May 2012 Volume 39 Jo. 5 The Journal of ttie American Association of Zoo Keeners. Inc ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM. 3601 S.W. 29th St, Suite 133, Topeka, KS 66614-2054 Phone: (785) 273-9149 FAX (785) 273-1980 May 2012 VoL 39, No. 5 Media Production Editor: Shane Good • Assistant Media Production Editor: Elizabeth Thibodeaux • Senior Editor: Becky Richendollar, Riverbanks Zoo • Enrichment Options Column Coordinators: Julie Hartell-DeNardo, St. Louis, MO and Ric Kotarsky, Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum • Legislative/ Conservation Outlook Column Coordinator: Greg McKinney, Philadelphia, PA • ATC Column Co-Cordinators: Kim Kezer, Zoo New England and Jay Pratte, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo • Conservation Station Coordinators: Amanda Ista, Milwaukee County Zoo & Mary Ann Cisneros, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Animal Keepers’ Forum is published monthly by the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc., 3601 S.W. 29th Street, Suite 133, Topeka, KS 66614-2054. Ten dollars of each membership fee goes toward the annual publication costs of Animal Keepers ’Forum. Postage paid at Topeka, KS. AAZK Executive Director: Ed Hansen, AAZK, Inc., Topeka KS also serves as AAZK Liaison to the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) AAZK Administrative Secretary: Barbara Manspeaker, AAZK, Inc., Topeka, KS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Cisneros, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 92112-0551 President Penny Jolly, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000 Vice President Kelly Wilson, Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, MI 48067 Deana Walz, The Living Planet Aquarium, Sandy, UT 84094-4409 Denise Wagner, Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ 85008 COMMITTEES/COORDINATORS/PROJECT MANAGERS Awards By-laws Chair - Ric Kotarsky, Tulsa Zoo Grants Committee Chair - Shelly Roach, Columbus Zoo Behavioral Husbandry Committee Chair - Christina Dembiec, Jacksonville Zoo Bowling for Rhinos Coordinator - Patty Pearthree, Cary, NC Products and Membership Jacque Blessington, K.C. Zoo, Project Manager Ethics Penny Jolly, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Conservation Committee Co-Chairs Amanda Kamradt, New England AAZK Chapter Christy Poelker, Saint Louis Zoo Janet McCoy, The Oregon Zoo Professional Development Melaina Wallace, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Media/Website Denise Wagner, Phoenix Zoo, Project Manager Social Media Sean Walcott, SeaWorld San Diego, Project Manager Conference Program Manager Victor Aim, Oakland Zoo ICZ Coordinators Norah Famham, Woodland Park Zoo Sara Wunder Steward, Busch Gardens Tampa MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Data Transfer Forms Available for download at aazk.org AAZK Publications/Logo Products/Apparel AAZK Administrative Office/Topeka or at aazk.org iTjl printed on Recycled Paper Table of Contents About the Cover/Information for Contributors 202 From the President 203-204 Letter to the Editor 205 The Scoop 206-209 Chapter News. 210-211 General Announcements 212 New Members 213 Coming Events 214 Environmental Enrichment for Long-term Captive Bats 216-23 1 Techniques for Wild Chinchilla Habitat and Behavior Studies 232-238 Conservation Station Palm Oil: an Overview and Message of Hope 239-242 Conservation Legislation 243-246 Research in Practice Bobcat Breeding and Enrichment 247-248 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of ZOO KEEPERS MISSION STATEMENT (Revised April 2009) American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. exists to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communcation beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life. ABOUT THE COVER The photos in this month’s cover come to us from Dana Leblanc, former Curator of the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville, Florida. Clockwise from the top: (Top Photo) A spectacled flying fox ( Pteropus conspicillatus ) with silk floss tree ( Chorisia sp .) in the background. (Bottom Right) A variable flying fox (. Pteropus hypomelanus ) in common purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ) that was placed in its enclosure for enrichment. (Bottom left) The Indonesian flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus ) hanging in crape myrtle (Lagers troemia sp.) that was placed in the bat’s enclosure for enrichment. (Middle left) An Indonesian flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus ) in sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) that was placed in its enclosure for enrichment. Did You Know? Sources: batcon.org and animals, howstuffworks. com/mammals/1 3-incredible-bat-facts, htm 1 . Bats are the only mammals able to fly. 2. A single insectivorous bat can consume over a thousand insects in an hour. 3. Bats are nocturnal and use echolocation to get around in the dark. 4. There are over 1,100 species of bats in the world; 25% of all mammals are bats! 5. More than 50% of bat species in North America are in decline. 