Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization
Vol. XXXI, No. 2, February 2016
ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)
International Elephant Foundation sponsored HECx school awareness programme at Hasanur, TN, Pp. 1-2
Date of Publication: 22 February 2016
Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization
Vol. XXXI, No. 2, February 2016
ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)
Contents
International Elephant Foundation
sponsored HECx school awareness
programmes, R. Marimuthu and
B.A. Daniel, Pp. 1-2
National Workshop on Capacity Building
for Combating Wildlife Crime in India,
R. Marimuthu and Shubhobroto Ghosh,
Pp. 3-4
Ivermectin treatment of Hookworms in
Captive Indian Gray Wolf (Canis lupus),
K. Senthilkumar, K. Devaki,
S. Gomathinayagam and
M.G. Jayathangaraj, Pp. 5-6
A Case of a Lacerated Wound in an
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) and
its Cognitive Aptitude in Self Healing,
N.S. Manoharan, K. Senthil Kumar,
Boon Allwin and M.G. Jayathangaraj,
Pp. 7-8
Study on effect of beta-carotene rich
diet on plumage pattern of captive
Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber),
S. Mahalakshmi, S. Venkatesan,
N.T. Vijayakumar, K.R. Ramesh,
L.M. Kshama and A.V. Satish, Pp. 9-11
Study on effect of beta-carotene rich diet on plumage pattern of captive
Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber), Pp. 9-11
Colisepticemia in a Peacock (Pavo
cristatus) - A Case Report,
Aashwina B. Madhwal, D.T. Fefar,
D.J. Ghodasara, B.P. Joshi, C.J. Dave,
Sonal V. Choudhary and R.C. Rathod,
Pp. 12-13
A note on occurrence of Aponogeton
crispus Thunb (Aponogetonaceae) in
Odisha, K.A. Sujana, P.A. Dhole and
Monika Mishra, Pp. 14-15
ZOOLEX: Healesville Sanctuary, Dingo
Alpine Country Exhibit, Pp. 16-18
Education Reports, Pp. 19-23
Announcements
World Fish Migration Day, 21 May 2016,
P. 6
15th International Elephant & Rhino
Conservation and Research
Symposium, Singapore Zoo, November
14-18, 2016, P. 8
National Seminar on Recent Challenges
in Biodiversity Conservation, 22-23
March 2016, Thiruvananthapuram,
P. 11
ZOO T-shirts, P. 24
IUCN World Conservation Congress,
1-10 September 2016, Hawai’i, Back
cover
ZOO’s Animal Welfare Fortnightly 2016 programme at Coimbatore, TN,
Pp. 19-23
International Elephant Foundation sponsored HECx school awareness
programmes
R. Marimuthu1 and B.A. Daniel2
International Elephant Foundation
IEF sponsored a project entitled
“Integrating teaching and folklore
theatre to promote HECx in Tamil
Nadu, India”. The components of
the project are to conduct teacher
training workshop, school
awareness programmes and street
plays for community people
promoting human elephant
coexistence in Sathyamangalam
Forest Division. The street plays
and Teacher training workshop
were conducted in the month of
August 2015. The school
education programmes, by the
participants of the teacher training
workshop, were conducted on 27 &
28 January 2016, Thalavadi and
Kundri, Erode District.
Thirty five school teachers from
human-elephant conflict areas
attended the training workshop.
During the workshop they
committed to do at least two HECx
awareness programmes for their
school children or the community
living nearby. In order to achieve
this they were given HECx Training
Guide supplemented with 50 Elekit education packets. Most of the
teachers reported that they did
what they promised during the
workshop. As part of the project,
two such schools were selected to
so as to inspect them and to see
their awareness programmes.
The authors, Mrs. Geetha, EcoClub Cooridnator, Erode district,
Mr. L. Vijayendran, NGC
Cooridnator, Gobi Education
District and Mr. T. Sakthivel,
SEWA, Erode visited those two
selected schools to witness their
HECx awareness programmes.
The project team visited Panchayat
Union Middle School, Hasanur,
Thalavadi and RC Middle High
School, Kundri, Kadambur. Both
are located on the Western Ghats
hills and have the history of
human elephant or other animal
conflicts. Each and every student
Elephant drama - Panchayat Union Middle School, Hasanur, Thalavadi
R.C. High School, Kundri, Kadambur performing drama on rules to follow
while rescuing wild animals
has their own interesting stories
related to confrontation with wild
animals or elephants either by
themselves or family members.
Venkatachalam, Head Master and
one of the trainees of the teachertraining workshop arranged a
1
On 27 January, the first awareness
programme was organised at
Hasanur school. Mr. P.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
Senior Education Officer, 2Scientist,
Zoo Outreach Organization,
Coimbatore. Email:
[email protected] and
[email protected]
1
series of events on that day.
Seventy five students and five
teachers participated in the
programme. The second
awareness programme was
organised on 28 January at R.C.
High School, Kundri that was
arranged by Mr. J. Dennis Rosario,
another trainee. About 200
students and 10 teachers
participated in the programme.
The student participants are
mostly from tribal villages where
HEC area exists.
Reading the elephant facts - Hasanur School
Rally around Hasanur village by school students
During the programme students
enacted mini dramas, shared
elephant information, elephant
proverbs, how elephants are
associated with our culture. The
student went on a rally around the
village by wearing masks, holding
placards and shouting out
elephant conservation message
and how to be safe from elephants
so as to save our lives.
At the R.C. High School, Kundri,
some of the students were
interviewed for their experience
with elephants and they shared
very interesting information and
those were video documented.
The programme was very useful
for the school children and
teachers to learn more about
elephant behaviour and tips on
do’s and dont’s in elephant areas
in order to save their life,
agriculture and property.
The team enacted elephant dramas
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
2
National Workshop on Capacity Building for Combating Wildlife Crime in
India
R. Marimuthu1 and Shubhobroto Ghosh2
Capacity building is needed for enforcement agencies
for scientific and professional investigation of wildlife
related crimes. In line with this a “National
Workshop on Capacity Building for Combating Wildlife
Crime in India” was held in Tamil Nadu Forest
Academy, Coimbatore from 4-6 Feburary 2016. This
is the first of its kind in India. This workshop was
organised by TRAFFIC, a global wildlife trademonitoring network, in partnership with Wildlife
Crime Control Bureau and Tamil Nadu Forest
Department. About 100 participants represented by
20 states including forest, police and intelligence
departments, directorate of revenue intelligence,
Indo-Tibetan Border Forces, Border Security Forces,
Customs, Railway Protection Force, Sastra Surakha
Bal and others took part in the training. The first
author had a privilege to attend this workshop.
The workshop started with the inaugural welcome
address by Dr. Shekhar Kumar Niraj, IFS, Head,
TRAFFIC-India. Followed by Ms. Tilotama Verma,
IPS, Additional Director, WCCB and Dr. Rajeev
Srivastava, IFS, APCCF, Director, Tamil Nadu Forest
Dr. Shekhar Kumar Niraj explains about field
exercises
The three-day’s agenda was a combination of
technical sessions, panel discussions, plenary
sessions, field exercise and field demonstration
handled by experts. The technical session includes
talks on: overview on the nature of illegal wildlife
trade in India and South Asia (Dr. Shekhar Kumar
Niraj); identification of specimens in trade and
strategies in combating wildlife crime related to these
species (Mr. Kamal Dutta, WCCB); application of
forensics and DNA techniques in wildlife crime
investigations-Standardising forensic based protocols
for investigating wildlife crimes (Dr. S.P. Goyal); DNA
mapping and wildlife forensics (Dr. Sunil K. Verma,
CCMB); Training Manual on Wildlife Enforcement was
Inaugration of the workshop
Academy welcomed the participants. Later Dr. V.K.
Melkani, IFS, PCCF (WL) & CWLW talked on the
importance of addressing wildlife crime. Dr. N.
Krishnakumar, PCCF (HoD) spoke on combating
wildlife crime.
Then TRAFFIC’s film on the sniffer dog-training
programme in India “Super Sniffers” launched. Mr.
Himanshu Malhotra, a renowned wildlife filmmaker,
directs it. The film showcases TRAFFIC’s initiative of
training and deploying sniffer dog squads in India to
combat wildlife crime. It highlights how dogs are
trained at the dog-training centre and further used in
the field for patrolling, nabbing poachers and in
arrests of wildlife criminals. Sniffer dogs were
brought and demonstrations held. It is really
amazing to watch sniffer dog’s ability.
Field demonstration on detecting and dismantling
hunting equipments
1
Senior Education Officer, Zoo Outreach Organization.
Email: [email protected]
2
Senior Programme Officer, TRAFFIC-India. Email:
[email protected]
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
3
Asia to combat wildlife crime through the South Asian
Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN). There were
other panel discussion too and topics were;
identifying current problems in investigation of
wildlife crimes; Identifying core strengths and
weaknesses of wildlife crime prosecution in India and
Trade in non-flagship species.
