Sunday, January 10, 1999

Zoo News Digest 19th January 1999 (Zoo News 35)

Dear Colleagues,

We had a small gap in the recent unpredictable weather which allowed us to
organise our well overdue seal release. Two of the animals had by now
reached a rather amazing size, and were very heavy. All four were boxed,
with difficulty, (because they did not want to go) and were taken down to
the release site. The tide was fully in and the water flat as a lily pond.
We even had a bit of sunshine. All four animals swam off strongly towards
the horizon. A passerby who witnessed the event was moved to tears and
declared she was priviliged to have been there. Just a couple of days
before we had another pup brought in from Holyhead docks. Very thin and
with a bite to its right foreflipper. It has come on in leaps and bounds
and is eating like there is no tomorrow. It is also getting on very well
with the other remaining animal.

Rumours abound, big changes afoot in Chessington. Some old and very
familiar faces have disappeared from the scene. If you cast your mind back
to ZooNews 22 in October you will recall I said that it would be
interesting to see how things developed. Now it seems they are.

Last weeks comments on conference/symposium fees sparked off a deluge of
email. There were five organisations who thought I was referring directly
to them and were slightly offended. This was not the case, I was writing
generally, and said this at the time. There were around thirty five
messages which agreed with all I had to say. This week I am steering well
clear of the subject, but still welcome your opinions as I will return to
this at a later.

Ocean Watch
(Maui Ocean Center)
http://starbulletin.com/1999/01/18/news/oceanwatch.html

Shark expert living her dream
(Oceanic Adventures Newport Aquarium)
http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/01/17/loc_shark_expert_living.html

Zoo's probe finding no fault with its president is sent to state
(Franklin Park Zoo)
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/023/metro/Zoo_s_probe_finding_no_fault_w
ith_its_pres ident_is_sent_to_state+.shtml

Elephant death devastates Chinese town
(Zhengzhou zoo)-also a panda mention
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_260000/260716.s
tm

Painting a potrait for species survival
(Sequoia Park Zoo)
http://www.times-standard.com/MAINHED/DOCS/jan17_1999/closeup.html

Teaching respect a tall order
(Shanghai Zoo)
http://www.scmp.com/news/template/China-
Template.idc?artid=19990123030033032&top=china&template=Default.htx&maxfie
ldsize=896

Zoo becomes meeting point for Raya
(National Zoo_Kuala Lumpur)
http://www.jaring.my/~star/thursday/21rwmeet.html

Ministry steps up measures to protect wildlife
(Malacca Zoo)
http://www.jaring.my/~star/thursday/21wilder2.html

Buffalo Niagara Partnership Releases Econimic Impact Study of Proposed New
Zoo http://www.amcity.com/buffalo/stories/1999/01/18/daily16.html

Hungry tigers kill keeper at restaurant
(private zoo)
http://www.bangkokpost.net/220199/220199_News13.html

Little Rock Zoo Loses Accreditation
http://www.newsday.com/ap/rnmpnt0d.htm

Giraffes Die from Mystery Illness
(Nanning Zoo)
http://www.insidechina.com/china/news/99012108.html

Police Jail man for attack on petting zoo animals
http://www.hotcoco.com/news/eastbay/ebaystories/dan38744.htm

Construction begins on Barcaldine outback zoo
http://www.abc.net.au/news/regionals/longr/reglr-21jan1999-5.htm

Zoo's reforms appease USDA
(Topeka Zoo)
http://cjonline.com/stories/012199/com_usdazoo.shtml

Zoo Snow Bowl planned Feb. 6
(Akron Zoo)
http://www.ohio.com/bj/news/docs/017886.htm

Wolf attacks child at Birmingham Zoo
http://www.msnbc.com/local/WVTM/85990.asp

Save Tiger campaign launched in Britain
(London Zoo)
http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990120/news/0916868041-0000004419.html

Petting zoo animals killed, mutilated in overnight knife attack
(Kennedy Park)
http://www.hotcoco.com/news/breaking/stories/rob19127.htm

Rare elephant birth creates sensation at Berlin zoo
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9901/19/fringe/germany.elephant/index.html

Oregon Zoo hopes for a joey
(Bronx Zoo/ Riverbanks Zoo)
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/99/01/st012019.html

Bronx Gorilla Bombards Family
http://www.channel2000.com/news/stories/news-990119-201928.html

PYTHON'S OWNER WANTS HIS SNAKE BACK HOME
(Lincoln Park Zoo)
http://chicagotribune.com/version1/article/0,1575,SAV-9901190177,00.html

The Care of the Wild
(The National Zoo)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-01/19/023l-011999-idx.htm
l

