How managing the international studbook for okapi enhances inter-regional cooperation Joint TAG chairs meeting Alphen a/d Rijn 3 June 2014 Sander Hofman (ISB Keeper) Kristin Leus (PM Advisor) Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp 1919 First okapi to leave the DRC alive ISB #1 BUTA – Antwerp ZOO, Belgium 1937 First okapi in North America ISB #10 CONGO – New York 1952 Fully operational transit station for capture and rearing okapi. Station permanently moved to Epulu in 1954: • house animals in suitable enclosures • ensure that animals were healthy before being transported to scientifically managed zoological institutions • ensure publication of scientific observations • organise the distribution of breeding pairs across the world. 1954 First birth in captivity outside DRC – Antwerp Zoo 1959 First okapi born in the US – Brookfield Zoo World population 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 2011 2008 2005 2002 1999 1996 1993 1990 1987 1984 1981 1978 1975 1972 1969 1966 1963 1960 1957 1954 1951 1948 1945 1942 1939 1936 1933 1930 1927 1924 1921 1918 0 1977 International okapi symposium organized at Antwerp Zoo, attended by various scientists and European and US zoos actively involved in captive mangement of the okapi. Outcome of the symposium: • Formation of a breeding consortium with the goal to donate animals to a common breeding pool to be able to non-commercially exchange animals between zoos to enhance breeding • Start of International Studbook • Zoos are expected to contribute to in situ okapi conservation. 1981 Establishment of the okapi SSP 1985 Establishment of the okapi EEP Since start breeding consortium in 1977: Population numbers up! Mean inbreeding down! Since establishment SSP and EEP (red arrows) regular Joint meetings are held (blue arrows): 1989 1996 2003 2011 Antwerp Zoo White Oak Conservation Center Cologne Zoo Jacksonville Zoo and White Oak Conservation Center World population 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 1918 1921 1924 1927 1930 1933 1936 1939 1942 1945 1948 1951 1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 0 Joint SSP/EEP Meeting 2011: Vision Okapis in zoos and conservation centers connect people with global conservation issues, challenges and successes; and enable development of strategies and actions to secure a future for okapi in nature. Mission Maintain a sustainable, cooperatively managed global ex situ okapi population that through conservation awareness, education, fundraising, the exhibition of animals and focused scientific research contributes to a viable in situ population. 1986 Negotiations for an official agreement between SSP and the Government of Zaïre for in situ and ex situ okapi conservation. Main objectives: - assure the integrity of the long term field studies by John and Teresa Hart establish a conservation area for the okapi and other Ituri fauna rehabilitate the Epulu station as a management, research and conservation education and training center provide additional founders to the ISB in a coordinated way and without purely commercial trade. This to obtain a sustainable captive population. Gilman International Conservation became one of the main sponsors. 1987 Formal partnership between GIC and IZCN. The Okapi Conservation Project is born! 1992 Creation of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve 200 World population 150 100 50 0 1918 1924 1930 1936 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 1978 1984 1990 1996 2002 2008 1996 OWR becomes listed as a World Heritage Site What stands out? • The need for cooperation was identified at an early stage (1977). Before the framework of SSPs and EEPs was available. • The SSP and EEP work independently, but can easily identify when cooperation is needed. We have a very clear overview of the past, present and future status of the world ex situ population also because we work with one dataset since 1977: the ISB! • The communication between regions is excellent and based on scientific input: • population biologists have always worked closely together with the regional coordinators • The regions share data on genetics, husbandry, nutrition, reproduction, veterinary care, conservation, etc. for the benefit of species. What stands out? • Strong link with in situ conservation: • The ISB Zoos are major funders for the Okapi Conservation Project (~30% of costs). (In line with what was decided in 1977 when the consortium was created.) • Programme coordinators (EEP/SSP/ISB) are member of the IUCN Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (established in 2013) How to manage the species into the future How to manage the species into the future • • Work with our in situ partners to secure the wild population Continued close cooperation between the regions through the ISB to maintain a healthy ex situ population Cooperation is essential! How to manage the species into the future + Change in GD in destination (Europe) 616 640 Good to transfer from N. America to Europe - - + Change in GD in source (N. America) 640 has genetic material from (among others): 348, 372, 358, 616 has genetic material from (among others): 348, 372, 358, 381, MateOf381,
© Copyright 2024 ExpyDoc
