Tuesday, June 30, 2009

ZooNews Digest 27th June - 1st July 2009 (Zoo News 604)

ZooNews Digest 27th June - 1st July 2009 (Zoo News 604)

http://zoonewsdigest.com/

http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/

Peter Dickinson peterd482001@yahoo.co.uk



Dear Colleagues,



I was shocked to read about the confiscation of the Orangutans from Taiping Zoo. One would have thought they would have learnt a thing or two after the Taiping Four fiasco. I am not going to say too much at this point because I am hoping that it is all a big bureaucratic mix up. I liked Taiping Zoo, the staff too, so I am sure that the excuse proffered is genuine. I am worried about the 'missing' animals as I well remember the large number of animals which disappeared from Safari World Bangkok and were never seen again.

It really does sicken me though when I see the uses and abuses that Orangutans are being put to. Take a look at my Hubs this week.

Thai authorities have over the past couple of years started the registration of Elephants and Tigers. It should be made a requirement to microchip all animals in Thai collections (or all collections anywhere for that matter). One of the main flaws with Asian Zoos is that nobody really knows who has what and how many. It is a problem that needs to be urgently addressed. Right now SEAZA members don't know. There are no stock lists readily available. Some of course do have them but it needs to be an all round requirement.

There is another SEAZA meeting in Korea in August. I would love to attend if anyone would like to sponsor me. Sadly this time it would have to include return flights from Thailand. I cannot personally afford it. I was lucky enough to get sponsorship for the last meeting in Thailand but due to political unrest it was cancelled twice so I never got there because it never happened.






This Weeks Hubs:



Safari World in Bangkok Thailand



Eggs World in Safari World Bangkok Thailand


Visit my webpages at: http://hubpages.com/profile/Peter+Dickinson


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:


Baby orang utans rescued

Three baby orang utans believed to be part of a smuggled group of five animals were confiscated from the Taiping Zoo and a private ostrich breeder in Klang recently by the Department of Wildlife and National Park (Perhilitan).The raid on the zoo came about after the private ostrich breeder in Klang, who was keeping one of the five baby orang utans, revealed the matter to Perhilitan enforcers.It is learnt that Perhilitan is searching for the remaining two babies.Confirming this, Perhilitan’s deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir said the zoo was raided after a tip-off.“All orang utans at the zoo are microchipped but these specimens were without microchips, hence we are able to ascertain that they are of dubious origin,” she said, adding that they were also without official papers.As the orang utan is a totally protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as well as prohibited from international trade for its status as an Appendix I species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), keeping the animal is only possible with a special permit from Perhilitan.Following the high-profile expose of the smuggling of about a dozen of orang utans from Indonesia in 2005, Perhilitan took an inventory of all orang utans held by private and public zoos to show its commitment to stemming out trafficking in the endangered species.Orang utan, the sole Asian ape, is only found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Three sub-species of the genus Pongo pygmaeus are distributed in Borneo while Sumatra is home to Pongo abelii.Misliah also said DNA samples of

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/30/nation/4207442&sec=nation



Orang utans dropped off by donor, says Taiping Zoo

An anonymous donor had dropped off the two young orang utans confiscated from the Taiping Zoo earlier this month, its director Dr Kevin Lazarus said.He said the zoo staff accepted the totally protected animals two or three weeks ago because they were concerned that the animals might be traded somewhere else."I was away at the time so I did not know who the donors were. We took the orang utans in as a social obligation,” said Dr Lazarus, who is also Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria chairman.He added that the zoo was in the process of writing a letter to inform the Department of Wildlife and National Park (Perhilitan

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/1/nation/4227459&sec=nation



Zoo, community mourn director

'I feel like I've lost a son,' director emeritus Hanna says It's business as usual at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium despite the heavy hearts mourning the death of Executive Director Jeff Swanagan, Jack Hanna said yesterday."Today, I feel like I've lost a son, but the zoo will go on and we'll continue Jeff's dreams," said Hanna, the zoo's director emeritus.Swanagan, 51, died Sunday night, apparently of a heart attack, shortly after complaining that he didn't feel well while cutting grass at his home in Powell. His wife found him on the couch, and he was rushed to a hospital.Dale Schmidt, chief operating officer since fall, will be interim director, the zoo board announced yesterday. Schmidt was president of the Oregon Coast Aquarium for four years.Hanna said Swanagan's organs