Market investigation on wildlife crime
launched after that; India’s role in South Asia’s fight
against wildlife crime through SAWEN (Ms. Tilotama
Verma, WCCB); Lessons learned and best practicesARREST programme (Ms. Onkuri Majumdar,
Freeland); Intelligence collection and collation
methodologies of cyber tracking (Mr. Manish Shankar
Sharma, SAF); Techniques of investigation and
prosecution to combat illegal wildlife trade (Mr. Vivek
Kishore, WCCB); Bail and cancellation of bail in the
context of wildlife offences and its impact on trails
(Mr. Kartik Shukul, Advocate, Mumbai); Improving
investigation in wildlife cases-case studies (Mr.
Sanjay Upadhyay, Advocate, Supreme Court);
Patrolling methods in the field for better surveillance
(Mr. Rohit Singh-WWF Malaysia); Remote surveillance
of PA’s using infrared sensors (Mr. Vedanayagam,
ADVANTECH); Trade of reptiles & Trade of marine and
coastal species (Dr. Chandan Jani, Scientist, Odisha);
Trade of Birds (Dr. Abrar Ahmed, BNHS).
Market investigation and surveillance scene
Panel discussion includes the topics such as:
Identification of problems in interagency cooperation;
Role of NGOs and scientific institutions in combating
wildlife crime; Role of common man in combating
wildlife crime. The first author is one of the panellists
of this group. The second panel discussion was “Role
of media and communications in wildlife crime
control”. Mostly media personnel were attended this.
Next panel discussion was strategic initiative in South
Field exercises were held on day three. The exercise
was intelligence collection prosecution and
investigation. The participants were divided into four
groups. The scenes were market investigation and
surveillance; intelligence collection and surveillance
methods and poaching in the forest-search and
seizures, sample collection, drafting and investigation
of poaching cases. Lawyers and forensic experts
guided the groups. At the end each group’s
representative gave presentation on the feedback on
Demonstration of metal detector used to detect metal
snares at the forest
the field exercise. This activity was really lively and
learned a lot about wildlife crime investigation.
Usage of metal detectors in wildlife crime was also
demonstrated. Later the Special Task Force (STF)
personnel Mr. Suresh demonstrated identifying traps
and eliminating them in the field. This also was very
useful to know variety of traps laid by the poachers in
the wild and how to dismantling them.
Last day in last session the group discussed about
development of national level strategic vision of
protocols for wildlife crime. The participants
contributed a very good input to this. Hope India will
get one soon. The three-day very fruitful workshop
ended with a valedictory. I hope the workshop is an
eye opener for the participants loaded with current
knowledge on combating wildlife crime and also
useful literatures for the reference supplied by
TRAFFIC. They are: Criminal Manual; Lesser known
species fact sheet; Training manual on wildlife
enforcement; Sharks in the soup-An overview of
shark trade in India; TRAFFIC Post Newsletter;
important aspects of investigation in wildlife offences;
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Red Sander-An
ecological boon or Enforcement Bane?
First author thank Dr. Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Director
and Mr. Shubhobroto Ghosh, Senior Programme
Officer- TRAFFIC-India for extending invitation to
attend the workshop.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
4
Ivermectin treatment of Hookworms in Captive Indian Gray Wolf
(Canis lupus)
K. Senthilkumar1, K. Devaki2, S. Gomathinayagam3 and M.G. Jayathangaraj4
Hookworms occur in a wide range of hosts and are
cosmopolitan in distribution. Most Hookworms have
a direct life cycle and so cohabitation of host is the
key factor in their development. The adult worms in
the intestine take a plug of the intestinal mucosa into
its powerful buccal cavity and suck blood with the
teeth damaging the epithelium. This causes huge
blood loss, which leads to hypochromic and
microcyctic anaemia, general weakness, blood tinged
diarrhoea with mucus, rough hair coat and
dehydration in animals in the latter stages. The wild
canids are also susceptible to almost all of the
parasites that plague the domestic dog. Baylis and
Daubney (1922), Alwar and Lalitha (1961) reported
incidences of Ancyclotoma caninum infection in wild
dog, Wolf, Jackal and Fox. The present report is
about the occurrence of the hookworm infestation in
Gray wolf (Canis lupus).
Case History
A pair of wolf was brought to the Arignar Anna
Zooological Park, Vandalur from Singapore Zoological
Gardens as an animal exchange programme in
October 2005. After few months, the wolves seemed
to be very lethargic, weak, dull, depressed, and they
had a poor appetite. Both of them were treated for
general weakness by providing electrolytes in
drinking water but their condition did not show much
improvement and after few days both the wolves
were having diarrhoea with blood-tinged mucus. The
faeces were dark tary coloured with foul smell. The
animals were segregated and shifted to zoo hospital
for further treatment. Faecal samples were collected
and subjected to microscopic examination. In the
laboratory, samples were examined for the presence
of parasite eggs/larvae, using floatation method. Egg
identification was based on morphological
characteristics (shape and structure of shell) and
measurements.
Result and Discussion
Microscopical examination of faecal samples revealed
the presence of hookworm (Ancylostoma sp.,) eggs.
Popiolek et al. (2009) also recorded 12.5 per cent of
Ancylostoma caninum in the wolf faeces in the Beskid
S´la˛ski Landscape Park (BSL) and Z˙ywiec
Landscape Park (ZL) in Poland. The EPG value was
5200. Since the animals were not having good
appetite, regular feed of beef with bone was changed
and chicken was provided. The treatment consisted
of haematinic @ 150–250 U/kg mixed in the meat for
2 weeks and haemostatic tablets mixed in the meat
and electrolyte powder in drinking water for 3 days.
The appetite had returned normal after 3 days, which
was followed by the treatment of wolves orally with
Ivermectin tab @200µg per kg body weight and
repeated after 15 days. The faecal examination was
performed again after a month and revealed reduced
mean egg counts of hookworms (Ancylostoma sp.,),
by 94.6 %. Haematinic, calcium phosphorus tonic,
vitamin syrup were mixed in the meat regularly. The
resting room of the animal was thoroughly cleaned
with common salt, turmeric powder and sterilized
with flame gun and the outdoor enclosure was also
treated with common salt, lime powder and sterilized
with flame gun, so as to destroy the eggs and larvae.
There after the ground area of the outdoor enclosure
was refilled with new sand and potassium
permanganate. As the main source of infection is the
deposition of faecal matter, care was taken to dispose
the faeces then and there in a safe place. Meredith
and Beasey (1991) and Chandranaik et al. (2005)
reported the use of Ivermectin against ascarids in
cheetah and leopards. Devaki et al. (2006) reported
the use of pyrantel pamoate against Ancyclostoma
infection in wild dogs Swapan kumar Sur et al.
(2000) reported the use of ivermection in big cats for
treating Ascarids and Ancyclostoma infections, which
coincides with the observations in the present study.
Summary
A rare case of hookworm infection in an Indian Gray
wolf and its successful treatment with Ivermectin
tablets along with other supportive therapy was
reported.
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful for administrative support
received from The Director and Chief Conservator of
Forests, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur for
permitting to conduct this study. Authors are also
deeply indebted to the Dean, Faculty of Basic
Sciences, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai for
providing necessary facilities to conduct the study.
1
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Wildlife Science, Madras
Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai.
Email: [email protected]
2
Assistant Professor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Kattupakkam, TANUVAS, Chennai.
Email: [email protected]
3
Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology, MVC,
Chennai. Email: [email protected]
4
Professor & Head, Dept. of Wildlife Science, Madras
Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai.
Email: [email protected]
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
5
References
Alwar, V.S. and C.M. Lalitha (1961). A checklist of
the helminth parasites in the Department of
parasitology, Madras Veterinary College, Indian
Veterinary Journal. 38:142-148.
Baylis, H.A., and R. Daubney (1922). Report on
the parasitic nematodes in the collection of the
Zoological Survey of India. Zoological Survey of
India.
Chandranaik, B.M., Srinivasa Murthy, Dilip Das.,
G.S. Mamatha, C. Renukaprasad and G.
Krishnappa (2005). Helminthiasis in Leopards
(Panthera pardus) at Bannerghatta Biological Park,
Zoos’ Print 20(7): 1934
Devaki, K., K. Senthilkumar, Pathan
Nasrullahkhan and M.G. Jayathangaraj (2006).
Ancylostomiasis in Dhole (Cuon alpinus) Zoos’ print
21(1): 2141-2142
Meredith, A.L., and A. Beasey (1991). Ivermectin
treatment of ascarids in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx
jubatus). Veterinary Record, 129(11), 241-242.
Popiołek, M., J. Szczęsna, S. Nowak, and R.W.
Mysłajek (2007). Helminth infections in faecal
samples of wolves Canis lupus L. from the western
Beskidy Mountains in southern Poland. Journal of
helminthology, 81(04), 339-344.
