http://zoonewsdigest.com/
http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/
Peter Dickinson
peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Colleagues,
So it would seem I was right about the Dead Tigers. I reckoned zoo origin...but maybe not. It has been suggested a Tiger farm. Whatever because they have been shown to be of captive origin.
Here is the link:
http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogpop-monday-13th-july-2009.html
With a bit of detective work it should actually be possible to determine where some of these animals originated. I do hope someone makes the effort. I would like to see the culprits locked away for thirty years. They would not be short of company because I would lock up the Pangolin and Shark Finners with them.
Franklin Park and Stone Zoo stirred up a little nest with talk of animals being put down. Lets face it. It would have to happen. There are only a certain number of spaces available in zoos to take in new animals or species. One would be hesitant to pass animals onto 'rescue centres' of dubious expertise and inadequate accommodation, however well meaning.
I thought someone would start jumping up and down about shooting of the Hippo in Columbia. They did of course. Get real. You cannot have introduced species of that size running around the countryside. Apart from the crop damage to subsistence farmers, hippos can be very dangerous.
The theft of the baby Gibbons is sad. Twins too! Thats unusual. Seems to have been a very determined thief. Either the mother was an extremely gentle animal or the thief has an animal connection. There is no way I would like to fight a mother Gibbon for her young.
I found it reassuring to read of the arrival of the baby cuttlefish at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium. 7th generation the article says. Wow that is good and gives me a little bit more faith in the aquarium system. I have always had a soft spot for cuttlefish. I recollect being watched by them every day of the summer I spent pearl fishing. They just hung there in the water watching everything I did. Spooky sometimes. Definitely a greater intelligence at work than most people realise.
Lots of interesting links. Follow them up.
This Weeks Hubs:
Pangolins in Peril
Money Belts
Coprolite a parting gift
Conservation Zoos
Shark Fin Soup
Visit my webpages at: http://hubpages.com/profile/Peter+Dickinson
I keep reccomending Hubpages. Within an hour you could have your own webpage earning you a small passive income. Read how with my "Quick Guide to Hub Construction." http://ewerl.com/Ua92gJ
I truly believe it will be worth your while.
This Weeks Books of Interest to the Zoo Professional
http://moourl.com/6rk1w
On with the links:
Toothless laws encourage rising demand for Asian pangolins
rising demand for pangolins, mostly from mainland China, compounded by lax laws is wiping out the unique toothless anteaters from their native habitats in Southeast Asia, according to a group of leading pangolin experts.Illegal trade in Asian pangolin meat and scales has caused the scaly anteaters to disappear from large swathes of Cambodia, Viet Nam and Lao PDR, concluded a panel of experts whose findings were announced today by the wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC. “China has a long history of consuming pangolin as meat and in traditional medicine,” the report states. “Due to continual demand and the decreasing Chinese wild population, in the past few years pangolin smuggling from Southeast Asia has resulted in great declines in these producing countries’ wild populations, as
http://www.traffic.org/home/2009/7/14/toothless-laws-encourage-rising-demand-for-asian-pangolins.html
Kruger an 'Animal Supermarket'
A blistering attack has been launched on the Kruger National Park by animal welfare organisations worried about the fate of the wild animals, specifically white rhino."The Kruger National Park has developed into a kind of supermarket trading in animals to make even more money."The organisations claimed it had become time that the Sanparks board resigned as they had "failed" in their task to properly protect and conserve the country’s wild animals, and specifically, white rhinoceros.This followed on Monday after the death of at least 10 of the 200 white rhinos, who were recently sold at an auction.The organisations were also furious that a rhino that was bought by a Free State game breeder on Friday at the game park, fell from a trailer on the N4 between Witbank and Middelburg. The trailer’s tyre apparently burst and it fell over with the rhino. The frightened animal ran around in the area before it was
http://www.rhinos-irf.org/en/art/632/
Mother dog nurses lesser pandas at north China zoo
Two lesser pandas who were abandoned by their mother shortly after birth at a north China zoo are now healthy and content thanks to their competent wet nurse: a mother dog, zoo workers said Thursday. The baby pandas were born at Taiyuan Zoo in Shanxi Province on June 25, said zoo worker Ha Guojiang. "Their mother, the first lesser panda bred at the zoo, was taken in from a nature reserve in the northwestern Shaanxi Province at the end of April. No one knew she was pregnant. Her plump body and bushy hair disguised her protruding belly until the babies were born," said Ha. After the panda gave birth in its pen, in broad daylight
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/16/content_11717410.htm
State zoo group threatens animal euthanasia
The chief of Boston's two area major zoos is standing by statements that the facilities would shut down and some animals would have to be euthanized if the legislature does not restore $4-million in state funding.The president and chief executive of Zoo New England, which runs the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo, said as many as 20 percent of the animals would be put down because it is unlikely officials could find new homes for them under current economic circumstances.Scott Foster, chairman of the board for Forest Park Zoo, said that he is hopeful that such drastic measures will not have to be taken. "The animals would almost certainly never be euthanized. Other zoos would take them. There's a whole network of
