Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 1

ISSUE 17 (2006) SOLITAIRE 3 SOLITAIRE Training in zoo biology at Cuba’s National Zoological Park.

4 Zoo-based conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

6 Rare diseases in endangered wild species.

13 Amphibian Biodiversity Conservation (ABC) Course. FOR GRADUATES OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE The frozen future: ’s Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES)

Brij Kishor Gupta graduated from ITC in 1993 and is now a

scientist with the Central Zoo Department Guajarat Forest Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests (Government of India) in New Delhi. Here he describes the development of an innovative laboratory to apply the latest technologies to the conservation of endangered species in India.

The genetics of Asiatic lions are being investigated. ndia is home to 8% of the biodiversity is threatened by causes a reduction in genetic world’s life forms (81,250 destruction of the forests. The diversity. Iknown species of fauna consequences are far reaching and 46,286 plant species). for endemic such as A problem in need of a Nearly 20% of its 3.287 the Asiatic lion, the lion-tailed solution million km2 is covered by macaque, the Nilgiri , the It is high time that India forest, of which a quarter has Malabar civet and the Malabar develops innovative strategies been demarcated for wrinkled tree frog, as the areas and action plans to tackle the conservation. left are too small to maintain problem.An ultra-modern viable minimum numbers, laboratory, LaCONES, is Unfortunately, this mega- and the resulting inbreeding therefore being set up in Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 2

Hyderabad,Andhra Pradesh, using biotechnological techniques – the ultimate

approach to conserving Brij Kishor Gupta endangered species and pre- venting their extinction – to: • monitor genetic variation • establish gene banks using cryopreservation • analyse ovulation and semen quality to improve artificial insemination and captive breeding success • standardise AI techniques for wild animals, focusing on LaCONES: using innovative technology for conservation. non-surgical methods a very important role as identification • develop in vitro fertilisation laboratories for the planned • a molecular DNA-based and embryo transfer breeding of endangered method for sexing birds • develop cloning technology species, for example, in • a standardised method for for species where the selecting genotypes in Asiatic collecting semen from number of surviving lions and Bengal tigers that white-backed vultures, animals is extremely small. show a higher degree of Gupes bangalenses diversity. • the Himalayan wolf Unique aspects confirmed as a new species, This is perhaps the first time Canis himalayensis ‘It is high time that that organisations such as the • Olive ridleys shown to be Central Zoo Authority, the India develops ancestral to all other ridleys Council for Scientific and innovative strategies • based on molecular marker Industrial Research, the Centre and action plans to studies, endangered Star for Cellular and Molecular tackle the problem of tortoises confiscated from Biology and the Government smugglers have been of Andhra Pradesh have come the loss of genetic rehabilitated successfully together to undertake a diversity.’ • pregnancy achieved in black programme that none of them buck, spotted and blue individually would have been Achievements so far include: rock pigeon by assisted able to carry out. • species-specific reproduction microsatellite markers for • “Spotty”, a baby spotted The facility is now functional lion, tiger and leopard deer, produced using with a team headed by Dr Lalji • non-invasive methods for artificial insemination. Singh, Dr S. Shivaji and other DNA isolation from scat scientists for the use of Indian and hair samples; a universal Brij’s e-mail: zoos. The zoos themselves play primer for forensic species [email protected]

Reproductive technology is being used to help the white- The , a species Durrell is also working with. backed vulture. Brij Kishor Gupta Brij Kishor Gupta

2 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 3

Training in zoo biology at Cuba’s National Zoological Park Jorge Luis Polo Jorge

Jorge Luis Polo Leal graduated from ITC in 1999. He is Principal Specialist in Clinical Laboratory Research and coordinator of the zoo biology training course at the National Zoological Park in Havana, Cuba, which he describes in this article.

Jorge (centre, standing) with trainees learning to handle reptiles. uba, with an area of Today, Cuba has 15 zoos, research into species 11,452 km2, is located which need to develop conservation. We use Cbetween the Mexican according to the principles of conferences, videos and Gulf and the Caribbean Sea, the international zoo practical activities relating to forming part of the Greater community. Since 2000, when the management and capture Antilles. It is made up of I arrived after attending the of animals. So far, 88 trainees more than 1600 islands and training course at ITC, a zoo have graduated, including cays, of which Isla de la biology and management keeping, biology and Juventud, in the south, is the training programme has been administrative staff. most important. Cuba is a country with a rich diversity A new revolution of fauna and flora; a recent ‘This work is important This work is important as a count produced 16,546 as a means of means of transferring ability, species, including 200 land and transferring ability, experience and knowledge of 150 water birds, 46 experience and the conservation of and 121 reptiles distributed knowledge of the endangered species to new among all ecosystems. The conservation of zoo professionals. ITC principal taxonomic groups endangered species to graduates have an obligation with very high levels of to transmit what they have endemism are molluscs (94% new zoo professionals.’ learned and start a new of species endemic), millipedes revolution in management (94%), amphibians (93%) and created at the National programmes at Cuban zoos, reptiles (75%). Zoological Park.The main increasing the opportunities objective of this course is to for collaboration between A changing role give all new personnel in national zoos and producing Zoos today contribute to contact with wild animals the solutions to common conservation plans for the methods they need to work problems. country’s wildlife. Before with them and carry out 1959, Cuba had only two zoos. I hope now that our efforts After the Cuban revolution, Number of graduates from courses at increase and that the Cuban one objective for the the National Zoo. zoo community will be government was to develop strengthened and able to these institutions, and in 1960 develop new captive breeding the National Zoological Park programmes for the country’s of Cuba was established in endangered species. Havana province, under the direction of Dr Abelardo Jorge’s e-mail: Moreno Bonilla. [email protected] 3 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 4