6. Bats have only one pup per year. 7. Some species of bats can live up to 30 years of age. 8. Bats are obsessive groomers, licking and scratching throughout the day. 9. An enzyme in bat saliva is the most potent clot-dissolver known to science, and is used to treat human stroke victims 10. White-nose syndrome (Geomyces destructans) has killed over one million bats of nine species in 20 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces since 2006. Articles sent to Animal Keepers ’ Forum will be reviewed by the editorial staff for publication. Articles of a research or technical nature will be submitted to one or more of the zoo professionals who serve as referees for AKF. No commitment is made to the author, but an effort will be made to publish articles as soon as possible. Lengthy articles may be separated into monthly installments at the discretion of the Editor. The Editor reserves the right to edit material without consultation unless approval is requested in writing by the author. Materials submitted will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self- addressed, appropriately-sized envelope. Telephone, fax or e-mail contributions of late-breaking news or last-minute insertions are accepted as space allows. Phone (330) 483-1104; FAX (330) 483-1444; e-mail is shane.good@aazk.org. If you have questions about submission guidelines, please contact the Editor. Submission guidelines are also found at: aazk.org/akf-submission-guidelines/. Deadline for each regular issue is the 3rd of the preceding month. Dedicated issues may have separate deadline dates and will be noted by the Editor. Articles printed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the AKF staff or the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Publication does not indicate endorsement by the Association. Items in this publication may be reprinted providing credit to this publication is given and a copy of the reprinted material is forwarded to the Editor. If an article is shown to be separately copyrighted by the author(s), then permission must be sought from the author(s). Reprints of material appearing in this journal may be ordered from the Editor. Regular back issues are available for $4.00 each. Special issues may cost more. To Contact the AKF Editor: Shane Good, Media Production Editor P.O. Box 535, Valley City, OH 44280 330-483-1104 shane.good@aazk.org 202 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 FROM THE PRESIDENT I grew up a product of the sixties; my early years spent in Northern Virginia. A typical kid in elementary school, I did my homework, I played outside (mostly in the woods), and I watched TV. My passions were evenly distributed between the woods and television. In addition to my favorite afternoon TV shows, I was glued to TV commercials. They were mesmerizing minuets of product propaganda and always accompanied by some catchy phrase or tune. The commercials back then were brand messages that sold to their audience not just their products but how they work and how they help improve your life in some form or fashion. One particular commercial professed that with a couple of plops and a couple of fizzes, heartburn and upset stomach relief were just a glass away. In my youth, we listened to a cartoon tiger tell us how great a cereal was in just one roar. We believed the commercial (or at least I did) when it told us that nine out of ten dentists recommended their brand of toothpaste. In essence, these commercials were the modem instmments of change, challenging consumers to switch to their brand over all others. In summary, the commercials of that era emphasized what their product did but never really engaged the consumer with the company. Today’s standards for effective advertising incorporate not just a marketing and brand strategy for products, but also a loyalty to the organization based on who the company is and what they stand for (Sinek, 2010). This form of brand loyalty engages consumers and influences them to purchase their product (Saad, 2012). Companies like Dove® and Apple® incorporated this strategy when they advertised based on an appeal to their vision as opposed to the rationale for buying their product. For Dove ®, it was their Campaign for Real Beauty (Dove ®, 20 1 2) that solicited loyalty through engagement. The Campaign for Real Beauty launched in September 2004 with a much talked-about ad campaign featuring real women whose appearances are outside the stereotypical norms of beauty. The ads asked viewers to judge the women s looks (oversized or outstanding? and wrinkled or wonderful?), and invited them to cast their votes at campaignforrealbeauty.com. And for Apple®, their statement of purpose is directly related to improving your computing experience (Hamilton, 2011). Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and internet offerings. It’s a far cry from a catchy jingle or household phrase, but it meets the needs and expectations of today’s consumer. Moreover, its appeal to loyalty makes them successful. For AAZK, while we may not have the need for catchy commercial creativity, we sometimes find ourselves in a position where we need to promote the Association and its benefits to others: institutional directors, curators, managers, even other keepers. Telling people about what we do initiates a long list of goals and accomplishments; quite impressive when bundled together: • We promote effective communication through our conferences , our monthly publication , and other available resources. • We are standardizing professional development workshops for animal care. • We contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to conservation. • Since 1990 , we have contributed over $4 million to rhino conservation. • Our Chapters contribute to conservation efforts both locally and internationally These goals and accomplishments are responsible for lending credibility and professionalism to our line of work. Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 203 But that is just what we do. Why we do this is the great selling point of who we are as an effective organization in the industry. We do this because we have a deep sense of responsibility for animal welfare and our profession. We do this because we are a passionate profession. We are kindred spirits. The bonds that we create when we speak with fellow keepers are a tribute to that passion. As an organization, AAZK shares that passion that we all possess for our jobs, our animals and their counterparts in the wild. I am interested in hearing back from the membership. What does AAZK mean to you? What do you get out of this Association? In a world where branding is strongly tied with loyalty to an organization, what does AAZK provide that sustains your loyalty? What can we do as an organization to improve this? Write to me at bob.cisneros@aazk.org. Tell me what we do that keeps your loyalty as a member. Tell me what we can do to sustain that loyalty. Respectfully, % %k) ClMl *9- References: Dove®. “The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.” Retrieved from dove.us/Social-Mission/campaign-for-real-beautv.aspx Hamilton, Diane. Top 10 Company Mission Statements in 2011. Retrieved from drdianehamilton. wordpress.com/20 11/01/1 3/top- 1 0-companv-mission-statements-in-20 1 1 / Saad, Faiza. Brand Loyalty through Emotional Advertising. Retrieved from britishj oumals.files.wordpress.com/20 1 1 /07/2_brandlovaltythroughemotionaladvertising_saad_issue 1 vol 1 .pdf Sinek, Simon. How Great Leaders Inspire Action. Retrieved from ted.com/talks/lang/en/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html Special Thanks to Cape May County AAZK Chapter The AAZK Board of Directors sends their sincere appreciation to the Cape May County AAZK Chapter for sponsoring this month’s issue of the Animal Keepers 'Forum. The Chapter made a special contribution designated for the AKF with their re-charter materials. It is the special contributions of our Chapters that allow our Association to continue to grow, expand your professional development opportunities, and reaffirm our commitment to your flagship conservation programs. Our thanks goes out to the Cape May County AAZK Chapter for sponsoring this month’s AKF, and to all of the Chapters that support the Association throughout the year. 204 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Shane: Wow, what a treat to see my article ‘The Myth of Domestic Monkeys: Common Law and Nonhuman Primates” (May, 2012) in AKFl I did not know this would happen, but I’m delighted to have shared my research and thoughts with other zookeepers. One thing: I researched and wrote the paper back in 2005. And thanks to an act of the Illinois legislature, there is one important change since then. Just last year (2011), an amendment to that state’s “Dangerous Animals Act” took effect which largely renders the concerns I voiced over City of Rolling Meadows v. Kyle irrelevant — at least in Illinois where the litigation occurred. The name of the updated section of the law is “Dangerous animals and primates; prohibitions” and its legal citation is 720 I.L.C.S. 585/1. Let me just give you the link: animallaw.info/statutes/stusilstch720_585.htm You can see from the text that private citizens in Illinois can no longer have a nonhuman primate unless they had it before the law took effect or if it’s a Capuchin monkey trained to help a permanently disabled person. Could you provide this information in the next issue of AKF, just so those interested know of the update? Also, I don’t know if it has been mentioned on the pages of AKF, but that website I linked to — the Animal Legal and Historical Center information site maintained by the Michigan State University College of Law — is an invaluable source that should properly be bookmarked on the computer of every animal care professional. Note especially that they have a special section on great apes and the law that every keeper of gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans will no doubt wish to peruse. Thank you again so much for publishing this... Sincerely, Brett Bannor Big Cat Internships Available ♦Vi TUB [REEK, Join us in “Saving Tigers One by One” As seen on Animal Planet® “Growing Up Tiger” Apply at: www.tigercreek.org Learn about Big Cat Management. Internship involves Animal Care Apprentice and Public Education. We offer experience that counts towards employment. TIGER MISSING LINK FOUNDATION / TIGER CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 205 THE SCOOP Lion cub (Panthera led) at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Photo by Patty Pearthree 2012 Felid TAG Mid-year Meeting and Husbandry Course Hosted by Utah’s Hogle Zoo - July 15 - 21, 2012 Felid TAG Husbandry Course: July 15 - 18, 2012 Hosted by Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, UT Students completing this course will cover all aspects of felid husbandry, including safety, nutrition, behavior, reproduction, veterinary issues, and felid introductions. They will be provided a variety of resources (both electronic and people) and personalized assistance with problem solving tasks, as well as the opportunity to discuss challenges and goals in their own institution’s program. A scholarship is offered by The Denver Zoo to aid a student in attending this husbandry course. For course information, registration and scholarship application, please visit: nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/ AZA/FelidTAG/Meeting.cfm Felid TAG meeting: July 19-21, 2012 This mid-year meeting will be hosted by Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, UT and will focus on global felid management. This is a working meeting, in addition to lectures and presentations, attendees are expected to participate in working groups to assist in advancing the goals of the Felid TAG. Meetings will be held at the Red Lion Hotel - Salt Lake Downtown, 161 West 600 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reservations: 1-800-733-5466 use group name ‘'Association of Zoos & Aquariums”. SSP Meetings will be held prior to the TAG meeting on July 17 & 18, 2012. For meeting information and registration, please visit: nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/AZA/FelidTAG/ Meeting.cfm 206 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 AAZK and PBI Announce Final Totals and Winner of the Trees for You and Me Chapter Challenge Jf CONGRATS MILWAUKEE COUNTY 200 AAZK! ^ It’s official, Trees for You and Me 2011-2012 is over and we exceeded our goal, raising $26,325.91 ! Congratulations to all AAZK Chapters that participated and a big “Thank You” to the Milwaukee County Zoo AAZK Chapter for raising $4,077.15 and winning this year’s competition! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be planting trees in three locations this year as the Polar Bear Forest grows. Florence County Forest will have multi-use benefits in areas such as wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, endangered resources, and growing future forest products for an ever-consuming society. The City of Sparta will replace trees affected by emerald ash borer infestation, and trees will be planted at local schools to continue educational outreach related to climate change. Finally, planting will occur in the small community of Merrill, in northern Wisconsin, that was struck by a devastating windstorm. The top Chapters were: Milwaukee County Zoo AAZK Chapter $4,077.15 Brookfield AAZK Chapter $4,060.53 Columbus AAZK Chapter $3,175.00 Greater Philadelphia AAZK Chapter $2,000.00 Greater New Jersey AAZK Alliance Chapter $1,535.80 Greater Cleveland - Cleveland Chapter of AAZK $1,530.00 Battle Creek AAZK Chapter $1,500.00 Detroit AAZK Chapter $1,222.00 Lincoln Park AAZK Chapter $1,139.00 Tucson AAZK Chapter $1,000.00 Greater Baltimore Chapter of AAZK $550.00 Galveston Chapter fo the AAZK $500.00 Lion Country Safari AAZK Chapter $500.00 Other participating Chapters included the Birmingham Zoo Chapter of AAZK, San Antonio Zoo AAZK Chapter, Tampa Bay AAZK Chapter, Tulsa AAZK Chapter, Portland AAZK Chapter, Orange County Chapter of AAZK, Greater Houston AAZK Chapter, Roger Williams Park Zoo AAZK Chapter, Greater Kansas City AAZK Chapter, Chesapeake AAZK Chapter, Southern Ontario Zoo Keepers AAZK Chapter, Louisville Zoo AAZK Chapter, Little Turtle AAZK Chapter, North Carolina AAZK Chapter, New England Chapter of AAZK, North Carolina Piedmont AAZK Chapter, Fort Worth Zoo AAZK Chapter, Saint Louis Zoo AAZK Chapter, AAZK-Knoxville Zoo Chapter, AAZK of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Memphis Zoo AAZK Chapter, Minnesota Zoo AAZK Chapter, Dallas Zoo Chapter of AAZK, Greater Orlando AAZK Chapter. The Grand Total was $26,325.91! Once again, thanks for making this a successful year and remember the AAZK Chapter competition for Trees for You and Me starts up again 1 September 2012. Christy Mazrimas-Ott christv.mazrimas-ott@aazk.org Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 207 Announcing the Second Venomous Animal Safety and Husbandry Training Seminar at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo Thurmont, Md. Sunday, July 29 and Monday, July 30, 2012 Current trends indicate that venomous animal handling may become a dying art and an archaic science. We are looking for a few dozen individuals interested in preserving a dying profession. More than ten seasoned instructors will guide you through an intense 18-hour seminar of formal and informal talks and a practicum with student participation. Contact rickhahn@,CWPZoo for more details on the Venomous Training Seminar. ill MB MMMttlili The Safety and Husbandry Seminar will be held immediately following: the 35th International Herpetological Symposium near the Baltimore- Washington International Airport at the Ramada BWI Airport in Hanover, Md. Wednesday, July 25th through Saturday, the 28th, 2012 This is the celebration of 35 years of the growth of the science and art of Herpetological Captive Husbandry and Propagation with talks, vendors and fellowship including side trips to the National Zoo in D.C and the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, Md. fj| | ■ 1 jig Go to kingsnake.com/ihs for more information about the Symposium. : University of Stirling Announces New Marmoset Website The University of Stirling in the UK recently announced the creation of a new interactive website dedicated to common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ). The website contains information on common marmoset behaviour and how best to provide care in captivity lor private owners, researchers, educators, zoo and laboratory professionals. The website can be found at marmosetcare.com. Photo by Claire Watson. 208 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 AAZK Announces New Co-Chair of Conservation Committee We are pleased to announce Christy Poelker, from the Saint Louis Zoo, will be joining Amanda Kamradt from Zoo New England as Co-Chair of the Conservation Committee. She is a hoofstock keeper and is involved with studbooks. Christy has been an active member on the Committee for several years, and has been the project manager for developing Conservation Committee workshops for the AAZK Conferences. Together they will make a great team to help guide, organize, motivate and lead the Conservation Committee! If you have any questions for Amanda or Christy, please e-mail them atAmanda.Kamradt@aazk.org and Christv.Poelker@aazk.org. Christy Poelker a STATIC 1 i Conservation Committee Announces New Conservation Station Column Co-Coordinators Mary Ann Cisneros The AAZK Conservation