Sunday, June 6, 1999

Zoo News Digest 31st May - 6th June 1999 (Zoo News 54)

Dear Colleagues,

Chimpanzee and penguin problems have dominated my week filling most waking
hours. It was therefore quite pleasing to have had the distraction of a
surprise visit from Olivia this afternoon. Mind you it has put back the
work I had planned on this mail out. Zoo Biology has had a varied week
with items of discussion including Sable compatibility, Giant Anteater
foot problems, Reptile Diet supplements, and others. If you have not yet
joined this egroup, it is as simple as sending an email to :
zoo-biology-subscribe@egroups.com Many thanks for your letters. I do try
and answer them all though some seem to creep down the pile a bit. I will
get there in the end.


Kidnapped zoo Curator rescued
(Nehru Zoological Park)
http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/06/01/stories/04012011.htm

Worker at zoo punished
(Mesker Park Zoo)
http://www.courierpress.com/cgi/view.cgi?/199905/30/+zoo_news.html+1999053
0+news

Thai crocodile farm hatches scheme to draw crowds
(Sriracha Tiger Zoo)
http://infoseek.go.com/Content?arn=a0149LBY476reulb-
19990604&qt=zoo&sv=N7&lk=noframes&col=NX&kt=A&ak=news1486

'Elders-home' for zoo animals at Pallekele
http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/1999/06/05/new17.html

6 Red Pandas Born in India Zoo
(Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park)
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-asia/1999/jun/04/060400198.htm
l

Pool party for penguins
(Akron Zoo)
http://www.ohio.com/bj/news/docs/032851.htm

Live Wolf Cam
(Phoenix Zoo)
http://www.accessarizona.com/community/zoo_cam.html

'They're like human beings'
(Saginaw Children's Zoo)
http://sa.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/19990604monkey.frm

Belfast's unforgettable elephant
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/today/jun04/News/unforget.ncml

Orangutan makes a brief escape
(Philadelphia Zoo)
http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Jun/04/pa_west/WAPE04.htm

Hogle Zoo plans $80 million-plus in upgrades
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1,1249,100005148,00.html?

Pupils pinch their pennies for zoo pachyderms
(Honolulu Zoo)
http://starbulletin.com/1999/06/03/news/story5.html

GIB APES SET TO GO ON THE PILL
(brief mention of an export to a German Zoo)
http://www.ic24.net/mgn/THE_MIRROR/NEWS/P24S3.html

Q&A with Bob Hayes, senior zookeeper at Franklin Park Zoo
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/150/city/Q_A_with_Bob_Hayes_senior_zooke
eper_at_Fr anklin_Park_Zoo+.shtml

Zoo officials would like some city support
(Mesker Park Zoo)
http://www.courierpress.com/cgi/view.cgi?/199906/03/+zooprob_news.html+199
90603+news

Polar bears to chill out in Arctic Ring
(Detroit Zoo)
http://www.detnews.com/1999/metro/9906/03/06030057.htm

Mellow rhino finally meets his match
(Cincinnati Zoo)
http://enquirer.com/columns/knip/1999/06/03/jk_mellow_rhino_finally.html

Detroit Zoo to create realistic habitats in world's biggest polar bear
exhibit http://www.freep.com/news/metro/nzoo3.htm

Elusive otter too quick for zoo keepers
(Wellington Zoo)
http://www.press.co.nz:80/22/99060337.htm

National Zoo's Panda Fades With US-Sino Friendship
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/ts/story.html?s=v/nm/19990602/ts/pand
a_1.html

Mother-raised baby gorilla first at St. Louis Zoo
http://web3.stlnet.com/postnet/news/wires.nsf/StateRegion/41482E7C65193690
862567840068A 595?OpenDocument

Zoo hatches rare Siberian cranes in captivity
(Franklin Park Zoo)
http://www2.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=75805300

A dolphin trainer
(Brookfield Zoo)
http://www.copleynewspapers.com/SunPub/wheaton/City/dolphintrain.htm

Zoo receipts rise again
(Dublin Zoo)
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/1999/0602/hom25.htm