Zoo-based conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Chifundera Kusamba Zacharie attended the Chifundera Kusamba Certificate course in 2000 and is currently Curator of Herpetology at the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, Democratic Republic of Congo. In this article he describes the history and challenges of managing animals in captivity in DR Congo.

Chifundera is currently Curator of Herpetology at Lwiro Zoo.

eeping animals in a zoological garden is small and large mammals, while an aquarium one way of studying and conserving was installed at Uvira (altitude 750 m) on the Kbiological diversity. In the Democratic northwestern shores of Lake Tanganyika to Republic of Congo, conservation efforts are rear endemic fish in order to study their focused on its seven national parks, three and breeding.Thanks to this station, biosphere reserves, 57 game reserves, 200 forest Stolonithrissa miodon (Cyclidae) was successfully reserves and five zoological and botanic translocated from Lake Tanganyika to Lake gardens. Kivu between 1959 and 1961.

The colonial Belgian government created the Early breeding successes Centre de Recherche en Between 1960 and 1964, Sciences Naturelles (CRSN) several individuals from various (formerly Institut de ‘Since 1953, several taxa were kept in captivity. Recherche Scientifique en stations have been Successful mating and birth Afrique Centrale) in 1947. established in DR was recorded in gorillas Since 1953, several stations – Congo to maintain (Gorilla beringei graueri) in 1959, Nyamiringi-Itebero, Irangi, 1961 and 1965, while mating Chabondo-Bulambika, Lwiro, animals in captivity.’ between a captive female Tshibati and Uvira – have been chimpanzee and a wild male established in DR Congo to produced a baby weighing maintain animals in captivity. 1.225 kg in 1965.The baby was bottle-fed and survived. Lwiro Station, at an altitude of 1700 m, houses the headquarters of the CRSN, including In 1963, 22 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes administration, laboratories and the Biology schweinfurthi) were successfully released. Many Department offices. Part of its 100-hectare area cases of breeding have been noted from is used as a zoo, of which a very important rodents (Atherurus africanus, Cricetomys reptilarium with an emphasis on snakes gambianus) and monkeys (Cercopithecus l’hoesti, occupies the major part. Tshibati Experimental Cercopithecus mitis), and mating between Zoological Station (altitude 2000 m) on the captive and wild monkeys was observed at 4 edge of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park houses Tshibati Zoological Experimental Station. Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 5

Some of these monkeys escaped from their • Diets are composed of several food items cages into the forest and did not return. depending on the species, and vitamins Reproduction has also been recorded at Lwiro and worm treatments are sometimes for birds including oscines, crows and parrots. added. However, it has been very difficult to establish diets that are regular in quality Research and quantity. Studies have focused on zoogeography, • The animals are living in poor conditions taxonomy and systematics, general biology and suffer from ectoparasites (ticks, mites) (reproduction, physiology, nutrition, and endoparasites (helminths, bacteria developmental biology), behaviour, strains, viruses and haematozoans). The biomedicine (anatomopathology, veterinary service does not have sufficient parasitology, serology, microbiology) and drugs for disease control. genetic as well as evolutionary biology.The Delta Regional Primate Research Center The lack of well-trained personnel, laboratory (Tulane University, New Orleans, USA) has equipment and funds constitutes a serious provided the necessary handicap in maintaining the equipment. animals in Lwiro Zoo.There ‘The lack of well-trained is a need for international Recreation and education personnel, laboratory cooperation in solving this Students and people from equipment and funds problem, and we are seeking local communities, as well as constitutes a serious financial and technical important personalities, handicap in maintaining support from those NGOs scientists and politicians from that are well-acquainted with DR Congo and abroad, are the animals. There is a zoo management. able to visit the museum and need for international the zoo park. Zoo guides cooperation in solving In-situ and ex-situ and conservationists deliver this problem.’ conservation are talks about biodiversity and complementary activities in conservation to promote ensuring the survival of wider public awareness.The reptilarium is endangered species.We need financial support, the main attraction for visitors and so is used equipment and training in conservation for conservation education. Snakes, turtles, biology and zoo management.The DR Congo toads, frogs and lizards are kept for is making efforts to protect some of these exhibition and public awareness. animals and conservation is one of the priority areas in which the international community Tackling the pet trade should intervene. Lwiro Zoo faces a serious problem in the pet trade, particularly with non-human Chifundera’s e-mail: primates and reptiles.The Congolese Wildlife [email protected] Authority is collaborating with the CRSN’s staff to confiscate animals from illegal traders A young rock python, Python sebae, 1.5m long: one of the species in Lwiro Zoo’s reptilarium. and poachers.An orphanage is being established and currently houses 20 chimps and 19 monkeys from the Congo Basin and adjacent areas. Some of these individuals will

be reintroduced into their natural habitat in Chifundera Kusamba the near future.

