Zoo News Digest 13th - 15th April 2009 (Zoo News 586)
http://zoonewsdigest.com/
Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Colleagues,
Dear Colleagues,
I continue to work on the Digest problems and will do another experimental mail out tomorrow.
Big surprise, the lady who jumped in with the polar bears was trying to commit suicide. I feel genuinely sorry for her having been through depression in the past. I am in wholehearted agreement with Berlin though. Why should the barrier be changed? If people want to go that way then they will always find a way.
Once again the so called 'Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species' get prime press place. Read the article though, it is rubbish. It surprises me that reputable newspapers are taken in by this place.
The animal poisoner at large is a worrying story. It can only be a complete and utter madman that would want to do such a thing. The quicker he/she is caught the better.
I have full sympathy for the zoo keeper who had a run in with animal rights protestors. The video is not clear enough to see exactly what happened but I would suspect it was deliberate ploy on behalf of the protestors. I did visit this collection a few years ago but cannot recollect anything about it.
So we appear to be getting a bit of action in Ragunan Zoo. If I could afford a run down there for a look I would go next week. Not too expensive from here. I will have to see how things play out. They state that twenty Orangutans are to be moved to zoos abroad but are unwilling to disclose which zoos. That bothers me. Why? Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
The following link is about exotics in Bahrain so I don't suppose it is beyond the realms of possibility that some may go there.
Thailand has been pretty volatile this week but things have quietened down now. We are into the third day of Songkran. Absolutely impossible to remain dry on any day. Fun most of the time though.
No futher hubpages this week though I have updated zoo books of interest.
Hubpages are brilliant, quick to create webpages which can earn you a small passive income from day one. Read 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:
All world's Bengal tiger types reared at wildlife centre
A wildlife centre has raised a collection of the rarest tigers on the planet, including the only known complete group of all four varieties of Bengal tiger.
The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.), in South Carolina, has animals of the Royal Standard Bengal (which is orange and black), the Royal White Bengal (white with black stripes), the Snow White Bengal (all white or with ghost stripes), and the Golden Tabby Bengal (red to pale orange cream stripes and saddle).
The wildlife education organisation, which hand-rears its tigers, has 67 at its base in Myrtle Beach, which it claims is the largest group of 'working' tigers in the world.
Dr Bhagavan Antle said: "Standard Bengal tigers are found throughout India, Loas, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, where there have been an enormous drop in populations and there only a few thousand remaining.
"It is thought thousands of years ago tigers originally came from Siberia, where they were orange and black. But during the last Ice Age tigers were forced to migrate south as far the island of Bali and west to the Caspian Sea.
"During this great migration, tigers
http://moourl.com/r7n5y
And Another Pointless Stupid Ignorant Collection
http://moourl.com/igeu0
Animal poisoner haunts Crimean zoo
Around 10 animals including a chimpanzee, bears and pumas have died in recent weeks at a Ukrainian zoo, and veterinarians suspect they were poisoned, the park's owner has said. The first death took place in March when a chimpanzee who had lived at the private zoo in the southern city of Yalta became sick and later died, owner Oleg Zubkov told reporters.
Since then, a lynx couple, a pair of pumas, a wolf and two Himalayan bears have died at the Skazka zoo, whose name means 'fairytale'.
The head of veterinarian services in the region of Crimea, Maria Mirochnik, suspects that the animals were poisoned.
"We have strong reasons to believe it was
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/14/2542094.htm
It was a suicide bid, reveals woman who jumped into polar bear enclosure at Berlin Zoo
THE woman who threw herself into a polar bear pit at Berlin zoo had told friends she could not cope with being out of work.
The 32-year-old German mum had been driven to despair after losing her job as a teacher, it emerged yesterday.
The woman - named only as Mandy K - was mauled by the polar bears after climbing over safety walls and swimming out to them at feeding time.
Friends revealed she is a highly qualified teacher specialising in the care of young children.
Her former boyfriend Lars, the father of her seven-year-old daughter, said: "She loved caring for kids and really enjoyed all the special trips that she could arrange for them.
"It really affected her when she lost her job and she just couldn't see any future."
The couple separated four years ago and share custody of their daughter, who was spending Easter with her dad.
Mandy was still in intensive care yesterday at the Virchow Hospital, where she has severe bite wounds, and doctors say there is still a high risk of infection.
Meanwhile, zoo keepers said they were seconds away from shooting the polar bears to save Mandy's life.
Rifles had already been issued
http://moourl.com/paapr
Former Audubon Zoo worker's suit dismissed by judges
A former Audubon Zoo employee's suit was dismissed this week by a panel of judges. The suit was filed for discrimination in firing the emergency worker who sued the operators of the zoo for the loss of her job in 2006.
Yolanda Ann Collins had worked for the Audubon Nature Institute for 6 years before the firing. She claimed it was because she was black and also a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves.
The panel of judges from the 5th Circuit upheld an earlier ruling by a lower court judge and dismissed the case. Audubon Zoo presented their case with evidence of poor responses to two distress calls by visitors to the zoo. Both calls received unsatisfactory results. Collins' job required her to make emergency first responder calls while on duty. In one case
http://moourl.com/n01kw
Amarillo zoo nearing completion of it's new herpetarium
The Amarillo zoo is nearing completion of it's new herpetarium, a 32 exhibit reptile and amphibian house. Visitors should be able to see the newest residents of the zoo sometime in early July.
The project is in the final 30 days of construction, at that point they'll start building the individual exhibits, which will take roughly 6 weeks. The zoo is currently acquiring reptiles and amphibians for the herpetarium, including a very large anaconda that has already been secured.
"It's going to bring a very high quality facility to the zoo that people will be very pleased to see, enjoy, and learn a lot about some new reptiles that have never been seen here at the Amarillo zoo," said Larry Offerdahl, Director of Parks and Recreation.
Over 200-thousand visitors came by
http://moourl.com/k2toq
Zoo wants to find male bears for female bears
Workers at the Wuhan Zoo in Hubei province are trying to find male bears to live with some lonely female bears
Two female brown bears, a mother and daughter, have not enjoyed a relationship with a male bear for at least four years. The zoo's only male bear died in 2005. The baby bear was born in the 1990s.
Li Dexin, director of
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/15/content_7678763.htm
Al Ain Wildlife Park to relocate trees, animals
Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) has kicked off its operation “green fingers” which involves relocation of over 500 trees. The process has taken more than 35,000 man hours and an expert team was flown in from California to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the trees are kept as stress-free as possible. The operators have scoured over 2000 acres for over four weeks, cataloguing the trees according to species, size, vital statistics and GPS coordinates. Every care and precaution is taken to ensure that the trees remain as stress free as possible and there is a 99 per cent success rate in moving the trees.
The Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is working in partnership with Valley Crest Middle East - a leading landscape company from California with which Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort has established a joint venture.
Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort is home to 4300 animals, 3 per cent of which are considered to be endangered. As part of the transformation into a wildlife resort, significant development is progressing to set the standards globally for conservation education offered to its visitors.
The transformation did not only focus on relocating the 180 species
http://www.xpress4me.com/news/uae/abudhabi/20012907.html
Zoo keeper's arrest after van collides with animal rights protesters -'regrettable accident'
A ZOO keeper whose van collided with a group of animal rights activists claimed the incident was nothing more than a "regrettable accident".
Animals' rights protesters released a video of The Jungle Zoo's manager Bernard Bale apparently driving into them outside the resort attraction on Easter Sunday.
Available to view here now, Mr Bale is allegedly seen driving a white van on the road in the Thrunscoe car
http://moourl.com/lb4oc
Ragunan Zoo to transfer excess animals to other areas
Many endangered animals in South Jakarta’s Ragunan Zoo will be transferred to other conservation areas, as their number has exceeded its capacity.
Primates, like orang utans, owa (a gibbon from the Hylobatidae), siamang and mammals such as bears, white tigers, Sumatran tigers and Sumatran elephants are just a few of them.
“We have almost 50 orangutans, for instance. The number is about 10 percent higher than our capacity,” Edy Setiarto, head of the city animal husbandry agency said recently.
As the grounds are getting too crowded, the zoo management is finding it hard to take care of all the animals, says Edy.
“We plan to exchange some of our animals with other kinds from zoos around Indonesia or abroad to solve the problem,” said Edy.
“So far, we have exchanged animals with zoos in other countries, such as Qatar, China, Singapore and Australia,” he said, adding that the cooperation also included training animal keepers.
The exchange, however, will take into account the conservation aspect, he said.
“The orang utan, for example, is categorized as an endangered animal. We will exchange it with other animals that have a similar level of endangerment,” he said.
“We will not exchange an orang utan for a snake, for example,” said Edy.
The second step will be to bring the animals back to their natural habitats, while the other option is to entrust them to rehabilitation centers.
The agency recorded the zoo also had a surplus of reptiles and birds. Rice paddy turtles topped the list of excess reptiles (49 turtles), followed by komodos (32) and estuary crocodiles (21).
Ragunan is home to more than 3,500 animals – nearly 2,000 birds, over 1,000 mammals, close to 350 reptiles and more than 150 fish.
There are 136 different species of birds inside the walls of the 140-hectare compound, 82 of mammals, 41 of reptiles and 19 of fish.
Meanwhile, the agency also plans to increase Ragunan’s entrance fees to reduce the administration’s subsidies.
There are about 15,000 to 20,000 visitors coming to the zoo on weekends and 3,000 visitors on weekdays.
Edy said the zoo’s entrance fee was much cheaper than other recreational areas, such as the Safari park in Bogor or Ancol in North Jakarta.
The zoo only charges Rp 4,000 (less than 50 US cents) for adults and Rp 3,000 for early birds.
The Safari park entrance fee on the other hand costs Rp 50,000 for locals above the age of 6, and Rp 70,000 for foreign visitors.
The entrance ticket for Ancol is Rp 12,000.
“We want to reduce the [city] administration’s annual subsidy toward the zoo,” said Edy, adding the administration had already allocated about Rp 50 billion this year.
He said the agency was not afraid of losing visitors once the ticket price was raised.
“It’s about time for us to review the ticket prices so we can give a better service, both to the animals and visitors,” he said.
“We are also preparing a new plan for the zoo to a
http://moourl.com/im2mu
Visitors ask for cleaner Ragunan Zoo
In response to the zoo’s management’s plan to raise the ticket price, some Ragunan Zoo visitors said they would be happier if animals were better looked after, children were given more playgrounds and restrooms were cleaner.
Yanti Supriyanto, a Kebayoran resident who accompanied 30 children from GBII Cipulir church’s Sunday school, said he would like to see more playgrounds similar to those in Cisarua’s Safari Park.
“But it’s better if the administration delays putting the ticket price up, as in the current economic condition, there are not many other affordable recreational parks,” Yanti said.
The administration’s agency supervising the zoo said recently it planned to raise the Ragunan Zoo ticket price, without mentioning by how much.
“If the ticket price is raised to about Rp 7,500, it’s still worth it. But the animals don’t seem to be looked after properly. They should receive more care,” said Savitri, a Manggarai resident in Central Jakarta.
At present, the Ragunan Zoo charges adults Rp 4,000 (30 US cents) and children from 3 to 12 years old Rp 3,000. Visitors are also required to pay Rp 500 each for insurance.
Wahyudi Bambang, a member of staff working in the zoo’s promotion division, said the last time the zoo raised its entrance fee was in 2002, where tickets prices increased to Rp 3,000 for adults and Rp 2,000 for children.
Savitri also said children’s playgrounds were what most parents wanted because it gave the children more options to play and spend the whole day at the zoo.
Elin, a South Jakarta resident who......She confirmed the zoo had too many animals, because it also housed animals confiscated from private owners or traded illegally.
“Of the 52 orang utans we care for here, 20 of them will have a new home this year in other zoos abroad,” she said. But she could not disclose the names of the zoos.
The Ragunan Zoo is also building 10 new rooms for orang utan families.
“They need privacy too,” she said........
http://moourl.com/muv3a
Bahrain crackdown on five stables
FIVE stables have been taken over by the Municipality and Agriculture Affairs Ministry for illegally housing wild animals, it has emerged.
However, the owners will not be prosecuted because of an amnesty aimed at encouraging people to give up their potentially dangerous pets.
The action is part of a crackdown on people who keep wild animals after a surge in the number of cases reported.
Ministry officials confirmed that 21 people are being prosecuted for breeding wild animals and 15 others will not face any action after putting their animals into veterinary quarantine.
Lions, tigers, hyenas, monkeys, crocodiles and even snakes have been found in stables and homes across the country - often kept in inadequate conditions.
Quarantine
The increase in the number of cases prompted the ministry to urge the owners of wild animals to immediately hand them over to the veterinary quarantine in Buri or face prosecution.
"The population of wild animals is rising and we cannot ignore it anymore," animal wealth director Dr Salman Abdul Nabi Ebrahim told the GDN.
"The numbers are above normal and we need to focus
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=247946
Chester Zoo and biological records centre event planned
BEING nice to nettles, making soil sexy and discovering the 'aliens' among us are just some of the topics to be explored through a series of wildlife events.