Announcement
World Fish Migration Day, 21 May 2016
WFMD 2016 is a one day event to create worldwide awareness of the importance of freshwater migratory
fish and open rivers for the general public, especially students and their teachers, resource managers
and engineers, and commercial and recreational anglers, as well as those individuals who influence
public policy that affect rivers. It is a global initiative with activities organized to reach these audiences.
Around the world, coordination and promotion is done through local activities inspired, supported and
coordinated by a central office of the World Fish Migration Platform in Washington DC (USA).
At the individual event level, organizations undertake the development of an activity to raise awareness
and involve local people and media about fish migration and open rivers. Local events include a range of
activities: field trips, events at a school or aquaria, the opening of fishways, races, food festivals, etc.
At this local level, the logo and central message of the WFMD, Connecting fish, rivers and people, will be
used to connect sites around the world.
Local events can take many forms: celebration on a dam/weir removal, inauguration of a fishway or a
river restoration project, special trainings/workshops, research activities in the field, special school
programs and involving student/citizens, etc.
You can register your event directly on our website http://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/join-wfmd.
For more information contact: Web: www.worldfishmigrationday.com, Email: [email protected],
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WorldFishMigrationday, Twitter: www.twitter.com/fishmigration
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
6
A Case of a Lacerated Wound in an Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
and its Cognitive Aptitude in Self Healing
N.S. Manoharan1, K. Senthil Kumar2, Boon Allwin3 and M.G. Jayathangaraj4
Abstract
Lacerated wound treatment in an Asian elephant in
Mettupalayam range, Coimbatore Forest Division is
documented here. Clinical symptoms and treatment
given are provided briefly.
Asian elephants are member of class Mammalia
belong to order Proboscidae. Asian elephants are
huge gray animals inhabiting Asian tropical forests.
Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as
Endangered (EN) because of a population size
reduction inferred to be at least 50% over the last
three generations, based on a reduction in its area of
occupancy and the quality of its habitat (Choudhury
et al., 2008).
Elephants are long-lived, traverse a broad range of
habitats over a lifetime, and possess a proportionally
large and complex brain that goes through the
majority of its development after birth (Fowler and
Mikota, 2008). All are qualities often associated with
the ability to solve problems. The area over which an
elephant travels depends on the availability of
resources, notably water, food and mates. Because
resources vary seasonally, so do the extent of
elephant movements. Tool use and manufacture
may be associated with higher cognitive aptitude and
the ability to solve problems creatively. Elephants
use a wide variety of tools in wild and captive
settings and apply their knowledge and experiences
in combating real life scenarios (Hart et al., 2001).
This paper deals with the case of a lacerated wound
in elephant which was identified subsequently.
Case History
While making daily rounds in the Mettupalayam
range, Coimbatore Forest Division, Tamil Nadu, a
forest guard reported the Forest Veterinary Officer
that a lone female elephant around 22-25 years old
was standing in a small pond for a prolonged period
in the middle of the forest area (Fig 1). The
observation of the elephant revealed that the
elephant was alone, presented in a pool of water.
Initial attempts to clinically examine the animal were
futile as the animal refused to move out of the water.
However after repeated attempts the animal was
lured out of the water loading and on instant
examination a lacerated wound on the left hind leg
posterior at the level of thigh, was noticed (Fig 2).
As the elephant's skin is very sensitive and wounds
only heal very slowly, this wound might have been 15
days old.
Fig 1. The lonely elephant in a pond sinking in the
water for a prolonged period
Fig 2. Lacerated wound in the left hind leg
Treatment and discussion
The reason for standing in water might be that the
fishes in the pond might have fed on the dead tissues
of the wound and giving a marked natural
debridement of the affected tissue. In addition to
this, the elephant tried to reduce its body weight by
sinking in the water for a long period of time. For the
treatment of lacerated wound, the wound might be
flushed with normal saline or clean tap water
(Fernandez and Griffiths, 2008). Similarly the
elephant throw water towards its back through its
trunk. This incident is a state of high intelligence and
is a cognitive application of knowledge.
1
Forest Veterinary Officer, Forest Department, Tamil
Nadu.
2
Assistant Professor, 3Research Scholar, 4Professor and
Head, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Madras
Veterinary College, Chennai.
Email: [email protected]
(Corresponding author)
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
7
The elephant showed an uneventful recovery after 10
days of treatment (Fig 3). The understanding of
these abilities strongly indicated that the safest way
to interact with elephants would be to appreciate
their potential for highly cognitive responses and
their capability to resolve problems.
References
Fig 3. Healed wound after the treatment
In general, the wound healing process is a complex
continuum of the inflammatory, proliferation, and
remodeling phases of healing. Understanding the
mechanism of wound healing and staging the wound
accurately will help determine the appropriate
management of the injury and will also allow
practitioners to incorporate newly developed wound
medications into their treatment regimen
(Phuangkum et al., 2005).
It was observed that the animal visited the water
holding area everyday and decided to provide oral
medication in addition to its traditional technology to
heal the wound. Enrofloxacin liquid @ 2.5 mg/kg
was mixed with Jaggery (Sanchez et al. 2005) and
placed few metres away from the animal. The animal
took the medicated Jaggery completely without any
hesitation continuously for 10 days. The forest guard
provided this medication daily for 10 days and
monitored the animal.
Choudhury, A., D.K. Lahiri Choudhury, A. Desai, J.W.
Duckworth, P.S. Easa, A.J.T. Johnsingh, P. Fernando,
S. Hedges, M. Gunawardena, F. Kurt, U. Karanth, A.
Lister, V. Menon, H. Riddle, A. Rübel & E.
Wikramanayake (IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist
Group). (2008). Elephas maximus. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T7140A12828813. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.
2008.RLTS.T7140A12828813.en. Downloaded on 13
February 2016.
Fernandez, R. and R. Griffiths (2008). Water for wound
cleansing. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 8,
Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003861. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003861.pub2.
Fowler, M.E and S.K. Mikota (2008). Biology, Medicine,
and Surgery of Elephants. Blakwell Publishing, Oxford Pp.
35.
Phuangkum, P., R.C. Lair, and T. Angkawanith
(2005). Elephant care manual for mahouts and camp
managers (No.10). FAO Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific.
Sanchez, C.R., S.Z. Murray, R. Isaza and M.G. Papich
(2005). Pharmacokinetics of a single dose of enrofloxacin
administered orally to captive Asian elephants (Elephas
maximus). American Journal of Veterinary Research 66(11):
1948-1953.
Hart, B.L., L.A. Hart, M. McCoy and C.R. Sarath (2001).
Cognitive behaviour in Asian elephants: use and
modification of branches for fly switching. Animal
Behaviour 62(5): 839-847.
Announcement
15th International Elephant & Rhino
Conservation and Research Symposium,
Singapore Zoo, November 14-18, 2016
Pressures on wild populations of elephants and rhinos are increasing at an alarming rate, with poachers
killing both species at unsustainable levels. Wildlife habitat continues to shrink while human-elephant
conflict increases. Conservationists and researchers around the world are committed to protecting the
remaining animals and habitat.
The fourth joint International Elephant and Rhino Conservation and Research Symposium is a forum for
elephant and rhino conservationists and researchers from around the world to present conservation
projects and research outcomes, new technologies in field conservation and conflict mitigation, studies in
disease, reproduction and behaviour, and other issues that impact the long term survival of elephants
and rhinos.
Come join us at the Singapore Zoo to share your experiences and best practices, make friends, and
expand you professional network. Visit www.elephantconservation.org for more information, abstract
submission, and registration. Registration will be limited to 200.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
8
Study on effect of beta-carotene rich diet on plumage pattern of captive
Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber)
S. Mahalakshmi1, S. Venkatesan2, N.T. Vijayakumar3, K.R. Ramesh4, L.M. Kshama5 and A.V. Satish6
Abstract
Scarlet-red plumage colour of the Scarlet Ibis is due
to their carotene rich diet. The zoo diet poor in betacarotene makes the bird plumage paler. In this study
22 Scarlet Ibises are supplemented with one kg of
carrots daily for a period of one month. All the birds
get full scarlet-red plumage after one month of betacarotene rich diet supplement. Study shows that it is
very essential to provide these birds daily with
natural pigment i.e. beta-carotene to maintain their
bright scarlet-red plumage colour.
Introduction
The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis
in the bird family Threskiornithidae. It inhabits
tropical South America and Islands of Caribbean.
Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers
may show various tints and shades, but only the tips
of their wings deviate from their name sake colour. A
small but reliable marking, these wing tips are a rich
inky black and are found only on the longest
primaries. Otherwise the bird colouration is vivid
orange-red, almost luminous in quality. Scarlet Ibis
have red bill and feet (Fig 1).