Dealing with difficulties Lwiro Zoo also has many managerial problems: • Many enclosures built early in the zoo’s history are no longer appropriate because of their small size and lack of environmental enrichment. 5 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 6

Rare Diseases in Endangered

Wild Species Mir M. Mansoor

Mir M. Mansoor underwent training at ITC in 1997 and is currently Chief Wildlife Vet and Biologist for Jammu and Kashmir State Wildlife Protection Department, India. Here he gives the first report of a rare disease in the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus).

Prince a few months after capture. n 1988, the Wildlife lungs. He was put on Confirmatory Veterinary Wing of J&K antibiotics with some anti- histopathological studies IState Wildlife Protection inflammatory therapy, but carried out at Shere-Kashmir Department rescued a juvenile finally died on 16 June 2005. University of Agricultural Himalayan brown bear from Sciences and Technology Kangan in the Sonna-marg Post-mortem reveals rare (Kashmir) revealed that the mountain range.“Prince” was condition lobulated masses were well popular with visitors to The post-mortem found a delineated and partially Dachigam National Park, but multilobulated mass on the left encapsulated by thin fibrous was diagnosed with a chronic lobe of the liver, weighing bands. Cells comprising the hepatic problem in October about 30 lbs and measuring 14 lobules were mildly 2001, when he went off his x 10 x 8 inches. On opening feed, was passing inconsistent pleomorphic with distinct cell faecal matter and lost weight borders, with occasional and vigour abruptly. He was ‘Hepatocellular multinucleated and given a low carbohydrate diet carcinoma, a rare karyomegalic cells. with emphasis on locally disease in this class of available seasonal fruits, and animals, was Understanding wildlife health vitamin A therapy to decrease diagnosed, but the problems is vitally important the incidence of carcinoma- underlying cause was in conservation, and the like development. However, Wildlife Veterinary Wing of his condition worsened not determined.’ J&K State Wildlife Protection rapidly beginning in October Department has also reported 2004, with the development the lump, tan and red coloured for the first time both of an asthmatic condition and masses with necrotic centres pseudotuberculosis and bovine recurrent involvement of the could be seen clearly. malignant catarrh in the red Microscopically, the mass deer elaphus hanglu,a Gross appearance of the carcinoma consisted of variably sized critically endangered species during the post-mortem. blood pools separated by cords found only in Kashmir. and sheets of large polygonal cells with abundant cytoplasm, Acknowledgements a central large round nucleus

Mir M. Mansoor I am very grateful to Dr MM of variable size, stippled peripheral chromatin and Darzi, Head of the Pathology prominent large nucleolus. Department at the Veterinary Binucleate and multinucleated Faculty, SKUAST (K), and his forms were also present. team for their professional Hepatocellular carcinoma, a support and assistance in rare disease in this class of confirming the diagnosis. animals, was diagnosed, but the underlying cause was not Mir Mansoor’s e-mail: 6 determined. [email protected] Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 7

NEWS FROM ITC Solitaire goes electronic Fond farewells and exuberant welcomes In the future we propose to We said goodbye to Laura Vetier at the end of last year. Laura went have a high resolution PDF on to study social science at Essex University and was replaced by version of Solitaire that we Catherine Burrows, who has now survived nine months of the trials could put on the web and also and tribulations of ITC life. We were also sad to say goodbye to e-mail to those of you willing Suzanne Le Feuvre, who was our part-time librarian for many years to forgo a paper copy, thus and was responsible for computerising the library catalogue. Suzanne saving trees, ink, airmail is now focusing her efforts on the Jersey Bureau. postage costs – you get the picture. Please let Eluned We are pleased to welcome Eluned Price who has joined the team know if you are willing to on a part-time basis as librarian and graduate network coordinator – switch to an electronic copy we have been without a network coordinator since 2003. Eluned (e-mail: Solitaire. will also continue to edit [email protected]).