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/30/swanaganfollow.ART_ART_06-30-09_B3_EAEB6JF.html?sid=101




Saving rhino gets government backing


The Pandeglang regency administration and legislative council have voiced their support for plans to expand the habitat of Javan rhinos at Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) in Banten province, on the western tip of Java. Regent Dimyati Natakusumah said the local administration and council hoped the TNUK would become a source of pride for the nation and also a world-renowned site that could pull in international revenue. "We've sent a letter to the Forestry Ministry to request an upgrade to the status of the TNUK to a World Wildlife Park, but they haven't responded yet," he said over the weekend, after a meeting in Pandeglang with representatives of international donors. To attain World Wildlife Park status, a park must have several


http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/06/24/saving-rhino-gets-government-backing.html



Time to go ape over plight of howler monkeys

THE howler monkeys of Colombia are used to adapting.As babies many are forcibly removed from their mothers to be sold as pets or the troupe is divided by deforestation.For the past decade a project at La Pintada has helped rehabilitate and protect howlers, either handed in or confiscated by the authorities.South Lakes Wild Animal Park has been involved for the past six years.And despite announcing two weeks ago that he is planning to leave the zoo and Dalton behind him following a vicious stabbing at his home two years ago, zoo owner David Gill went to Colombia this year as usual.David goes to South America to

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/time_to_go_ape_over_plight_of_howler_monkeys_1_573481?referrerPath=news



Rare turtles head to the Gulf

The pitter patter of tiny flippers could be heard on the beach in the wee hours of Saturday morning. At around 3 a.m., 92 precious little packages made their way to the ocean for the first time.They are newly hatched Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, the most endangered of all the sea turtles. But these particular babies were special in that their injured mother was the first turtle to come ashore on South Padre Island to nest this season, and had to be euthanized.During her journey to land, turtle observers believe she was struck by a boat, leaving

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/sea-99007-turtle-turtles.html



As Fences Cut Off Migration, Hoofed Species Decline

One of the most spectacular events in nature — mass migrations by large, hoofed, grass-eating animals — is endangered. That's what scientists conclude after completing what they say is the first comprehensive look at this phenomenon.Grant Harris from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a team of scientists compiled a record of all the great migrations in the historical record. These are "charismatic megafauna," says Harris: wildebeests and oryxes in Africa, caribous in North America, the antelopelike chiru in Asia. They move by the thousands over hundreds of miles of territory, seeking out fresh grass o

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105165068



Years after they stopped soaring over city, 2 vultures found

Almost a decade after they went extinct, two vultures have now been found in the city. On Saturday afternoon, a highly endangered Egyptian Vulture was found by an NGO, Wildlife SOS, from near the Ghazipur abattoir. A few days earlier, another Egyptian Vulture, also known as the Scavenger Vulture, was found by the Jain Bird Hospital in Old Delhi. According to experts, a veterinary drug called ‘Diclofenac’, poisonous to vultures, has led to the bird’s near extinction across the country — the rate of decline is put between 9

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Years-after-they-stopped-soaring-over-city--2-vultures-found/481857/



Southeast Asia's largest zoo for insects launched

In an effort to woo more visitors, Zoo Ne-gara yesterday opened the country's first and Southeast Asia's largest Insect Zoo which will showcase 200 species of endangered insects found in the country's tropical rainforest. President of the Malaysian Zoological Society Datuk Ismail Hutson said the Insect Zoo would attract more domestic and foreign tourists as it consists of rare butterflies and insects."Its collection includes the Atlas Butterfly which is the largest butterfly in the world and Rajah Brooke's Birdwing butterfly, a species which was first discovered in 1855, and is regarded as the 'Prince of Butterflies' for its beauty, and the Orchid Praying Mantis, an insect which can camouflage itself as

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2594036/Article/index_html



Say hello to 50th jumbo born at Pinnawela!

