QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIA

AUTUMNZ 2017oo quariAISSUE 98 FANTASTIC BEASTS THE FASCINATING WORLD OF INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Insects in the citadel INSIDE BESANCON'S STUNNING INSECTARIUM 1 1 Our duty of care ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF INVERTEBRATE WELFARE Some passengers need a special travel agency

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1708-011 ADV OP A4.indd 6 23-08-17 14:29 Contents Zooquaria Autumn 2017

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4 From the Director’s chair 19 Spider plan EAZA's Director pays tribute to the amazing work How Bristol Zoo is working to ensure breeding being done to support invertebrate conservation success for the Desertas wolf spider 5 Noticeboard 20 The snail’s story The latest news from EAZA Council After a 30-year breeding programme, the reintroduction of the Partula snail has begun 7 The rise of the invertebrates An update on the current activities of the Terrestrial 22 The insect man Invertebrate TAG Zooquaria talks to Mark Bushell of Bristol Zoo 8 The invertebrate 25 A vet’s life conservation challenge EAZA's Veterinary Advisor to the TITAG discusses the With millions of species in existence, how do we challenges of his role tackle the challenge of invertebrate conservation? 27 Marvellous monsters 11 Conservation data The EAZA TITAG and BIAZA TIWG joint conference A visual summary of the current state of funding for proved to be a fertile breeding ground for ideas invertebrate conservation 29 Insects in the citadel 12 A hive of activity Inside Besançon's stunning insectarium The brand new Atlas Theatre at Wildlands Zoo was the setting for an inspiring EAZA Annual Conference 30 A duty of care How should we manage invertebrate welfare? 14 Breeding butterflies and beetles Nordens Ark demonstrates the rewards to be had 31 In with the spiders from invertebrate breeding programmes ZSL London Zoo's imaginative exhibit gives visitors a close-up experience of a huge range of spiders 16 Saving the grasshopper How expert collaboration can aid the survival of a 33 The main attraction critically endangered species How Chester Zoo succeeded in making its tarantulas and leeches more appealing to visitors 18 Fantastic phasmids The Lord Howe Island stick insect continues to 34 A bug in the system evade extinction thanks to the EEP's teamwork Helping visitors to learn to love invertebrates Zooquaria

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

It is with great pleasure that we share with you this special focus to provide updates on our highly successful EAZA issue on terrestrial invertebrates. I hope that upon reading Annual Conference, hosted by Wildlands Adventure it you will be as fascinated and inspired as I was by all the Zoo, Emmen. You can find the decisions made by EAZA wonderful conservation efforts and other activities that Council on page 5 and a summary of the conference on are taking place. Last year we had a Zooquaria special issue pages 12-13. As always, it was with immense pride that in reviewing 30 years of our EEP programmes and looking the opening plenary I had the opportunity to present on the ahead to future developments. By comparison, terrestrial past 12 months of EAZA activities. Every year it becomes invertebrate programmes are still relatively new within more and more difficult to keep to my allocated timeslot EAZA history however, as Axel Hochkirch, Chair of SSC as our achievements continue to expand. I’d like to take Invertebrate Conservation Sub-Committee, highlights in this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making his thought provoking article, about 1.4 million invertebrate these achievements possible. Without your knowledge, species have been described so far, with many more still experience, and ‘EAZA spirit’ we wouldn’t be the thriving, likely to be discovered. This means that invertebrate visionary association that we are today. programmes and conservation will play an ever-increasing part of our work going forwards. This work will be guided by the dedicated and passionate members of the Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG). The article on page 7 provides a great overview of recent work, collaborations, and ambitions of the TITAG. This is a TAG that is gaining momentum and looking to bring as many people as possible along with them. I am pleased to Myfanwy Griffith see that the TITAG is keen to be one of the first in line to Executive Director, EAZA undergo the new style Regional Collection Planning process due to roll out from 2018 (though not at all envious of the decisions they will need to make to help prioritise so many species!). I would like to give special thanks to the Chair, Mark Bushell, and members of the TITAG for helping contribute and coordinate the high-quality range of articles provided. What becomes clear upon reading this special issue is that there are numerous opportunities to get involved in terrestrial invertebrate conservation; from innovative communication ideas and exhibits, to learning husbandry techniques and devoting space in your collection to house one (or more!) of the programme species, to getting involved in collaborative reintroduction efforts. The recently published research showing a 75 percent decline in flying insects present in protected areas across Germany over the last 27 years is exceedingly worrying. Hallmann et al. (2017) attest that this decline is apparent regardless of habitat type, and cannot be explained by changes in weather or land use. Research into these declines is yet another way our community can be part of ensuring this valuable invertebrate biodiversity continues to underpin ecosystem functioning across our European landscape. What is abundantly clear is that whatever aspect of invertebrate conservation you choose you are likely to make a big difference to these small individuals in need; I Hallmann CA, Sorg M, Jongejans E, Siepel H, Hofland N, Schwan H, et al. (2017) wholeheartedly encourage you to become involved if you are More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in not already. protected areas. PLoS ONE12(10): e0185809. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. 4 In this issue, we only deviate from our invertebrate pone.0185809 ANNOUNCEMENTS EAZA CORPORATE MEMBERS a. hartrodt www.hartrodt.com Aqua Medic www.aqua-medic.de Aqua-Teknik A/S www.aqua-teknik.com NOTICEBOARD Arie Blok Animal Nutrition www.arieblok.nl Beresford www.beresford.fr DECISIONS BY COUNCIL Regulation to be applied in a way that Billings Productions, Inc www.billingsproductions.com The EAZA Council met at Emmen, the does not have a negative impact on the Brogaarden www.brogaarden.eu Netherlands, on 22 September 2017 as role of zoos and aquariums as Carl Stahl www.carlstahl.com Clax Italia www.claxitalia.com part of the EAZA Annual Conference (see organisations for conservation, education Crossborder Animal Services pages 12–13). The following decisions and research. The position statement can www.crossborderanimalservices.com were taken at the meeting: be found at the EAZA website at: http:// Deerns www.deerns.com MEMBERSHIP eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Position- EKIPA www.ekipa.nl New Applicants: statements/EAZA-Position-Statement- Fachjan www.fachjan.nl • Biotropica, France, was awarded IAS-Regulation-2017-09-FINAL.pdf Fox Consulting www.fox-zooconsulting.com HMJ Design www.hmj-design.dk Temporary Membership for two years. Memoranda of Understanding were IC Eau SA www.iceau.ch • Wild Acres, UK, was awarded Associate approved between EAZA and TRAFFIC, KaGo & Hammerschmidt www.felsen.de Membership – Holding Animals (this BirdLife International and the IUCN SSC Kiezebrink International www.kiezebrink.eu category reflects the fact that Wild Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group as Lamartine Construction Acres is not open to public visitation). part of the launch of the joint www.lamartine-construction.com • Casablanca Zoo, Morocco, and Fife Zoo, Conservation Campaign Silent Forest (see Lionhouse www.lionhouse.eu UK, were awarded Temporary below). The MoUs outline the terms of Marine Nutrition www.marinenutrition.com Mazuri www.mazuri.eu Membership Under Construction, the cooperation between the partners in Nieuwkoop Europe www.nieuwkoop-europe.com reflecting the fact that both sites are the campaign. The existing Memorandum Pangea Rocks www.pangea.dk currently under development and not of Understanding between EAZA and the PGAV Destinations www.pgav.com open to the public. Russian Federation’s Ministry of Natural PJA Architects www.pjarchitects.com • Zoodyssée, France, and Zoo Dvůr Resources and the Environment and IUCN Ralf Imagen y Comunicación S.L. Králové, Czech Republic, were SSC on cooperation for the Restoration of www.ralfnature.com Rasbach Architekten www.rasbacharchitekten.de upgraded from Temporary Membership the Persian Leopard in the Western Ravensden www.ravensden.co.uk to Full Membership of EAZA. Caucasus was also approved for renewal. Ray Hole Architects www.rayhole-architects.com • Zoo Sibiu, Romania, was accepted as a The MoU has seen EAZA involvement in St Laurent www.st-laurent.fr Candidate for Membership of EAZA the reintroduction of the Persian leopard TAA Group www.taa-group.com under the mentorship of the Technical in the Sochi region of Russia. TVK ZooDesign www.tvkzoodesign.nl Assistance Committee, giving the zoo a Council also discussed several Zoological Adviser www.zoologicaladviser.com five-year period in which to attain EAZA proposed changes to the EAZA Zoologistics www.zoologistics.nl Zooprofis www.zooprofessionals.de Standards. Constitution, aimed at harmonising the • Lion House, the Netherlands, and PGAV, language of the document with the USA, were approved to become evolving role of the Association and its Czech Republic, with support from Corporate Members of EAZA. connections to bodies including the Cologne Zoo and Heidelberg Zoo in • The British Association for Shooting European Union. The changes will come Germany. and Conservation, UK, was denied to the Annual General Meeting in April For more details of the campaign, visit Corporate Membership. Rocas and 2018 (to be held at Antwerp Zoo) for www.silentforest.eu and look for an article Design withdrew from Corporate approval by the Membership. in the next issue of Zooquaria. Membership. SILENT FOREST LAUNCHED WAZA CONFERENCE EAZA Accreditation Programme The EAZA/TRAFFIC/BirdLife International/ The 72nd Annual Conference of WAZA Orsa Predator Park, Sweden, moved from IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade SG took place from 15–19 October in Berlin. Full Membership of EAZA to a two-year two-year joint campaign for the WAZA has chosen the theme of 'Our Time period of Temporary Membership. conservation of threatened Southeast Is Now’ to emphasise the pivotal role that Antwerp Zoo, Belgium, Attica Zoo, Asian songbirds was launched at a special zoos and aquariums play in the global Greece, Jersey Zoo, UK, Ouwehands plenary session of the EAZA Conference fight to protect wildlife and wild spaces. Dierenpark, the Netherlands, Nyíregyházi on 23 September. ‘WAZA and its members are uniquely Állatpark, Hungary, Bioparc Doué la The campaign aims to raise awareness poised to influence major issues going Fontaine, France, and Furuvikspark, of the serious threat to six flagship species forward,’ said Doug Cress, WAZA's chief Sweden, all retained Full Membership of from the traditional regional practice of executive officer. ‘We receive 700 million EAZA following screening inspections in capturing songbirds for sale in markets visitors each year, we’re the third-largest 2017. across Southeast Asia, and will also raise funder of global conservation, and our funds for conservation projects. With captive breeding programmes have saved Other decisions of Council several of the species on the campaign’s dozens of species from extinction. We’re EAZA Council approved the EAZA Position list of flagship species classified by IUCN already addressing issues such as marine Statement on the EU Regulation on the as Critically Endangered, the timing of the litter and climate change on a daily basis, prevention and management of the campaign is crucial. From the EAZA side, and it’s time for zoos and aquariums to introduction and spread of invasive alien the campaign is being led by Thomas move to the forefront on these and other species (1143/2014) that calls for the Ouhel and a team from Liberec Zoo in the environmental concerns.’ 5 6 TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE TAG UPDATE The rise of the invertebrates AS THE POPULARITY OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES INCREASES ACROSS THE EAZA COMMUNITY, THE TITAG IS HARD AT WORK CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSERVATION WORK

Mark Bushell, EAZA TITAG Chair, Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK; Tamás Papp, EAZA TITAG Vice-Chair, Chester Zoo, UK; and Vít Lukáš, EAZA TITAG Vice-Chair, Zoo Praha, Czech Republic