Animal keepers could be put on shorter leash
http://www.wichitaeagle.com/news/environment/docs/wildshows0117_txt.htm

Arrival of Tuli Elephants in Europe Protested
(Basel Zoo)
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jan99/1999L-01-15-01.html

Slithering Loot Found Outside Zoo's Gate
(Madrid zoo)
http://www.oklahoman.com/cgi-bin/getarticle?ID=265696

Residents question money movement
(Little Rock Zoo)
http://www.ardemgaz.com/today/ark/bcxzoo17.html

Honor for bear carer
(Lop Buri Zoo)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/state/4236741.htm

Zoo comes to the library
(Outreach Zoo)
http://www.latimes.com/excite/990116/tCB0027412.html

Ultrasound scans bring bonobo's heart into view
(Milwaukee County Zoo)
http://www.jsonline.com/news/Metro/990118ultrasoundscansbringb.asp

A 'five-star kitchen' at the zoo
(Arignar Anna Zoological Park -Vandalur )
http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/990118/04/0418223h.htm

India State 'mother' to wild animals
(Central Zoo Authority)
http://www.scmp.com/news/template/Asia-
Template.idc?artid=19990118022800011&top=asia&template=Default.htx&maxfiel
dsize=1744

Call of the wild is scientific study
(Mesker Park Zoo)
http://courier.evansville.net/cgi/view.cgi?/199901/17/+wolf_news.html+1999
0117

Zoo Program Creates Penguin Colony
(Baltimore Zoo)
http://www.accesswaco.com/shared-cgi/aponline/show_story.cgi?id=aponline-m
enus- data/National.AP.V0584.AP-African-Penguin.story&menu=National.html

Doo-be-doo-be-doo ...
(Baltimore Zoo)
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsliving/195ld1.htm

Santa Ana Zoo's annual Two-Cans for Toucan Day
http://www.latimes.com/excite/990117/t000005006.html

Horse law drives out "killer buyers'
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/01/2
2/NEWS1875.dtl

Circus trainer ruled with 'iron fist'
http://news.bbc.co.uk:80/hi/english/uk/newsid_259000/259098.stm

Mission to save the tiger
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_258000/258046.stm

Return of the wolf alarms Swiss sheep-farmers
http://www2.nando.net/noframes/story/0,2107,8207-14064-100250-0,00.html

Activities worry environmentalists
(Kenya Wildlife Service)
http://www.africanews.org/east/kenya/stories/19990114_feat7.html

Ocean University a reality soon
http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/1999/01/19/new15.html


Bit & Pieces

Volunteer required for Bear Project in Thailand starting in early March
There follows a brief description of the project.............. The newly
built enclosure is 2500 sq mts with a couple ponds some shelters newly
planted trees, grass, fallen logs, and a tower and log and coconut husk
piles. The bears are encouraged to look for their food. All the eight
animals involved, 6 Asian Bears and 2 Sun Bears, have had a traumatic
life until now. The best of which to date had been their small concrete
barred cages at the zoo. All bears at the begining of the project
exhibited stereotypical behaviours, paw sucking, winding, head throwing,
circle turning, pacing and head burying. Good work was done by the other
volunteers when the bears were taken to the new holding facility. There
they had there own private swimming pools and were gently introduced to
each other. Some frictions exist between two pairs of bears whereas the
other four bears get on with everyone. Life was so good in the holding
cage, where they had to remain almost four months while the grass was
literally growing outside, that most have had a problem leaving it.Outside
the bears at first showed panic at the wide open spaces, and new noises as
a road runs close by. They also showed fear of the wind, the sun and
shadow changes. Grass hoppers make them jump as does any sudden sound. Add
this to the fact they have had to get used to an electric fence system
that not only keeps them in but protects the newly planted tree's and you
can imagine the new trauma. Some, will at times revert to the stereopyped
behaviour, particularily when stressed. Time and good care will sort many
of these things out. One of their biggest problems is that they have never
had the same keeper for too long and there is nobody who studys the bears
and to see what is happening to them or how to interpret it. This is a
difficult project. You will need great patience and an ability to work and
adapt to a totally different culture and conditions. You must be able to
fix your attention to the work in hand without being drawn into other
issues. That is just a short run down of the extent of this project,
anyone who is genuinely interested in becoming involved should contact
harimau@pobox.com for further details.