The orphanage begun with just seven orphans, now has 89 jumbos, thanks partly to a successful breeding programme. Malaka Rodrigo reports, Pic by Sanka Vidanagama It was 3 a.m. The silence of the night was disturbed by some hurried footsteps toward the doctors’ quarters. A sarong-clad figure knocked on the door and called out “Sir.. You are needed.” The summons was anticipated and taking his medical kit, Dr. Rajapakse hurried toward the dimly-lit shed in a corner of the Pinnawela orphanage. ‘Surangie’ the female elephant was grunting in pain, only minutes away from delivering her first born. Soon she gave birth to a fine male

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090628/Plus/sundaytimesplus_02.html



Northern spotted owl loses genetic diversity

A new study has determined that with a drop in its numbers, the northern spotted owl has also lost genetic diversity. The northern spotted owl has been a controversial conservation icon for years, ever since large swaths of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest were set aside to protect the threatened bird 15 years

http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_northern-spotted-owl-loses-genetic-diversity_1269225



At its 80th anniversary, S.F. Zoo reassesses

When the San Francisco Zoo opened during the Great Depression, chimpanzees were trained to ride elephants and zookeepers pried open big hippo jaws for applause.Eight decades later, the carnival has been replaced by conservation: The endangered aye-aye lemur lives in a pitch-black exhibit, so visitors can only glimpse the nocturnal animal after waiting 15 minutes for their eyes to adjust. While the zoo's approach to animal welfare has matured as it

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/27/BA5J18D3SM.DTL



Actor Still Wants To Close LA Zoo Elephant Exhibit

Actor Robert Culp is appealing a judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit seeking to stop construction of a new elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. In a lawsuit filed in August 2007, Culp and real estate agent Aaron Leider alleged the zoo withheld medical care, confined elephants in too small an area and used bull hooks and electric shock to control them. They also maintained a larger exhibit would be a waste of taxpayer money. While calling their arguments compelling -- including opinions from experts as far

http://cbs2.com/local/Los.Angeles.Zoo.2.1061488.html




Zoo's rainforest plans considered

Plans to transform Chester Zoo into Europe's largest conservation attraction are to go before the public.The £225m project includes a 56 hectare indoor African-themed rainforest where gorillas, chimpanzees and other tropical animals could move freely. The £90m "Heart of Africa" dome, which would form the initial phase of the scheme, would be the first of its kind in the UK. Chester Zoo is holding four public

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/8122980.stm



For Ramat Gan safari, there's no business like elephants' business

Elephant droppings make quality compost, say staff at Ramat Gan Safari Park, and piles of it are saving piles of water. They have recently been using the droppings of the park's 12 elephants to fertilize the trees on the grounds, as well as to save water. Each elephant deposits seven kilograms of dung four times a day. After a few months the dung heap attracts bacteria, insects and worms, producing high quality compost. Safari staff are using the compost to seal the irrigation basin around young trees, enabling the water to permeate the roots, while slowing down its evaporation. "Until about a year ago we used to pay a company to collect the dung with a tractor," said zoologist Amelia Terkel. "But then we thought, why pay for removing it if we could use

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096317.html



Desperate bid to save finches that changed the world

British conservationists are to launch an ambitious project to safeguard the future of a colony of Galapagos finches which inspired Charles Darwin to formulate his radical theory of evolution. There are now only about 100 individuals left of the Galapagos mangrove finch, the rarest of the 14 closely related finch species that Darwin encountered when he visited the islands in 1835 as the naturalist on board the survey ship HMS Beagle. All of these species evolved from a single common ancestor to fit different niches in the ecosystem, and when Darwin realised this once he was back in

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/desperate-bid-to-save-finches-that-changed-the-world-1722941.html



