Report on the LIOC Safari within the ZAA Conference
by Leone Vigne
I was excited at the idea that LIOC would now be connected with a group that was very strong and professional like the AZA but welcomed those of us who are small players in the world of exotic animals. We may not have Zoo’s but we are caring for small wild cats and have something to offer to the world of animal husbandry and conservation.
My plans did not go smoothly. On the way to the airport to fly from Oakland, California to Omaha , Nebraska I was stuck in traffic as a truck had turned over and caught fire just in front of the car I was in and we had to backtrack, even going in the wrong direction on the freeway for awhile before finding an alternative route and barely getting to the airport on time. Then in a Denver layover, the plane I was to take had problems and we had to wait for another plane for over an hour. Finally , arriving in Omaha my luggage was not waiting for me and I got it the next day after sleeping in the all-to-gether.
After that everything went smoothly with the most informative speakers, and really good food, plus shuttles to and from the zoo where everything took place. Our hotel was very accommodating and the Henry Doorly Zoo was one of the most impressive Zoo’s I have ever seen and treated us royally.
The first speaker was Dr. George Hughes whose subject was “The sustainable use of wildlife, an invaluable force for conservation” . He enlightened us on how the wildlife in So. Africa became depleted. Examples of this was how the Diamond Miners ate Springbuck to death, as the elite did in almost all Blesbuck, Hartebeest, and Zebra by shooting them almost to extinction. This however was in the distant past. Much work has been done and now species are returning to a healthy growth. As a result of utilizing game in new ways like eco tourism and farms that supply food using wild stock but also caring for them and helping the locals prosper by the responsible actions of this tremendous resource. It was hopeful to hear that white rhino whose population of just 30 in 1895 has risen to 5000 today.
The next speaker , John Seyjagal subject was “Australia at the National Aquarium in Baltimore”. He spoke on how to make viewing of animals, both aquatic and otherwise special. He called this the WOW factor. The use of color , plants, and movement was noted, inspiring us to imagine big improvements in our own facilities.
We all enjoyed a Taco bar lunch and then heard from Jessi Krebs “A response to the global amphibian crisis.” Here we discovered that since 1980 122 amphibian species are believed to be extinct. The reasons are habitat loss, pollution, and disease. There is a fungus that is attacking frogs and toads and it is a sign that the web of life is being threatened. This is definitely an environmental issue.
Joyce Basel then gave a talk on “Eco tourism and conservation”. She is a founding member of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria and is eminently suited to take travelers on trips customized to meet their needs and interests. She noted that although she spent her youth in So. Africa, having interaction with lots of wildlife , the young people growing up now are very limited and unaware of the wonderful wild world that abounds .
Tim Cole was the next speaker on “Safety protocols and husbandry in keeping snakes. ”He demonstrated all needs for safety when working with venomous and constricting snakes describing all the needs one might have to be prepared for as these creatures are true escape artists. He advised that one must be ready and do research before obtaining a reptile , as their needs are very specific.
The next subject was undertaken by Bill Lucey on “Artificial rock themes. ”He operates a zoo in Tennessee and was incredibly enthusiastic about how he had created amazing fake rocks complete with waterfalls which might have cost $50 per square foot for just $1.85 a sq. foot. You don’t have to be an artist or craftsman to do this either. The whole operation can be done with scraps and the use of a cement mixer and wheelbarrow. Then you can paint it very cheaply with watered down colors. I am anxious to get started soon, as I am planning creating new habitats for my ocelots, and other small exotic cats and birds.
After that we all enjoyed a Barbecue picnic dinner together in the lovely dining pavilion which looks out on an amazing jungle scene complete with flying birds and squirrel monkeys.
Friday morning started with Jim Sanderson on “Small Cat Conservation’” We all have heard him before but he always comes up with new information. He attempts to get photos with camera traps and can ascertain how the various small species of felines are doing in various places around the globe. He believes in captive breeding knowing that this is certainly one way of upping the numbers of these delightful cats. His story of the endangered Andean cat for instance was interesting. It seems the people of the Andea's believe it is good magic to have a stuffed Andean cat in their abode hence hastening the demise of these small species. Most Zoos do not keep many of the small cats and there is a great need for educating the people which is hampered by the laws coming down on private breeders today.
Alan Shoemaker then enlightened us on “Wildlife permits for ZAA members”. He attempted to make the laws understandable to us and spoke of how to get the proper USDI license well in advance because it always takes 3 months to get a permit if you need to obtain an animal or bird across state lines. He addressed record keeping, and the regs for shipping animals .
