http://zoonewsdigest.com/
http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/
Peter Dickinson
peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Colleagues,
It is the run up to Halloween that seems to have most of the zoo world twitching at the moment and so, sorry, I will not be including any references to Halloween stories unless they are unique. It really is a case of stories running around in circles. Very good of course, it brings the visitors in.
The 'rare' white lions in the West Midlands Safari Park are also generating a lot of press interest with their cute photos. Rare? yes of course they are. The trouble with that word is that it usually rides tandem with 'endangered' or 'threatened' and those words marry up with conservation. Rare as the white lion cubs are they are of not threatened or endangered and of no conservation value or significance. They are simply a money making tool...an attraction to bring in more visitors. The West Midlands Safari Park appears to have a particular attachment to white animals. Within Asian zoos the whites and albinos are looked upon as 'lucky' but I don't quite know how they fit in within the UK Safari Park scene.
I came across a Thailand Pet Show the other day. Quite by accident. I did note that they had a White Skunk on display. I do recollect only seeing one of those before. What I had never seen were the Angora Ferrets. Probably as common as can be in the ferret world. I used to work ferrets whilst ratting. I used a mini polecat strain. The Angoras would never hack it. Other unusual animals on display were Viscacha, Brushtail Possum, Prairie Dog, Virginia Opossum, Cus Cus and Bamboo Rat (which included another albino). There were other animals and birds as well. All extremely well kept I thought, at least as temporary displays.
I thought the story about bringing a Tiger into Malta to be an interesting one. Easier than bringing in a domestic or so it would seem.
Lots of interesting links this week.
I was of course delighted to learn that the BIAZA UK zoo members would not be hosting Craig Busch on his tour. I have found it especially disturbing to read some of the comments about me on the Craig Busch site. These people are so blinkered that they have actually become indoctrinated. They can not and will not read another point of view. Whatever their hero or his spokeswoman says is the believed truth. They will not or cannot read another point of view. They are happy enough to comment but reading these it is quite obvious they have never read the article they are commenting on. So venomous are their rantings that I have not visited their site in days and will not do so again. Emails from them have gone unread straight into the trash can. So.
Why Don't I Keep My Mouth Shut?
I don't keep my mouth shut because I don't have to. I am not tied down by the protocols and regulations that membership of the various ZAZA's impose on their members.
I am pro zoo....pro good zoo. I can say exactly what I think without fear of dismissal or rebuke. I work for myself. I do get the rebuke of course. I get the threats and veiled threats and to be honest I worry a little at times. On the whole though I don't keep my mouth shut because I am saying what many other good zoo people are thinking. They can't say it, at least not openly.
If for example I was an associate member of BIAZA then I would be restricted by the following:
"I condemn indiscriminate generalised attacks on responsible zoological collections and while a Professional Associate I undertake to raise any adverse criticism I may have of BIAZA, or of its Member zoos, or of private collections associated with BIAZA, in a private and confidential manner with BIAZA"
More of less the same would apply for SEAZA, EAZA, WAZA and every other type of ZAZA.
I understand the reasoning but I do not want that restriction placed upon me.
My hands would be tied. I could not condemn Dartmoor for hosting Craig Busch or Noah's Farm for its association with the Great British Circus. I know that the ZAZA's will be on the ball and beavering away behind the scenes. They are good people, zoo professionals but it cannot be a bad thing if I am there as a bit of a reminder.
So, I am not going to keep my mouth shut. I will say it as I see it.
I do and am being criticised for some of the things I say. It hurts sometimes but I accept it. I am fair game. What hurts most however is the blinkered belief of some people. It hurts but it spurs me on. The need to educate people and destroy the myths and root out the zoo criminals.
This blog has readers from: Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Coatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Eire, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao, Latvia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Wales.
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On with links:
The first two links are not new (just three months old) but are related to Naestved Zoo which Craig Busch will be visiting. These have been translated by Google Translate.