First rhino born in Uganda after 20 years

A calf has been born among the six rhinos living at the breeding sanctuary in Nakasongola district. This is the first birth of a rhino in Uganda in the last 20 years and brings the total to nine.“The calf is three days old, but the mother is too protective. So, it is difficult to get close to them to establish its gender,” said Angie Genade, the executive director of Rhino Fund Uganda. The mother, 10-year-old Nandi, is one of the four rhinos that were donated by the Disney Animal Kingdom in the US. According to Genade, the donation was aimed at helping in the breeding of rhinos at Nakasongola for re-introduction into the country’s parks. She also pointed out that Nandi produced 16 months after conceiving and that this was her first birth. Rhinos are globally endangered because of their

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/686228



4 baby elephants arrive in City

After tireless efforts by the Community Development Department (CDD) of CDGK, four baby elephants from Tanzania will be arriving here on late Monday night through a special charter airplane and would be kept in Safari Park for quarantine period, informed sources told The Nation. The sources confirmed that after removing all the hurdles, the four baby elephants would be landed at Karachi airport at 11:30pm through a charter flight, hired by the exporter company Osaka traders, sources said. They added that the four baby elephants would be shifted to Safari Park soon after their arrival where a quarantine station has been established. After staying for at least 15 days at the quarantine station, they would be shifted into a big enclosure for elephants. The DO Safari Park, Raza Abbas Rizvi, said that all arrangements for housing the elephants in the quarantine station had been completed and the visitors of Safari Park would be able to see the four baby elephants in the quarantine station from the very first day in the park. The EDO of CDD, Rehana Saif, confirmed The Nation that

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/30-Jun-2009/4-baby-elephants-arrive-in-City



Massive New Home For Curious Kea

A new walk-through Kea aviary is complete at Orana Wildlife Park and tomorrow some of the residents move in!Tomorrow, Orana Wildlife Park's elderly Kea, Silver (20) and Kikimo (24), will move home from their 30 year old aviary (64 square metres) into a newly completed 352 square metre home. The birds will be given the chance to adapt to their new setting before the aviary is opened to the public later this year.This exciting 'walk-through' exhibit was built by the Park's Development team. The aviary has been five years in the planning and took one year to construct. It will provide the Kea with a healthier home and enable visitors to have close encounters with the 'Clown of the Mountains.'Head Keeper of Native Fauna, Tara Atkinson, says she cannot wait to see

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/massive-new-home-curious-kea/5/17174



'Trouble in Paradise' installations at Vienna zoo draw attention to environmental issues

German artists Christoph Steinbrener and Rainer Dempf have crafted a strange combination -- art installation meets zoo exhibit -- at Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo. The end result, called "Trouble in Paradise," is intended to raise awareness about the perils of habitat destruction in an innovative, if off-putting, way. The zoo says the artists used the concept of the readymade -- everyday objects functioning as art, made famous by artist Marcel Duchamp with pieces such as "Bicycle Wheel" and "Fountain" -- as inspiration. The exhibits created by Steinbrener and Dempf include a penguin habitat with a prominently placed oil pump, railroad tracks in the bison enclosure, and wrecked cars submerged in the water of the rhinoceros enclosure. "Trouble in Paradise" will run through October 18, after which the altered enclosures will be returned to their original, pristine states."Trouble in Paradise" has already proven provocative: three zoogoers

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/06/vienna-zoo-trouble-in-paradise.html



LA council approves $1.1M overrun for zoo elephant project

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a $1.1 million cost overrun for the second phase of the Pachyderm Forest at the Los Angeles Zoo, with promises of tightened procedures for future work. The elephant project generated controversy earlier this year when animal activists mounted a massive campaign to get the zoo to shut down the exhibit and relocate its lone elephant, Billy. After a lengthy debate, the council voted in January to continue building the $42 million project. "What's done is done," said Councilman Tony Cardenas, who had opposed the overall project. "We can't do much about that at this point, but we can look ahead to make sure we have procedures in place to prevent cost overruns." City officials said the higher costs were due to price increases