Committee is proud to announce Amanda Ista and Mary Ann Cisneros as the new Co-Coordinators of its Conservation Station column! Amanda is a keeper at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin and has been an enthusiastic and productive member of the Committee for the past four years. Mary Ann is a keeper at the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden in Indiana and recently joined the Committee within the past year. They are both more than qualified to produce this column, and are excited to be taking on this project. Amanda Ista As always, the AAZK membership is encouraged to participate in the production of Conservation Station. We welcome your submissions, suggestions, and feedback. Submissions may be on any conservation-related topic, and may be written or produced by anyone. The more member-participation we have in Conservation Station, the more dynamic and successful a column it will be! Your new Co-Coordinators can be reached at amandaista@hotmail.com and mcisneros@meskerparkzoo. com. Please join us in welcoming your new Conservation Station Co-Coordinators! Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 209 CHAPTER NEWS San Diego Chapter of AAZK With the new year comes changes and new board members for the San Diego Chapter of AAZK. Now that the conference is over, our Chapter has re-visited our goals and decided on positions that will help us accomplish them. We are excited to welcome our new board members and sad to see others leave. Join me in welcoming our new board members. You can learn more about them and their positions on our website at sdaazk.org. Yvette Kemp, President & Liaison Maureen O. Duryee, Vice President Kym Janke, Secretary Hali O’Connor, Treasurer Ann Knutson, Fundraising Officer & Event Coordinator Linda Henry, Public Relations Officer Christine Fenwick, Conservation Partner Officer Laurie Brogan, Volunteer Coordinator Tina Hunter, Support Lindsey King, Support Matt Price, Social Media Officer Thank you to Matt Akel and Aimee Goldcamp for their extraordinary work on the San Diego AAZK board throughout the years, especially during the 2011 National AAZK Conference. Personally, I would not have been able to do it without them! Thank you also to our supporters Holly Border and Lisa Martin. The conference was a big endeavor and they were a huge help. We will definitely miss them but are happy to know they are close by. On another note, we are excited to announce several upcoming projects for the year. We will be working with various local conservation organizations to raise funding and awareness for different causes. We have already paired up with the San Diego River Park Foundation to plant trees from the money raised to offset our carbon footprint during the 2011 National Conference. Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/pages/San-Diego- American-Association-of-Zoo-Keepers/224590787467?reL::share to see the pictures. You can learn about other projects by visiting our website. We do invite you to participate in this year’s 3rd Annual SD AAZK Photo Contest that will be coming up soon. Be sure to watch for that information. Visit our website for up to date information on our Chapter and access to our quarterly newsletter. Yvette Kemp sdaazk.org Lions Tigers & Bears Community Project April 14 Bowling for Rhinos June 2 National Zoo Keeper Week July 15-21 August Project Wildlife Fundraiser September 3rd Annual AAZK Photo Contest November Golf Tournament Fundraiser December Humane Society Fundraiser 210 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 AAZK Announces New Representative to the ICZ AAZK is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Wunder Steward as the newest representative on the ICZ Steering Committee. Sara will fill the vacancy created when Shane Good stepped down from the ICZ, and joins Norah Famham as AAZK’s second representative. After graduating from the University of Kansas in 2003, Sara worked at the Kansas City Zoo before moving to a warmer climate. Since 2005, Sara has worked at Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida as a Senior-I Keeper of the rhinos. Sara is an active member of the International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA) and serves as the Scholarship Chair and Coordinator for the Rhino Conservation Calendar Fundraiser. She also serves as the President of her local AAZK Chapter, Tampa Bay. Sara is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a Master’s in Zoo & Aquarium Leadership, Collections Management. Sara has also found time to attend AZA Professional Training School in Wheeling, WV., and is looking forward to meeting and learning from our international zoo colleagues and finding yet another opportunity to serve AAZK as an ICZ representative. The American Association of Zoo Keepers is one of nine professional zoo keeper associations within the International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ). Each of these associations has two representatives on the ICZ’s Steering Committee. Kansas City Chapter of AAZK The Greater Kansas City Chapter of AAZK has been very busy doing a lot of animal paintings lately! Every 3rd Friday of the month we are featuring animal art at the Englewood Art District. Each month is a different gallery and the art is specific to the designated conservation program we have chosen for that month. Also we are featuring animal art at the Coda Bar and Restaurant at the Crossroads every 1st Friday. These proceeds also go to the designated animal conservation project. We have been experimenting with new ways to present the animal art, such as on wine glasses. Our art booth set up at the annual Kiss & Tails event on February 4th was a great success. We are having lots of positive feedback at all of these events! March is just as busy, as we continue the art events and add Pancakes for Penguins to the list for art sales and a fundraising event at BD’s Mongolian BBQ. We will have a table set up for Party for the Planet on April 14th and our annual BFR is set for April 21st at Mission Bowl in Shawnee Kansas. If you would like to bowl, sponsor or donate items please contact our Chapter at kcaazk.webs.com. The membership drive in February brought in a lot of new people with great ideas; welcome aboard! Last but not least, back in December, we elected new officers for 2012, President: Jacque Blessington, Vice President: Erin Black, Treasurer: Stacie Beckett, Secretary: Lindsay Jaquier. Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol 39, No . 5 May, 2012 211 — General Announcements 1st Annual Tree Kangaroo Awareness Day The AZA Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Program is proud to announce the 1st Annual Tree Kangaroo Awareness Day on Saturday, May 26th, 2012. This date was selected because it coincides with the Annual Coffee Festival in Goroka, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Eight of the ten known species of tree kangaroos are found in New Guinea, the remaining two are found in Australia. We are encouraging all interested individuals and institutions exhibiting tree kangaroos to participate as they can. Activities for your event might include: special keeper talks featuring your institution’s tree kangaroos; display of graphics and information about tree kangaroos and the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program that can be located at: zoo.org/treekangaroo: and/or purchase coffee from PNG through Caffe Vita to sell to zoo visitors or give as gifts to friends and family. Important links that you may find helpful with your Tree Kangaroo Awareness Day planning include: To purchase shade-grown, organic coffee grown in PNG, go to: caffevita.com For video of the Papua New Guinea conservation coffee project, go to: voutube.com/watch?v=pA60c 1 97DEo 212 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 AAZK Announces New Members NEW PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS Melissa Durham, Zoo New England , Boston (MA) Daniel Rockefeller, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Pleasant Beach (NJ) Heather Bane, Natural Bridge Zool. Park, (VA) Alicia Marty, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Ryan Stephanoff, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, (GA) David Brothers, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Jennifer Andrew, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Teresa Deaton, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Katie Gatlin, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Rebecca Bearman, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Caroline Ledbetter, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Jenny Kvapil, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Catrena Voci, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Kendra Stout, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Jennifer Webb, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Fred Kromm, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Andy Clement, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Molly Desmet, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Luke Wyrwich, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta (GA) Marlent Piedra, Miami Metro Zoo, Miami (FL) Alex Ferland, Busch Gardens, Tampa (FL) Peter O Neill, The Center for Great Apes, Wauchula (FL) Stacy Strother, Disney s Animal Kingdom (FL) Stephen Taylor, Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg (MS) Skyler Hensarling, Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg (MS) Samantha Nowicki, Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg (MS) Jessica Downs, Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg (MS) Tara Archer, Columbus Zoo & Aquar., Powell (OH) Christopher Carmichael, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland (OH) Annabel 1 Marcum, Potter Park Zoo, Lansing (MI) Kristina Stump, Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley (IL) Michelle Rabon, Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee (WI) Jen Pfaff , Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley (IL) Lisa Murphy, Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley (IL) Roger Schone, Niabi Zoom, Coal Valley (IL) Katy Smith, Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley (IL) John Scaramucci, Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City (MO) Alissa Fuhrman, Houston Zoo, Houston (TX) Alicia Striggow, Houston Zoo, Houston (TX) Haley Wilde, Amarillo Zoo, Amarillo (TX) Emily Insalaco, Denver Zoo, Denver (CO) Mark Stepanuik, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Sheila Smith, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Colleen Jones, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Jamie Keyes, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Craig McBain, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Tracy Parks, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Heather Penner, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Shelly Dykes, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Craig Stephani, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Jesse Kindzierski, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB Marc Brandson, Assiniboine Park Zoo,Winnipeg, MB NEW and RENEWING COMMERCIAL MEMBERS Premier Tours, Philadelphia (PA) The Gourmet