1454 DWF Corporate Brochure

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TO SUPPORT FLORA & FAUNA CONSERVATION, RESEARCH & EDUCATION IN THE WILD

Transcript of 1454 DWF Corporate Brochure

TO SUPPORT FLORA & FAUNA CONSERVATION, RESEARCH & EDUCATION IN THE WILD

INDEXWELCOME 5

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 6

FIELD CONSERVATION PROCESS 8

TIGER CONSERVATION 10

KOALAS 12

TREE KANGAROOS 14

BILBIES 16

TASMANIAN DEVILS 18

WOMBATS 19

RESEARCH 20

TRAFFIC 26

DONATIONS AND CONTACTS 26

PHOTO CREDITS

21st Century TigerDreamworld Image LibraryGriffith UniversityUniversity of Queensland.

WELCOMEDreamworld Wildlife Foundation (DWF) was established in 2012 to provide support, practical assistance and funding for wildlife conservation

initiatives, particularly relating to the ecology of threatened and endangered species. DWF is approved under its constitution to support

direct conservation efforts, relevant research, public education, advocacy and co-operation with like-minded organisations and regulatory

authorities to protect wildlife.

DWF has partnered with the Zoological Society of London and the Global Tiger Patrol to establish and promote the pre-eminent global tiger

conservation charity, 21st Century Tiger. Through its relationships with 21st Century Tiger and other charities, DWF is able to actively help to

protect tigers in the wild with education, anti-poaching and community engagement initiatives. DWF is the largest zoological donor to tiger

conservation in the world.

DWF is internationally known for its work supporting tiger conservation in the wild. I hope that through reading this brochure you will come

to understand the depth of our involvement in not only tiger conservation but the protection and conservation of our own native Australian

endangered species.

The fragility of the environment, disease and the ongoing impact of introduced species in Australia have left a number of unique endemic

animals on the endangered species list. DWF supports research, habitat conservation and education for wildlife such as; Koalas, Bilbies,

Tree Kangaroos, Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Frogs and Bristlebirds.

Since being established in 2012, DWF has generated public donations over $2 million. These donations are directly linked from royalties

within the Dreamworld Themepark business of Ardent Leisure. The donations from merchandise and all wildlife activities within the

Themepark division supplemented by public donations received through bequests, workplace giving program, website and in-park donation

boxes have contributed to this public donation stream.

The wildlife on display at Dreamworld are ambassadors for their wild cousins. Without getting up close and personal to these amazing

creatures, we could not possibly generate the revenue for the charity DWF.

I want to acknowledge all the guests that come to Dreamworld Themepark Division and contribute to this amazing charity. Without your

ongoing support we could not deliver the conservation outcomes for our wildlife.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our volunteers and donors for their invaluable support and assistance and am sure that in the

future through the enthusiasm and passion for our wildlife our conservation efforts will be realised.

Yours sincerely

Craig Davidson

CRAIG DAVIDSON

Craig Davison is the Chief Executive Officer of Dreamworld and is head of the Ardent Leisure Group’s Theme Parks division. Craig has a deep understanding of international and domestic tourism and entertainment markets and previously held senior executive positions at Tourism Australia and Voyages Hotels and Resorts. Craig is an advocate for strong leadership and engagement and has outstanding operational skills to ensure that DWF is consistently supported through the generation of royalties from Dreamworld’s interactive tiger activities.

AL MUCCI

Al Mucci has been in the zoological industry for over 18 years and is the General Manager Life Sciences | Dreamworld Corroboree at Dreamworld. Al is an invited member of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council. Al is the longest serving President or the Zoo and Aquarium Association, Queensland Branch. Al is the Indigenous Relationships Manager for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Al is Chairman of the Save the Bilby Fund Inc. Al is passionate about the conservation of wildlife. Al has a wealth experience across many zoological facilities and provides the DWF Board with invaluable insights into project challenges and feasibility. Al has extensive experience within a charitable business serving in positions within the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and David Stead Foundation (wildlife charity).

ALAN SHEDDEN

Alan Shedden is the Ardent Leisure Group Company Secretary and also holds the position of Group General Manager Corporate Services. In this capacity he provides guidance to the human resources, health and safety, insurance, compliance and energy efficiency functions. Alan has over 17 years of experience as a Company Secretary and previously held positions at Brookfield Multiplex Limited and Orange S.A., the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of France Telecom S.A. Alan was instrumental in establishing DWF and provides the Board with guidance on compliance, governance and general commercial matters. Alan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of London (UK).