SENEGAL '99--Lesley Harmer
A fact-finding/action plan formulating trip is planned to go out to
Senegal on 27th February (returning 14th March) and since three of my
group have had to drop out, I'm looking for some replacements. This trip
has been organised as a result of a talk originally given by Owen Burnham
at a TAG meeting held at Banham Zoo. Owen spoke very graphically of the
problems being encountered in Senegal at all levels and the effects upon
the wildlife. Owen was originally born in Senegal and spent the first 18
years of his life there. He is an expert on Senegalese wildlife. Owen
returned for a research project under the auspices of the Oxford Brookes
University and an American Primate Group. During his research period he
kept a complete record of all species encountered in the forests whilst he
camped out and his findings make fascinating reading. Amongst other
things, he rediscovered a species of flying squirrel not seen since 1946.
From the research Owen has done, he estimates that there are only 50 to
100 Senegalese maneless lions left yet it's still possible to buy licences
to hunt them. Other extremely endangered species include West African
manatee and river dolphin. The trip is intended to work on a number of
levels: - we are hoping to liaise with Senegal Zoo with regard to
improving conditions there, which I understand from Owen are awful at the
moment (it's planned that Stewart Muir from Shaldon will be instrumental
in this). It is also hoped to initiate a captive breeding scheme and
attempt to set up some funding. We hope to be able to liaise with other
Senegalese officials in the hopes of exploring ways to halt the slaughter
of their diminishing wildlife. It is also intended to be enjoyable! We
plan to stay part of the time on the coast below Dakar - there are whales
and dolphins always in Senegalese waters and boat trips out to the
Madeleine Islands and beyond are planned. We will also be travelling
inland to Niokolo Koba - a reserve on the Niokola River (a tributary of
the Gambia river) where a plethora of species may still be seen. It's
also possible that we may stay at a mangrove delta and observe the species
that have habituated themselves there. There will be something for
everyone on this trip, wherever their interests lie. We will be assisted
by a local naturalist, and guide who will arrange transport and
accommodation, called Peter Stirling.

The Cost ....

I am currently looking for a deposit of £670 which will include both the
cost of the flights and £200 extra to put towards our guide's expenses,
accommodation etc. Bed and breakfast is estimated currently at £10 per
night - possibly for a double room - I'm checking on this, and I estimate
that 'living' expenses in Senegal will be low. We will be paying our
guide a small wage as well as covering his expenses. Participants should
probably budget for £1000-£1200 (this amount is suggested by Stewart Muir)
to cover the costs of the whole trip, although there may well be some
change out of this! It may interest some group members to liaise with
local researchers with similar interests, one of which is Seydou Niang who
is studying the tilapia in the river Gambia;
these fish are getting smaller and Seydou is looking for reasons for
these changes. I hope
that this trip will not only be pleasurable, but will accomplish
something. If we can come back with an action plan, that will be a great
achievement. We should then be able to look at funding possibilities,
such as the Edward Whitley Grant. Anyone interested please contact me by
email at lesley@footi.force9.co.uk or 'phone 01727 769 251. Owen can also
be reached by 'phone and his number is : 01628 776715. He'll be delighted
to give you more details of the situation in Senegal, wildlife you may
encounter and so on.

First European Zoo Nutrition Meeting
>From 8-11 January 1999 the First European Zoo Nutrition Meeting was held
>in Rotterdam the
Netherlands. This conference was supported by the EAZA Research Group, the
Veterinary Faculty in Utrecht and Rotterdam Zoo. Rotterdam Zoo was host to
the 176 participants from 30 countries. Most participants were from
Europe but there were also delegates from Taiwan, New Zealand, Dubai,
Canada and the USA. A total of 61 contributions (45 talks and 16 posters)
were presented. The conference program can be found on the website
www.Rotterdamzoo.nl During the discussion lunch on Monday, 11th January,
the participants agreed that this conference should form the basis for a
European zoo nutrition group. This group should work closely with the NAG
(Nutrition Advisory Group). It was also suggested that a European zoo
nutrition conference should be held every second year so as not to clash
with the NAG meeting. Conference abstracts are available for 35 Dutch
guilders. Those wishing to purchase the abstracts should transfer the sum
of 35 guilders to: account holder: Diergaarde Blijdorp account number: 830
582 118 Bank: VSB-bank , Stadhoudersplein 134 C, 3038 EA Rotterdam, The
Netherlands. Bank sort code: VSB UNL 24 Please ensure the transfers
notification states: " Zoo Nutrition Conference Abstracts" and your name.
Please also send a copy of the transfer form by e-mail
(j.nijboer@inter.nl.net) or by fax (+31-10-4431414). The main talks of the
conference will be included in the conference proceedings, which will be
published by the end of this year. Note: As of 1 February my e-mail
address will be j.nijboer@Rotterdamzoo.nl J.Nijboer


