into far more detail with regards to that way by both the Laos and Vietnam say that by the end of the week, after the husbandry, dietary, veterinary and governments in the near future as well. giving presentations and engaging management requirements that would It was a real pleasure to meet and be in a great deal of debate, the SWG be needed to deal with saola in a captive involved with such a committed and were unanimous in their decision that environment. However, this document passionate group of people and I look intensive captive management was is a starting point and will need to be forward to continuing my involvement, the only option left, if the saola is to updated on a regular basis, as and when on behalf of EAZA, in what has now stand any chance of being saved from our practical knowledge and experience become a race against time to save extinction and they endorsed the need of the saola increases. this globally acclaimed species, the for a conservation breeding plan for the One of the most important mysterious and beautiful modern day animal. We also went on a weekend field prerequisites at the moment is the need unicorn known as the saola. 11 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Reaching through teaching

HOW CAN EDUCATORS AT THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (ZSL) HELP TACKLE A RHINO POACHING THREAT 8,000KM AWAY IN ZAMBIA? IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN EAZA CAMPAIGN

Kate Oliver, Education Officer, Zoological Society of London and Cathy Dean, Director, Save the Rhino International

In North Luangwa National Park, exterminated and black rhino were Rhinos’ 2005-6 campaign from which in the spectacular Luangwa Valley declared nationally extinct in 1998. NLCP benefited, Lolesha Luangwa of northern Zambia, a conservation NLCP was originally set up to bring expanded considerably. A Lolesha education project is ambitiously elephant poaching under control. The Luangwa Officer (LLO), Sylvester attempting to change the hearts, minds success of the law enforcement and Kampamba, made regular visits to 22 and, ultimately, behaviour of local community outreach programmes led schools in the Game Management communities. The park contains a wide to a proposal being put forward in 2001 Areas (GMAs) around the National variety of species including elephants, to reintroduce a founder population Park, usually involving around 1,400 buffalo, hippo, zebra, lion and wild dog; of black rhinos. Translocations took children per year in Grade 5 (around more recently, it has become home place in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010 11 years old). The communities in to a population of reintroduced black bringing a total of 25 black rhino to these GMAs are acutely involved in rhino. Technical support for running NLNP to establish a viable population conservation issues facing the park, the park is provided by the North of black rhino; the ongoing challenge from poaching to destructive farming Luangwa Conservation Programme is to ensure that they have sufficiently practices, and so were key audiences (NLCP), a partnership between adapted and are protected from for the programme’s conservation Frankfurt Zoological Society and the poaching. messages. Save the Rhino International Zambian Wildlife Authority. These Traditional measures focused (SRI), a UK-based NGO, continued to organisations work together to protect on security: anti-poaching patrols, support NLCP’s black rhino work and the park’s impressive biodiversity, from observation posts, aerial surveillance, education programme after the EAZA training wildlife officers to developing telemetry and so on all play a vital part Rhino Campaign and, by 2012, Lolesha road access to remote areas of the park. in protecting North Luangwa’s rhinos. Luangwa had become a popular and In the 1970s, Zambia had Africa’s But community engagement was informative part of school life for third largest black rhino population, key, and a fledgling education strand children in North Luangwa, but Claire estimated at 12,000. Approximately was launched in 2001 – now named Lewis, Technical Advisor for NLCP, 4,000 lived in the Luangwa Valley Lolesha Luangwa, meaning ‘Look after knew it could achieve so much more. and about 2,000 of those were found Luangwa’. Through SRI, she sought education in North Luangwa National Park. After 2008, following EAZA expertise to develop and expand the 12 By 1990, these had been virtually members’ fundraising for the ‘Save the programme, to evaluate its impact, CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: MANGWERE SCHOOL PUPILS PROUDLY SHOWING OFF THEIR ACTIVITY BOOKLETS; IN THE CENTRE IS MICHAEL ELIKO, THE LLA, IN THE BRIGHT BLUE T-SHIRT. THEY ARE ALL IMITATING A RHINO WITH THEIR HAND SIGNALS! © NLCP; MANGWERE SCHOOL CAME FIRST IN THE 2012 CONSERVATION CELEBRATION DAY IN CHAMA DISTRICT. AS PART OF ITS PRIZE, THE SCHOOL WAS GIVEN A SIGN, WHICH IS BEING HELD ON THE LEFT BY SYLVESTER KAMPAMBA, LLO, AND ON THE RIGHT BY MICHAEL ELIKO, LLA © NLCP; FAR LEFT, BACK ROW, PAUL BAMFORD FROM ZSL, AND NEXT TO HIM MICHAEL ELIKO, LLA AT LOLESHA LUANGWA. FAR RIGHT, BACK ROW, CLAIRE LEWIS, TECHNICAL ADVISOR TO NLCP, AND NEXT TO HER, KATE OLIVER FROM ZSL. IN BETWEEN ARE THE CONSERVATION TEACHERS FROM ONE OF THE FIRST TWO WORKSHOPS HELD IN MARCH 2013 AT BACHELORS CAMP IN NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA © ZSL; ONE OF THE PERFORMANCES AT THE MUKUNGULE CONSERVATION CELEBRATION DAY IN OCTOBER 2013. IN THIS SCENE, THE POACHERS ARE STANDING TRIAL IN A COURTROOM DECORATED WITH A PICTURE OF THE ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT. THE JUDGE IS ABOUT TO PRONOUNCE SENTENCE © NLCP

and to take its aims beyond the level wonderful in providing space for more; this has raised their confidence of just teaching children knowledge local extra-curricular programmes, so in their work. Sylvester and Michael about their environment; she wanted children in participating schools have write regular reflective evaluations on to affect their attitudes and behaviours a special Lolesha Luangwa lesson once their lessons and email them to Kate as well. a week, led by their Conservation in the UK, who can offer suggestions Enter ZSL. In May 2012, ZSL signed Teacher (a volunteer from the schools’ and tips to continue their ongoing a three-way agreement with SRI teaching staff). Sylvester and his development. and NLCP to become the education Assistant (LLA), Michael Eliko, visit A final key contribution by ZSL mentor to the programme. Paul every school five times a year to deliver has been to update the monitoring Bamford from ZSL and Susie Offord additional presentations, using black and evaluation methods of Lolesha from SRI visited the project in July rhino conservation as an example to Luangwa. For many years, this has been 2012 and began a major review of the build on the content that the weekly based on feedback letters from teachers programme’s curriculum – changing lessons deliver. and outputs at annual Conservation objectives to reflect attitudinal and The new curriculum hit desks in Celebration Days, when children behavioural goals, and creating new January 2013 and is just coming to the from each school travel to a central resources for both teachers and pupils. end of its first academic year of use. location to perform plays about rhino The curriculum was given a clearer In March 2013, Paul and Kate Oliver conservation, sing songs and display narrative structure: at the start of the (another educator from ZSL) travelled poems and pictures they’ve worked year the children learn life-science back to Luangwa to run training on throughout the year. The children topics (lessons on plants, birds workshops for all the Conservation look forward to these exciting days and reptiles), then link them into Teachers and Head Teachers, to fully all year, and families and local people ecological processes like food chains, embed the new curriculum, identify come to watch the performances – for and they finally identify conservation any issues and to learn as much as some their only source of conservation problems and solutions in their local possible about how the schools were information. area. All the examples used in lessons using it. With the new aims of changing are tailored to life in North Luangwa Sylvester and Michael also benefited local attitudes and behaviours, deeper – in a lesson on water, classes make a from ZSL educators’ mentorship evaluation methods were needed. plan to clear up a polluted water source during the trip. Although they are But how can you measure a person’s in their area, and in another they write highly skilled presenters, they have feelings? In Zambia there is a strong stories about how other animals would no formal teaching background, and culture of politeness that often gets be affected if rhinos in Luangwa were so have been hungry for information in the way of finding out people’s to disappear. from Paul and Kate on learning styles, honest opinions – especially if they Zambian school timetables are types of learning evaluation and much are negative! New Activity Books for 13 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