Dr. Betsy Dresser: She ensured species' futures
(Cincinnati Zoo)
http://www.cincypost.com/living/dress060199.html

Ayes-Ayes: Will Tap for Food
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/MadRad/madrad990528.html

Belgrade zoo animals provide early bombing warning
http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990530/european/0928061653-0000015837.h
tml

It's boy-meets-girl at the zoo
(Philadelphia Zoo)
http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/May/30/city/APES30.htm

African Elephants And the American Pastime
(National Zoo)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-05/30/050l-053099-idx.htm
l

Zoo’s orangutan may bid aloha for lack of facility
(Honolulu Zoo)
http://starbulletin.com/1999/05/29/news/story2.html

Bacteria can linger in washers
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/hl/story.html?s=v/nm/19990603/hl/wa8_
1.html

Bit & Pieces

The following two items are from Joyce Kaplan:

For those who know folks interested in getting started in an exotic animal
career, we are still accepting applications for Fall 1999 (class of 2001)
at Pensacola Junior College Zoo Animal Technology program. This is a
two-year A.S. degree program combining theory courses on a wide range of
animal related subjects on campus with practical hands-on courses at The
ZOO in Gulf Breeze, FL. To request an application and information packet
by mail, interested potential students can call the PJC Biology Department
at (850) 484-1168 and provide their name and address. For more
information, please have them check out our website and newsletter at
http://members.aol.com/joycebk/zooschool/index.htm, and they can email me
at . ----------- Additionally, I am starting up a
discussion forum to provide a place for those who are interested in
exotics. Potentially it may get traffic that is less technically inclined
or educated about exotics than the people in this zoo biology group, but I
think it has great potential for education and I encourage zoo
professionals to visit. The chat rooms are always available and multiple
ones can be started up at the same time within the forum, pictures and
graphics can be attached or included as html within the messages, and I
can control the folders to add more as needed or even create "limited
access" folders if there are groups that need a discussion area outside of
public view. Just let me know what your needs are and we can see if they
can be accomodated in this medium. The URL of that forum is:
http://forums.delphi.com/wildzoo/start

Joyce Kaplan
PJC ZooTech Director
jkaplan@pjc.cc.fl.us
-------------
Gorilla Haven`s visit to Limbe, Cameroon has been put up on their website.
Take a look at www.gorilla-haven.org ----------- ABWAK is planning a
'Sustainability workshop' to be held at Blackpool Zoo on Tuesday 12
October 1999. Topics will cover ways in which zoos can be pro-active in
recycling, environmentally friendly products, use of the correct
suppliers, educating our visitors and generally how zoos can use state of
the art techniques in environmental management. This event is being
co-ordinated by ABWAK Council member Nan Swannie, Education Officer at
Blackpool Zoo. Nan can be contacted on 01253 765027 or by fax on 01253
798884 ----------- Operant Conditioning Listserv/AZA Training Mailing List
After one or two early hiccups in arrangements this has now come into
operation. If you would like to subscribe send an Email to :
mthompson@lifegate.net Please note that this is an AZA listserv.
--------- ABWAK Have you visited the the ABWAK site lately? It has been
redesigned and looks quite different. Why not enter through the new forum
http://www.ottimocaffe.co.uk/abwak/disc2_frm.htm and have a look around.
----------- The 1999 edition of the zoo directory "Quantum Verzeichnis"
has just been published and is available either through bookshops under
ISBN 3-930962-99-3 or direct from us at the address below (DM 25/Euro
12.75/$18/£10). Although technically in German, the 288 page book is easy
to read, listing addresses, phone, fax, emails and internet addresses for
747 european zoos, 195 organisations, 2,424 individuals indexed with 1,200
emails. Quantum Conservation e.V. Heeder Dorfstrasse 44, 49356 Diepholz,
Germany Tel: 0049-(0)-5441-82133 Fax: 0049-(0)5441-82132
http://www.quantum-conservation.org http://www.species.net ---------- AZA
Resource Center Tired of reinventing the wheel for every new project?
Want your information now, without waiting for packages, mail, or faxes to
arrive? Let your mouse do the walking, ... check out the new online AZA
Resource Center! This "Members Only" service debuts on Thursday, May 6,
1999, at http://www.aza.org. To log on, simply click on "Members" then on
"Members Only" then type in your first initial and last name (no spaces)
and your AZA member number (it's on your Communique label and your
embership card). You'll find yourself in a haven of documents that will
help you develop a crisis communications plan, rejuvenate your Board of
Directors, raise those precious dollars or outline an ambitious new
strategic plan. Also included are more than 500 organized, annotated
links to other Web sites - connecting you to information on environmental
education curricula, Y2K planning, professional organizations, taxonomy
databases, accessibility guidelines, and federal funding programs. The
Resource Center has a wealth of practical, working documents contributed
by AZA members, and we want to thank all of those who supplied us with
these important resources. We will continue to expand the offerings and
if you have anything you would like to contribute, please contact Kate
Bronislawski, Resource Center Curator at kbronislawski@aza.org or by
calling (301)562-0777 x259. ---------- Edinburgh Zoo - “Captive Animal
Behaviour And Welfare” - International Summer School running from 5-16th
July. For further information email : amy.middlemass@ed.ac.uk -----------
UNUSUAL ANIMAL CAREERS! Take a walk on the wild side & explore careers
with animals! Go WILD with exotic careers or TAME it down with pet
professions! PO Box 1154, Escondido, CA 92033 USA Email:
arkabc@arkanimals.com Phone: 760.599.3697 There are many different types
of jobs and many different industries for both wild and domestic animals!
We have designed a postcard and a flyer announcing our new catalog of
courses and how to obtain enrollment information. Classes are currently
held in the San Diego area of California. Due to the demand and special
requests, national and now international courses are being scheduled. I
have had the opportunity to look at Diana`s Catalog. This is extremely
broad ranging and well worth a look if you are based in the San Diego
area.