The Irish Seal Sanctuary has emerged from this year's crisis (refer back
to Oct. request) without assistance and has little to thank the
International Seal Community for (couple of individuals excepted). The
I.S.S. has dealt, since October, with over 200 calls, refloated a basking
shark from a beach and assisted at dolphin rescues along with 26 long term
seals with complications, lost five, returned six and still nursing 12 in
various stages of preparation for release or ongoing vet. treatment. A
full report will follow at the end of the season. Our response to this
crisis has completely captured the public imagination and as a result
have rarely been out of the national and international media. We have
secured Ministerial meetings and set the course for the future and
ultimately, Ireland's own Seal Sanctuary, independent and self
determining. You can assist this development still if you wish. We
financied our crisis from home. We still require £80,000 to fund a
development officer and assistant for three years to complete the
development, and for a cool £500,000 you can build the I.S.S. overnight.
As always the I.S.S. continues to share information and offer co-operation
and we hope other sanctuaries and Organisations eventually take this
approach also in response to our latest request. We are now reviewing,
with some little time on our hands, (and the advantage of Emma Higgs, who
has handled the crisis since October), all our procedures from decision
making on shore, to capture, to early diagnosis, to husbandry and vet.
protocols and designing facilities for the future. We would be very
grateful if you could respond with your information etc. Assessment
protocols (early warnings) Treatment regimes and drugs for
referral to our own vets. Release proceedures etc. etc.
c/o Irish Seal Sanctuary, Garristown, Co. Dublin, Ireland
jhiggs@m3isystems.com or
flanagan@indigo.ie
We now wish to avail of Emma's presence and expertise and to assist her
with all available information in a complete review and improvement of our
own systems. Finally, if we can assist anyone else, by passing on this
collected information, we'll be glad to respond, thus saving endless
requests. Yours sincerely, Brendan Price.


ARKS3 and SPARKS
Animal Record Keeping Workshops - a practical programme of training in
ISIS animal record keeping software. ARKS3 12th and 13th April 1999 SPARKS
14th and 15th April 1999

Department of Biological Sciences
Manchester Metropolitan University
in association with the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain
and Ireland

Tutors: ARKS3 - Elsbeth Chaplin, Jane Kennedy and Pam Barker.
SPARKS - Sarah Christie, Duncan Bolton and Reese Lind.

Cost: £100.00 per day for Zoo Federation members and affiliates, and
£115.00 for non-Federation members.

Course details and booking forms may be obtained by contacting:

Dr Barry Stevens-Wood
Department of Biological Sciences
Manchester Metropolitan University
Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK.
Tel: 0161-247 1194, Fax: 1061-247 6325 and email: b.stevens-wood@mmu.ac.uk

Course information may also be obtained through the University's web site
on: http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/EXT/arks3-sparks


The Universities Federation For Animal Welfare are once again offering
Vacation Scholarships. These are geared to offering those in full time
education the chance to carry out their own animal welfare research
projects over 4-8 weeks in the Summer holidays and receive up to £960
subsistence and costs. Projects should demonstrate a clear relevance to
improving the well-being of wild or zoo animals etc. 1 in 3 of last year`s
applicants were successfull. UFAW is also inviting applications for the
1999 awards that recognise improvements in the welfare of animals kept in
zoos. The principal award (£500) is for a new or modified exhibit, which
provides suffiently complex and stimulating environments for animals to
develop and display a wider range of behaviour. It should also help the
public to better appreciate the physical and behavioural needs of the
animals. The second, smaller award (£100) is offered for an inexpensive,
simple, innovative idea or piece of equipment that improves the welfare of
animals and which could be easily replicated in other enclosures. For an
application form and further information on any of the above please write
to : Scientific Officer ( Vacation Award Scheme), UFAW, The Old School,
Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8AN Visit the UFAW website at
http://www.ufaw3.dircon.co.uk

Breeding and Conservation of Endangered Species
Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust
Summer School
19th July - 6th August 1999
An intensive course aimed at people who have a strong interest in captive
breeding and conservation. For further information contact: The Summer
School Co-ordinator, Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey,
Channel Islands JE3 5BP Email : itc@jwpt.org Closing Date for Applications
is 31st January 1999


