The Art And Science Of Hand Rearing
Registration Opens November 1, 2013
Details available at www.safariwestwildlifefoundation.org
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Just Where Are Zoos Going?
Just Where Are Zoos Going?
I am all in favor of training zoo animals. It occupies their minds, it exercises their body and makes shifting and medical procedures so much easier. To my way of looking at it all good Zoo Keepers are Trainers and all good Trainers are Zoo Keepers. It is all about animal husbandry and complete care. Good training has the extra benefit of interesting the public and gives the opportunity to educate visitors. It is Edutainment and at its best can raise extra cash for the collection and for conservation.
Where I draw the line is when training becomes 'circus'. Where animals are pulled from their mothers and bottle raised for performances. Where freaks are used in shows. Where animals are presented in settings which do nothing for the natural.
Anyone who knows me is only to aware that I am wholly against hands on with big cats be it for 'walks' or using them as photographic stooges. So it will come as no surprise that when I read of the plans of Zoo d’Amnéville en Lorraine, an EAZA member I was both shocked and disappointed. Just what are they thinking about?
They have planned for 2015....'Tiger World'........ Okay I have said my piece, here is the Google translation and link to the article:
Tiger World Zoo Amneville Lorraine
The Amneville Zoo in April 2015 is expected to usher in a new space for tigers. Called "Tiger World" project, which is a private investment of $ 14 million, includes an arena 15 meters high with the 1854 seats. Show a single tiger in the world will be given in a breathtaking backdrop.
The tiger enclosures, host cats between two representations is already completed, so that the training of wild animals can already begin. The theater, which is itself under construction, should be ready in April 2014, a year before the public opening. Trainers will have time to work with animals in this new environment. They need to build a relationship of trust with the tigers at an early age.eleven or twelve tigers should be involved in future show.However, the training program was built with eighteen tigers. Some animals are indeed not suitable for training as they can be too aggressive or too unruly. Others have instead been brought to bottle and thus have easy contact with humans. It should be able to choose those that best lend themselves to the show. Fifteen of the eighteen tigers have already arrived at the zoo. These are Siberian tigers, Bengal tigers and white tigers who have less than a year. Three were born in Amneville, couples presented at the zoo. The others come from various zoos and circuses in Europe. Before entering the room, the public borrow a themed corridor in which it is aware of the protection of tigers. The circular arena will be completely hidden by a jungle landscape with vegetation, rocks, ponds and waterfalls. The show will take place in a setting of Khmer temples. The tiger cage is suspended from the ceiling and descend on the scene time representation. With this new investment,Amneville Zoo will have an indoor heated room that will make it more attractive in case of bad weather. The show will also be given during the Christmas season and be offered to business committees. The structure will finally host seminars and professional events. All should generate additional revenue for the zoo.
Follow the link to read original article http://www.obiwi.fr/voyage-decouvertes/escapades/98600-tiger-world-au-zoo-d-amneville-en-lorraine
Tell me I've got it all wrong. I will sleep better. The only bit I like in the above is the "themed corridor".
Friday, September 20, 2013
Elephant Gin
Elephant Gin
There are few pleasures in life greater than sitting down with an ice cold Gin and Indian Tonic after a long day at work.
Now there is an extra bonus because I can enjoy it knowing that I can help elephants in the wild too.
Elephant Gin is a new arrival on the market. Distilled from carefully sourced ethical ingredients which include African Baobab and Wormwood.
It has not yet appeared on the shelves of my liquor supplier but when it does it will add to my shopping list and I will sip from my glass knowing that 15% of the profits from my purchase will go towards helping elephants.
There will be no Pink Elephants either because Gin for me is a pleasure....a one at the end of the working day and no more.
Corruption meets Anti - Conservation
Corruption meets Anti - Conservation
Did you know that Alaskan Congressman has been named by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington no less than five times as one of the most corrupt members of Congress? If you did then it can come as no surprise that he and the Doc Antle circus from Myrtle Beach should get together.
Taking a tiger cub and a baby chimpanzee to Longworth is all wrong and if people fail to see the "Responsibility and Ethics" around such an act then there is no hope. Pulling Chimpanzees and Tiger cubs from their dams so they can be used in such a manner is wrong. Allowing T.I.G.E.R.S. to play any part in any event involving 'conservation' is insane. They don't know the meaning of the world. People are so easily taken in by flowery powery websites that organisations right themselves and believe the garbage because it is there in print. That this group should be allowed to promote any cause is insane.
I don't doubt that the proposed legislation surrounding the ownership of exotic pets needs looking at a lot closer but if its implementation means putting 'Doc' Antle and his ilk out of business then I am all for it.
This is not the first time that the Myrtle Beach circus have had the opportunity to sway the opinion of Congress.
Read more here:
Don Young’s Wild Kingdom
And more here:
ZooKunft 2014
ZooKunft 2014
Call For Papers
ZooKunft 2014
Dresden
February 2014,
Ostra-Allee 33, 01067 Dresden
'zoos - Quo Vadis?'
'How can zoos in times of Climate Change in situ improve their work? '
Please write to:
Organizing team ZooKunft
Up to 1 November 2013
Quantum Conservation e.V.
Am Stadtrand 49b
26127 Oldenburg
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Clouded Leopard Escape
Clouded Leopard Escape
On Monday a female Clouded Leopard escaped from its enclosure at the Parken Zoo in Sweden. Before the escape was noticed she had managed to kill three mouse deer.
The Leopard was successfully recaptured after sedation.
It remains unclear how she escaped her enclosure.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Lion Kills ZooKeeper
A forgetful 51 year old zookeeper in the Addis Ababa Zoo was killed by a lion today when he neglected to secure a cage door correctly when he entered for cleaning.
This is the second death in the zoo in the past 17 years.
Staff managed to retrieve the keeper, Abera Silsay, by firing off live rounds. The lion, named 'Kenenisa' was unhurt.
The zoo remains closed today whilst further investigations into the incident take place.
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