the children to use in lessons were ABOVE: ONE OF THE PERFORMANCES AT THE MUKUNGULE CONSERVATION CELEBRATION DAY IN OCTOBER 2013. THE BLACK RHINOS designed with this in mind, including ARE BROWSING ON SHRUBBERY © NLCP BELOW: CHILDREN FROM ONE OF THE 22 SCHOOLS AROUND THE BOUNDARIES OF NORTH drawing and writing tasks about LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK THAT PARTICIPATE IN LOLESHA LUANGWA (“LOOK AFTER LUANGWA”). THEY ARE EACH HOLDING AN ACTIVITY BOOKLET, DESIGNED IN LATE 2012 AND LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2013 © ZSL their local environment that can later be analysed. And last month, the first interviews with families and adult members of the community were undertaken at Conservation Celebration Days – year on year these will build up a picture of if and how local feelings have changed. What’s next for Lolesha Luangwa? A recent generous grant from USFWS has enabled the purchase of a truck to transport children into the National Park itself, to experience their local protected wildlife and habitats for the first time. These bus visits will start in 2014. One of the best things about the programme, however, is how it has spread. All the organisations involved, protection project in Thailand. Local Lolesha Luangwa shows that donating from NLCP to ZSL, SRI and funders, dignitaries in Zambia have been time and expertise from zoo educators agreed to share the new learning impressed by the programme’s wide- (just a couple of days a month in this resources for teachers and children ranging success, and the ultimate case) can result in huge benefits toin with other organisations. As a result, dream of including environmental situ conservation programmes. Is it the curriculum is being used by education into the Zambian National working? Well, to date – touch wood – environmental education programmes Curriculum seems a little closer to no rhinos have been poached in North across Zambia and Africa, and is being reality. Luangwa since the reintroductions. 14 adapted for possible use on an elephant We hope that the example of Long may that continue! The building of Brazil A REVAMPED BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION IS PLANNING TO PUT THE COUNTRY BACK ON THE INTERNATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL MAP

Yara de Melo Barros, President, Brazilian Society of Zoos and Aquariums ([email protected])

Across the nation, Brazil has 106 ex situ conservation in the country, work efficiently towards improvement zoos plus 10 aquariums, and between participating in official breeding of standards and quality of Brazilian zoos them they hold approximately 50,000 programmes for endangered species, and aquariums. Thanks to this workshop animals. Sadly, however, many of these and coordinating the exchange of we will integrate Brazilian zoos in the zoological institutions struggle are of animals with international breeding international zoo community for the low quality, with outdated physical programmes. development of cooperative breeding structures, bad management and no However, SZB faces many difficulties conservation programmes with the record-keeping. There are currently few and challenges, such as the lack of aim of working with zoos in the EAZA capacity-building opportunities to train participation from zoos and aquariums, community. the staff and improve their performance. inefficient organisation or structure, The process will include experienced The majority of the institutions and lack of clear objectives. All these facilitators from the IUCN/SSC (54%) are public and funded by issues contribute to SZB’s inefficiency as Conservation Breeding Specialist municipalities, and 81% of them are not an organisation, resulting in the loss of Group: Arnaud Desbiez of CBSG allowed to charge entrance fees, being most of its members and its credibility. Brazil, and Kristin Leus of CBSG entirely dependent on their current So, on March 2013 the SZB elected Europe. Bengt Holst will be sharing his Mayor’s political interests. a new board of directors, which is experience from EAZA as will Anne Many animals in Brazilian collections now working tirelessly to reverse this Baker from AZA. come from confiscations from illegal situation and make the organisation Considering the lack of funds of trafficking, and the number of animals strong and efficient. SZB, we are currently fundraising to apprehended certainly represents only A key activity towards reaching help pay for the costs of the workshop, a small portion of the actual number of this goal is to carry out a CBSG and any support from the EAZA animals illegally captured in the wild. Workshop for the generation of a zoo community will be more than The Brazilian Society of Zoos and five-year Action Plan for SZB. Its aim welcome! Please consider helping Aquariums (SZB) was created 35 years will be to strengthen the institution SZB zoos and aquariums become an ago. Its new mission is to aggregate and promote the participation of active participants in the global ex-situ zoos and aquariums in Brazil, seeking all Brazilian zoos and aquariums by community. their full development, improvement identifying and prioritising actions that To find out more, please contact and strengthening. The Society will assist SZB in becoming internally the author, Yara de Melo Barros, at wishes to become a reference for organised, enabling the institution to [email protected].

15 INTERVIEW

OCEANARIO SCENARIO The Oceanario de Lisboa, or Oceanarium, which opened in 1998 as part of the Lisbon World’s Fair, is one of the country’s leading attractions; with over a million visitors a year coming to learn about ocean life and conservation. As a state of the art facility that thoroughly reflects the EAZA ethos, the Oceanario de Lisboa is at the forefront of aquarium development in Europe, and its CEO a perfect choice for this important position.

A NEW AGE OF AQUARIUMS JOAO FALCATO IS CEO OF THE OCEANARIO DE LISBOA, ONE OF THE LARGEST STAND-ALONE AQUARIUMS IN EUROPE, AND HE HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED AS CHAIR OF EAZA’S AQUARIUM COMMITTEE. ZOOQUARIA CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIM AND HIS THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF AQUARIUMS IN EUROPE AND BEYOND

ZQ: Joao, when did you become CEO of the Oceanarium, wanted to work with aquariums, but it was only in my second and what was your previous position? year that I realised that huge public aquariums were being built JF: I became CEO of Oceanário in 2006. I started as an aquarist around the world. It was really fortunate that an amazing public in 1997 and since then occupied several positions – Galleries aquarium opened in Lisbon five years after I finished university, supervisor, Habitats supervisor, Curator of Exhibits, General and even more incredible was the fact that I was hired to be an Curator, Biology Director and finally CEO. After 16 years aquarist. serving this institution I still feel that it is a privilege to work in Today I am the CEO, something I really never dreamed organisations that have the potential to contribute to a better could happen to me. planet and that it is the responsibility of each one of us to give our best in order for our institutions to achieve it. ZQ: In your view, what are the greatest challenges facing the European and global aquarium community? ZQ: What led you to work with aquatic species and, more JF: In my view one of the main challenges, not only for specifically, why in a public aquarium? aquariums but for many other organisations as well, is how JF: I consider myself very lucky as I knew very early in life what to stay relevant in the 21st century. The world is changing so I wanted to do professionally. I had my first aquarium when fast that if you are not careful you may become irrelevant very I was 5 years old, and started breeding fishes and gardening easily. I truly believe that conservation is a strategic approach planted aquariums at a very early age. I went to university, for zoos and aquariums, not only because it is the right and where I graduated in Aquatic Sciences, already knowing I ethical thing to do, but also because it has the potential to 16 FRADE MAFALDA A NEW AGE OF AQUARIUMS

ensure you are even more relevant in the future. Financial the amazing developments that have been occurring in public sustainability is much easier to achieve when you are relevant aquariums. Today, the technical challenges are decreasing, and you can develop much more conservation work if you are although they still exist for many species, but for most of them financially sustainable, so I think this is a virtuous cycle that the know-how exists – it is clearly a complex know-how, but if every aquarium should try and jump into. you look for the information in the right places you will find it, which did not happen in the past. ZQ: What changes have you seen in the aquarium For that reason I believe that in the near future the focus community in the past 20 years and what changes do you will shift to other issues like collection sustainability and foresee in the next 20 years? conservation. In relation to education many aquariums already JF: A lot has changed in the aquarium world over the last 20 lead the industry in terms of the quality of their programmes. years. The last generation of aquariums only started appearing I would hope that aquariums become conservation and in the 70s/80s and the technology advances that allow us education institutions that have an amazing communication to maintain aquatic animals healthy in captivity have been and engagement tool to work with – a magnificent exhibit of progressing ever since. I remember when we opened Oceanário the underwater world. that maintaining a thriving coral reef tank was a huge challenge that only a few could achieve. Today we reproduce ZQ: What do you think of the significant monies being corals, asexually, sexually and know how to maintain and breed spent on new aquariums and do you think these will ever these animals. This is only one example of many in relation to supply ‘conservation payback’? 17 INTERVIEW