Since 1994, the Zoological Society of San Diego, in conjunction with the
Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), has been organizing teams of
representatives from interested zoos to assist in collecting field data in
Australia with regard to koala habitat utilization and tree species
preferences. The data gathered will be analyzed to develop regional
models for habitat use by koalas and to subsequently complete further
computerized Geographic Information System based mapping specific to
koalas called the 'Koala Habitat Atlas'. Three 1999 field expeditions are
currently being offered to zoo representatives interested in participating
in this koala conservation effort. Proposed dates for the expeditions are
as follows: 1. March 1-14 to the New England Tablelands area of New South
Wales ranging from Armidale to the Queensland border. 2. July 18- July 31
to North Queensland ranging from Townsville to the Atherton Tablelands.
3. Sept. 9th- Sept. 25th to the Strezelecki Ranges area of southern
Victoria. Accommodation during the field work may be in dormitory type
facilities with participants helping to prepare group meals. Total costs
incurred by each participant include $750 U.S.(which covers all meals,
accommodation and travel costs during the field expedition), plus airfare
and any extra costs incurred outside of the actual field work, such as
hotel and meal expenses before or after the field work is complete.
Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
Any interested representatives should contact Valerie Thompson by mail,
fax, phone, or e-mail as listed : Valerie Thompson, Associate Curator of
Mammals, San Diego Zoo, P.O. Box 551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551; phone
(619) 685-3226, fax (619) 232-4117, e-mail vthompson@sandiegozoo.org


Situations Vacant
(please mention you saw the advertisement in ZooNews should you apply for
any of these posts, many thanks)

Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust have a vacancy for a highly motivated
keeper within the Bird Department. Candidates should have previous
experience and preferably a degree in Biological Sciences or similiar
qualifications. Applications, with CV, should be sent to Deborah Whittaker
at Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey
JE3 5BP or for more information contact David Jeggo on 01534 860077 0r
864666. Closing date for applications is 5th February 1999 -------------
Drusillas Park have a vacancy for an Education Officer. This position will
include interactive teaching to all ages and abilities, development of the
Education programme and administration. The successful applicant will
ideally have a sound biological/zoological background and have previous
experience of teaching or presentations. For an application form and job
specification please contact the Human Resources Department on 01323
870656 Closing date for applications is 31st January 1999 -------- Suffolk
Wildlife Park has vacancies with single accomodation for Trainee Animal
Keepers. Some Zoo experience preffered but not essential. Please send full
CV, with handwritten covering letter to: Terry Hornsey, Head Keeper,
Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland, Suffolk. NR33 7SL (previous applicants
need not apply) ---------- Trainee or Experienced Bird Demonstrator. Must
have some experience. wage negotiable. Permament position. Contact YDFC in
writing with CV. Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre, Crows Nest Farm,
Avswick, Near Lancaster, LA2 8AS. For further details ring : 017298 22832
--------- Challenging and interesting position to work in a major bird
breeding programme abroad. Must be enthusiastic, dedicated and
hardworking. Imperative to be experienced in all aspects of the captive
breeding of birds, incubation and rearing. First class facilities and
package for the right person. Primarily a single position, however, if
both experienced may consider husband and wife team. Starting date
February 1999. Interested? Apply sending CV and references to : Mr Paul
McCormick, C/O: 1 Shaftoe Way, Dinnington, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE13 7LX
--------- Help Wanted: Our private zoo is hiring a Wildlife Educator and
Keeper. We are located in South California and exhibit a wide variety of
mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. $17,500-$22,000 yr. Must be
reliable, love kids and able to travel! Go to :
http://ns.awebpresence.com/cgi-lasmith/ZCboard.pl You will find the email
address and contact here. ---------- For the most up to date links to
sites advertising Zoo work go to:
http://members.tripod.com/~Sciurus/index.html


Meetings

The 7th Annual Conference of the International Association of Avian
Trainers and Educators
February 12-15 1999
Sitka, Alaska, USA
( This is a great conference for people interested in birds, but also for
those involved in animal presentations and animal training in general) For
information, contact: Kevin Hils, Columbus Zoo, 9990 Riverside Drive, Box
400, Powell, Ohio, USA, 43065. Phone (614) 645-0558 Email:
khils@colszoo.org

Seminar “Keeping Otters = Conserving Otters”
February 17-19, 1999
OTTER-ZENTRUM
Hankensbuttel, Germany
For Further Information contact :
05832 98080-0001@t-online.de

International Zoo Conference -”Zoos waking up? Methods and problems in
creating modern zoos". March 13th and 14th 1999 Erfurt, Germany
Registration is possible via the
website(http://www.quantum-conservation.org ) or direct at this address :
Quantum Conservation e.V. Heeder Dorfstrasse 44, 49356 Diepholz, Germany
Tel: 0049-(0)-5441-82133 Fax: 0049-(0)5441-82132

IMATA European Regional Meeting
16th March 1999
Parc Asterix, Paris
For further details please contact:
kirstin@fjord-baelt.dk