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/wwlp_local_state_zoo_group_threatens_animal_euthanasia_0715091700
Zoo gets new support
Citizens group UPA pushes for public funding of Gulf Breeze facilityA citizens organization in south Santa Rosa County is throwing its backing behind public support of the financially ailing Zoo Northwest Florida.The United Peninsula Association — formerly known as the United Peninsula Homeowners Association — is supporting the zoo's request for money from the Santa Rosa County Commission."Let's trim the budget and cut the payrolls, but save the zoo while we tighten our Santa Rosa County belts," UPA president Don Richards wrote in a July 9 e-mail
http://www.pnj.com/article/20090716/NEWS01/907160317/1124
Activists say Malaysia is losing battle to save Tigers
Malaysia is losing the battle to save its dwindling population of wild tigers, a conservation coalition warned Wednesday after a series of raids that netted tiger carcasses and bones.‘It is clearly time to admit that we are fast losing the battle to save our tigers to an army of smugglers and poachers intent on killing every last one,’ said the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCat).‘They enter our protected areas with ease, and illegally trap, kill and export our wildlife with little fear,’ said the alliance which includes WWF Malaysia and watchdog Traffic Southeast Asia.MyCat demanded that Malaysian authorities take action to stop the illegal trade in tiger parts. It listed a series of seizures of dismembered tigers in recent months, from the Thai-Laos border right down to Malaysia itself, including three
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sci-tech/21-activists-say-malaysia-is-losing-battle-to-save-tigers-sz-40##
Missouri works to preserve giant salamander population
Inside the Ron Goellner Conservation Center at the St. Louis Zoo, slimy creatures 2 feet long hide under rocks in separate tanks. These solitary creatures are the largest amphibians in North America, giant salamanders known as hellbenders or "snot otters."Hellbenders have been on the federal endangered species list since
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/07/14/hellbender-hed/
Rhino, hippopotamus soon at Safari Park
A Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus will be the next new arrivals in the Safari Park, revealed by the DCO Karachi, Javed Hanif, during his visit to Safari Park here on Saturday, The Nation has learnt. He was on a visit to review the arrangements made for the 4 baby elephants in the Safari Park. It may be noted here that arrival of four baby elephants is unique in a sense as there is no other example in country’s 60 years history that four elephants were present at a time in any zoo of the country. These days, people along with their children thronged to the Safari Park to see these elephants. The Safari Park management claimed that hundreds of thousands citizens visited the elephants enclosure since their arrival. Hanif directed the park management to initiate arrangements for other animals including Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus Giraffes and other animals. Whereas, tenders would be floated in this regard as soon as possible. He also directed the zoo staff to pay extra attention to the baby elephants. Meanwhile, the Community Development Department (CDD) has finally
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/12-Jul-2009/Rhino-hippopotamus-soon-at-Safari-Park
Thai probe shows tiger parts came from Malaysia
Investigations by Thai wildlife authorities have confirmed that some of the tiger parts confiscated in Thailand last year belonged to the Malayan tiger, a specie found only in Peninsula Malay-sia.Dr Suchitra Changtragoon from the Forest Genetics and Biotech-nology Group said genetic fingerprinting revealed that the parts came from three species of tigers — the Indochinese, Amur and Malayan.The group comes under the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department of Thai-land.The group investigated 17 meat samples obtained from the seizure of animal parts early this year.Twelve were found to be tiger meat, three were leopard meat and the rest were meat from the clouded leopard.Of the 12 tiger samples, five were from Malayan tigers, five were from Indochinese tigers and the remaining two were from Amur tigers.The findings were published in a scientific journal made available to The Star. The report is also published on the department’s website (http://www.dnp.go.th/).In January this year, three tiger carcasses, weighing up to 250kg, were seized from a truck passing through Hua Hin while in February, two tiger and one panther carcasses were recovered
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/11/nation/4282687&sec=nation
Mnangagwa, Shamu in Rhino Horn Scandal....Docket Vanishes into Tthin Air
In a scandal that has sent tongues wagging in the official corridors of Zimbabwe, a police docket against two ZANU PF heavyweights — Emmerson Mnangagwa and Webster Shamu — has vanished from attorney-general Johannes Tomana’s office.And, efforts to give Tomana a copy of the docket has seen the police superintendent who was in charge of the investigations transferred from his posting at Bulawayo Central police station to a rural outpost at Nzvimbo in Chiweshe.The two high-profile figures had been implicated in massive poaching of rhinos in Zimbabwe’s national parks. Mnangagwa, who earned notoriety as the head of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) ministry in the early 80s, is the current defence minister in the government of national unity.Shamu is the media and information minister.What triggered the investigations on the two was the arrest of a Chinese national early this year when he was found with six rhino horns at a police roadblock along the Hwange-Bulawayo Road. He implicated a businessman in Kwekwe whose name has been withheld by the police. The businessman then pointed fingers at Mnangagwa and Shamu.The two government ministers are said