JF: I think it would be presumptuous of me to answer this water temperature in the oceans as well which does not help. question for two main reasons. It is impossible to know what The last figures I read reported that if we protected between an institution will deliver in the future; it really depends on 20 and 30% of the oceans, their productivity would increase by the people that run it, more than the institution itself, and I 20 to 30%, making much more food available for fishing with would not dare to put a financial value in relation to saving a lot less effort and much more financial profit, which certainly one animal or contributing to the survival of a species. It is a is a win-win situation. It is hard to understand why it is not yet question that it is impossible to have an opinion about. implemented. Aquariums can certainly play a role in this area by informing ZQ: What aquatic species or group of species do you think the public about the issue, making it easier for the protected should be of the highest conservation focus for EAZA and areas to be implemented and accepted (lots of conflicts why? normally arise). They can also get involved in several projects JF: I prefer to look at ecosystems instead of individual species. of research and conservation like the monitoring of the If we were able to save the coral reefs we would certainly evolution of the protected area, and the measurement of the be saving the biggest number of species, but the threats to financial impact over time among many other possibilities. them are so huge, when you look into climate change and Oceanário de Lisboa financed a project (€100.000) to develop the acidification of the oceans, that it is hard to imagine that collaborative governance on the only no-take marine reserve public aquariums will be able to change the world in order for in continental Portugal with great results and knowledge them to survive. We need to work on individual behavioural development for our country. Many aquariums already help in change in order to achieve it, with all the challenges that many aspects of MPAs around the world, but I am sure much come with it. I would say freshwater ecosystems are the ones more can be done. where aquariums can really have an important impact, but unfortunately many aquariums, like Oceanário, focus only ZQ: With over-fishing a constant theme of reporting in on saltwater and many of the freshwater animals are not the media, do you believe that aquariums can play a part considered as attractive for the public. I really believe that in reducing the pressure on fish populations and, if so, we could have a serious impact if we dedicate work to this how? environment and associated species. JF: It is certainly one of the fields where aquariums have been working for a long time. We must realise that most of us still ZQ: How do you see coordinated breeding programmes eat the lions and tigers of the sea. Agriculture and animal progressing for aquatic species in EAZA? production in the oceans is still in its early stages and bring JF: As I said before, for many years aquariums focused on many sustainability challenges that often make eating a wild delivering the best environmental conditions for the animals fish more sustainable than eating a farmed one. This also that were under their responsibility to care for, which was puts in perspective the fact that aquariums still rely on nature a huge challenge. I really believe this is one of the main as a source of animals where zoos largely do not. We do not differences between zoos and aquariums: the technical eat tigers, but we eat the top predators of the ocean and will challenges to keep animals healthy were mastered many years continue to do so for a long time in the future. Having said ago by zoos and that was not the case for aquariums. Like that, many public aquariums have led the way in helping every other activity or product, you always have the early people make the right choice in relation to the fish they eat. adopters and need to struggle a little bit, for a tipping point to The biggest impact we can have is by influencing the final be reached so the activity or product becomes mainstream. I customer to choose the right fish to eat and to avoid the most think that is what happened to the breeding programmes of susceptible ones. There is a large number of sustainable seafood aquatic species. projects developed by aquariums as they are often developed After some years where breeding programmes struggled locally because the lists of susceptible species vary according to to move ahead, with many of the aquariums focused on the the region you are in. technical challenges of animal welfare, the tipping point was probably reached two or three years ago, so I would predict ZQ: How do you like to relax when you are not running an exponential growth over the next few years with more and the Oceanarium, or the EAZA committee? more aquariums involved, until the number of managed species JF: My main hobby is my wife and children. They allow me to stabilises again. For that to happen we will certainly need to completely shut off from my professional life and to be a part of improve a few tools so we can manage very fecund species the pure joy of having fun and being a child again. I also have which is still an unsolved challenge. a lot of fun taking care of my plants, but if I had to choose an idyllic situation, I see a big table with great food and wine on ZQ: The IUCN recently announced an increase in the a sunny day, a lot of friends talking over the meal, and all the number of protected marine environments worldwide. children having fun together nearby. Do you believe that marine reserves such as these can play a significant role in maintaining ocean biodiversity? ZQ: When did you last travel abroad? And where is your Can aquariums help with this? favourite place to visit? JF: I am a firm believer that marine protected areas are one of JF: I travel mainly for work and must admit that in my the main solutions for preserving biodiversity in the ocean, personal life I value the company more than the place. So I although they are not immune to many threats like climate normally have my vacation in Portugal on the beach or in the change or ocean pollution which is a huge challenge. The mountains, always with the family, many friends, good food, places that should be protected may move with the increase of good wine and lots of fun. 18 PINA A PEDRO BREEDING PROGRAMME INTEGRATION

Integrated conservation – pure pride The article ‘Pure Pride’ in the breeding programme section of Zooquaria 83 describes how a group of EAZA member zoos work together with the EAZA Felid TAG and other partners towards creating a studbook for purebred African lions. So as to elaborate on how this work ties in with field conservation, EAZA invited felid conservation experts Urs Breitenmoser and Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten, as chairs of the IUCN SCC Cat Specialist Group, to present their views in relation to this ongoing quest. Here’s what they said. Identifying the ‘purebred African The result of such isolation may To identify ESUs in the wild is a lion’ is like the quest for the Holy be seen in the phenotypical or considerable challenge, and then Grail: we will never find it, but the genotypical patterns, and they must to transfer it into a meaningful important issue is the search itself. be carefully interpreted and not conservation breeding programme is Lions are widespread in Africa and live be confounded with evolutionary another one. Nevertheless, we must under diverse ecological conditions, adaptation! On the other hand, recent tackle these questions, and the IUCN/ which have resulted in evolutionary translocations of lions within Africa SSC Cat Specialist Group welcomes local adaptation. Furthermore, the have already blurred the original the initiative of EAZA to support the phylogenetic history of the lion, eg (genetic) arrangement. genetic research of the wild lions as its distribution during the last ice age, So the crucial question for well as the intention to improve the has considerably shaped the genetic the conservationist is: What is breeding programme of African lions. patterns we see today. Dubach et al the evolutionary significant unit Our present knowledge suggests that (2013: Genetic perspectives on ‘Lion (population) that we would like to there is not one ‘purebred African Conservation Units’ in Eastern and conserve? The challenge is to identify lion’, but that there are several Southern Africa, Conservation Genetics phylogenetic differences that are distinct units or populations that we 14: 741–755) have confirmed that important for the maintenance of should consider as ESUs. the central and western African lions the biodiversity, but then, within The top priority is clearly the lion are genetically distinct from other such ‘ESUs’ to maintain the optimal of central and western Africa, lions in Africa, that there is however gene-pool. ‘Optimal’ may not imply proposed as a distinct subspecies and also differentiation within the east a total mix of all individuals within a highly endangered. But also the large and south African distribution range. population. Populations spreading over lion metapopulation in east, south To complicate the picture, local lion very large (and ecologically distinct) and south-west Africa is probably too populations can be morphologically areas may have to be maintained diverse to consider it a single ESU. different, but the morphological and as metapopulations with limited As long as we are not having all the the genetic pattern do not always (but not zero) gene-flow between answers from the genetic research, we concur. Over the past 60 years, human subpopulations. Under captive would recommend starting breeding activities have increasingly shaped conditions, the crucial question will according to identified subspecies the distribution of the lion in Africa be how to balance between the risks and, within the large group of and have led to reduced or interrupted of inbreeding and outbreeding of a Panthera leo leo, according to

STEPHEN ALLISON STEPHEN gene flow between subpopulations. designated ‘pure population’. zoogeographical regions. 19 CAMPAIGNS

LONG LIVE THE KING KING PENGUINS ARE ONE OF THE AMBASSADOR SPECIES FOR EAZA’S POLE TO POLE CAMPAIGN, SO HOW ARE THEY FARING IN ZOOS ACROSS THE CONTINENT?