Monitoring plants and wildlife is the aim of a new project launched by Chester Zoo and record, Cheshire's local biological records centre. Called Count Me In! the project will create the wildlife recorders of the future by
http://moourl.com/vfj5b
Oakland Zoo working on project to save the western pond turtle
When it comes to determining the sex of the western pond turtle, warmer temperatures produce females, while the cooler temperatures turn out the males.
"Hot females, cold males," said Nick Geist, a biology professor at Sonoma State who has been studying the turtles since last summer and recently spent a day at the Oakland Zoo determining the sex of at least 16 of the 22 turtles there through a surgical procedure.
The result: 10 females and six males, zoo officials said.
Since 2007, the Oakland Zoo has joined Sonoma State and the San Francisco Zoo to form a unique coalition to save western pond turtles, California's only native aquatic turtle and a species that is dwindling.
The western pond turtle is almost extinct in Washington state — less than 200 in the entire state — and a "species of special concern" in California. So, the idea behind the project is to raise the turtles for about nine or 10 months before releasing them back into the wild. That will happen this summer when their shell has hardened and they are virtually immune to predators, Geist said.
"They used to be found in the millions," Geist said.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_12142566
There's a certain science to mating rare animals at the Queens Zoo
Sometimes, it's not enough to just let nature take its course.
Getting certain endangered animals to breed in captivity at the Queens Zoo takes a lot of planning, study and - sorry to ruin the mood - science.
"It's not as easy as saying, 'We have a male and a female, let's let them mate,'" said Craig Gibbs, assistant curator of animals at the Queens Zoo.
First, zoo staff has to make sure the animals aren't too closely related. Then they have to make sure the baby has a good and safe home. "If you are going to breed animals, you really have an obligation to that baby," Gibbs said.
The Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Queens Zoo, works with other facilities around the country on the Species Survival Plan. That program allows zoos to carefully match animals, paying close attention to bloodlines.
Spangles, an Andean bear, was brought to the Queens Zoo three years ago with hopes she would mate with longtime bachelor
http://moourl.com/g966g
The rarest turtle in the world (Rafetus swinhoei) It was caught by a local fisherman and get released back to it's home by ENV and local Forest Protection Department staff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49WQOQ8F5X0
Black Market (Disturbing but excellent video footage)
The wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade in the world, rivaled only by guns and drugs. Every year up to 30,000 primates, 2 to 5 million birds and 10 million reptile skins are traded.
Strong beliefs in obscure parts of traditional Chinese medicine fuel the development. According to ancient custom, animal parts are imbued with "magical" properties. For the superstitious, eating the flesh of a tiger provides the animal's strength.
Despite scientific studies proving these beliefs wrong, the trade of animals and animal parts continues largely unchecked, fueled by desire, greed and corruption.
The problem seems insurmountable; one way of curbing the rampant killing and to decrease the demand for rare animals is by educating future generations and removing antiquated and false beliefs.
http://mediastorm.org/0015.htm
Chimpanzees exchange meat for sex
Chimpanzees enter into "deals" whereby they exchange meat for sex, according to researchers.
Male chimps that are willing to share the proceeds of their hunting expeditions mate twice as often as their more selfish counterparts.
This is a long-term exchange, so males continue to share their catch with females when they are not fertile, copulating with them when they are.
The team describe their findings in the
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7988169.stm
World's first cloned camel born in Dubai: report
A scientist says the world's first cloned camel has been produced in the desert emirate of Dubai.
Nisar Ahmad Wani, a senior reproductive biologist at the government's Camel Reproduction Center, says the cloned camel is a six-day-old, one-humped female called Achievement or Injaz in Arabic.
Injaz was born April 8 after an uncomplicated gestation of 378 days, the center said in a press release Tuesday.
The center said she was created from cells harvested from an ovary of an adult female camel.
Camels are a valuable commodity in the desert sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf. They are used for http://moourl.com/fofpx
"Gay" zoo elephant angers politician
A Polish politician has criticised his local zoo for acquiring a 'gay' elephant named Ninio who prefers male companions and will probably not procreate, local media reported.
"We didn't pay 37 million zlotys ($18 million) for the largest elephant house in Europe to have a gay elephant live there," Michal Grzes, a conservative councillor in the city of Poznan in western
http://moourl.com/z9bae
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ZOO BIOLOGY
The Zoo Biology Group is concerned with all disciplines involved in
the 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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2009 ZRA Annual Conference : Overview
October 21-25, 2009
Zoo Boise , Boise , Idaho
The Zoological Registrars Association (ZRA) 2009 Annual Conference, “Foundations for the Future”, will be hosted by Zoo Boise in Boise , Idaho October 21 – 25, 2009. The Annual Conference Program will begin with leadership training and Icebreaker on Wednesday, October 21. A special keynote speaker will open the Annual Conference. General sessions will be held on Thursday, October 22 and Saturday, October 24 and will feature topics from four categories of presentations under Record Keeping, Permits and Wildlife Legislation, Animal Transport and Records and Collection Management. Possible topics from each of the four categories will include presentations on ZIMS; ARKS; animal transactions; permit applications; roundtables on permit issues; legislative updates; policies and procedures; accreditation; collection management; disaster preparedness; archives management; records retention, protection and disposal. There will be a variety of formats for presentations including individual papers, workshops, panel discussions and poster presentations. Zoo Day will held on Friday, October 23 and will culminate with a special dinner celebrating ZRAs’ 25th Anniversary. Saturday will end with a special evening at Bogus Creek Outfitters featuring a cowboy-style dinner, cowboy poetry, Wild West shoot out, karaoke and a bonfire. The Annual Conference will end on Sunday at 1:00 pm with additional sessions on ZIMS.
ZRA, Zoo Boise and the Owyhee Plaza Hotel welcome delegates to Idaho .
Please contact the 2009 Annual Conference Host, Corinne Roberts, Registrar for Zoo Boise, at (208) 384-4260 ext. 101 or by email at cxroberts@cityofboise.org. If you have questions about the 2009 ZRA Annual Conference Program, please contact the Program Chairman, Pam Krentz, Registrar for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, at (216) 635-3361 or by email at pak@clevelandmetroparks.com
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AZA 2009 Annual Conference
Join us on September 12-17, 2009 as the Oregon Zoo hosts the 2009 AZA Annual Conference.
Upcoming Annual Conferences
2010
September 11-16
Houston Zoo, Houston , TX
2011
September 12-17
Zoo Atlanta , Atlanta , GA
2012
September 8-13
Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix , AZ
2013
September 7-12
Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City , MO
http://aza.org/ConfWork/AC_Intro/index.html
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JOURNAL of THREATENED TAXA
MARCH 2009 Vol. 1 No. 3 Pages 133-196
Date of Publication 26 March 2009
http://www.threatenedtaxa.org/
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Zoo Documentaries
http://www.insideout.org/documentaries/zoos/default.asp#
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Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Connect Magazine 2009
http://www.azaconnect.com/aza/200904/
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Volunteering Opportunity
Elephantstay at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village, Ayutthaya Thailand
Elephantstay is now offering a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable experience working with elephants. The volunteer positions are for people with animal experience. The duration of stay will be of 4, 12 or 24 weeks. We have two positions on offer at any one time.
Successful applicants will work with elephants and people under the direct supervision of experienced mahouts and the Elephantstay directors.
Duties include cleaning, feeding, diet preparation, exercising and husbandry of elephants. Our primary concern is the elephants welfare and earning an income for them. You will have plenty of direct contact with the elephants, but also you will be assisting with the people who participate in the Elephantstay program. You may also be required to assist with the elephant painting project.
The work is free contact with elephants. At this stage we have eight retired elephants, which will be the main elephants you will be getting to know and be working with. Depending on your length of stay and your progress there may be opportunities to assist with other elephants.
We have about 90 elephants on site so you will have exposure and contact with many of them including baby elephants still with their mothers, and bull elephants.
Basic housing is provided on site. Single fan room and bathroom, Bedding and towels are provided. Drinking water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and 3 meals a day are provided on site. Snacks, juices, sodas, alcohol, etc are not provided but can be bought on site.
We have free wireless internet access for people with laptops.
As part of your training, you will participate in the Elephantstay program for 3 days. Please check http://www.elephantstay.com/ for additional information. As a volunteer you will receive 2 Elephant team t-shirts and a traditional Thai takaw.
Being a volunteer is all about dependability and initiative. To be an effective volunteer and to get the most out of your experience, you must be well prepared. The following information outlines what will be expected of you as a volunteer. These guidelines are important for the elephants, optimal learning experiences, and, most importantly, volunteer safety. We take them VERY seriously. Be sure you are able to meet all requirements before applying to participate.
Working with elephants free contact can be a physically and mentally challenging experience. The work is physically hard and the hours are long. You should expect to start at 7am and finish often late in the evening. Volunteers must be able to lift a minimum of 25 kilos as well as be prepared to work in a hot tropical climate.
Days off can be negotiated on arrival.
Successful applicants will have a two week trial period.
Applicants must have animal handling experience.
Qualifications and Skills:
A minimum of 2 years working with animals.
(Training of animals would be an advantage)
A good work ethic.
Ability to follow instructions.
Good communication skills.
Social skills.
Physically fit.
Ability to work in a hot tropical climate.
Ability to work in a team with little instruction.
Sense of humor.
Fluent English speaker.
Culturally sensitive and aware.
Cost:
4 weeks - 30,000 baht
12 weeks – 70,000 baht
24 weeks - 120,000 baht
Cost does not include airfares, visas, insurance, transfers.
Send a cover letter and resume via Email to elephantstay@elephantstay.com
The letter should cover
your areas of interest, goals, and what you can offer Elephantstay by being a volunteer. Your preferred dates.
Successful applicants will be notified by email as soon as possible.
Start times at this stage will be the first Monday of every month beginning in May 2009.
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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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CHESTER ZOO - RICHARD HUGHES SCHOLARSHIP AWARD 2009
Chester Zoo is a leading Zoological Garden in the U.K. actively involved in the conservation of threatened species, habitat support, scientific study and the provision of education and recreation to the general public.
In February 2001 Richard Hughes, a senior keeper at Chester Zoo, tragically lost his life working with the elephants that he loved. In memory of Richard, Chester Zoo has dedicated an annual scholarship award to support individuals wishing to undertake activities or projects concerned with elephant management, welfare or conservation.
The scholarship is open to applications for any type of activity or project that deals with issues of elephant management, welfare or conservation either overseas or in the UK. Proposals are encouraged from individuals from any relevant field who have an interest in elephants, from animal keepers and researchers to students. The Scholarship aims to allow individuals to become involved with elephant related interests beneficial to their career or personal development, as well as beneficial to elephants. Details we require for application include an outline of the project, aims and a statement of its relevance. Clearly, feasibility will be an important criterion when judging the submitted proposals.
Chester Zoo expects those awarded the scholarship to uphold the high standards that it expects of its own employees and to be fully acknowledged in any presentations/publications. It is a condition of the scholarship that the Zoo receives a full report on the completed project and copies of any resultant publications. The recipient may also be requested to provide a brief article for the Zoo magazine or to give an oral presentation on the completed project.
Scholarships will be awarded up to the value of £1000 for which the Society may require receipted expenses (Any special equipment purchased will remain the property of the society).
Application forms are available via email from conservation@chesterzoo.org Applications should be received no later than Friday 24th April 2009.
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ZOO JOBS
A little bit of a problem with the Digest site so jobs are all currently being placed on http://zoowork.blogspot.com/
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Meetings/Vacancies
Elephant Footcare Workshop
Pachyderm Podiatry
A Practical Workshop on Elephant Feet, their Care, and the Treatment of the Most Common Conditions.
April 15th - 17th, 2009
The Phoenix Zoo
hwright@thephxzoo.com
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
2009 ABMA Annual Conference Providence, Rhode Island
April 26th – May 1st 2009
Providence, Rhode Island
If you are just starting to work with animals or have been for years ABMA has something to offer everyone. Join us in 2009 on the East Coast in Rhode Island. Registration is now open at http://www.theabma.org/
Felid Husbandry Courses
April 27-30 Tacoma, Washington, USAFor more information on courses go to the
FTAG page at http://www.felidtag.org/ Click on "get meeting details".
