Zoos: what they are, what they should be and why we may need them. D. DeMello ©WCS

“Today more and more of us live in cities and lose any real connection with wild animals and plants.” Sir David Attenborough,

philosophy of core zoos……. “must behave and structure themselves in such a way that they are perceived as part of the global movement of concern for the environment and the maintenance of biodiversity” Mullen & Marvin, 1999 What are zoos here for?

A survey conducted by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in collaboration with national and regional zoo and aquarium associations, showed that annually more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide and are thus potentially exposed to environmental education. Zoo Biol 29: 1–4, © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. World Zoo Organization estimates there are some 10,000 zoos worldwide, which are visited by around 619 million people annually ( Mullan and Marvin, 1999: xii ). The number of visitors to zoos in the USA and Canada exceeds the combined annual attendance of baseball, American football and hockey (Hanna, 1996:76). >12,000,000 to Mexico City Zoo

Why do we need zoos? Class Exercise Write down 1)Why do you think society needs zoos? 2)How does this fit with why you want to be involved with zoos?

What’s the Problem?  million species  Huge number in rainforests  Most live in limited ranges  50% of rainforests already destroyed  Maybe 15 million species already gone  The vast majority of extinctions since 1500AD have occurred on oceanic islands, but over the last 20 years, continental extinctions have become as common as island extinctions

25% of all species predicted to be extinct by 2025 Of those evaluated (61, 914), 19,570 are Threatened IUCN, 2011 Out of only 3.6% of species described so far (1.73M) Extinction rates are typically 1000 x or more above normal background extinction rates 31.9% of all assessed species are threatened.

Bottom Line Zoos must be here for: Prevention of Extinction and Preservation of Biodiversity CONSERVATION TONY CAMACHO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Conservation “….. and that the several tasks that fall to them [zoos], by far the most important is the breeding of endangered animals.” Tudge, C (1992). Last Animal at the Zoo.

Definition of Conservation Conservation is the securing of long-term populations of species in natural ecosystems and habitats wherever possible. WAZA, Building a Future for Wildlife The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy

Conservation v Conservation Biology Conservation as a paradigm or direct output Also depends on priorities of funding and resourcing But what does the word ‘Conservation’ mean in a zoo context?

Conservation Conundrums  Why should we conserve? Is it worth it?

Why Conservation? It’s Good for Us! TourismTourism Personal gain – trophies, photos, collections etc.Personal gain – trophies, photos, collections etc. Resource – foodResource – food MedicinesMedicines Direct environmental consequencesDirect environmental consequences Ethics and morality - because it’s rightEthics and morality - because it’s right

Conservation Conundrums  Why should we conserve? Is it worth it?  In-situ v’s ex-situ

In-situ only Doesn’t work – forces of destruction are too great  Destruction of habitats and their fragmentation  Pests species distribution  Hunting  Secondary effects – pollution, global warming, super-nitrification

In-situ only Doesn’t work  Conservation of habitat is resource expensive – but conservation as a cause is poor  War – no matter what you set up, it may not be possible to keep it. Animals second to human suffering  Changes in government/legislation  ‘Species Relaxation’  Size required for viable population  Ensuring an island habitat does not ensure that all the animals’ requirements are within the island

Ex-situ i.e. captive conservation + In-situ Conservation Workable Conservation

Conservation Conundrums  Why should we conserve? Is it worth it?  In-situ v’s ex-situ  Save the wild, do away with zoos – use the money for in-situ

Save the wild, do away with zoos – use the money for in-situ Would this work? Discuss.

Conservation Conundrums  Why should we conserve? Is it worth it?  In-situ v’s ex-situ  Save the wild, do away with zoos – use the money for in-situ  Conservation breeding – as a means of preservation

Captive Breeding Arguments  Too few species can be saved to worry about them  Animals should be kept in similar climates  Cannot survive back in wild  Do not know enough about the animals  Too few species can be saved to worry about them  Animals should be kept in similar climates  Cannot survive back in wild  Do not know enough about the animals

So What Can Captive Breeding Do? Can make serious inroads into land vertebrate conservation due to numbers   Smaller diversity of land vertebrates compared to invertebrates   Maybe 20,000 species of land vertebrate   Up to 10 % may require captive breeding over the next 200 years   If all zoos pool resources and work together – may be able to support viable populations of 800 species   Human population set to decline yrs time

How Does it Work?  Breed Animals – maybe a problem  Numbers – need enough to keep population. At least 50 to keep population alive but nearer 500 to be safe and ensure increase in population  Keep 90% genetic variation for 200 years