Lynda Burrill, Zoo Registrar & ESB Keeper for the king penguin, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are probably one of the most charismatic penguin species and, with the absence of any emperor penguins in captivity in Europe, the largest penguin species held within EAZA zoos. In the wild they inhabit large colonies of several tens of thousands of pairs during their breeding season and have the longest breeding cycle of any bird, taking 14 – 16 months to fledge a single chick. King penguin breeding colonies are found on the islands of South Georgia, Crozet, Prince Edward, Kerguelen, Macquarie and Heard, which all lie close to the Antarctic Convergence. There is also a small breeding colony on the Falkland Islands. Although IUCN currently classifies this species as being of Least Concern with an increasing population, king penguins are still a species that is susceptible to climate chicks hatching in Basel, Odense, in 2010 a detailed questionnaire on change and as such, they are one of the Rotterdam, Vienna and Zurich. Special husbandry and veterinary issues was ambassador species for EAZA’s Pole to congratulations are due to Vienna who distributed to all king penguin holders. Pole campaign. have had their first king chick in six The results of this questionnaire were There are currently 18 institutions years. There has also been promising presented at the workshop and the way in the King penguin ESB holding breeding behaviour and egg laying forward was agreed as follows: a total of 265 birds as at the end among some of the other collections • All participants were to be rated of 2012. There is a constant high holding king penguins so hopefully we in terms of their previous breeding demand for birds with several EAZA will start to see more chicks join the success against the number of deaths institutions keen to add the ever population in the next few years. per collection. This would then popular and colourful king penguins Historically the king penguin allow each participating collection to their colonies. However, within the population has been made up of a to be rated as either core to the last five years the captive population number of relatively large imports of programme, one of the experienced in Europe was highlighted as being either eggs or birds of a similar age and breeding colonies, collections with not self-sustaining without some therefore there are a disproportionally previous breeding experience which relatively significant interventions. large number of birds in the 15–22 have not had any success recently In recognition of the need to start year old category. Unfortunately a or new collections with no breeding addressing this issue, a king penguin lot of the birds in this age range have experience. workshop was held during the EAZA never bred and are now starting to • Priority was then to be given to conference in Verona in 2010. Since die off so, excluding imports, the total ensure that core institutions had the then progress has been made on population decreased by 30 birds in the maximum number of birds they could addressing some of the issues identified period 2002 – 2012. In a population of hold in even-sex ratios whenever and 2012 was the first year since 2007 approximately 260 birds, this is a high possible as it had been established that there were more hatches than population decline. In addition, the that both these factors were key to deaths. current population is heavily skewed breeding success. Complete data for 2013 has not yet towards males and this is reflected • Efforts would be made to identify been collated but the news so far from in the group composition at each institutions that were willing to hold the various collections holding king institution. bachelor groups of birds. 20 penguins is looking good with nine Prior to the workshop in Verona • A standing recommendation was put

LONG LIVE THE KING

in place that institutions should hold with the support of the king penguin and eggs) from other regions. Contact a minimum of six birds in a bachelor holders in Europe and especially Basel has recently been established with group and preferably more than six Zoo. This study will be published the AZA Penguin TAG within the pairs for breeding shortly and provides some good context of the wider EAZA Penguin • Institutions were encouraged to sex insights into the issues faced by TAG and discussion has been focused and individually identify all birds to institutions holding king penguins as on possible future cooperation in terms allow full population analysis and well as highlighting the importance of best practice guidelines and the individual transfer recommendations. of maximising the number of birds in application of the recently innovated Historical information for each each colony and the importance of penguin artificial insemination collection was collated to allow each equal sex ratios – as discussed during techniques within the European institution to be rated and these the 2010 workshop. king penguin population. Work is ratings were then communicated to The future of the captive king currently also being undertaken on a the holding institutions. A first set penguin population within EAZA proposal to make the species into an of transfer recommendations were institutions is still not assured but EEP in the future to allow the level of distributed in May 2013 following considerable progress has been made management required to address the extensive consultation with the parties to date and the majority of institutions declining population. involved and the number of unsexed holding king penguins have shown My profound thanks go to the ESB birds in the studbook has reduced that they are willing to co-operate for participants who have been willing to dramatically from nearly 13% at the the good of the species. Attention can co-operate throughout this exercise end of 2011 to 5% at the end of 2012. now be focused on the opportunities and who appreciate the importance In addition Simone Schweizer from to increase the total population size of considering the future of the the University of Basel has produced with increasing breeding success overall population over the needs of a study entitled ‘Recipe for Success in through improved husbandry practices their individual institutions. I have Captive King Penguin Breeding: A and active studbook management as appreciated your prompt responses, Comparison of Husbandry Practices well as investigating opportunities feedback and encouragement and Breeding Success among Zoos’ for transfers into the ESB (both birds throughout the process. 21 CAMPAIGNS

DEVELOPING A CLIMATE OF CHANGE FOCUSING THE ENERGY OF THE CBSG COMMUNITY ON SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Onnie Byers, Chair of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the IUCN and Emily Wick, Communications and Technology Administrator, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the IUCN

For a number of years, the Conservation includes several components that offer are concerned about climate change Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) an opportunity for all zoos, aquariums, and the role of the fossil fuel business has worked to find a solution or an and individuals to join. plan in perpetuating it. We should action that matches both the skills of Zoos and aquariums and the 350.org stop investing in companies that forge our community and the scope of the movement make a perfect partnership. ahead in extracting and burning fossil problem we face in climate change. 350.org is a movement dedicated to fuels when what we need is a collective

Last year, we brought to our 2012 bringing atmospheric levels of CO2 back movement toward greatly reducing our CBSG Annual Meeting in Melbourne to 350 ppm — which is precisely what dependence on fossil fuels. the pressing question: How can we we were tasked with creating. They are best focus the energy of the CBSG also dedicated to improving life on a LEADING BY EXAMPLE community on solutions to the growing changed planet. What could be more Before CBSG could ask anyone else to threat of climate change? closely aligned with the core zoo and take this step, we had to be willing to do Among the things the meeting aquarium mission to conserve nature it ourselves. participants tasked us with was and teach children about its wonder? So in January we brought this catalysing action to create a movement The first part of the movement is request to the Board of the Global with the express goal of seeing that ‘no divestment from fossil fuel companies. Conservation Network, the non-profit government on the planet can ignore Divestment is the opposite of organisation established to support the the danger of climate change and all investment — it means getting out work of CBSG. They made the bold must be actively working to realise of stocks, bonds, investment funds, decision to divest CBSG’s reserve funds

“safe” CO2 atmospheric concentration or banks whose investments are from fossil fuel companies. As of that levels of 350 parts per million (ppm). inconsistent with your personal or day, we have not made any additional The people need to tell governments institutional values. Any zoo that investment in funds supporting fossil that we will not stand for inaction invests money, whether in stocks, fuel companies and we are working on anymore.’ mutual funds, or in an investment bank, our plan to be fully divested within five We immediately began researching can choose to divest from fossil fuel years. We have very little money in our existing climate change groups. We companies and reinvest in solutions that reserve account and our move towards found many groups dedicated to climate align with your mission of conservation. divestment would be purely symbolic change action, and some even call And there is an increasing body of if we were doing it alone. But we are themselves movements. The great evidence that this can be done without not. We added our voice to those of majority were sector-based, focusing on increasing risk or decreasing returns. many other institutions – six colleges, women, youth, people of the southern Divestment takes the fight for climate 17 cities, and other foundations and hemisphere, and others. action into a different level. Though institutions – making the same bold Then we found 350.org. work on reducing demand for fossil fuels decision. This is the power of the 350.org is an organisation aiming to must continue by reducing personal movement and this is how change solve the climate crisis by addressing and institutional carbon emissions, will happen. Zoos and Aquariums for systemic barriers to climate solutions. something bigger is at play. The most 350 calls on zoos and aquariums to They do this through grassroots recent IPCC report states that in order immediately freeze any new investment organising, direct actions, and online to stop runaway climate change from in 200 fossil fuel companies that hold campaigns. We studied their website, happening, we must quickly scale back the greatest amount of unburned read articles and books by and about our use of fossil fuels. However, the fossil fuel reserves and to create a them, investigated their critics, and met sizeable income of fossil fuel companies plan for fully divesting within five with their leaders in Washington DC relies upon our dependence on their years. In addition to shining a light on and Minnesota. The more we learned product. These companies profit from the importance of where our money about 350.org, the more we realised denying climate change and stalling is invested, Zoos and Aquariums that CBSG didn’t need to start a necessary government action. for 350 also provides an avenue for movement… we needed to join one. Divestment is a way of calling these carbon offsetting. A carbon offset is So in October at our 2013 CBSG companies out on this behaviour and a reduction in emissions of carbon Annual Meeting, we were proud to drawing attention to the moral problem dioxide made in order to compensate announce the launch of our climate with investing in them at the expense an emission made elsewhere. In change initiative, Zoos and Aquariums of current and future generations. It other words, it is a payment made for 350. Zoos and Aquariums for 350 tells governments, the financial sector, in support of a project resulting in links to the 350.org movement and and the public that zoos and aquariums reduced carbon emissions, in order 22 T L SHEARS DEVELOPING A CLIMATE OF CHANGE

