The importance of zoo participation in global species

conservation

Richard Perron IUCN-CBSG Quantum Conservation e.V. Schützenhofstraße 30

26135 Oldenburg

Germany

What do we mean by conservation?

Conservation

• The protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity

• Carefully using valuable natural substances that exist in limited amounts in order to make certain that they will be available for as long a time as possible

Preserving & Protecting

Why is conservation necessary?

Last, but not least

Why should zoos,

why should YOU, be particularly

concerned about conservation?

Two main reasons• Moral obligation

• Legal responsibility

• Zoos have, as a group, taken animals from the wild over the last few centuries

• Zoos need to be active in conservation to justify their continuation

A high percentage of global wildlife is rapidly heading for

extinction.Some of the most attractive

exhibits in zoos are among those species most endangered in the

wild.

Education• Staff training – informed ambassadors

• Correct and sufficient signage

• Integrated environmental compatibility

• School parties – build for the future

• Children at play – integration with nature

• Adult visitors – a problem of apathy

• Guided tours by zoo professionals

• Marketing concept aimed at politicians

Marketing the zoo• Every zoo should have a marketing

concept – know why you are there, what you are doing and where you are going

• Involve schools, churches, social groups and businesses in all your activities

• Invite all political parties regularly to events at your zoo and keep them up-to-date on your plans and integrate them into your projects

Ex-situ breeding & research

• Ex-situ conservation would seem to be the ideal level for zoos to become involved

• Being an EEP/ESB member is not sufficient, it must be linked to in-situ programmes

• Collection planning is essential

• Research: information & publishing

Vital In-situ support• In-situ also means doing conservation

projects in your local area

• Smaller zoos could join together to create viable projects for habitat protection

• Larger zoos could supply technical as well as financial help to projects

• Raise funds for projects you cannot join

• Use in-situ activities in your marketing

The reality• Very few zoos are actively engaged in in-

situ conservation

• The same zoos are always mentioned in relation to conservation efforts

• Zoos of all sizes can do more

• Lawmakers will increasingly pass restrictive legislation

• Wildlife will be increasingly endangered

Conservation needs YOU!• Conservation needs YOU now

• Educate your visitors & politicians

• Do something positive for captive species

• Publish your experiences

• Help preserve OUR in-situ wildlife and habitat

• THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Levels of Influence

• International

• Regional

• National

• Local

• WAZA

• EAZA

• ?

• YOU