Sunday, June 25, 2017

NEW ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN FOR BHUTAN - A BLUE PRINT

SUMMARIZED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ZOO

Proposed Name :                  Royal Bhutan Zoological Garden (RBZG)
Location :                               Khasadrapchu, Thimphu (Yellow pin in Figure 1)
Altitude :                                 2400 meters above sea level (masl) (Source: GPS Record).
Geo-coordinates :                  27
°19’40.40”N; 89°34’39.68”E (Figure 1)
Forest Type :                          Blue pine forest (Physical observation)
Rainfall :                                 800 to 2000mm (Country data)
Temperature :                         3 to 28.7 degrees Celsius (country data)


Figure 1. The proposed site for the proposed Royal Bhutan Zoological Garden (Map Courtesy: Google)

1. BACKGROUND
Assuming that I have been given an opportunity to set up a zoo of my own in Bhutan, I propose to have one which would be an excellent centre for the study and conservation of wildlife. In fact, Bhutan needs a zoo very badly not only to conserve species, conduct research or entertain the people but also to treat the sick and stressed animals that come out of their habitat either being chased by predators or due to other reasons. Being a government employee, responsible for in-situ conservation programmes of wild animals and plants, I feel a strong necessity to have a zoo in conformity to all the best available guiding principles of a very good zoo that will help solve issues concerning wild animals.

1.1. Why zoo in Bhutan
Bhutan does not have a zoo other than a small Takin Reserve in the capital while it boasts of 80 percent forest cover and 50 percent of the total land area under protected area systems. Conservation in-situ is doing well but for the ex-situ programs, the country needs to take some coherent action. Therefore, I propose to have a zoo with endangered animal collection for conservation, education and entertainment. Further, Bhutan is the only country in the Himalayas without a zoological collection and a new zoo would go a long way in promoting Bhutan’s rich natural heritage while giving lots of options for connecting with other zoos in the region including the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden in Darjeeling, India and Kathmandu Zoo in Nepal where the collection is mostly Himalayan species for successful exchange of animals and other programs to co-exist.

1.2. Why in Thimphu
Thimphu, the capital city receives thousands of tourists every year. With a zoo placed nearby, the likelihood of the visitors making to the zoo for whatever reasons (education, entertainment, research, etc.) are very high and the zoo can sustain itself by charging nominal fees. Being near the capital, the proposed zoo will also have access to many other facilities for both the animals and the zoo authorities. Added to it, is the advantage of the animals in emergencies to be air lifted easily from Thimphu to other veterinary hospitals outside Bhutan.

Further, for the sustenance of the zoo, almost all funding agents, volunteering agencies, government and non-government organizations, and various stakeholders reside in Thimphu making establishment of zoo not far from them almost a compulsion. A lot of business opportunities to promote zoo and its collections are available in Thimphu unlike other places in Bhutan. Technical points that support the site include suitable climate, water availability and the topography of the site for sustainable management. The site the has potential to provide best possible enclosures (that appear like nature) for all animals. Further, a zoo in Thimphu can educate more people than any other places in Bhutan because the city has most of the population of 700000 total people of Bhutan.

2. MISSION AND VISION
The mission statement of the proposed zoo for Bhutan is “a continued source of species to deter extinction – the next Naoh’s Ark devoted to rendering obliging visitor experiences and invigorating passion to save wild animals.” And the vision of the zoo is “Bhutan’s trailblazer in protecting wild animals to guarantee the plentiful diversity of nature for the coming generations.”

3. GOALS
1. Move towards center of excellence for conservation, education and entertainment
2. Raise guest experiences to please various audience to motivate conservation works
3. Make a zoo that is environmentally and fiscally sustainable for long term existence
4. Create partnerships and explore new opportunities to keep the zoo going
5. Build inspired staff and volunteers for creating awareness to people who could support the zoo.

4. OBJECTIVES
1. To help in-situ conservation by supporting the re-introduction programmes for species on the edge of extinction
2. To treat sick animals (diseased or distressed) - act as a hospital for the sick animals
3. Edu-tain (Educate and entertain) the people/visitors

5. SPECIES CHOICE
In gthe eneral, choice of species for the zoos depends on many factors like mission of the zoo, fund, space, technology and knowledge about species that are to be conserved, exhibited or collected. The location of the zoo is very important because it could also determine the type of collection. In the proposed zoo located near Thimphu, the species chosen are in Tables 1, 2 and 3 for ma,mmals, birds and herpetofauna respectively. Since one of the main missions of the collection is to supplement in-situ conservation, animals identified as critically endangered (cr), endangered (en), vulnerable (vu), rare (r), near threatened (nt)/lower risk (lr) in the wild by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the aIpendix (app i, ii, iii) species of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will be given importance while also keeping the local species of conservation, culture and traditional significance protected under Bhutan’s Schedule I (bsch i) list in the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995 (FNCA).