to compensate for the unavoidable photos should contain a sign with the Andrea Fidgett (Chester Zoo), Bengt carbon emissions of your institution. Zoos and Aquariums for 350 logo on it, Holst (Copenhagen Zoo), Bryan Many zoos already reduce and offset along with any other words or phrases Carroll (Bristol Zoo Gardens), Frands their emissions, and some are even including the name of the species and Carlsen (Copenhagen Zoo), Jo Gipps, certified as carbon neutral. Zoos and your zoo. Finally, Zoos and Aquariums John Fa (Durrell Conservation Trust), Aquariums for 350 calls on all zoos and for 350 calls on all zoos and aquariums Kirsten Pullen (BIAZA), Kristin Leus aquariums to reduce their emissions as to support the EAZA and AZA Pole to (Copenhagen Zoo), Mark Pilgrim much as possible and then to commit Pole campaign. Pole to Pole highlights (Chester Zoo), Mark Craig (Al Ain to offsetting the remainder. This part the effectiveness of collective action in Zoo), and Paul Pearce-Kelly (ZSL). of the movement is still in the process reducing energy use. It provides advice By joining the movement, greening of being developed, but we’re working and materials to zoo and aquarium your institution and your portfolio, and to identify an excellent carbon offset visitors and the wider public to help sharing information, passion, and calls provider to work with interested zoos them take individual steps that can for action with your colleagues and and aquariums. Using this universal make a huge collective difference to visitors, you will make an investment provider will help us unite our efforts endangered species and ecosystems in a liveable future for children and for in becoming carbon neutral. Those impacted by climate change. When wildlife. We feel that now is the time who have already made progress in this we introduced Zoos and Aquariums for our community to join the 350 area can report on their successes in for 350 at our meeting in Orlando, movement, which is gaining momentum this area and be acknowledged for their the participants responded with across the globe. efforts. great enthusiasm. At the end of the Together we have the opportunity to meeting, many stood and voiced their take a leadership role in responding to SHOW YOUR FACE plans to carry this momentum onward the global crisis of climate change. We Finally, it is important to visually and back to their home institutions. have the chance to tackle the source of connect our focus on climate change We congratulate all these ‘founding the problem that, if left unaddressed, back to the endangered species that members’ and special thanks go to our will continue to undermine all our it will affect. Zoos and Aquariums for first three committed divesters: Lena conservation efforts. Opportunity 350 calls on all zoos and aquariums Linden on behalf of Nordens Ark, to create change is knocking on our to ‘Show the Wild Face of Climate Lesley Dickie for EAZA, and Sally door. Will you be next to stand up and Change’ by submitting photos of one Walker. answer? or more species in their collection that Other EAZA members who stood Go to www.cbsg.org/zoos- are specifically climate-threatened. The and committed to taking action include aquariums-350 and join the movement. 23 CAMPAIGNS

Partnerships for the future REFLECTIONS ON THE IUCN SSC SOUTH-EAST ASIA CAMPAIGN

Will Duckworth, SSC and Asian Species Action Partnership, Bill Robichaud, Saola Working Group

After over two years of planning, supply systems, wild habitat, and thus Action Partnership (ASAP), a broad- creative thinking, and sheer hard work, the supply of these animals, has shrunk based coalition to continue catalysing the EAZA IUCN SSC South-east Asia faster than ever before. No continental action for South-east Asia’s most Campaign closed at the Edinburgh region of the world has ever faced such threatened species. EAZA annual meeting in Sept 2013. deep and rapidly intensifying threats to As the first EAZA campaign with a its harvested fauna. AWARENESS formal external partner, its close is an The campaign’s several, somewhat Most conservation projects in tropical opportunity for reflection – here, from linked, aims fell into the categories of Asia are handicapped by low awareness the SSC viewpoint. raising money for immediate action, in one or more (usually more!) key IUCN, the International Union raising awareness in Europe of the constituencies. Firstly, globally there is for the Conservation of Nature, was South-east Asian crisis, and expanding limited understanding of the region’s founded in 1948 and is a unique durable partnerships between the desperate conservation situation. conservation body, being the union of EAZA zoo community and the in situ Secondly, most people’s thoughts of over 1,200 state and non-government conservation bodies. South-east Asian animals needing organisations across the world. Much action rarely include species closest of IUCN’s programme is informed MONEY to extinction (those categorised as technically by its six commissions. The financial demands of preventing Critically Endangered by The IUCN Red These commissions harness the global species extinction seem daunting List of Threatened Species). This is not an expertise in six areas vital to IUCN’s (although they are dwarfed by, say, argument against conservation attention mission, mostly through a volunteer European defence spending) and to the likes of Asian elephant and tiger framework. SSC, the Species Survival consistent shortfall stunts conservation – conservation, like most things, works Commission, is the largest and one of success in the region. Some aspects of better when it has the luxury of orderly the oldest. Species are building blocks of funding are consistently challenging. planning than when it is emergency fire- biodiversity and while the consequences For example, repetitive funding of fighting – but sadly the proximate cause of the loss of any given species are rarely essentially the same thing deters many of impending extinction for most of the clear, agreement is almost universal conventional donors. Yet vital to many 154 non-marine vertebrates of SE Asia that the colossal acceleration in rate of species projects is long-term support is ignorance and apathy. Only a handful species loss, from ever-expanding human to law enforcement, and associated of these 154 species have any specific pressures, threatens humanity. Zoos public awareness, to prevent individuals conservation action in place; a couple and aquariums, which share a central thieving society’s biodiversity. A of dozen more inhabit meaningfully currency of species with SSC, are a few years’ experimentation with a managed protected areas albeit natural partner for it. demonstration pilot project is no more unshaped by any specific needs these The South-east Asia Campaign was likely to ‘solve’ poaching than it is any species may have; and the rest receive selected because South-east Asia is other high-income crime. But the zoo almost nothing from the conservation at the global forefront of species loss. community recognises the vital role of machine. Yet the species on the Almost half the world’s people live ongoing basic security. Similarly, while verge of extinction, while admittedly in South-east Asia or neighbouring funding conservation of species with a including various small grey fish broadly countries, in less than an eighth of high public profile is easy, little-known resembling other small grey fish, include the world’s land. Many of these people species, even if considerably more some of the earth’s most distinctive use, or aspire to use, consumption and threatened than the better known ones, (visually as well as phylogenetically) display of wildlife meat and products as appeal to few donors. The campaign animals, from giant freshwater fish a show of social status, which is rooted preselected six projects for assured (including the wondrously, and aptly, in millennia-old beliefs that consumers funding, all focused around highly named dog-eating catfish) to the highly of wild animals absorb their vitality. threatened low-profile species and/ distinctive and beautiful saola. From The region’s rapid economic growth or with basic repetitive needs; most SSC’s viewpoint, among the biggest allows ever more people to purchase were both. The balance of campaign benefits of Campaign partnership was wildlife, provides the technology of mass money will be disbursed in early 2014 EAZA institutions’ reach to Europe’s harvest (notably wire snares), and makes to up to a dozen other projects tackling general public, including decision- transport networks to urban markets highly threatened ‘forgotten’ species. makers, of all generations. EAZA ever faster and spatially pervasive. Additionally, a sizeable Campaign grant zoos speak directly to 140 million of During the last couple of decades’ has allowed SSC to contract a half-time the European public annually. No meteoric growth in consumer base and director for the emerging Asian Species field project can even approach this, 24 ROBICHAUD WILLIAM Partnerships for the future