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_12726241



Interactive: The endangered Arabian wildlife

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10323051.html

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10325341.html

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10315320.html


Rare: Endangered fishing cats which swim join zoo

TWO rare fishing cats have arrived at Newquay Zoo to join a breeding programme for the endangered species.The cats arrived from Port Lympne Wild Animal and Safrai Park in Kent this week.Named Ping (female) and Bing (male), the cats will take a few weeks to settle in at their new surroundings.Numbers of fishing cats have decreased as their waterways in Pakistan, India and Nepal are cleared or polluted. They are also used for medicine by some cultures and hunted ferociously by farmers, due to their capability of taking livestock.Director of Newquay Zoo, Stewart Muir, said: "Unusually for a cat, but as the name suggests, fishing cats

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/cornishguardian/Rare-Endangered-fishing-cats-swim-join-zoo/article-1123949-detail/article.html



ZooRopia at Bristol Zoo: A treetop view of a wild, wonderful world

A new zoo attraction is giving visitors a chance to see its inhabitants from a different perspective. As I climb into my harness, that classic Disney refrain, "I'm the king of the swingers, a Jungle VIP", is dancing around in my head; its infectious beat overlaid with the excited chirruping from the group of children who surround me. I'm at Bristol Zoo and I'm just about to have a go on their latest attraction, ZooRopia. Part ropes course, part aerial nature trail, it's the first of its kind in Europe that is open to anybody over the age of five and is set in a zoo environment

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/5651851/ZooRopia-at-Bristol-Zoo-A-treetop-view-of-a-wild-wonderful-world.html



Hi-tech puffins to monitor decline in seabird populations

Stubby seabird with comedy beak to help scientists investigate steep decline in seabird populations across BritainAudio slideshow: Studying puffins on the Farne islands

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/01/puffin-decline-satellite



Earning their stripes

Next week in Geneva, a prime issue for a UN endangered species committee called Cites will be illegal trade in wild tigers. In this week's Green Room, Debbie Banks argues that a handful of businessmen want to reduce the tigers to nothing more than a luxury commodity."Bagh Bachao, Jungle Bachao, Bharat Bachao" is the rallying cry of NGOs and activists across India, and they're right: Save the Tiger, Save the Forest, Save India. The future of the tiger and its jungle home are inextricably linked to the survival of all of us, not just the people who live in tiger country. The forests that are protected in the name of the tiger are vital to mitigate climate change and to secure water resources. The tiger is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem and thus a symbol of good governance and political commitment to an equitable and sustainable future. It is also a cultural and religious icon, venerated, feared and revered by communities across Asia and the world. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has been investigating and exposing the illegal trade in tigers and other Asian big cats for over 10 years. We have documented the changes in the markets and the increasing role of organised criminal networks. We have campaigned for more effective enforcement initiatives to disrupt their operations, and know there is so much more that governments could do if they wanted to. Hijacked conservationLooking to the future, it is essential to plug some of the gaps in conservation strategies. Many people living alongside tigers have yet to benefit from the millions of tourist dollars that the "world's favourite animal" generates; but in India, home to the largest remaining population of wild tigers, investment, policy and practice are at least moving in the right direction. The same cannot be said for other countries, where business interests are hijacking the tiger conservation agenda, calling for the relaxation of trade bans so they can flood the market with farmed tiger parts. The logic behind such a move is that since tigers breed well in captivity, farming them is an economical solution to satisfying demand whilst alleviating pressure on wild populations. It's a simplistic logic that rests on critical assumptions about the complex nature and dynamics of the illegal trade in tigers and other Asian big cats. Assumptions about the motivations of those involved in the trade, the costs of the trade, the scale and type of consumer demand: all plugged in to economic models and squirted out the other side as gospel. What the followers of this faith have failed to acknowledge is that their version of events does not hold true in the real world. The risk of proceeding with this as an experiment is enormous, and the stake is no less than the extinction of the wild tiger. So who are these disciples and what is their motivation? There are tiger farms in Thailand but by far the biggest ones are in China, where there are reportedly around 5,000 animals in captivity. Despite a 1993 ban prohibiting the sale and use of tigers in China, business interests have continued to breed them, speculating that the ban would one day be lifted and that they would be sitting on a valuable stockpile of body parts. 'Conflict of interest'Some argue that they want to sell tiger bone to save lives. Yet the Chinese medicinal community has long since promoted alternatives to tiger bone, which was never considered a life-saving ingredient in the first place. Others just want to sell tiger bone wine. In fact, some businessmen are so keen they have already been found in breach of Chinese law, illegally selling the wine in tiger-shaped bottles and in one case, selling tiger meat. EIA and others have found tiger bone wine being marketed as a general tonic and packaged