Police seize animals from Næstved Zoo
Calls for boycott of Næstved Zoo
Plus a Danish TV link http://go.tv2.dk/video.php/id-25955512.html?ss
Big cats lose claws
Big cats featured on The Lion Man hit TV show are suffering after having their paws 'mutilated' so they could perform with their handlers, says the wildlife park troubleshooter now overseeing the animals’ welfare. Some 29 of the 37 lions and tigers at Zion Wildlife Gardens have been declawed - a practice condemned as 'barbaric' by consultant Tim Husband, hired after the fatal mauling of Zion ranger Dalu Mncube in May."One only needs to watch these animals trying to eat to see how they struggle to grip their meat without having the use of claws to hold it. To my mind it's absolutely barbaric,'' Husband told Sunday News."There is only one reason a perfectly sound, healthy animal would have its paws mutilated in this way. And it is so they can 'perform' with their handlers.''Declawing wasn't like a human having their finger nails removed, he said. It was like the first joints of all your fingers being cut off."Often what happens is the bones grow differently, the animal goes lame, throws its hip out. Every one that has been declawed here will eventually down the track have problems with their hips and backs,'' Husband said.Sunday News has obtained the findings of a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry investigation into declawing at Zion. The 12-page report considered the possibility of charges being laid over the declawing. But the fact most of the controversial operations, from 2000-2008, were supervised by MAF vets was "problematic to any prosecution".Declawing took place before "Lion Man" Craig Busch's mother Patricia took over the running of Zion from him last year.The MAF report revealed that from 2003-2005 - during which The Lion Man series began screening - "there was a strong commercial focus to improve the income of the zoo in order to upgrade enclosures and animal containment conditions"."This was being achieved through filming for television, advertising of the zoo and public participation and interaction with the animals, and through various related promotions of the Zion Zoo and its lions and tigers," the report said."Front pad declawing was deemed necessary by Zion's principal veterinarian at the time in order to facilitate close interaction with both handlers and veterinarians, and the need for a commercial income stream to be generated by Zion.""Key drivers" given by the vet - whose name was withheld - behind his declawing of the big cats included "the animals were being used commercially to permit the financial survival of the zoo", and "close contact with handlers and film crews was required and personal safety was an issue".The vet considered the practice as being in the animals' "best interests" as it meant they wouldn't have to undergo an alternative of repeated sedation. Declawing was the "lesser of two evils".Craig Busch was unavailable for comment, but his spokeswoman said in a statement that he had acted "with the best interests of his cats uppermost in his mind".It said he had the first tigers he brought into New Zealand, in 2000, declawed after having "sought and followed advice from experts in America". Two of the big cats had already been declawed before being given to him.Busch's statement said: "The cats have never shown any negative effects ... In fact one declawed lion at another zoo lived to the age of 22 and never showed any ill effects from declawing."Busch had "always acted on the advice from experts in the field". Declawing had been carried out in the presence of MAF vets.Reasons for the practice were: "To prevent cats from injuring each other", "To create a safer environment for human interaction with the cats" and "reducing damage to their natural surroundings, for example trees". But Husband - Zion's current operator and co-owner of Australian-based zoo consultancy company Zooworks - described declawing operations as "mutilations". "To be honest, it just ruins your animal," Husband said. "Thankfully, this declawing has been stopped and will never raise its ugly head again at Zion Wildlife Gardens."The practice was also condemned by veteran American lion and tiger handler Karl Mitchell.Speaking from his Big Cat Encounters ranch in Pahrump, 76km from Las Vegas, Nevada, Mitchell said: "The claws on the cats are like finger tips."If you watch them when they are eating, they hold their food with their claws, like you would hold a hamburger or a chicken bone. So to not have them is like giving an apple to someone
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998555/Big-cats-lose-claws
MISS THAILAND 2009 FINALISTS DO THEIR BIT TO CONSERVE SEA TURTLES
The 18 Miss Thailand 2009 finalists had a fun time from 19-21 October, engaging in a variety of good works and enjoyable activities in the Pattaya area, including releasing 30 sea turtles, and paying homage to the founder of the Royal Thai Navy. On Tuesday, October 20, Mr. Tanti Paripontpochanapisuit, Vice President of the Old Vajiravudh Students Association (under Royal Patronage) had the pleasure of escorting the 18 lady finalists to the ceremonious release of 30 sea turtles into the sea at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre, Sattahip Royal Thai Naval Base. The purpose of this activity was to conserve the sea turtles that have almost become extinct, despite their lineage stretching back to prehistoric times. The release is also seen as a mutually beneficial, eco-friendly act, both
http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000010772
Circus Horror: Ice-Skating Bear Kills Worker
An ice-skating bear has turned on its trainers, killing one and wounding another.A Russian circus troupe were rehearsing for a performance in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when the incident happened.Workers had to drag the bear away during the attack, according to the director of the arena, Kurmangazy Isanayev.The exits were closed off as staff waited for the emergency services.Police shot the bear dead at