It is clear to those of us who specialise in FREGATE ISLAND GOOTY ORNAMENTAL invertebrate conservation that they are BEETLE (POLPOSIPUS SPIDER (POECILOTHERIA slowly becoming more popular in EAZA HERCULEANUS) METALLICA) collections. More and more collections are building dedicated invertebrate displays, as you’ll see in this magazine, and more collections are introducing more species to their existing displays. Conservation actions with invertebrate species are on the rise also, and several collections across Europe are now participating in native and overseas species work: everything from translocations to full-on reintroductions to native ranges. Desertas wolf spider (Hognas ingens). and trend monitoring quite easy, but we The Terrestrial Invertebrate TAG It also includes one ESB, the Gooty can only work with the data we have – (TITAG) has, on the surface, been ornamental spider (Poecilotheria so please do keep yours updated! rather quiet of late – but that’s not metallica). A growing number of All of this work will help to feed to say that there isn’t a great deal collections have been participating in into the brand new RCP. With the bubbling away under the surface! these programmes, and they are doing new format being discussed, and as We’re continuing to strengthen ties rather well. In particular the Gooty our current remit of species is in the with the IUCN, and in particular the ornamental ESB and Partula EEP millions, the TAG felt it was time for Grasshopper Specialist Group and the have seen some excellent examples a serious overhaul of our RCP and has Spider and Scorpion Specialist Group of collaboration work between EAZA volunteered to be in the first wave. We of the IUCN SSC. We have also made Members and it has been a pleasure to know that this will help to produce a sure to maintain close ties with our see this happening. We are discussing a concise, easy-to-use document that will colleagues in relevant TAGs in the number of future EEPs, particularly for help EAZA Members to decide which BIAZA and AZA to see where we can the Crau Plain grasshopper (Prionotropis invertebrate species to work on in their best collaborate on forthcoming projects rhodanica, see page 16). In addition, a collections. and understand the challenges we face MON-P is currently being researched As you can see, we have a lot globally as a community. with the giant centipede genus planned; so how are we going to achieve We have also added another body to Scolopendra as its focus; one of the aims all of this? We’ve been working hard our group; Vít Lukáš (Zoo Praha) has is to produce Best Practice Guidelines to kickstart what we hope will be an recently joined Tamás Papp (Chester) as for these animals, something that we are excellent period of activity within the our second Vice-Chair. Vít is passionate aiming to do for many of the taxa that TAG, although of course this will rely about invertebrates, and has spent time fall under the TAG. entirely on EAZA Members getting in South America researching them, As a follow-up from the first behind the TAG as best they can so his and Tamás’ joint enthusiasm will Invertebrate Conference in Amsterdam and helping out; collaboration and probably be quite hard to contain! I am in July 2015, we have also been working cooperation is the key to success, and both proud and pleased to have them as together with the BIAZA Terrestrial we need more help from anyone who not only TAG members, but also Vice- Invertebrate Working Group on the is willing and able, from keepers to Chairs; I’m sure their guidance and hard organisation of a joint Invertebrate curators. If you or someone who works work will pay dividends now and in the Conference; for more results see page at your collection can spare some time TAG’s future. 27. I am very excited that we now have to help the TAG – for example, writing The number of conservation this special issue of Zooquaria, which is a Best Practice Guidelines, monitoring programmes falling under the TAG spin-off from this first conference. a species that you’re really interested has increased significantly in the last One thing that will definitely help in, getting involved with the IUCN two years, and now comprises a total with our current and future work is and other relevant NGOs, or perhaps of four EEPs: Partula snail (Partula for collections to input all of their even proposing a conservation breeding spp.), Frégate Island beetle (Polposipus invertebrate data into ZIMS. Species360 programme – then we’d love to hear herculeanus), Lord Howe Island stick has produced an amazing tool for us to from you! Simply contact the TAG via insect (Dryococelus australis) and use, which makes population analysis the EAZA Member Area website. GOOTY SPIDER: MORKELSKER CC; FREGATE ISLAND BEETLE: FREGATE.COM BEETLE: ISLAND FREGATE CC; MORKELSKER SPIDER: GOOTY 7 CONSERVATION The invertebrate conservation challenge INVERTEBRATES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED WHEN IT COMES TO CONSERVATION, BUT THEY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN OUR GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM

Axel Hochkirch, Chair, IUCN SSC Sub-committee on Invertebrate Conservation

It is impressive to note that about good overview of a beetle family or in preparing the translocation plan, 1.4 million invertebrate species have smaller insect order. Invertebrate which we based upon some successful been described so far, and estimates of conservation needs to proceed step projects in the UK. We monitored global species numbers vary between by step; saving every species at once both populations until 2007 and both five million and 30 million. Currently, is impossible, but if you pick a single continued to increase. The source invertebrates represent three-quarters species or habitat and set a good population had a minimum number of of all hitherto described species on our example of how to manage its habitat 32 singing males in 1991, but reached planet, and the real figure is probably or defeat its threats, you may inspire 2,363 singing males in 2007, and the more than 95 per cent. How will similar projects that help to preserve translocated population reached 226 we ever be able to describe all these our invertebrate diversity. singing males in the same year. This species – let alone preserve all of When I was working for a nature example shows how quickly insect them? conservation NGO in Germany conservation can lead to success. The Three years ago I had a discussion in 1989/90, I had to make an main reason is that the generation with the head of a large conservation inventory of grasshoppers, crickets times of most invertebrate species NGO and he told me that he was and bush-crickets (Orthoptera) for are quite short. As soon as you convinced that it is impossible to a management plan of a new nature apply an appropriate (and adaptive) preserve all invertebrate species. I reserve. At this time I already had management, you can reap the fruits must admit that he is probably right. quite a good knowledge of birds, of your efforts within a couple of years. We are in the middle of the sixth amphibians and reptiles, so adding When I look back, this successful mass extinction and we have not even another group was interesting. project is still among the best things understood how many species exist I realised that a field cricket I have achieved, even though I saved on our planet. Biogeographic models population within our region was just one single population of a species suggest that we lose between 11,000 close to extinction and wrote a that is not even threatened globally and 36,000 species per day (assuming small management plan, which was (but of course regionally). Successful that just five million species exist then implemented. The population conservation engagement makes you on earth) and it is likely that most increased within a couple of years and happy. And invertebrate conservation of them are invertebrates. Engaging in 2001, the head of the conservation can make you happy in a short period in invertebrate conservation is like project decided to translocate some of time. Unlike working with large standing in front of a house on fire individuals to another nature reserve. mammals, you have a good chance without knowing how many people As a PhD student, I was involved of completing a couple of successful are inside. This metaphor, however, LARGE PINCERTAIL DRAGONFLY does help me to realise why I am (ONYCHOGOMPHUS UNCATUS), engaging in invertebrate conservation. © AXEL HOCHKIRCH Because even without knowing how many people are in a burning building, you would still try to rescue as many of them as possible. Due to the enormous diversity of invertebrate species, it is important to focus on subsets, just as vertebrate specialists usually focus on smaller groups, such as birds, amphibians or mammals. You might be able to cover several invertebrate groups within some species-poor northern European countries, but as soon as you start working in species-rich regions, such as the tropics or Mediterranean, 8 it becomes challenging to get a invertebrate conservation projects first 15 species of Orthoptera, six surprised how supportive the local within your lifetime. of them were known only from the authorities and other stakeholders One reason for choosing the field type material. And even for those, were. My impression is that many cricket was that it is listed as Critically where a little bit more information people really want to engage in Endangered in the state of Lower was available, the experts usually invertebrate conservation, but they Saxony in northern Germany. So the asked me, 'Why did you choose this simply lack the expertise. regional Red List was an important species? We don’t know anything The power of the IUCN Red tool for defining the need for its about it.' This shows how little we List may be proven by another conservation. At the global scale, the know about invertebrates, and the recent experience. During the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lack of knowledge probably leads to IUCN SSC Steering Committee is, of course, the most important some erroneous Red List assessments. Meeting in Cartagena, Colombia, source of information regarding the However, the IUCN Red List is in August 2017, we had a Seminar conservation status of species. About flexible and can be updated as soon as Day at a local university. For my 19,000 invertebrate species have been new information becomes available. talk on invertebrate conservation assessed for the IUCN Red List and In fact, the Red List assessment often I searched for a threatened species the number is steadily increasing. prompts increased research efforts and example from Colombia and used However, assessing the Red List status thus facilitates improvements. the advanced search function of the is quite difficult if data is scarce – After we assessed the conservation IUCN Red List. I just chose the first and for many invertebrate taxa we status of the European Orthoptera, threatened invertebrate species in the have very little information. We several new conservation projects alphabet – the Mana Dulce damselfly recently started to assess Orthoptera were started. Conservation strategies (Acanthagrion williamsoni), which is species for a Sampled Red List Index have been developed for the listed as Endangered (I invented the (SRLI). This is a random sample of Singapore crab (Johora singaporensis), common name as I was speaking to species to obtain an overview of the the Crau Plain grasshopper the audience). This species is possibly general conservation status of this (Prionotropis rhodanica), the Desertas extinct at its type locality and is only insect group. When we assessed the Wolf spider (Hogna ingens) known from one other locality – the MASPALOMUS BOW-LEGGED and the private Mana Dulce Nature Reserve. GRASSHOPPER (DERICORYS Adriatic marbled When I then searched for a photo of MINUTUS) © AXEL HOCHKIRCH bush-cricket (Zeuneriana this species (without success), I came marmorata). It is worth across an Instagram and Facebook post noting that whenever I of the Mana Dulce Nature Reserve attended the conservation summarising the IUCN Red List planning workshops for profile of this species. This shows these species, I was that the Red List helps to make local managers of protected areas aware of their responsibility for threatened species. And if people are aware or even proud of a threatened species in 'their' protected area, it will be a very small step to implement conservation action for a species – in the case of the Mana Dulce damselfly, this meant monitoring its population and fencing FIELD CRICKET (GRYLLUS off streams to protect it from negative CAMPESTRIS) © AXEL HOCHKIRC impacts caused by cattle grazing. In summary, this shows that the most important thing hampering conservation of invertebrates is lack of knowledge. Field guides for invertebrates are available in the UK and some other northern European countries, but even in the Mediterranean, not to mention the tropics, these are usually lacking (except for butterflies). If people are not able to identify invertebrate species, they will not be able to preserve them, as you can only preserve what you know. Naturalists, rangers or managers of protected areas are often extremely interested in the 9 CONSERVATION

species they encounter. Therefore, community? Whichever action you for the IUCN Red List of capacity building and publication start on invertebrate conservation, you Threatened Species, of easy-to-use field guides are quite are very likely to become a pioneer. • building capacity in invertebrate important for instigating conservation The IUCN Red List can help you to conservation in tropical countries, action on the ground. identify species with a high extinction • raising awareness for the importance Due to the lack of knowledge, risk that need conservation action. of invertebrates for ecosystems and invertebrate conservation often starts With the information provided on the humans, their amazing diversity as with some explorative research. It IUCN Red List it is usually also easy to well as the threats they are facing, took us four years of research in the identify the necessary steps to preserve • developing and conducting Seychelles to understand that the a species. monitoring programmes for invasive soapbush is the major threat The Red List assessors or IUCN threatened invertebrate species or to the endemic Orthoptera species. Specialist Group chairs will certainly groups, Now we can start conservation action be able to guide you in the right • helping to develop conservation on the ground and develop a control direction, and most experts on strategies for threatened species both programme to prevent this plant invertebrates will greatly appreciate in situ and ex situ, and deteriorating the habitat of many any help to obtain more knowledge • supporting the implementation of species that inhabit the ground layer of or facilitate conservation action for conservation action on the ground. the mist forests in the Seychelles. a species. There are too few in situ Whenever you start to observe Unfortunately, it is particularly conservation projects for invertebrates, invertebrate species, you will be difficult to obtain funding for the particularly in the species-rich regions surprised by their amazing diversity basic research necessary to instigate of the world. Therefore, the zoo of life histories and behaviours. Each conservation. Research funds typically community can help to instigate such species is unique and, in my opinion, focus on hypothesis-driven basic projects by: each species has the right to exist. research rather than on explorative • supporting or conducting the People may be more attracted to tigers studies, and conservation funds necessary research to gather than to tiger beetles, but while it takes focus on practical conservation knowledge on the taxonomy, a lot of money and effort to preserve action rather than research. Hence, ecology and conservation biology of the tiger, it may be much easier to invertebrate conservation finds itself in invertebrate species, preserve a tiger beetle – and from a a challenging funding gap. • conducting assessments of the certain angle, tiger beetles are probably What does this mean for the zoo conservation status of invertebrates just as attractive as tigers.