Zoo Staff Personals
Following a suggestion I am including Zoo Staff Personals. Although the
scope is large I see it more as a place to appeal for accomodation when
doing the “Grand Zoo Tour”.


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

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park has 2 vacancies on the Animal Activities
Department. 1. Sea Lion Keeper - Vacancy for a full time Trainee or young
Qualified Keeper to work in a team of three involved with the management
and training of the California Sea Lions. The position also has some
responsibility for 2 seals and the Childrens Farm. Some experience with
marine mammals would be useful but not essential. Closing date: June 7th
1999 Start date June 21st or as close as possible. 2. Seasonal Keeper -
Vacancy for a Trainee or Qualified Keeper to support the permanent staff
with the chimpanzees and elephants. Experience with apes would be ideal
but some zoo management experience is essential. This position involves
the management of the chimpanzees primarily but there is an opportunity to
work around the elephants. The position is defined as a seasonal post but
it does run for 12 months on a rolling contract at present. Start date as
soon as possible. Terms and conditions are dependant on qualifications and
experience. Further details and application to The Curator's Office,
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, Dunstable, Beds, LU6 2LF.
Tel: 01582 872171
------------
TWYCROSS ZOO
Cover keeper required mainly for Elephant Section but will include other
areas. Some experience preferred but not essential. For further details.
Telephone 01827 880250. ------------- Woburn Safari Park Seasonal
Opportunities, Woburn Safari Park is looking for seasonal part time/shift
staff for the summer season. Applicants should be friendly, enthusiastic,
well presented and people orientated. Vacancies are available in the
following areas: Animal Reserves, Leisure Area, Ticket Office,
Administration, Catering and Retail.

Animal Department Working in the Animal Reserves and the animal
attractions in the Leisure
Area. You ideally should have previous experience Or working with
animals and be over 18
years of age.

Leisure Area Working in the area with the leisure attractions - adventure
playgrounds, boats, railway train. YOU must be over 18 years of age.

Catering Working in the day visitor restaurant and catering kiosks.

Retail Working in the gift shop and retail outlets

Ticket Office Working in the ticket kiosks at the main gate.

Administration Working in the main office, dealing with visitors and
telephone enquiries. Some secretarial work.