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Ice-Skating-Bear-From-Russian-Circus-Troupe-Kills-Its-Trainer-During-Rehearsal-In-Kyrgyzstan/Article/200910415411582?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_3&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15411582_Ice-Skating_Bear_From_Russian_Circus_Troupe_Kills_Its_Trainer_During_Rehearsal_In_Kyrgyzstan
Outside review of zoo wanted
City manager Norton Bonaparte on Thursday called for "an independent top-down review" of the Topeka Zoo after federal inspections in the past two months highlighted questionable care that led to numerous animal deaths in recent years.City spokesman David Bevens also said veterinarian Shirley Llizo is no longer employed at the zoo.The review would include federal regulators, zoo accreditors and university veterinarians, Bonaparte said."The zoo's primary goal is the well-being of the animals," he said. "There are obviously past situations at the zoo that are not acceptable, and we must do everything we can to ensure that such incidents don't happen again and
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-10-22/outside_review_of_zoo_wanted
Reports: Zoo record-keeping, care lax
A damning federal inspection report obtained Wednesday faults the Topeka Zoo for lax veterinary care and inadequate recordkeeping related to the deaths of multiple animals in the past two years.Included are findings that two animals died after being infested by maggots.The U.S. Department of Agriculture report from late September is the latest in a series of problems at the zoo.The report comes on the heels of a separate review by Kansas State University veterinarians of previously disclosed animal deaths. The K-State report, also released Wednesday, confirmed 108-degree water in a hippopotamus pool in October 2006 was too hot and a "significant factor" in the animal's death.Zoo director Mike Coker said his facility has implemented new policies for checking the water temperature of the pool. Of the most recent inspection report, he said new animal care record-keeping policies should alleviate
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-10-21/reports_zoo_record_keeping_care_lax
Hippo that escaped last month killed in Mexico
A 2,200-pound hippopotamus that escaped from a private zoo has been shot to death after more than a month on the run in the countryside of southeastern Mexico.An official with Mexico's animal protection agency said Thursday the hippo was shot at least twice the previous day near a river outside the town of Alamo in Veracruz state. Witnesses told reporters that police fired the shots while trying to capture it.Enrique Lobato, the animal protection official, says
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iiyUIPvbJvMoNvMv0ZWECAvR7JUQD9BGGJ880
Complaint filed against handler of elephants now at San Diego Zoo
The U.S. Agriculture Department has filed a complaint against the Texas elephant handler who once owned Tina and Jewel, two Asian elephants now living at the San Diego Zoo. Wilbur Davenport of Livingston, Texas, is accused of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care, handling the elephants in a way that was unsafe to them and the public, providing substandard animal facilities and care and trying to block federal agents from accessing the elephants. According to a USDA complaint signed in September, Davenport didn't give the elephants adequate heat or enough nutritious food. In August, federal officials confiscated Tina and Jewel
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/22/bn22elephant-complaint-filed/
‘Jungle Jack’ in Malaysia to film TV show
Renowned animal expert Jack Hanna, or more popularly known as “Jungle Jack”, is in Malaysia for a television shoot.The 62-year-old American will film orang utans, sun bears, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants in the wilds of Borneo for his entertainment and educational television show Jack Hanna’s Into http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/22/nation/4954181&sec=nation
Polar bear unveiled at new home
The UK's only polar bear has been given a public unveiling at her new home in the Highlands.Mercedes was relocated from Edinburgh Zoo to the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie, on Monday. Her new enclosure extends over four acres of land regarded as more typical of the natural habitat of polar bears. A public appeal helped to raise £75,000 needed to fund her transfer and the Army assisted in building the bear's home and a nearby visitors' car park. David Windmill, chief executive of the zoo and park's owner, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said watching Mercedes leave Edinburgh had been
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8318276.stm
When Conservation meets Innovation
In 2008, the San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park-one of the nation’s leading zoos and a global leader in saving endangered species-came to a realization: despite more than 4.5 million annual visitors and $200 million in annual revenues, the organization itself was on an unsustainable path.Founded in 1916 with the three-part mission of recreation, education, and conservation, the zoo was still on target to show an operating profit of $13 million despite the market panic that pushed many companies and nonprofits into the red. But as Chief Financial Officer Paula Brock told the executive committee, the long-standing model of funding conservation research and educational initiatives from entertainment revenues (tickets, food, and merchandise) and donations couldn’t be maintained¬-attendance simply wouldn’t rise as fast as the costs of maintaining a 2,000-person enterprise.The zoo had to innovate. And it has, by identifying new ways to connect with visitors and finding lucrative revenue sources such as long-term business consulting
http://www.bidiversity.com/2009/10/when-conservation-meets-innovation/
Primate fossil 'not an ancestor'