BIAZA Records Group Meeting
Twycross Zoo
29-30th April 2009
For further information (preliminary agenda and registration details) please go the following link http://www.biaza.org.uk/public/pages/publications/index.asp?catUid=210
Please confirm that you intend to attend by completing the registration form and send to admin@biaza.org.uk and cc it to d.brunger@chesterzoo.org and pat.m.milham@twycrosszoo.org
ASZK Annual Conference
30 April – 3 May 2009
Darwin, Northern Territory,
Australia
For information go to http://www.aszk.org.au/
or email eo@aszk.org.au
PROTECTED CONTACT TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT WORKSHOP
May 10 - 14, 2009
Presented by Active Environments
Hosted by Performing Animal Welfare Society
Instructors: Gail Laule, Margaret Whittaker, Alan Roocroft, and Val Hare
For further information contact:
Active Environments' Office
7651 Santos Road Lompoc, CA 93436
Tel: 805-737-3700, Email: active.environments@earthlink.net
Or: Margaret Whittaker (Active Environments)
Tel: 832-428-9637, Email: indu22@earthlink.net
European meeting on Tree Kangaroos
Krefeld Zoo, Germany
May 15 - 17 2009
For further information:
petra.schwinn@zookrefeld.de
International Rhino Keeper Association Workshop
May 17 – 21, 2009
Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Florida
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Derek
Weatherford at Derek.Weatherford@buschgardens.com
The 4th Animal keepers Association of Africa (AKAA) Symposium.
Monday 18th May - 21st 2009.
Dr.Andrew Seguya, Dr Josephine Afema, Mr David Musingo, Dr Lawrence mugisha,
1ST CALL FOR PAPERS AND REGISTRATION
Go to http://www.uweczoo.org/
or http://www.akaafrica.com/
for details.
PAAZAB Conference
May 20 to 22 2009
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe, Uganda
For further info please contact:
http://www.uweczoo.org/
International Conference on Diseases of Zoo and Wild Animals 2009
20th - 24th May 2009
Safaripark Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
Contact:
2009@zoovet-conference.org
http://www.zoovet-conference.org/
Conference of the Association of Latin American Zoological Parks
May 25 - 29 2009
Panama City, Panama
For further information:
http://www.alpza.com/index.php
The 9th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment.
31st May – 5th June 2009.
Torquay, Devon, UK
Submission for abstracts has now closed.
EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES 28TH FEBRUARY 2009
LATE REGISTRATION CLOSES 30TH APRIL 2009
Please go to http://www.reec.info/
for details including a provisional timetable of talks.
For more information about sponsorship of the event or having a trade stall please contact Julian Chapman on
julian.chapman@paigntonzoo.org.uk
The 7th International Zoo and Aquarium Marketing Conference
16 - 20 June 2009
Odense Zoo and Givskud Zoo, Denmark.
More information will follow in due time.
"First African Symposium on Zoological Medicine"
July 18th and 19th 2009.
Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa.
Financial assistance available for vets from other African countries. For more details contact Teresa Slacke on vetadmin@jhbzoo.org.za
Professional Training Seminars at Shedd Aquarium
Animal Training Seminar with Ken Ramirez
Environmental Quality Seminar with Allen LaPointe
August 24 –28, 2009
Please contact the adult programs coordinator at
adults@sheddaquarium.org
for more information
THIRD ORANGUTAN SSP© HUSBANDRY WORKSHOP
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
Zoo Atlanta
USA
http://www.2009orangutanworkshop.org/
26th EAZA Annual Conference
14 - 20 September 2009
Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark.
3rd International Congress on Zoo Keeping and the 36th American Association of Zoo Keepers National Conference
September 24th - 29th 2009
The Puget Sound Chapter of AAZK and WoodlandPark Zoo
See these websites for further information:
http://www.iczoo.org/
http://www.pugetsoundaazk.org/
64th WAZA Annual Conference
4 - 8 October 2009
St. Louis Zoo at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, St. Louis (MO), USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.waza.org/
Second Okapi Workshop
11 14 October 2009
Antwerp Zoo
For further details go to:
http://www.theokapi.org/nieuwsvolledig.asp?nieuws=15
The Bear Care Group announces the second international bear care
conference 'Advancing Bear Care '09.
SAN FRANCISCO NOVEMBER 6-8 2009
http://www.bearcaregroup.org/
The 6th European Zoo Nutrition Conference
Barcelona, 28-31 January 2010
Please send comments or suggestions for topics/speakers directly to me (a.fidgett@chesterzoo.org). Further announcements and information will be posted online via the nutrition area of the EAZA website (www.eaza.net).
20th International Zoo Educators' (IZE) Biennial Conference
19 - 23 October 2010
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.izea.net
Zoohistorica
International meeting of collectors of zoo literature and memorabilia
Internationales Treffen der Sammler zoohistorischer Literatur
Rencontre internationale des collectionneurs de documents en rapport avec les zoos
See here for more details: http://www.zoohistorica.org/
7th International Penguin Conference
DATE: August 30 to September 3, 2010
LOCATION: Boston Massachusetts, USA
HOSTED BY: The New England Aquarium
ipcboston@neaq.org
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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
http://www.zoonewsdigest.com/
http://www.geocities.com/peterd482001/ZooNews_Digest.html
Editor/Owner ZooNews Digest
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoonewsdigest/
Owner/Moderator Zoo Biology
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoo-biology/
Tel: United Kingdom ++ (0) 750 3707 968
Mailing address:
Suite 201,
Gateway House,
78 Northgate Street,
Chester,
CH1 2HR
United Kingdom
"I may get hit by a bus tomorrow so I will live today"
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Zoo News Digest 6th - 12th April 2009 (Zoo News 586)
Zoo News Digest 6th - 12th April 2009 (Zoo News 586)
http://zoonewsdigest.com/
Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Colleagues,
Once again I am putting out an early one part edition of the Digest in the hope I can get round this perplexing problem of the missing part. I requested on the last mail out for those who had not been recieving part 1 to contact me if they recieved the last edition. There was one response. So that means at least five people are still not receiving it. I will keep working on it.
The link about the rescue centres in Thailand was interesting. I was surprised there was as many. I wonder how they care for their Pangolins and how long they live. The price of ants eggs here in Pattaya shot up to 500 Baht a kilo last week. I am not sure if it was related to weather or what. Prices lower this week and Dao managed to get a kilo for 100 Baht. Delicious!
I really liked the 'Grapes with the Apes' idea. More zoos should take it up. People love wine....I know I do. Months since I could last afford a glass of good stuff.
The Tiger Passports video is worth a watch. Little mention of the scandal surrounding the place.
The London Aquarium has re-opened I see. If I ever get a chance to get back to the UK I must take a look. I fail to see how spending a bit of cash has suddenly transformed the place into "a leading centre of marine conservation". It takes years of actual work to be able to make such a claim. We will see.
I note that Bristol Zoo was picketed yesterday by a bunch of ignorant anti-zoo campaigners. I have not carried the link as I noted they had all hidden their faces in the photographs they put out. What have they got to hide?
Pattaya was very much in the news this week and yesterday was a total mess with rioting and shouting and road blocks and it has made life a little difficult. In our little corner of the city it was quiet though. Patttaya and Thailand are still safe and a beautiful place to visit. Don't put off any planned holidays or trips.
I have not published any zoo related hubs this week, just:
Never Fall In Love With A Bar Girl
The writing keeps me busy and out of trouble.
Hubpages are brilliant, quick to create webpages which can earn you a small passive income from day one. Read my "Quick Guide to Hub Construction." 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:
The first one is of the woman who jumped in with the polar bears at Berlin Zoo. Watch that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ubpxH0yYFI
Dramatic Picture Shows Woman Mauled at Berlin Zoo
The moment a woman was mauled by a polar bear after she jumped into its enclosure at Berlin Zoo was caught on camera.
The intruder was attacked just yards away from Knut, the abandoned bear who became famous around the world.
Zookeepers managed to push the bear away and carry the woman from the cage.
The mauling took place inside an enclosure occupied by four polar bears not far from Knut's home.
Heiner Kloes, a Berlin Zoospokesman, said the enclosure is surrounded by a fence, a line of hedges and a wall.
The woman was taken to a hospital
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514476,00.html
10 Zoo Ads That Will Make You Laugh Like A Hyena
Spring is a great time of the year to visit the zoo or wild animal park, wherever you live. These 10 clever international ads will remind you that "It's all happening at the zoo," whether you're in Argentina or Abu Dhabi. Maybe these ads will inspire you to visit your nearby zoo, but at least I hope they give you a good laugh.
http://inventorspot.com/articles/10_zoo_ads_26004
Adoption planned for animals
Businesses and private individuals are being asked to join a nationwide adoption scheme to ease the financial burden on state agencies caring for wild animals confiscated from illegal traffickers.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has launched the programme to lessen the financial strains affecting 23 wildlife breeding centres, which care for some 10,000 wild animals, said Wildlife Conservation Office director Chatchawan Pisdamkham.
"Tigers, Asian black bears and sun bears are the first animals put up for adoption, because rearing them costs more than with other animals. Most of the budget is spent on their diet," he said.
The centres currently look after 80 tigers and 300 bears.
Under the project, each adopter will donate 6,000 baht a month - to cover the cost of the animal's food and keep - for a period of six months to three years.
"We expect private companies to join this charity programme. Although individuals are welcome as well," he said.
Each wildlife breeding centre receives 3 million baht a year to care for confiscated animals, such as tigers, bears, birds, pangolins and apes, said the department's wildlife breeding division chief, Tanakorn Sanepood.
But the centres also take in captive wild animals which have been abandoned by their owners.
"According to the law, unwanted wild animals must be handed over to wildlife officials. The rising number in this group is a big problem for us," Mr Tanakorn said.
Conservation activists say Thailand is a "hub of wildlife trafficking", but the government is taking steps to combat the problem. The department will host a two-day conference in Pattaya, starting this Friday, to strengthen regional cooperation on tackling the illegal animal trade.
More than 100 delegates from government agencies and non-government organisations will exchange information on wildlife smuggling, and discuss law enforcement initiatives to crack down on the criminal activity.
Some 9,072 wild animals were confiscated in Thailand last year. Most were pangolins and tigers from Malaysia and Indonesia, bound for markets in China.
http://moourl.com/myb8x
Sky tram in $56m zoo upgrade
EXTREME makeover: Zoo edition officially started on Friday.
THE highly anticipated $56 million upgrade of the Emperor Valley Zoo began on Friday with Tourism Minister Joseph Ross performing the official sod-turning ceremony.
The country was first made aware of the Government's intention to upgrade the country's only zoo on July 19, 2007, by then tourism minister Howard Chin Lee.
Ross confirmed that the budget "to bring major transformation to this current zoo" remained at that figure.
However, Ross said the investment was necessary in order to transform the 57-year-old zoo into a "first-class facility unrivalled as a conservation
http://moourl.com/ppme9
New Information in Zoo Burglary
The Idaho Falls Police released some new information Monday on their investigation of the burglary at the Tautphaus Park Zoo.
Contrary to early reports, they said an outdoor lock was broken. That may be how the burglars got in.
Zoo officials say a safe was stolen. It contained very strong
http://moourl.com/l15wb
Scientists focus on black-footed ferret
Monday morning, all she knew is that the sun was shining, there was snow on the ground, three strange men were standing outside her pen and she was hungry for some prairie dog.
About 25 years ago, there were only 18 known black-footed ferrets living in the wild, literally on the brink of extension because of disease and widespread loss of habitat.
Today, thanks to the efforts of wildlife biologist Paul Marinari and other federal scientists, there are about 800 black-footed ferrets living in the wild. Marinari runs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ferret conservation and breeding center north of Fort Collins,
http://moourl.com/tn35i
Smitten by dolphins
She grew up collecting dolphin memorabilia and that fascination has since become her vocation.
FRESH from obtaining her doctorate degree in the last quarter of 2008, Dr Louisa Ponnampalam was greeted by a string of reports in the newspapers on dead dolphins washed ashore in Penang.
While the reports were helpful for this young dolphin scientist on a quest to document the marine mammal species and their distribution in Malaysian waters, she was nevertheless disturbed by the actions that followed – burying the carcasses and excavating the skeletal remains later.
“There is so much that can be learnt from a dead specimen, more so than one that’s alive. All too often, we don’t
http://moourl.com/de081
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National zoo to host ‘Grapes With the Apes’
Want to meet a baby gorilla over a glass of merlot? You can do just that April 16 at the National Zoo’s annual “Grapes With the Apes” event. The yearly wine-tasting is wildly popular — more than 3,000 people attended last year — but this time around, there’s an added attraction.
On Jan. 10, the zoo welcomed a new baby born to Mandara and dad Baraka, two western lowland gorillas who live in the Great Ape House. The 2-and-a-half-month-old infant just this week got a name — Kibibi, which means “little lady” in Swahili.
The ape house is home to seven western lowland gorillas and six orangutans, who split their time between the house and the zoo’s Think Tank.
If you want to spend an evening getting to know the large primates, it’s best to grab a ticket soon. The event, put on by Friends of the National Zoo, sells out quickly, said zoo spokeswoman Karin Korpowski-Gallo. Tickets are $30 for FONZ members and $40 for everyone el
http://moourl.com/wffq2
Patna zoo has a new baby rhino
A rhinoceros at Patna's Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park gave birth to a female calf raising their number to a dozen.
With this, total count of rhinoceros in the zoo raises to 12. Out of which, 7 are female and 5 male. The birth of the calf has brought immense happiness to the zoo authorities, said Subhash Verma, director at the zoo.
According to zoo officials, both the mother and child are in a healthy condition.