Issues with Captive Breeding  What is a species?  What to do with sub-species, hybrids etc.  What is an ideal individual?  Inbreeding and maintaining variation  Ensure co-ordination across captive establishments to allow plans to work

Conservation Conundrums  Why should we conserve? Is it worth it?  In-situ v’s ex-situ  Save the wild, do away with zoos – use the money for in-situ  Conservation breeding – as a means of preservation  Captive animal cruelty

Animal Cruelty In reality a welfare argument: 1.Is zoo animal husbandry that bad? 2.How does it compare to other animal industries? 3.Is in-situ conservation devoid of animal welfare issues? 4.Includes ethical issues to be discussed later.

The Story So Far  History  Facets of change  Why zoos are deemed necessary  The issue of conservation  Arguments for and against

The Story to still to come  What makes a modern zoo  Best practice zoos  Who’s involved in the running of a best practice zoo?  What makes a best practice keeper?  The rules and regulations of the zoo industry  Are we justified?

What makes a good zoo? Class Exercise 1 What do you look for in a ‘good’ zoo?

Under What Auspices Must Modern Zoos Exist?  Must have certain strategic goals compatible with society’s views

What were these general roles?  The original 4  Conservation  Education  Research  Recreation  The umbrella role  Best practice animal welfare

New Roles  World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy 2005  Original 4 (focus on advocacy as education)  Ethics and Animal Welfare  Partnerships, Collegiality and Politics  Sustainability

Captive Wild Animal Facilities Partnerships Communication Education and Training Sustainability Science and Research Wild Populations Population Management Ethics and Welfare

Assessment of a Good Zoo  A recreational aspect that is not detrimental to the animals – physically or psychologically – and that depicts the animals in a manner that retains their dignity and rights  A continuing research or study facet that provides documented and published evidence of new findings in ALL aspects of the zoo industry  A proven track record in its approach to better understand animal husbandry, health and welfare and to implement strategies that promote best practice

Assessment of a Good Zoo  A fully integrated strategy for the education of the public – addressing barriers of age, gender, culture and physical and learning capabilities  A broad and successful conservation/preservation programme including in-situ and ex-situ projects, addressing individual species and ecosystem issues within the context of local, national, international/regional and global organisational frameworks  Sustainability and Partnership????????? ACCREDITATION!!!

WAZA’s Ideal

How Do We Do Conservation in Zoos? Internal and external integrated conservation Direct Conservation Captive Breeding/Population Management

Internal Integrated Conservation  Conservation based themed exhibits  Recreational facilities for families, social groups and individuals all over the world – safe and affordable  Interpretation and engagement  Directly via education  Marketing, PR and Advertising  Sustainable approach  Associate shops and catering facilities with conservation programmes  inform visitors about the conservation work of the zoo or aquarium plus that of other zoos and aquariums, conservation organizations and government agencies;

External Integrated Conservation  Achieve their conservation aims in the field by forming strategic alliances  Raise funds to support field conservation projects or programmes  Coordinate or participate in their own field-based conservation projects  Work with breeding and welfare facilities  Conduct or support appropriate scientific research, both in the field and in the zoo  Participate in the activities of the Species Survival Commission of IUCN  Engage in and stimulate political debate with their own governments and others

Direct Conservation  appropriate breeding in collections, reintroduction and translocation programmes, and advising on behaviour, diet and welfare standards;  advice on wildlife health issues and practical assistance in the wild;  funding;  establishing and/or supporting field conservation units;  education through conservation programmes, including those for wildlife indigenous to the zoo area;  training programmes. WAZA, Building a Future for Wildlife The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy

Population Management Zoos Must Ensure that their populations are:  demographically stable;  healthy, well maintained and capable of self- sustaining reproduction;  distributed among several institutions to lessen the risks of catastrophic loss;  of sufficient size to maintain high levels of genetic diversity

Zoos aren’t just animals and keepers  Maintenance/Asset Management  Horticulture  Vet Support  Administration  Front of house  Research  Education and interpretation staff  Business/Finance  Marketing/Media  Senior Management  Volunteers  Security and other outsourced support services

External Associations  Council or trust or private owners  Sponsors  Research and Teaching Affiliations  DOC  Local Community Groups  Indigenous People  MPI (MAF)  EPA (ERMA)  ZAA (ARAZPA)  WAZA  IUCN  CITES  Dept of Labour

So where do YOU come in? totalticketsystem.com/.../