JAPANESE TIGER BEETLE (CICINDELA CHINENSIS JAPONICA) © ALPSDAKE CC

10 Infographic created by Merel Zimmermann and Clara Köhler. Picture sources: Jungledragon.com, ZSL, Ania Jazdzewska, Cumbria-butterflies.org.uk, Kinzler Pegwell CONFERENCE NEWS A hive of activity ZOOQUARIA REPORTS BACK FROM ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

David Williams-Mitchell, EAZA Communications and Membership Manager

This year’s EAZA Annual Conference last 12 months’ activity from EAZA was held from 19–23 September at Executive Director Myfanwy Griffith. the Atlas Theatre in Emmen, the Netherlands. The theatre, which is POPULATION MANAGEMENT brand new, is part of the new Wildlands Keynote speaker Dr Mark Barone Adventure Zoo complex, and this from EngenderHealth then addressed conference was only the second such the plenary session on the subject of event it has ever hosted. Needless to say, human population, its impact on nature the facilities were state-of-the-art, with a conservation, and whether or not zoos huge main auditorium, a second, smaller should implicate themselves in the effort under the mentorship of Jerusalem Zoo. auditorium, and conference and meeting to educate and influence visitors on this The presence of the vice-mayor of the rooms for the parallel sessions. topic. Dr Barone found it striking that municipality and the CEO of the zoo The conference started on Tuesday conservation planning conversations as well as the film’s central protagonist, 19 September with the by-now familiar rarely seem to touch on human veterinarian Dr Sami Khader, highlighted TAG Chairs’ and EEP Coordinators’ population and its effect on nature; that the work of the Technical Assistance meetings. The TAG meeting focused while he welcomed initiatives by zoos to Committee, mentor zoos and the on the new population management engender behavioural change to mitigate candidates themselves depends on structure (launched in the Friday the effect of human technological and regular interactions between zoological plenary – see below), and especially population change, he challenged zoos professionals and their institutions at all some of its more technical challenges. and aquariums to think bigger and stages of the process, interactions that These included discussions on the new focus on more effective action. His talk, are embodied in the very concept of the Regional Collection Plan templates, while full of sobering facts regarding Annual Conference. the role of non-EAZA EEP participants, the extraordinary growth of the human and how TAG and EEP evaluations population globally, took an optimistic LOBBYING AND LEGISLATION will be carried out under the new tone, pointing out that zoos can indeed The Wednesday afternoon plenary structure. These vital questions and their play a strong role in educating the public, looked at lobbying, and featured four answers will inform the revision of the especially through the empowerment of speakers from the community. Jacques Population Management Manual, a key women; research shows that women are Kaandorp presented a brief history of EAZA document and the cornerstone of among the most important audiences for EAZA’s lobbying, illustrating the talk the theory and practice of maintaining family planning, and even if measured with his experiences of engaging with the small ex situ populations. The EEP by reach alone, zoos are ideally placed European Union on the Balai regulations. meeting invited speakers to provide to provide information on reproductive Martín Zordan of ALPZA, the Latin context on the new EAZA Biobank, rights and strategies, and thereby make a American Association of Zoos and guidelines on the use of social media greater difference than they are currently Aquaria, highlighted a major problem by TAGs and programmes, the new able to effect. for zoos: namely the disconnect between studbooks module of ZIMS, and an After the first plenary, the conference legal action aimed at protecting the update on the Species Conservation broke up into TAG and Committee welfare of individual animals, and the Toolkit Initiative (SCTI). meetings; these meetings are a crucial way that these cases have been reported In the evening, delegates were part of the event, and define much of in the media; he believes strongly that welcomed to Emmen by the mayor of the activity of the Association over we need to do more to counter the the city, Eric van Oosterhout, and EAZA the coming year. This year’s planning sensationalist reporting of such cases to Chair Thomas Kauffels, at an outdoor included a great deal of preparation ensure that misreporting does not lead to reception on the Compass Square, the for the implementation of the new ever more extreme legislation. Davorka main ‘jumping-off’ point for the four population management structure, as Majlković of Zagreb Zoo provided an differently themed areas of the new zoo. well as the more habitual elements of account of how her institution has been The main activity of the conference reporting on programmes and their successful in engaging with Croatian kicked off on Wednesday morning. continued development. This first authorities, and encouraged zoos of The first plenary of the day featured parallel session also included the first all sizes to get involved in lobbying – a welcome from the new CEO of of three screenings of the documentary pressure from even small zoos can help Wildlands, the appropriately named film ‘Waiting for Giraffes’, a reportage shape substantively the legislation that Frankwin van Beers (beer is Dutch for on the quest of Qalqilya Zoo in the affects us all. Finally, Volker Homes of bear!), an introductory address from West Bank of Palestine to become the German zoo association VdZ made 12 the EAZA Chair and a summary of the a candidate for EAZA Membership the point that lobbying at national and European levels is essentially indivisible; representatives of six programmes, the second half of the plenary was without good local engagement, lobbying outlining the process of designing dedicated to the launch of the new joint at the European Union is necessarily less Long-term Management Plans for campaign by EAZA, TRAFFIC, BirdLife effective, and vice versa. The plenary species including Komodo dragon, International and the IUCN SSC showed clearly that the legislative process Lar gibbon, chimpanzee and others. Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group. is fluid, and the protection of the rights The new structure, however, will The two-year campaign, called Silent of zoological institutions requires full not focus merely on demographics Forest, was introduced by Theo Pagel, engagement from us all. and genetics: Stephanie Sanderson CEO of Cologne Zoo and the first EEP Thursday continued with TAG and of EAZWV showed how it will also Coordinator for Bali myna, one of the 12 Committee meetings in the morning prioritise the health of populations, bird species highlighted by the campaign. and a guided tour behind the scenes and EAZA Biobank Working Group That Southeast Asia is in the midst of of Wildlands in the afternoon. It was Chair Christina Hvilsom and Research a genuine crisis of biodiversity amongst fascinating to see the facilities that a Committee Chair Zjef Pereboom its exotic songbirds was demonstrated new-build zoo can include, and many introduced the role of the new Biobank clearly by Acting Regional Director of colleagues seemed particularly envious of project in protecting and documenting TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia, Kanitha the kitchen and veterinary facilities. the advances of the new structure. Krishnasamy and BirdLife International’s Saturday’s plenary closed off the Dr Nigel Collar, drawing on both NEW DIRECTIONS two-year local biodiversity campaign personal experience and peer-reviewed Friday’s plenary marked the official Let It Grow with a call for continued scientific studies. Campaign Chair Tomas launch of the new EAZA population cooperation between zoos, science Ouhel and Vice-Chair Simon Brusland management structure. The structure, centres, botanical gardens and then outlined the goals of the campaign four years in the making with the municipalities. Local biodiversity remains (to raise awareness of the issue and involvement of much of the community, a key point of public engagement with funds for its solution) and how zoos can is a significant departure from the nature, as well as helping us to maintain participate effectively. For more details breeding programmes established urban green space and protecting the on the campaign, visit the website www. in 1985, and marries imaginative species it contains. With further resources silentforest.eu. theoretical principle to solid practical to be developed, the campaign team of Saturday’s meetings finished with a implementation. On the theoretical side, EAZA, BGCI and Ecsite aim to leave final plenary that reflected the success of Kristin Leus and Bengt Holst outlined a lasting educational and engagement Emmen’s hosting of the event, and the the vision for EEPs (now standing for legacy for use by their Members over traditional handing over of the flag to European Ex situ Programmes) to be the long term. The effectiveness of such next year’s host, Attica Zoo in Greece. defined by individual goals fulfilled by cooperations was highlighted by Katia With the business of the conference clearly defined roles for participants; Dell’Aria of Parco Natura Viva, whose finished, delegates convened in the ‘one size fits all’ programmes will now institution worked closely with Padua’s Jungola tropical house for a well-earned be phased out, with the full structure science museum and botanical garden gala dinner. to be implemented by the end of 2022. on the campaign. Marta Zając-Ossowska EAZA would like to extend its Raymond van der Meer showed how this of Wroclaw Zoo showed how the heartfelt thanks to Wildlands and its process has started already, with a review campaign allowed them to engage with dedicated and efficient staff, to the city of of the Regional Collection Planning middle school students of the pre-teen Emmen, to all delegates, to the Corporate process of the Canid and Hyaenid TAG. demographic, via summer camps and Members and exhibitors without whom This marriage of the theoretical special installations at the zoo. the conference would not take place, and the practical continued with and to the highly efficient organising presentations from EAZA Population SILENT FOREST LAUNCH company Conference by Design. We look Biologist Elmar Fienieg and With Let It Grow officially closed, foward to seeing you next year in Athens! 13 BREEDING PROGRAMMES

LONGHORN BEETLE (PLAGIONOTUS Breeding butterflies DETRITUS) © NORDENS ARK and beetles SUCCESSFUL BREEDING PROGRAMMES AT NORDENS ARK PROVE HOW REWARDING INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION CAN BE

Christer Larsson and Jimmy Helgesson, Nordens Ark, Sweden

Insects are all around us. Whether you tropical countries around the world but live in the countryside or in a large, also in our own backyard. modern city, the invertebrates always For more than 10 years Nordens two years under the bark inside the logs seem to invite themselves in. Ark has been involved in conservation and branches. It is not easy to monitor Some species of insect are of projects for different insect species what is going on inside an oak tree great value for humans and offer us native to Sweden. These projects have trunk! important ecosystem services. The a national action plan prepared by the However, everything worked bee pollinates our crops and give Swedish Environmental Protection well and the following year a large us food and honey, the earthworm Agency and are carried out by various number of beetles were hatched and eats and dissolves our debris. Other county administrative boards in the procedure was repeated. The species, however, such as longhorn cooperation with Nordens Ark. keepers collect the beetles as soon as beetles or centipedes, do not seem to A small selection is detailed here as they hatch and move them to a new have a direct and important role for an example of what we do and the cage. The newly hatched beetles are us humans, and are often forgotten impact it can have. very lively and quickly start to mate. and considered to be ‘useless’. The The longhorn beetle lives for just question is, are they actually useless THE LONGHORN BEETLE one or two weeks as imago, but we or do they bring something good to (PLAGIONOTUS DETRITUS) have managed to extend the active mankind? Some insects are even worse The conservation work with insects at time they lay eggs by feeding with than ‘useless’; they eat and destroy our Nordens Ark started with this small nutritional solution and pollen. plantations, invade our houses, bite longhorn beetle, which is among A similar breeding method has now and sting us and some even suck our the rarest beetles in Sweden and is been developed with smaller pieces of blood! Why do we need them? Well, classified as Endangered (EN) on the oak in indoor terrariums. The larvae the answer is simple: all species, no Swedish Red List. The species was inside the wood undergo the same matter how large or small, belong to a once found in large parts of southern treatment as the outside breeding stock complex ecosystem and have evolved Sweden but today exists at only a few but under more controlled conditions. over thousands of years to fulfil a sites in the area round Stockholm. The This now gives us the advantage of certain ecological niche and purpose in reason for the decline is the massive producing more individuals per square life. That is why we have such a great clear-cutting of the country's oak metre of wood. diversity of insects in the world. forests, which has been going on for This rearing technique has been Across the world, some 900,000 hundreds of years, in combination with very successful and is now being used insect species are known to us. Some overgrowing. to produce both beetles and colonised researchers believe that there may In the spring of 2006, Nordens Ark wood for reintroduction each year. So be up to five million insect species! was given a commission by Stockholm far Nordens Ark have sent 60 colonised But whichever figure is true, insects county administrative board to attempt oak logs and around 500 beetles for represent a very large part of the to breed the species. The aim of reintroduction at two different sites total number of species in the world. the project was to develop breeding in Sweden. The reintroductions will However, in the world of conservation, methods and mass-produce beetles for continue for another five years and will insects are easily forgotten and the large-scale release. then be evaluated. focus is more often on conservation Adult individuals (imagoes) were projects linked to birds, primates collected during the hatching season in THE GREAT CAPRICORN BEETLE or big carnivores. All creatures are late June and early July at Djurgården (CERAMBYX CERDO) equally important, but these projects in Stockholm. The imagoes were taken In 2012, Nordens Ark was often require a lot of money if they to new breeding facilities at Nordens commissioned by Kalmar county are to have any positive impact. Ark and placed in outdoor cages for administrative board to develop and Conservation projects for insects, mating and egg-laying. The cages were implement a method of breeding the however, can be run quite easily for furnished with logs and thick branches great Capricorn beetle. This beetle is various reasons. Such projects also of newly dead oak for the egg-laying. the largest longhorn beetle in Sweden bring other positive effects to the zoo Mating and egg-laying started quickly and can grow up to 5cm, not including community as we take responsibility and a long and uncertain waiting took the long antennae. The species is 14 for a wider range of species, not just in place because the larvae live for one to classed as Critically Endangered (CR) and remains in only a single site in CLOUDED APOLLO BUTTERFLY Sweden, in the Halltorp nature reserve (PARNASSIUS MNEMOSYNE) on the island of Öland. The great © NORDENS ARK Capricorn beetle depends on old oak trees with rough bark that are exposed to the sun, and the reason for the decline of the species is the same as for the Plagionotus. Thanks to a cooperative agreement between the Kalmar county administrative board and the Polish authorities, Nordens Ark was given permission to collect 30 pairs of great Capricorn beetles from the strong population in Rogalin in Poland. The collection was carried out over three years, from 2012 to 2014. The reason for taking beetles from Poland was that the Swedish population is extremely kept at a slightly higher temperature, space to breed and rear the species. vulnerable, with a very small number of the lifecycle of the captive population Eggs were collected from the wild remaining individuals, so we wanted to can be brought down to about two population in Blekinge by the local have more knowledge and experience years. With this method we now expect county administration and brought to of breeding it before starting a breeding to produce 150–200 beetles for release Nordens Ark. and reinforcement/ reintroduction each year. When the eggs started to hatch, the programme with the Swedish The long-term goal is to re-establish caterpillars were placed in small cages population. After three years of trial a viable population of great Capricorn on hotbeds planted with Corydalis and error using the Polish beetles, we beetles in restored and protected areas solida. The caterpillars eat intensively were able to breed the species fully out on the mainland of Sweden where the and grow very fast. After about three in a second generation. We now felt beetles historically used to occur. weeks they start to pupate. The confident enough to implement our caterpillar weaves a cocoon inside dry breeding techniques on the Swedish CLOUDED APOLLO BUTTERFLY leaves and after three to four weeks population. (PARNASSIUS MNEMOSYNE) the first butterflies start to emerge. After collecting a small number of The clouded Apollo butterfly is They quickly climb up on twigs and beetles from Halltorp nature reserve, the newest conservation project at start unfolding their wings. As soon as we brought them to Nordens Ark’s Nordens Ark. The clouded Apollo they are fully developed, the butterflies breeding centre for a few days for butterfly has been recorded in 25 are moved to new cages and placed mating and egg-laying. The beetles European countries and is regarded in pairs. Each pair and cage is given a were then released back into the nature as Endangered almost throughout its potted nectar plant to feed on and the reserve to continue the egg-laying European range. In Sweden the species butterflies almost instantly start to mate there. This is important with such a is listed as Endangered (EN) and is and lay eggs. The butterfly lives for only vulnerable small population; we only known from around 40 localities in a couple of weeks. The eggs are then ‘borrow’ some of the specimens for a three regions isolated from one another. carefully collected and placed in small short time in order to get some eggs. The clouded Apollo occurs as imago textile bags in which they will stay for After the egg-laying and during the in the early summer, in June and July, about nine months until the following metamorphosis to the imago stage, and is restricted to richer land with spring when it’s time to hatch. each specimen needs to be kept in a mosaics of deciduous forest and scrubby The aim of the project is to keep separate plastic box, otherwise they verges of fresh meadows that contain an assurance breeding colony of will predate on each other. The full life suitable nectar-bearing flowers for the the species at Nordens Ark and, cycle in natural conditions from egg to fully formed butterflies. An absolute when restorations have been done, reproductive beetle takes four or five requirement for a potential locality is to reintroduce the clouded Apollo years in Sweden. But when the larvae the presence of Corydalis spp., which is in areas where it once thrived. are offered more nutritious food and are the only host plant that the caterpillars Reinforcement of small existing feed on. The main threats to the species populations may also be relevant in the NORDENS ARK BREEDING CENTRE are overgrowth and excessively heavy future. © NORDENS ARK and intensive grazing and development More zoos, big and small, should of the localities. get involved in species conservation In 2016, a modified greenhouse was actions for invertebrates. Wherever you constructed at Nordens Ark’s breeding are in the world, there are invertebrate centre. This greenhouse gives us space and mollusc species that are threatened to grow the host and nectar plants for by extinction – so just choose one and caterpillars and butterflies as well as get started! 15 CONSERVATION Saving the grasshopper