Please contact Donna Breese at Woburn Safari Park for an application form
on 01525 290407. ------------ Wildscreen at-Bristol

Wildscreen at-Bristol is a unique wildlife and environment visitor centre,
a key part of a new destination on Bristol's Harbourside, a place where
science, nature and art come to life. Opening Spring 2000, we will create
a dynamic heart for the city, drawing visitors from all over Britain,
Europe and beyond. The Keeper will be responsible for the health of
invertebrates and small vertebrates and the presentation of exhibits
within a highly innovative mixed media exhibition. S/he will take part in
the regular tasks of feeding and cleaning the animals, and the
refurbishment of the exhibits, as well as participate fully in the
educational programme. Professional experience of keeping a variety of
animals is essential.

Closing date for application 28 June 1999
Please send an A4 sae marked Ref: as above for a job description and
application form to: at-Bristol, Deanery Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1
5DB Email: personnel@at-bristol.org.uk ------------- Wanted: Reliable
project manager for an international species conservation and research
project in the Philippines (PESCP). Prerequisites: organisational skills,
talent for cooperation with the native people and dealings with local
politicians, perfect English, high reliability in accounting, knowledge
about animal care, animal transport and scientific methods and readiness
to acquire good knowledge about the Philippine fauna. A minimum employment
duration of three years is necessary since the manifold tasks require a
longer period of adjustment. - Payment taxfree on per diem allowance
basis; amount: more than sixfold the amount of local costs of living.
Contact: Prof. Dr. E. Curio Conservation Biology Unit Faculty of Biology
Ruhr-University Bochum D-44780 Bochum Germany Phone: xx49-234-7002858,
Fax: xx49-234-7094472. E-mail: Eberhard.Curio@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
---------- A small Cat Keeper and a Rhino Keeper are required at Port
Lympne Wild Animal Park. Applicants should be over 18 years of age and
have a clean driving licence. Please apply in writing to Port Lympne Wild
Animal Park, Lympne, nr Hythe, Kent. CT21 4PD ----------- ASSISTANT ZOO
NUTRITIONIST/ Wildlife Conservation Society Requires MS in Animal Science
(nutrition emphasis), Nutrition, or Wildlife Ecology; PhD and /or
demonstrated interest in Comparative Nutrition preferred. Must have
experience in diet formulation or research with wildlife feeding
management, and /or commissary supervision in a zoological institution.
Will assist with diet review, foodstuff quality assessment, and economic
evaluation of Nutrition programs for all facilities served by the Zoo
Nutrition Center of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Expected to also
conduct, advise, publish, and present scientific papers on research topics
involving comparative animal nutrition. Salary commensurate with
experience. Housing subsidy possible. Position closes June 1st to begin
July 15th. Send resume and letter of intent to Wildlife Conservation
Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460, Att: Ellen
Dierenfeld. ----------- For the most up to date links to sites advertising
Zoo work go to: http://members.tripod.com/~Sciurus/index.html

Meetings


Old World Monkey Taxonomic Advisory Group (OWMTAG)
June 4, 5 and 6, 1999
Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, Utah
The meetings are open to anyone interested in these animals and/or
programs. Everyone planning to attend the meetings should contact
Kimberly Davidson (email: kdavidson@hoglezoo.org or phone (801) 584-1703
or FAX (801) 584-1762. An anticipated attendance list will then be
generated and a tentative itinerary will be mailed. The meetings are
scheduled to begin at 8:30 am on Friday, June 4th and continue through
Sunday, June 6th at Utah's Hogle Zoo.