7th MMMW (Marine Mammal Medical Workshop)
16-18 March 1999
Paris, France
Subject of this year : « Anesthesia and Surgery in Marine Mammals ». The
workshop is reserved for veterinarians and last year veterinary students.
The invited speakers will be Dr. Sam Ridgway and Dr. William VanBonn, from
the Marine Mammal Program in San Diego ; and Dr. Sam Dover, from Sea World
Inc, Florida. For more information, please contact : Dr. Géraldine Lacave
– Tel : + 32 50 39 22 82 – Fax : + 32 50 39 39 32 E-mail :
geraldine.lacave@skynet.be

Annual ARAZPA/ASZK Conference
21st -26th of March 1999
Alice Springs Desert Park, Australia
The conference will be conducting behind the scenes tours, post conference
tours and the presentation of papers by zoo staff and associations. If
interested any contact should be through Andrew Mann, Conference
co-ordinator, Alice Springs Desert Park, P.O.Box 1046, Alice Springs, NT,
0871 Telephone: +61-8-8951 8764 Facsimile: +61-8-89518777 E-mail:
andrew.mann@nt.gov.au

The 4th Annual International Wildlife Law Conference
March 20th 1999
This is being held at American University's School of Law in Washington,
D.C. The Conference panels will include 'The effectiveness of regional
wildlife treaty regimes' and 'Case studies of implementation of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species at the national
level'. For more information, visit:
http://eelink.net/~asilwildlife/index.htm

13th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society
5 April 1999
Valencia, Spain
For more Information contact Vincent Ridoux on :
vridoux@univ-lr.fr, preferably before late January.

ABWAK 25th Celebration, Then, Now & the Future
April 17 - 18 1999
Marwell Zoological Park
for more details contact:
either Luke Gates at luke@pinnipedia.demon.co.uk or Julie Croucher on
juliec@chesterzoo.co.uk

24th International Annual Meeting for the Study of Marine Mammals
(The Mexican Society for the Study of Marine Mammals (SOMEMMA) )
El Acuario de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Northwestern Mexico
April 18-22 1999
More information is available from Rosy Espinosa / Ana Luisa
Figueroa at or from
.

The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) will be having a
joint annual conference with the Canadian Museum Association from April 27
to May 1, 1999 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sessions will include
topics of interest for zoo and aquarium staff, such as exhibitry,
retail, marketing, human resources, management, education, training
and revenue generations. Presentations are already planned on the
Toronto Zoo's African Savanna Project, Ecoeducation and Public
Outreach, and Endangered species: Habitat Conservation. A special day
at Toronto Zoo including workshops, behind the scene tours and an
evening social function is planned for May 1. For more information, or
to submit a paper, contact Program Chair William A.Rapley. Tel: 001
416 392 5963, Fax: 001 416 392 4979, E-mail:
wrapley@zoo.metrotor.on.ca~

39th International Symposium on the Diseases of Zoo and Wild Animals
May 12 - 16, 1999
Vienna / Austria
contact: office@zoovienna.at
or: froelich@izw-berlin.de

Federation of Zoos Annual Conference
13-15 May 1999
Bristol Zoo Gardens
For further information contact:
fedzoo@zsl.org.

Second Annual Parrot Symposium
May 21-23, 1999
Victoria, BC, Canada
Confirmed Speakers: Dr. Margaret Wissman, Joanne Abramson, Chris Davis,
Jos Hubers, Eric Peake, Gillian Willis and more... Registration: $200 Also
a continuing education program for veterinarians and technicians,
commercial booths, banquet, auction and more. Excess profits will be
donated to parrot research. Last year a donation was made to Dr. Branson
Ritchie for his research on PDD. If you need any further information,
please visit our web site (register on-line!) at:
http://www.islandnet.com/~2parrot

7th World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species
May 22 - 26 1999
Cincinnati Zoo, Ohio, USA
for more details contact:
Grace Rettig (Fax 1-513-559-7791)

ECM 3rd European Congress of Mammalogy
May 30- June 4 1999
Jyvaskyla, Finland
For further details contact :
congresses@conf.jyu.fi