THE FUTURE OF THE CRAU PLAIN GRASSHOPPER COULD BE TRANSFORMED THANKS TO A TEAM OF EXPERTS AND AN INTENSIVE CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Cathy Gibault, DVM – Curator, Thoiry Zoo, France; Laurent Tatin, Wildlife Biologist, Réserve Naturelle des Coussouls de Crau, France; Mark Bushell, Curator of Invertebrates, Bristol Zoological Society, UK and Co-Chair of the Grasshopper Specialist Group; Linda Bröder, PhD student, Trier University, Germany; and Axel Hochkirch, Co-Chair of the Grasshopper Specialist Group and Chair of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-committee, Trier University, Germany

Although insects represent the most species-rich animal group, providing valuable ecosystem functions and services, their consideration in nature conservation is scarce. However, one Mediterranean insect species has recently benefited from conservation attention: the Crau Plain grasshopper (Prionotropis rhodanica). In 2014, a conservation strategy for the species was developed under the supervision of the Species Conservation Planning Sub-committee (SCPSC) and the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-committee (ICSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) involving in situ and ex situ actions. The Crau Plain grasshopper conservation programme is an illustrative example of collaboration between zoological institutions, field biologists and conservationists for the survival of a critically endangered species.

STATUS OF THE SPECIES IN THE WILD The Crau Plain Grasshopper is a large flightless grasshopper endemic to the Crau Steppe area of southern France, a unique Mediterranean dry steppe habitat. The landscape is a semi-arid pasture similar to the dry grasslands of southern CRAU PLAIN GRASSHOPPER Spain and North Africa. This region has been grazed by (PRIONOTROPIS RHODANICA) sheep for centuries, and nowadays about 40,000 sheep are extent of occurrence for the species is around 40 km² and its grazing from February or March to mid-June in nomadic area of occupancy is around 12–16 km². Therefore, the Crau flocks before they move to the Alps. Plain grasshopper is listed as a Critically Endangered Species The species is large; females are 4–5cm long and males (CR) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as well as 3–4cm, but it has a very good camouflage and is therefore on the European Red List and the French national Red List. very difficult to find. As the species has declined dramatically within the Due to its large body size, the Crau Plain grasshopper is nature reserve as well, it is very likely to be also affected by an important primary consumer and also a part of the diet of other threats, which are currently under study and include several threatened steppe-bird species, such as little bustard, predators, climate change, impact of chemicals, diseases and lesser kestrel, stone curlew and others. Contrary to some other factors. other grasshoppers, its fecundity is not very strong: only 15– 18 eggs per egg pod are produced and females are considered PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST CONSERVATION to lay about four or five egg pods in the wild. STRATEGY FOR A GRASSHOPPER SPECIES Its natural habitat is fragmented in several patches that The extreme decline of the species and the strong need for cover a total of 11,000 ha out of the 500,000 ha that existed conservation prompted the development of a conservation in the sixteenth century. This fragmentation is the result strategy for the grasshopper species. Field biologists, the of the transformation of the original habitat into meadows, IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group and the IUCN orchards, olive yards or industrial areas. From the remaining SSC Species Conservation Planning Sub-committee were habitat, 7,500 ha are protected and managed in the Reserve involved from the early stages. In June 2014 a three-day Naturelle des Coussouls de Crau. But 24 per cent of the workshop in Saint-Martin-de-Crau took place in order to land inside the reserve still belongs to private owners, and prepare the strategic conservation plan for this species, habitat destruction still occurs (mainly outside the reserve). involving members from the IUCN and representatives Consequently, the species has completely disappeared from of Bristol Zoo Gardens and Thoiry Zoo as well as key many sites in the last 50 years and a recent survey has shown stakeholders in the area such as shepherds, landowners, that only three small isolated subpopulations still exist. The NGOs, military personnel and governmental staff. This 16 BUSHELL MARK meeting was of key importance, as it was one of the first to Alongside this, a necropsy protocol has been developed in focus purely on invertebrate conservation. Thoiry since 2015 and internal and external parasitology is The Conservation Strategy for the Crau Plain Grasshopper performed when the grasshoppers first arrive at the zoo and 2015–2020 was developed under the guidance of the IUCN throughout their lifetime there. Species Survival Commission and published in October Temperatures have been recorded in the wild using data 2014. The strategy covers three major fields: research, loggers, and this information is used to manage the natural population and habitat management, and public awareness. temperature gradients in the zoo. Thanks to abundant and ever-fresh food (dandelion and FIELD STUDIES AND RESEARCHES plantago) and the absence of predators, we observed that the Field studies and field research are being led by Laurent lifespan of the animals is much longer in the zoo than it is in Tatin (Réserve Naturelle de Crau) in collaboration with the wild; four to five months in the wild versus seven months Axel Hochkirch from Trier University in Germany, who in our care. This is caused by a much longer adult lifespan, is also Co-Chair of the IUCN Grasshopper Specialist whereas juveniles' development is similar to the wild. Group. From 2016 to 2019, Linda Bröder is running a PhD Each female produced on average 13 egg pods in 2015 and on the Crau Plain grasshopper, focusing on population 12 in 2016, which is much higher compared to the four or ecology (microhabitat preferences, population dynamics five egg pods they lay in the wild. As an egg pod contains and population genetics) and threats analysis (the impact 15–18 eggs, the potential of breeding within zoos to produce of predation, grazing and population fragmentation). In an ex situ population is obvious. Thus, during those first two addition, two scientific papers have been submitted recently years of the breeding programme, a total of 340 egg pods suggesting a negative effect of intensive grazing on the were produced (179 and 161 respectively in 2015 and 2016) habitat structure, which might have facilitated extinction in from 48 adults (13 females in 2015 and 2016). Because of the some habitats. high number of egg pods laid, it was decided not to incubate all of them in Thoiry but to test the translocation into the EX SITU BREEDING natural habitat, based on four testing groups with differing As scheduled in the Conservation Strategy, an ex situ conditions. conservation programme started in 2015. The aim is to learn No hatching was observed in spring 2016, neither in the as much as possible about the life history of the species to transferred egg pods nor in the ones kept in the laboratory. encourage the conservation efforts in the in situ populations Dissection of 43 egg pods (32 and 11 from 2015 and 2016 and increase the chance of persisting. Thoiry Zoo (France) respectively) showed that most of the embryos from the was appointed to coordinate this breeding programme; in the transferred egg pods were still developing and might hatch future, a more formal EAZA EEP is planned, although it is in spring 2017. With regard to egg pods reared in the lab, still in its early stages. only those from 2016 showed some embryo still alive but In the wild, young Crau Plain grasshoppers hatch in April developing slowly compared to the transferred egg pods. and become adult at the end of May. Eggs are produced In March 2017 the first nymphs hatched from the eggs throughout June and the beginning of July. Adults usually laid in Thoiry in 2016 and were transferred to Crau for die subsequently. Eggs are thought to diapause until the next incubation under natural conditions. Unfortunately, 15 of spring, but the total duration of the cycle of development the 20 juveniles died after about a week. Some analyses were is still unknown, as are the factors responsible for breaking positive for Iridovirus, but it remains unknown if this was the the diapause. In many grasshopper species the eggs hibernate cause of death. Research into this virus is still in progress. once and nymphs hatch in the following year, but in some The surviving individuals were raised and contributed to species the cycle can be two years or even longer. the upcoming breeding cycle. For the first time the lifecycle The main objectives of the ex situ breeding project are as was completed in the framework of the breeding project follows: (reproduction in zoo surroundings, egg development in the • to complete the lifecycle in human care in order to natural habitat and subsequent reproduction at the zoo), but establish a self-sustaining viable ex situ population and was accompanied by a high mortality in the early nymph to produce animals for potential reintroductions into the stages. Improvements still have to be made in order to wild; produce more juveniles, including an earlier transfer of egg • to learn as much as possible about the biology of the pods to the wild, improved monitoring of hatching in the juveniles and adults, particularly about factors responsible Crau, the development of a new design for rearing juveniles for the egg development; and and other measures. • to learn more about the disease and pathogen status of the This conservation programme is following the One Plan grasshoppers in the wild. approach, and ex situ and in situ populations are considered In 2015, the French authorities gave their official agreement as a single meta-population. Plans currently allow individuals for Thoiry to capture a small number of juveniles in the field and/or eggs from both populations to flow back and forth to in collaboration with biologists of the Réserve Naturelle des ensure adequate genetic flow between them and to ensure Coussouls de Crau. The number of juveniles captured in healthy populations. 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 26, 22 and 21, respectively. To aid When more animals become available as a result of the the breeding programme, Thoiry and Bristol Zoo produced breeding programme, further ex situ subpopulations will be in 2014 a disease risk management assessment, and for established at other EAZA institutions to create a wider biosecurity reasons the grasshoppers are housed in a dedicated population, which will be less susceptible to population room so that they will not be in contact with other insects. collapse and loss during this part of the programme. 17 EEP UPDATE Fantastic phasmids THE REDISCOVERY OF THE LORD HOWE STICK INSECT IS A WELL-KNOWN CONSERVATION STORY – AND IT IS CONTINUING TO THRIVE THANKS TO THE EEP

Mark Bushell, Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK, EAZA EEP Coordinator for Dryococelus australis

ADULT FEMALE LORD HOWE ISLAND STICK INSECT (DRYOCOCELUS AUSTRALIS)