Joyce Basel spoke again on PAAZAB , the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria Outreach Program. which has over 2000 members in 21 African countries. The concept is to help upgrade the minimalist zoos that are popping up in various places in Africa.
We were than given a Box lunch and sent to visit the Zoo which was hosting ZAA. Some of us took off for the giant Dome, the largest in the U.S. which is outfitted to maintain a host of creatures from those who live in the dark, like bats and beavers, and those that live in the desert, all housed in unique habitats. You traverse the dome past assorted foliage and lots of cactus and displays of unusual juxtapositions. For instance the mountain lions are living on a plateau just above some peccaries. It is so creatively laid out that you could only be awed by the mastermind that must have designed it
This was the evening the LIOC folks gathered at a lovely restaurant noted for its incredible steaks, famous in Nebraska. We had a room to ourselves and hashed out the material we had to cover in this pleasant environment.
On Saturday we assembled again at the zoo to hear from Jim Fowler who spoke on the “New zoological messages and missions for the 21st. Century.” He spoke eloquently on the avalanche of regulations and the press feeding only on controversial animal stories that are negative. He stated that animals are not frolicking around in paradise these days due to what is happening in the wild. He felt they might be better off in captivity. He said, although there might be one death from a tiger, 2000 children are killed by lawnmowers every year. Jim is known for his TV career and now his mission is to help affect public attitudes about the natural world and understand that how we treat the Earth is vitally important to our entire welfare. Some animals were brought in from the zoo during his talk. We had an owl, an aardvark and a very large albino python which it took about eight people to hold.
The “Keeping and breeding fennec foxes.” was the next subject given by Lynn Hall, who has been raising this lovable tiny fox since 1980. He covered their diet, they are omnivores, their personality, they dig and are very busy all the time, and what one needs to do to breed them. After showing slides he had taken of the big eared creatures , everyone wanted to have some of these lovable canines. Lynn also is a bird breeder and is known for his expertise.
After this we met MOO-SHU, a crocodile which appeared being held like a baby in the arms of Dr. Terry Cullen. Terry spoke of the disconnect we have now around living with animals. He stated that human population is over the top and that we have reached a pinnacle of disassociation with the animal world. He thought we needed to change the definition of conservation. He said many simply feel good about recycling a milk carton not understanding what it would mean to really work with trying to make some changes on the planet utilizing the eco web. He reminded us that since the 1970’s the animal rights folks have been doing lots of damage. Our job is to try to win them over with education.
Another lunch followed by the ZAA membership business meeting. Those most involved in creating this wonderful conference where thanked. The need for money for a lobbyist to attempt to make the concerns of the ZAA equal to that of the AZA in Washington was discussed. It was warned that there will be new bills that are threatening to shut down all cat breeding and an assortment of other detrimental bills that must be fought. Money is the big concern and needs to be raised.
We were given time once again to see the animals at the zoo. We of the LIOC visited the cat area and the Gorilla display which was truly amazing. A highlight we experienced was being taken to the basement where we viewed two new ocelots, both new arrivals for the zoo. They wish to breed them but they have not met previously and they are fully grown. The female was particularly beautiful and very large with enormous light eyes. I left my flyer should they need any information about getting them together since I have been breeding ocelots for 45 years. In the evening we gathered again for our festive banquet and auction and lots of money was raised to help ZAA in their endeavors.
Some of us went to the Zoo again on Sunday afternoon. There was a 50 mile an hour wind which threatened to blow the children away , all of whom were wearing halloween costumes, most outfitted like animals and insects. We decided to stay indoors and once again were given a special treat. We were taken to the basement of the aquarium and were amazed at the amount of technology displayed. There were amazing things behind this scene, including the hatching of many jelly fish, the growing of colorful coral, a playpen of spotted stingray babies. The public parts of the aquarium here was very well done with a myriad of wonderful colorful fish and topped by a trip through a dome with fishes all around you. The Butterfly house also was another way to get out of the wind and it was also the place where insects were on display. I was particularly interested in these small creatures as I am planning to add an insect zoo to my collection of exotic cats and birds.
And then in order to get out of the wind we attended the IMAX theatre and saw a truly hypnotic film on fish, for with our special glasses we had sharks, whales, dolphins and sardines coming at us as though we were under the sea ourselves. It was a powerful ending to this wonderful convention. We vowed we would continue to ally ourselves with this wonderful organization. They announced that next year it would be in Wichita Kansas. See you there.
Submitted by Loreon Vigne