The exceptionally well-preserved fossil primate known as "Ida" is not a missing link as some have claimed, according to an analysis in the journal Nature.The research is the first independent assessment of the claims made in a scientific paper and a television documentary earlier this year. Dr Erik Seiffert says that Ida belonged to a group more closely linked to lemurs than to monkeys, apes or us. His team's conclusions come from an analysis of another fossil primate. The newly described animal - known as Afradapis longicristatus - lived some 37 million years ago in northern Egypt, during the Eocene epoch. And
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8318643.stm
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation - Latest news - Good News
http://awwp.alwabra.com/index.php
Director: Kyiv zoo to acquire new animals in 2010
Kyiv zoo in 2010 will widen its animal collection with animals given by German colleagues, the director general of Kyiv Zoo, Svitlana Berzina, told the press on Saturday before celebration of the 100th anniversary of the zoo.She said that she recently visited Germany."I visited Berlin and Munich zoos. We signed some agreements. Thus, Kyiv zoo would largely expand its collection next year, and will join to the international program on breeding of Przevalsky's horse," she said.She also said that Kyiv zoo has resumed the keeping of the international book for Himalayan black bears.Commenting the situation with the exclusion of Kyiv zoo from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in 2007, Berzina expressed hope that according
http://www.kyivpost.com/city/50919
Lion Man seeks $230k in damages
Animal welfare, big cat handling, staff training, business deals and allegations of false and malicious claims to authorities pepper the documents.The depth of the breakdown in relations between Lionman Craig Busch and his mother Patricia over Whangarei's world-famous Zion Wildlife Gardens has been revealed in High Court action between the pair.Mr Busch, famous around the world as the Lionman, from the popular TV programme of the same name, has filed a civil statement of claim in the High Court at Whangarei.The statement of claim, given to the Northern Advocate, includes a series of allegations against Patricia Busch and the other defendants in the proceedings - Zion Wildlife Gardens Ltd; Country Developments Ltd; Wildlife Pictures Ltd; Primal Productions Ltd and Kaukapakapa business advisor and company director Michael Bailey.In their statement of defence the defendants have denied the serious allegations made in Mr Busch's statement of claim.Mr Busch is seeking damages and asking the court to:* Cancel 2006 and 2007 legal agreements* Cancel Mrs Busch's shareholding in Country Developments and Zion Wildlife Gardens* Restore Craig Busch as sole shareholder* Cancel Mrs Busch as his proxy and attorneyThe full extent of damages being sought will be filed six weeks before the matter goes to trial. A court date is yet to be set. Mr Busch seeks $200,000 in general damages and $30,000 in exemplary damages and costs.He claims that the third Lionman series was screened without his permission and wants profits from the shows to be used to pay Zion's debts and the rest given to him. The defendants deny the series was screened without his permission.Legal reasons prevent the Advocate from detailing many of the claims and counterclaims made. Animal welfare, big cat handling, staff training, business deals and allegations of false and malicious claims to authorities pepper the documents. Mr Busch also claims that he has difficulty understanding legal agreements due to a reading difficulty, and that he suffered from emotional, financial and physical stress.
http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/lion-man-seeks-230k-in-damages/3905600/
Some animals are more equal than others, cat clubs claim
Is it easier to import a Bengal tiger cub than a harmless Persian kitten? This was the question raised by the Malta Cat Society and The Malta Cat Club, both of which have unsheathed their claws after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) ruled that transactions related to the recent importation of a Bengal tiger to Malta were “all regular”, and that the specimen “was accompanied
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/10/21/t2.html
Reports find zoo chasing its tail
A damning federal inspection report obtained Wednesday faults the Topeka Zoo for lax veterinary care and inadequate record keeping related to the deaths of multiple animals in the past two years.Included are findings that two animals died after being infested by maggots.The U.S. Department of Agriculture report from late September is the latest in a series of problems at the zoo.The report comes on the heels of a separate review by Kansas State University veterinarians of previously disclosed animal deaths. The K-State report, also released Wednesday, confirmed 108-degree water in a hippopotamus pool in October 2006 was too hot and a "significant factor" in the animal's death.Zoo director Mike Coker said his facility has implemented new policies for checking the water temperature of the pool. Of the most recent inspection report, he said new animal care record-keeping policies should alleviate the confusion raised by the USDA's findings."It's important to have as complete a picture as possible," he said in an interview Wednesday. "We're just reminding our folks to be more detailed, document everything."In August, the USDA issued a report citing multiple noncompliance issues related to animal deaths. Among those findings were that a black leopard died after he was administered a medication later found to be fatal over long periods, and a hippo suffered a fatal seizure hours after she was discovered in 108-degree water.The additional issues raised in the September USDA report and the K-State review has City Councilman John Alcala questioning the zoo's competence."There are serious issues happening out there, and they need to be addressed," he said. "Th
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-10-21/reports_find_zoo_chasing_its_tail
Edmonton threatened with lawsuit over Lucy the elephant
Animal rights groups issued an ultimatum to the city Tuesday, threatening legal action if councillors don’t address the plight of Lucy the elephant in 30 days.