http://www.rhinos-irf.org/en/art/626/
Sabah conservationist Mahedi dies at 58
Datuk Mahedi Andau, widely considered the father of the state's key wildlife conservation programmes, died yesterday.The 58-year-old former Sabah Wildlife Department director died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here of a heart ailment.He leaves behind a wife and three children.Department director Laurentius Ambu said Mahedi who headed the department after it was upgraded from a unit of the Forestry Department in 1988, was instrumental in the state's wildlife conservation efforts.Ambu served as Mahedi's deputy until he took over as director in 2007.He said among
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20090711-154102.html
Big hopes for tiny toads
When Northwest Trek purchased a small pond near its Eatonville wildlife park, they had no idea they would inherit an amazing, natural spectacle. Toads, tens of thousands of Western Toads are born in the pond and, right about now, they start coming out. The small beach appears to be alive. The ground is moving as somewhere between 50
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_071009ENB_western-toad-migration-hope-JM.2a158414.html
Monkey World’s gibbon family set to travel to Vietnam
A BABY gibbon is set to be the first to be released into the wild from Monkey World at Wool. Tia Nang, a golden-cheeked gibbon, was born at the park in February. Tia Nang, her sibling Tien and her parents Peanut and Pung-Yo could be the first to go back to their natural habitat through Monkey World’s rescue centre at Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. Tia Nang was named by the winner of a competition run on Heart FM, formerly 2CR. Regular visitor Emma Matthews, 40, of Blandford, won the contest and visited the park to officially name her. The name Tia Nang, meaning ‘ray of sunshine’ in Vietnamese, was chosen by
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/4487259.Monkey_World___s_gibbon_family_set_to_travel_to_Vietnam/
Elephant carwash raises zoo cash
wildlife safari in Oregon, USA, has come up with an unusual way to raise money in the tough economic climate. For $20, visitors can have their car washed by the zoo's elephants, who scrub with sponges and rinse with their trunks. Wildlife Safari Executive Director, Dan Van Slyke, and Elephant Supervisor, Carol Matthews, claim that
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8146336.stm
Zoo Bars Cadbury Products
A consumer backlash is mounting over Cadbury's decision to add palm oil to its chocolate, with Auckland Zoo pulling the confectionary giant's products from its shops and restaurant because of concern over the damage palm oil production does to rainforests. Users of social networking sites have set up "boycott Cadbury" groups, and plans are under way for a petition urging Parliament to warn consumers about palm oil. And Green MP Sue Kedgley has waded into the debate, urging people to vote with their wallets.Auckland Zoo conservation officer Peter Fraser says the problem with palm oil is that to produce it, rainforest is being cleared in South East Asia.That means the endangered orang-utans are losing their habitat and the zoo predicts that if palm oil production continues at its current pace, none of the animals will be left in the wild in 10 years.Keepers at the zoo are also weaning
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2585908/Zoo-bars-Cadbury-products
Orang-utan's great escape from Perth Zoo
Her name translates as "come home", but Pulang the orang-utan has done anything but for a few minutes at Perth Zoo.The 15-year-old Sumatran simian used a rope to swing out of her enclosure on Saturday, showing all the wisdom of age and her species.Pulang "appeared to free a rope from a bolt and swing herself into the visitor area", senior orang-utan
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/orangutans-great-escape-from-perth-zoo-20090713-di6y.html
Moribund burial beetle getting a new lease on life (interesting video) The undertaker of the insect world is beginning to make a comeback from its own near-death experience.Once, the American burying beetle - known for the unusual subterranean habits that inspired its name - was found throughout the Northeast. But the beetles have largely vanished from the region, except for a population that lives on Block Island off Rhode Island.Now, a 15-year effort to reintroduce the black-and-orange beetle is showing signs of success, right under tourists’ feet on Nantucket. At least 150 beetles - and probably many more - are surviving in the wild here each year.The 1-inch beetle’s shot at survival marks a discernible shift in the protection of rare species. Rather than focusing primarily on animals at the top of the food chain, scientists increasingly are training their survival skills on the less cuddly creatures that form the building blocks of earth’s ecosystem.“People need to care about more species than just polar bears,’’ said Lou Perrotti, the conservation programs coordinator
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/07/06/scientists_trying_to_revive_dying_burial_beetle/
Killing of hippo in Colombia sparks outcry
Protesters demand an order be rescinded that authorizes the killing of two other hippos believed to be related to the slain one, called Pepe, that escaped from a ranch once owned by Pablo EscobarThe government-ordered killing of a hippopotamus that escaped from the ranch once owned by the late drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has raised an outcry among Colombian animal rights groups.The hippo, nicknamed Pepe, was killed last month near the town of Puerto Berrio, about 100 miles northwest of Bogota. An environmental agency in Antioquia state ordered the hippo killed as a health risk and menace to farmers and fishermen, and the national Environment Ministry approved the killing.The killing came to light last weekend when photos were published showing soldiers who helped corner the animal posing around the carcass like big-game hunters. The hippo was killed by two professional hunters using high-powered