Keep in touch with us! Keeping in contact with you We wish you all the best with your The graduate database is growing day by day. We are still work and lives. Please keep in hoping we will be able to make it available to alumni through touch and let’s make good use of the website through a password-protected portal. We hope, the network and listserve! though, that you would also be happy for us to pass on contact information, areas of expertise and interest and details of International Training Centre, courses you attended to anyone looking for staff or Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, collaboration in your area. If you are willing to have your Les Augrès Manor, details made available to improve networking between Trinity, graduates, please notify Eluned. Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, UK We are also planning to reinstate the Gerald Durrell Memorial Tel:+44 1534 860000 Fund and hope to have this up and running by the New Year. Fax: +44 1534 860002 Please keep an eye on the website for developments. E-mail: [email protected]

Permanence in conservation – a study you can help with! The ITC has recently been better targeted in the future. It already) and post it back to studying the working focuses on how mobile Jamie Copsey. If you would conditions of conservationists conservationists are and what like an electronic copy then around the globe. Thank you factors encourage them to please e-mail Jamie at to the 130 people who have move.This clearly influences [email protected]. All already completed our e-mail the sort of training they require personal information will be questionnaire – it’s a great start, – do we train people for their kept confidential, and only the but we need more! current job or the job they are summary results will be going to? published. We plan to collect The study is the first of what sufficient data to inform the we hope will be a series of In the centre of this issue of conservation community investigations into working Solitaire there is a pull-out globally. The more information conditions in conservation and questionnaire. Please complete we have the more valuable it how training provision can be it (if you haven’t done so will be, so your help is vital! 7 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 8

...... IN TOUCH ......

AFRICA Tijjani Ahmed Nigeria (ITC, department at Sanda Kyarimi university students down to 2005) zoo here in Nigeria, as well as secondary and primary school Having gone through training to treat animals, thanks to children. at the ITC in Jersey, I am Jersey’s Vet Department. In happy to say I have acquired the conservation education the skills needed to establish a department I work with E-mail: conservation education various students, ranging from [email protected]

ASIA Subhransu Pan Zookeeping at Gold Coast, Australasian Journal of Animal India (Summer Australia (7-11 May 2006) Sciences. Now I’m at School, 1999) and presented a paper entitled Bangladesh Agricultural Since my ITC “In-situ conservation of wild University, Mymensingh, education, I have been actively herbivores in Indian Eastern working as Associate Professor engaged in conservation Himalaya – a success story”, and Head of the Department activities besides my job as and I am planning a study on of Animal Science. Associate Professor,Animal “Population–habitat Production Management at imbalance in gaurus of E-mail: West Bengal University of sub-Himalayan West Bengal”. [email protected] Animal and Fishery Sciences, India. I have finished a project E-mail: Medini Bhandari Nepal entitled “Comparative study on [email protected] (ITC, 1994) the seasonality of I have been handling bioenvironment of protected Md. Abul Hashem conservation projects through and unprotected forest areas in Bangladesh (ITC, 2001) the Association for Protection Eastern Himalayan Region After I completed my of Environment and Culture with special reference to wild Diploma from Durrell in (APEC–Nepal, herbivores”, with financial 2001, I went to Seoul http://www.geocities.com/ng assistance from WWF.A PhD National University, South o_apec) in Nepal as well as thesis on “Studies on elephant Korea, where I recently being involved in other global (Elephas maximus) migration in completed my PhD on the conservation issues through South-West Bengal” has been cloning of Siberian tigers and IUCN commissions such as completed under my guidance. endangered . In both Education and The work explained the cases I successfully developed Communications, Species reasons behind elephant interspecies cloned embryos Survival Commission (SSC), migration and various aspects to the blastocyst stage using Commission on of man-elephant conflict along porcine oocytes. I have Environmental, Economic and with its socio-economic published four papers from Social Policy (CEESP) and impact. Measures have been my PhD thesis, in Molecular Commission on Ecosystem suggested for in-situ Reproduction and Development, Management (CEM). I am conservation of the species. I Cell Biology International, doing a PhD at Syracuse participated in the recent Journal of Reproduction and University, New York,USA. 8 International Congress on Development and Asian- My wife Prajita and family are Status of career in conservation 8. How do you rate working in conservation compared to your peers/friends working outside of conservation? Worse in conservation Same Better in conservation 12 3 45 Salary

Opportunities for promotion

Additional Benefits (pension, sick

Job security

Job satisfaction

9. How does the salary you receive in your most recent position in conservation compare with the salary you would receive if you were working at the same level of seniority outside of conservation? Annual salary in Annual salary in same seniority conservation outside of conservation

Need for extra work 10. Have you ever had to take on a second paid job as well as working in conservation? Yes No

11. If you ever have had to take on a second job what proportion of your annual salary came from this second position? <10% 11-20% 21-30% 31-40% 41-50% 51-60% >61% Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 9 Page 10:24 8/11/06 2006 October Solitaire SolitaireOctober20068/11/0610:24Page10

Understanding conditions in conservation- the questionnaire You have been selected to take part in an important survey being conducted by the ITC to help us to better understand the realities that you face in your working conditions and the differences that exist between countries. Although all personal information will remain confidential the intention is to publish the results of this survey so that we can reach the widest audience and raise awareness at a global scale the relative difficulties of working in conservation and the issues we need to tackle if we are to encourage greater participation in this field. Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out this questionnaire. Please also provide a contact phone number and email/postal address in your response

Please answer all individual questions by crossing a box for only one of the answers provided. You may continue over the page if you fill up the tables with more detailed information.

