UPDATE: Jacksonville Zoo-Guyana Partnership

Page [1] [2] [3]

25 August 2004

How Does This and Similar Partnerships Relate to Laws and International Conventions?

Through the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the world has recognized the need to conserve the world's biological diversity and promote the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity. Furthermore, the Convention attempts to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits from biological diversity including the sharing of genetic resources and relevant technologies.

Zoos can be important partners with Governments to implement the articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity including:

• support of surveys, inventory, and ecological monitoring work
• support of in-situ (i.e. in the field) conservation and management systems
• support of ex-situ (off-site) conservation of genetic resources
• development of ways to share benefits from biological diversity
• support for training and capacity building
• support for public education and awareness and the exchange of information
• cooperation in science and technology

The world has also recognised the need to more effectively regulate the trade in endangered species. Changes in the trade have occurred already through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), and national legislation such as the Endangered Species Act of the USA, and the Guyana 's Species Protection Regulations.

Internationally, there is an obligation for zoos to work with range countries (those from which animals are extracted) to produce agreements relating to acquisition, defining possible uses for wildlife, and fulfilling responsibilities for research and information sharing.

Several zoos have already begun initiatives to link exhibits directly to in-situ conservation programmes using "ambassador species" such as Giant Pandas (National Zoo of Washington, DC, Zoo Atlanta, San Diego Zoo) and Golden Lion Tamarins (numerous zoos including National Zoo and Philadelphia Zoo). Another example is with entire ecosystems, such as the Bronx Zoo's Congo exhibit's links to West African conservation and the Zurich Zoo's Masoala National Park linkage.

Mutual Benefits

As a result of the increased international regulation of wildlife trade and the increased non-legal pressure exerted on the wildlife trade, there has developed interdependence between the needs of zoos' and the range countries. Zoos depend on the acquisition of animals from range countries in order to maintain healthy captive populations for display, education and research. Range countries benefit from the in-situ conservation efforts the zoos can provide such as when wild populations need the infusion of new stock for genetic or demographic purposes.

Close cooperation between range countries and zoos therefore plays an effective role in conservation. Zoos are consequently shifting toward strengthening partnerships with range countries including:

• guaranteeing range country ownership of animals and their offspring
• developing long term partnerships for in-situ conservation with range countries
• providing human and financial resources to support training, education, research and management programmes within range country institutions

Page [1] [2] [3]