The news
http://moourl.com/wfcsc
Police foil pangolin smuggling
Riau Maritime Police have detained two men, including a Malaysian, for attempting to smuggle 13 pangolins to Malaysia.
The provincial maritime police director Sr. Comr. Zainal Palewang said the suspects were Zakaria bin Baharudin, 30, a resident of Bengkalis, and Mat Zaki bin Mislam , 40, a resident of Johor, Malaysia.
“The suspects were arrested in a
http://moourl.com/0olbj
New £7m centre for Twycross Zoo
A Leicestershire zoo has announced plans for a new £7m expansion.
Twycross Zoo has received funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) to build a new visitor and tourist information centre.
The zoo said local, sustainable materials would be used and landscaping to attract biodiversity will be part of the development.
The new visitor centre will include a 300-seat restaurant, shops and conference centre.
Zoo director, Suzanne Boardman, said: "This is a major development for Twycross Zoo, and is one of a number of developments and improvements to be completed to attract
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7989739.stm
Tiger Passports Video
http://moourl.com/us4h1
Taronga Zoo's feeling blue over pink flamingo
TARONGA Zoo staff are in mourning - and in shock - after one of their oldest inhabitants, a pink flamingo called Yellow Band, had to be put down.
The mourning is understandable, given Yellow Band had been part of the zoo since 1948 and is the last of its flock.
The shock came when an autopsy found Yellow Band, believed for more than 60 years to be a female, was in fact a male.
"Flamingos are exceptionally hard to sex - you have to do it surgically. Anyway she, I mean, he seemed to enjoy female behaviour too," Zoo spokeswoman Danielle McGill said.
The increasingly frail Chilean flamingo was put down last Friday. His death marks the end of an era at Taronga - which cannot import more of the birds because of laws to protect Australia from avian flu.
Once thought to breed and live in
http://moourl.com/kctpr
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13 lynx cubs born in captivity this year
The arrival of five more Iberian lynx cubs last week takes to thirteen the number born in captivity in Spain this year.
The cubs were born in two centres - El Acebuche (Doñana) and La Olivilla (Sierra Morena) - as part of a breeding programme to protect what is considered to be the most threatened wild cat species in the world.
With this year's thirteen surviving cubs, a total of 37 lynx cubs have been born in captivity
http://moourl.com/w0t4w
London Aquarium reopens to public
The London Aquarium has been transformed into a "leading centre of marine conservation" following a multi-million pound redevelopment.
The venue, in County Hall, will conduct breeding and research programmes as part of its new remit.
Visitors will also enjoy a "world class aquatic experience" following the £5m transformation which took six months.
The site is home to thousands of marine creatures - including six species of sharks - spread over three floors.
"Our ultimate aim is to tell a serious eco story in an entertaining way," said general manager Toby Forer.
"We believe we've got the perfect blend of visual spectacle, interactivity and access to aquatic experts to make a visit here a truly memorable and thought provoking experience."
New features include an Atlantic coastline display, the story of the River Thames, a "temple" d
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7987237.stm
New wildlife park brings a taste of Africa
IT is a little bit of Africa in a corner of Doncaster!
Wildlife expert Cheryl Williams opened up the doors of the new Yorkshire Wildlife Park at Brockholes Farm, in Branton and said: "I hope it inspires children to look after nature."
The new attraction, which features African wildlife in the fields of a former farm, is thought to be the first of its kind in Yorkshire.
Cheryl, who is chief executive of the facility, has worked with wildlife for years, previously working at Woborn Safari Park in Bedfordshire.
Guests at the official opening this weekend included children's television
http://moourl.com/vgjoz
Animal rights groups fume at internet lion meat for sale
LOCAL animal welfare groups are outraged that a US company is offering lion steaks and lion loin chops for sale through the internet.
The meat was advertised on the company's website as originating from lions farmed in South Africa.
But within 24 hours of the activists being alerted last week, the wording was changed and now reads: "Our Lions are ranch-raised in the United States of America."
The national Environment Department confirmed that both a Cites (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) permit and veterinary health permit
http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4915211
Illegal wildlife trade in Singapore active despite heavy penalties
Despite heavy penalties for smuggling wild or exotic animals into Singapore, animal welfare groups say illegal wildlife trade here is still active.
Exotic spiders and reptiles were some of the 48 wild animals confiscated by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) during its recent raid in March.
The animals are now housed at the Singapore Zoo's Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre.
Some of these animals were smuggled into Singapore from as far as Madagascar.
AVA said the animals could transmit diseases to human beings and other domestic animals
http://moourl.com/hh7kw
Bananas lure gorilla escapee back to zoo
A nine-year-old gorilla has used a palm frond to escape from his enclosure at Melbourne Zoo and go walkabout before being recaptured with the aid of bananas.Yakini's big adventure kicked off around 5pm (AEST) near closing time at the zoo on Thursday when he grabbed hold of the frond and swung himself to freedom to go on a 20-minute stroll.He managed to get as far as the elephant barn where keepers lured him in with the help of a bunch of bananas, giving vets the opportunity to sedate him with a dart.Visitors to the zoo were ushered into various buildings around the zoo, including the gift shop, while Yakini was in their midst, and no one was hurt in the drama.General curator Dan Maloney said keepers, who had gone into their animal escape drill, admitted they had a great deal of luck with Yakini who did not panic and was apparently looking for a secure place to hold up."I've worked in zoos for 25 years and you think you have seen it all, then something like this hap
http://moourl.com/faw1i
Are Elephant Populations Stable These Days?
How conservationists are doing in the battle against poaching and habitat loss
Far from it. The double whammy of poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss has led to a dramatic decline in populations of both African and Asian elephants in recent decades. In 1930, there were between five and 10 million wild African elephants, plying the entire African continent in large bands. Just 60 years later, when they were added to the international list of critically endangered species, only about 600,000 were scattered across a few African countries. Today that number is likely less than 500,000.While Asian elephants were never as numerous as their African counterparts, their population numbers have also dropped
http://moourl.com/ebb4z
Can Zoos Survive the Economic Crisis?
What happens to the animals when the economy collapses?
It's hard to feed an elephant—let alone a herd—when you've just lost $15 million. Just ask the Wildlife Conservation Society, the organization that runs New York City's zoos and aquarium.In order to avoid cutting back on feed and other necessities, the Society has had to cut $10 million from its payroll. So the animals won’t starve, but there'll be fewer people to care for them, or study them.And this is a critical time for animal study.Diseases that jump from wildlife to humans, such as Ebola or bird flu, are on
http://moourl.com/gtboh
Rare animals pushed closer to extinction, scientists warn
NEARLY 50 rare mammals including tigers, leopards, sambar and fishing cats could face extinction, conservationists warned yesterday.The International Union for Conservation of Nature list of vulnerable species also included more than 70 other mammals from India on its alert "red list". Professor Luigi Boitani of Sapienza Universita di Roma, an IUCN partner organisation, said: "The trend is particularly dramatic for south-east Asia which suffers from increasing human activities, with deforestation being the major issue." The union report adds that almost one in four of the world’s 5,487 mammal species is at risk of disappearing forever and at least 76 mammals have become extinct since 1500. Dr Bibhab Talukdar, a leading conservationist in India and member of the National Board for Wildlife, said: "Species are threatened mostly due to poaching and habitat encroachment. "We should now concentrate
http://www.examiner.ie/world/ididsncwcw/rss2/
Stray dogs kill zoo animals in western Russia
A pack of stray dogs has mauled a reindeer and a mountain goat to death at a zoo in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, a zoo spokeswoman said on Thursday. "Dogs got through the zoo fence - it has http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090409/121027735.html
Thai zoo housing pigs and tigers together
IT SOUNDS like something out of Winnie The Pooh, but a zoo in Thailand has pigs and tigers living together in harmony.It’s not Tigger and Piglet, but many animals at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo find themselves sharing their pens with different species.The zoo, near the popular tourist resort of Pattaya, houses over 400 Bengal tigers and is one of the biggest tiger zoos in the world.Sriracha Tiger Zoo likes to promote ‘happy families’ made up of different species of animal – and has been known to put tiger cubs with sows and piglets with tiger mums.This is not the only interesting feature
http://moourl.com/ola85
Quick Takes - ODDBALL OCCURRENCES
After use for years in Africa, officials in the United Kingdom may have a new tool in the fight against lost landmines: rats. Handlers at the Porfell Wildlife Park in Cornwall recently imported a Gambian pouched rat named Kofi that, according to trainer Wendy Winstanley, could be useful to British army and police for bomb detection. Already used by locals in Mozambique, the rats have proved themselves as valuable mine detectors. With a nose more sensitive than most dogs and a weight that allows them to run through
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15269
Gerald Durrell's Jersey wildlife conservation trust celebrates 50th anniversary
Fifty years since the opening of Gerald Durrell's wildlife conservation trust, his legacy forges on. Jessamy Calkin celebrates the work of the pioneering naturalist and author.
In a small art gallery in central London, an incongruous and eminent collection of people have gathered for an unusual event: the display and auction of fabric pictures and ceramic art by the artist and actress Lalla Ward. The occasion is the 50th anniversary of the opening of Gerald Durrell's wildlife trust in Jersey, and the mixed bag of attendees – who include Sir David Attenborough, Brian Eno, Edward Fox, Sir Peter Hall and Redmond O'Hanlon – are invited to bid for the work anonymously.
All proceeds go to Durrell's work in Galapagos, and a particular aim is to save the Floreana mockingbird, the bird that inspired Darwin's epiphany, and now one of the world's most endangered species
http://moourl.com/vx2pj
Female cub is living proof of cheetah-bark research
Researchers at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park had speculated that the staccato barks occasionally emitted by male cheetahs somehow triggered female cheetahs'reproductive systems to produce eggs and, ultimately, baby cheetahs.
Now they have proof. Zoo officials recently announced the arrival of Amara, born Feb. 19, as the direct result of experiments using recorded stutter-barks to promote cheetah romance. Both Quando, the father, and Kenya, the mother, are first-time parents.
Because single cheetah cubs are often neglected by their mothers, Amara, which means “grace” in Swahili, is being hand-raised by zookeepers. Recently, the 5-pound cub was moved to larger quarters. She is occasionally on view in the Wild Animal Park's nursery.
Valerie Smith, one of Amara's handlers, said the cub will not join the Wild Animal Park's general cheetah population but instead will become an “animal ambassador
http://moourl.com/kk7go
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ZOO BIOLOGY
The Zoo Biology Group is concerned with all disciplines involved in
the 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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The Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians will be hosting their Twenty-ninth Annual Conference October 1-6, 2009 in Jackson, Wyoming. If you would like more information, please visit http://www.azvt.org/or contact Virginia Crossett via email: virginia.crossett@louisvilleky.gov
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Advancing Bear Care '09
ON-LINE registration is now available for Advancing Bear Care '09 in San Francisco on November 6-8 2009. http://www.bearcaregroup.org/
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Celebrating Plants and the Planet:
We credit Charles Darwin with so much, some of which he rightly deserves. On this, his 200th anniversary, we look back… and forward to his latest project.
April links at http://www.zooplantman.com/ (NEWS/Botanical News) provide a variety of ways to consider Darwin's influence on our thinking and research.
· Are flowers red simply to attract pollinators? Is anything that simple? Perhaps the color repels predators as well.
· If the Amazon forest acts as a huge carbon sink, saving our energy-guzzling butts, what happens when the forest dies? Where does that carbon go?
· When plants suffer insect attack or disease, they express themselves. A device has been invented to translate their cries.
· Why did the South African plant have a bare stalk above its flower? To give sunbirds a place to sit.
· In an innovative UK program, Charles Darwin aims to get every schoolchild interested in plants and botany.
There are several huge indoor zoo exhibits being planned in Europe. One of the most ambitious is the Chester Zoo's "Heart of Africa." Find out more at http://www.zooplantman.com/zoos.html
Please share these stories with associates, staff, docents and -- most importantly -- visitors! Remember, over a hundred other stories can be found in the archive section of the website.
Rob
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TURTLE CONSERVATION FUND
Next Proposal Deadline: 1 May 2009
A Partnership Coalition of Leading Turtle Conservation Organizations and Individuals
Strategic Action Planning and Funding Support for Conservation of
Threatened Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
http://www.turtleconservationfund.org/
TCF Executive Board:
Hugh R. Quinn, Co-Chair (DoubleHQ@aol.com)
Anders G.J. Rhodin, Co-Chair (RhodinCRF@aol.com)
Chris B. Banks; Kurt A. Buhlmann; Kevin R. Buley; Eric Goode; Douglas B. Hendrie; Brian D. Horne; Rick Hudson; Russell A. Mittermeier; Hans-Dieter Philippen; Colin Poole; Peter C.H. Pritchard; Walter C. Sedgwick; Peter Paul van Dijk
The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) administers a turtle conservation and research grants program. Awards are granted to organizations or individuals for specific conservation or research projects dealing with tortoises or freshwater turtles, but not marine turtles, with either partial or full support as funding allows. Awards at the present time are approximately in the $2000 to $5000 range per project, with occasional funding up to $10,000.
