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The gorge is a SSSI and the Downs are designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. The project is undertaken by a partnership comprising Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol City Council, WWF Southwest, English Nature and the Society of Merchant Ventures. |
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Chester Zoo is involved in a harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) project which involves a trial release of the mice in order to establish a protocol for their reintroduction. The harvest mouse was once common and widespread throughout Britain and occupied a wide range of habitats, but its favoured habitat has been affected by changes in farming practice. A population of harvest mice has been maintained at Chester Zoo since 1990 and husbandry techniques have been refined over time. The first trial release took place in May 2002, with monitoring of sites before and after release. This release was successful and the population maintained itself for a two-year period, as a result a protocol for release for the species has been drawn up. |
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Captive breeding plays an important part in many conservation programmes and both London and Chester zoos have been very successful in breeding threatened species of seahorse, in particular Hippocampus kuda and Hippocampus capensis. Chester received an award for the breeding of H. capensis (the Knysna seahorse) in 2004. |
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It is an exciting time for the zoo community as it plays an increasingly significant role in conservation programmes and projects. The launch of the new edition of the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy in May 2005 will further empower and inspire zoos to realize their potential as being a powerful force in conservation in the field. BIAZA will be leading and supporting its members in the implementation of this strategy in Britain and Ireland and is looking forward to some exciting and productive years ahead. |
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| Woodend Wetlands |
| In 2002 WWT Martin Mere purchased the adjoining 63 hectares of Woodend Farm, land formerly used for intensive crop cultivation, with the aim of creating 13 hectares of wet grassland and 25 ha of reedbed. This is in fulfilment of the Lancashire BAP requirement for the creation of 20ha of this habitat. |
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| Considerable construction work was required, including the removal of 90,000 tonnes of top-soil. Long term it is hoped that the wetlands will attract breeding bittern, bearded tit and marsh harrier. However the new wetlands have already played host to internationally important numbers of wintering whooper swans, the first breeding avocets and corn bunting and the first breeding little grebes in a quarter of a century. There have been an increase in farmland birds such as grey partridge, linnet, lapwing, and woodcock and mammals such as brown hare and water voles. Wildflowers are reappearing as have two species of dragon fly. Future management will include grazing with rare breeds, English longhorn cattle and Hebridean sheep. A countryside stewardship grant has been secured for ten years. |
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| This is a wonderful example of partnerships, Heritage Lottery Fund, Ibstock Cory Environmental Fund, WWT Members, Powergen Environmental Fund, Defra, English Nature, Lancashire Environment Fund. |
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| Eelmoor Marsh - Marwell Preservation Trust |
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The Eelmoor Marsh project recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. During this time Marwell has been working with the landowner QuintiQ on the restoration and management of this site of Special Scientific Interest. |
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| Eelmoor marsh covers 79 hectares and includes a diverse range of heath, grassland, mire and bog communities which are of national importance in their own right. Lowland heath has declined by some 88% in north-east Hampshire during the last 200 years and the site now provides a refuge for over 300 species of conservation concern. In 1995 Eelmoor Marsh was in need of restoration following many years of neglect and the impacts of development that had led to the drying of the site and the rapid colonisation of Scots pine an other invasive species. Many of the valued vegetation communities and species had declined with some species having disappeared on present only in very low numbers. Large herbivores (Przewalski’s horses and highland cattle) were introduced as integral components of the ecosystem. Their impacts, together with mechanical restoration techniques, have since played vital role in the restoration of Eelmoor Marsh. A comprehensive monitoring programme was undertaken to evaluate the effects of habitat management and to inform the adaptive management regime. Ten years later, results of the monitoring programme have demonstrated tangible improvement in the extent and quality of vegetation communities, including the enhancement of botanical diversity, and dramatic increases in populations of many rare and vulnerable species including: pale heath violet, early marsh orchid, green flowered helliborine, pale butterwort and long-leaved sundew. Fauna includes: woodlark, small red damselfly, keeled skimmer, Dartford warbler, scarce blue-tailed damselfly, the nail fungus and fenugreek. |
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| This project also shows the strengths of partnership – with the land owners and English Nature and there are six monthly meetings to review progress. The SSSI is included in the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. It is a key component of the Rushmoor Borough Biodiversity strategy. |
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| Veterinary capacity building for great ape sanctuaries in Africa - Zoological Society of London and North of England Zoological Society |
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The great apes in Africa are dramatically declining across their range due to a host of anthropogenic pressures. Habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure and disease transmission are some of the agent action in tandem to bring about this decline.
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| Trapping and snaring of apes for the bushmeat trade is widespread and in species whose population number are low the welfare of individual animas becomes of heightened importance. A network of primate sanctuaries across Africa, coordinated under the umbrella of the Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA) is working to ensure that if found by the appropriate authorities both young and adult apes can be given the opportunity to live in normal social units, in protect areas , and provided with the highest standards of welfare. Many of the animals that come into these sanctuaries are traumatised and/or in poor health. Wayne Boardman (ZSL) and Steve Unwin (NEZS) have developed a training programme for African bets and vet technicians working in sanctuaries with great apes. In the past three years they have coordinated and carried out workshops in Uganda, Congo and Cameroon and have also written a veterinary car manual and produces a PASA drug formulary. In total 96 African vets and vet technicians have received training in a host of disciplines, increasing their capacity to provide a high quality of life for the apes in their care. |
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| Development of field gas anaesthetic equipment: Iso-Air - IZVG |
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A need was identified for a portable anaesthetic machine capable of delivering gaseous anaesthetics without the need to carry heavy combustible supplies of compressed oxygen out into the field. Injectable anaesthetics are only really appropriate for the induction of anaesthesia and for short medical or surgical procedures. Over the last four years John Lewis has developed a simple and robust system to provide gaseous anaesthesia to large zoo animals and to wild animals in field conditions. This system uses air, rather than oxygen as the carrier gas for the anaesthetic. |
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| The development of the Iso_air equipment will benefit zoo, wildlife and conservation projects involving most bird and mammal species; particularly those where it is impossible or impractical to move the animal being treated, or where the animals are found in remote areas where veterinary supplies must be carried by hand. The new conservation charity Wildlife Vets International will pay a major role in the distribution and training in the use of Iso-Air equipment. So far used in the field on 149 mammalian and 8 avian animals. Paper published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine |
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