British Veterinary Zoological Society
The Spring Meeting will be held on June 5/6th 1999 at Paignton Zoological
and Botanical Gardens,Paignton,Devon.The theme will be "Recent advances in
Enviromental enrichment,Nutrition and Legislation of Zoo and Exotic Pet
Animals". Further details of the programme and accomodation can be
obtained from Derek Lyon BVSc MRCVS "Brackenwood" 67,Wynnstay Lane,
Marford, Wrexham, North Wales LL12 8LH.Tel 01978 852866 Fax 01978 852065
email dglyon9@aol.com

Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland Research
Group One Day Symposium on Zoo Research 10th June 1999 Paignton Zoo
Environmental Park Paignton, Devon This symposium aims to bring together
researchers working within zoological gardens. Most such researchers are
students and it is hoped that they, in particular, will offer to give
presentations and that we can generate a supportive and encouraging
atmosphere for them. However, presentations by more experienced scientists
are also very welcome. There is no restriction on the scientific
discipline discussed but presentations must include recent results of
research conducted wholly or mostly within zoos. The registration fee is
£10 including tea/coffee and lunch. The symposium will start at 9.30am at
the earliest and papers will be approximately 20 minutes each. If there is
enough interest, we will be happy to arrange tours of Paignton Zoo with
members of our Science Department on the afternoon of 9th June. If you
would like to present a paper or poster please submit a title as soon as
possible using the enclosed registration form and a 300 word abstract (by
email if possible) before the 30th April 1999. All details can be obtained
either via Paignton Zoo on email amy@paigntonzoo.demon.co.uk or the
Federation office on email fedzoo@zsl.org.

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 »Marketing Zoos beyond 2000: Amsterdam«
The second conference on PR & Marketing, 3 rd. June thru 6th June 1999, is
now taking shape. The conference committee have now finalized the draft
for the conference, and you may obtain a sneeky preview by contacting one
of the organizers at hju@aalborg-zoo.dk and have the program sent as
Corell WordPerfect 6/7/8-file or MS Word 6/7-file (please state which
system you use). Program will be in the mail by mid-April for those who
have received the first call, and by then all the names of the speakers
will be confirmed. In the mail will also be yet another registration form,
should the first have gone astray. 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

Animal Behavior Society
June 26-30
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA USA
see website for more details
http://www.cisab.indiana.edu/ABS/

III CONGRESS of the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation: All
researchers are invited to participate in this week-long congress, 4-9
July 1999, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Field trips are offered on 10-12
July. More than 500 participants are expected, from all branches of
biology and conservation. The congress provides an important opportunity
for foreign researchers looking for local collaborators, national contacts
for government permissions, or information on potential field sites, since
most participants will be Central American and Mexican. The first day will
be dedicated to registration and the inauguration, while the following
days will have scheduled papers sessions, symposia and workshops. One day
will be reserved to celebrate the annual general assembly of the Society.
The objective of the congress is to "Promote the exchange of information
and progress in the field of conservation biology." The activities include
keynote lectures, open papers sessions, symposia and workshops on specific
topics or projects, and poster and audiovisual sessions. There will also
be roundtable discussions of topics related to the Society's mission,
ecotourism trips (during the weekend of 10-12 July), and cultural
activities that will demonstrate the cultural richness of the country.
Several field trips are scheduled. Papers on any topic related to biology
or conservation are welcome, but are especially sought if they match one
of six general themes for the congress.: The program of symposia,
workshops, open papers sessions, plus information on lodging, registration
costs, and deadlines, can be seen in the Congress Convocatoria, at the
Society's webpage: http://ccb.stanford.edu/mesoamericana/CONGRESO.htm.
The deadline for abstracts is 31 March 1999 but requests for extensions
will be considered. You can contact the Society's US representative for
the latest information in English: Mark Bonta, Louisiana State University,
E- mail mbonta@ibm.net, Telephone (504) 383-1073.

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
Information about the 1999 AFA Convention
which will be held in Denver Aug 11-15
can be found at http://www.afa.birds.org/convention/index.html
On the site now is the speaker line-up, special events information and the
registration form. 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
August 23 - 27 1999
Cracow Poland
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.