Saola Working Group (SWG) of IUCN SSC’s Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group with several individual zoos in Europe, which now provide the SWG with financial and/or technical support. ZooParc de Beauval, for example, supports the salary of a national Saola Projects Manager in Laos. Three EAZA member zoos (Chester, Fota and London) quickly established an additional €30,000 emergency fund, for SWG use should a saola be caught by villagers or otherwise appear captive unexpectedly. The Campaign also resulted in the establishment of an EAZA ‘Intensive Management of Saola Advisory Group’ (IMSAG) (see p9), headed by Terry Hornsey, Chair of the EAZA Cattle and Camelid TAG. Three IMSAG members (Terry, Nick Lindsay and Douglas Richardson) travelled to Laos in June 2013 to participate in the and nor can any of their other typical the west, chronically underfunded, SWG’s third biennial meeting – which partners (eg mainstream institutional and in such a plight that intensive some EAZA member institutions helped donors). The SE Asia campaign offered management may be its last hope, the fund. Their input helped define the a remarkable opportunity to put hitherto saola was selected for the campaign parameters under which the SWG took little-known species firmly in the logo. Whilst an unfamiliar animal on a the step of endorsing establishment of European public’s perception. logo, kept in no zoo, might deter some a captive ‘insurance’ saola population. potential campaign participants, the The IMSAG is now finalising, with the LONGER-TERM PARTNERSHIPS campaign objectives warranted taking SWG, an action plan for establishment Most field practitioners conserving this risk. of a saola conservation breeding centre highly imperilled South-east Asian The saola, discovered to the western in Laos or Vietnam. species expect that averting the species’s world only in 1992 and confined to Laos Lastly, among several poignant extinction will require several decades’ and Vietnam, is among the world’s most indications of the campaign’s impact, work, at least. But the campaign lasted threatened species. Efforts to conserve Zoo Ostrava in the Czech Republic only two years. Some EAZA institutions it have suffered precisely because it is so named their zoo’s new eatery the ‘Saola have a laudable history of unbroken, little known – off the radar of donors, Restaurant’. Before the campaign, few multi-year support to conservation of the public and even conservation if any members of the SWG had heard high-priority species. Generally, these organisations’ decision-makers. In short, of Zoo Ostrava, and few if any staff of involve provision of essential funding; saola conservation has suffered from a the zoo (or its visitors) knew anything but as ever more species’ populations lack of constituency. Making the saola substantial about Saola. They now know shrink, even more vital is zoos’ hands- a campaign focus filled, therefore, both more about each other, and another on expertise in intensive management, a pressing need of saola conservation, relationship has been born. And it is both husbandry and demographic – and a campaign aim – to raise funds and relationships, perhaps more than any something which most implementing awareness for neglected but urgent issues other factor, that propel the success of organisations and other donors lack. of global wildlife conservation. conservation. Several partnerships for such technical The Campaign contributed €30,000 SSC warmly thanks EAZA for the support were cemented during the to saola projects, a significant boost to invitation to partner in the South-east campaign. the fortunes of saola conservation. But Asia Campaign. We hope sincerely that One South-east Asian species typified other campaign accomplishments will EAZA and its member institutions feel these needs to perfection: highly benefit saola conservation far past the the joint venture was as productive as charismatic yet almost unknown in life of those funds. It connected the SSC does. 25 EDUCATION From Red List to read list INTRODUCING THE IUCN RED LIST TO A WIDER AUDIENCE

Jeremy Harris, Development Director, IUCN SSC

As most of us go through life, there records displayed on the website related little funding (thank you Rolex) and we are certain things that we pretend to to large and in some cases complete, were off. understand, but that we really don’t. taxonomic groups of species sorted into In the months that followed, we Things that, if someone asked us about eight categories: Data Deficient; Least gradually realised the complexity and them at a dinner party, we would Concern; Near Threatened; Vulnerable; scale of the task we had set ourselves. probably need to turn to Google to Endangered; Critically Endangered; The IUCN Red List is created by, provide any real detail about: the Higgs Extinct in the Wild; and Extinct. The and belongs to, almost the entire Boson; investment banking; the Bern term ‘Threatened’ referred to a subset conservation world and they feel very convention; pretty much anything of species in the categories above Near strongly about it. We were proposing to ‘quantum’; the Convention on Biological Threatened, but below Extinct in the adjust it to make it suitable not just for Diversity; perhaps even climate change. Wild. the scientists, but also for the curious We’re aware that these things are hugely Somehow I landed the job. As I internaut or parent helping out with important but, for a variety of reasons, for applied myself to my new role, I thought homework. It was a delicate task. the great majority of people, they have a lot about my first close encounter It became clear that accommodating never really come into focus. with the IUCN Red List. Since 2008, both the specialist and the general Growing up around conservationists the intimidating academic demeanour interest user on one solution was simply and biologists in a field study centre and almost unfriendly public face has going to be too hard and too expensive. in the south of Portugal, the IUCN softened slightly. It is now pretty well And so Red List Discover – a user Red List of Threatened Species was on known, if poorly understood, and visited friendly window onto the IUCN Red my list of things that were important, regularly by hundreds of thousands of List – was born. but that I didn’t properly understand. individuals around the world. Red List Discover (http://discover. Years later, in 2008, as I prepared for an Despite some usability limitations, it iucnredlist.org) provides users with interview with the Chair of the IUCN has for many years had an unbelievable the option of browsing the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the impact, influencing government Red List in an entirely different way. Director of IUCN’s Global Species policy, multi-lateral agreements, There are more pictures, drop down Programme, my time to Google the and international conventions and lists with predefined search options, a IUCN Red List had come. I had no idea funding mechanisms. It’s also used powerful autocomplete search box, and what I was getting into. to help set species-related priorities summarised statistics delivered as you Even in 2008, finding the IUCN Red across a wide array of organisations in click. If you want to know how many List online wasn’t too hard. It wasn’t the conservation, zoo, and aquarium species are Critically Endangered in easy, but if you searched for ‘species’ communities. your country, it’s now pretty quick and and ‘red list’ it was certainly a first The work that goes into the IUCN easy to find out – just a few clicks in page result, if not the top of the bill. Red List is remarkable. A network fact. Narrow the search further and you When I clicked www.iucnredlist.org, of some 8,000 individuals provides can look at just the mammals, birds, I felt as though I had stumbled upon the bulk of the information. These amphibians or any other group. the intranet of an academic facility – individuals are distributed among more There are options to link it to your bewildered. The layout made it very than 140 Specialist Groups, Task-Forces social media accounts and build your clear that this was a website developed and Sub-Committees each of which is own customised lists – ‘things I saw at by scientists and academics, and was led by an appointed Chair. Perhaps even Chester Zoo’ for example – and share largely for the use of scientists and more extraordinary is the fact that the these with your friends. All of these academics. As a non-scientist I felt as vast majority of those involved make additional features have been developed though I were trespassing. their contributions on a voluntary basis while keeping the authoritative status of Within a few minutes, I was becoming or are independently supported by host the IUCN Red List firmly in mind, and frustrated, but I persevered. After a institutions. That an authoritative making the site aesthetically pleasing couple of hours, I had page upon page resource of such importance to the and easy to navigate. of notes and my head was spinning. planet is maintained by the passion of Red List Discover has removed some Suddenly, my impending interview was volunteers is astonishing. of the mystery surrounding the IUCN a whole lot more intimidating. As we thought about how to share the Red List, which holds accounts for more In 2008, the IUCN Red List story of the extinction crisis unfolding than 70,000 species, maps for 30,000 of contained scientific accounts of the on the IUCN Red List, it became clear them, and more and more photos all the conservation status of just under 40,000 that something had to be done to the time. It belongs to all of us who care for species. It took me a while to discover public face of this deep compendium the wild things that share our planet – that not all of the species on the list of interesting information. We shared and the best part is that you no longer were actually ‘Threatened’. Rather, the our vision with a donor who provided a have to be an expert to explore it! CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: MOUNTAIN CHICKEN FROG (LEPTODACTYLUS FALLAX); PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS (CHOEROPSIS LIBERIENSIS); LESSER FLAMINGO (PHOENICOPTERUS MINOR); BASKING SHARK (CETORHINUS MAXIMUS) CHRIS GOTSCHALK CHRIS

NIKUNJ VASOYA NIKUNJ 27 COLLECTION MANAGEMENT Where have all the mustelids gone? WITH CARE AND ATTENTION, MANY MEMBERS OF THE WEASEL FAMILY CAN MAKE A WELCOME AND SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO ZOOS Leif Blomqvist, EEP Coordinator for wolverines, Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand, Sweden ([email protected]); Tiit Maran, EEP Coordinator for European mink, Tallinn Zoo, Tallinn, Estonia ([email protected])