Priority for funding is given to projects that focus on species that are already highly threatened (Critically Endangered or Endangered) as determined by the IUCN Red List http://www.iucnredlist.org/
For further information and application guidelines go to http://www.turtleconservationfund.org/
TCF Priority Species List
* Apalone spinifera ater
* Astrochelys radiata
* Astrochelys yniphora
* Batagur affinis (southern Malay Peninsula and Sumatra)
* Batagur baska (northeastern India and Bangladesh, perhaps into Myanmar)
* Batagur borneoensis
* Batagur kachuga
* Batagur trivittata
* Chelodina mccordi
* Chitra chitra
* Chitra indica
* Chitra vandijki
* Cuora aurocapitata
* Cuora bourreti
* Cuora glabinifrons
* Cuora mccordi
* Cuora pani
* Cuora picturata
* Cuora trifasciata
* Cuora yunnanensis
* Cuora zhoui
* Dermatemys mawii
* Elusor macrurus
* Erymnochelys madagascariensis
* Geochelone platynota
* Heosemys depressa
* Leucocephalon yuwonoi
* Mauremys annamensis
* Nilssonia lethii
* Nilssonia nigricans
* Pelochelys bibroni
* Pelochelys cantori
* Pelochelys signifera
* Podocnemis lewyana
* Psammobates geometricus
* Pseudemydura umbrina
* Pyxis arachnoides
* Pyxis planicauda
* Rafetus swinhoei
* Siebenrockiella leytensis
* Terrapene coahuila
* Testudo kleinmanni
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Second Okapi Workshop
from October 11th until October 14th, the second Okapi Keeper Workshop is organized at the Antwerp Zoo.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for okapi keepers, to increase their knowledge of topics such as husbandry, health issues, operant conditioning and enrichment.
For further details go to:
http://www.theokapi.org/nieuwsvolledig.asp?nieuws=15
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Volunteering Opportunity
Elephantstay at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village, Ayutthaya Thailand
Elephantstay is now offering a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable experience working with elephants. The volunteer positions are for people with animal experience. The duration of stay will be of 4, 12 or 24 weeks. We have two positions on offer at any one time.
Successful applicants will work with elephants and people under the direct supervision of experienced mahouts and the Elephantstay directors.
Duties include cleaning, feeding, diet preparation, exercising and husbandry of elephants. Our primary concern is the elephants welfare and earning an income for them. You will have plenty of direct contact with the elephants, but also you will be assisting with the people who participate in the Elephantstay program. You may also be required to assist with the elephant painting project.
The work is free contact with elephants. At this stage we have eight retired elephants, which will be the main elephants you will be getting to know and be working with. Depending on your length of stay and your progress there may be opportunities to assist with other elephants.
We have about 90 elephants on site so you will have exposure and contact with many of them including baby elephants still with their mothers, and bull elephants.
Basic housing is provided on site. Single fan room and bathroom, Bedding and towels are provided. Drinking water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and 3 meals a day are provided on site. Snacks, juices, sodas, alcohol, etc are not provided but can be bought on site.
We have free wireless internet access for people with laptops.
As part of your training, you will participate in the Elephantstay program for 3 days. Please check http://www.elephantstay.com/
The letter should cover
your areas of interest, goals, and what you can offer Elephantstay by being a volunteer. Your preferred dates.
Successful applicants will be notified by email as soon as possible.
Start times at this stage will be the first Monday of every month beginning in May 2009.
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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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Current Zoo Vacancies can be seen by visiting:
http://zoowork.blogspot.com/
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Meetings/Vacancies
Elephant Footcare Workshop
Pachyderm Podiatry
A Practical Workshop on Elephant Feet, their Care, and the Treatment of the Most Common Conditions.
April 15th - 17th, 2009
The Phoenix Zoo
hwright@thephxzoo.com
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
2009 ABMA Annual Conference Providence, Rhode Island
April 26th – May 1st 2009
Providence, Rhode Island
If you are just starting to work with animals or have been for years ABMA has something to offer everyone. Join us in 2009 on the East Coast in Rhode Island. Registration is now open at http://www.theabma.org/
Felid Husbandry Courses
April 27-30 Tacoma, Washington, USAFor more information on courses go to the
FTAG page at http://www.felidtag.org/ meeting details".
BIAZA Records Group Meeting
Twycross Zoo
29-30th April 2009
For further information (preliminary agenda and registration details) please go the following link http://www.biaza.org.uk/public/pages/publications/index.asp?catUid=210
Please confirm that you intend to attend by completing the registration form and send to admin@biaza.org.uk and cc it to d.brunger@chesterzoo.org and pat.m.milham@twycrosszoo.org
ASZK Annual Conference
30 April – 3 May 2009
Darwin, Northern Territory,
Australia
For information go to http://www.aszk.org.au/
Conference of the Association of Latin American Zoological Parks
May 25 - 29 2009
Panama City, Panama
For further information:
http://www.alpza.com/index.php
The 9th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment.
31st May – 5th June 2009.
Torquay, Devon, UK
Submission for abstracts has now closed.
EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES 28TH FEBRUARY 2009
LATE REGISTRATION CLOSES 30TH APRIL 2009
Please go to http://www.reec.info/ July 18th and 19th 2009.
Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa.
Financial assistance available for vets from other African countries. For more details contact Teresa Slacke on vetadmin@jhbzoo.org.za
Professional Training Seminars at Shedd Aquarium
Animal Training Seminar with Ken Ramirez
Environmental Quality Seminar with Allen LaPointe
August 24 –28, 2009
Please contact the adult programs coordinator at
adults@sheddaquarium.org for more information
THIRD ORANGUTAN SSP© HUSBANDRY WORKSHOP
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
Zoo Atlanta
USA
http://www.2009orangutanworkshop.org/
26th EAZA Annual Conference
14 - 20 September 2009
Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark.
3rd International Congress on Zoo Keeping and the 36th American Association of Zoo Keepers National Conference
September 24th - 29th 2009
The Puget Sound Chapter of AAZK and WoodlandPark Zoo
See these websites for further information:
http://www.iczoo.org/
http://www.pugetsoundaazk.org/
64th WAZA Annual Conference
4 - 8 October 2009
St. Louis Zoo at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, St. Louis (MO), USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.waza.org/
The 6th European Zoo Nutrition Conference
Barcelona, 28-31 January 2010
Please send comments or suggestions for topics/speakers directly to me (a.fidgett@chesterzoo.org). Further announcements and information will be posted online via the nutrition area of the EAZA website (http://www.eaza.net/).
20th International Zoo Educators' (IZE) Biennial Conference
19 - 23 October 2010
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.izea.net/
Zoohistorica
International meeting of collectors of zoo literature and memorabilia
Internationales Treffen der Sammler zoohistorischer Literatur
Rencontre internationale des collectionneurs de documents en rapport avec les zoos
See here for more details: http://www.zoohistorica.org/
The Bear Care Group announces the second international bear care
conference 'Advancing Bear Care '09.
SAN FRANCISCO NOVEMBER 6-8 2009
http://www.bearcaregroup.org/
7th International Penguin Conference
DATE: August 30 to September 3, 2010
LOCATION: Boston Massachusetts, USA
HOSTED BY: The New England Aquarium
ipcboston@neaq.org
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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
http://www.zoonewsdigest.com/
http://www.geocities.com/peterd482001/ZooNews_Digest.html
Editor/Owner ZooNews Digest
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoonewsdigest/
Owner/Moderator Zoo Biology
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoo-biology/
Tel: United Kingdom ++ (0) 750 3707 968
Mailing address:
Suite 201,
Gateway House,
78 Northgate Street,
Chester,
CH1 2HR
United Kingdom
"I may get hit by a bus tomorrow so I will live today"
http://zoonewsdigest.com/
Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Colleagues,
Once again I am putting out an early one part edition of the Digest in the hope I can get round this perplexing problem of the missing part. I requested on the last mail out for those who had not been recieving part 1 to contact me if they recieved the last edition. There was one response. So that means at least five people are still not receiving it. I will keep working on it.
The link about the rescue centres in Thailand was interesting. I was surprised there was as many. I wonder how they care for their Pangolins and how long they live. The price of ants eggs here in Pattaya shot up to 500 Baht a kilo last week. I am not sure if it was related to weather or what. Prices lower this week and Dao managed to get a kilo for 100 Baht. Delicious!
I really liked the 'Grapes with the Apes' idea. More zoos should take it up. People love wine....I know I do. Months since I could last afford a glass of good stuff.
The Tiger Passports video is worth a watch. Little mention of the scandal surrounding the place.
The London Aquarium has re-opened I see. If I ever get a chance to get back to the UK I must take a look. I fail to see how spending a bit of cash has suddenly transformed the place into "a leading centre of marine conservation". It takes years of actual work to be able to make such a claim. We will see.
I note that Bristol Zoo was picketed yesterday by a bunch of ignorant anti-zoo campaigners. I have not carried the link as I noted they had all hidden their faces in the photographs they put out. What have they got to hide?
Pattaya was very much in the news this week and yesterday was a total mess with rioting and shouting and road blocks and it has made life a little difficult. In our little corner of the city it was quiet though. Patttaya and Thailand are still safe and a beautiful place to visit. Don't put off any planned holidays or trips.
I have not published any zoo related hubs this week, just:
Never Fall In Love With A Bar Girl
The writing keeps me busy and out of trouble.
Hubpages are brilliant, quick to create webpages which can earn you a small passive income from day one. Read my "Quick Guide to Hub Construction." 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:
The first one is of the woman who jumped in with the polar bears at Berlin Zoo. Watch that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ubpxH0yYFI
Dramatic Picture Shows Woman Mauled at Berlin Zoo
The moment a woman was mauled by a polar bear after she jumped into its enclosure at Berlin Zoo was caught on camera.
The intruder was attacked just yards away from Knut, the abandoned bear who became famous around the world.
Zookeepers managed to push the bear away and carry the woman from the cage.
The mauling took place inside an enclosure occupied by four polar bears not far from Knut's home.
Heiner Kloes, a Berlin Zoospokesman, said the enclosure is surrounded by a fence, a line of hedges and a wall.
The woman was taken to a hospital
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514476,00.html
10 Zoo Ads That Will Make You Laugh Like A Hyena
Spring is a great time of the year to visit the zoo or wild animal park, wherever you live. These 10 clever international ads will remind you that "It's all happening at the zoo," whether you're in Argentina or Abu Dhabi. Maybe these ads will inspire you to visit your nearby zoo, but at least I hope they give you a good laugh.
http://inventorspot.com/articles/10_zoo_ads_26004
Adoption planned for animals
Businesses and private individuals are being asked to join a nationwide adoption scheme to ease the financial burden on state agencies caring for wild animals confiscated from illegal traffickers.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has launched the programme to lessen the financial strains affecting 23 wildlife breeding centres, which care for some 10,000 wild animals, said Wildlife Conservation Office director Chatchawan Pisdamkham.
"Tigers, Asian black bears and sun bears are the first animals put up for adoption, because rearing them costs more than with other animals. Most of the budget is spent on their diet," he said.
The centres currently look after 80 tigers and 300 bears.
Under the project, each adopter will donate 6,000 baht a month - to cover the cost of the animal's food and keep - for a period of six months to three years.
"We expect private companies to join this charity programme. Although individuals are welcome as well," he said.
Each wildlife breeding centre receives 3 million baht a year to care for confiscated animals, such as tigers, bears, birds, pangolins and apes, said the department's wildlife breeding division chief, Tanakorn Sanepood.
But the centres also take in captive wild animals which have been abandoned by their owners.
"According to the law, unwanted wild animals must be handed over to wildlife officials. The rising number in this group is a big problem for us," Mr Tanakorn said.
Conservation activists say Thailand is a "hub of wildlife trafficking", but the government is taking steps to combat the problem. The department will host a two-day conference in Pattaya, starting this Friday, to strengthen regional cooperation on tackling the illegal animal trade.
More than 100 delegates from government agencies and non-government organisations will exchange information on wildlife smuggling, and discuss law enforcement initiatives to crack down on the criminal activity.
Some 9,072 wild animals were confiscated in Thailand last year. Most were pangolins and tigers from Malaysia and Indonesia, bound for markets in China.
http://moourl.com/myb8x
Sky tram in $56m zoo upgrade
EXTREME makeover: Zoo edition officially started on Friday.
THE highly anticipated $56 million upgrade of the Emperor Valley Zoo began on Friday with Tourism Minister Joseph Ross performing the official sod-turning ceremony.
The country was first made aware of the Government's intention to upgrade the country's only zoo on July 19, 2007, by then tourism minister Howard Chin Lee.
Ross confirmed that the budget "to bring major transformation to this current zoo" remained at that figure.
However, Ross said the investment was necessary in order to transform the 57-year-old zoo into a "first-class facility unrivalled as a conservation
http://moourl.com/ppme9
New Information in Zoo Burglary
The Idaho Falls Police released some new information Monday on their investigation of the burglary at the Tautphaus Park Zoo.