The orange-red colour of the bird is due to heavy diet
of red crustaceans (Petrak 2010). In captivity Scarlet
Ibis plumage will become dull over a time due to lack
of natural pigment in their captive diet. The 22
Scarlet Ibises of Mysuru Zoo are provided with betacarotene rich diet i.e. carrot along with their regular
zoo diet, to study the effect on plumage colour
development during the month of November and
December 2015.
The major objectives of the study were to study the
effect of beta-carotene rich diet (carrot) on Scarlet
Ibises plumage colour development; to study the
effect of new diet composition on food intake and
acceptance of new diet; and to understand the
pattern of plumage colour development in Scarlet
Ibises.
Methodology
At present Mysuru Zoo is housing 22 Scarlet Ibises.
The zoo diet of these birds includes 800gm prawns,
1250gm rice and 1750gm boiled egg per day. Since
prawns are seasonal breeders it is very hard for zoo
to get fresh red prawns round the year. However for
these birds zoo provides sun dried prawns which lost
their natural pigments during the sun drying process.
All the diet components of the Scarlet Ibises are poor
in any natural pigment.
Fig 1. Scarlet Ibis having normal plumage pattern, red
bill and feet
Fig 2. Carrot carvings mixed with prawns as betacarotene supplement for Scarlet Ibises
Feeding experiments with known precursors provides
insight into the metabolic capacities of birds (Brush &
Power 1976). Therefore, in order to supplement
beta-carotene pigments to these Scarlet Ibises carrot
carvings were added to their diet. 1kg of carrots was
carved and mixed with 800gm of dry prawns (Fig 2).
Food intake was recorded for a month. The effect of
beta-carotene rich diet on their plumage colour was
recorded through photographs.
Result and Discussion
Like most birds, the ibis diet is varied. In the wild
the Scarlet Ibis feeds on frogs, fish, reptiles and
crustaceans. But it has a favoured food, and that
favoured food is what gives the Scarlet Ibis its
brilliant scarlet-red. The young Scarlet Ibis is a gray
1
Biologist, 2Executive Director, 3Deputy Director,
Assistant Director, 5Veterinary Officer, 6Range Forest
Officer, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru.
Email: [email protected] and
2
[email protected]
4
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
9
Fig 6. Scarlet Ibis of Mysuru Zoo on 8 December 2015
Fig 3. Young Scarlet Ibis
and white bird, looking very much like a young White
Ibis (Fig 3).
The ingestion of red crabs gradually produces the
scarlet plumage. There are some scientists who
consider the Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) and
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) to be the same species
with diet making the difference. The crabs which are
Fig 4. Scarlet Ibis of Mysuru Zoo on 7 November 2015
the favoured food of the Scarlet Ibis are rich in
carotenoids; the more carotenoid-rich crabs the ibis
eats, the redder it becomes (Petrak 2010).
Scarlet Ibises, which have Scarlet colour feathers as
well as red bill and legs have three times more
circulating carotenoid pigments than individuals of
their sister taxon the White Ibis, which have much
less carotenoid pigments in their integument, white
plumage with red legs and bill (Geoffrey 1999).
As it’s very hard for zoo to get continuous supply of
red prawns round the year, we tried supplementing
Fig 5. Scarlet Ibis of Mysuru Zoo on 23 November
2015
these Scarlet Ibises with beta-carotene using carrots.
Around 1kg of carrots was added to the diet of 22
Scarlet ibises. One kilo gram of carrot contains
82,850 mcg of beta-carotene, which provides
adequate beta-carotenoids for the maintenance of
normal plumage colour of Scarlet ibises.
The Scarlet Ibis have long, narrow, decurved bill
which is very useful to probe for food in soft mud or
under plants. This bill structure is not suitable for
feeding on vegetables like carrots and as they are
carnivore birds they may not feed on carrots,
therefore carrot carvings were mixed with prawns.
The food intake was recorded to check the
acceptance of new diet composition-carrot as well as
to check whether there is reduction in food intake
due to addition of carrot. Throughout the study
period of one month there is no reduction in food
intake and it was about 85-90%. The new diet carrot
was accepted by these birds.
On 17th day of beta-carotene rich diet supplement, it
was noticed that most of the birds having dark
scarlet-red pin feathers replacing their molted pale
feathers (Fig 5). After a month of beta-carotene rich
diet supplement all the Scarlet Ibises are with full
scarlet-red plumage except five young birds having
both scarlet as well as grey feathers. (Fig 6 & 7).
Fig 7. Young Scarlet ibises having both Scarlet as
well as grey feathers
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
10
plumage colouration is due to presence of
carotenoids. Birds cannot synthesis carotenoids
metabolically, but can modify extensively those
obtained in the diet. Inadequate dietary precursor is
a prime cause of colour loss in captive birds. A
source of dietary carotenoids in sufficient quantity
allows normal appearing plumage to be maintained.
(Brush and Power 1976). Therefore it is very
essential to provide captive Scarlet Ibises with
adequate suitable carotene source to maintain the
normal Scarlet colour plumage.
References
Fig 8. Scarlet Ibis of Mysuru Zoo on 26 January 2016
A similar experiment was done on house finches in
1976 by Brush and Power and they found that House
finches without an adequate source of suitable
carotenoids in the diet regenerate feathers that are
abnormal (usually yellow). A diet of seed and water
supplemented with Canthaxanthin or beta-carotene
produced feathers that appeared normal or nearly so.
Carotenoid pigments contribute to colour of feathers
and thought to be important for communication in
many bird species. Colouration of feathers can arise
from light scattering by nano structures or from the
presence of pigments that absorb light in particular
region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Carotenoids
give rise to yellow, orange and red colouration.
(Maria et al 2012). In case of Scarlet Ibis the Scarlet
Brush. H. and M. Power (1976). House finch
pigmentation: carotenoid metabolism and the effect of diet.
The Auk 93: 725-739.
Geoffrey E. Hill. (1999). Is There an Immunological Cost
to Carotenoid-Based Ornamental Colouration? The American
naturalist, 154 (5): 589-595.
Maria M. Mendes-Pinto, Amy M. LaFountain, Mary
Caswell Stoddard, Richard O. Prum, Harry A. Frank
and Bruno Robert (2012). Variation in carotenoid-protein
interaction in bird feathers produces novel plumage
colouration. J R Soc Interface. 2012 December 7; 9(77):
3338–3350.
PMCID: PMC3481581
Petrak C. (2010). The Scarlet Ibis is what it eats. http://
tailsofbirding.blogspot.com/2010/04/scarlet-ibis-is-whatiteats.html (accessed 10 November 2011).
Announcement
National Seminar on Recent Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation,
22-23 March 2016, Thiruvananthapuram
National Seminar is mainly aimed at bringing together the young researchers and
scientists of the nation, who are actively pursuing research in this area so that we can
update and deepen our knowledge on the major thrust areas of Biodiversity Conservation. In this
Seminar, it is proposed to deliberate for three days on the following major themes:
1. Aquatic and Terrestrial Biodiversity, 2. Conservation Methods, 3. Sustainable Development, 4.
Inventory, Taxonomy and Biology of Species, 5. Environmental Pollution and Conservation issues, 6.
Wetland Degradation and Management, 7. Man-Wildlife Conflicts, 8. Wildlife Diseases, 9. Climate Change
and Conservation issues, 10. Molecular methods in conservation, 11. Species invasion and Conservation
issues
Papers are invited on the above themes for oral presentation sessions or poster session. The
registration fee is Rs. 1250/- for Faculty and Scientists and Rs. 750/- for Students and Research
Scholars.
Abstract of scientific papers on various themes not exceeding 300 words must be submitted on or before
15th March 2016 as e-mail attachment as MS word file and named according to the speaker’s surname,
followed by underline and his/her initials (e.g. Amitabh_b.doc). Please send e-mail to:
[email protected] or [email protected]
For more information contact: Organizing Secretary, Dr. G. Prasad, Associate Professor, Department of
Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581, Kerala.
Ph: +91 9497254158
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
11
Colisepticemia in a Peacock (Pavo cristatus) - A Case Report
Aashwina B. Madhwal1, D.T. Fefar2, D.J. Ghodasara3, B.P. Joshi4, C.J. Dave5, Sonal V. Choudhary6
and R.C. Rathod7
Introduction
Coliform infections occur regularly
in captive as well as wild birds,
and can be either gastrointestinal
or respiratory in nature (Barnes et
al., 2003). While E. coli is a
normal part of the gut flora in
many birds, it can become
pathogenic at times of stress. The
Peacock is found in many countries
including Myanmar, India, and Sri
Lanka. They tend to live in
locations that offer them access to
low trees and plants. They also
live in regions where they have
access to farm grounds for feeding
as well. E.coli infection was also
reported in other wild birds like
granivores (Glunder, 1982),
Psittacines and Granivores
(Graham and graham, 1975),
Semi-feral Peacock (Rao et al.