FUND COMMITTEEIn accordance with the DWF constitution all of the Directors

are members of the Fund Committee which is tasked with

reviewing and approving the funding of conservation projects

and ensuring that DWF retains its status as a deductible gift

recipient under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth).

In assessing conservation projects the Fund Committee is

supported by the Dreamworld Conservation Committee to

ensure that technical and other feasibility is maintained

so that funds are allocated to the most appropriate

conservation projects.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FIELD CONSERVATION PROCESSPotential conservation projects are required to be assessed and in accordance

with DWF’s guiding principles. All projects must be supervised or undertaken by

individuals with demonstrated experience in a relevant field.

Applications for project support must include clear statements of the project

background, aims and objectives, review methodology, budget, timetable and

outcomes. The Fund Committee focuses on key criteria and questions including:

• What the project impact will be?

• Whom the project will benefit?

• How the project’s effectiveness will be determined?

• How the project results will be measured and how they relate to conservation

improvements?

DWF requires that written reports on approved projects are submitted at 6 monthly

intervals unless otherwise agreed. Once a project is completed a full report of the

outcomes is required to be submitted within 90 days of the completion date.

Where possible, DWF seeks to retain intellectual property rights and media

publicity opportunities in order to raise the DWF public profile and credibility.

In the event that allocated funds are not used they are required to be returned to

DWF within 14 days of the completion of the project.

FFI TCPU Rangers dismantle tiger snare Three tiger poacher traders arrested in Kerinci Sumatran Tiger Kerinci

Together with other members of the Zoo and Aquarium Association, DWF joined in a partnership with the Southeast Asia Regional office of

TRAFFIC to support a project to combat the illegal trading in wildlife. This trade has a negative impact on global biodiversity and educational

initiatives help support the empowerment of visitors, communities and wider stakeholder networks to take positive action to combat the

illegal wildlife trade.

Through Flora and Fauna International, DWF supports the Kerinci-Seblat Tiger Protection and Conservation Program on the Indonesian

island of Sumatra. The Kerinci-Seblat National Park is an important tiger habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger. The project

is a highly active program with five Tiger Protection and Conservation Units operating in the field and working out of four camps around the

national park. The objective is to ensure the long-term conservation of wild Sumatran Tigers by controlling the poaching of not only tigers but

also their prey, habitat loss and effective mitigation of human-tiger conflict. We believe over 30 tigers are protected in this area.

TIGER CONSERVATIONDWF supports a number of tiger conservation project in the wild. Through

the alliance with 21st Century Tiger, DWF supports the Phoenix Fund, a

conservation charity operating in the Primorsky region in the south of the

Russian Far East. The region borders the People’s Republic of China and

the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and is home to the critically

endangered Amur Tiger and Amur Leopards. DWF supports the Phoenix Fund

in educate surrounding communities and providing vehicles and training

in support of anti-poaching patrols in Russia's oldest nature reserve, the

Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve.

Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation is the largest Zoological contributor to tiger conservation.

Our Conservation Partner

KOALA CONSERVATIONDreamworld Themepark Division is a Gold Sponsor of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF). DWF allocates funds to several research

projects regarding koala populations and habitat conservation. Despite Al Mucci’s presentation at the Senate Enquiry into the status of the

koala and the subsequent Federal Government’s 2012 decision to classify Queensland’s koalas as vulnerable and add them to the Threatened

Species List, there remains a lot of work to be done to stabilise diminishing koala populations.

DWF through the leadership of Al Mucci has developed the Koala Land project. The Koala Land project is a collaborative effort to

recommend ways of protecting koalas and koala habitats in the Koala Coast region of South East Queensland. The report sets out achievable

solutions for rebuilding koala populations based on information gathered from interviews with people that have worked with koalas for

decades including Government, researchers, scientists, vets, wildlife rescuers and other stakeholders. This collection of knowledge provides

a picture of what needs to be done to prevent koalas on the Koala Coast from becoming extinct.

KOALA LAND – KOALA RESEARCH COLLABORATION PROJECTEvery councillor, politician, planner, developer need to find ways where people and koalas can live together. Download your copy of the

Koala Land Report www.koalandland.com.au and start koala conservation in your own backyard.