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-colombia-hippos15-2009jul15,0,235800.story
Kenya seizes ivory, rhino horn heading to Asia
Kenya seized more than 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of illegal ivory and black rhinoceros horn — some of it still bloody — on a cargo plane headed to Asia on Tuesday, wildlife officials said.The blood on some of the 16 elephant tusks and two rhino horns suggested the animals had been killed recently, said Patrick Omondi of the biodiversity and research division of the Kenya Wildlife Service.The contraband was hidden in wooden boxes shaped like coffins.The flight originated in Mozambique and stopped in Nairobi en route to Thailand and finally Laos. It was not clear where the items came from; Omondi said they could have been smuggled into Mozambique from Tanzania or South Africa.Poaching elephants and black rhinos is illegal. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species banne
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jEF6-9TDtyETWGziiZ8rMaTTv0cgD99EB85G0
'Banks for the new mates' say Durrell's lemurs
A donation by Isle of Man based Fairbairn Private Bank will allow the Gerald Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at Jersey Zoo to start a new breeding programme for its endangered ring-tailed lemurs.Fairbairn has adopted the bachelor group of animals which have lived at the zoo for many years.The recent arrival of two new females, the cost of which has been covered by the bank through the donation, has caused great excitement among the three males. The two females, from Chester Zoo, have completed a four-week quarantine period and were recently moved to the park's main Lemur
http://www.isleofman.com/news/article.aspx?article=17915
Interactive: Migrating bird Houbara Bustard
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10331385.html
Funding most likely to be restored to Stone and Franklin Park zoos
Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo announced at a press conference Monday afternoon that, after receiving a large outpouring of support from both the public and state officials, Stone Zoo — along with its Dorchester counterpart, Franklin Park — will most likely see a restoration of funding that would prevent the closure of their facilities.This week or next, the House and Senate are expected to override Gov. Deval Patrick’s decision to cut Zoo New England funding down to just $2.5 million from the original $6.5 million set aside earlier in the budget process.“We are working very hard with the state Legislature and the governor’s office to resolve this very complex issue and we’re hopeful of a positive outcome,” John Linehan, chief executive officer and president of Zoo New England, said
http://www.wickedlocal.com/malden/news/news_calendar/x488842517/Funding-most-likely-to-be-restored-to-Stone-and-Franklin-Park-zoos
The zoo that cried wolf
First of all, nobody was ever planning to close Franklin Park Zoo or the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Nor was anyone ever going to liquidate any animals.This was a mass panic - fueled by public manipulation by the outfit that runs the zoos - that never needed to happen, even given the governor’s announced budget cuts.For now, House Speaker Robert DeLeo has blinked. He declared yesterday that the entire $4 million cut from the zoo’s budget would be restored in short order by overriding the governor’s veto.DeLeo has not said what the House will cut to make this happen, though a possible target is medical aid to legal immigrants.Because really, why take care of noncitizens, at the expense of giraffes?Like any right-minded person, I am squarely on the
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/14/the_zoo_that_cried_wolf/
Sea lion therapy in Elche
It's said to help hyperactive children to relax and increase their self esteemThe Elche safari park has started a new therapy to help hyperactive children, Público reports this Thursday. Supervised by psychologists and monitors, they are given the opportunity to join the safari park’s sea lions in their pool, for hour-long sessions with these calm
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_22373.shtml
First Safari Park at Ridiyagama
The first wildlife safari park and botanical bio-diversity conservation garden of over 500 acres will be set up in Ridiyagama, Hambantota. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1.6 billion while the work on the park to be named Lion Safari park will start immediately, Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene told Parliament. He presented a Rs. 50 million supplementary estimate to initiate the project. The Safari Wildlife Park will feature wildlife conservation and breeding under the direction of zoologists and wildlife men especially of endangered endemic species and will also be in close proximity to the Bundala bird sanctuary and hot water springs at Madunagala as well as the new botanical gardens at Mirijjawila. The park will also be home to Sri Lankan wild animals that would be brought from other parts of the country and released into it for natural progeny to take place but under the overview of the zoologists the Chief Government, Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said presenting the supplementary estimate on behalf of Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge. Since the Lion Safari Park will be located in close proximity to the Internal Airport and the Hambantota port it will be easily accessible to tourists and in addition a research centre for naturalists and students would also be a part of the park and a special enclosure
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/17/news11.asp
Wildlife minister smuggling turtle meat to China?