Fig-Parrot Captive Husbandry Workshop
At Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia
22-23rd June 1999
Currumbin Sanctuary will be hosting a workshop on the captive husbandry of
Fig-Parrots 22- 23rd June 1999. This will be following the "Birds 99"
convention being held in Brisbane 18- 21st June 1999. The aim of the
workshop is to have as many breeders of Fig-Parrots and other interested
people together as possible. At the workshop it is envisaged that in
working groups a comprehensive Husbandry Manual will be compiled. The
husbandry manual will cover all aspects of housing, breeding, feeding and
health. The two day workshop will be held at Currumbin Sanctuary at a cost
of $50.00 per person which covers morning and afternoon tea and lunch on
both days as well as a copy of the husbandry manual. Currumbin Sanctuary
is located on the Gold Coast one hour's drive south from Brisbane.
Accommodation is readily available in the area and Coolangatta Airport is
only five minutes away. People unable to attend but who may be able to
offer information are encouraged to supply their information and in return
they will receive a copy of the workshop results. Following the workshop
there is a post workshop trip to North Queensland with world renown parrot
expert Joe Forshaw. The trip will include 2 full days in Cairns/Kuranda
followed by 5 days in Iron Range on Cape York. This trip of a lifetime
will afford those participants a wonderful time looking at wild
Fig-Parrots (Macleay's & Marshall's), Palm Cockatoos, Red- cheeked Parrots
and Eclectus Parrots to name just a small selection. Spaces are limited to
15 people so if interested please contact Liz Romer ASAP. For information
on both the workshop and post workshop tour please contact Liz Romer
Currumbin Sanctuary 28 Tomewin St Currumbin Qld Australia 4223 Fax +61 7
5534 7427 Phone +61 7 5525 0197 Email lromer@currumbin-sanctuary.org.au
For information on Birds 99 contact The Registrar, Birds 99, PO Box 600,
Nundah Qld 4012 Australia. Fax +61 7 5498 9914.

2nd International Wildlife Management Congress
28 June - 2 July 1999
Godollo, Hungary
For further details contact :
tws@wildlife.org

PR & Marketing in Zoos
There will be a conference on PR & Marketing in Zoos taking place in
Holland from the 3rd to the 6th June 1999. Full details not yet available.
If you require further information at this time please contact Henning
Julin, Director of Aalborg Zoo on : aal-zoo@post4.tele.dk.

The 1999 meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)
University of Washington, Seattle
June 20-24 1999
This will include spoken and poster sessions on marine mammals. The ASM
Marine Mammal
Committee has also organised a symposium at the event entitled 'Marine
Mammals: The Next Century'. For more information, contact : Paul Anderson,
Chair, ASM Marine Mammal Committee at pkanders@cadvision.com

10th Arctic Ungulate Conference
August 9 - 12 1999
University of Tromso, Norway
For further information contact :
eling@fagmed.uit.no

American Federation of Aviculture 25th Annual Convention
August 12-15,1999
Adams-Mark Hotel
Denver,Colorado
Further details available in January,1999
Email: rmsa@altavista.net,doms4afa@aol.com,or stat@wizard.net
Info on web site early 1999: http://www.upatsix.com/afa/

V111th European Bat Research Symposium
Cracow Poland August 23-27 1999
Chiropterology Information Centre
30- 016 Krakow Poland
email woloszbr@isez.pan.krakow.pl
ph +4812/422-64-10
fax+4812/422-42-94

Fourth International Enrichment Conference
29th August-3rd September 1999
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Details are now available from the Shape of Enrichment website:
http://www.enrichment.org
The Shape of Enrichment, Inc is pleased to announce a grant of $1,000 U.S.
to be used towards expenses to attend The Fourth International Conference
on Environmental Enrichment. The winning paper will be presented during
the conference. More details of this from the enrichment site.

16th EAZA/EEP Annual Conference
Basel Zoo, Switzerland
September 8-12 1999
For further information contact :
EAZA offices

European Zoo Educators (EZE) Conference
Safari Beekse Bergen; Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
16 - 20 September 1999
For further details contact: Chris Peters; IZE-Regional Representative for
Europe/Middle-East e-mail: Rob.Belterman@inter.nl.net

Veterinary conference on Australian Wildlife
Western Plains Zoo, Australia
September 13-17, 1999.
Topics include zoonoses, medicine and surgery of
macropods, reptiles, bats, native birds and amphibia as well as pest
control and assisted reproduction. Interested parties can contact :
David Blyde on dblyde@tpgi.com.au

VI International Symposium on the Preservation of the Przewalski Horse 5-7
October 1999 Kyiv, Askania-Nova For further details contact :
root@iz.freenet.kiev.ua

Research and Captive Propagation in Birds
Antwerp Zoo
October 21-23 1999
For Further info :
mettke@erl.ornithol.mpg.de

29th North American Symposium on Bat Research
October 27-30 1999
Maddison Wisconsin USA
Tom Griffiths
Dept of Biology, Illinois Weslean University, Bloomington IL 61702
Ph 309-536-3230
fax 309-536-3411
email tgriff@titan.iwu.edu

British and Irish Zoo Educators Conference (BIZE)
Fota Wildlife Park, Co. Cork, Ireland
18-21 November 1999
The conference organiser is Lynda McSweeney
tel 00353 21 812 678 or fax 00353 21 812 744

Fourth International Penguin Conference
Coquimbo, Chile
September 4 - 8 2000
For Further info :
gluna@nevados.cecun.ucn.cl