The Lord Howe Island stick insect 2015 300 eggs were sent to Bristol From this small batch of eggs we (Dryococelus australis) is probably Zoo Gardens to begin what was hoped started seeing hatches in March 2017; one of the most famous species of to be the European population for not as many as we had hoped, but this phasmid known, with an incredible the species, managed closely under followed the pattern that Melbourne back-story. Originally from the island an EAZA breeding programme. A Zoo saw when they had the first few of Lord Howe, they were thought dedicated climate-controlled rearing generations of a lower hatch rate – to have been made extinct after a room was established, and several hopefully this will increase as we go ship ran aground in 1918 and black hundred plants (tree lucerne) were forward. After a few shaky starts we now rats made it on to the island with grown to feed the resultant nymphs. have a small group of nymphs feeding devastating results. However, in 2001 The first insects hatched in well, and three confirmed females who it was rediscovered on Balls Pyramid, December, and although we had an we hope to rear to adult some time in a rat-free volcanic outcrop 23km off excellent hatch rate of over 70 per November. We are also in talks with the coast of Lord Howe Island, and cent, the nymphs proved very hard Melbourne Zoo about the possibility in 2003 a team of researchers brought to keep alive. After a lot of trial and of importing another group of eggs to back two pairs to Melbourne Zoo in error involving enclosure changes and help bolster the population here and, an attempt to establish a population additions to the food plant we finally we hope, expedite the process of getting managed in human care. Thankfully succeeded in rearing just six individuals this species established in Europe at they succeeded and the population to adult – three pairs, thankfully! From EAZA Member collections. in Australia now stands at some 650 these we produced just over 400 eggs. Although it is still early days, we are individuals, in addition to several Unfortunately one of our females died looking for EAZA Members who might hundreds of eggs being incubated. quite early on from what appears to be a be interested in participating in the In 2012 an attempt was made to bacterial infection, but we are currently EEP; there are several things that need establish colonies at Zoo Budapest researching this alongside Melbourne to be done to make collections ready to and also San Diego Zoo; it had limited Zoo to see if it is a bigger issue with the receive the species, and the sooner it success, but it did produce some management of this species in human can be accomplished the better. Please important information about what care. Even though this was not the do get in touch with me if you would did and didn’t work for this species success we were hoping for, it did give like some more information on these in human care, and helped to lay the us a lot of useful information for future truly remarkable animals. foundations for a second attempt in attempts; for a phasmid it is a lot harder If you can participate in this EEP, please 2015. Bristol Zoo Gardens, San Diego than any other species that I and the contact Mark and his colleagues through and Toronto Zoo were selected for team at Bristol Zoo Gardens have ever the TITAG pages on the EAZA Member

18 BLAKE MAX the next attempt and in November worked with. Area website. EEP UPDATE Spider plan THE DESERTAS WOLF SPIDER EEP HAS HAD A PROMISING START, BUT MORE INPUT IS NEEDED TO SAVE THIS REMARKABLE CREATURE

Mark Bushell, Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK, EAZA EEP Coordinator for Hogna ingens

The Desertas wolf spider (Hogna and the latter will form part of the ingens) is the largest known species release population, which we hope will of wolf spider and is a strict endemic, occur in 2018. being found only in a single valley on We have a couple of small spiderling Desertas Grande, an island found off groups moving to UK collections to the east coast of Madeira. It is classed help spread the load (ZSL London, as Critically Endangered by the IUCN ZSL Whipsnade and The Deep) and a Red List of Threatened Species due to couple of others are also in discussion, habitat loss caused by a floral imbalance but we are still looking for new holders in grasses. This incursion of invasive for the species. We are anticipating that grass has caused massive shrinkage of as it progresses, the potential to produce its habitat, reducing the extent of its large numbers of animals for release occurrence by more than 70 per cent in will probably be needed, so we need to less than a decade. secure as many volunteers as we can for In May 2016, Richard Saunders habitat work. The aim is to restore the (Bristol Zoo’s veterinarian) and I produce three males and six females. whole valley by the end of the project, attended a three-day meeting and From these we had four successful so the more hands, the better! workshop in Funchal, Madeira, alongside egg-sacs, which hatched in July, and If you are interested and wish to know experts from the IUCN Species Survival some 1500 spiderlings were produced. more, please don’t hesitate to get in Commission, Madeira University and We have split these into two groups: a touch with me via the EAZA Member the Institute of Forest and Conservation less intensely managed population of Area website. The species is probably of Nature. The strategy we helped to four separate tanks, which are reared one of the most stunning spiders I have develop follows a holistic view of the communally depending on which egg- had the pleasure to work with, and conservation programme, including an sac they came from, and four groups of they are an excellent ambassador for ex situ programme focused on rearing individually contained animals that are European invertebrate conservation spiders in human care, and an in situ monitored closely for diet, development programmes and for educating visitors habitat restoration plan, beginning in and health. The former are being used on the positive differences that zoos and 2018, where volunteers from zoological for research into burrow construction, aquariums can make, especially when collections will work alongside park group behaviour and dietary preferences, we all work together. rangers on Desertas Grande. The whole ‘project’ will run from 2017–2022 and the official strategy is to be published imminently. As part of the strategy, 25 individual spiders were collected from the island to form the founder population for the wolf spiders at Bristol Zoo and the process for creating a formal EEP for the species was begun, becoming fully realised in September 2016. The plan for the EEP was to increase the number of holders of the species in Europe over time, with both in situ and ex situ populations considered as a single metapopulation, and transfers would be made between the two, depending on the success of rearing the species at Bristol. I am delighted to say that although we managed to rear only nine of the animals to adult (this species was trickier than we initially thought and

PEDRO CARDOSO PEDRO we learnt a lot along the way!), we did 19 A snail’s story THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE PARTULA SNAIL IS UNDERWAY, THANKS TO THE ONE PLAN APPROACH

PARTULA BIOLOGIST DR TREVOR COOTE’S ESSENTIAL CONSERVATION FIELDWORK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A SUPPORT CONSORTIUM OF EAZA AND AZA ZOOS AND THE FRENCH POLYNESIAN GOVERNMENT

Paul Pearce-Kelly, EEP & International Coordinator, ZSL London Zoo, UK

The 30th anniversary of the international Partula complex forest habitat makes observations very difficult, and snail conservation breeding initiative and the 21st the monitoring strategy is being adapted to address these anniversary of the Partula EEP were both celebrated by challenges as much as possible. the full implementation of the reintroduction phase of the programme. Building on an initial shipment and field release LIVING WITH THE ENEMY trial in 2015, between mid-September and early November Like all species reintroduction initiatives, we have to 2016, 11 species and sub-species of Partula (totalling 3,073 balance the many advantages of re-establishment with snails) from EAZA and AZA zoos were shipped to Tahiti and ensuring that the released populations are sufficiently released into a dozen sites on three islands (Tahiti, Moorea resilient to any threat factors. For Partula, the threat has and Raiatea) in the Society group. always been the introduced rosy wolfsnail (Euglandina After excellent transportation, quarantine and initial rosea). Once established, it’s effectively impossible to reintroduction survival results, follow-up monitoring by totally eradicate such robust invasive species, but long-term the programme’s field biologist, Dr Trevor Coote, suggests monitoring has confirmed thatE. rosea has followed the that our long-term human-bred populations have responded classic invasive species pattern of initially flourishing in well to wild conditions and quickly reverted to ancestral a highly favourable environment (high prey availability, behaviour. Rapid dispersal (an encouraging sign) into absent or low competitors, etc.) before declining to more

PARTULA SNAIL REINTRODUCTIONS 2016 Species Red Listing Island No. released Partula mooreana (EW) Moorea 592 Partula suturalis vexillum (EW) Moorea 374 Partula taeniata simulans (CR) Moorea 67 Partula taeniata nucleola (CR) Moorea 100 Partula tohiveana (EW) Moorea 639 Partula affinis (CR) Tahiti 201 Partula hyalina (VU) Tahiti 8 Partula nodosa (EW) Tahiti 877 Partula dentifera (EW) Raiatea 96 Partula hebe bella (EW) Raiatea 81 Partula tristis (EW) Raiatea 38 20 manageable levels as environmental constraints exert their influence. The resultant reduced threat to surviving and reintroduced Partula populations, especially with strategic reintroduction site selection and assessment monitoring, is enabling reintroductions to cautiously proceed. Conservation is seldom straightforward, of course, and although the E. rosea threat is now manageable, we are finding higher than expected populations of invasive flatworms – including the New Guinea flatworm Platydemus( manokwari) – in some of our target reintroduction areas, and current field studies are being conducted to clarify the flatworm threat significance and any necessary reintroduction strategy refinements.

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM Although it is early days, a generalised summary of Partula’s reintroduction potential is that, providing they aren’t being eaten, the snails appear to be remarkably robust and able to contend with a range of natural and severely altered habitat conditions. Insights gained from our long-term field monitoring of the rosy wolfsnail predator are informing current assessment work on the more recently introduced flatworms, including New Guinea flatworm. Because most of our Partula species are strongly arboreal in their behaviour (which reduces the predation threat) we should, with careful site selection, be well placed to realise successful reintroduction outcomes and inform wider mollusc species conservation efforts.

FOLLOWING THE ONE PLAN APPROACH By addressing both the ex situ and in situ conservation PARTULA CONSERVATION PROGRAMME SUMMARY ILLUSTRATION BY WILDLIFE ARTIST requirements, the EEP and AZA Partula programme has RICHARD ALLEN followed the best practice conservation strategy of the One Plan approach (Gusset & Dick, 2013). The strong POTTED PARTULA PROFILE collaboration between French Polynesian Government • Partula have a long association with Polynesian environmental agencies and the international zoo cultural heritage, including in the creation of community provides the best chance of realising the full traditional shell jewellery (hei). conservation remit of the Action Plan. Through the • Because they ‘give birth’ to live young (i.e. are programme’s field conservation support consortium, resources ovoviviparous) Partula are named after the Roman are in place to ensure that essential in situ conservation work goddess of childbirth. is realised to maximise the chances of reintroduction success. • Since the early 20th century Partula have provided valuable insights into speciation and evolutionary REPORT AUTHORS genetics. Paul Pearce-Kelly (ZSL London Zoo, UK), Ross Brown • Partula were first scientifically described in 1784 from (Marwell Wildlife, UK), Mark Bushell (Bristol Zoo, UK), specimens collected during Captain Cook’s first Pacific Paul Buzzard (Detroit Zoo, USA), Trevor Coote (Partula voyage in 1769. programme field biologist), Dave Clarke and Sam Aberdeen • A recent taxonomic revision (Gerlach 2016) confirms (ZSL London Zoo, UK), Jo Elliot (Edinburgh Zoo, UK), a total of 104 species in the Partulidae family, with the Gerardo Garcia (Chester Zoo, UK), Don McFarlane greatest concentration in the Society Islands. (International Studbook Keeper, Auckland Zoo, New • Due to the introduction of the predatory rosy Zealand), Trevor Moxey (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK), Bob wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea) in the 1970s, 31 per cent Merz and Glennon Frei (SSP Coordinator & Studbook of all known Partulid snails are now considered to be Keeper, St Louis Zoo, USA), Bobbi Miller and Erin Sullivan extinct. Only the conservation breeding programme (Woodland Park, USA), Pete Mohan (Akron Zoo, USA), has prevented the extinction of a further 11 species Maartje de Vries & Janos Szánthó (Artis Royal Zoo, the and sub-species. Netherlands) and Claude Serra (La Service Direction de • The breeding programme currently cares for 16 taxa l’Environnement de la Polynésie Française). in 15 zoos in Europe (Artis, Bristol, Chester, Edinburgh, Marwell, Riga, Poznan, London and Whipsnade) REFERENCES and North America (Akron, Detroit, Disney, St Louis, Gusset, M. & Dick, G. (Eds) (2013). Towards Integrated Species Conservation. Sedgwick County and Woodland Park). WAZA Magazine, Vol. 14. • Partula snails were the principal reference programme Gerlach, J. (2016). Icons of Evolution: Pacific Island tree-snails of the family species for developing the group management Partulidae. Phelsuma Press, Cambridge, UK. functionality of ZIMS. 21 INTERVIEW The insect man ZOOQUARIA’S DAVID WILLIAMS-MITCHELL TALKS TO MARK BUSHELL, CURATOR OF INVERTEBRATES AT BRISTOL ZOO AND TITAG CHAIR, ABOUT HIS CAREER IN CONSERVATION

DWM: Mark, can you tell us a them as much, preferring monkeys successful research trip. I managed little about your background and and their ilk, so I kind of felt sorry for to find myself a position at Bristol Zoo how you developed a passion for them and championed them wherever Gardens and the rest is history! I’ve terrestrial invertebrates? I could. Fast forward to 2010 and I’d essentially become one of those lucky MB: I’ve been interested in natural been using various jobs after leaving people who are paid to do their hobby history from a very young age; I spent university (my main career was in and passion. the first six years of my life in Brunei, pub management!) to fund trips out so I saw a vast wealth of animal and to Southeast Asia to study insects DWM: Is there one species that plant life at an early stage in my life. (specifically stick and leaf insects) in particularly attracted you, and if I was always taken by invertebrates, the field and participate in associated so, which one and why? though, as there seemed to be no research. I was even lucky enough to MB: There are so many species I’m limit to their differing shapes, sizes have a species of stick insect named fond of that I couldn’t possibly single and forms. Also, no one else liked after me in 2005 after a particularly one out! Growing up in Brunei meant