The railway police decided to conduct a raid on the Sindh Wildlife conservator’s official vehicle. They were not disappointed so to speak, as they discovered a heavy consignment of protected turtle meat. The meat was dried, boneless and all packed in four large cartons to be exported to the international market. Turtle meat is served in soups and is considered to be not only a delicacy but also in fact an aphrodisiac in many countries including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Just these four cartons alone could fetch up to Rs 1 million.The cartons were tagged with the words ‘Thai cargo’ and the bill no 217-16234875. They were supposed to be taken to Beijing, China. The railway police station lodged an FIR no 44/2009 under section 411/34 Pakistan Panel Code (PPC) while also arresting the wildlife department’s junior clerk, Bashir Ahmed Shiekh, the Sindh Wildlife conservator’s personal driver Ghulam Nabi and Imran, a rickshaw driver. The 150 kg consignment was also taken into custody along with the official vehicle, registration no GS-4126 and Imran’s rickshaw, bearing resgistration no D-45521 in custody. The incident took place while Sindh Wildlife Conservator Husain Bux Bhaagat was not in the country and is in Saudi Arabia for performing
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C07%5C17%5Cstory_17-7-2009_pg12_1
LOCAL HEROES IN RACE AGAINST TIME TO SAVE WORLD'S RAREST DUCK
Two members of staff from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Slimbridge will don their backpacks and travel to a remote lake in Madagascar this weekend in a bid to save the almost extinct Madagascar pochard - a species of duck.The Madagascar pochard was thought to be extinct until a couple of years ago when 24 birds were discovered on a small lake in a remote area of the country. Regular surveys since show that numbers are not increasing, leaving the species at high risk of dying out.WWT's aviculture manager, Nigel Jarrett, and head of species planning, Peter Cranswick, will meet colleagues from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and The Peregrine Fund in Madagascar next week to
http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5965483
ORANG UTANS: A promise of action over wildlife
DR AMERJIT SINGH for Secretary-GeneralMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment, PutrajayaI REFER to the letter from E.L. of Petaling Jaya on the baby orang utans that were confiscated from Taiping Zoo ("Taiping Zoo staff face the music" -- NST, July 13). The Department of Wildlife and National Parks shares the concern of the writer and has formally informed Taiping Zoo on this issue. The case is
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/18orang/Article/index_html
Baby gibbons stolen from French zoo
Thieves broke into a French zoo and snatched year-old twin baby gibbons after throwing their mother into the moat around their island home, the site's manager said Thursday.Keepers at the Frejus Zoological Park discovered what had happened on Tuesday morning after finding the female ape, 15-year-old Micha, soaking wet and in distress
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-07/17/content_8440897.htm
Oldest zoo in Texas turns 100
It took just minutes for four Asian elephants to knock down and munch on the decorated hay stacks Thursday, as if the Fort Worth Zoo’s special 100th birthday cake was like any other snack. But everyone else knew it was a centennial celebration for the state’s oldest zoo, which started with about a dozen animals from a traveling carnival. The zoo now has about 5,000 animals representing nearly 500 species and participates in conservation research projects. “A hundred years ago, zoos were a farm collection and some exotic animals, and they did not have the professional
http://www.khou.com/news/state/stories/khou090716_mp_fort-worth-zoo-turns-100.49ab583b.html
Where the wild things are
Intrepid reporter spends day at the zoo. The joke begins like this: So a reporter walks into a lion cage. The punchline ends with the reporter scooping up lion droppings.The second joke begins like this: Why did the peacock cross the road?Well, it didn't actually cross the road, because early Thursday a motorist on his way to work ran over the peacock, leaving it on the side of Attridge Drive near the entrance of the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.The large, brown lump is the first contact with the zoo this morning for the reporter, who plans on spending a day working with zoo keepers. It's a grim portent for a day to be spent in close contact with powerful carnivores.At 8 a.m., the reporter meets the zoo's manager, John Moran, to set the parameters for today's job shadowing. Moran mentions the zoo employees have already done checks to confirm no caged animals are missing."Have you ever lost an animal?" asks the reporter."Ever lose people?" replies Moran.A minute later, the call comes in from a zoo employee who informs Moran that a motorist on his way to work hit a peacock around 6 a.m. Someone is sent out to retrieve the carcass."That's the trouble with free-range birds," says Moran
http://www.canada.com/technology/Intrepid+reporter+spends/1781651/story.html
Kilkenny's 'thickest thieves' hit Reptile Zoo
THIEVES who broke in to Gowran's Reptile Village Zoo early yesterday (Tuesday) morning are contenders to be named Kil-kenny's 'thickest thieves'.The intruders smashed their way into the zoo, which houses man-eating crocodiles and a dazzling array of dangerous animals including pit vipers, Nile Monitor lizards and boa constrictors.They then stole three worthless creatures, raided a charityADVERTISEMENTbox
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/Kilkenny39s-39thickest-thieves39-hit-Reptile.5458653.jp
Auckland Zoo to return a third of their orang-utans to the US
Orang-utans are an endangered species. So endangered that Auckland Zoo is returning a third of theirs to the US. Saying good bye to a family of orang-utans will be hard for staff at Auckland Zoo. Come this Sunday, the trio will be relocated to Florida where their genes will make a valuable contribution to the US species' survival plan. It is a move staff say is for the best. The family are part of an international captive management
http://www.3news.co.nz/News/Health/Auckland-Zoo-to-return-a-third-of-their-o-rang-utans-to-the-US/tabid/420/articleID/112788/Default.aspx?ArticleID=112788
