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3RD Annual ZWVNA Conference
Upcoming Webinar
ZIMS Care and Welfare with Jessica Ellery
Join us for an interactive webinar exploring how Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo has utilised the ZIMS care and Welfare Module.
- Explore real case studies
- Hands-on break out sessions
- Create Care and Welfare Templates
- Collaborative learning and troubleshooting
When: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 5pm AEST
Cost: ASZK Members $1 Non-Members $10
Volunteer Opportunities
Have you ever wanted to contribute to Conservation on the ground in the Wild? Here is an amazing opportunity to volunteer to help some of Borneo’s most iconic wildlife including Orangutan and Sun Bears. Click below to find out more.
Sumatran Ranger Project will be constructing a predator-proof livestock corral in a forest edge community in North Sumatra, in May 2023. There are limited opportunities for zookeepers to be involved in a hands-on capacity with this project, starting May 1, 2023. The trip is coordinated by Sumatran Ranger Project leader and Deputy Mammal Curator at Auckland Zoo, Amy Robbins. It is over 8 days, some of which will involve construction of the corral in addition to time spent with the ranger team on a patrol route. There is also a day of relaxation and fun, tubing and exploring the local rivers. You don’t need to be hugely fit, but a reasonable level of fitness and ability to work in the heat is necessary. Please contact Amy directly on sumatranrangers@gmail.com for more information. Getting there is easy from Australia or New Zealand and Amy can advise you of dates and timings and assist with any other questions. See attached itinerary for a daily schedule.
Zoo Animals and Covid
The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) has put out the following information around zoo animals and Covid-19
“Australia and New Zealand are moving into a new stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in which we live with a certain amount of the virus circulating in our communities, with high vaccination rates and certain health measures protecting people.
Through most of the pandemic, we have been fortunate to have either very low or no community spread whilst our zoos and aquariums have been open to the public, which has made the risk of our animals contracting COVID-19 incredibly low.
As we shift to living with COVID-19, strict biosecurity protocols for the species most at risk of contracting the virus are more important than ever. Global monitoring shows that overseas whilst most cases of animals with COVID-19 seem to present with only mild symptoms, COVID-associated deaths have now been reported in a number of lions, snow leopards, and beavers.
These cases in animals are considered to have been acquired from humans and, in some instances, transmission has occurred despite staff being vaccinated and biosecurity protocols being in place.
We strongly suggest that members re-evaluate the risk to their animals with advice from their veterinarian, particularly in consideration to the species currently known to be at risk of contracting COVID-19:
- Carnivora
- Canids – domestic dog, raccoon dog
- Felids – domestic cat, fishing cat, tiger, lion, cougar, snow leopard
- Hyaenidae – spotted hyena
- Mustelids – domestic ferret, American mink, Asian small-clawed otter
- Procyonids – coati
- Viverrids – binturong
- Primates – gorilla, African green monkey, macaque species, baboon, grivet, common marmoset
- Artiodactyla
- Cervids – white-tailed deer
- Suids – domestic pig
- Hippopotamus – common hippo, river hippo
- Pteropodids – Egyptian fruit bat
- Rodents – beaver, hamster, bank vole laboratory mice (only with more recent COVID-19 variants),
- Leporids – domestic rabbit
- Tupaiids – tree shrew
Transmission of COVID-19 from animals back to humans has to date only been reported with farmed mink. Although the virus likely originated via transmission from bats to humans, there is no current evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading COVID-19 to people. However, a cautious approach may consider potential risks around transmission from animals to humans.
We have worked with the ZAA Veterinary SAG to develop a position statement, available to read on the ZAA Portal. Please note that as new information continues to become available this position statement will not be provided as a downloadable file whilst changes continue to be made. If you have trouble accessing the ZAA Portal, please contact admin@zooaquarium.org.au
ZAA continues to monitor the roll out of the Zoetis veterinary COVID vaccine to zoo animals in the US. This vaccine is not available in Australia and New Zealand. Importation would require approval and registration by the relevant jurisdiction’s government authority. The Vet SAG are doing some early exploration of future options for vaccination in this region.”
Animal Care Professionals Survey
The University of Tasmania is conducting research in to the resilience, wellbeing and mental health needs of animal care professionals. The study hopes to:
- Identify resilience and wellbeing (both positive and negative) of animal care professionals in Australia.
- Identify what individual and workplace resources would benefit these individuals.
- Develop readily accessible resources to promote resilience and positive wellbeing in animal care professionals.
This subject is obviously very relevant to the zookeeping community and this study will hopefully have some very tangible results for ASZK members. Those who complete the survey can enter a draw for one of six $50 Coles/Myer gift vouchers.
If you would like more information about the study, you can read the pdf provided by the University of Tasmania here.
To participate in the study click here.
The survey closes July 31, 2020.