Zoo exercise Chap 16

The Zoo & Garden as “Ark” Concept

Cranes

Objectives of zoos Supporting the conservation of populations of endangered species in situ and ex situ, and through these conserving natural ecosystems Promoting research to increase scientific knowledge that will benefit conservation of endangered species and ecosystems Increasing education efforts to promote public and political awareness of the necessity for conservation of natural resources.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Wildlife Center Director: You want to keep the wildlife center financially solvent and will push for species that attract large crowds. You have begun negotiations with a wildlife orphanage in South Africa to bring over a baby giraffe and you are looking for a source for penguins and giant pandas.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Curator of Invertebrates: You are particularly interested in the endemic butterflies and moths.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Curator of Vertebrates: You are interested in Viet Nam’s recently discovered mammals, including the saola and the muntjacs, and in rare birds, particularly the pheasants.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Chair of the Research Department: You are interested in the endemic animals and the recently discovered species because you know it is easier to publish articles about these species. You are also very interested in the herpetofauna, as their numbers are dwindling in the wild due to high levels of trade.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Chair of the Education Department: You would like to have representatives from as many different families as possible in order to provide visual examples for your lessons on the variety of life on earth. You are very interested in invertebrates, particularly butterflies, for your program on the stages of life in insects. Finally you want species about which much is known so that you can more easily produce outreach programs.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Veterinarian: You want the group to choose species that will be easy to maintain with respect to their long-term psychological and physical welfare.

A new zoo for Viet Nam! Seven Positions The Field Biologist: In reality, you think that the money spent on this wildlife center should be spent on conservation of species in the wild. Secondarily, you will argue that the wildlife center should focus on well-known species, which have adequate field studies, rather than species that are rare and poorly known.

Financial constraints! 4,650 million dong start-up (constructing the exhibits and sleeping quarters, etc.) 350 million dong maintenance (veterinary care, keeper salaries, animal food, exhibit maintenance, etc.).

Options

How to proceed 5-6 small zoos Choose a position Debate among your group the composition of the “collection” Do not deviate from the 4,650 / 350 million dong baseline Make sure all staff expectations met as well as zoo mission Zoo Directors report back after 45 mins