Four artificially-bred South China tigers survive in China zoo
A zoo in central China's Henan Province said Wednesday that four South China Tiger cubs produced by artificial breeding had survived. The four cubs - two males and two females - were born in Wangcheng Zoo in Luoyang City. Three cubs were born on April 17. Their parents, Liang Liang and Niu Niu, are three years old. Another cub was born on May 1, and its parents, Guo Guo and Pan Pan, are 12. "They have passed a critical period," said Li Maoping, manager of the park. "It is the first successful breeding in the areas north of the Yangtze River." The survival rate of artificially-bred South China tiger cubs is about 40 percent as they have low resistance to disease because of inbreeding and a lack of breast milk, she said. Li said the cubs had passed DNA tests and were genuine South China tigers, an endangered species. The tests were conducted in a biological laboratory for
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/15/content_11713310.htm
Zoo accused of lizard-napping
Police raided Næstved Zoo yesterday after accusations that the owner had stolen animals The family-run Næstved Zoo has been thrown into the spotlight again after its owner was arrested by police yesterday and questioned regarding claims that he had stolen...The family-run Næstved Zoo has been thrown into the spotlight again after its owner was arrested by police yesterday and questioned regarding claims that he had stolen animals from a Czech dealer.On behalf of Czech authorities, police confiscated five rare lizards, two turtles and a snake in the raid on the south Zealand zoo yesterday afternoon. The animals matched a description of animals allegedly stolen from a Czech animal supplier in March.Peter Bo Rasmussen was later released by police and maintained his innocence saying he had receipts for the purchase of the animals and implied that he had been set up by the foreign animal supplier.Rasmussen, according to Berlingske Tidende newspaper, bought the animals in March, but the dealer, he said, was anxious for him to
http://jp.dk/uknews/article1755166.ece
Therapeutic taping helps Detroit Zoo flamingo
A therapeutic taping method used on athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics turned out to be the perfect solution for treating the bowed leg of a Detroit Zoo flamingo. While hand-rearing Ashton, a male Chilean flamingo born in October 2008, bird care staff noticed a progressive rotation in one leg as he continued to grow. When regular exercise did not solve the problem, it became evident that alternative treatment would be necessary. If left untreated, the condition can lead to scar tissue formation and a painful arthritic condition from bone-on-bone
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090715/METRO/907150320/1409/METRO/Therapeutic-taping-helps-Detroit-Zoo-flamingo
Kyoto zoo chimps no chumps at simple math
If you visit Kyoto City Zoo, there's a chance you will see chimpanzees learning numbers in front of a special touch panel.Since late May, four chimps that arrived at the zoo in March began their studies under the guidance of Masayuki Tanaka, an associate professor at Kyoto University's Wildlife Research Center. Visitors can watch the hourlong study period four times a week.The chimpanzees are learning the scale of numbers. For example, when several numbers appear on the panel screen, a chimp sitting in front of it is to start touching them in order. He or she is to start from one and continue
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090715f4.html
Baby cuttlefish the latest arrivals for aquarium
TYNEMOUTH'S Blue Reef Aquarium is celebrating the arrival of more than a dozen baby cuttlefish this week.More than 14 of the mini-marvels, each just over a couple of centimetres long, were born from eggs laid earlier this year at Tynemouth's sister aquarium in Newquay and are thought to be the seventh generation of cuttlefish born in captivity. Cuttlefish are close relatives of the octopus.Like their eight-legged cousins they can change colour and even body shape
http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/Baby-cuttlefish-the-latest-arrivals.5459533.jp
Taiping Zoo caught red-handed, again
It was encouraging to read of Perhilitan's quick response to the tip off that orangutans were being held illegally by the Taiping Zoo and a nearby ostrich breeder.The response from Dr Kevin Lazarus to the confiscation of the orangutans would be laughable if it were not so serious. Here is a man in charge of a zoo which, by any standard, is notorious for its involvement in the illegal trade of great apes, having previously been caught red-handed with four wild caught gorillas.On that occasion, although after a very prolonged delay the gorillas were returned to Africa, Taiping Zoo, were, inexplicably, never prosecuted by Perhilitan. Even the exporters were prosecuted in Nigeria, not exactly a country renowned for its law enforcement.Now, after being caught yet again with illegal wild animals, Lazarus wants us to believe he accepted these orangutans
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/108473
Vietnamese police arrest three tiger smugglers
Hanoi police have arrested three men who were found illegally transporting a disemboweled tiger carcass and a tiger skeleton, a police official said Thursday. 'It took us about a month to bust this case,' said Tran Quang Cuong of Hanoi's Environmental Police Agency, which arrested the men as they were transporting the tigers in their car. He said they confessed their crimes. Police identified the three men involved in the case as Hoang Van Su, 36, the owner of the tiger carcass, Nguyen Trung Phong, the car's driver and Su's friend
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1490024.php/Vietnamese_police_arrest_three_tiger_smugglers_#ixzz0LV2akz3D
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ZOO BIOLOGY
The Zoo Biology Group is concerned with all disciplines involved inthe running of a Zoological Garden. Captive breeding, husbandry,cage design and construction, diets, enrichment, man management,record keeping, etc etc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zoo-biology
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Wildlife Without Borders - Critically Endangered Animal Conservation Fund
Grants available.