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8124176.stm

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ZOO BIOLOGY

The Zoo Biology Group is concerned with all disciplines involved inthe running of a Zoological Garden. Captive breeding, husbandry,cage design and construction, diets, enrichment, man management,record keeping, etc etc

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zoo-biology




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Presented by Active Environments and Shape of Enrichment
Hosted by The Oakland Zoo, Oakland , CA , USA
Instructors: Gail Laule, Margaret Whittaker, and Val Hare




TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT WORKSHOP for ZOO ANIMALS
16-20 November 2009




Active Environments is proud to present the third Training and Enrichment Workshop with our new host, The Oakland Zoo. This unique five-day workshop will present an array of topics relating to behavioral management with particular emphasis on positive reinforcement training techniques (PRT) and environmental enrichment (EE). The workshop is designed for keepers, managers, supervisors, curators, and veterinarians working with a wide array of animals held in zoos. This workshop emphasizes the behavioral management approach to caring for captive animals, with focus on environmental enrichment, positive reinforcement training, and the problem-solving process. Workshop format includes lecture, discussion, small group projects, demonstrations, and multiple hands-on training and enrichment opportunities with Oakland Zoo’s diverse collection. Skills taught are directly related to enhancing staff’s ability to manage captive animal behavior, improve animal welfare, and enhance the overall care and management of captive animals. The Workshop format is designed to maximize the value for each participant and as much as possible to address specific situations, needs, problems, and objectives. Be prepared to interact, share, and participate to make the experience as useful and relevant to you as possible.

The registration fee (TBD) includes the following:
· 6 nights stay in the La Quinta Inn at Oakland Airport
· All workshop materials, including a copy of Don’t Shoot the Dog
· All breakfasts, lunches and snacks during the workshop
· Icebreaker, one dinner, and closing banquet (3 dinners)
· Transportation to and from workshop and airport
· Commemorative Workshop t-shirt





We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hotel based on double occupancy; single rooms available with increased registration fee.

For further information contact:
Active Environments, Inc.
7651 Santos Road Lompoc, CA 93436
Tel: 805-737-3700
E-mail: info@activeenvironments.org
Margaret Whittaker ( Active Environments ): indu22@earthlink.net
Margaret Rousser (Oakland Zoo): margaret@oaklandzoo.org
Or: Shape of Enrichment
Website: http://www.enrichment.org/

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Avian Ambassadors' 6th Annual Raptor Handling Class
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July, 2009
From 9.30a to 4.00p at The Marriott Hotel, Albuquerque , NM





Meet the stars of the Flights of Education Shows





We are pleased to announce that we have added a guest presenter to our class this year. Robin Shewokis of The Leather Elves will present an introduction to Enrichment for Captive Raptors. Robin has consulted with zoos around the world on the subject of Enrichment for captive animals; this is a great opportunity to have her visit Albuquerque !





In addition to Robin's presentation the class covers:





Basic raptor biology
Equipment used with raptors in educational programs
Handling techniques
Raptor possession permit requirements
Introduction to science based training strategies
Hands-on time with birds





Since this class has a hands-on component the size of the class is limited so please make your reservation as soon as possible.





The cost of the class is $65.00 per person; this includes a printed handbook and a lunch snack on each day. Please call (505) 349 5714 or email classes@AvianAmbassadors.com for a registration form today.