Rodent, Newberry (FL) RENEWING CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS Adrienne Miller, Zoo Miami (FL) Thomas C. Roy, Detroit Zoo (MI) Ron Manseau, Detroit Zoo (MI) RENEWING INSTITUTIONS Utica Zoo, Utica (NY) McCarthy s Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc., W. Palm Beach (FL) Lion Country Safari Inc., Loxahatchee (FL) Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga (TN) Scovill Zoo, Decatur (IL) St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis (MO) Wild Things Inc., Salinas (CA) WildCat Haven, Inc., Sherwood (OR) Cougar Mountain Zoo, Issaquah (WA) Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 213 Coming Events Post Your Upcoming Events here — e-mail shane.good@aazk.org June 4 - 6, 2012 International Gibbon Husbandry Conference: The Great Lesser Ape Greensboro, NC. The conference will focus on captive gibbon husbandry and management practices, but will also encompass topics within gibbon conservation and biology. For more information go to gibbonconference.org. September 9-13, 2012 4th International Congress on Zookeeping Sponsored by Wildlife Reserves Singapore/ Singapore Tourism Bureau. Theme: “Many Voices, One Calling”. For info on sponsorship or exhibit opportunities e-mail eo@aszk.org.au. Check the ICZ website iczoo.org for latest news/information. June 11-15, 2012 International Gorilla Workshop Apenheul Primate Park and Gaiapark Kerkrade are very excited and proud to invite all Gorilla specialists to join the 8th International Gorilla Workshop. Includes three days in Apenheul Primate Park and the last day in Gaiapark Kerkrade. For more information go to igw2012.org. NATIONAL ZOO KEEPER WEEK July 15-21, 2012 August 8-14, 2012 The World Congress of Herpetology To be held in Vancouver, Canada. For more information see worldcongressofherpetologv.com. August 16-19. 2012 The 10th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Tucson, AZ. Hosted by the Turtle Survival Alliance and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. For more information go to turtlesurvival.org. September 23-27, 2012 AAZK National Conference Hosted by the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo AAZK Chapter in Syracuse, NY. For more information see rgzaazk.org. October 12-15, 2012 From Good Care to Great Welfare: A Workshop Designed for Animal Care Professionals Presented by the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare, Detroit Zoological Society. A unique four- day workshop for animal care staff working with captive exotic animals. The workshop is designed to help participants better understand animals’ perspectives and experiences, address the challenges captivity imposes on animal welfare, and develop the skills necessary to assess and improve overall well-being. Exercises and experiences are immersive and designed to help us understand captivity from the animals’ point of view. Limited scholarship opportunities available. For information contact: Elizabeth Arbaugh, Animal Welfare Manager, Detroit Zoological Society, Tel: 248-398-0903 x3643, E-mail: Elizabeth@dzs.org or visit czaw.org. NATIONAL CONFERENCES AAZK AZA | 2012 - Syracuse, NY - September 23-27 2013 - Asheboro, NC - September 22-26 2014 - Orlando, FL - September 8-12 2012 - Phoenix, AZ - September 8-13 2013 - Kansas City, MO - September 7-12 2014 - Orlando, FL - September 12-17 | aaik.org i ■ 1 214 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 ICZ and IRF Announce Opportunity to See Asian Rhinos: Earth’s Most Threatened Land Mammals International Congress on Zookeeping Pre and Post-Conference Tours to Visit Ujung Kulon, Rukit Barisan Selatan, and Way Kambas National Parks • ICZ Pre-conference tour: 28 August - 8 September 2012 Led by Dr. Susie Ellis, International Rhino Foundation • ICZ Post-conference tour: 14 September - 23 September 2012 Led by Kerry Crosbie, Asian Rhino Project • Maximum 6 participants per trip • Cost: US $2,100 per person* For Further Information, please contact Dr. Susie Ellis at s.ellis@rhinos.org To see the full brochure, please visit the ICZ website at iczoo.org *double occupancy - includes all activities, airfare from Singapore to Jakarta, Jakarta to Bandar Lampung, all in-country transportation, accommodations, park fees, meals and non- alcoholic beverages. Excludes alcoholic beverages, laundry, and other personal expenses. Single supplement is US $400. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ZOOKEEPERS INTERNATIONAL RHIN FOUNDATION If you haven’t visited recently, you’ve missed updates from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Bowling for Rhinos, Snow Leopard Trust, and the Tiger SSP. Stay informed on the latest developments within your Association and our conservation partners! Check us out today! wpmmsmM Like us on Facebook THE GOURMET RODENT, INC.™ . VISA RATS AND MICE Bill & Marcia Brant P.O. Box 430 Newberry, FL 32669-0430 (352) 472-9189 Fax: (352) 472-9192 e-mail: GrmtRodent@aol.com Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 215 Environmental Enrichment for Long-term Captive Bats An excerpt from Susan M. Barnard’s book Bats in Captivity, available at logos-press.com/batsincaptivity and Amazon.com Introduction Bats living in the wild have many dynamic experiences, such as avoiding predators, searching for and acquiring food, defending territories, and producing viable offspring (Martin, 1996). In contrast, captive animals traditionally have not been provided choices or opportunities for adequate activity. Most captive animals are fed a basic diet at the same time each day in the same location, with emphasis placed on nutritional requirements, economy, and ease of cleanup. This practice only