The questions: Personal information 1. Where and when were you born? Country of Birth Year

2. What gender are you? Male Female

3. What is your highest educational qualification?

Career history 4. Since leaving school how many different paid 01 2 3456+ conservation jobs have you had?

5. Since leaving school how many paid jobs have 01 2 3456+ you had outside of conservation?

6. Since leaving school how many different 01 2 3456+ voluntary conservation jobs have you had? SolitaireOctober20068/11/0610:24Page11

7. Please complete the following table on all of the paid jobs you have had since leaving school putting your most recent or current job first (Continue onto a separate page if necessary) Job title Name of employing organisation (and Sector Seniority Annual Number of City/region) Key Key: income years in 1=government 1= junior (in US $) position 2= non-government 2= mid- 3= private management Explain if other 3= senior management 4= executive Access to information in conservation 12. How many conservation–based training courses have 012345>5 you attended in the last two years within you country?

13. How many conservation-based training courses have you attended in the last two years outside of your country?

14. How many scientific journals do you subscribe to personally?

15. How many scientific journals are you able to access within your organisation?

16. How many national conservation-related conferences have you attended in the last two years?

17. How many international conservation-related conferences have you attended in the last two years?

Thank you again for completing this form. Please remember that all personal information contained in this questionnaire will be kept confidential. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF NECESSARY

Please return the completed questionnaire by fax to: Jamie Copsey on 0044 1534 860002 (please give subject heading "survey") or you can post it to: Jamie Copsey, Permanence Survey, International Training Centre, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey, British Channel Islands, UK JE3 5BP Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 12 Page 10:24 8/11/06 2006 October Solitaire Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 13

...... AROUND THE WORLD ......

with me; my son Prameya population in Bear provide financial and and I are studying at the same Rehabilitation Centre in Agra technical assistance to university. I am also doing to develop a model for the strengthen amphibian and research on Koshi Tappu enrichment of the reptile housing in Indian Wildlife Reserve, Nepal and environment” to the zoos.The project will be led Masai Mara National Dayalbagh Educational by the CZA and handled Reserve, Kenya. Institute (Deemed most probably by the Madras University), Dayalbagh,Agra Crocodile Bank Trust E-mail: in March, 2006. My (MCBT). I am sure that the [email protected] supervisors/guides were Prof. experience and knowledge I Sant Prakash and Prof.AK gained at the ABC will be Brij Kishor Sinha. I also attended the beneficial to the Indian zoo Gupta India ABC course in Jersey in June, community’s conservation (ITC, 1993) and on my return, a meeting work. I submitted my of the Sub-committee on PhD thesis on “Behavioural Research decided that the E-mail: studies on the bear Central Zoo Authority will [email protected]

EUROPE Helen Buckland UK of the Earth and the Ape launch of the report. I am now (Summer School, 2003) Alliance on the impact of oil the UK coordinator of the After summer school I did an palm plantations on orangutan Sumatran Orangutan Society. MSc in Primate Conservation habitat and populations, and the at Oxford Brookes University. I issue has received a great deal E-mail: then wrote a report for Friends of media attention since the [email protected]

SOUTH AMERICA Bernardo studies and my research between the political economy Peredo Videa proposal has been approved to and economic factors, the Bolivia (MESRT be conducted in Bolivia for institutional structures and course, 2001) two years. My research topic policy frameworks in relation After completing is:“Biodiversity, local to sustainable development, the MSc in Biodiversity, development and poverty biodiversity conservation and Conservation and alleviation in Bolivia in a ecosystem services that form Management at the School of market economy: the challenges for development Geography and the Irreconcilable differences or in Bolivia and in the region. In Environment in Oxford windows of opportunity?”, addition, I have been chosen as University, I was encouraged and my supervisor is Prof. the profile student of the to apply for a DPhil (PhD) Diana Liverman of the School of Geography and the and was awarded a full Environmental Change Environment 2006. Clarendon Scholarship from Institute. I started my Oxford University. I have fieldwork in July 2005, E-mail: completed my second year of analysing the relationship [email protected] 9 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 14

Eco Friendly Volunteers: Celebrations marred by sadness ECO-V

Kanchana Weerakoon Ranasinghe attended ITC in 1999 and is founder president of Eco Friendly Volunteers (ECO-V), a Sri Lankan environmental organisation. In this issue of Solitaire, Kanchana describes how ECO-V developed and the impact of recent troubles in the region.