22 I was exposed to many weird and I have put into the Desertas wolf understands the role they play, wonderful species of invertebrate; one spider (Hogna ingens) conservation and do you have any suggestions of my earliest memories is of a stick programme. I have been involved since for EAZA educators for increasing insect in our garden that must have February 2013 and it has been a long public awareness? been at least 30cm long. I’ve always process, and difficult in places. But to MB: I think that visitors have a good had a soft spot for stick insects, being now be in a position where an official overall appreciation of the role most the first invertebrates I really kept as strategy has been realised and the ex species play in ecosystems, including a pet, back when I was about six, so I situ work has begun is an incredible invertebrates. However, the fact that guess the Lord Howe Island stick insect feeling! The team at Bristol has been you can get up close and personal (Dryococelus australis) is definitely a crucial in the work and it couldn’t have with a cockroach and have visitors contender. When I read about it in the happened without their support, as handle them does make it a much early 1990s and learned that it was well as, of course, the IUCN SSC and more powerful message – you couldn’t extinct, I never thought I’d see a live the various key NGOs and staff in do the same with a lion. It is very easy one – how wrong can you be?! Madeira. for the ‘actors’ to be the prime focus In general, though, I am always of the education sessions and quite DWM: What achievement in the proud if I can convert someone from often visitors come away feeling a field of invertebrate zoology are not liking invertebrates to being certain attachment to the species you most proud of? interested in them. It’s crucial to ensure when they’ve been able to get so MB: I think one of my proudest that the next generation can pick up close, which I think makes them achievements has been the work the baton when we pass it to them, ideal ambassadors for some of the so to know that there are people out conservation work EAZA collections there willing to do it because of the participate in. My only suggestion work we have done is a great feeling. would be to keep doing the amazing work you are already doing, and make DWM: Invertebrates are probably terrestrial invertebrates an even bigger not at the top of most visitors’ part of your sessions! must-see lists. How do you think we can change that, and do we DWM: You’ve spoken elsewhere in need to? the issue about the conservation MB: I think this question is a touch status of terrestrial invertebrate prejudiced – for example, butterfly species. How can EAZA Members houses are probably one of the help improve the prospects for most popular exhibits at zoological these species, and do you think collections. ZSL Whipsnade recently we need more programmes for built one that is now their highest terrestrial invertebrates? If so, scoring exhibit for visitors! They are which species would you like to see often key exhibits and a great way in the EEP structure? of producing an immersive visitor MB: The beauty of terrestrial experience; good examples that come invertebrates is that generally they to mind are the butterfly temple at don’t need as much space or money Wildlands and the huge dome at to have an effective conservation Blijdorp. Visitors to zoos and aquariums programme or focus; certainly less do like seeing invertebrates; bear than would be required for a group in mind the majority of visitors are of lions or tigers. The main issue children, and kids do love bugs! It's is finding the species that require very common to hear lots of ‘oohs’ and conservation actions the most ‘aahs’ when visitors see a particularly and the best methods of applying large spider, a group of beetles them for maximum effect, in line coloured like jewels or a swarm of with a laid-down strategy with a set locusts. To turn it round, I think that guideline for events and goals to perhaps invertebrates are not as be met. The problem is that there popular with directors; perhaps this are still many, many species that are is a good opportunity to highlight yet to be assessed for the Red List terrestrial invertebrates as an excellent, of Threatened Species and some, low-cost way of showcasing nature’s even after assessment, are just not in diversity for our visitors and to educate a position for ex situ work. In these them on the wonders of nature. cases it’s often best to concentrate on protecting, maintaining or restoring DWM: Terrestrial invertebrates the habitat to help the species (and by play a vital role in our ecosystems. proxy many others) survive. The TAG Do you think that the public has been working closely with IUCN 23 INTERVIEW

specialist groups such as the Grasshopper SG and the Spider can help not only to cure people of their fears, but also to and Scorpion SG and has helped with the creation of two educate them about the important role these fascinating conservation strategies so far, the Crau Plain grasshopper creatures play in the ecosystem and why they are so crucial (Prionotropis rhodanica) and the Desertas wolf spider to the survival of a great many more species than people (Hogna ingens), both of which are featured in this issue, and realise. ‘Minibeast’ sessions are also important and are usually the former is a prime candidate for the new EEP structure. one of the most popular sessions with children and adults This is still very much the tip of the iceberg though and alike, especially as it is usually possible to hold the subject of there’s a lot more work to be done. the discussion and get a really good look at them. I think a lot of species can actually be helped outside Of course, it is important to consider the welfare of the the EEP structure with conservation programmes and animals during these sessions, as with other taxa, and an strategies based on the local taxa; in the UK the tansy beetle increasing amount of work is being done on assessing (Chrysolina graminis) and the fen raft spider (Dolomedes welfare for the animals, with collections making sure plantarius) have been subject to some excellent and there are sufficient rest periods for the animals used and beneficial work with collections collaborating with local maintaining several specimens to ensure the workload NGOs and experts to help realise the conservation potential is spread. In a similar vein, more work is being done on of zoological collections. This was something I was really environmental enrichment for various taxa and also training pleased to see highlighted by the Let It Grow campaign, and – a very new field, but one that is already throwing up some that it’s not always the big and exotic species that need help quite interesting results and which I am sure will be of great – sometimes the most effective conservation work can be use to education and zoo staff in the near future. done on your doorstep. DWM: You have four EEPs and one ESB that fall under DWM: We often speak about the reintroduction of the TAG. Given the number of offspring produced by Partula snails in the Pacific islands. Do you think some species (such as the Desertas wolf spider recently it’s easier or more difficult to reintroduce terrestrial bred by Bristol, which had over 1000 spiderlings), can invertebrates than other groups of species? Could you tell us more about the challenges of coordinating we be doing more, and if so, where do you see the these programmes? opportunities? MB: Terrestrial invertebrates as a rule do have large numbers MB: I think it’s exactly the same as for any taxa – just on a of offspring, but this isn’t the biggest issue with population smaller physical scale! The Partula snails are a good example management. As many species lay eggs or egg-masses, it is of this, as the consortium had to go through exactly easy to control the number that hatch simply by disposing the same rigmarole of tests, screening, paperwork and of the surplus before they even become a potential issue. discussions that any other species of animal would have to With the Desertas wolf spiders this was a bit tricky, as it was for release back into their native environment; despite their the first time they had ever been bred in human care and much smaller size the importance of making sure that all we weren’t sure what the success rate would be; but I’m of the ‘i’s are dotted and ‘t’s crossed is just as crucial. ZSL’s delighted to say they proved to be very fecund! invertebrate department really does deserve a lot of credit The main challenges I have seen so far are that with some for the hard work it’s done on coordinating this important species it is very difficult to tell the sexes apart – Frégate programme; it has effectively helped to create the blueprint beetles (Polposipus herculeanus) for example are almost for future work on invertebrate reintroductions. impossible to differentiate – and in some species the males EAZA collections can definitely achieve a lot with do not live long once they have reached maturity. Gooty invertebrate conservation work, however. Although it ornamental spiders (Poecilotheria metallica) only live for presents the same level of difficulty as other taxa, the about 12 months after maturing, so it can be a race against financial aspect is usually significantly smaller, the holding the clock to make sure they are in a breeding position at a space required for a significant population is, of course, collection. I have to say a huge thank you to all collections much smaller than for many other taxa, and, as a general participating in the ESB for my very short-notice emails rule, other than standard biosecurity requirements, they asking for transfers across Europe in some cases! don’t need as much financial input into their maintenance. Some species aren’t ‘appropriate’ for the EEP structure, In other words you can in most cases get significantly more usually because they are not of conservation concern bang for your buck by participating in terrestrial invertebrate that we know of, but the population still needs to be conservation. monitored ex situ. All collections want to have lovely big specimens available for display, but these have to DWM: Many zoos worldwide hold sessions to help come from somewhere and there needs to be a healthy people get over their phobias, which involve the sustainable population to achieve this. The American handling of invertebrates. Do you find this a useful Zoo Association TITAG has been working hard on a very way to get people interested in invertebrate species, successful programme called ‘S.W.A.R.M.’ and the Vice-Chairs and are there any unexpected welfare issues that and I have been in discussions about implementing a similar Members should bear in mind? system here, based on the MON-P level of programme, MB: I think being able to get up close and personal with for various key display species that are held in EAZA any species of animal can be a life-changing experience. Member collections. We’re always on the lookout for willing 24 Arachnophobia sessions are a particularly good focus and participants, so please watch this space for updates! VETERINARY CARE A vet’s life EAZA'S VET ADVISOR FOR THE TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE TAG DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES OF HIS ROLE

Mark Eichelmann, Veterinarian and TITAG Veterinary Advisor

One of the most exciting aspects of The work of a vet advisor includes my work as an exotic and zoo animal medical problems of specific taxa, such veterinary practitioner is the variety as husbandry and nutrition guidelines, of species and issues that I work with protocols for hygiene, necropsy or on a daily basis. Since 2012 I have health checks such as those that we been the Veterinary Advisor for the produced for the potential Ischnocolus EAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon spp. (Ausserer, 1871) conservation Advisory Group, which offers me the project. opportunity to work with even more Invertebrate necropsy can be diversified cases, as this taxon group challenging, as carcasses degenerate contains the most animal species on quickly in the environment in which this planet. they are usually kept. Therefore, Like many of my colleagues, I have specimens must be fixed as soon been interested in wild animals for as as possible after death, and I am long as I can remember. Long before currently working on a protocol I decided to become a vet, I started to optimise this procedure. The keeping Mantodea (Burmeister, whole list of requirements and 1838). My interest in husbandry, recommendations can be found in breeding and the taxonomy of other the EAZA Guidelines for Veterinary invertebrates and exotic vertebrates Advisors (EAZA 2011). increased quickly and played a key Furthermore, I feel responsible role in my life long before my interest for the scientific development of in medicine. invertebrate medicine, which includes However, dealing with so many be reliable and reproducible. Also, scientific articles in the field of distinct species can sometimes be staff safety should not be underrated. laboratory medicine and a book about challenging, not least in the area Physiological and psychological effects general Theraphosid medicine. of culling. Growing knowledge on the specimen should be reduced I have created an internet page (see about the neurological physiology of as much as possible, and the location www.arachnomedicine.de), which invertebrates makes it more and more of the procedure must be separate gives private owners and veterinarians necessary to transfer this knowledge from other animals. If specimens are with a ‘positive invertebrate attitude’ into a structure where these animals to contribute to a scientific study, the opportunity to connect with each are treated in the most ethically compatibility with the requirement and other and share their findings. I hope correct way. The EAZA TITAG was purpose of this study is very important. that our knowledge of invertebrate able to establish culling guidelines Finally, culling must follow economic medicine will increase as more for both aquatic and terrestrial considerations, and the ecological animals receive proper healthcare in invertebrates in cooperation with the impact should be as low as possible. this way. EAZA Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Overall, it has been accepted that Networking is also part of the work Taxon Advisory Group. Our purpose even lower invertebrates possess a of the EAZA TITAG, and it cannot was to write not a strict credo, but a physiological ability to collect, process be overrated. The sharing of current practical tool for the most ethically and interpret stimuli. Whether this scientific work and discussions plays a correct methods of culling. leads to a negative emotional stage very important role in the exchange During the process of a proper that could be considered actual of knowledge and the development of culling, there are many interfering pain as we would interpret it is still communication structures. factors which can be contrary to each in discussion (Bateson, P., 1991). other, especially in the set-up of a Based on scientific literature, we REFERENCES: scientific study, or if invertebrates give recommendations for practical Bateson, P. (1991). Assessment of pain in animals. are used as food animals. Ideally, culling techniques. The ideal culling Anim. Behav. (42) pp. 827–839. culling should consider the following technique consists of a first step, Olfert, E. D. et. al. (1993). Guide to the care and aspects (Olfert, E. D. et. al. 1993). where nociception is deactivated, use of experimental animals. Canadian Council on Death should occur without panic, and a second step that leads to a stage Animal Care. pain or distress. The induction time incompatible with life. Sometimes it is EAZA 2011: Guidelines for Veterinary Advisors to consciousness must be as short possible to achieve this stage with just appointed to EAZA TAGs, EEPs and ESBs. Approved as possible and the culling should the first step. by EAZA Veterinary Committee, September 2011. 25

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SAS Saint Laurent 26 ZA du Bouillon - 79430 LA CHAPELLE SAINT LAURENT (France) Tel: +33 (0) 549 720 920 - Fax: +33 (0) 549 721 112 - [email protected] - www.st-laurent.fr TITAG CONFERENCE Marvellous monsters JULY’S JOINT EAZA TITAG AND BIAZA TIWG CONFERENCE PROVED TO BE AN INSPIRING BREEDING GROUND FOR INFORMATION AND IDEAS Alison Reynolds, Herpetologist and Invertebrate Keeper, Marwell Wildlife, UK