The Third Elephant Handlers UK Based Training Course
31st August-5th September 1999
Woburn Safari Park

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

26th National Conference of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.
September 12 - 16 1999 Portland, Oregon Hosted by the Portland AAZK
Chapter and The Oregon Zoo. For information contact: Jan McCoy, The
Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221. Fax: (503) 226-6836

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

Waterfowl Information Network-International Conference
16-17 September 1999
The Royal Veterinary College, London
For further information please contact : win@rvc.ac.uk

The 4th International Conference for the Management of Wildlife in
Amazonia and Latin America October 4th-8th of 1999 Asuncion, Paraguay
Centro Cultural del Banco Central del Paraguay. For further information
about the Conference visit the Web Site:
http://www.geoplan.ufl.edu/congreso4/index.shtml

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

CBSG Annual Meeting
15 - 17 October 1999
Pretoria, South Africa
For further details contact :
office@cbsg.org

World Zoo Organisation Annual Conference
18 - 21 October 1999
Pretoria, South Africa
For further details contact :
Sarita Cronje, National Zoo, P.O.Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
(Fax 27-12-323-4540)

Research and Captive Propagation in Birds
Research and Captive Propagation in Birds„
21st October – 23rd October 1999 at Antwerp Zoo
The goal of the meeting is to stimulate an exchange of knowledge from
scientific investigations and from zoo breeding experiences to improve
success in keeping and breeding of problematic species. What are the key
factors for successful captive management and propagation? Can research
improve breeding success? Can we generalise some findings and, in
contrast, are there groups or species requiring special attention? Are
there concepts derived from livestock production or behavioural ecology
that can be adapted and/or techniques that should be tested for
applicability to zoo propagation? As in the years before contributions
(papers and posters) are welcome from all relevant fields of biology (e.g.
reproductive behaviour and physiology, systematics including DNA studies
and reproduction techniques).

We have invited two plenary speakers:
E. Thaler: The influence of controlled imprinting and nutrition on the
behaviour of hand-raised birds. C. Ten Cate: Ontogeny of avian
communication and song learning.

Further confirmed talks are among others:
Dorrestein, G.M.: Frequent pathological findings in captive bred birds –
iron metabolism. Hofmann, G. & C. Mettke-Hofmann: Breeding success and
colour of nesting material - is there a relation? Lieberman, A. & C.
Kuehler: Captive propagation as a tool for the restoration of endangered
Hawaiin forest birds. Walzer, C., Bögel, R. & Karl, E.: The free-flying
Griffon vulture colony at the Salzburg zoo: Historical background and
recent research. Wanker, R.: Social system and acoustic communication of
spectacled parrotlets: Research in captivity and in the wild.

Deadline for submission of talks and posters is 30 June 1999; The
deadline for the abstracts is 15 July 1999. For more information please
contact PD Dr. U. Gansloßer FAX (+49-911-97 95 800 or Dr. C.
Mettke-Hofmann +49-8152-373 133 , e-mail (mettke@erl.ornithol.mpg.de).

PD Dr. Udo Gansloßer - Catherine E. King - Mark Pilgrim -
Dr. Claudia Mettke- Hofmann Institut fuer Zoologie
Forschungsstelle
f. Ornithologie Universitaet Erlangen der
Max-Planck-
Gesellschaft Staudtstrasse 5 Von
der Tann Strasse 7 D
– 91058 Erlangen
D – 82346 Andechs
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

Zoo and Exotic Animal Anaesthesia and Surgery
20-21 November 1999 at the Meeting Rooms, Zoological Society of London.
This 2 days meeting will concentrate on the modern approach and advances
within the field of anaesthesia and surgery in birds, reptiles, small
mammals, zoo animals, fish, etc etc etc. For registration details please
contact Derek Lyon (DGLyon9@aol.com). Brackenwood, 67 Wynnstay Lane,
Marford, Wrexham LL12 8LH, UK. Fax: 44 (0)1978 852065 Anyone wishing to
present a paper should contact Steve Divers (SteveDVet@aol.com). Exotic
Animal Centre, 12 Fitzilian Avenue, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 0QS,
UK. Fax: 44 (0)1708 344318. You don't have to be an academic high
roller, super specialist or all round action packed super hero. Student
papers, reviews, new techniques and procedures, as well as original
research are all very welcome.

The 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, organised
by the Society for Marine Mammalogy, will be held from 29 November to 3
December 1999 in Kihei, Hawaiian Islands. The deadline for abstracts is 1
June and for workshop proposals 1 March. For further information contact
Gene Nitta, Conference Chair, at
or Paul Nachtigall, Scientific Program Chair, at , or visit <\pegasus.cc.ucf.edu\~smm\conf1999a.htm>.