Conducting research in the forest. he turning point of my life was the missions is training young people in “Sinharaja 97”, an ornithological environmental conservation and in the future we Texpedition involving both British and Sri aim to build a training centre and to collaborate Lankan students.With their recommendation I with international volunteers and trainees. won a scholarship to study at Durrell.The training I received encouraged me to establish ECO-V promotes spiritual, cultural and ECO-V,and I am grateful to Durrell, the BP ecological diversity, following the Buddhist Conservation Programme and the WFN for philosophy of respecting all forms of life, so 15 helping me to come this far. June 1006 was one of the saddest days in our short history.Terrorists blew up a passenger bus, ECO-V celebrated its fifth killing 64, including children and anniversary in February 2006 and ‘Most of our friends farmers. Most were from three is now a registered environmental have abandoned villages and were going to organisation. Our projects include their villages and Kebithigollawa to attend a medical the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary taken refuge in clinic.We have been working in Conservation Project, the schools and this area for four years, and have conservation of the globally trained many young people in threatened spot-billed pelican temples. We hope these villages – they are like our (which won a 2003 BP Bronze and pray there will own family. award) and the conservation of be an end to this natural springs at Kebithigollawa conflict soon.’ A few months ago we decided to in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, stop work in the area temporarily aimed at supplying good quality drinking water because of escalating terrorist activities.We were while preserving forest patches. hoping to go back once the situation improved, but this incident makes us doubt that we will Working through volunteers able to restart work soon.The bus was the only Most of our activities are done through ECO- means of transport for this farming community. V’s 400 or so active volunteers. One of our ECO-V members used the same route when working on our projects.Though Planning community we were lucky this time, our project with local ECO-V friends who gave us accommo- officials in an area dation and support were not. close to the recent Most of them have abandoned bomb blast. their villages and taken refuge in schools and temples.We hope and ECO-V’s logo. pray there will be an end to this conflict soon and our friends can live free and peacefully again.

Kanchana’s e-mail: 10 [email protected] Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 15

Amphibian Biodiversity Conservation (ABC)

Course ITC

1993 ITC trainee and course participant Brij Kishor Gupta, scientist at India’s Central Zoo Authority, reports on the first Amphibian Biodiversity Conservation course, held in Jersey over two weeks in June 2006.

Participants on the 2006 ABC course. cross the globe, ITC’s Jamie Copsey and Dr populations and lives, amphibian populations Richard Griffiths of DICE.We supporting populations in the Aare in decline. In many also benefited greatly from the wild, managing risk in animal cases, the effects of habitat contributions of people like movement, metapopulation and destruction are outpaced by Chris Clark, Dr Andrew microhabitat management and other factors: about a quarter of Cunningham (Zoological the future direction of all threatened species are under Society of London), Prof.Tim amphibian conservation.Apart attack by environmental Halliday (DAPTF), Prof.Trevor from lectures by the various contaminants and diseases such Beebee and Gerry Marantelli, experts in the field, each as chytridiomycosis, while Director of the Amphibian participant gave a talk on factors such as small range size Research Centre in Australia, as or a limited ability to disperse, amphibian conservation in human disturbance, invasive their own country.We also had species and global warming ‘Everyone now looks hands-on training with each affect about 8% of species. forward to being better Durrell’s Herpetology Harvesting for food, the pet equipped and Department, radio-tracked trade and scientific research are contributing more to Jersey toads with John also causes of decline for about amphibian Wilkinson (PhD student at 3% of threatened species. conservation by DICE), and studied agile frogs with John Pinel of Jersey’s passing on the Partners in training Environment Department. In partnership with the UK’s knowledge we gained.’ Declining Amphibian Overall the ABC course Population Task Force well as staff from Durrell’s vet fulfilled the participants’ (DAPTF), the Durrell Institute and herpetology departments expectations and we greatly of Conservation and Ecology and many others, to discussions appreciated the efforts made by (DICE) at the University of on the problems and potential Durrell’s staff. Everyone now Kent and the Amphibian solutions to them. looks forward to being better Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia, the Durrell Wildlife equipped and contributing Theory and practice Conservation Trust therefore more to amphibian The course covered several organised an Amphibian conservation, by passing on the Biodiversity Conservation topics: understanding knowledge we gained to course – the first of its kind – amphibian decline and the colleagues and keeping the to train 18 amphibian biologists threats involved, problems of conservation work going. from all around the world. pathogens, prioritising and planning conservation action, Brij’s e-mail: The course directors were studying amphibian [email protected] 11 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 16

Working for wildlife and people in Uganda ITC

Formerly head of the primate and rhino sections at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, David Baluku formed the Duukwa Organisation for Rural Development, Wildlife Education and Environmental Protection after graduating from ITC in 2003. Here he outlines its mission to tackle the many problems facing people and wildlife in Uganda.

David during his training period at ITC.

s the Earth’s resources dropping out of school. The endangers the lives of the continue to be depleted conflict in the Democratic local people, as well as Athrough unsustainable Republic of Congo (DRC) affecting tourism, which use, poor management and has forced people to cross into contributes about US$200m a exploitation, conflicts will Uganda, and the bush meat year to the national coffers. flare more often, and will be trade is on the increase, more difficult to contain. blamed on an influx of An outbreak of anthrax in Protecting global and local Congolese refugees who have Queen Elizabeth NP claimed environments is therefore settled near wildlife reserves about 200 essential for achieving lasting (Hippopotamus amphibious) and peace. an unknown number of ‘People living closest buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and Disease risks for people to protected areas are water buck ( and wildlife directly affected by ellipsiprymnus). Local residents In the past, our region was crop-raiding animals were exposed to health risks abundant in wildlife and had after eating meat from the a viable human population. and loss of access to carcasses. Protected areas in Local communities accessed plant resources inside Kasese are located in more and benefited from these the protected zones.’ remote regions where literacy natural resources in a skills, manpower and financial sustainable manner. However, support for local villages and population size is increasing, in Kasese,Western Uganda. surrounding areas are limited. and young people are Trade in primate meat is now common in and near the Illegal trafficking in wildlife Campaigning against illegal poaching. Queen Elizabeth and across the DRC/Uganda Murchison Falls Conservation border, especially of African Areas. Outbreaks of deadly grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