1981) and Peacock (Subramanian
et al. 2010). Any deviation from
their natural habitat requirements
leads to stress. Due to stress the
bird eventually gets access to the
E. coli infection. The present
paper describes the unusual case
report of colisepticemia in
peacock.
Case Details
The adult male Peacock was
reported to have clinical signs of
abnormal gait and loss of appetite
prior to death. The carcass was
brought to the Department of
Veterinary Pathology by the
reference of Range Forest Officer,
Anand for confirmation of the
cause of mortality. Carcass
presented was emaciated and
dehydrated. The post-mortem was
performed. During the postmortem, the affected tissue
samples were collected in 10%
neutral buffer solution and sterile
petridish for further
histopathological examination and
bacteriological investigations.
Result
The post-mortem findings revealed
deposition of yellowish thick layer
Fig. 1 Yellowish thick layer of fibrin over heart and liver
Fig. 2 Enlarged spleen
of fibrin on the surface of
pericardium, liver and serosal
surface of other visceral organs
(Fig 1). Spleen was enlarged and
haemorrhagic (Fig 2). Liver was
fragile, pale, and showed
multifocal areas of necrosis.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
Department of Veterinary Pathology,
College of Veterinary Sciences and
Animal Husbandry,
Anand Agricultural University,
Anand, Gujarat.
Email: [email protected]
12
healthcare and management of
Peacocks.
References
Barbieri, N.L., T.M. Tejkowski,
A.L. Oliveira, B.G. Brito and F.
Horn (2012). Characterization of
extra-intestinal Escherichia coli
isolated from a peacock (Pavo
cristatus) with colisepticemia.
Avian Diseases 56:436–440.
Barnes, H.J., J.P. Vaillancourt
and W.B. Gross (2003).
Colibacillosis. In: Diseases of
Poultry, 11th ed., Iowa State
University Press, Ames, IA, USA.
Fig. 3 Necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration in liver
Glunder, G. (1982). Occurrence
of enterobacteriaceae in the
faeces of granivores passiform
birds. Avian Disease 32(1):
195-198.
Graham, L.C. and L.D. Graham
(1975). Occurrence of E. Coli in
the faeces of Psittacian birds.
Avian Disease 25(4):717-720
Subramanian, K.S., D. Manohar
Paul and C.J. Mathew (2010).
Colibacillosis in a Peacock-A case
report. Zoo’s Print Journal 15 (10):
350
Rao, S., S. Zaki and T. Ganesh
(1981). Colibacillosis in peacock.
Current Science. 50(12): 550-551
Fig. 4 Inflammatory cells in myocardium
Histopathological examination of
liver revealed fibrinous
perihepatitis with multifocal
necrosis and mononuclear cell
infilteration of the hepatic
parenchyma (Fig 3). Section of
heart revealed presence of fibrin
layer on pericardium with
infiltration of inflammatory cells
(Fig 4). Spleen showed multifocal
areas of necrosis and
haemorrhages. Bacteriological
investigation confirmed the
presence of E.coli via selective
media and biochemical test
results.
Discussion
E.coli is being a ubiquitous
opportunistic microbe is easily
accessible to many animal species.
Colisepticemia can be associated
with stress of the bird. Barbieri et
al., (2012) reported presence of
extraintestinal E.coli from a
peacock suffering colisepticemia.
These findings would aid attract
the human intervention for
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
13
A note on occurrence of Aponogeton crispus Thunb (Aponogetonaceae) in
Odisha
K.A. Sujana1, P.A. Dhole2 and Monika Mishra3
Introduction
The Water Hawthorn family is
monotypic; its single genus
Aponogeton has 58 species which
are palaeotropical in distribution
(Yadav et al. 2015). The members
of the family occur in the Old
World tropics and in northern
Australia, but concentrated to a
large extent in Africa and
Madagascar. The species of this
family inhabit aquatic or marshy
places (Cook 1996; Bruggen
1985).
a
In the revision of Indian
Aponogetonaceae (Yadav &
Gaikwad 2003) and further studies
(Yadav et al. 2015) reported eight
species of Aponogeton viz., A.
appendiculatus H. Bruggen, A.
bruggenii S.R. Yadav & Govekar, A.
crispus Thunb., A. lakhonensis A.
Camus, A. natans (L.) Engl. & K.
Krause, A. nateshii S.R. Yadav., A.
satarensis Sundararagh., A.R.
Kulk. & S.R. Yadav, and A.
undulatus Roxb. Of these, A.
appendiculatus, A. bruggenii, A.
nateshii and A. satarensis are
endemic to India (Yadav &
Gaikwad 2003, Yadav et al. 2015).
The present collection made by the
authors during the ethnobotanical
and floristic survey of Malkangiri
district of Odisha which covers an
area of 5791 km2 lies between
north latitudes of 170 47’58’’ and
180 44’58’’ and east longitudes
810 23’23’’ and 820 27’05’’ in the
southern Eastern Ghats of India.
The collected specimen is
identified as Aponogeton crispus
Thunb. through vetted study on
specimen with existing herbarium
specimens in Central National
Herbarium (CAL) and related
literature. In India, A. crispus is
reported from the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal (Yadav & Gaikwad 2003).
Saxena & Brahmam (1996) have
b
c
Fig 1. Aponogeton crispus Thunb., a. Submerged leaves with
inflorescence, b. Close view of inflorescence, c. Tuberous roots
not recorded its occurrence in
Odisha. Sahu et al. (2010) not
listed A. crispus from Malkangiri
District of Odisha. Hence the
present report confirms its
occurrence in Odisha. The voucher
specimens of the same are
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
deposited at the herbarium of
Central Botanical Laboratory
1-3
Central Botanical Laboratory,
Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.
Email: [email protected]
(Corresponding author)
14
Howrah. In this article a brief description of this
species accompanied with photographs (Fig 1) is
provided to facilitate easy identification along with
note on flowering and fruiting, ecology and
distribution.
consisting of several leaflets and fitted in a wide or
narrow groove.
Taxonomic Treatment
Aponogeton crispus Thunb., Nov. Gen. 4: 73. 1781
(‘crispum’); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 6: 564. 1893. p.p.;
Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 4: 372. 1898, p.p.; Engl. &
Krause in Engl. Pfanzenr. 24 (4, 13):12. 1906 (excel.
descr.); Gamble, Fl. Madras 3: 1597. 1931 (Repr. ed
1115. 1957.) p.p.; Bruggen in Blumea 18: 481, f. 1,
6. 1970 & Biblio. Bot. 47. 1985 & Aqua Plant. 2: 31.
1990; S. Karthikeyan & al. Fl. Ind. Enum. Monocot.
sr. 4. 4. 1989: Sundararagh. in Hajra & Sanjappa,
Fasc. Fl. India. 22: 128. 1996; C. D. K. Cook, Aquat.
Wetl. Pl. India. 48. 1996; Yadav & Gaikwad in Bull.
Bot. Survey of India 45:57. 2003. Type: Ceylon,
Thunberg s. n. (UPS, n. v.). Aponogeton echinatus
Roxb., Fl. India 2:210. 1832 (‘echinatum’); Hook. f.,
Fl. Brit. India. 6: 564. 1893; Subr. Aquat. Angiosp.
92. 1962; Bruggen in Blumea 18:483, f. 1, 8. 7, M.
2. 1970; C. J. Saldhana & Nicolson , Fl. Hassan: 635.
f. 106. 1976; K. M. Mattew, Fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic
3: 1713. 1983; Lakshmin. in B. D. Sharma & al. Fl.
Maharashtra 1: 238. 1996.
Ecology: Permanent fresh water lakes, ponds and
pools.
Description
Monoecious, tuberiferous, perennial, aquatic herbs, c.
75 cm high. Tubers globose obovoid, c. 3 cm in
diam.; roots slender, fibrous, from top of tubers.
Leaves both submerged and floating. Submerged
leaves very variable in shape and dimensions,
petiolate; petioles c. 13 cm long, bluntly triangular,
slender, brittle, sheathing at base; lamina c. 13 × 3.5
cm, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, rounded or
subcordate at base, obtuse at apex, flat or undulate
or crisped at margin, main nerve prominent with 4-6
nerves on either side. Floating leaves petiolate;
petioles c. 65 cm long, slender, terete, brittle,
sheathing at base; lamina very variable, c. 18 × 4.5
cm, ovate-lanceolate, tapering above, rounded or
blunt at apex, rounded or subcordate at base, main
nerve prominent with 5-6 parallel nerves on either
side. Spathe c. 2.5 cm acuminate, membranous,
caducous. Penduncles up to 65 cm long, cyllindric,
widened above. Spike simple, c. 13.5 cm long, dense
or lax flowered with flowers in all directions. Tepals
2, 2-2.3 × 0.8-1.2 mm obovate-spathulate rounded
at apex, 1-nerved, white, pink or pale violet.