In July this year, the EAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG) and the BIAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Working Group (TIWG) combined for a joint conference at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, UK. It was a well-attended conference, attracting more than 50 delegates from across the UK and from as far afield as Prague. Delegates ranged from zookeepers and curators to college and university staff, and individuals from private companies. Longleat was the perfect venue for this conference as the park is currently showcasing invertebrates in its ‘Marvellous Monsters’ event. Larger- than-life models of beetles, spiders, mantids and other invertebrates have been installed around the attraction ATTENDEES AT THE BIAZA/TITAG CONFERENCE IN LONGLEAT, UK and are proving very popular. There were a number of fascinating role of zoos in the conservation of and butterfly management at ZSL workshops, including a BIAZA invertebrates, from collaboration on Whipsnade, breeding dragon-headed accredited workshop on First Aid native projects such as the ladybird katydids (Eumegalodon blanchardi) at for Invertebrates, and a bee-keeping spider to international, long-term the Berkshire College of Agriculture, workshop in Longleat’s new Bee Zone. projects such as the Partula snail. displaying Scolopendra at The Deep, We were lucky enough to have These projects not only directly breeding of the Desertas wolf spider three fantastic keynote speakers: Dr benefit the conservation of these (Hogna ingens) at Bristol Zoo, and the Sarah Beynon from The Bug Farm species, but also enable us to gain development of a new leaf-cutter ant in St David’s, Leslie Pattenden from knowledge in areas such as husbandry (Atta cephalotes) exhibit at Marwell Zoo. Ryewater Nursery in Dorset and Paul and reproductive behaviour, to acquire There were a number of research Pearce-Kelly from ZSL London Zoo. transferable skills and experience and presentations, beginning with Steve Dr Beynon gave an insight into to engage public support. Trim from Venomtech, who spoke the work she is currently undertaking The remainder of the conference about some research on the use of at The Bug Farm on native species comprised of short talks on a wide RFID tags in invertebrates, namely of dung beetles. The aim is to put variety of subjects. Public engagement cockroaches and theraphosids, to an economic value on the presence was a hot topic this year, and there monitor body temperature. This of dung beetles on farms in an effort were a number of talks on public research confirmed that these species to discourage the use of wormers for perception – how to change pre- are truly poikilothermic. Frances hoofstock, which have a detrimental conceived ideas and engage people Baines and James Brereton gave a effect on beetle populations. with invertebrates. thought-provoking talk about how Leslie Pattenden spoke about the We were given updates on several best to research full-spectrum lighting work being done for both native and conservation projects, such as the in invertebrates in such a way as to non-native butterflies at Ryewater reddish buff moth (Acosmetia caliginosa), provide meaningful and useful data. Nursery. The site covers 100 acres the River Barle crayfish project and the In all, it was a fascinating and is being actively managed for tansy beetle (Chrysolina graminis). We conference, full of engaging talks and native wildlife. In addition, there are also had an update on the St Helena workshops. Well done to the TIWG a number of glasshouses where non- spiky yellow woodlouse (Pseudolaureola and TITAG committee, and a huge native species of butterfly are displayed. atlantica) from Amy Dutton, who has thank you must go to Graeme Dick and Most of these butterflies are bred and recently returned from the island. his team at Longleat for providing such reared on site, and the planting is Husbandry-based presentations a wonderful and well-organised venue. managed specifically for the butterflies. included breeding techniques for A high standard has certainly been set Hercules beetles for next year! GRAEME DICK, LONGLEAT DICK, GRAEME Paul Pearce-Kelly spoke about the (Dynastes hercules) 27 DESIGN & BUILD FOR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

WWW.JORAVISION.COM [email protected] +31 71 40 26 747

28 EXHIBIT DESIGN Creatures in the citadel WITHIN A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, A STUNNING INSECTARIUM OFFERS VISITORS AN INSIGHT INTO THE LIFECYCLES OF HUNDREDS OF EXOTIC AND NATIVE SPECIES

Margaux Pizzo, Director, Besançon Citadelle Zoological Garden, France

The Citadelle of Besançon, a UNESCO as crickets, locusts, cockroaches and World Heritage Site, hosts within larvae of beetles, are produced to its Vauban fortifications a museum feed insectivorous animals, including composed of four animal areas: the spiders, scorpions, frogs, some Aquarium (freshwater fishes), the rodents in the Noctarium and some Noctarium (nocturnal mammals and mammals and birds in the zoological amphibians), the Zoological Garden garden. Local species are also present, (mammals and exotic birds) and the including freshwater species such as Insectarium. water boatmen and pond skaters, to make visitors aware of the diversity AN ECOSYSTEMIC PRESENTATION of arthropods in their immediate Arthropods are presented in five surroundings. major zones: species that live in Some species have been chosen for ‘open environments’ (little or no CHARISMATIC INVERTEBRATES their rarity and their conservation vegetation cover), species that live in PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE AT THE interest. Two are in EAZA breeding ‘closed environments’ (several layers BESANCON FACILITY programmes; the Frégate Island giant of vegetation), insects in your home, beetle (Polposipus herculeanus) as an EEP insects from the aquatic environment and the Gooty sapphire ornamental and, lastly, social and colony insects. INSECTS UP CLOSE tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) as The Insectarium contains a great At the entrance, a large bay window an ESB. The latter is particularly diversity of arthropod species; ants, reveals the breeding laboratory where fragile during reproduction. Another praying mantis, beetles, scorpions, the teams ensure the reproduction and species, the Lesser Antilles Hercules dragonflies, tarantulas and more. A development of the animals. It allows beetle (Dynastes hercules hercules), the hundred species, exotic and native, are visitors to see behind the scenes at impressive ‘elephant’ among insects, was bred on site, from which more than 60 the Insectarium, a place of study and managed as an ESB from 2006 to 2010 species are presented to visitors. There reproduction. On the ceiling, Malagasy thanks to the initiative of Jean-Yves are also eight species of amphibian golden silk spiders (Nephila sp.) play the Robert, the previous scientific director. and three species of reptile (geckos, role of a natural insecticide by catching He was able to train institutions in his chameleons) that are predators of the prey that occasionally escapes from long and meticulous breeding: a cycle of insects. the vivaria. two years, with 20 months in the larval Two active ant colonies are on stage and only six months as an adult AN EDUCATIONAL SCENOGRAPHY display, one behind glass in a whimsical beetle. The central decoration represents a layout, the other in a transparent Finally, perhaps the most beautiful universe of ‘books’ more than two arch overlooking the entrance of the creature in the place remains the pink metres high, the pages of which are Insectarium. Visitors can witness the orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus), wide open and contain many vivariums. daily life of these social insects living in a particularly sensitive species. The The history of the building is respected colonies of thousands of individuals, the animal team has used its considerable by retaining certain materials (parquet most striking of which are probably the experience to develop a precise strategy wood and ceilings ‘à la française’) but mushroom ants or leafcutter ants (Atta and system for regulating temperature newer materials such as plexiglass and cephalotes). and humidity in its enclosure and to metal add a touch of modernity. Visitors In the observation hive, the honey manage its long-term breeding. can immerse themselves in the living bees make their honey next to a The Insectarium of Besançon has spaces of insects in the kitchen and reconstituted kitchen where the insects amassed a rich diversity of species see bees active in their hive. Circular that are often found in our houses and presented it in a space ideally vivariums and small greenhouses of proliferate. designed for the education of the public. amphibians and reptiles, ant hills and Dedicated to the fascinating world of freshwater insect modules animate LIVESTOCK AND FLAGSHIP SPECIES insects, the most important class of visitors' itineraries. Terrariums with live The challenge of breeding in the the animal kingdom, the animal team animals alternate with display cases of Insectarium laboratory is to guarantee at Besançon is in continuous training set specimens illustrating features of autonomous reproduction in the long to breed rare and threatened species the biology of arthropods and explain term while ensuring a permanent to a very high standard, and is proud their evolution, adaptations and presentation of arthropods whose of its contribution to the world of classification. lifetime is short. Some species, such conservation. 29 ANIMAL WELFARE A duty of care WHY TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE WELFARE IS AN EVER-CHANGING AREA OF CONCERN

Luke Harding, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates, and Holly Farmer, Zoo Research Officer, WWCT, Paignton Zoo, UK; Mark Bushell, Curator of Invertebrates, Bristol Zoo, UK; and Sally Binding, Animal Welfare Training Officer, EAZA Executive Office

Invertebrates comprise approximately reliable data. Further complications 95 per cent of all known animal species ‘All animals are arise when looking at applying a and are an important component in ‘blanket’ approach; for example, it maintaining stable ecosystems through equal, but some would be extremely problematic waste disposal and plant fertilisation, for salmon fisheries if they had to alongside their more recognised role as animals are more consider the welfare of lice when a major part of the food chain1. A wide treating their stock. Notwithstanding variety of species is kept in human equal than others.’ these difficulties, we should not be care, but knowledge of species-typical deterred in our efforts to improve the GEORGE ORWELL, ANIMAL FARM (1945) behaviours and habitat preferences welfare of terrestrial invertebrates in is often limited, and our ability to our zoos and aquariums. We have an apply evidence-based husbandry ethical responsibility to provide for and maintain appropriate welfare is the welfare needs of all animals held therefore very restricted. within zoological collections and thus Current legislation in the UK states more research into current husbandry that the Cruelty to Animals Act of The published evidence supports the practices could help to improve 1876 applies only to non-human argument that invertebrates should be knowledge and welfare. vertebrates. More recently, changes considered on a similar welfare level to There is an ever-increasing need for to the EU Directive (2010) Article 1, vertebrate species. more evidence-based studies and to 3b have broadened the protection of share information between collections animals used for scientific purposes to THE WELFARE CHALLENGE in an attempt to improve husbandry include cover for some invertebrate In human care, invertebrates play many and promote changes in invertebrate species such as ‘live cephalopods’2. This roles; in ex situ breeding programmes, welfare. Not only will this help to more recent EU legislation reflects native species reintroduction, as live improve the keeping conditions of the a growing change in concern about food and in educational displays, animals in our care, but it will also invertebrate welfare, as it had long and all of these should maximise the have far-reaching implications in the been questioned whether invertebrates welfare of the animals concerned. On approach to the conservation work of were sentient beings. However, there is a European level, only 0.05 per cent species in situ. now a wide body of evidence to suggest of species managed in zoos and other that invertebrate species, both aquatic institutions are terrestrial invertebrates, REFERENCES and terrestrial, experience a diverse with five managed breeding 1 European Association of Zoos and Aquaria [online]. range of emotional states (affective programmes (two providing published Available from: www.eaza.net. [Accessed states) as well as the capacity to, for husbandry guidelines1). Perhaps 3 September 2017.] example, experience pain. it is the difficulty of maintaining 2 Andrews, P. L. (2011). Laboratory invertebrates: the records of species housed in only spineless, or spineless and painless? ILAR RESEARCH REPORT large numbers or the difficulty of (Institute for Laboratory Animal Research), Volume Evidence has suggested that a individual identification that limits the 52, 2, pp. 121–5. reduction in pain response has been management of invertebrate species. 3 Dunayer, J. (2013). The rights of sentient beings: reported when invertebrate species Most likely it is due to differences moving beyond old and new speciesism. Corbey, R., & are given morphine (e.g. praying in human attitudes towards how we Lanjouw, A. (Eds.) The Politics of Species: reshaping mantises, earthworms and land snails)3 value and care for invertebrates in our relationships with other animals, pp. 27–40. and a release of anxiety-associated comparison to vertebrates. Feelings of Cambridge University Press. serotonin has been found in crayfish aversion or fear towards invertebrate 4 Fossat, P. (2014). Anxiety-like behaviour in when exposed to negative stimuli4. species and such vast differences from crayfish is controlled by serotonin. Science 344, pp. In addition, the cognitive abilities of human physiology and behavioural 1293–1297. invertebrates in terms of social learning expression can contribute to 5 Mather, J. A. (2008). Cephalopod consciousness: and memory have been reported for reduced empathy and ultimately our behavioural evidence. Conscious Cognition 17, a range of species such as honeybees comprehension of the taxa6. Volume 1, pp. 37–48. and desert locust1, as well as the more Efforts to improve welfare for 6 Horvath, K., Angeletti, D., Nascetti, G., & Carere, commonly recognised intellectual invertebrates may also be hindered C. (2013). Invertebrate welfare: an overlooked issue. abilities of octopus, including that of by the vast number of species that Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanità, Volume 491, 30 self-awareness5. need to be considered and a lack of pp. 9–17. EDUCATION