Of the 189 mammals species recorded so far for Bhutan, the zoo shall keep 27 species that are crucial for international and local conservation. For example, Axis axis will be kept in the collection because of its rarity in Bhutan although it is not under threat internationally. Being uncommon in Bhutan, the deer can attract local visitors. Owing to its status, the zoo will also have Elaphus maximus, the providing best facilities. Other listed mammals besides Sus salvanius, Bubalus bubalis, and Bos gaurus can definitely survive in Thimphu because of their relevant ecological altitude supplemented by best facilities provided to them.

Amongst avi-fauna, the zoo will keep 30 species including the ones protected under FNCA (Bhutan Schedule I (bsch i)), IUCN)the , nd CITES.

In herpetofauna group, the zoo will keep 7 species (2 snakes and 5 Testudines). But as the species invariably belong to the lower foothills of the Himalayas – the Siwaliks, a thorough habitat manipulation inside the zoo is required.

Another criteria used for choice of species for the zoo is the power of the species selected to attract visitors and researchers. In my collection, many species qualify the status of flagship or umbrella species for researchers as well as visitors. For instance, Panthera tigris is considered a flagship species by field biologist in the wild because when action to conserve the species in situ is taken many species in the food chain are conserved. Some wildlife biologists in India term “Rusa unicolor conservation as Panthera tigris conservation” or vice-versa.


Table 1. Mammals
Sl. #
Species
Common Name
Status
Criteria
1
Felis/Prionailurus viverrinus
Fishing Cat
vu, app ii
iucn, cites
2
Lutra lutra
Otter
vu, app i
iucn, cites
3
Melursus ursinus
Sloth Bear
vu, app i
iucn, cites
4
Presbytis/Semnopithecus entellus
Grey Langur
lr/nt, app i
iucn, cites
5
Presbytis/Trachypithecus pileatus
Pileated Langur
en, app i
iucn, cites
6
Axis porcinus
Hog Deer
app i
cites
7
Canis lupus
Gray Wolf
app i/ii
cites
8
Felis/Lynx lynx
Lynx
nt
iucn
9
Marmota himalayana
Himalayan Marmot
app iii
cites
10
Vulpes vulpes
Red Fox
app iii
cites
11
Axis axis
Spotted Deer
Bsch i
fnca
12
Ailurus fulgens
Red Panda
bsch i, en, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
13
Bos gaurus/frontalis
Gaur
bsch i, en, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
14
Budorcas taxicolor whitei
Bhutan Takin
bsch i, vu, app ii
fnca, iucn, cites
15
Capricornis sumatraensis
Himalayan Serow
bsch i, vu, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
16
Elaphus maximus
Asian Elephant
bsch i, en, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
17
Manis crassicaudata
Indian Pangolin
bsch i, lr/nt, app ii
fnca, iucn,cites
18
Mochus chrysogaster
Musk Deer
bsch i, lr/nt, app i/ii
fnca, iucn, cites
19
Neofelis nebulosa
Clouded Leopard
bsch i, vu,, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
20
Panthera tigris
Tiger
bsch i, en, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
21
Trachypithecus/Presbytis geei
Golden Langur
bsch i, en, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
22
Selenarctos thibetanus
Himalayan Bear
bsch i, vu, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
23
Sus salvanius
Pygmy Hog
bsch i, cr, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
24
Bubalus bubalis
Wild Buffalo
bsch i, en
fnca, cites
25
Felis/Prionailurus bengalensis
Leopard Cat
bsch i, appi/ii
fnca, cites
26
Panthera pardus
Common Leopard
bsch i, app i
fnca, cites
27
Panthera/Uncia uncial
Snow Leopard
bsch i, app i
fnca, cites