20 = The number of hours per day a koala sleeps. Koalas are not bears but are marsupials that carry their young in a pouch.

www.savethekoala.com

Our Conservation Partner

TREE KANGAROO CONSERVATIONDWF partners and supports the Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre (TRRACC) to increase awareness of Australian tree kangaroo

conservation, particularly the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo (LTK). TRRACC in Far North Queensland rescues and rehabilitates orphaned

and injured tree kangaroos for release back to the wild. The LTK is an iconic Australian animal. Worryingly it is on the decline with an

undiagnosed blindness occurring in the unique marsupial. Through the work of Al Mucci supported by DWF and TRRACC, more needs to

be done and investigated about the blindness disease and preventing it spreading further. We believe we have identified the plant which

is called Rhodomyrtus macrocarpus which can cause blindness. This requires more work.

While research into the challenges for the species is ongoing, we need to lobby governments for status change so we do not lose this

species from the North.

www.treeroorescue.org.au

14 = The number of species of tree kangaroos in existence. They measure about 30 inches not including their 16 – 34 inch tails.

Our Conservation Partner

12 =The number of days that a female bilby is pregnant. There were 2 species of bilbies in Australia however one of them has already become extinct.

BILBY CONSERVATIONDWF supports the Save the Bilby Fund Inc (STBF). through fundraising,

education, research and direct action to secure the long-term conservation

of bilbies. Dreamworld Themepark is the only zoological facility authorised

by the Queensland Government to breed captive bilbies. Dreamworld

Themepark the business contributes captive bred bilbies which are raised

and released into Currawinya National Park, South-western Queensland. A

predator proof fence was built by Australians supporting STBF, unfortunately

this fence got breached early 2014. Recently, Al Mucci and the Queensland

Environment Minister announced $700,000 of monies to be allocated for re-

building the predator proof fence.

DWF and STBF in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding

Specialist Group (CBSG) have led and produced the Greater Bilby Recovery

Summit 2015 Report and Interim Conservation Plan. This will guide and

establish whole of Australia plan for the conservation of this unique

Australian marsupial.

www.savethebilbyfund.com

Our Conservation Partner

www.trowunna.com.au

35 = The number of cents o f f e r e d b y t h e Va n Diemen’s Land Company in 1830 as a reward for every female devil killed. The reward for a male devil was only 25 cents.

150 = Northern Hairy Nose Wombats left on the planet.

WOMBAT CONSERVATIONDreamworld Themepark Division supports the conservation breeding program at Trowunna

Wildlife Park, Tasmania. Understanding the husbandry and reproductive biology of these unique

marsupials through the partnership with Trowunna is critical to then supporting the animal

management in the wild. These captive animals raise awareness through education about the

plight of their wild cousins.

TASMANIAN DEVIL CONSERVATIONDevil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has decimated the wild population of

Tasmanian devils. Dreamworld Themepark supports Trowunna Wildlife

Park who breed devils for release onto offshore islands from Tasmania.

Dreamworld Themepark Division houses Tasmanian devils which form part

of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Meta-Population which in turn

supports the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Dreamworld Themepark

Division is proud to be supporting such a worthwhile conservation initiative.

Our Conservation Partner

Figure 1: Candidates for deposits into the live koala genome bank

Figure 2: Artificial insemination in the koala has resulted in 33 pouch young

DWF supports The University of Queensland

Progress on implementing the Live Koala Genome Bank has

been based on a background knowledge of nearly 20 years

reproductive research for which Dreamworld Themepark staff

have been at the forefront, contributing the use of facilities, koalas

and husbandry and veterinary skills of its in order to help A/Prof

Johnston and his students better understand the reproductive

biology of this iconic species. Our research has resulted in a greatly

improved understanding of the koala reproductive cycle (oestrus,

ovulation and pregnancy, the effect of lactation and seasonality)

and the world first development of a range artificial breeding

technology such as semen collection, chilled and frozen sperm

preservation, assessments of fertility, oestrous synchronisation

and artificial insemination. (http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1095/

biolreprod.107.064824)

Figure 3: Live staining of koala spermatozoa – Green heads are live sperm whereas red heads are dead sperm; Orange tails are active sperm, whereas green tails have low metabolic activity

CONSERVATION RESEARCHAssociate Professor Stephen Johnston (BSc Hons PhD) is a reproductive

zoologist based in the Wildlife Science Unit of the School of Agriculture and

Food Sciences at the University of Queensland (UQ) (http://researchers.

uq.edu.au/researcher/221). Stephen has had a long and successful working

relationship with staff at Dreamworld Themepark Division and DWF,

conducting research on species that range from koalas, two species of

wombat and the endangered Greater bilby. Remarkably, Dreamworld has

been directly or indirectly a collaborator with A/Prof Johnston for information

on wildlife related topics that has contributed to 3 book chapters, 39 peer-

reviewed articles in scientific journals, 9 PhDs, 1 MPhil and 6 BAppSc

honours students.