http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/soundoff/archive/2009/10/20/392148.aspx
Twycross Zoo keeper wins award
ZOO keeper Jason Mann scooped an award at Twycross Zoo last week for helping a visitor with learning difficulties.The zoo gives out a monthly CUTE award for the member of staff who “creates a unique Twycross experience” and he received the gong for bringing out each animal so a 14-year-old wheelchair user could get close enough to see them. Jason himself has learning difficulties and has worked at the zoo in Atherstone for two years after joining
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2009/10/21/twycross-zoo-keeper-wins-award-92746-24982815/
Her job's a keeper
Bethany Wlaz has the best seat in the house for a gripping soap opera filled with lust, envy and intrigue.Every day, the Annapolis resident walks up a long tunnel to take in the action of "The Young and the Flightless."It's her nickname for the interesting goings-on among the 43 African penguins on Rock Island at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, which according to officials is the largest colony of that type of penguin in North America."There's a lot of drama down here," quipped Wlaz, 26, clad in green T-shirt, gloves, khaki pants and big black rubber boots.The soap opera cast is made up of characters like Wheezy, Beaker, Honkers, Oreo, Pudge and Shorty - and the "performers" vie for attention among themselves and from Wlaz and the two other full-time keepers who care County resident works with zoo's penguins
http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/news/Community/2009/10/21-01/Her+job&%2339%3Bs+a+keeper%0A.html
Boost for black rhino population
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has given away 14 more black rhino as part of a bold project to expand the living space of the critically endangered species.The rhinos - worth roughly R500 000 each - were released into a new game reserve in the north of the province on permanent loan earlier this week.The exact location of the reserve has not been disclosed because of the recent spike in rhino
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Environment&set_id=1&click_id=14&art_id=nw20091021183016108C811754
It’s all going on in the Highlands!
Whereas Edinburgh Zoo has been rather quiet of late, the Highland Wildlife Park has seen a recent flurry of activity! He’s what has been going on up here!As we mentioned just a few weeks back, the seasonal deer rut is now in full swing. The red deer at the Highland Wildlife Park have certainly been demonstrating some interesting behaviours as a result of this. ‘Snap’, the 11 year old dominant male has been doing lots of roaring, as well as chasing away the younger males. However, 10 year old ‘Thor’ who in the past has been a contender for ‘Snap’, has not been putting up much of a fight this year. This is most probably a result of damaging the brow tines (the antler
http://rzss.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/it%E2%80%99s-all-going-on-in-the-highlands/
Red Wolf Woods to inspire conservation in visitors
Exhibit will showcase restoration efforts of the nearly extinct animalIn spring 2010 six red wolves will call the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA) home again. If it were 1970, that would be almost half of the nation’s entire population of the animal. Back then, there were only 14 known red wolves in the country. Today, because of concerted conservation efforts amongst zoos and private partners, the number of red wolves has grown to nearly 300, with more than a quarter of those wolves in PDZA-operated facilities in Pierce County.In order to continue the conservation and restoration of the once near-extinct animal, the zoo is beefing up its breeding programs, as well as creating a new educational zoo exhibit showcasing the red wolves’ brush with extinction and restoration to this point.On Oct. 12 PDZA broke
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3661
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
http://chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=11
It is shocking but please take a long hard look at the other photos from the link.
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Animals Asia calls for release of 24 bears held illegally on Vietnam bile farm
Animals Asia Foundation and other international and local NGOs are calling on the Vietnamese Government to confiscate 24 endangered moon bears (or Asiatic black bears) involved in a recent police raid on a bear farm in the popular tourist area of Ha Long Bay.
Tuan Bendixsen, Animals Asia's Vietnam Director, said the raid on a bear farm at Dai Yen just outside Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province on 2 October and the detention of seven people involved in the illegal operation had initially been encouraging as it implied the authorities might finally be taking the issue of illegal bear bile farming seriously.
But it's now almost three weeks since the arrests and still no one has been charged and nothing has been done to confiscate these bears. If the Vietnamese Government is serious about ending bear bile farming in this country, it must act immediately to ensure these 24 bears are confiscated and transferred to us so our vets and expert bear managers can begin to repair the damage inflicted by the ruthless farmers, who are openly flouting the law, Mr Bendixsen said.
The 2 October operation by Vietnam's Environmental Police and the local Ha Long Police caught employees of the Dai Yen farm extracting and selling bear bile red-handed to Korean tourists. Five workers and two South Koreans, who had been visiting the farm on an organised tour, were taken into custody for questioning.