Please see:
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47813
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Wildlife Middle East News Vol 4 Issue 1
June 2009
PDFs can be downloaded from:
http://www.wmenews.com//
Request for articles for future issues:
We are looking for contributions of articles from colleagues within the
Middle East region for the next issue. Please contact the editors with
any ideas that you may have.
info@wmenews.com
Vol 4 Issue 1 Contents
- Editorial
- Lebanon - back on the illegal wild animals trade map
- An environmental information center for the turtles in Masirah Island
- Foot and mouth disease in exotic hoofstock in the UAE: the importance
of vaccination - In the footsteps of our ancestors –establishing a sense of place
- Predators persecuted in the Asir region, Western Saudi Arabia
- Towards environmentally friendly tourism in Arabian biosphere
reserves - WHAT’S NEW IN THE LITERATURE
- Review - Global re-introduction perspectives
- Sharjah wildlife conservation conference review
Wildlife Middle East News wishes to
acknowledge the following groups for their continued assistance in the
production and distribution of the Newsletter.
- RAK Bank (Dubai) for their continued financial help
without which the Newsletter could not be produced- Brandbeat
(http://www.brand-beat.com/) for
their invaluable help in the design, layout and production of the
Newsletter- Husam El Alqamy and all others involved in the proof reading the
Arabic version of the Newsletter- Arabic Language Centre, Dubai, for continuing to help with
translation- Organics Café, Dubai for distributing WME flyers and issues
_______________________________________________
Wildlife Middle East News ~ Newsletter
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A horrible 'must watch' video - Brandbeat
I don't understand the language and so I fail to get the point of the exercise. I am sure that there is no intention to be cruel.....it is that perception of cruelty that differs so much over the world.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/panic-bear-cci/
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This next video is again a 'must watch' but of a different type. I felt sorry for the snake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPM91j1oFmc
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Top Trumps Wildlife In Danger! Game from Oakland Zoo
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/activities/zookids/top-trumps-endangered-species-game/
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Calling All Trainers & Zoo Professionals
Conservation Ambassadors and iReinforce.com
present:
Training with ZOOmility
Join the crew of Conservation Ambassadors www.zootoyou.org/ztyindex.html
and Dr. Grey Stafford, author of ZOOmility: Keeper Tales of Training with Positive Reinforcement, featured on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, for a unique animal training workshop featuring dozens of species in beautiful Central California's wine country.
The seminar will present positive reinforcement-only training techniques and feature dozens of wild animals from Conservation Ambassadors’ vast educational outreach collection located at their Zoo to You facility in Paso Robles, CA on September 26th & 27th, 2009.
This one-of-a-kind event is open to everyone interested in learning the latest principles and techniques of how to train the way zoos and aquariums do—with the exclusive use of positive reinforcement! Best of all, every participant will learn to apply these proven ideas to improve the lives of any animal, wild or domestic. This educational workshop will feature a blend of discussion, behavior problem solving, and live training demonstrations with exotic animals from all over the globe by Conservation Ambassadors' founders David and Anita Jackson. The Jacksons and Stafford have presented animals on national television shows such as Larry King Live, The Tonight Show, Ellen, The Late Show and many others. Each has worked with hundreds of zoo and domestic animals for nearly 20 years. In addition, Conservation Ambassadors has provided several AZA institutions with exciting and educational animal experiences and exhibits.
Join us in Paso Robles, CA for this fun, unique and informative training experience.
Come for the animals & training, stay for the wine!!
Registration Information
Session Dates: September 26th & 27th, 2009.
Cost is $159.00 US and includes light lunch on Saturday.
For more information or to register online visit http://www.ireinforce.com/
A detailed confirmation email will be sent to you upon receipt of payment. Full refunds available prior to September 1st, 2009. No refunds after 8/31/09.
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Marine Mammal Training and Behavior Management
The International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) is pleased to announce the offering of two new animal training seminars. Both seminars will be presented in Atlanta, GA, USA during the first week of November 2009.