Stamens 6, exerted; filaments c. 2.1 mm long,
widened below; anthers 2-celled, dark violet,
dehiscing longitudinally; pollen yellow. Carpels 3;
stigma decurrent; ovary c. 0.5 × 0.6 mm; ovules 2
per carpel. Follicles c. 1.3 × 0.4 mm, beaked,
smooth or echinate, 2-seeded; seeds c. 8 mm long,
with single testa; embryo upto 7 × 5 mm; plumule
attached at the base of the embryo, mostly
Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout the year with a
peak from August to November.
Distribution: India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal), Sri Lanka
Specimen examined: Odisha; Malkangiri, 28.07.2015,
Sujana K. A. & Dhole P. A. 37084 (CAL, BSI.)
Acknowledgements
Authors are thankful to Director, Botanical Survey of
India for providing necessary facilities and
Dr. R. Gore for his comments on identity of the
specimen. We gratefully acknowledge the
permission, help and logistic provided by T. Ashok
Kumar, DFO, Forest Department, Odisha.
References
Bruggen, H.W. van (1985). Monograph of the
genus Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae). In: J. Grau,
P. Hiepko & P. Leins (eds), Bibliotheca Botanica
33(137): 1–76.
Cook, C.D.K (1996). Aquatic and Wetland Plants of
India. Oxford University Press, London.
Sahu, D.K., S. Biswas, N.K. Dhal & M. Brahman
(2010). Flora and Vegetation of Malkangiri District,
Orissa, India – An Assessment. Indian Forester,
136:1649-1661.
Saxena H.O. & M. Brahmam (1995). The Flora of
Orissa. Regional Research Laboratory and Orissa
Forest development Corporation Ltd., Bhubaneswar,
Odisha. 4: 2070-2072.
Yadav, S.R. & S.P. Gaikwad (2003). A Revision of
the Indian Aponogetonaceae. Bull. Bot. Survey of
India 45: 39–76.
Yadav, S.R., V.S. Patil, A.R. Gholave, A.N.
Chandore, U.S. Yadav & S.S. Kambale (2015).
Aponogeton nateshii (Aponogetonaceae): A new
species from India. Rheedea 25 (1) 9-13.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
15
Healesville Sanctuary
Dingo Alpine Country Exhibit
Kara Chirgwin (author for ZooLex)
Sue Jaensch (editor for Healesville Sanctuary)
Monika Fiby (editor for ZooLex)
http://www.zoolex.org/zoolexcgi/view.py?id=1539
LOCATION
Badger Creek Rd, Healesville,
3777, Victoria, Australia
Phone: 61-03-5957 2800
Fax: 61-3-5957 2870
URL: http://www.zoo.org.au/
healesville
DESCRIPTION
The dingo facilities were upgraded
to provide a larger area for the
dingoes and more interpretation
opportunities for zoo visitors.
Dingo Country was designed to
simulate the sub-alpine
environment of Victoria. The
exhibit combines a hillscape of
rocky outcrops, tree falls and
water bodies that create a
backdrop for viewing the dingoes.
One of the adult dingoes on display ©Healesville Sanctuary, 2015
The focal point of the exhibit is a
purpose built alpine hut providing
intimate views of the dingoes and
interpretation about the cultural
history of dingoes.
Rough sawn timber and rusted
steel were used for an authentic
impression of the sub-alpine
environment. The new enclosure
is themed around an alpine hut.
The hut has been named Mason’s
Hut as a tribute to the longest
serving employee of the
sanctuary, Kevin Mason. Kevin
began working at the Sanctuary
back in May 1960.
SIZE
The dingo enclosure is
approximately 820m², with 80m²
sectioned off for visitor / dingo
interaction. 789m² is allocated for
visitors, however almost half of
this is garden. The 19m² refers to
the Alpine Hut.
Staff areas occupy about 245m².
This includes cleaning, storage,
keeper access in and around the
enclosure, and vehicle access.
Silhouette Signs: More signs along the main path as people walk closer
to the dingo enclosure ©Kara Chirgwin, 2015
Behind the dingo enclosure are
additional yards and walkways
used to house and rotate the
dingoes off display.
COSTS: AUD 350,000
OPENING DATE: 1 April 2010
DESIGN: Beginning: 2009
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
• landscape architecture: Xylem
Landscape Architects, Preston,
Victoria, Australia
• graphic design, fabrication:
Arterial Design, Fitzroy, Victoria,
Australia
• structural consulting and civil
engineering: Kersulting, Glen Iris,
Victoria, Australia
16
Space allocation in square meters:
use
indoors
outdoors
accessible total accessible total
total
exhibit
animals
0
0
740
820
820
visitors
19
19
305
770
789
others
0
0
325
325
325
19
19
1370
1915
1934
total
CONSTRUCTION
Beginning:
• earth and rock mounds:
• hut structure: Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville,
Victoria, Australia
• fences, gates, paths and screen planting:
Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia
Dog Family Tree: Sign in Mason's Hut, showing where
the dingo fits in with the domestic dog family
tree.©Kara Chirgwin, 2015
FEATURES DEDICATED TO ANIMALS
The sloping terrain provides climbing and viewing
opportunities for the dingoes. There is plenty of tree
coverage within the enclosure, offering shady areas
for the dingoes to rest. Alternatively, there is also a
purpose-built underground den. The pond allows the
dingoes to cool off in hot weather, and they also love
to roll around in the sand as a form of environmental
enrichment.
Three dingo pairs are rotated between the exhibit
and the off-display enclosures. At night, they are
locked in.
Visitor path: Pathway guiding zoo visitors through
the dingo exhibit. ©Kara Chirgwin, 2015
FEATURES DEDICATED TO KEEPERS
Zoo staff access the dingo enclosure via the
education / tour group section, which is separated
from the main viewing area by a wooden farm gate
with a "do not enter" sign. The education / tour
group section is still clearly visible from the main
viewing area, so the staff entry into the dingo
enclosure is disguised as an old fashioned outdoor
toilet.
A staff work and storage area is hidden behind a
large retaining wall at the back of the enclosure.
FEATURES DEDICATED TO VISITORS
Visitors can have close encounters with the animals
in a rustic ‘camp’ through keeper presentations and
through large glass panels with expansive views into
‘Dingo Country’. They can visit the rustic alpine hut
and listen to stories from the old bushman, or hear
the famous dingo howl. Regular keeper talks inform
about the dingoes. A small portion of the enclosure
is allocated for 'special moments' with bag / coat
hooks etc.
Education Entry: Gate sectioning off an area for
school/education and tour groups and staff entry.
©Kara Chirgwin, 2015
Visitors to the Sanctuary may encounter a keeper
with one of the adult dingoes on a daily walk around
the grounds.
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
17
INTERPRETATION
Wooden silhouettes in the shape of a dingo are
positioned randomly in the gardens leading up to the
exhibit. Common questions, misconceptions and
brief facts about dingoes are painted on these, in
order to generate interest and curiosity among
visitors before arriving at the exhibit.
Signage used are made of rustic materials in a linear
format to evoke the movement of the dingo through
the landscape.
As visitors wonder through the outdoor viewing area
into the enclosure, a row of low-height tables
containing information is available for further
reading.
Inside Mason's Hut is a bench seat. Built into this
seat is a window box displaying a dingo skull for
visitors to get a close-up look.
Mason’s Hut: Visitor shelter (Mason's Hut) ©Kara
Chirgwin, 2015
Mounted on the walls of the Hut is a feral cat skin
and a red fox skin. Feral cats and foxes are
competitors for food and territory, and are both
considered pests in Australia.
There is also a large family tree displayed in the Hut,
showing where the dingo fits in and its connection to
wolves and domestic dogs.
MANAGEMENT
Each dingo gets walked every third day. The dingoes
are put on a leash and walked around the Sanctuary,
2 dingoes at a time. The walk around in the gardens
is at the dingo's pace, stopping to let them smell
things etc, rather than a formal "walk" along the
tracks. When the keepers bring the dingoes out of
the exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to ask
questions and to briefly interact with the dingoes for
about 15 minutes. Otherwise the dingoes get
restless.
Dingo Laying on Grass: The entrance to the artificial
tunnel is in the background of the image, well hidden
by vegetation. ©Kara Chirgwin, 2015
The old enclosures are used to rotate dingoes
between exhibit and off display.
The maintenance required for the dingo exhibit, is
managing the gardens (seasonal), tidying up after
the dingoes (every few days) and replacing bedding
in the dingo dens (every 4 - 6 weeks).
CONSERVATION
The main objective of this dingo exhibit is for
educational purposes.
The main beams used for the hut were second hand
and sourced locally.
Dingo Den: Front view looking into the purpose-built
underground den, disguised amongst the surrounding
rock and vegetation.©Jon Coe, 2010
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
18
Education Reports
Living Classroom at Sundarvan
This winter season, green birthday celebrations took
place at the park for four children of 8-12 years old
and their friends who engaged in outdoors adventure
activity, learning about ducks and geese, sensational
snakes – the awareness programme, bats
echolocation game, face painting, eco-friendly
greeting cards and getting tree-bark prints.