Places in the class will be filled on a first come first served basis. Your registration will be confirmed when we acknowledge receipt of payment.
We have secured a special room rate at the Marriott Uptown Hotel of $89.00 per night for those travelling to Albuquerque .




Please call (505) 881-6800 to make room reservations and be sure to mention the "Raptor Handling Class" in order to secure the special rate.

Avian Ambassadors - Flights of Education
http://www.avianambassadors.com/
The Training Blog


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ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy




pre-registration ends July 15 for the Basic workshop September 14 to 18, 2009




Hosted by Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres.




For more information please go to http://www.abcanimaltraining.com/ to register or email me directly to reserve your place at swood@abcanimaltraining.com




Thanks




Shelley Wood




ABC Training Systems




swood@abcanimaltraining.com




http://www.abcanimaltraining.com/

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Animal Keeper's Forum



April/May 2009 AKF Special Issue Table of Contents




The Care and Management of Geriatric Animals in Zoos




From the President - Remembering the Golden Girls




Acknowledgements from the Editor




The Future is Now: New Strategies for Geriatric Care at the Oakland Zoo




Some Thoughts on Veterinary Considerations on the Management of the Geriatric Zoo Patient



Pachyderm Milestones



The Oldest of the Old



An Easy Way Out: PVC Ladder Assists Geriatric Animals



The Old Hippo That Could



Searching for Your Support (GoodSearch.com)



It's a Geriatric Jungle Out There



Joint Disease and Its Management in Captive Bear Species



Never Too Late



Assiniboine Park Zoo's Debby the Polar Bear



The Widower - Care of a Geriatric Bird at The National Aviary



The Care and Management of Geriatric Gorillas in Captivity and The Role of Louisville Zoo's Husbandry Program



Gravity and Hydrotherapy Procedures as a Way to Reduce the Possibility of Stiffening Joints in Elephants After an Injury



A Public Relations Professional's Look at Geriatric Animals and Euthanasia
Donna the Hippo is 57 years Old



Using Cue Conditioning to Facilitate Voluntary Separation for Supplemental Feeding in a Geriatric 0.1 Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah)



World's Oldest Asian Elephant Lived to be 86 Years Old



Some Considerations in the Care of an Elderly Red-Ruffed Lemur



Collaborative Management and Interpretation of Arthritis in a Geriatric Giraffe
Indoors Natural Substrates for Elephants and Medical Issues Associated with Hard Surfaces



Old Bears, New Care



Improving the Quality of Life for Tiffany, a 40-year-old Female Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla g. gorilla) at the Topeka Zoo



Topeka Zoo's Long-lived Hippo Duo



Ode to the Oldies: Geriatric Keepers Caring for Geriatric Critters



Longevity in the Animal Kingdom





To Purchase: http://www.aazk.org/pub_geriatric_animals_issue.php




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Zoo Biology
Current Issue
Volume 28 Issue 3 (May/June 2009)



Research Articles



Genetic diversity in captive and wild Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) from Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, based on mtDNA control region sequences (p 183-196)



Thomas J. McGreevy, Lisa Dabek, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Thomas P. Husband





A complex Enrichment Diet improves growth and health in the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) (p 197-213)



H. Li, M.J. Vaughan, R.K. Browne





Retrospective investigation of captive red wolf reproductive success in relation to age and inbreeding (p 214-229)



K.M. Lockyear, W.T. Waddell, K.L. Goodrowe, S.E. MacDonald





Extinction risk assessment for the species survival plan (SSP®) population of the Bali mynah (Leucopsar rothschildi) (p 230-252)



Joanne M. Earnhardt, Steven D. Thompson, Lisa J. Faust





Brief Reports



Endoparasitism in captive wild-caught snakes indigenous to Kerala, India (p 253-258)



S. Radhakrishnan, S. P. Kurup, P. S. Banerjee





Technical Reports



Development of a noncontact and long-term respiration monitoring system using microwave radar for hibernating black bear (p 259-270)



Satoshi Suzuki, Takemi Matsui, Hiroshi Kawahara, Shinji Gotoh





Book Reviews



All you ever wanted to know about marsupials (p 271-273)