Al Mucci and A/Prof Johnston are the primary architects of a concept they

have coined the “Live Koala Genome Bank”, a DWF funded project that

seeks to engage the Queensland zoo community with a direct and “hands

on” role with regard to koala conservation in South East Queensland. In

association with UQ geneticist, A/Prof Jennifer Seddon, UQ PhD student,

Ms Bridie Schultz and the Queensland Department of Environment Heritage

and Protection, Dreamworld Veterinarian Dr Vere Nicolson and Dreamworld

veterinary nursing and zookeeping staff have been contributing their

collective skills to this project, which examines the genetic and reproductive

health of both wild and captive koalas with the objective to better manage

the long-term viability of vulnerable south-east Queensland populations. The

project runs with the Motto that “zoos should be producers of wildlife not

consumers.”(http://koalaland.com.au/the-role-of-queensland-wildlife-parks-

in-the-fine-scale-genetic-management-of-captive-and-fragmented-koala-

populations)

Dreamworld Themepark’s Veterinarian Dr Nicolson has been involved in a range of reproductive and behavioural research into a colony of

20 Southern Hairy-nosed wombats located at the Wombat Breeding Centre, Safe Haven Project of Australian Animals Care and Education.

This colony, which is based at Mt Larcom, on the central coast of Queensland has been purposely established to function as a captive

husbandry and reproductive model for the highly endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. (http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/videos/

dreamworld-vet-visits-mt-larcom-wombat-centre/21948/; http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/145/6/R157.full)

DWF and Al Mucci provided funds and on-ground support to investigate the ecology and genetic distinctiveness of Queensland’s only

common wombat colony located at Girraween National Park; these animals are the most northern members of a remnant population and our

research has helped to elucidate their strange cave-dwelling habit and interesting genetic relationships with other populations of common

wombat in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Most recently, Dreamworld Themepark’s Al Mucci has collaborated with A/Prof Johnston’s post-doctoral fellow, Dr Tamara Keeley. Dr

Keeley is an expert in the science of non-invasive assessment of stress and reproductive hormones. Dr Keeley is currently investigating

the reproductive cycle of the koala and tree kangaroo by studying the release of hormone metabolites in faecal and urine samples; she has

used her skills to help detect early pregnancy in Dreamworld’s Tigers. (http://www.4bc.com.au/radio/dreamworld-staff-collecting-roo-poo-

20150818-gj1s3a)

Dreamworld Themepark in association with Save the Bilby Fund has provided funding and worked closely with A/Prof Johnston to reveal

new information on the reproductive anatomy and physiology of the male and female Greater Bilby, and has helped to conduct a genetic

analysis of the current captive bilby populations in Queensland. In association with Veterinarian Dr Vere Nicolson, A/Prof Johnston and

his colleagues have explored dental and arthritic diseases in this species. These investigations have utilised novel 3D imaging technology

to create 3D printed models of the bilby skull and dentition to improve veterinary dental treatments. (https://www.uq.edu.au/news/

article/2013/12/bilby-toothache-answered-advanced-technology)

Figure 4: 3D model of bilby skull showing coloured teeth inserts to help improve veterinary dentist treatments.

KOALASGriffith University worked with Dreamworld Themepark’s Al Mucci

to develop the methodology required to assess the physiological

stress levels of captive koala’s at Dreamworld. The development of

this methodology, and the research results provide baseline stress

hormone levels for koalas and was used to assess the impacts of

disease, handling by park visitors, and other factors that influence

stress hormone levels in captive koalas. Our results demonstrated

that handling of koalas for visitor experience did not influence stress

hormone levels however they were influenced by other health

issues within captive koalas. These results also provide baseline

data that can be used to evaluate the tress hormone levels in wild

koalas.

• Narayan, E., K. Webster, V. Nicolson, A. Mucci & J.-M. Hero.

2013. Non-invasive evaluation of physiological stress in an iconic

Australian marsupial: the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). General

& Comparative Endocrinology.187:39-47.

DWF supports Griffith University

DWF and the Environmental Futures Research Institute at Griffith

University has been actively involved in numerous collaborative

research projects that have focussed on the conservation of wildlife

in Australia.

