2009-10 LIFE SCIENCES ADDENDUM ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS 01 Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee Report 2009-10 02 Animal Welfare Related Incidents 2009-10 Overview of Animal Inventory Animal Inventories 07 Melbourne Zoo 32 Healesville Sanctuary 52 Werribee Open Range Zoo 2 Animal WelfaRE PeeR ReView Committee RepoRT 2009-10 01 Introduction 03 Activities 04 Inventories It is with pleasure that I present the third The Committee met on four occasions I attach the animal inventories for the three report of the Zoos Victoria Animal Welfare during the report period. The Committee Zoos Victoria properties. The Inventories Peer Review Committee. The Committee confirmed currency of the Terms of Report documents changes to animal was established in 2008 by the Zoos Reference for the Committee, and numbers between 1 July 2009 and 30 Victoria Board to deliver improved endorsed revised associated Policy and June 2010, and the total collection as at accountability and transparency for Procedure documents. 30 June 2010. The statistics support high animal welfare related matters for The Committee was presented with an levels of animal care across Zoos Victoria Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary overview of reports on three animal that are consistent with industry standards. and Werribee Open Range Zoo. welfare incidents: Eastern Barred 05 Conclusion Guided by a Terms of Reference, the Bandicoot, Black-capped Capuchin Committee’s role is to: and Australian Fur-seal. The Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee looks forward to playing an + Confirm that the internal Zoos Victoria The incident relating to the Black-capped important role helping Zoos Victoria deliver processes and protocols for handling Capuchins was resolved without the need open and accountable reporting and the complaints in relation to animal welfare for an investigation. For the other two, the implementation of Industry best practice are satisfactory and of a quality Committee was provided with an overview policies and procedures in 2010-11 deemed appropriate of the completed investigations. For all and beyond. + Consider, monitor and review three incidents the Committee considers compliance with Zoos Victoria’s internal that the actions and investigations were processes and protocols for the undertaken consistent with Zoos Victoria reporting and investigation of issues internal processes, and endorsed the arising from complaints or concerns recommended actions. about animal welfare issues within the Dr Kimberley Dripps three properties, and Key activities undertaken Chairperson by the Committee + Peer-review the decision made Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee and conclusions drawn from any + The Committee reviewed draft versions of Zoological Parks and Gardens Board investigation into issues arising from the Zoos Victoria Animal Welfare Code 21 July 2010 complaints or concerns about animal + The Committee noted quarterly Animal welfare within the three properties. Care Reports and the annual Animal Health Report 02 Membership + The Committee was briefed regarding The Zoos Victoria Animal Welfare Peer Emergency Procedures at Melbourne Review Committee comprises seven Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee members who possess a genuine interest Open Range Zoo and provision of animal and commitment to animal welfare. welfare during emergency situations Members have nominated to represent + The Committee was advised of welfare the following categories: considerations made in planning for the + Person(s) qualified in veterinary sciences birth of the Asian Elephant with experience relevant to captive + The Committee inspected Melbourne wildlife management Zoo’s facilities for tigers and elephants, + Person nominated by the RSPCA providing the opportunity to see the + Person(s) with substantial recent four Sumatran Tiger cubs, Mali the experience in captive management Asian Elephant calf and meet with of animals who is not employed or staff who were about to undertake an otherwise by Zoos Victoria artificial insemination procedure on a female elephant + Lay person(s) being independent community members with commitment + The Committee continues to to animal welfare including one who is monitor implementation of all actions qualified to practise law, and recommended in incident reports. + Two persons representing the Zoos Victoria Board. The Chairperson of the Committee is a current member of the Zoos Victoria Board. 1 Animal WelfaRE Related Incidents 2009-10 Since 1 July 2009, three incidents have Black-capped Capuchin Australian Fur-seal been reported. Two incidents involved the Black-capped Capuchins are a medium- Wild seals requiring treatment for injuries death of an animal and investigations were sized South American primate that live or other medical intervention are routinely completed consistent with Zoos Victoria in multi-male, multi-female groups with brought to Melbourne Zoo for care. Zoo procedures. sub-adult males sometimes forming staff also provide assistance to staff from Eastern Barred Bandicoot sub-groups. During 2008 Melbourne Zoo the Department of Sustainability and acquired three adult males and four adult Environment (DSE) with the restraint, Melbourne Zoo has actively contributed to females; the males coming from one zoo, capture and transfer of wild seals, including the Recovery Program for Eastern Barred and the females from another. These responding to entanglement cases. On Bandicoots and maintains a successful seven animals were introduced to form a 26 January an Australian Fur-seal with an breeding colony. This colony has been breeding group. One of the three males injured flipper was brought from Frankston the source of animals for release. In order has established dominance over the other to Melbourne Zoo. On 2 February this to determine fitness of animals prior to two males. Over time, the frequency and seal was assessed as ‘fit for release’. release, weights are monitored to enable intensity of aggressive interactions has Consultation occurred with DSE regarding assessment of body condition. A well- escalated. In order to resolve the situation a suitable release site, and Queenscliff documented process has been established plans were made to provide additional was agreed. The seal was transferred in for weighing and recording of weights of housing. The space would be available a ‘pet-pack’ via road to a release site at Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Following such following transfer of some macaques to Queenscliff. On opening the ‘pet-pack’ a procedure, two bandicoot boxes were Tasmania, but this shipment was delayed to release the seal, the seal was found to noted in an enclosure. Upon inspection due to concerns of Tasmanian wildlife have died during transportation from the it was determined that bandicoots were agencies. The lack of resolution prompted Zoo to the release site. locked inside the boxes and had not been reporting of the situation by keeping released following catch-up for a health staff. A meeting was held involving key check. Both bandicoots subsequently died. Melbourne Zoo staff, and plans were The report on this incident made six made for the immediate re-housing of the recommendations including: two males that were being subjected to aggressive interactions. The re-housing + Review and amendment of all occurred within 24 hours of the meeting. procedural documents relating to management of Eastern Barred In response to this incident two Bandicoots, ensuring that these include recommendations were made: robust processes for checking of boxes + Transfer of Lion-tailed Macaques + Review and amend training process for and Black and White Ruffed Lemurs keepers working on the ‘EBB Round’ to to enable the two Black-capped ensure that roles and responsibilities are Capuchins Simon and Carlos to be clearly understood and that staff have moved out of the Capuchin group demonstrated required competencies + Counsel staff member regarding + Provide additional training to nominated appropriate response methods to staff working on the ‘EBB Round’ animal welfare concern reports. + Counsel staff involved with this incident + Remind all keepers working on the Australian Natives Section of the need to read the Daily Report Log at the start of each day, and + Assess current workloads for staff working on the Australian Native Section. 2 Findings and Recommendations The report on this incident made two recommendations including: + Development of Zoos Victoria ‘Procedures for transporting animals.’ This document should clearly identify accountabilities associated with the transport of animals and include the need for risk assessment and contingency plans in the event of an emergency and identify ability and responsibility of persons involved, and + Review appropriateness of all Zoos Victoria vehicles used for animal transport, and as appropriate modify vehicles. In addition counselling of the staff involved is to occur regarding duty of care to animals. The Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee on reviewing the incident report noted: + The failure in the basic duty of care to this animal by the staff involved + That recommended actions are comprehensive, and + That the recommended actions would be expected to prevent a similar incident from occurring. 3 OVERView of Animal INVentoRY Overview of Animal Inventory The annual inventories report a total of 502 Melbourne Zoo received 532 animals births at the three properties. Breeding and Werribee 13 animals. Many cases of As at 30 June 2010 Zoos Victoria’s living typically occurs to support