Table 2. Birds
Sl. No.
Species
Common Name
Status
Criteria
1
Aceros nipalensis
Rufous-necked Hornbill
bsch i, vu, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
2
Grus nigricollis
Black-necked Crane
bsch i, vu, app i
fnca, iucn, cites
3
Tragopan blythii
Blyth's Tragopan
vu, app i
iucn, cites,
4
Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Pallas's Fish Eagle
vu, app ii
iucn, cites
5
Haliaeetus albicilla
White-tailed Eagle
lr/nt, app i
iucn, cites
6
Ichthyophaga humilis
Lesser Fish Eagle
lr/nt, app ii
iucn, cites
7
Gyps bengalensis
White-rumped Vulture
cr, app ii
iucn, cites
8
Aquila clanga
Greater Spotted Eagle
vu, app ii
iucn, cites
9
Aquila heliaca
Imperial Eagle
vu, app i
iucn, cites
10
Arborophila mandellii
Chestnut-breasted Partridge
vu
iucn,
11
Lophophorus impejanus
Monal Pheasant
bsch i
fnca
12
Tragopan satyra
Satyr Tragopan
lr/nt
iucn
13
Polyplectron bicalcaratum
Grey Peacock Pheasant
bsch i
fnca
14
Aythya baeri
Baer's Pochard
vu
iucn
15
Aythya nyroca
Ferruginous Duck/Pochard
lr/nt
iucn
16
Indicator xanthonotus
Yellow-rumped Honey guide
lr/nt
fnca, iucn, cites
17
Buceros bicornis
Great Hornbill
lr/nt
iucn
18
Harpactes wardi
Ward's Trogon
lr/nt
iucn,
19
Alcedo hercules
Blyth's Kingfisher
lr/nt
iucn
20
Apus acuticauda
Dark-rumped Swift
vu
iucn,
21
Gallinago nemoricola
Wood Snipe
vu
iucn
22
Sarcogyps calvus
Red-headed Vulture
lr/nt
iucn
23
Ardea insignis
White-bellied Heron
en
iucn
24
Corvus corax
Common Raven
bsch i
fnca, national bird
25
Ficedula subrubra
Kashmir Flycatcher
vu
iucn
26
Sitta formosa
Beautiful Nuthatch
vu
iucn
27
Prinia cinereocapilla
Grey-crowned Prinia
vu
iucn
28
Spelaeornis caudatus
Rufous-throated Wren Babbler
lr/nt
iucn
29
Sphenocichla humei
Wedge-billed Wren Babbler
lr/nt
iucn
30
Ithaginis cruentus
Blood Pheasant
App ii
cites

Table 3. Reptiles
Sl. No.
Scientific Name
Common name
Statue
Criteria
1
Python molurus
Indian Rock Python
lr/nt
iucn
2
Dinodon gammiei
Sikkim False Wolf Snake
r
iucn
3
Cuora amboinensis
Malayan Box Turtle
vu
iucn
4
Cuora mouhotii
Keeled Box Turtle
en
iucn
5
Melanochelys tricarinata
Tricarinate Turtle 
vu
iucn
6
Melanochelys trijuga
Black Pond Turtle
lr/nt
iucn
7
Cyclemys gemeli
Indian Leaf Turtle
dd
iucn

6. CONSERVATION
The ex-situ collection shall adopt the following strategies to support conservation of the species in situ.
6.1. Strategy 1: Reintroduction
Join Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program to help reintroduction of species that are endangered or threatened in the wild. Therefore, reintroduction programs on Presbytis pileatus, Ailurus fulgens, Bos gaurus, Elaphus maximus, Panthera tigris, Presbytis geei, Sus salvanius and, Bubalus bubalis amongst mammals will be initiated in the zoo with relevant stakeholders worldwide.

In avi-fauna, breeding of species like Ardea insignis, Grus nigricollis, Aceros nipalensis, and Gyps bengalensis is proposed as they are under serious threat of extinction. An example of such inian tiative (I followed closely) in Bhutan for Ardea insignis was tried by Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), an NGO in Bhutan. A juvenile white bellied heron was released after hatching in captivity in 2012 but it is not known whether the bird survived. However, such initiatives to help maintaining viable population of threatened species will be one of the primary objectives of the proposed zoo with enough resources.

Re-introductions are feasible and there are examples such as those of AZA’s SSP Programs bringing back Mustela nigripes, Gymnogyps californianus, and Canis lupus rufus from the brink of extinction. They also tried to re-establish the population of Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Vultur gryphus, Uncia uncia, and Ailuropoda melanoleuca in the wild. The zoo will collaborate with the agency for the relevant species re-introduction. Options for Cryo-preservation of genes and others will also be explored to support species continuity in the zoo as well as in the wild.