Mustelids have been assessed three FAMILY FORTUNES times in Europe. The first collection Mustelidae is the largest and by far the most diverse family within Carnivora and plan was published in 2000 (Blomqvist can be found on all continents except Antarctica. It is therefore not surprising that and Maran 2000), followed by a second the members of this family are adapted to a variety of habitats. In our own region, survey six years later (Blomqvist and mustelids are the most common carnivores and one of their members, the least Maran 2007). The initial results of the weasel (Mustela nivalis), is in fact the smallest carnivore in the world. Although last survey, conducted in 2012, were many mustelids have played a prominent role in man’s culture as important fur presented by Blomqvist at the Small animals, and many of them are fairly common, they still belong to the least known carnivore TAG meeting during EAZA’s carnivores and some of the species have not even been properly described. Annual Conference 2012 in Innsbruck. Considering the large number of mustelids, some of which exist in our own These three assessments will provide backyard, one might assume that they are commonly kept at least for educational us with an opportunity to analyse the purposes in zoos. This does not, however, reflect the current situation, and the changes in the status of mustelids in majority of zoos do not include a single representative of this miscellaneous group European zoo collections and describe of animals. the ongoing trends on the continent. A revision of Red Data Book 2012, reveals that only six mustelid species species are currently kept in populations gulo) are managed at EEP-level and are designated as facing varying exceeding 25 individuals. Since the yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula degrees of extinction threats and are last assessment, four new species have aterrima/borealis) and marbled polecat as collectively referred to as ‘threatened’. appeared in European collections: ESB-species. Upgrading of a species to The vast majority of mustelids (81%) Japanese badger (Meles anakuma), an EEP- or ESB-status seems, therefore, are classified as Least Concern. Since striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus to have a clear and positive impact on the previous EAZA assessment semistriatus), hooded skunk (Mephitis its management. A population increase (Blomqvist and Maran 2007), three macroura) and Altai weasel (Mustela can also be observed in a non-managed species have been re-classified as follows: altaica). These species are, however, species, the striped skunk (Mephitis • South-east Asian hog badger kept in small numbers only. Following mephitis), which might be attributed (Arctonyx collaris) has been upgraded the recommendations of 2006, four to the high educational value of the from LC to NT species – Javan ferret badger (Melogale species. • European mink (Mustela lutreola) has orientalis), lesser grison (Galictis cuja), been upgraded from EN to CR. American marten (Martes americana) THE IMPORTANCE OF ZOOS • Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and American mink (Neovison vison) – Zoos are playing an increasing role has been downgraded from CR to EN. have been phased out from European in species conservation. The number Of 23 taxa maintained in European collections. Among the taxa kept in of species included in breeding collections in 2012, 20 species are larger numbers, the populations of six programmes is expanding, and this classified as LC, one as NT and only species have declined by more than demonstrates a continuing need for European mink and marbled polecat half since the first assessment in 2000: ex situ support. The recent changes in (Vormela peregusna) fall into the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), stone- EAZA collections of mustelids seem to threatened species categories in IUCN’s and pine marten (Martes foina & M. have contrasting effects. The positive Red List. Of those species, the most martes), European and steppe polecat side is that the sustainability and size of endangered mustelid, the European (Mustela putorius & M. eversmanii) ESB- and EEP-populations seem to be mink, is managed at the most intensive and American mink (Neovison vison). increasing due to species being phased level (EEP) in the European zoo Simultaneously, populations managed out. However, phasing out a number community. within the framework of jointly of species also results in a loss of A total of 29 mustelid species have been managed species (EEP and ESB) have previously existing management skills. kept in the region during this century. increased in numbers and there seems This, in turn, results in a false belief The number of taxa has remained to be a correlation between such species that mustelids are difficult to keep and stable, ranging from 20 to 23, but most and the zoos’ disposition to keep them. easily exhibit abnormal stereotypical of them have been maintained in Currently, European mink and the behavioural patterns. Growing 28 small, unviable numbers and only nine nominate form of wolverine (Gulo g. awareness among zoo visitors of animal MOVABLE OBJECTS AND TOYS GIVE welfare issues supports the avoidance MUSTELIDS STIMULUS CHANGE of species in zoos which might display abnormal behavioural patterns. This arises not so much because of mustelids’ exceptional proneness to display stereotypical behaviour, but because they are kept in inadequate facilities where their basic requirements are seldom fulfilled. Modern developments in animal husbandry underline the importance of enhancing the quality of captive- animal care by providing animals with environmental stimuli necessary for their optimal behavioural well- being. Maintaining species in physically enriched environments releases normal species-specific behaviours, increases their activity and exploration and reduces aggressiveness. Enrichment provides animals with behavioural options to respond to their environmental stimuli. Today we are aware of a multitude of environmental variables that contribute to the well-being of our captive animals. An important source of enrichment is ‘enclosure furnishing’, which can be utilised to improve the quality of life in captivity. Providing movable objects and toy items gives mustelids sources of novelty, variability and stimulus change. In naturalistic surroundings and complex environments, species-typical behaviour flourishes and captive animals breed well and rear their offspring. Like most wild animals, mustelids spend much of their time searching for food. An important means of enrichment is therefore to increase the time spent in food acquisition. More frequent feeding in smaller quantities by scattering food items throughout the enclosure provides excellent diversion for mustelids (Blomqvist 2012). Unfortunately, many of today’s mustelid exhibits are devoid of anything that could interest an alert animal. As a result, the animal squats apathetically in its nest box or paces up and down its enclosure. With the application of adequate skills in management and enclosure design, mustelids can be unique public attractions that are cheaper to maintain than the majority of larger animals. By combining our efforts from ex situ and in situ work, the ecological requirements for long-term conservation measures for this family can also be determined. 29 TRAINING The Da Vinci code

AN EU FUND CALLED LEONARDO DA VINCI HAS ENABLED WROCŁAW ZOO GAIN PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS ABROAD

Radosław Ratajszczak, President of the Management Board and Marta Zając-Ossowska, Project Coordinator/Marketing and Education Manager ([email protected]), Wrocław Zoo

Staff training is identified in Wrocław Zoo as one of the prospective users. It promotes the exchange of knowledge, most important issues. Years of negative selection had left innovations and experiences between members of the deep scars and there was a need to provide training for both vocational education and training sector.’ newcomers and ‘old’ staff. Although new members of the So, we decided to give it a try. First of all, we had to crew are usually selected to have at least some background in find potential partners in EU zoos. And it is here where animal management, preferably an MSc, this doesn’t solve the ‘EAZA Spirit’ came to life. Almost all institutions all the problems. The current curriculum doesn’t prepare approached agreed to act as partners. We are especially students for zoo work and there is no special school in Poland grateful to directors and employees of the following that prepares people for many zoo roles. institutions: Bristol Zoo Gardens, Zoo Praha, Zoo Plzen, Zoo As funds for training are quite scarce in every zoo we tried Ostrava, Zoo Leipzig, Rotterdam Zoo, Copenhagen Zoo, to find some external funding and did so in a EU fund called Chester Zoo, ZSL London Zoo and Munster Zoo. They all Leonardo da Vinci. What is it? The best way to explain it is sent back the necessary documents, became partners of our perhaps the following description from their web page: project and hosted our staff for two weeks of training. The ‘The Leonardo da Vinci Programme is one of the four project started in July 2012. sectorial programmes of the European Union Lifelong The main aim of the project was to improve professional Learning Programme. It promotes actions aimed at improving competences of Wrocław Zoo’s staff through gaining the quality, attractiveness and effectiveness of vocational education and training, and adapting the education system WIDE SPREAD Under the project, 41 employees of the to the labour market’s requirements. By helping European WROCŁAW ZOO went on internships abroad, including 29 citizens to acquire new skills, knowledge and qualifications, animal keepers from individual departments. Twenty-one the programme aims at improving the competitiveness of the employees went on internships to Czech zoos, nine to European labour market. It also promotes innovations and British zoos, four to German zoos, two to Rotterdam Zoo improvements in vocational education and training systems and four to Copenhagen Zoo. 30 along with efforts aimed at making them more attractive to CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: PAWEL BORECKI WITH FUR SEAL AT BRISTOL ZOO; MARCIN MATUSZAK WITH ASIAN ELEPHANT AT ROTTERDAM ZOO; MARCIN MATUSZAK WITH KING PENGUINS AT ROTTERDAM ZOO; MARCIN RADOMSKI WITH BONGO AT MUNSTER ZOO; PIOTR WAWRZYNIAK WITH RING TAILED LEMURS AT PRAHA ZOO; MARIAN BANDZARZEWSKI WITH TAMANDUA AT LEIPZIG ZOO; JUSTYNA GRZEGOREK WITH MALAYAN TAPIR AT LEIPZIG ZOO

experience in new working environments, which would All the above-mentioned aspects made the internship contribute to the better functioning of the zoo across the abroad a very valuable experience for all participants and disciplines of zookeeping, education and marketing. The a unique chance to upgrade qualifications. Motivated and specificity of this business requires constant improvement and inspired staff make a huge difference to improvements in the exchange of experience between the zoos, and the European workplace, in terms of efficiency and care for animals, as well zoos that took part in the project were selected to provide the as marketing and educational operations; and in consequence best possible chance of reaching the set objectives. to the quality of the zoo as a whole, dynamically growing The aim was not only an improvement in the running of institution. Wrocław Zoo, but personal development of staff. Having The project value cost over 84,000 euro and the fund returned home from the internships, everyone was eager to covered all the incurred costs, including travel, hotels and share their new experience. The staff learnt to work and live daily expenses. in an international environment, and picked up a number of The project has been of great significance to the useful approaches which they now are implementing at our professional and personal competences of its participants. In zoo. addition, Wrocław Zoo has also gained many new contacts Before leaving for the internship, each person took part abroad, fostering relationships with other European zoos, and in an intensive language course (41 hours in total) run opening up opportunities for cooperation on further projects. by Yellow language centre. Three different courses were We would like to warmly thank all the partners on organised, depending on the target country: English, German this project, as their commitment proved that the idea of and English with elements of the Czech language. The cooperation under EAZA is the right one. We hope that language courses were of significant help in overcoming participating in the project has been a valuable experience cultural and linguistic barriers. Each person received the for the partners, too, and that they remember us when following certificates: certificate of participation in the planning similar initiatives in the future. We would love to project, certificate of internship completion, certificate of share our own achievements with other zoos, as well as gain language course completion, as well as Europass Mobility. knowledge from them. 31 SCIENCE