Help Wanted

Mark Ferguson is currently working on an article for an "Encyclopedia of
World Zoos". The article he has been assigned is on Farm animal
exhibits. He has been able to get quite a lot of information from folks in
the United States, but is trying to get more from other countries . He is
looking for zoos that display domestic breeds (farm animals), what breeds
they display, how long they have been displaying farm animals, and their
goal for displaying these breeds (do they want animals for contact, or are
they pushing the minor breed conservation message). Any help would be
gratefully appreciated. Please contact Mark direct at : Mark Ferguson,
Farm Manager, Memphis Zoo and Aquarium on mferguson@memphiszoo.org

Carrie Strehlau also requests information: She is doing five articles for
the Encyclopedia of World's Zoos. (1) a historical overview of the exhibit
staff and how it impacts the zoo including its range of general
responsibilities, evolution and influence over time, new and old positions
and how they've changed and how they are important to the future of the
zoo? (2) a historical overview of public relations and how it impacts the
zoo including its range of general responsibilities, evolution and
influence over time, new and old positions within the dept. and how
they've changed and how they are important to the future of the zoo? (3) a
historical overvew of security and how it impacts the zoo . . . (same as
the above two) . . . also including a specific historical discussion of
this and why it has changed as zoos have changed. (4) an essay about swans
including an overview describing the shared characteristics of species and
subspecies common to this group and a list of those traditionally
exhibited in zoos. also, a historical look at the animals' exhibition in
zoos including innovative exhibits in several zoos plus the zoo-related
breeding and conservation stories for particular animals with their
histories, challenges, successes and the impact of such programs on
populations in the wild. (5) an essay about toucans . . .(same as #4) . .
. She requests that anyone who can help with information to send it by
January 31, 1999 to cstrehlau@memphiszoo.org and sends her thanks in
anticipation.
----------
Survey Help required. Please go to:
http://members.aol.com/matoaka2/survey/survey1a.htm
-----------
Don`t forget ZooChat, it has its moments! Curators, Keepers, Vets,
Researchers letting their hair down at the end of the day. Very
lighthearted most of the time. Serious some of the time. Useful for making
contacts and generally having fun. THE BOARD is a useful place for posting
your interests. http://ns.awebpresence.com/cgi-lasmith/ZCboard.pl
------------ Zoo Biology I have started an Zoo Biology Email group. It is
experimental at the moment, but it may take off. If you are interested in
subscribing to this send an e-mail to: zoo-biology- subscribe@egroups.com
Some of you will be receiving invitations directly over the next few
weeks. For those of you unfamiliar with Email groups they work like this.
You subscribe. You can then pose questions, answer questions, make
observations, inform or just read the email. This will arrive with some
regularity (depending on the flow of information). By Zoo Biology I mean
anything relating to zoo management. ------------ Sites worth checking out
Have you got a suggestion? Let me check it out.

Gorilla Haven
http://www.gorilla-haven.org/

www.freethebears.org.au
Do you like the Spice Girls?

http://www.enrich.org/aazk
To enrol on the list please Email : jackbell@humboldt1.com

Bear Listserve (`Bear Briefs`) set up by the AZA Bear TAG. Anyone
interested should contact Diana Weinhardt on Beartagsow@aol.com

Do you want to make contact with people with similiar interests? Why not
add your details to the following :

Zoological E-Mail Directory
http://www.indyzoo.com/zed/

Consortium of Aquariums, Universities & Zoos
http://www.selu.com/~bio/cauz/directory/index.html

Most e-mail packages will allow you to point and click on the site address
(hyperlink). This should launch your web browser and send you directly to
the site. If your package will not do this you will have to use cut and
paste. Cutting from this e-mail and pasting in your browsers address
column...then press return and away you go! The other problem you may have
is that the site address is longer than the page width. You will have to
cut and paste twice, taking care that you marry to the two halves exactly.
Some of these links are quite short lived, but I have checked them all
today and they all work.. If you have a problem, do let me know.

Zoo News is currently sent to well over a 1000 interested parties
worldwide each week. I haven`t done a count lately but last time I did
over 300 different Zoos were represented.If you know of anyone who you
think would like to be included please e-mail me or get them to mail me
directly. I would appreciate just a line or two letting me know something
of work area and interests. If you would like to include notification of
any items of interest i.e. Meetings, seminars, job vacancies please
contact me. I would also appreciate any short, breaking, news items you
may pen yourself.

For those of you who have not received the News previously, you have been
included because someone has suggested you might be interested. If this is
not the case please email me and I shall remove your name.

Kind Regards,

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Peter