Course Title:
Marine Mammal Training and Behavior Management: Applying Advanced Learning Principles to Enhance the Quality of Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Staff Development and Conservation / Education Program Development.
Course Description:
Program participants will be exposed to critical developments in behavioral research, advanced behavior modification for multi-species, and accelerated staff development to improve behavior programs. A variety of multi-media presentations featuring computer graphics, video and interactive demonstrations will be used.
Specifically, this accelerated course will cover:
proper behavior shaping and effective maintenance;
environmental influences on behavior;
effective environmental enrichment;
the etiology of severe behavior disorders and case studies (their intervention, treatment and successful outcomes);
behavior medicine and health psychology;
reactive/proactive animal care; emergency intervention techniques for handling large animals;
aggression management;
animal acclimation; safety; interpersonal communication and teamwork.
Certificates of course completion will be provided and awarded to participants.
The course will be presented by Ocean Embassy and is comprised of two workshops:
1. The Essentials of Training Sunday, 1 November 2009 (6hrs)
2. Advanced Behavior Management Wednesday evening, 4 November 2009 (3hrs) Participants have the option of registering for either one or both classes.
To register, please visit http://www.imata.org/
and click on the tab for "workshops." SPACE IS LIMITED AND SLOTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS
Tuition Information*:
The Essentials of Training $125
Advanced Behavior Management $90
Both Classes $175
*discounts are available for tuitions received prior to 31 August 2009.
Workshop location:
All classroom activities will take place at:
Hyatt Regency Atlanta 265 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303
http://http://www.atlantaregency.hyatt.com/
Tel: 404.577.1234
Please direct email inquiries to info@imata.org
--------------
The International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) is dedicated to advancing the humane care and handling of marine animals by fostering communication between professionals that serve marine animal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation, and education.IMATA is dedicated to providing and advancing the most professional, effective, and humane care of marine animals in all habitats.IMATA provides opportunities for marine animal trainers to exchange and disseminate current knowledge, research and training information in both professional and social settings. In addition, IMATA maintains a positive public image by preparing its members to act as ambassadors of the marine animal community.
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1st Annual Mazuri® Exotic Animal Feed
Nutrition Research Grant
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed is pleased to announce the Mazuri® Exotic Animal Feed Nutrition Research Grant, to support research in the area of exotic animal nutrition. Proposals may be submitted for up to $10,000. One or more grants may be awarded, but the combined total will not exceed $10,000 (to be determined by the awards committee). Funding will be considered for basic or applied research projects in the area of exotic animal nutrition. Research proposals will be evaluated by a panel of three committee members, comprised of at least one representative from academia and one representative from the zoo community. Grants will be ranked and awarded based on the quality of the proposal (50% of total ranking), importance of the research (25% of total
ranking) and likelihood that the research will be accomplished and disseminated (25% of total ranking). No committee members, nor their institutions, may be considered for funding from this Grant during the funding
year. A list of the winners of the grants will be provided to any entrant upon written request. A short (no more than 5 pages, not including references) proposal should be submitted, including all information described below. Note that incomplete proposals will not be evaluated.
To Apply: Submit proposals by email to liz.koutsos@Mazuri.com
Proposals are Due by September 14, 2009. Grant awardee will be announced no later than November 1, 2009.
Required Items:
• Title
• Principle Investigators, Co-Investigators and Collaborators
Please describe the responsibilities of each investigator towards the proposed research.
• General abstract
A brief (250 words or less) overview of the project, its relevance, and future applications written to a lay audience.
• Purpose Statement & Background information
Detailed overview of proposal, relevance to exotic animal nutrition, and necessary background information.
• Materials and Methods
Hypothesis, experimental design, method of analysis, expected results and potential pitfalls should all be addressed.
• Timeline of activities
Briefly describe timeline for major activities, including dissemination.
• Dissemination
Please provide information on the routes of dissemination of data collected in this project.
• Budget and Justification
Provide rationale for each budgetary item. Provide information regarding additional support if the proposal is also supported by other funding sources.
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Announcing the ASZK Des Spittall Scholarship for Keeper Research
Named in honour of the late Des Spittall, a life member of ASZK, the ASZK committee has launched the Des Spittall Scholarship for keeper research. This is open to people who have been a financial member of ASZK for 12 months or more. This is an annual scholarship up to the value of $2,000. Applications close 31st October 2009
Please forward ‘Des Spittall Scholarship for Keeper Research’ application to ASZK President no later than 31st of October each year at email eo@aszk.org.au
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For Zoo Jobs and Related Vacancies please visit: http://zoowork.blogspot.com/
For notification of Zoo related Meetings, Conferences, Courses and Symposia go to: http://zoosymposia.blogspot.com/
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ZooNews Digest is an independent publication, not allied or attached to any zoological collection. Many thanks.
Kind Regards,
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Peter Dickinson
Zoo News Digest Blog
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Owner/Moderator Zoo Biology
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