HOW GENETICS CAN AID THE PLANNING CONSERVATION OF GREAT APES FOR THE APES Christina Hvilsom, Copenhagen Zoo; Tomàs Marquès-Bonet, Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (University Pompeu Fabra-CSIC); Mª Teresa Abelló, Vice chair of Great Ape TAG, Barcelona Zoo and Tom de Jongh, Chair of Great Ape TAG, Burgers Zoo.

For decades, humans have been planning of several of the great ape their programmes and considerations drawn to the charismatic ape species, species’. Traditional taxonomy of whether to lump or split studbooks will our closest living relatives. Despite the great apes considered a total inevitably arise. our fascination, our own species’ of five species: besides humans Many studies have been undertaken behaviour has led to serious reductions and our two closest relatives, the to gain deeper understanding of in population sizes of the great chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and great ape genetics, but up until apes, which are all categorised as the bonobo (Pan paniscus), we had 2013 our genetic knowledge was Endangered or Critically Endangered the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the still incomplete, in part because of by the IUCN. Within EAZA, we care orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). Primate limitations in technology. But in the for more than 1,700 individuals and taxonomy – like others – has been last decade, a complete revolution management efforts are undertaken revised according to the Phylogenetic in the way we ‘read’ the chemical to ensure that they retain as much Species Concept (PSC) and remains components that make up our genomes as possible of the genetic diversity of contentious. The PSC is known to has happened. Taking advantage of their wild counterparts. inflate species taxonomy, and has the new technology, the largest and The first European Endangered resulted in the splitting of the gorilla most comprehensive genetic study on species Programmes (EEP) for great and the orangutan into two species great apes to date was published in July apes saw light in the late ‘80s – the each (C. Groves, Primate Taxonomy, this year in Nature. The study gives gorilla EEP. Chair of the Great Ape Smithsonian Institution Press, 2001) the hitherto most detailed account TAG, Tom de Jongh, says that ‘good with a further subdivision of the of genetic diversity and population management progress has been made Bornean orangutan and Eastern and history of the world’s rapidly dwindling since then, but changing taxonomy Western gorilla. The consequences great apes – based on complete and the unknown provenance as well of a repeatedly changing taxonomy genomes of 79 sampled individuals as relatedness of (key) individuals impose requirements on the EEP from all six currently recognized extant still challenges the management coordinator’s management plans for species. 32 ZOO BURGERS’ AT KRUZE THEO The study provides the first complete MATERIAL GAINS the Great Ape TAG is to maintain genomic map of all extant species The biomaterial stored at self-sustaining populations of all the of great ape and outlines the unique Copenhagen Zoo will be stored taxa of great apes to sub specific level, variation within each species and and made available for future where possible, and to encourage subspecies. An international team of research projects to improve the and promote their conservation in researchers with strong ties to the zoo management and conservation the wild,’ says Tom de Jongh, chair community has been key to the success of great apes. In order to secure of the Great Ape TAG. ‘So, for us, of this study. Dr Christina Hvilsom this, the institution owning the this genetic breakthrough is of great from Copenhagen Zoo explains: ‘We individual, from which the material importance for future management originally teamed up with the leading is sent, will legally own the sample and conservation planning for these scientist Dr Tomas Marques-Bonet and may decide who will be endangered species.’ because we believed in the great granted access to the sample. The The work is under way for the largest opportunities this study would bring usage right can be transferred management programme globally, the to the zoo community and great ape to the species committee or the combined Chimpanzee ESB and EEP. conservation efforts worldwide’. Great Ape TAG, if the institutions Although 33% of the population has The study was only possible because wish so. If a researcher seeks already been genetically determined of two important events: to begin permission to access samples, he and a new EEP for the Central African with, many European zoos and African or she will be requested to fill a chimpanzee (P. t. troglodytes) can likely sanctuaries have supported the study sample agreement form, which is be established in a not too distant by providing samples, so the study is to be approved by the institution future, there is still a long way to reach truly their achievement. Second, the owning the sample or the Great the goal. ‘But with the recent advances generous funding from the European Ape TAG – if rights have been we might be closer to this goal,’ says Union (ERC Starting Grant) to Dr transferred. Dr Hvilsom. Tomas Marques-Bonet provided the The new study has enabled scientists necessary support for the sequencing to pinpoint the exact subspecies of the genomes of the many sampled level in the gorilla and orangutan specific areas of the genome, which individuals. genera. Taxonomy is based on data will be genotyped in individuals of Currently, the list of coordinated informative about the speciation unknown origin and will reveal the EAZA programmes for great apes process (eg ecological, behavioural, geographical origin. The genetic consists of three EEPs managed at morphological or genetic) and as such foundation and technology is already the species level (Bornean orangutan the newly generated genomic evidence present, but funds and samples are (Pongo pygmaeus) and Sumatran should be taken into account when lacking. While funding sources orangutan (Pongo abelii) established in revising the great ape taxonomy. are being explored, the genetic 1990; bonobo in 1991) and two on the The genomic evidence would entail determination of the EEPs and the subspecies level (Western chimpanzee a management strategy striving to ESB are only successful if European (P. t. verus) in 2002 and Western preserve subspecies only of gorilla and zoos continue to support the project lowland gorilla (G. g. gorilla) in 1988). orangutan. and prioritise sending samples. The only ESB is managed on the With the complete great ape genetic Emerging from the growing sample species level (common chimpanzee in map in hand we are now able to assist collection, a decision has been taken 2007). From a genomic standpoint, the the EEPs and ESB by genetically in the Great Ape TAG to establish newly generated data allows for a clear identifying the origin of individuals the first coordinated great ape biobank genetic differentiation between all and therefore set up the correct within EAZA. Copenhagen Zoo has populations of great apes. Nonetheless, breeding groups. By reviewing the provided housing and storage facilities when comparing population split programmes genetically the chance of to ensure optimal and long term times, the data prompts no arguments success with the breeding programmes storage of the samples they receive. for the current elevation to species will also increase. ‘The mission of The vision is to store biomaterial TOM DE JONGH AT LEIPZIG

THEO KRUZE AT BURGERS’ ZOO BURGERS’ AT KRUZE THEO 33 SCIENCE

(blood, serum, tissue, DNA, hair etc) help determine the geographical origin about species diversity, adaptations, collected from the captive great apes of confiscated individuals. With such relationships and more. In the new in Europe as well as other regions and a tool in hand, apes arriving at rescue era of genomics, we are given a from the wild (see box). centres in Africa can now be assigned unique tool that can help us guide It is not only the zoo community and, if possible, returned to their country future conservation management that will benefit from the genomic of origin. This effort will help sanctuaries programmes. knowledge. Illegal trade still poses a as well as conservation organisations Experience from the great ape big risk for the different species, where worldwide in their efforts to understand genomic project highlights the a considerable number of illegally and break trafficking routes, thereby application of extensive genetic held animals are continually being reducing the illegal trade. surveys. Thus, by adding a genetic layer confiscated. Without knowledge about Management and taxonomic to studbooks we can revise programmes their geographical origin they cannot problems are not unique to the great and add information such as origin be returned to their country of origin apes. To date, only a limited number and relatedness of founders which was and released back into the wild nor of the taxa kept in zoos are managed previously built upon assumptions, as can suitable management efforts be by studbooks guided by genetics. well as resolve paternity issues. These undertaken. A new project is therefore With the rapidly evolving genetic efforts will ensure a solid foundation underway with the aim of creating field, new taxa are continuously being upon which we can build our future geo-referenced genetic profiles that can genome-sequenced, enlightening us management planning. 34 ZOO BURGERS’ AT KRUZE THEO 35