Two Bird-watching Trips to the wetland, Pariej, to
encourage interested individuals to form local birding
groups, documentation on online portals and
generate an interest in Ornithology among people.
The morning began with an introductory session and
mock-trails of bird-watching at Sundarvan which also
shed light on urban wildlife. Winter is a perfect
season to spot migratory birds and wetlands are a
perfect place to silently and peacefully observe many
Birthday fun with feeding geese at Sundarvan
species of birds. A round of bird-facts during the bus
ride filled the participants with energy to observe the
birds, learn about them, their importance and
appreciating the beautiful hobby of birding.
Competitively making lists of birds which filled with
names from Saras cranes with juveniles, Painted
storks group-hunting for fish, Egrets, snowy-white
Eurasian Spoonbills, gorgeous Purple moorhens,
Black-winged stilts, Green bee-eaters, White cheeked
bulbuls all the way to tiny Purple Sunbird. The
participants were thrilled by their experience, greatly
amused by their observations like the difference in
birds at Sundarvan and Pariej and agreed to monitor
birds close to their home as well.
People were treated to a “Christmas-at-the-zoo”
event with ‘Photo-with-Santa-Claus’ in the park
followed by an evening programme of ‘Movie-andSnacks’. Underwater adventure filled movie, “Finding
Nemo” was featured on a projector screen in an
open-air amphitheatre with hot snacks during the
Excitedly spotting Greylag geese at Pariej
movie. Children and adults alike enjoyed the movie
and a brief discussion on the various sea-creatures
starring as characters in the animated movie.
Sundarvan introduced their first ever Winter Night
Camp in November 2015 and conducted three
consecutive batches up until January 2016, for 7 to
15 year olds within Sundarvan premises. The idea is
to plant the seed of nature appreciation in the minds
of young members of the society which will bloom
into a life-long passion. The young naturalists were
filled with excitement for the night zoo trail, spider
watch, stories around the campfire, birdwatching and
fun with clay dough that were arranged around
delicious meals taken in the outdoors. Amazing
insight was shared in form of questions and stories
during the night and brave little kids rewarded the
Sundarvan team with their “Oohs” and “Aahs” as they
craned their necks to get a better view at the web of
a tent spider and admired the wolf spider and the
two-tailed spider, which were few among the many
species they learned about.
Oohs and Aahs fill the spider watch and night trail at
Sundarvan
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
19
Education continued into the New Year with green
resolutions and constant fun facts on the Sundarvan,
Ahmedabad facebook page as well as planning of
more awareness events.
Nature Appreciation trip to Blackbuck National
Park at Velavadar
Established in 1976, The Blackbuck National Park at
Velavadar is in the Bhal region of Saurasthra,
Gujarat. Sharing its southern boundary with the
coast of Gulf of Khambhat, it was primarily grassland
of the Maharaja of the princely state of Bhavnagar for
hunting blackbucks with his famous hunting
cheetahs. Successful conservation programs for the
blackbuck, wolf and lesser florican are ongoing at this
park.
Roused early in the morning, a group of children and
adult filled in to the bus, all pepped up for a bus
safari to the land of Blackbucks. The group from
Sundarvan were fortunate to see a good number of
Blackbucks in herds which included beautiful adult
males, young sub-adults, agile females and two
albino females; some even gently sprinting in their
habitat. Apart from Blackbucks, participants saw
herds of Blue bull females, and males donning their
magnificent bluish grey coats, staring back at the
Participants are delighted to know that Blackbuck
National Park - Velavadar is one of the largest roost
sites for harriers in the world
spotting the colourful Common Teal, brilliantly
chestnut coloured Brahminy Ducks, few Purple
Moorhens glistening in the sun, a flock of Blacknaped Ibises, diving beauties - the Pied Kingfisher
and Little Grebe, the powerful Marsh Harriers, and
waders - Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Blackwinged stilts and Ruffs and other species of birds.
The participants gave positive feedback and many
questions were asked about the kind of books to read
and places to visit to learn more about wildlife and its
conservation. A peaceful bus ride back to Sundarvan
was spent as a beautiful full moon rose slowly to the
sky, shining orange at first and silver when it was
higher. Submitted by: S. Sivakumar, Park
Manager, Jignasa Patel, Education Officer,
Sundarvan & Meena Nareshwar, Senior
Programme Co-ordinator, CEE. Email:
[email protected]
Young birders exchange their lists and descriptions at
the wetland
onlookers in the sun. Every now and again, younger
participants would spot a Drongo or two carried upon
the back of Blue bulls. Being an excellent habitat to
birds, everyone watched in awe as the Common
Krestrel hovered in mid-air, the Pallid Harriers took
flight, and the crested larks and white-eyed Buzzard
so well-camouflaged in the surrounding.
Two bird watching trips were already organised to the
wetland Pariej in 2015 to encourage interested
participants to form local bird watching groups. The
safari was followed by a stop at a nearby wetland on
the way back. A few hours were spent here, as the
group bonded over binoculars and cameras.
Everyone took notes and took a great interest in
Awareness campaign on Western hoolock
gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) conservation in
Cachar and Karimganj Districts, Assam
Wildlife Conservation Laboratory, Department of
Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam
University, Silchar received a UGC sponsored major
project entitled, “Status survey of Hoolock Gibbon
with special reference to Habitat analysis, Food
analysis and anthropogenic pressure in the Inner-line
Reserve Forest and its adjoining areas of Cachar dist.,
Assam”. As an important component of the project a
total of ten training and awareness programmes were
organized for villagers in fringe areas to identify the
habitat of Hoolock gibbon, their food plants,
plantation of food plants etc. so as to increase the
awareness for conservation of wildlife, highlighting
Western Hoolock Gibbon as a flagship species.
The awareness/training camps were organized in
Cachar and Karimganj Districts near the fringe areas
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
20
Western Hoolock gibbons are fighting for their last
survival in few isolated groups. These campaigns
were held in the presence of students as well as local
inhabitants.
Mohanlal M E School, Nayabil
of Hoolock Gibbon habitat to make villagers aware of
the need of wildlife conservation. Pre and post
awareness questionnaire survey were carried out to
do the concept mapping among the villagers about
wildlife conservation. Close ended questionnaire was
formed to get quantitative assessments of the
The awareness campaigns were organized in 7
schools from Kachar distircit and 3 from Karimgnaj
district which are located near the reserve forest
areas. And they are: Cachar: Mohanlal ME school,
Nayabil; Brajakishore High school, Duwarbond;
Nowagaon ME school, Pratappur; Bandhan guwala LP
school, loharbond; Rosekandi High School;
Dargakona Public HS school, Dargakona; Barjalenga
MV school, Barjalenga; Karimganj: Satkoragol LP
school, Ujangaon; Dubri LP school, Patharkandi and
Khasiapunji tribal LP school, Khasiapunji.
Dubri L P School, Patherkandi, Karimganj Dist
Dargakona Public HS School
perceptions of wildlife conservation among the fringe
villagers and forest dwellers. It was helpful for
assessing the success of the awareness campaign.
During the month of December, 2015 the awareness
campaigns were conducted in different schools near
the fringe areas of Inner-Line Reserve Forest of
Cachar district, and Patharia RF, Longai RF and
Cheragi RF of Karimganj district, Assam, where
During the campaigns the behaviour and ecology of
Hoolock gibbon was taught as well as the need of
conservation and the various survival stress of this
elusive animal that occur in the reserve forest areas.
The awareness/training programme was carried out
under the leadership of Prof. Parthankar Choudhury
and the reserch scholars Mofidul Islam (Project fellow
under the UGC-MRP), along with Dipankar Debnath
carried out the training and awareness campaingns.
Submitted by: Prof. Parthankar Choudhury.
Email: [email protected]
World Wetlands Day celebration by Forest
Department and Indian Biodiversity
Conservation Society at Jhansi, UP
Wetlands are “biological supermarkets”, which
provide immense food that attracts many animal
species for completion of their life-cycle. Wetlands
play key role in life on Earth. The decaying dead
plants and animals in the wetlands are converted by
bacteria into organic matter (detritus) that are fed by
many small aquatic insects, shellfishes and small
fishes that are food for larger predatory fishes,
reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Tamil
Nadu has highest number of lakes (4369) followed by
Uttar Pradesh (3684) and West Bengal (1327).