Bile extraction equipment and more than 200 vials containing freshly extracted bear bile were confiscated in the raid. Of the 81 bears on the farm, the 24 in question had no proof of origin and no microchips as required by law.
The police raid came shortly after local journalists infiltrated and exposed the farm, but Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson said the fact that this and other farms in the area were keeping unregistered bears and illegally extracting and selling bile had been known to the authorities for a long time.
For two years now, Animals Asia has been asking the government to act on its promise to confiscate 80 bears (including the 24 illegal bears at Dai Yen) from farms in Ha Long Bay and transfer them to our sanctuary, but so far we have received just one bear, Ms Robinson said. We have gone ahead with major construction work at our bear sanctuary based on the government's promise.
In fact, the police raid comes near the end of our global letter-writing campaign to convince the Vietnamese Government to rescue and relocate to the foundation's sanctuary the 79 bears still being held illegally on farms at Ha Long Bay and previously promised to Animals Asia. Ms Robinson said
Thousands of people around the globe have already sent in letters and these will be delivered to the Prime Minister's Office in early November. The time has come for the Vietnamese authorities to listen to the international community and their country's own people, because this terrible trade is harming Vietnam's image around the world, Ms Robinson said.
It was Animals Asia investigators which, back in early 2007, first alerted the authorities to the illegal activities at farms in the Ha Long Bay area. Undercover film footage and photos that proved bile was still being extracted from bears and sold to tourists was passed over to the government. This prompted an earlier raid on farms in the area, with 80 bears being identified as illegal (not microchipped, which meant they had probably been poached from the wild.)
So far, just one bear has been handed over to Animals Asia's sanctuary because of bureaucratic red tape and lack of political will. In April 2008, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister in direct contravention of Vietnamese law decided not to confiscate the remaining 79 bears.
Animals Asia and other non-governmental organisations including the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Education for Nature, Vietnam(ENV) have formed the Vietnam NGO Bear Task force, which continues to lobby the government to overturn the prime Minister's decision.
Bear farms in the Ha Long area are making enormous profits from the illegal extraction and sale of bile, which is used in traditional medicine for a range of ailments. According to the police report of the bust, each month the farm receives 30 to 40 tour groups coming through and it is selling bear bile at US$6 per 1ml. That translates to big profits, so ultimately it is greed we are dealing with here, Mr Bendixsen said.
He said bear bile farming had been illegal in Vietnam since 1992, but around 4,000 bears remained trapped on farms. He said it was well known that bile extraction continued and that bears were still being poached from the wild. Sadly a lack of resources has meant that in reality, enforcement of the laws has been virtually non-existent.
In November 2005, Animals Asia signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government to rescue 200 bears and care for them at our Vietnam Moon BearRescue Centre in Tam Dao National Park. To date, our sanctuary has taken in 30 bears confiscated by the government and currently has the capacity to receive 100 more bears rescued from bear farms.
Bile extraction is extremely painful for the bears. In Vietnam, they are drugged usually with ketamine restrained with ropes and have their abdomens repeatedly jabbed with four-inch needles until the gall bladder is found. The bile is then extracted with a pump.
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For more information, please contact Animals Asia
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Wildlife Middle East News
Vol 4 Issue 2 Sept 2009
PDFs can be downloaded from:
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.mailto:have.info@wmenews.com
Vol 4 Issue 2 Contents
1. Editorial
2. Kuwait turtle conservation project: towards knowledge and protection
3. Clinical fluorosis in captive gerenuk and bongo antelope
4. Nature Iraq hosted field ornithology and botany course with birdlife international and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in Iraqi Kurdistan.
5. Rat control in sensitive wildlife environments
6.a. Encephalomycarditis outbreak in a zoological collection in the UAE
b. Red foxes in the Middle East; a call for samples
7. Opportunistic wildlife trade in Yemen
8. Reviews - Arthropod Fauna of the UAE Volume 2
9.a. News - Fatal Pollution an update
b. Persecution of Rüppell’s fox in central Saudi Arabia
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The latest issue No.34 of The Newsletter of the Middle East Falcon Research Group (MEFRG) - "FALCO" is published and available for downloading at:http://www.mefrg.org/falco.asp
and at the wmenews website (in supporting information section)http://www.wmenews.com/
as well as all previous numbers of this Newsletter.