Contrary to early reports, they said an outdoor lock was broken. That may be how the burglars got in.
Zoo officials say a safe was stolen. It contained very strong
http://moourl.com/l15wb
Scientists focus on black-footed ferret
Monday morning, all she knew is that the sun was shining, there was snow on the ground, three strange men were standing outside her pen and she was hungry for some prairie dog.
About 25 years ago, there were only 18 known black-footed ferrets living in the wild, literally on the brink of extension because of disease and widespread loss of habitat.
Today, thanks to the efforts of wildlife biologist Paul Marinari and other federal scientists, there are about 800 black-footed ferrets living in the wild. Marinari runs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ferret conservation and breeding center north of Fort Collins,
http://moourl.com/tn35i
Smitten by dolphins
She grew up collecting dolphin memorabilia and that fascination has since become her vocation.
FRESH from obtaining her doctorate degree in the last quarter of 2008, Dr Louisa Ponnampalam was greeted by a string of reports in the newspapers on dead dolphins washed ashore in Penang.
While the reports were helpful for this young dolphin scientist on a quest to document the marine mammal species and their distribution in Malaysian waters, she was nevertheless disturbed by the actions that followed – burying the carcasses and excavating the skeletal remains later.
“There is so much that can be learnt from a dead specimen, more so than one that’s alive. All too often, we don’t
http://moourl.com/de081
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National zoo to host ‘Grapes With the Apes’
Want to meet a baby gorilla over a glass of merlot? You can do just that April 16 at the National Zoo’s annual “Grapes With the Apes” event. The yearly wine-tasting is wildly popular — more than 3,000 people attended last year — but this time around, there’s an added attraction.
On Jan. 10, the zoo welcomed a new baby born to Mandara and dad Baraka, two western lowland gorillas who live in the Great Ape House. The 2-and-a-half-month-old infant just this week got a name — Kibibi, which means “little lady” in Swahili.
The ape house is home to seven western lowland gorillas and six orangutans, who split their time between the house and the zoo’s Think Tank.
If you want to spend an evening getting to know the large primates, it’s best to grab a ticket soon. The event, put on by Friends of the National Zoo, sells out quickly, said zoo spokeswoman Karin Korpowski-Gallo. Tickets are $30 for FONZ members and $40 for everyone el
http://moourl.com/wffq2
Patna zoo has a new baby rhino
A rhinoceros at Patna's Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park gave birth to a female calf raising their number to a dozen.
With this, total count of rhinoceros in the zoo raises to 12. Out of which, 7 are female and 5 male. The birth of the calf has brought immense happiness to the zoo authorities, said Subhash Verma, director at the zoo.
According to zoo officials, both the mother and child are in a healthy condition.
The news
http://moourl.com/wfcsc
Police foil pangolin smuggling
Riau Maritime Police have detained two men, including a Malaysian, for attempting to smuggle 13 pangolins to Malaysia.
The provincial maritime police director Sr. Comr. Zainal Palewang said the suspects were Zakaria bin Baharudin, 30, a resident of Bengkalis, and Mat Zaki bin Mislam , 40, a resident of Johor, Malaysia.
“The suspects were arrested in a
http://moourl.com/0olbj
New £7m centre for Twycross Zoo
A Leicestershire zoo has announced plans for a new £7m expansion.
Twycross Zoo has received funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) to build a new visitor and tourist information centre.
The zoo said local, sustainable materials would be used and landscaping to attract biodiversity will be part of the development.
The new visitor centre will include a 300-seat restaurant, shops and conference centre.
Zoo director, Suzanne Boardman, said: "This is a major development for Twycross Zoo, and is one of a number of developments and improvements to be completed to attract
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7989739.stm
Tiger Passports Video
http://moourl.com/us4h1
Taronga Zoo's feeling blue over pink flamingo
TARONGA Zoo staff are in mourning - and in shock - after one of their oldest inhabitants, a pink flamingo called Yellow Band, had to be put down.
The mourning is understandable, given Yellow Band had been part of the zoo since 1948 and is the last of its flock.
The shock came when an autopsy found Yellow Band, believed for more than 60 years to be a female, was in fact a male.
"Flamingos are exceptionally hard to sex - you have to do it surgically. Anyway she, I mean, he seemed to enjoy female behaviour too," Zoo spokeswoman Danielle McGill said.
The increasingly frail Chilean flamingo was put down last Friday. His death marks the end of an era at Taronga - which cannot import more of the birds because of laws to protect Australia from avian flu.
Once thought to breed and live in
http://moourl.com/kctpr
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13 lynx cubs born in captivity this year
The arrival of five more Iberian lynx cubs last week takes to thirteen the number born in captivity in Spain this year.
The cubs were born in two centres - El Acebuche (Doñana) and La Olivilla (Sierra Morena) - as part of a breeding programme to protect what is considered to be the most threatened wild cat species in the world.
With this year's thirteen surviving cubs, a total of 37 lynx cubs have been born in captivity
http://moourl.com/w0t4w
London Aquarium reopens to public
The London Aquarium has been transformed into a "leading centre of marine conservation" following a multi-million pound redevelopment.
The venue, in County Hall, will conduct breeding and research programmes as part of its new remit.
Visitors will also enjoy a "world class aquatic experience" following the £5m transformation which took six months.
The site is home to thousands of marine creatures - including six species of sharks - spread over three floors.
"Our ultimate aim is to tell a serious eco story in an entertaining way," said general manager Toby Forer.
"We believe we've got the perfect blend of visual spectacle, interactivity and access to aquatic experts to make a visit here a truly memorable and thought provoking experience."
New features include an Atlantic coastline display, the story of the River Thames, a "temple" d
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7987237.stm
New wildlife park brings a taste of Africa
IT is a little bit of Africa in a corner of Doncaster!
Wildlife expert Cheryl Williams opened up the doors of the new Yorkshire Wildlife Park at Brockholes Farm, in Branton and said: "I hope it inspires children to look after nature."
The new attraction, which features African wildlife in the fields of a former farm, is thought to be the first of its kind in Yorkshire.
Cheryl, who is chief executive of the facility, has worked with wildlife for years, previously working at Woborn Safari Park in Bedfordshire.
Guests at the official opening this weekend included children's television
http://moourl.com/vgjoz
Animal rights groups fume at internet lion meat for sale
LOCAL animal welfare groups are outraged that a US company is offering lion steaks and lion loin chops for sale through the internet.
The meat was advertised on the company's website as originating from lions farmed in South Africa.
But within 24 hours of the activists being alerted last week, the wording was changed and now reads: "Our Lions are ranch-raised in the United States of America."
The national Environment Department confirmed that both a Cites (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) permit and veterinary health permit
http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4915211
Illegal wildlife trade in Singapore active despite heavy penalties
Despite heavy penalties for smuggling wild or exotic animals into Singapore, animal welfare groups say illegal wildlife trade here is still active.
Exotic spiders and reptiles were some of the 48 wild animals confiscated by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) during its recent raid in March.
The animals are now housed at the Singapore Zoo's Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre.
Some of these animals were smuggled into Singapore from as far as Madagascar.
AVA said the animals could transmit diseases to human beings and other domestic animals
http://moourl.com/hh7kw
Bananas lure gorilla escapee back to zoo
A nine-year-old gorilla has used a palm frond to escape from his enclosure at Melbourne Zoo and go walkabout before being recaptured with the aid of bananas.Yakini's big adventure kicked off around 5pm (AEST) near closing time at the zoo on Thursday when he grabbed hold of the frond and swung himself to freedom to go on a 20-minute stroll.He managed to get as far as the elephant barn where keepers lured him in with the help of a bunch of bananas, giving vets the opportunity to sedate him with a dart.Visitors to the zoo were ushered into various buildings around the zoo, including the gift shop, while Yakini was in their midst, and no one was hurt in the drama.General curator Dan Maloney said keepers, who had gone into their animal escape drill, admitted they had a great deal of luck with Yakini who did not panic and was apparently looking for a secure place to hold up."I've worked in zoos for 25 years and you think you have seen it all, then something like this hap
http://moourl.com/faw1i
Are Elephant Populations Stable These Days?
How conservationists are doing in the battle against poaching and habitat loss
Far from it. The double whammy of poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss has led to a dramatic decline in populations of both African and Asian elephants in recent decades. In 1930, there were between five and 10 million wild African elephants, plying the entire African continent in large bands. Just 60 years later, when they were added to the international list of critically endangered species, only about 600,000 were scattered across a few African countries. Today that number is likely less than 500,000.While Asian elephants were never as numerous as their African counterparts, their population numbers have also dropped
http://moourl.com/ebb4z
Can Zoos Survive the Economic Crisis?
What happens to the animals when the economy collapses?
It's hard to feed an elephant—let alone a herd—when you've just lost $15 million. Just ask the Wildlife Conservation Society, the organization that runs New York City's zoos and aquarium.In order to avoid cutting back on feed and other necessities, the Society has had to cut $10 million from its payroll. So the animals won’t starve, but there'll be fewer people to care for them, or study them.And this is a critical time for animal study.Diseases that jump from wildlife to humans, such as Ebola or bird flu, are on
http://moourl.com/gtboh
Rare animals pushed closer to extinction, scientists warn
NEARLY 50 rare mammals including tigers, leopards, sambar and fishing cats could face extinction, conservationists warned yesterday.The International Union for Conservation of Nature list of vulnerable species also included more than 70 other mammals from India on its alert "red list". Professor Luigi Boitani of Sapienza Universita di Roma, an IUCN partner organisation, said: "The trend is particularly dramatic for south-east Asia which suffers from increasing human activities, with deforestation being the major issue." The union report adds that almost one in four of the world’s 5,487 mammal species is at risk of disappearing forever and at least 76 mammals have become extinct since 1500. Dr Bibhab Talukdar, a leading conservationist in India and member of the National Board for Wildlife, said: "Species are threatened mostly due to poaching and habitat encroachment. "We should now concentrate
http://www.examiner.ie/world/ididsncwcw/rss2/
Stray dogs kill zoo animals in western Russia
A pack of stray dogs has mauled a reindeer and a mountain goat to death at a zoo in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, a zoo spokeswoman said on Thursday. "Dogs got through the zoo fence - it has http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090409/121027735.html
Thai zoo housing pigs and tigers together
IT SOUNDS like something out of Winnie The Pooh, but a zoo in Thailand has pigs and tigers living together in harmony.It’s not Tigger and Piglet, but many animals at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo find themselves sharing their pens with different species.The zoo, near the popular tourist resort of Pattaya, houses over 400 Bengal tigers and is one of the biggest tiger zoos in the world.Sriracha Tiger Zoo likes to promote ‘happy families’ made up of different species of animal – and has been known to put tiger cubs with sows and piglets with tiger mums.This is not the only interesting feature
http://moourl.com/ola85
Quick Takes - ODDBALL OCCURRENCES
After use for years in Africa, officials in the United Kingdom may have a new tool in the fight against lost landmines: rats. Handlers at the Porfell Wildlife Park in Cornwall recently imported a Gambian pouched rat named Kofi that, according to trainer Wendy Winstanley, could be useful to British army and police for bomb detection. Already used by locals in Mozambique, the rats have proved themselves as valuable mine detectors. With a nose more sensitive than most dogs and a weight that allows them to run through
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15269
Gerald Durrell's Jersey wildlife conservation trust celebrates 50th anniversary
Fifty years since the opening of Gerald Durrell's wildlife conservation trust, his legacy forges on. Jessamy Calkin celebrates the work of the pioneering naturalist and author.
In a small art gallery in central London, an incongruous and eminent collection of people have gathered for an unusual event: the display and auction of fabric pictures and ceramic art by the artist and actress Lalla Ward. The occasion is the 50th anniversary of the opening of Gerald Durrell's wildlife trust in Jersey, and the mixed bag of attendees – who include Sir David Attenborough, Brian Eno, Edward Fox, Sir Peter Hall and Redmond O'Hanlon – are invited to bid for the work anonymously.
All proceeds go to Durrell's work in Galapagos, and a particular aim is to save the Floreana mockingbird, the bird that inspired Darwin's epiphany, and now one of the world's most endangered species
http://moourl.com/vx2pj
Female cub is living proof of cheetah-bark research
Researchers at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park had speculated that the staccato barks occasionally emitted by male cheetahs somehow triggered female cheetahs'reproductive systems to produce eggs and, ultimately, baby cheetahs.
Now they have proof. Zoo officials recently announced the arrival of Amara, born Feb. 19, as the direct result of experiments using recorded stutter-barks to promote cheetah romance. Both Quando, the father, and Kenya, the mother, are first-time parents.
Because single cheetah cubs are often neglected by their mothers, Amara, which means “grace” in Swahili, is being hand-raised by zookeepers. Recently, the 5-pound cub was moved to larger quarters. She is occasionally on view in the Wild Animal Park's nursery.