In with the spiders ZSL LONDON ZOO’S SPIDER EXHIBIT OFFERS CLOSE CONTACT WITH THIS FASCINATING SPECIES

Dave Clarke, Invertebrates Team Leader, ZSL London Zoo, UK

ZSL London Zoo has a proud history of there is an on-show spider nursery expecting to display young from the working with invertebrates and creating breeding room. recent Desertas wolf spider (Hogna ground-breaking displays. In late 2015 At the time of opening, the ingens) EEP. we started creating an intense new centrepiece was the only non-native The exhibit was very well received experience in an under-utilised corner spider walkthrough in the world, when it opened, and featured in of the current BUGS building. ‘In with featuring tropical golden orb weavers, multiple press outlets. ZSL Marketing the Spiders’ became an exemplary Nephila edulis and Nephila inaurata created a campaign to promote the collaboration between the ZSL Animal madagascariensis, in a lush forest setting. exhibit, which included some amusing Department, Interpretation, Projects This is constantly staffed to allow direct moving images of jumping spiders on and works contractor Brickwood. With interaction with visitors. There is also London Underground. A formal visitor a tight budget and a timetable of six a ‘spider selfie’ mirror where visitors evaluation was carried out after the weeks, the display area was transformed are prompted to post an image on exhibit had been open a few months, into an exhibit of 12 live display features Twitter. The spider walkthrough also and received very positive results. with at least 18 species of arachnids. features exhibits of a large bird-eating Eighty-six per cent of visitors rated the The first formal planning meeting took spider (Lasiodora parahybana) and social experience good or excellent, with the place on 24 October 2014, and physical spiders (Stegodyphus sarasinorum). vast majority agreeing that spiders are works began the following year on 30 The exhibit has its own distinctive beneficial to humans and that spiders March. The works were completed on interpretation compared to other parts are amazing. It continues to be a schedule for staff and press previews of BUGS, with techniques including significant new exhibit at ZSL London on 21 May, and the full public opening bespoke species labels, hand-painted Zoo and a much talked about feature took place on 23 May. caricatures, videos – including one of in the BUGS building. It has also been ‘In with the Spiders’ is designed to the amazing peacock spiders (which an improvement for participants on our amaze visitors and inform them of the would be impossible to display live) successful Friendly Spider Programme, value of spiders in a creative way. It – and even a ‘talking’ spider display many of whom have been able to go begins with spider phobia, highlighting voiced by British comedian Stewart into the walkthrough and experience our hugely successful Friendly Spider Lee. The live animals are mostly long- encountering spiders in a way they Programme, and features a real bath term ZSL stock or came from other could only dream of before. containing a live giant house spider breeding sources, including UK zoos. We must acknowledge the dedication (Tegenaria gigantea). Three live displays A key feature is the fen raft spider and hard work of all ZSL staff involved, illustrate the arachnids as a group, with (Dolomedes plantarius) conservation especially the Invertebrate section a white-kneed spider (Acanthoscurria programme (which was a major BIAZA keepers, and the support of other geniculata), emperor scorpions reintroduction project) for which institutions, in making this display a (Pandinus imperator) and a tailless live display animals were sourced reality. Last year ‘In with the Spiders’ whip scorpion (Damon diadema). under licence from Natural England was awarded a BIAZA Silver Award for ‘Spider venoms’ features a large cabinet to establish a captive colony. The Exhibit Design, and was described by containing several species of black redesigned exhibit area has created Sir David Attenborough as ‘ingenious widow (Latrodectus sp.), and the story a new dedicated breeding room for and innovative’. We hope that this of the false widow (Steatoda sp.) in the spiders, particularly for species like the improvement to the BUGS building is UK. ‘Hitchhikers’ features huntsman orbs and huntsman, and many species paving the way for further upgrades to spiders (Heteropoda venatoria), and continue to breed well. We are also the exhibit in the near future. 31 KIEZEBRINK FOCUS ON FOOD

Kiezebrink believes in providing a European operated one-stop-shop facility for zoos offering a wide variety of high-quality products and brands. As a result, zoos can source the majority of their animal diets from one supplier. This makes the management of animal nutrition efficient and keeps it simple. We offer a wide range of both frozen and dry food products.

WHOLE PREY ITEMS MEAT PRODUCTS FISH PRODUCTS We have a broad range Large chunks of meat on the Our range of fi sh contains of whole prey items in our bone from calves, cows and many species such as Smelt, assortment, such as: day old horses are available. We also Sprat, Herring, Mackerel chickens, rats and mice, rab- have organ meat such as: and fresh water fi sh such as bits, quails, pigeons, chickens beef heart and rumen. Roach, Carp and Goby. and others.

INSECTS TROPICAL FRUITS SELECTION OF DRY FOOD We offer whole individually A range of fruits that are · BOSKOS quickly frozen (IQF) insects frozen at origin to maintain · DK Zoological that are frozen with the freshness. These fruits are · Dodson & Horrell correct gut loading. A very IQF which makes them very · Garvo convenient addition to the practical to work with and · Kasper Faunafood diet of (partly) insectivorous store. · Versele Laga animals. · Wisbroek 32 KIEZEBRINK Focus on Food 3882 TM Putten +31 (0)341 35 83 38 [email protected] Hoge Eng Oost 31 The Netherlands www.kiezebrink.eu kiezebrinkbv EDUCATION The main attraction CHESTER ZOO HAS TAKEN A CREATIVE APPROACH TO MAKING TARANTULAS AND LEECHES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO ITS VISITORS

Gerardo Garcia, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates and Sarah Bazley, Learning Manager, Chester Zoo, UK

It is easy to presume that the majority BUFFALO LEECH wanted to help to break the spell and of zoo visitors are more interested in (HIRUDINARIA MANILLENSIS) save the spiders (despite admitting that higher vertebrates than other taxa; © GERARDO GARCIA they’re not their favourite animals!). so at Chester Zoo we have devised a number of strategies to ensure that our BUFFALO LEECH invertebrate collection gets just as much With all of the media attention of our visitors’ attention as do our birds, that is devoted to threatened Asian mammals, reptiles and fish. mammal species (such as babirusa, A strong relationship has been built anoa and saola), the challenge for the between the Invertebrate, Discovery & invertebrate component was to find a Learning and Marketing teams, which link that would give them the profile has led to a number of interesting they deserve and make them more and highly creative initiatives being interesting to our visitors. Research on developed to connect our visitors to leeches feeding on secretive mammals invertebrates and the important work shows that they retain DNA from we do with them. Here we present two their prey, and have become a key recent case studies. conservation tool for the monitoring of threatened biodiversity. Another link is MONTSERRAT TARANTULA we recorded when collecting them from the familiar European medicinal use. The connection of one of our iconic the wild). She disappeared underground We looked for one of the largest species of amphibians, the mountain for five months and we observed no sign species to create a spectacular display, chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) to of activity. Eventually we were rewarded and found that, not far from us, buffalo the Montserrat tarantula (Cyrtopholis by the emergence of more than 100 leeches (Hirudinaria manillensis) were femoralis) is an interesting story, spiderlings, which had already moulted being farmed for veterinary purposes. especially with regards to endemic inside the chamber before appearing on Creating the display was relatively species and threatened habitats. the surface. straightforward, as the leeches live in The connection was discovered Each spiderling is now being warm temperatures and like the light thanks to the research developed individually reared under different types (unlike European leeches); however, in the field, where we recorded the of substrate and at different humidities the twice-monthly feeding strategy largest predator on that island (the and temperatures so that we can study was more challenging. The process frog) feeding on one of the less their different growth rates. requires fresh mammal blood prepared popular species on earth (a spider). Some of these were put on display, into sausage skins at 37C. These are This immediately builds a connection accompanied by interpretation submerged on the tank where the between both species and two different describing the work that we are doing; leeches swim, and they latch on until taxa. The tarantula, although well they were also chosen to be one of the they are totally full. The process may known by the inhabitants of Montserrat, stars of our ‘Enchantment of Chester sound disgusting, but it’s a clean and was only described by a single male Zoo’ event that occurred over the attractive process that allows visitors species more than 100 years ago. So Halloween period. We are always keen to ask questions and learn more about we started this species programme with that all events celebrate and promote a species that they were probably not pretty much no background on the how amazing our different species are, expecting to see in a zoo. biology. and the idea behind Enchantment was We have strong relationships with a We collected 50 specimens of all sizes that a sorcerer had cast a spell over the number of universities, so the Discovery in 2013, but none of them was sexually animals at Chester Zoo. We needed and Learning team set a project for mature. We worked on rearing them the visitors to break the spell and save some Master’s degree-level students and synchronised both sexes for the the animals by visiting them to find who are studying wildlife documentary right period of mixing. Two years later, out more about them while collecting production. They filmed the leeches and several tentative displays of mating ingredients for a potion! were tasked with editing the footage between what looked like sexually We had some amazing contortionists together for a 360° projection piece. mature females and males occurred over representing the tarantulas, and the We have bred this species on several a number of months. Finally, one female Discovery and Learning team organised occasions now (another fascinating started digging away the substrate and many different activities around them. aspect of the biology) and several made a deep burrow that was big enough What was most striking about this institutions want to display in their to turn around in (very similar to what event was how passionately our visitors collections, too. 33 CAMPAIGN

HUMMINGBIRD HAWK-MOTH (MACROGLOSSUM A bug in STELLATARUM) the system THE LET IT GROW CAMPAIGN HAS INSPIRED A WIDE RANGE OF INITIATIVES THAT ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO LEARN MORE – AND CARE MORE – ABOUT INVERTEBRATES

Danielle de Jong, EAZA Biodiversity Communications Coordinator

Invertebrates are a key element of and liked by the public, such as bees Most campaign participants made any ecosystem, and most invertebrate and butterflies, that might be able to use of insect hotels to engage the species take up an almost unique wave the invertebrate conservation public, offering DIY courses in insect role. For the Let It Grow campaign, flag. By using these species as an hotel-building and selling hotels in the therefore, it was essential to feature example, conservation institutions and gift shop. The hotels proved to be an invertebrates in a biodiversity initiatives can introduce the public to accessible way to get people involved awareness campaign. other invertebrate species and explain in creating space for invertebrates Amongst other things invertebrates the importance of these creatures in around their homes. Copenhagen Zoo are responsible for pollination, pest their lives. challenged its visitors to help create control, waste decomposition, soil The lack of public concern regarding 500 new homes for local species, aeration and nutrient recycling, not to invertebrates is another example of including invertebrates. You can see mention the role they play as a food why campaigns such as Let It Grow are some creative results on Instagram at source for many plants and animals. so important. The participants have #zoo500boliger. Unfortunately, the status of European done the campaign proud by including As well as building homes and invertebrates is under pressure. The and highlighting invertebrates in many leaving spaces for species, many threats to European biodiversity, such of their initiatives and activities. For campaign participants also organised as habitat fragmentation, intense example, NEMO Science Museum in activities to identify all the species agricultural practices, climate change Amsterdam created a green roof on of invertebrates living in their zoos. and other human activities, are also its building in 2013, to which various As described in Zooquaria 96, Africa damaging invertebrate populations. gardens have been added which are Alive! has held an annual Bioblitz in And as with many animal groups, the freely accessible to visitors. On 22 the park since 2014. Such events not conservation of invertebrates poses May 2017, the International Day for only provide valuable information on some challenges. Biological Diversity, two bee colonies the status of biodiversity in an area, but One such challenge is simply the were placed in the gardens on the also give visitors a chance to engage in lack of knowledge. Not only have roof. Over the next three years, these science and conservation. Bioblitzes the majority of invertebrates not bees will be carefully monitored and also create an opportunity to marvel been identified, but also there are studied, researching the possibilities at the rare species that one might find, large gaps in our knowledge about of measuring bee health with sensors. such as the mining bee Andrena fulvago. the species that have been described. With bee populations in decline, As an example, this year was another For most described species their any information on improving their successful Bioblitz year for Gaia Zoo, distribution is unknown, as well as wellbeing is essential. This initiative not least because it led to the discovery their ways of life and/or sensitivity shows how we can improve public of a rare white-letter hairstreak moth to habitat change. This lack of awareness while also closing a gap in (Satyrium w-album). knowledge also partially feeds into our scientific knowledge. Improving the public perception of another challenge of invertebrate Plock Zoo in Poland set aside some invertebrates and their importance conservation, namely a lack of public space and created a natural garden could be an essential step in concern. Unfortunately, invertebrates for butterflies. The gardens include invertebrate conservation. When are slightly neglected when it comes signs informing visitors about the visitors are engaged with activities to conservation studies and policies. importance of invertebrates in their such as those described above, they can This is somewhat understandable when lives and the measures that they can get to know and understand the small you realise that most people consider take to help to protect them. Plock creatures that live all around them. insects as pests and are not aware of Zoo also created a giant insect hotel After all, as conservationist Daniel the significant roles that invertebrates that spells the word ‘zoo’, proving that Janzen once said: ‘If you don’t know it, play. Fortunately, there are a few creativity and conservation often go you can’t love it, if you don’t love it, ‘charismatics’ that are generally known hand in hand. you won’t save it.’ 34 CC APEL MICHAEL Dinosaurier-Park International GmbH & Co. KG Hannoversche Str. 23, 31547 Rehbrug-Loccum Tel.: +49 (0) 5037 - 96 99 99 - 8035 e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.dinopark-international.de Leading the way

36Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1376 511260 Fax: +44 (0) 1376 511247 www.mazuri.eu

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