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ZOOS' PRINT MAGAZINE
Volume XXIV, Number 11
November 2009
ISSN 0971-6378 (Print edition); 0973-2543 (Online edition); RNI 11:2
Date of publication 21 October 2009
Cover - including contents, publication information and other cover material
PDF ( 338Kb )
Complete Magazine, Pp. 1-28
PDF ( 869Kb )
Ganges Dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal by Government of India: A Great Step Forward
-- Randall R. Reeves, Pp. 1-2
PDF ( 49Kb )
Annual Reports of Heads of CBSG and WAZA
Pp. 3-5
PDF ( 71Kb )
Report of CBSG South Asia Aug 08-Sep 09 included in CBSG Briefing Material
Pp. 6-8
PDF ( 109Kb )
Annual Report of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
-- Gordon Reid, Pp. 8-12
PDF ( 116Kb )
Wildlife Week in India ... 55 years old
Pp. 13-15
PDF ( 158Kb )
Other education Reports
P. 16
PDF ( 80Kb )
COUNTDOWN 2010 — Save Biodiversity Programmes in Chennai and Madurai, Tamil Nadu
P. 17
PDF ( 133Kb )
Education at Lahore Zoo Pakistan
P. 18
PDF ( 70Kb )
Management of mating injuries in two Asiatic Lions (Panthera Leo)
-- I. Nath, S.K.Panda, P.K.Roy, A.K.Mishra and A.K.Pattanaik, P. 19
PDF ( 125Kb )
Scavenging by Common Mongoose in Gulab Bagh Zoo and Sajjangarh WL Sanctuary
-- Satish Kumar Sharma, P. 20
PDF ( 15Kb )
A note on helminth parasites of common myna (Acridotheres tristis) in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu
-- G. Ponnudurai, T.J. Harikrishnan, A. Arulmozhi and N. Rani, P. 20
PDF ( 103Kb )
Can the whistling hunters be successfully reintroduced into Indian jungles?
-- K.L.N Murthy, Pp. 21-22
PDF ( 65Kb )
Gharial Rescue from Kandhesi Minor at Bharthana Town of Etawah District, UP
-- Rajeev Chauhan, P. 23
PDF ( 148Kb )
Zoo Lex - The lynx exhibit at Lange Erlen Animal Park in Switzerland
Pp. 24-26
PDF ( 359Kb )
Membership in Amphibian Ark
P. 27
PDF ( 86Kb )
Invasive Alien Insects : Threat to Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forest Ecosystems, 23 & 24, December 2009
P. 28
PDF ( 45Kb )
http://www.zoosprint.org/showMagazine.asp
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6.00pm, 10 November 2009 -
SOUTH ASIA VULTURES: CATASTROPHIC DECLINES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT -
ZSL Wildlife Conservation series.
http://ctt-news.org/9GD-2AT2-14110QE2E2/cr.aspx
We hope you will be able to attend the above event in the Wildlife Conservation series at 6.00pm on Tuesday, 10 November 2009. Doors will be open from 5.00pm on the evening and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis; please arrive early to ensure you get a good seat.
The evening has been organised by Nick Lindsay, Senior Curator – Zoo Projects, ZSL in collaboration with the RSPB.
SOUTH ASIA VULTURES: CATASTROPHIC DECLINES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Around the world vultures are under pressure for a variety of reasons but in South Asia over the past 15 years a catastrophic decline of three species has been identified. The challenge now faced by conservationists and the governments of India, Nepal and Pakistan is to reverse the trend and save these species from the brink of extinction.
The decline, its causes and the impact on the environment will be examined, and actions now under way to ensure the long-term survival of the three species of vulture will be discussed. Details of how a veterinary drug used in cattle led to the loss of millions of vultures, how local communities have coped with the loss of vultures in their environment and the effect on human health, the search to find safe replacement drugs and how breeding centres can re-establish populations of these Critically Endangered vultures in the wild are given. Is this a one-off problem or is other wildlife facing similar threats?
Speakers: Jemima Parry-Jones - International Centre for Birds of Prey
Rhys Green - RSPB
Richard Cuthbert - RSPB
Nick Lindsay - ZSL
http://ctt-news.org/9GD-2AT2-14110QE2E2/cr.aspx for more details
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Dear Colleagues,
April 22nd - 25th 2010
June 4th - 7th 2010
http://ctt-news.org/9GD-26BF-14110QE2E2/cr.aspx
Dear All,
I have been asked to circulate information on the below two events which will take place at ZSL on Tuesday 24 November to mark Nepal Nature Conservation Year in collaboration with the Government of Nepal:
The Nepal Conservation in Crisis seminar (10.30am–3.00pm) will address key conservation issues affecting Nepal’s diverse and highly threatened ecosystems. A range of speakers will share their experiences and achievements in natural resources conservation and the seminar will be chaired by the Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation and Director of National Parks Nepal. Seminar places are free but must be booked in advance. Please see here for full information and please email jane.loveless@zsl.org if you would like to participate.