Brajakishore High School
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
21
World wetlands day was celebrated on 2nd February
2016 by Forest Department of Jhansi and Lalitpur
together with Indian Biodiversity Conservation
Society (IBCS), Jhansi. The students of class 9th and
10th of Modern Brilliant Public School, Babina were
taken for nature trail at Sukhwa Dhukwa Dam. The
students observed the flora and fauna around the
water body and later participated in the sketching
competition. They drew what they saw while walking
along the dam. The students learnt and realized the
importance of wetlands in our daily life. They
expressed their views and cleared their queries while
Students holding Sarus crane poster which is state
bird of UP
such as Govind Sagar, Rajghat, Pahuj, Sukhwa
Dukhwa, Paricha, Shehzad, Matatila along with
Mansarovar lake, Laxmi Talab and Baruasagar Jheel.
Students going through the flyers on wetlands
interacting with Shri Devendra Kumar, CCF (Jhansi,
Lalitpur, Jalaun), Uttar Pradesh. The winners were
Anuradha Verma, Harshit Namdev and Mandavi
Yadav. Hargovind and Rajesh of Government School
were also appreciated for their efforts. The students
were provided with flyers on Wetlands in Hindi i.e the
local language. They were also given the posters on
Sarus Crane, the State Bird of Uttar Pradesh that is
associated and dependent on wetlands for their
survival.
Wetlands in the Bundelkhand Region are under threat
due to natural calamities that includes the draught.
The Bundelkhand region is a backward region where
people are poverty driven. The younger generation
needs to be aware about the important sources of
livelihood so that they live sustainably with the
nature. The aim of celebrating World Wetlands Day
was to explore wetlands in the vicinity of Jhansi and
Lalitpur districts. Another important perspective was
to aware local community and students about the
wetlands, their threats, biodiversity and
conservational requirements.
Besides this the team of volunteers (Abhishek
Namdev, Brijendra Tiwari, Shailesh Yadav, Bipin,
Saurabh, Rajesh, Shivam,Sanskar, Dayashagar)
surveyed the wetlands of Jhansi and Lalitpur to know
the biodiversity as well threats faced by these
productive ecosystems. The sites included dams
Various Government schools participated in the World
Wetlands Day. The Principal and teachers of these
schools explained the students that wetlands are key
drivers of local economies. They are increasingly
facing several anthropogenic pressures, due to
rapidly expanding human population. Unfortunately,
many such areas have been converted for
agriculture, industry or settlements. Submitted by:
Dr. Sonika Kushwaha, President, Indian
Biodiversity Conservation Society, Jhansi, UP.
Email: [email protected].
ZOO’s Animal Welfare Fortnightly 2016
programme at Coimbatore, TN
Every year, Animal Welfare Board of India celebrates
Animal Welfare Fortnight from 14-30 January. The
importance of celebrating fortnight is to highlight the
animal welfare issues to the common people and to
motivate them to compassionate with animals. It is
being celebrated in various ways throughout India.
Zoo Outreach Organisation convened an Animal
Welfare Fortnightly programme on 23 January at
The women wearing elephant masks
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
22
elephant rakhis each other, putting on headband,
wearing elephant mask and holding the placard and
committing that coexist with elephants. Thanks are
to Mr. N. Thiyagarajan, Project Officer, The Tulsi Trust
and Ms. V. Girija Sivakami, Central Board for Workers
Education for gave me an opportunity. Submitted
by: R. Marimuthu, ZOO. Email:
[email protected]
Tying elephant rakhis with each other
Narasipuram Adi Dravidar village, Thondamuthur of
Coimbatore district. About 40, mostly women
participated in the programme. They were
highlighted about basic animal welfare issues both
domestic and wild such as the five freedoms of
animal welfare (freedom from thirst and hunger,
discomfort, pain, injury, disease, express most
normal behaviour, fear and distress), animal welfare
laws, offer grain and water to the birds, plant bird
friendly trees, not use plastic bag and throw edible
leftovers tied with the bag because animal eat the
plastic will die, rescue the sickness animals and take
them to veterinary hospital, not to use oxytocin
injection to draw milk from cows etc.,
Later, they were told about the significance of
Western Ghats, the river system, its biodiversity and
how it is directly helps their survival. Followed by
human elephant coexistence programme was held.
Since this village is prone to human elephant conflict,
this is apt to have a programme with these people.
They were told about elephant facts, its behaviour,
the difference between Asian and African elephants
and more tips how to save their lives when
confronting with elephants. IEF sponsored education
kit was used. They were zealous in tying the
AWF Celebrations at Vivekananda College of
Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
ZOO conducted the AWF 2016 programme in
coordinated and hosted by the Pantera leo Club of
the Department of Zoology, Vivekananda College of
Arts and Science for Women at Tiruchengode, Erode
District. About 150 graduate students from the
department of Zoology attended the programme.
During the inaugural the Principal of the college and
the coordinator of the programme spoke about the
need for the conservation of species and the
importance of Animal Welfare Fortnightly. A talk on
the species conservation and education was given by
Daniel and as a part of the programme as series of
Understanding habitat loss and animal welfare
through map reading
activities were conducted. Dr. B.A. Daniel and Mr. R.
Marimuthu conducted a series of activities and
demonstrated Conservation education process
through active learning / teaching methods.
Different issues related to wildlife welfare,
conservation activities related to freshwater
biodiversity and mitigation of human animal conflict
were explained through active teaching methods.
Immediate future actions that can be taken up by the
participants were discussed. Committed participants
conducted a procession holding placards within the
campus and shared the information learned with their
fellow students. Thanks to the management, and
staff of the Department of Zoology, especially
Dr. M. Brintha and Dr. M. Salahudeen for coordinating
this event. Submitted by B.A. Daniel, Education
Coordinator, Zoo Outreach Organization.
Email: [email protected]
Happy to put on elephant headband
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
23
ZOO T-shirts
Design 6: Fishes
Design 4: JoTT
Design 5: Spiders
Design 2: Bat & Rat
Design 1: Primates
New cool colours. Order individually or in bulk. T-shirts are subject to
availability. We may run out of stock after you have placed your order.
Price : Rs. 350 + postage
Available Sizes : S (27” x17.5”) M (27.5”x19.5”) L (28.5”x20.5”) XL
(30.5”x21.5”)
Email us at [email protected] for your orders
ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 2, February 2016
Design 3: Odonates
24
Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization
ZOO’s PRINT Publication Guidelines
Publication Information
We welcome articles from the conservation community of all
SAARC countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other tropical
countries if relevant to SAARC countries’ problems and
potential.
ZOO’s PRINT, ISSN 0973-2543
Published at: Coimbatore
Owner: Zoo Outreach Organisation, 96, Kumudham Nagar,
Vilankurichi Road, CBE 35
Type — Articles of semi-scientific or technical nature.
News, notes, announcements of interest to conservation
community and personal opinion pieces.
Editor: Sally R. Walker
Associate Editors: R.V. Sanjay Molur and
Daniel B. Ayyachamy
Managing Editor: Latha G. Ravikumar
Editorial Assistant: R. Marimuthu
Feature articles — articles of a conjectural nature —
opinions, theoretical, subjective.
Case reports: case studies or notes, short factual reports
and descriptions.
News and announcements — short items of news or
announcements of interest to zoo and wildlife community
Cartoons, puzzles, crossword and stories
Subject matter: Captive breeding, (wild) animal husbandry
and management, wildlife management, field notes,
conservation biology, population dynamics, population
genetics, conservation education and interpretation, wild
animal welfare, conservation of flora, natural history and
history of zoos. Articles on rare breeds of domestic animals
are also considered.
Source: Zoos, breeding facilities, holding facilities, rescue
centres, research institutes, wildlife departments, wildlife
protected areas, bioparks, conservation centres, botanic
gardens, museums, universities, etc. Individuals interested
in conservation with information and opinions to share can
submit articles ZOOS’ PRINT magazine.
Manuscript requirements
Articles should by typed into a Word format and emailed to
[email protected]. Avoid indents, all caps or any other
fancy typesetting. You may send photos, illustrations, tables.
Articles which should contain citations should follow this
guideline: a bibliography organized alphabetically and
containing all details referred in the following style:
surname, initial(s), year, title of the article, name of journal,
volume, number, pages.
Editorial details
Articles will be edited without consultation unless previously
requested by the authors in writing. Authors should inform
editors if the article has been published or submitted
elsewhere for publication.
Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust Committee
and Sr. Staff
Managing Trustee: Sally R. Walker
Chairman Trustee: R. Nandini
Executive Director Trustee: R.V. Sanjay Molur
Finance Director Trustee: Latha G. Ravikumar
Scientist: B.A. Daniel
Researcher: R. Marimuthu
Other staff: B. Ravichandran, R. Pravin Kumar,
K. Geetha, S. Radhika, Arul Jagadish, K. Raveendran,
S. Sarojamma
ZOOs’ PRINT magazine is informal and newsy as opposed
to a scientific publication. ZOOS’ PRINT magazine
sometimes includes semi-scientific and technical articles
which are reviewed only for factual errors, not peerreviewed.
Address
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Post Box 5912, 96, Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 035, India
Phone: +91 422 2665298
Fax: +91 422 2665472
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.zooreach.org, www.zoosprint.org
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