"Zoo-Kunft 2000"
25 - 27 February 2000
Allwetterzoo Münster
The main theme will be "The Human (and) Apes in zoos and the wild".
Speakers are not yet fixed. Registration and further information (when
available) is at the web site at :
http://www.quantum-conservation.org/ZK00OL.html

Third International Asian Hornbill Workshop
The Third International Asian Hornbill Workshop will be held in April/May
2000 in Singapore, with a post-workshop excursion to the Budo & Hala-Bala
Research Site, south Thailand. If you are interested in attending, please
write to either: Ms Ng Bee Choo, c/o Nature's Niche, Bukit Timah Nature
Reserve Visitor Centre, 177 Hindhede Drive, Singapore 589333. Tel, +65
4636571, fax +65 4636572, e.mail nniche@singnet.com.sg or Dr Pilai
Poonswad, Hornbill Project Thailand, c/o Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Science, Mahidol Unversity, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400,
Thailand. Fax +66 26445411, e.mail scpps@mucc.mahidol.ac.th.

“The Apes: Challenges for the 21st Century”
May 10 -14 2000
Hilton, Lisle/Naperville
Hosted by The Chicago Zoological Society, (Brookfield Zoo)
A unique conference focusing on the apes of the world. It is hoped to
bring together researchers, zoo personnel and field biologists from all
over the world. Keynote speakers include Dr. David Chivers for lesser
apes, Dr. Carel van Schaik for Orangutans, Dr. Gay Reinartz for Bonobos,
Dr. Claudia Olejniczak for Gorillas and Dr. Toshisada Nishida for
Chimpanzees. Additional information and details regarding conference
registration will be announced in mid May.

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

Panda 2000 International Conference
An international conference on the giant panda will be held in San Diego,
California (USA) October 16-19, 2000. The Zoological Society of San Diego
and the World Wildlife Fund are co- hosts. A program consisting primarily
of work-shops, panel discussions and poster sessions is planned. Topics
in conservation, education, training, research, health, reproduction, and
captive management will be co covered. Persons interested in attending
this meeting are encouraged to contact the Local Arrangements Chair:
Helena Fitch-Snyder, Zool. Soc. of San Diego, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA
92112. Phone: (619) 557-3954, FAX: (619) 557-3959; E-mail
helena@sandiegozoo.org.


Help Wanted

Greetings,
I am a bird keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and previously worked as
the same at the San Antonio Zoo. I have created a mailing list for bird
keepers and other individuals involved in aviculture. I believe it will
be an excellent way for us to share ideas, advice, suggestions, etc., as
well as ask questions of our peers. The main goal of this list is to
promote good avicultural practices, and to ensure the best possible care
and husbandry of the birds we are working with. Anyone interested in
joining should send an email to birdkpr-subscribe@listbot.com or visit
http://birdkpr.listbot.com Thanks...Jeremy Taylor ----------- 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
To subscribe send an e-mail to: zoo-biology-subscribe@egroups.com 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. Hediger described this as “the
science which embraced everything which was biologically relevant to the
management of the zoological garden.” The more that join up the more
effective a management tool it will become. Go on, give it a try, and
subscribe. Remember no-one will pressurize you to contribute....but you
may want to help. There is a members only chat site attached to Zoo
Biology. This appears to work quite well. I have popped in each morning
(circa 6.30 a.m. UK time) but not met anyone there yet. When I do I will
be in a position to confirm how it goes. ------------ Sites worth checking
out Have you got a suggestion? Let me check it out.

Wildlife discussion Forum
http://forums.delphi.com/wildzoo/start

http://www.zoo-ag.de/

http://www.africam.com

http://www.quantum-conservation.org

http://www.worldzoo.org/aazv/aazv.htm

http://www.metro.cc/glasgowzoopark/zoonews.htm

----------

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 Digest is sent out to a large number of 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. Many thanks.

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 Dickinson