A separate evening event, Fragile Nepal (6.30–11.00pm), will raise funds for the vital conservation work needed to safeguard this remarkable region and its fragile ecosystems. Full information can be found here and the evening includes a drinks reception, buffet dinner, presentations, Nepali entertainment, and a silent auction. Please email pippa.king@zsl.org to book your place.
I hope that these will be of interest; please contact Jane directly if you would like to participate in the Nepal Conservation in Crisis seminar or Pippa if you wish to book for the exclusive Fragile Nepal evening event.
Thanks and best wishes,
Joy :-)
Joy Hayward Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator,
ZSL,
London
NW1 4RY,
UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7449 6227.
Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411.
E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org.
Web: http://ctt-news.org/9GD-26BF-110QE2-1AIN9-1/c.aspx
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The Monkey Sanctuary Trust
I am writing to let you know the latest news from The Monkey Sanctuary Trust. This year we have carried out a major review of how the Trust is functioning and what we are able to achieve. The Monkey Sanctuary has come a long way since it was founded in 1964 and, after much research and consultation, we have concluded that our present title does not sufficiently represent the charity's work.We are, therefore, pleased to announce that Wild Futures is the new name for The Monkey Sanctuary Trust; a change which reflects our charity's growing influence in the world of conservation, education, habitat protection and primate welfare.
The change in our name does not mean a move away from the work we have championed for decades, and our rescue centre, The Monkey Sanctuary, will still exist as a flagship project of Wild Futures and will continue to be a primary focus of our primate welfare and rehabilitation work. Our campaign to end the primate pet trade will carry on, as will our environmental education and support for overseas projects. By becoming Wild Futures we aim to raise our profile in national and international circles, thus increasing revenue and creating opportunities to direct funding to where it is most needed in the key areas of our work.
In a practical sense, little will change in how the charity is run and with regards to how we work together. Our ethos and outlook remain the same, and any necessary changes will be made with transparency and with as little disruption as possible. Our new website http://www.wildfutures.org/ will officially be going live on the 12th October 2009.
We are making it intermittently available for viewing before this date, in order to gather comments and make last moment changes. The Wild Futures Facebook site is already up and running - do join us there! We will be launching from the Sanctuary on November the first, with an open day for our local supporters.
We hope that this marks the beginning of a new era for the Trust and that our ability to help primates and habitats develops and grows as we dream it might. One of the areas that we have always believed is key to our helping primates, is valuing and working in partnership with other like minded people and organisations.
Regards,Brooke Aldrich
Wild Futures / Monkey Sanctuary Trust
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Howletts and Port Lympne Student Enrichment and Welfare Course in collaboration with AnimalConcepts.
27th – 29th January 2010
Instructors: Sabrina Brando and Mark Kingston Jones
Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks are pleased to announce a course on Enrichment and Welfare to be run by Sabrina Brando and Mark Kingston Jones.
Sabrina runs AnimalConcepts, an international consultancy company specialising in enrichment, behaviour and animal welfare. Sabrina has 17 years experience in the field and collaborates with many facilities, universities and research institutes.
Mark has been involved in the animal welfare field since 2004 and now works at Howletts and Port Lympne as the Enrichment and Research Officer for both parks organising workshops, talks and working with keepers to design and implement enrichment ideas. He has been involved in two ‘The Shape of Enrichment’ workshops, in the UK and Indonesia, and has presented 9 talks on topics relating to animal welfare at conferences, both nationally and internationally.
This course is designed specifically for college and university students (past or present) who do not currently work within a zoo setting but are looking to do so as a career. Over three days students will gain a background in animal welfare and working with different species, as well as providing practical skills in designing, building and testing enrichment within the settings of both Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, in Kent. Our aim is to provide valuable experience and the addition of useful skills to a would-be keeper’s CV. Please note you must be 18 or over to attend this course.
Lecture topics include: An overview of welfare and enrichment, animal husbandry and learning, choice and control, enclosure design and breaking into the zoo world. Additionally there will be talks and practicals with keepers involving working with carnivores, primates, ungulates, elephant management, getting involved in in-situ conservation, rope splicing and fire hose weaving.
The workshop registration fee of £150 includes:
All workshop materials
Practical sessions
Lunches during the 3 days, as well as drinks and snacks during the scheduled tea breaks.
Information on discounted accommodation is available on request and the number of available places is limited, so please book early.
For further information and to request a booking form please contact:
Kim Guillot at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks
Email: intern@totallywild.net
Final deadline for registration is: 31.12.09
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Kind Regards,
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Peter Dickinson
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