The Role of Zoos in Wildlife Conservationmpoc.org.my/upload/Paper13_DrMarkus_Gusset.pdf · three...
Transcript of The Role of Zoos in Wildlife Conservationmpoc.org.my/upload/Paper13_DrMarkus_Gusset.pdf · three...
Markus Gusset, PhDConservation Officer & International Studbook Coordinator
The Role of Zoos inWildlife Conservation
unifying organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community
more than 300 members, including leading zoos and aquariums, regional and national associations of zoos and aquariums as well as some affiliate organisations and corporate partners from around the world
membership requires binding commitment to conservation
Who is WAZA?
37 zoos and theme parks in Malaysia
17 of them are members of the Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (MAZPA)
three major zoos in Malaysia: Zoo Negara (national zoo), Taiping Zoo and Melaka Zoo
these three zoos are members of the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA)
Zoo Negara is the only WAZA member in Malaysia
Zoos in Malaysia
Zoo Negara: owned and operated by the Malaysian Zoological Society (non-governmental organisation)
Taiping Zoo: operated by the Taiping Municipal Council (local government)
Melaka Zoo: operated by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (national government)
Management Structures
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
situated outside ofKota Kinabalu
opened in 2007
operated by theSabah Wildlife Department
Visitor Numbers
(Gusset & Dick 2011; Zoo Biology 30: 566–569)
more than 700 million visitors annually
unparalleled by any other group of conservation-oriented institutions
10% of global human population
Zoo Negara Outreach
1 million visitors annually
Partnerships
Awareness-raising Campaigns
Zoo Negara Year of the Bat
WAZA News 2/11
Conservation Breeding
33 animal species classified as Extinct in the Wild on IUCN Red List
28 of these species actively bred in animal propagation facilities
22 of these species with recovery efforts using captive-bred animals
recovery of 25% of the 64 species whose threat status was reduced
International Studbooks
(Müller et al. 2011; WAZA Magazine 12: 37–39)
international studbooks kept under auspices of WAZA
124 international studbooks for 163 (sub-)species
significantly higher relative life expectancy of species with international studbook
classified as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List
fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild
about 10 individuals left in Malaysia
Zoo Negara: more than 200 chicks over last 20+ years
release of captive-bred animals at Kuala Selangorand Kuala Gula Perak (together with Department of Wildlife and National Parks)
Zoo Negara Milky Stork
Zoo Negara Pheasants
Malayan peacock pheasant crestless fireback pheasant
potential candidatesfor release
WAZA Project Branding
project input not recognised
branding of suitable projects
win–win situation
branding on application
currently 216 projects
improvement in conservation status of high-profile threatened species and habitats in biodiversity-rich regions of the world
overall impact scores of a magnitude suggestive of an appreciable contribution to global biodiversity conservation
Evaluation
(Gusset & Dick 2010; International Zoo Yearbook 44: 183–191)
Leipzig Zoo
Leipzig Zoo
Houston Zoo
Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem programme on Sumatra (Indonesia)
Perth Zoo
WAZA letters to Indonesian government regarding the protection of the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA):
• lobbying members of the European Parliament
• public outreach in media
2011: compulsory labelling of palm oil in products soldin the European Union
2012: EAZA and IUCN/SSC Southeast Asia Campaign
Zoos and Palm Oil
Conservation Expenditures
(Gusset & Dick 2011; Zoo Biology 30: 566–569)
about US$ 350 million annually
among main providers of conservation funding
97% North America and Europe