Zoos versus the protection of animal species International project Erasmus+ 2017-2019 Authors: Ema Dulíková, Nikola Bachanová
Missions and functions of zoos Past Exotic animals were held in cages as attractions for people. Present Protection of animal species (for example: European bison (Bison bonasus), Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus)) Educating the public about the situation of biodiversity Building a relationship between animals and people Supporting projects for their protection Recreation and relaxation for the visitors
Zoos at present Functions: Preservation of biodiversity and animals Saving endangered species, their reproduction and reintroduction Education level (lectures, publishing books) In National Zoo Bojnice, there is also a retaining animal station CITES and a rehabilitation station. It works as an emergency station where animals, which have been smuggled or illegally traded, are temporarily placed. The rehabilitation station serves for rehabilitating injured animals that are later released back into the wild.
Rehabilitation station in the national zoo Bojnice Rehabilitation of injured or otherwise handicapped protected animals The most frequent ones: birds: The common kestrel (falco tinnunculus), The white stork (ciconia ciconia) mammals: The Eurasian lynx Injuries: (collisions, lacerated wounds, bone fractures, burns from electric wiring) After recovery, animals are released into wild nature, if the injuries are permanent, they stay inside or in the zoo. After 3 months animals become a state property. but station
Map of all retaining animal centres in Slovakia:
The retaining centre CITES It started in 2005. It was built to help injured animals. The Common kingfisher (abandoned nestling ), 2 Eurasian beavers (with sore eyes ), the black woodpecker (ectoparasits) CITES Agreement about international trade with endangered animals and plants (30,000 species) It works as protection from illegal trade, it mediates international cooperation Slovakia confirmed its membership in 1993 2 categories: I.) animal species in danger of dying out II.) animal species that are not instantly endangered, but they can be, because of illegal trade
ZOO Bojnice cooperates with or is a member of: EAZA - European Association of Zoos and Aquariums WAZA - World Association of Zoos and Aquariums UCSZOO - Union of Czech and Slovak Zoos EEP - European Endangered Species Programme ESB - European Studbooks WAPCA - West African Primate Conservation EEKMA - The European Elephant Keeper and Manager Association IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature Cooperation has a form of exchanching and moving animals among zoos (they are arranged and managed by the coodinators of a particular animal species), exchanging information and knowledge about breeding and education for the public (EAZA campaigns).
Gene pool preservation in the zoo Important credit in gene pool preservation of rare animal species The biggest success of Zoo Bojnice is gene pool preservation of the Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo), which is extinct in the wild. Studbooks prevent crossbreeding among related animals and enable gene pool preservation. Coordinators allow crossbreeding only if the genealogy of animals is well-known.
Educational programmes in Zoo Bojnice For all age categories: (kindergardens high schools, seniors, groups with special requests) It offers more than 20 programmes. The most popular ones are: Rainforests on our plates Shady souvenirs Animals in danger
Standards of breeding The standards of animal breeding are not specified in the legislative system of the Slovak Republic, they are approved by health officers and vets. The coordinator of animal species is in charge. The coordinator looks after animals health and regularly controls their breeding places.
The behavior of animals in the zoo: They are used to living in zoos. Their instincts are the same as in the wild, but their behaviour is different. Negatives: loss of timidity(= it is a problem when it comes to reintroduction of lion, tigers) stereotypical reactions and behaviour Positives: Better health conditions and safety A longer life
How to avoid stereotypical reactions in zoos? Enrichment = elimination of the stereotypical reactions: Feeding with living feed(?) (animals have to make an effort to eat food) Elephants - baskets with food during feeding Beasts of prey - suspension of food Using interactive toys How do migrating birds hibernate in the zoos? They hibernate in heated cages inside.
Veterinary care Regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations Being on a diet is individual, during sickness the vet could prescribe a strict diet In case of infection, the animal is put in a quarantine Incurably ill animals are under permament medical supervision, they are on a special diet, their energy and skills are regulated and after veterinary inspections and when the animal suffers a lot, the vet euthanises this animal Most common diseases : inflammations, bird herpes diseases (caused mainly by the food from visitors)
Reproduction and reintroduction National Zoo Bojnice has been successful in the reproduction of many species (for example: (Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) - 1 individual in 2009, Edwards's pheasant (Lophura edwardsi), European minks, antelopes). Attempts for their reintroduction back into the nature - after that animals are monitored and controlled. Birds have transmitters, other animals are labelled. Only a few species are able to adapt to living in the wild.
The reintroduction of animals After reintroduction they are constantly monitored Reintroduction isn t always successful (animals may search for people, they are not able to take care of themselves, poaching) In some cases, reintroduction isn t possible anymore, because their natural habitats are destroyed (for example: Bornean orangutans - rainforests on Borneo island) Examples of successful reintroductions: Ural owls in National park Šumava in Czech Republic (20), Bongo antelopes
Reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx, Palatinate forest, Germany : (project LIFE) -it has been in progress since 2015 Immobilisation of the lynxes Veterinary check-ups Labelling Transport Release into the wild nature
Critically endangered species in ZOO Bojnice: Bactrian camel(camelus bactrianus) White-lipped tamarin (Saguinus labiatus) Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) Bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus) Red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) Black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) Roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway) Edwards's pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)
Radiated tortoise Astrochelys radiata Natural habitat/areas of occurrence: Southern Madagacsar Food and diet: cactus greens and shoots, plant pulps and fruit Black-and-white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata variegata Areas of occurrance:rainforests of Madagascar Herbivore (mainly fruit) Their natural habitat is being destroyed Hunted for meat and fur Breeding conditions: - Proportions of the terrarium: 2x1.5 m - Temperature under the calorific lamp: min. 40 C - A UV lamp is necessary
Bactrian camel Camelus bactrianus In the wild nature it is almost extinct Areas of occurrence: Central Asia Ability to handle any problems wih water It lives separately or in groups (3-4) Barbary lion Panthera leo leo In the wild nature it is extinct (the last one was shot in 1945 in Marocco) This lion was killed during the period of the Roman Empire In zoos there are around 80 individuals Attempts for their reintroduction
Bongo antelope Tragelaphus eurycerus In the wild nature: 500 individuals In zoos: 80 individuals Successful reintroduction (rainforests in Kongo) In ZOO Bojnice 17 young animals have been successfully raised ( 1 even this year) Roloway monkey Cercopithecus roloway One of the 25 most endangered primates in the world The rarest/the most valuable animal species in ZOO Bojnice In the wild nature: 100 individuals In zoos: 30 individuals
Thank you for your attention! Authors: Ema Dulíková, Nikola Bachanová, Tomáš Sedlák, Martin Ďuriš, Filip Svoboda, Samuel Ivančík, Photographs: Nikola Bachanová, www.zoobojnice.sk