Valerie Smith, one of Amara's handlers, said the cub will not join the Wild Animal Park's general cheetah population but instead will become an “animal ambassador
http://moourl.com/kk7go
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ZOO BIOLOGY
The Zoo Biology Group is concerned with all disciplines involved in
the 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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The Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians will be hosting their Twenty-ninth Annual Conference October 1-6, 2009 in Jackson, Wyoming. If you would like more information, please visit http://www.azvt.org/or contact Virginia Crossett via email: virginia.crossett@louisvilleky.gov
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Advancing Bear Care '09
ON-LINE registration is now available for Advancing Bear Care '09 in San Francisco on November 6-8 2009. http://www.bearcaregroup.org/
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Celebrating Plants and the Planet:
We credit Charles Darwin with so much, some of which he rightly deserves. On this, his 200th anniversary, we look back… and forward to his latest project.
April links at http://www.zooplantman.com/ (NEWS/Botanical News) provide a variety of ways to consider Darwin's influence on our thinking and research.
· Are flowers red simply to attract pollinators? Is anything that simple? Perhaps the color repels predators as well.
· If the Amazon forest acts as a huge carbon sink, saving our energy-guzzling butts, what happens when the forest dies? Where does that carbon go?
· When plants suffer insect attack or disease, they express themselves. A device has been invented to translate their cries.
· Why did the South African plant have a bare stalk above its flower? To give sunbirds a place to sit.
· In an innovative UK program, Charles Darwin aims to get every schoolchild interested in plants and botany.
There are several huge indoor zoo exhibits being planned in Europe. One of the most ambitious is the Chester Zoo's "Heart of Africa." Find out more at http://www.zooplantman.com/zoos.html
Please share these stories with associates, staff, docents and -- most importantly -- visitors! Remember, over a hundred other stories can be found in the archive section of the website.
Rob
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TURTLE CONSERVATION FUND
Next Proposal Deadline: 1 May 2009
A Partnership Coalition of Leading Turtle Conservation Organizations and Individuals
Strategic Action Planning and Funding Support for Conservation of
Threatened Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
http://www.turtleconservationfund.org/
TCF Executive Board:
Hugh R. Quinn, Co-Chair (DoubleHQ@aol.com)
Anders G.J. Rhodin, Co-Chair (RhodinCRF@aol.com)
Chris B. Banks; Kurt A. Buhlmann; Kevin R. Buley; Eric Goode; Douglas B. Hendrie; Brian D. Horne; Rick Hudson; Russell A. Mittermeier; Hans-Dieter Philippen; Colin Poole; Peter C.H. Pritchard; Walter C. Sedgwick; Peter Paul van Dijk
The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) administers a turtle conservation and research grants program. Awards are granted to organizations or individuals for specific conservation or research projects dealing with tortoises or freshwater turtles, but not marine turtles, with either partial or full support as funding allows. Awards at the present time are approximately in the $2000 to $5000 range per project, with occasional funding up to $10,000.
Priority for funding is given to projects that focus on species that are already highly threatened (Critically Endangered or Endangered) as determined by the IUCN Red List http://www.iucnredlist.org/
For further information and application guidelines go to http://www.turtleconservationfund.org/
TCF Priority Species List
* Apalone spinifera ater
* Astrochelys radiata
* Astrochelys yniphora
* Batagur affinis (southern Malay Peninsula and Sumatra)
* Batagur baska (northeastern India and Bangladesh, perhaps into Myanmar)
* Batagur borneoensis
* Batagur kachuga
* Batagur trivittata
* Chelodina mccordi
* Chitra chitra
* Chitra indica
* Chitra vandijki
* Cuora aurocapitata
* Cuora bourreti
* Cuora glabinifrons
* Cuora mccordi
* Cuora pani
* Cuora picturata
* Cuora trifasciata
* Cuora yunnanensis
* Cuora zhoui
* Dermatemys mawii
* Elusor macrurus
* Erymnochelys madagascariensis
* Geochelone platynota
* Heosemys depressa
* Leucocephalon yuwonoi
* Mauremys annamensis
* Nilssonia lethii
* Nilssonia nigricans
* Pelochelys bibroni
* Pelochelys cantori
* Pelochelys signifera
* Podocnemis lewyana
* Psammobates geometricus
* Pseudemydura umbrina
* Pyxis arachnoides
* Pyxis planicauda
* Rafetus swinhoei
* Siebenrockiella leytensis
* Terrapene coahuila
* Testudo kleinmanni
*******************************************************************************
Second Okapi Workshop
from October 11th until October 14th, the second Okapi Keeper Workshop is organized at the Antwerp Zoo.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for okapi keepers, to increase their knowledge of topics such as husbandry, health issues, operant conditioning and enrichment.
For further details go to:
http://www.theokapi.org/nieuwsvolledig.asp?nieuws=15
*******************************************************************************
Volunteering Opportunity
Elephantstay at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village, Ayutthaya Thailand
Elephantstay is now offering a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable experience working with elephants. The volunteer positions are for people with animal experience. The duration of stay will be of 4, 12 or 24 weeks. We have two positions on offer at any one time.
Successful applicants will work with elephants and people under the direct supervision of experienced mahouts and the Elephantstay directors.
Duties include cleaning, feeding, diet preparation, exercising and husbandry of elephants. Our primary concern is the elephants welfare and earning an income for them. You will have plenty of direct contact with the elephants, but also you will be assisting with the people who participate in the Elephantstay program. You may also be required to assist with the elephant painting project.
The work is free contact with elephants. At this stage we have eight retired elephants, which will be the main elephants you will be getting to know and be working with. Depending on your length of stay and your progress there may be opportunities to assist with other elephants.
We have about 90 elephants on site so you will have exposure and contact with many of them including baby elephants still with their mothers, and bull elephants.
Basic housing is provided on site. Single fan room and bathroom, Bedding and towels are provided. Drinking water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and 3 meals a day are provided on site. Snacks, juices, sodas, alcohol, etc are not provided but can be bought on site.
We have free wireless internet access for people with laptops.
As part of your training, you will participate in the Elephantstay program for 3 days. Please check http://www.elephantstay.com/
The letter should cover
your areas of interest, goals, and what you can offer Elephantstay by being a volunteer. Your preferred dates.
Successful applicants will be notified by email as soon as possible.
Start times at this stage will be the first Monday of every month beginning in May 2009.
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
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
*******************************************************************************
Current Zoo Vacancies can be seen by visiting:
http://zoowork.blogspot.com/
*******************************************************************************
Meetings/Vacancies
Elephant Footcare Workshop
Pachyderm Podiatry
A Practical Workshop on Elephant Feet, their Care, and the Treatment of the Most Common Conditions.
April 15th - 17th, 2009
The Phoenix Zoo
hwright@thephxzoo.com
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
2009 ABMA Annual Conference Providence, Rhode Island
April 26th – May 1st 2009
Providence, Rhode Island
If you are just starting to work with animals or have been for years ABMA has something to offer everyone. Join us in 2009 on the East Coast in Rhode Island. Registration is now open at http://www.theabma.org/
Felid Husbandry Courses
April 27-30 Tacoma, Washington, USAFor more information on courses go to the
FTAG page at http://www.felidtag.org/ meeting details".
BIAZA Records Group Meeting
Twycross Zoo
29-30th April 2009
For further information (preliminary agenda and registration details) please go the following link http://www.biaza.org.uk/public/pages/publications/index.asp?catUid=210
Please confirm that you intend to attend by completing the registration form and send to admin@biaza.org.uk and cc it to d.brunger@chesterzoo.org and pat.m.milham@twycrosszoo.org
ASZK Annual Conference
30 April – 3 May 2009
Darwin, Northern Territory,
Australia
For information go to http://www.aszk.org.au/
Conference of the Association of Latin American Zoological Parks
May 25 - 29 2009
Panama City, Panama
For further information:
http://www.alpza.com/index.php
The 9th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment.
31st May – 5th June 2009.
Torquay, Devon, UK
Submission for abstracts has now closed.
EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES 28TH FEBRUARY 2009
LATE REGISTRATION CLOSES 30TH APRIL 2009
Please go to http://www.reec.info/ July 18th and 19th 2009.
Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa.
Financial assistance available for vets from other African countries. For more details contact Teresa Slacke on vetadmin@jhbzoo.org.za
Professional Training Seminars at Shedd Aquarium
Animal Training Seminar with Ken Ramirez
Environmental Quality Seminar with Allen LaPointe
August 24 –28, 2009
Please contact the adult programs coordinator at
adults@sheddaquarium.org for more information
THIRD ORANGUTAN SSP© HUSBANDRY WORKSHOP
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
Zoo Atlanta
USA
http://www.2009orangutanworkshop.org/
26th EAZA Annual Conference
14 - 20 September 2009
Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark.
3rd International Congress on Zoo Keeping and the 36th American Association of Zoo Keepers National Conference
September 24th - 29th 2009
The Puget Sound Chapter of AAZK and WoodlandPark Zoo
See these websites for further information:
http://www.iczoo.org/
http://www.pugetsoundaazk.org/
64th WAZA Annual Conference
4 - 8 October 2009
St. Louis Zoo at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, St. Louis (MO), USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.waza.org/
The 6th European Zoo Nutrition Conference
Barcelona, 28-31 January 2010
Please send comments or suggestions for topics/speakers directly to me (a.fidgett@chesterzoo.org). Further announcements and information will be posted online via the nutrition area of the EAZA website (http://www.eaza.net/).
20th International Zoo Educators' (IZE) Biennial Conference
19 - 23 October 2010
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.izea.net/
Zoohistorica
International meeting of collectors of zoo literature and memorabilia
Internationales Treffen der Sammler zoohistorischer Literatur
Rencontre internationale des collectionneurs de documents en rapport avec les zoos
See here for more details: http://www.zoohistorica.org/
The Bear Care Group announces the second international bear care
conference 'Advancing Bear Care '09.
SAN FRANCISCO NOVEMBER 6-8 2009
http://www.bearcaregroup.org/
7th International Penguin Conference
DATE: August 30 to September 3, 2010
LOCATION: Boston Massachusetts, USA
HOSTED BY: The New England Aquarium
ipcboston@neaq.org
************************************************************************
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
http://www.zoonewsdigest.com/
http://www.geocities.com/peterd482001/ZooNews_Digest.html
Editor/Owner ZooNews Digest
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoonewsdigest/
Owner/Moderator Zoo Biology
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/zoo-biology/
Tel: United Kingdom ++ (0) 750 3707 968
Mailing address:
Suite 201,
Gateway House,
78 Northgate Street,
Chester,
CH1 2HR
United Kingdom
"I may get hit by a bus tomorrow so I will live today"
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Chiang Mai Night Safari: 300 animals die from poor care
300 animals die from poor care
By: APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
24/12/08
A chronic lack of experience among zoo keepers had led to the deaths of almost 300 animals at the Chiang Mai Night Safari in just two years, zoo director Preecha Ratanaporn said yesterday. Poor diet and inadequate care from the zoo's veterinarians had caused the demise of many animals, including zebra and giraffe, he said.
The zoo is home to about 1,700 animals but the complex employs just six veterinarians.
Chiang Mai Night Safari, initiated by the Thaksin administration, opened on Feb 6, 2006. It is located in Muang district's tambon Suthep and Hang Dong district's tambon Nong Khwai.
The zoo director's statement came after members of the web board for nature and animals at pantip.com discussed the matter. They said the cost of the dead animals could be as high as 26 million baht.
Mr Preecha, however, said most of the dead animals were small animals, such as birds, flying squirrels and deer.
''We don't think this is a big issue,'' Mr Preecha said.
Although some 300 animals had died, the zoo also had been blessed with 290 newborn animals, he said.
Mr Preecha said some animals imported from Africa were exhausted by the journey and could not adjust to their new environment.
''Some of them had digestive problems as they ate too much and eventually died,'' he said.
''We are studying proper diet and feeding times for these animals to keep them healthy.''
The zookeepers needed to learn more about habits and nature of imported animals to better take care of them, he said.
Thai Wildlife Protection Network secretary-general Nikom Putta urged new environment minister Suwit Khunkitti to curb the number of zoos in Thailand.
The Zoological Park Organisation plans to expand its business to many provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Chumphon, Ratchaburi and Sukhothai provinces, he said.
''The new minister should stop the establishment of new zoos and focus on the protection of forests which are the natural habitat of wild animals,'' Mr Nikom said.
He also urged the Chiang Mai Night Safari to clarify the figure and causes of the death of the animals.
The night safari is the creation of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted to increase tourism at the northern city.
The project has come under heavy criticism from wildlife advocates and civil groups who fear the zoo could become a front for illegal wildlife trade.
Bangkok Post
__________________
By: APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
24/12/08
A chronic lack of experience among zoo keepers had led to the deaths of almost 300 animals at the Chiang Mai Night Safari in just two years, zoo director Preecha Ratanaporn said yesterday. Poor diet and inadequate care from the zoo's veterinarians had caused the demise of many animals, including zebra and giraffe, he said.