Recent projects include:

TAUDACTYLUS CAPTIVE BREEDINGDWF provided funding for field research activities needed prior

to establishing a captive breeding facility for Taudactylus liemi.

This allowed us to collect in situ temperature and microhabitat

parameters needed to establish the captive population at the

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We have now successfully bred

second generation frogs. This species is only found in Queensland

and is highly endangered.

TIGERSGriffith University worked with Dreamworld Themepark and other

zoos in Australia to develop the methodology required using tiger

scat samples to assess the physiological stress levels of captive

tiger populations. The development of this methodology, and the

research results provide baseline stress hormone levels in tigers

that are essential to evaluate stress hormone levels as an indicator

of health in wild tiger populations.

• Parnell, T., E. Narayan, M. Magrath, S. Rowe, J.-M. Hero. 2014.

Evaluating physiological stress in Sumatran tigers (Panthera

tigris ssp. sumatrae) managed in Australian Zoos. Conservation

Physiology 2014-045.R2

• Narayan, E., G. Clark, P. Martin-Vegue, T. Parnell, A. Mucci & J.-M.

Hero. 2013. Faecal cortisol metabolites in Bengal (Panthera tigris

tigris) and Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae). General &

Comparative Endocrinology. 194:318–325.

BILBIESGriffith University worked with Dreamworld Themepark’s Al Mucci to

develop the methodology required to assess the physiological stress

levels of captive and semi-wild bilby populations. The development

of this methodology, and the research results provide baseline

stress hormone levels in bilbies that are essential to evaluate stress

hormone levels as an indicator of health in wild bilby populations.

• Lollback, G., Rachel Mebberson, Nicole Evans, Jonathan Shuker,.

& J.-M. Hero. 2015. Estimating the abundance of the bilby

(Macrotis lagotis): a Vulnerable, uncommon, nocturnal marsupial.

Australian Mammalogy 37:75-85

• Narayan, E., N. L. Evans & J.-M. Hero. 2014. Monitoring

physiological stress in semi-free ranging populations of an

endangered Australian marsupial, the Greater Bilby (Macrotis

lagotis). European J. Wildlife Research. DOI 10.1007/s10344-014-

0842-z

• Evans, N., E. Narayan, J.-M. Hero. 2013. Effects of natural

weathering conditions on fecal cortisol metabolite measurements

in the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis). Australian Journal of

Zoology. 61: 351-356.

• Narayan, E., N. Evans, V. Nicolson, A. Mucci & J.-M. Hero.

2012. Non-invasive evaluation of physiological stress hormonal

responses in a captive population of the Greater Bilby (Macrotis

lagotis). Endangered Species Research. 18: 279–289.

Pic courtesy of Nic Rakotopare

Pic courtesy of Nic Rakotopare

Pic courtesy of Nic Rakotopare Pic courtesy of Jean-Marc Hero

TRAFFICDWF have partnered with TRAFFIC, a lead NGO in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. Traffic’s mission

is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

The work being provided is a collaborative effort in funding forensic investigation to uncover illegal

wildlife trafficking.

DWF is also supporting a team of 25 South East Asian staff with project management skills from the

Institute of Management Blue Vision.

These initiatives will help police and relevant country authorities to curtail the growth of this illegal trade

area that impacts wild animal populations globally. Illegal wildlife trade was once an emerging threat.

Wildlife crime today has transformed into one of the largest international organised criminal activities

and sits alongside human, drugs and weapons trafficking.

Donations to DWF are accepted through the collection boxes and retail outlets throughout Dreamworld Themepark and through the website at: http://shop.dreamworld.com.au/Tickets/dwf-donation

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

AL MUCCI General Manager Life SciencesDreamworld [email protected]

Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation LimitedCharitable Fundraising Authority: CFN/22016Sanction No: CP5545ACN: 150 274 463

REGISTERED OFFICE:Level 1661 Lavender StreetMILSONS POINTNSW 2000

+61 (0)2 9409 3670

Acknowledgement:We acknowledge the traditional Yugambeh Language People of the Gold Coast, and Elders past and present.We acknowledge our conservation partners Trowunna Wildlife Park, Queensland Government, Griffith University, University of Queensland, 21st Century Tiger, Fauna & Flora International, Australian Koala Foundation, Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre, Save the Bilby Fund, Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.

DONATIONS AND CONTACTS

TRADING OFFICE:Dreamworld ParkwayCOOMERAQLD 4209

+61 (0)7 5588 1111

EXTINCTION IS FOREVER...