David Baluku David viral diseases such as Ebola and chimpanzees (Pan and HIV/AIDS have been troglodytes), and poaching in associated with eating wildlife reserves, coupled with primates in neighbouring a lack of community 12 countries, and so this awareness programmes and Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 17

financial resources, are also socioeconomic problems of and we are now fully fledged leading to the depletion of poverty and and campaigning against our natural resources. Pit- underdevelopment. illegal poaching, advocating sawing and charcoal burning Rwenzori mountain forest are rampant in the Rwenzori Campaigning for change and restoration and promoting mountain ranges, posing big community development community development problems for the local Attending the ITC course through the establishment of residents as well as the opened my mind to these training centres for widows, environment. issues, and on my return to orphans, school drop-outs and Uganda, my concern for our others. People and protected areas diminishing environment, and Life has been extremely for the people who have been We believe that continuous difficult for many local victims of illegal poaching awareness campaigns are vital families without appropriate and bush meat out of in changing people’s attitudes community sensitisation, ignorance, led me to establish towards wildlife conservation, socioeconomic and education and register a local NGO – and that given support of any services.A household survey kind from well-wishers, we in Uganda in 1996 showed will be able to reach and that people living closest to sensitise every affected region protected areas are directly ‘We are campaigning in Kasese. affected by crop-raiding against illegal poaching, animals and loss of access to There can be few more plant resources inside the advocating Rwenzori pressing and critical goals for protected zones. Local mountain forest the future of humankind than residents have also lost restoration and to ensure steady improvement family and friends due to promoting community in the quality of life for this illegal hunting, and have development through and future generations, in a been attacked or killed by the establishment of way that respects our wild animals while hunting, common heritage - the planet harvesting firewood and training centres.’ we live on.As people we seek burning charcoal within positive change for ourselves, protected areas. our children and Duukwa Organisation for grandchildren; we must do it The future of our natural Rural Development,Wildlife in ways that respect the right heritage is in danger.The UN Education and Environmental of all to do so. conference on the human Protection (DORDWEEP) – environment in Stockholm with the Ministry of Justice. To do this we must learn 1972 clearly stipulated the The district local authorities constantly - about ourselves, need for inter-relationships and the Uganda Wildlife our potential, our limitations, between the environment and Authority welcomed the idea our relationships, our society, our environment, our world. Roasted bush meat: in the circle is the head of a baboon (Papio anubis). Education for sustainable development is a lifelong endeavour which challenges individuals, institutions and societies to view tomorrow as a day that belongs to all of us, or it will not belong to anyone.

David’s e-mail: David Baluku David [email protected]

Website: www.dordweep- uganda.co.ug 13 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 18

Quito Zoo: Evolving towards a modern conservation tool

Itala e pez graduated from ITC Itala Yépez in 1998 and is now Director of the Biology and Conservation Department at Quito Zoo in Ecuador. Here she describes how the zoo is planning to develop its conservation strategy.

Jaguar at Quito Zoo: the species is Near Threatened and declining.

uito Zoo is located in the species that are managed at converting the zoo into a real Guayllabamba, 30 km the zoo are Ecuadorian. conservation tool.At the Qfrom downtown Quito. The animals at the zoo arrived moment we are looking for a In November 1999 the from various sources: 55% Latin-American consulting Municipality of Quito signed a came from an old zoo that enterprise to help us to management agreement with used to be in Quito, 40% from develop our Master Plan. Four Fundación Zoológica del illegal animal trade, and the different departments – Ecuador (FZE), since when FZE remaining 5% from Administration, Biology and has been in charge of the zoo. Conservation, Health and ‘We are generating a Nutrition, and Education – are At present, Quito Zoo has strategy that will all working to contribute to 220 wild animals (22 species guide our evolution the generation of a strategy of mammals, 25 species of into a modern zoo that will guide our evolution birds and nine species of into a modern zoo working reptiles) and 20 domestic working for for conservation. animals on an educational conservation.’ farm. Ninety-nine per cent of interchange with other zoos or Probably the most interesting rescue centres in Ecuador. species in terms of Andean fox conservation that we are We now receive 200,000 managing at the zoo are the Vulnerable Andean bear, and

Itala Yépez visitors per year, 50% of whom are students from schools in the Near Threatened jaguar, Quito and small towns in the Monera eagle and Andean region around the zoo. condor (which we are successfully breeding). Along Developing a master plan with animals such as the Quito Zoo is located on a 13- Andean fox, the spectacled hectare area of land, although caiman and several species of only five hectares has been monkeys, these will be our occupied.The infrastructure ambassadors in our mission to was build by the municipality start working for conservation. without any real concept behind it, and so FZE is now working to develop that Itala’s e-mail: 14 concept and to start [email protected] Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 19

Conservation of anteaters in Brazil: An interdisciplinary approach Logo of the GCTB.