The zoo is home to about 1,700 animals but the complex employs just six veterinarians.
Chiang Mai Night Safari, initiated by the Thaksin administration, opened on Feb 6, 2006. It is located in Muang district's tambon Suthep and Hang Dong district's tambon Nong Khwai.
The zoo director's statement came after members of the web board for nature and animals at pantip.com discussed the matter. They said the cost of the dead animals could be as high as 26 million baht.
Mr Preecha, however, said most of the dead animals were small animals, such as birds, flying squirrels and deer.
''We don't think this is a big issue,'' Mr Preecha said.
Although some 300 animals had died, the zoo also had been blessed with 290 newborn animals, he said.
Mr Preecha said some animals imported from Africa were exhausted by the journey and could not adjust to their new environment.
''Some of them had digestive problems as they ate too much and eventually died,'' he said.
''We are studying proper diet and feeding times for these animals to keep them healthy.''
The zookeepers needed to learn more about habits and nature of imported animals to better take care of them, he said.
Thai Wildlife Protection Network secretary-general Nikom Putta urged new environment minister Suwit Khunkitti to curb the number of zoos in Thailand.
The Zoological Park Organisation plans to expand its business to many provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Chumphon, Ratchaburi and Sukhothai provinces, he said.
''The new minister should stop the establishment of new zoos and focus on the protection of forests which are the natural habitat of wild animals,'' Mr Nikom said.
He also urged the Chiang Mai Night Safari to clarify the figure and causes of the death of the animals.
The night safari is the creation of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted to increase tourism at the northern city.
The project has come under heavy criticism from wildlife advocates and civil groups who fear the zoo could become a front for illegal wildlife trade.
Bangkok Post
__________________
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Subscribing to Zoo News Digest
ZooNews Digest is the longest established and widest read zoo related ezine on the internet. It is read more frequently by more zoo personnel than any other similar publication. At the end of February 2010 it is being read each week by thousands of subcribers in close to 700 zoos in over 135 countries.
The list of people who read ZooNews Digest reads like a 'Zoos Who's Who' and includes Zoo Directors (working and retired), Zoo Keepers, Curators, Managers, Vets, Researchers, Dieticians, Police, Field Operatives, Scientists, Trainees, Students and more.
Consider advertising on Zoo News Digest. It actually gets to the people who make the decisions.
The Zoo News Digest is essentially a mail out ezine which started as a hobby some 15 years ago. It has passed through a number of phases till it is what it is today. You are visiting it here in its blog format.
It has always been a free publication (though donations always were accepted). Previously I was in full time employment and had a bit of money put aside. Now I have neither and an annual donation is not only needed but expected too.
Zoo News Digest is my work. Zoo News Digest is mailed out to subscribers exactly as it is now, once or twice a week every week. I search the news daily sorting out the wheat from the chaff. I keep you updated on the best of the zoo news...that of interest to zoo professionals rather than the general public.
It is easy to subscribe. Here on the Blog Page you will see a Donate button to your right (and just up a bit). Just click on this. Donation is through PayPal. It is quick, easy, efficient and safe. If you have a credit or debit card it can be done in an instance. If you have sent a donation in the last twelve months then don't worry as you will recieve as before. I will periodically send out reminders to those who have donated previously if requested.
Why donate? Because ZooNews Digest works for you. Within the modern zoo many staff find that there are too few hours in the day to keep themselves updated on what is going on in the Zoo World as a whole. Anybody can use a search engine and if they have a few hours to spare they will find just what they are looking for. I work at this a minimum of ten hours every day seven days a week, working for you.
I am a Zoo Professional. I have been working at Zoo News Digest as a hobby for many years and pre-date all others offering something similar. I find the stories the search engines miss. Often Zoo News Digest posts the news first. Check out the archives for the past ten years. I work for you. I save you time. I send you the interesting links rather than those put together for the general public. I also comment and criticise from a corner that I cannot be punched out of. I am honest, will not take bribes and yes... sometimes I am opinionated. As I am not employed by any zoo I can say things the others cannot without risk of losing my job.
So how much? Right now Zoo News Digest is, practically, my only source of income*. I have no home, no pension, no job and all I own in the world can be crammed into my backpack. That said, as guidance I am looking for an annual donation from each subscriber of what they would pay for a subscription to their favourite magazine once a year. You get 52+ Zoo News Digest mailed to your inbox. I will keep you informed and updated. Many Thanks.
The Blog is also advertised on Facebook
*I do earn a little from writing, my book store and the occassional Zoo consultancy fee but it is very very little.
The list of people who read ZooNews Digest reads like a 'Zoos Who's Who' and includes Zoo Directors (working and retired), Zoo Keepers, Curators, Managers, Vets, Researchers, Dieticians, Police, Field Operatives, Scientists, Trainees, Students and more.
Consider advertising on Zoo News Digest. It actually gets to the people who make the decisions.
The Zoo News Digest is essentially a mail out ezine which started as a hobby some 15 years ago. It has passed through a number of phases till it is what it is today. You are visiting it here in its blog format.
It has always been a free publication (though donations always were accepted). Previously I was in full time employment and had a bit of money put aside. Now I have neither and an annual donation is not only needed but expected too.
Zoo News Digest is my work. Zoo News Digest is mailed out to subscribers exactly as it is now, once or twice a week every week. I search the news daily sorting out the wheat from the chaff. I keep you updated on the best of the zoo news...that of interest to zoo professionals rather than the general public.
It is easy to subscribe. Here on the Blog Page you will see a Donate button to your right (and just up a bit). Just click on this. Donation is through PayPal. It is quick, easy, efficient and safe. If you have a credit or debit card it can be done in an instance. If you have sent a donation in the last twelve months then don't worry as you will recieve as before. I will periodically send out reminders to those who have donated previously if requested.
Why donate? Because ZooNews Digest works for you. Within the modern zoo many staff find that there are too few hours in the day to keep themselves updated on what is going on in the Zoo World as a whole. Anybody can use a search engine and if they have a few hours to spare they will find just what they are looking for. I work at this a minimum of ten hours every day seven days a week, working for you.
I am a Zoo Professional. I have been working at Zoo News Digest as a hobby for many years and pre-date all others offering something similar. I find the stories the search engines miss. Often Zoo News Digest posts the news first. Check out the archives for the past ten years. I work for you. I save you time. I send you the interesting links rather than those put together for the general public. I also comment and criticise from a corner that I cannot be punched out of. I am honest, will not take bribes and yes... sometimes I am opinionated. As I am not employed by any zoo I can say things the others cannot without risk of losing my job.
So how much? Right now Zoo News Digest is, practically, my only source of income*. I have no home, no pension, no job and all I own in the world can be crammed into my backpack. That said, as guidance I am looking for an annual donation from each subscriber of what they would pay for a subscription to their favourite magazine once a year. You get 52+ Zoo News Digest mailed to your inbox. I will keep you informed and updated. Many Thanks.
The Blog is also advertised on Facebook
*I do earn a little from writing, my book store and the occassional Zoo consultancy fee but it is very very little.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Advertising
Zoo News Digest Advertising
I suggest an advert along the lines of a photograph which will directly link to your webpage. Beneath the photo you can have up to ten lines to say whatever you need to say plus inclusion of another written link to your webpage.
This advert will be included within the body of the Zoo News Digest blog. When the blog is published it is also posted out as an email to subscribers and so will go directly to the in box of thousands. The link to the blog then goes out on the Zoo News Digest Facebook page and a link then automatically goes out to Twitter. This is the maximum possible coverage reaching people who actually work in zoos
Zoo News Digest reaches more people in more zoos worldwide than any other publication.
A permament link to your webpage will remain in the posting.
How much? £40.00 for a one off/one time post. Payment is via PayPal. Postings go out once or twice a week. I would do three inclusions for £100.00 if that was preferable. For an extra £20.00 I will actually make up the advert on your behalf.
More information Zoo News Digest Advertising
Zoo News Digest is the longest established e-zine on the internet. Zoo News Digest has been something of an insider secret spread by word of mouth through the zoo community till today it has thousands of interested weekly readers in 600+ zoos in more than 130 countries. The private membership list reads like a Zoo Who’s Who and numbers Zoo Directors, Curators, Managers, Head Keepers and right down to trainee keepers amongst its readers. There are of course also zoo vets, trainers, enrichment officers, gift shop personnel, docents, nutritionists, information and education officers and more….even some zoo police. Many of these have families too who read the Digest on their home computers. Some zoos have placed the Digest on their intranet systems. It is used as a teaching and discussion instrument on some college Animal Management Courses.
Zoo News Digest readership is far ahead of any other similar publication on the internet and way out in front of the paper terra magazines and journals. In fact the Digest has always gone out of its way to promote and advertise these publications within. There is no competition as the Digest offers a different range of information.
Associated and linked to Zoo News Digest is Zoo Biology whose membership is restricted solely to professional Zoo Staff. This in itself has nearly 2,500 members. Again this has more members than any similar zoo related terrestrial publication. Zoo Biology has given on numerous occasions almost instant help to zoo people around the world as it can call upon a combined multi expertise zoo knowledge base of around 25,000 years!
During the past few months Zoo News Digest has taken on a Blog and a Facebook page which are both rapidly gaining in popularity. All four publications are linking in together and being posted on Twitter too which gives very good coverage and exposure. The Twitter postings are picked up by most world zoos which are listed on this service. Postings on the Blog are being indexed by Google in under a minute. This of course reaches out to a readership outside the world of zoos.
Although I have been employed in Zoos (Commercial, Private and National) as Manager, Curator, Head Keeper and Keeper for forty years these publications have up till recently been my hobby. Now they are a full time job and I seek to widen their coverage even further. I know the zoo internet business inside out having been actively daily involved for around 15 years.
I am now seeking to include advertisers who have goods which would be of value to a zoo readership. If you are interested please, in the first instance contact me for further details:
Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
I feel 100% sure that I can give you greater targeted advertising coverage than you have previously experienced anywhere else in zoos. What is more you will find it extremely affordable.
I suggest an advert along the lines of a photograph which will directly link to your webpage. Beneath the photo you can have up to ten lines to say whatever you need to say plus inclusion of another written link to your webpage.
This advert will be included within the body of the Zoo News Digest blog. When the blog is published it is also posted out as an email to subscribers and so will go directly to the in box of thousands. The link to the blog then goes out on the Zoo News Digest Facebook page and a link then automatically goes out to Twitter. This is the maximum possible coverage reaching people who actually work in zoos
Zoo News Digest reaches more people in more zoos worldwide than any other publication.
A permament link to your webpage will remain in the posting.
How much? £40.00 for a one off/one time post. Payment is via PayPal. Postings go out once or twice a week. I would do three inclusions for £100.00 if that was preferable. For an extra £20.00 I will actually make up the advert on your behalf.
More information Zoo News Digest Advertising
Zoo News Digest is the longest established e-zine on the internet. Zoo News Digest has been something of an insider secret spread by word of mouth through the zoo community till today it has thousands of interested weekly readers in 600+ zoos in more than 130 countries. The private membership list reads like a Zoo Who’s Who and numbers Zoo Directors, Curators, Managers, Head Keepers and right down to trainee keepers amongst its readers. There are of course also zoo vets, trainers, enrichment officers, gift shop personnel, docents, nutritionists, information and education officers and more….even some zoo police. Many of these have families too who read the Digest on their home computers. Some zoos have placed the Digest on their intranet systems. It is used as a teaching and discussion instrument on some college Animal Management Courses.
Zoo News Digest readership is far ahead of any other similar publication on the internet and way out in front of the paper terra magazines and journals. In fact the Digest has always gone out of its way to promote and advertise these publications within. There is no competition as the Digest offers a different range of information.
Associated and linked to Zoo News Digest is Zoo Biology whose membership is restricted solely to professional Zoo Staff. This in itself has nearly 2,500 members. Again this has more members than any similar zoo related terrestrial publication. Zoo Biology has given on numerous occasions almost instant help to zoo people around the world as it can call upon a combined multi expertise zoo knowledge base of around 25,000 years!
During the past few months Zoo News Digest has taken on a Blog and a Facebook page which are both rapidly gaining in popularity. All four publications are linking in together and being posted on Twitter too which gives very good coverage and exposure. The Twitter postings are picked up by most world zoos which are listed on this service. Postings on the Blog are being indexed by Google in under a minute. This of course reaches out to a readership outside the world of zoos.
Although I have been employed in Zoos (Commercial, Private and National) as Manager, Curator, Head Keeper and Keeper for forty years these publications have up till recently been my hobby. Now they are a full time job and I seek to widen their coverage even further. I know the zoo internet business inside out having been actively daily involved for around 15 years.
I am now seeking to include advertisers who have goods which would be of value to a zoo readership. If you are interested please, in the first instance contact me for further details:
Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk
I feel 100% sure that I can give you greater targeted advertising coverage than you have previously experienced anywhere else in zoos. What is more you will find it extremely affordable.
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