6.2. Strategy 2: Providing knowledge
Another strategy to help conservation of species is to provide knowledge to the public. The zoo shall focus on providing skills and resources by starting breeding prograand ms, learning and teaching translocation techniques of species from one habitat to others or the zoos. Education on animal (wildlife) health, conducting species specific research, training or educating people/visitors will be taken seriously.

7. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
My zoo will be integratthe ed into research community and general public for creating awareness in understanding the animal science that will contribute to conservation and entertainment worldwide. Following strategies will be used for promoting research.
7.1. Strategy 1. Collaboration with research institutes (Universities and Colleges)
The zoo shall provide funds to conduct research on critically endangered and other species of conservation signific of all the three taxa (mammal,s, birds and herpetofauna) by collaborating with Universities and research institutes outside and within Bhutan. Local institutes identified for such activities in Bhutan would be College of Natural Resources, Sherubtse College, Royal Thimphu College which are affiliated to the Royal University of Bhutan while Edinburgh Univeristy could be an option outside Bhutan.
7.2. Strategy 2: Education
The zoo shall focus on educating the mass. Scientific studies and basic education on the biology of animals will be taught to collegians, high school students and pre-primary school children as well as the local populace who have no basic education.

8. STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT VISITORS
The following activities will be undertaken to attract visitors to the zoo
1. Intensify awareness and entice tourists
2.       Generate exciting and explanatory means tolve with animals in the zoo
3.       Deliver conservation messages
First, stthe udy target market and understand competition from other zoos and initiate extra entertainment possibilities, additional helpful (charitable) options and expand corporations/partnerships. Second, benchmark other aquariums, museums, zoos and public attraction centres and then identify visitors from Thimphu and outside (families, singles, teens, children, periodic populaces and trippers/occasional visitors, etc.) and then rope in business partners (hotels), press/media and public leaders/local politicians and frame clear action plans as sampled below.

Blueprint 1: Intensify awareness to entice tourists
Strategy: Target homegrown/local and adjoining/neighbouring visitors
Schemes:
  • Publicity and PR – Put all efforts in one editorial timetable
  • Implement actions targeting singles/families
  • Implement online with homegrown bloggers/Yelp/Trip Advisors, etcetera. 
  • Bond with international/national occasions with explicit packages (Environment, Earth, Wildlife Day(s), etc.). Update website and improve it regularly with animal bios, review blogs branding them more personal, magnify You-Tube Channels and use other media like Instagram, facTwitter twitter, etcetera. 
  • Schedule value photo competitions, formulate “tweet from the zoo” platform
Blueprint 2: Generate exciting and exploratory means to involve with animals in the zoo
Strategy: Create exciting educational packages and signage by collaborating with business associates who fund displays and events
Schemes:
  • Cross promote with local business (interesting thinthe gs with zoo)
  • Fix permanent exhibits collaborating with large companies in Bhutan/Thimphu
  • Let stakeholders to play vital role in developing tactics to create signage/activities in the zo0
  • Create wallet foldout brochures about the zoo
  • Focus on “edu-tainment” for zoo signaan ge
  • Create engaging/interactive experience in the zoo
  • Explore ways to work with national groups (WWF Bhutan, RSPN, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation of Environment, Bhutan (UWICE), Department of Forest and Park Services, Bhutan (DoFPS), etc.) and when feasible expand the network outside Bhutan.
  • Pick a quarterly topic to convey main zoo messages with attractive conservation themes.
  • Attract visitors with 4E “Educate, Entertain, Enable and Empower.”
Blueprint 3: Deliver conservation messages
Strategy: Connect people to conservation with immense experiences
Schemes:
  • Employ experienced wildlifers to educate visitors
  • Attract people by keeping visitor fees low
  • Create spaces for people to sit and enjoy near by the zoo
9. CONCLUSION
The dream zoo shall be located in a very ideal place for the species from Oriental, Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic realms. It shall be manned by highly qualified personnel with the state of art technology in place for conservation, entertainment, education and research whicthe h shall ensure achievement of the mission, vision and the objectives of the proposed zoo.

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bauert, M. (2002). Technical Guidelines on the Management of Ex-situ populations for Conservation. Zurich Zoo, Switzerland.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) website. http://www.cites.org/eng/
Defra (2012). Zoos Expert Committee Handbook. Available at www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/zoos/
International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) website. http://www.iucn.org/
Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 (FNCA). http://www.moaf.gov.bt
WAZA (2005): Building a Future for Wildlife - The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. WAZA Executive Office 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
 
Disclaimer 
This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal, official or official purposes. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some isracters or more are purely coincidence.


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