Rodrigo Teixeira attended ITC in 1995 and is now based in Sorocaba Zoo. Here he describes the aims of Rodrigo Teixeira the Working Group for the Conservation of Anteaters in Brazil, which he founded along with Flavia Miranda of the São Paulo Foundation Zoo Park and Catia Dejuste of IBAMA.

Rodrigo with a giant anteater. here are three species of anteaters in The group’s headquarters will be at the São Brazil: the giant anteater or tamanduá- Paulo Foundation Zoo Park, a pioneer in Tbandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), the anteater conservation: it registered the first lesser anteater or tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua captive births in Brazil of both giant and lesser tetradactyla) and the silky anteater or tamanduaí anteaters, has held the largest breeding stock of (Cyclopes didactylus).The giant anteater is on lesser and giant anteaters in Brazil and the third the Brazilian national Red List and is currently largest for giant anteaters in the world, and has classed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, and a staff expert in the management of these on CITES Appendix II. species.

The principal threat to these animals is loss of We have a vet, Danilo Kluiber, in the field and habitat to agriculture and cattle rearing. can call on several international consultants. Anteaters are also killed on the Our partners are São Paulo roads, by fire, or by domestic Foundation Zoo Park dogs. Sorocaba Zoo receives ‘Our data can help to justify (SAO ZOO), Quinzinho 3–5 animals per year, but most the implementation of de Barros Zoo Park have died. conservation programmes (Sorocaba Zoo), the and develop better Brazilian Association of An interdisciplinary approach techniques for saving these Wild Animal Veterinarians The Working Group for the beautiful animals.’ (ABRAVAS), Paulista Zoo Conservation of Anteaters in Society (SPZ), Brazilian Brazil (GCTB) is an Zoo Society (SZB) and the independent initiative uniting diverse sources Environmental and Natural Renewable of specialist conservation expertise to: Resources Institute (IBAMA). • collect and concentrate information about anteaters both in and ex situ Many members of the GCTB could directly • integrate Brazilian institutions involved with influence government policies. Our data can be the species combined with other sources of information to • develop conservation management plans and understand these species better, justify the protocols implementation of conservation programmes • produce a regional studbook for anteaters and their habitat and develop • run workshops on anteater conservation better techniques for saving these beautiful • develop research and environmental animals. education programmes • develop professional partnerships. Rodrigo’s e-mail: [email protected] 15 Solitaire October 2006 8/11/06 10:24 Page 20

Awely: Wildlife and people

Renaud Fulconis attended Summer School in 2002. He has written about his involvement in rhino conservation in Kenya in a Awely Renaud Fulconis – previous Solitaire, but here he describes the creation of a new conservation organisation, Awely, focusing on human-wildlife relationships.

A Masai in Kenya.

“ wely” is the name given by Aboriginal wild animals at a local zoo: it is always a big women of Central Australia to a law that surprise to realise that most Kenyans have never Aregulates their ties to the land.The main seen a wild rhino.These zoos, sometimes with objective of our organisation, established about more than a million visitors a year, have little or a year ago by French conservation enthusiasts, no money to develop effective education is to create long-term sustainable relationships programmes. Most visitors will leave with no between people and wildlife: it is difficult to message at all. So Awely’s second goal is to save species when people are starving or support zoos that keep their animals in natural competing with the wildlife and secure environments, with living in the same area, and good educational provision. when knowledge of animals ‘Many people can only in the countries where they see wild animals at a Changing outlooks are most threatened is poor. zoo: it is always a big Our first project is to assist the surprise to realise that education department of the Learning to live together most Kenyans have bonobo sanctuary in Kinshasa, Our first goal is to help never seen a wild rhino.’ DRC. For many of its 10,000 people and animals to live young visitors each year, their together, so we work closely trip to the sanctuary is a life- with local organisations and experts in changing experience as few have ever left their conservation and international development. urban lives.To give them something from their These stakeholders have a particular knowledge visit to keep and share with friends and of the problems that people and animals face relatives,Awely is working on a book of when sharing the same environment. drawings by French artist Florence Guiraud. The book tells the story of an orphaned Many people, especially in cities, can only see bonobo’s journey from the forest to the security of the sanctuary.Thirteen educational One of the drawings by Florence Guiraud. posters have also been designed and have just been delivered.

Please contact us if you know of any particular region in which Awely could provide assistance.

Renaud Fulconis – Awely Renaud Fulconis – We have a news section on our website and would also welcome any information on human/wildlife conflicts in your area.

Renaud’s e-mail: [email protected] Websites: www.awely.com; www.florenceguiraud.com