Daniel K. Maloney



http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/35728/home



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Now a bit of fun for insect lovers everywhere:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lv8pq77Qas




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JOURNAL of THREATENED TAXA



JUNE 2009 Vol. 1 No. 6 Pages 309-360
Date of Publication 26 June 2009




An assessment of human-elephant conflict in Manas National Park, Assam, India
--Naba K Nath, Bibhuti P Lahkar, Namita Brahma, Santanu Dey, Jyoti P Das, Pranjit K Sarma & Bibhab K Talukdar, Pp.309-316
Abstract HTML PDF (1060Kb)

Taxonomic and scientific inaccuracies in a consultancy report on biodiversity: a cautionary note
--Mohomed M. Bahir & Dinesh E. Gabadage, Pp.317-322
Abstract HTML PDF (168Kb)

Assessment of the release program of the European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) at Ajloun Nature Reserve, Jordan
--Ehab Khalil Eid & Yaseen Ananbeh, Pp.323-326
Abstract HTML PDF (311Kb)

Diet of three insectivorous birds in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India – a preliminary study
--S. Asokan, A. Mohamed Samsoor Ali & R. Manikannan, Pp.327-330
Abstract HTML PDF (158Kb)

Redescription, distribution and status of the Karwar Large Burrowing Spider Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899 (Araneae: Theraphosidae), a Western Ghats endemic ground mygalomorph
--Manju Siliwal & Sanjay Molur, Pp.331-339
Abstract HTML PDF (986Kb)

Diversity and distribution of macrofungi in the man-made Pitchandikulam Forest of Tamil Nadu, southern India
--S. Mani & V. Kumaresan, Pp.340-343
Abstract HTML PDF (190Kb)

Aspergillus species isolated from mangrove forests in Borneo Island, Sarawak, Malaysia
--Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, A.A.K. Faisal Ali & Sepiah Muid, Pp.344-346
Abstract HTML PDF (394Kb)

A new black mildew fungus Meliola erumeliensis from Idukki, Kerala, India
--V.B. Hosagoudar, G.R. Archana, M. Rajendraprasad & A. Nazarudeen, P.347
Abstract HTML PDF (183Kb)

Meliolaceae of Kerala, India – XXVIII
--V.B. Hosagoudar & G.R. Archana, Pp.348-350
Abstract HTML PDF (308Kb)

Rediscovery of Small Salmon Arab Colotis amata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) from saline and semi-saline areas of West Bengal, India
--Soumyajit Chowdhury & Rahi Soren, Pp.351-352
Abstract HTML PDF (168Kb)

Rediscovery of the Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider 1801) (Serpentes: Elapidae) from Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India
--C. Srinivasulu, D. Venkateshwarlu & M. Seetharamaraju, Pp.353-354
Abstract HTML PDF (263Kb)

Observations on rutting behaviour of Hangul Deer Cervus elaphus hanglu (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) in Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, India
--Bilal A. Bhat, G. Mustafa Shah, Ulfat Jan, Fayaz A. Ahangar & M.F. Fazili, Pp.355-357
Abstract HTML PDF (171Kb)

Note on breeding and parental care behaviours of albino Hoary-bellied Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Sibsagar District of Assam, India
--Girindra Kalita, Pp.358-360
Abstract HTML PDF (197Kb)



http://www.threatenedtaxa.org/





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2010 Post-doctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research

The Society for Conservation Biology is pleased to solicit applications for the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program. These Fellowships enable outstanding early-career scientists based at a United States institution to improve and expand their research skills while directing their efforts towards problems of pressing conservation concern for the United States. The Program especially encourages individuals who want to better link conservation science and theory with pressing policy and management applications to apply. We envision that the cadre of scientists supported by the Smith Fellows Program eventually will assume leadership positions across the field of conservation science. Fellows are selected on the basis of innovation, potential for leadership and strength of proposal.

Read More: http://www.conbio.org/smithfellows/apply/

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Jellyfish at the Waikiki Aquarium
http://vimeo.com/5354382

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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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