allows animals the opportunity to consume their food, not to search for, pursue, or process it, and this may lead to boredom and the development of stereotypic behavior (Hutchins et al., 1984). Recent advances in environmental enrichment and animal training allow captive animals to make more choices in their environment (Martin, 1996). Environmental enrichment is an animal husbandry principle that seeks to enhance the quality of captive animal care by identifying and providing the stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological well-being (Shepherdson, 1998). Commitments, Ethics , and Enrichment Animals managed in zoological parks, museums, and educational organizations serve an important role as ambassadors for their species, and therefore they must be provided with the finest quality of life 216 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 (Maple et. al., 1995). Licensed rehabilitators and sanctuary managers also have an ethical obligation to provide injured, orphaned, or diseased wildlife with professional and humane care. Jamieson (1995) argued that keeping an animal in captivity is a privilege, which involves special obligations for its welfare. This must include both physical criteria, such as longevity and freedom from disease, and psychological criteria, such as promoting species-typical behaviors and opportunities for captive animals to experience and adapt to changes in the environment (Maple et al., 1995; Poole, 1997; Snowdon, 1991). Furthermore, captive animals must feel secure in their environment (Poole, 1998). These challenging criteria can be met through carefully planned environmental enrichment and animal training programs. The Natal Environment and Enrichment The environment that surrounds an animal after birth has an immediate effect on its development. The results are visible as the animal learns to exert “control” over its surroundings (Carlstead, 1996; Joffe et al, 1973; Moltz, 1965; Renner, 1988; Thompson, 1996). The majority of captive environments are considerably less complex than wild environments (Carlstead, 1996), and enriching the captive environment can result in positive effects on an animal’s behavior, physiology, and brain morphology (Carlstead and Shepherdson, 1994; Henderson, 1980; Renner and Rosenzweig, 1986; Uphouse, 1980). Bats that have been housed in relatively sterile environments without enriching stimuli require time to adjust and respond to any stress that may be imposed on them by enrichment programs. Bats In Captivity In North America, approximately 24 bat species are maintained in captivity in a variety of institutions (ISIS Species Holdings, 2010), excluding facilities that are not ISIS members. Each institution has different objectives and economic restraints, which have a direct impact on animal care. Zoos and living museums display both native and exotic bats in enclosures designed for public recreation, education, and captive breeding. Research facilities maintain native and exotic bats for scientific study, and enclosure types vary widely. Educational centers maintain animals primarily in small cages in holding areas, where they are taken directly into classrooms. Wildlife rehabilitators manage injured, orphaned, or diseased native bat species in a variety of small enclosures or simple flight cages, and unless they are being prepared for release, the animals are held in these enclosures for the duration of their lives. Bats maintained in captivity are classified in four groups, based on their feeding habits: plant- visiting, insectivorous, carnivorous, and sanguivorous bats. Some species, such as Pallas’s spear-nosed bat ( Phyllostomus hastatus ), fit into more than one of these feeding categories. As an omnivore, P. hastatus feeds on a variety of insects, small vertebrates, and plant material, including fruits, pollen, nectar, and flower parts (Gardner, 1977). Plant-visiting bats live in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Old and New Worlds. They include the pteropodids (suborder Megachiroptera ) in the Old World and the phyllostomids (suborder Microch iroptera) in the New World. Plant-visiting megachiropterans (also called megabats) and microchiropterans (or microbats) pollinate or disperse the seeds of hundreds of species of plants, but each of these groups has a very different biology. Both are known to feed on flowers, nectar, pollen, fruits, and leaves (Bhat, 1994; Fleming, 1982; Gardner, 1977; Hall and Richards, 2000; Heithaus et al., 1975; Kunz and Diaz, 1995; Kunz and Ingalls, 1994; Law, 1992a, b; Lowry, 1989; Marshall, 1985; Richards and Prociv, 1984), although most plant-visiting microbats also include a high percentage of insects in their diets (Gardner, 1977). The majority of microbats throughout the world are insectivorous (Nowak, 1994; Wilson, 1997), and in the wild, they prey on a wide variety of arthropods. For information on the types of insects that insectivorous bats eat, see Appendix 2-1 . Worldwide, only 13 bat species are carnivorous (Altringham, 1996; French, 1997). Several of these species have been maintained in captivity, including the spectral bat (a.k.a. Linnaeus’ false vampire Animal Keepers 'Forum, Vol. 39, No, 5 May, 2012 111 bat; Vampyrum spectrum), Australian ghost bat {Macroderma gigas), and the piscivorous greater bulldog bat {Noctilio leporinus ). All carnivorous species live in tropical and sub-tropical regions (Nowak, 1994), where they prey on small vertebrates and insects (Douglas, 1967; Gardner, 1977; Jones, 1925). For example, the greater bulldog bat eats insects in addition to small fish and aquatic crustaceans (Altenbach, 1989; Bloedel, 1955; Nowak, 1994; Whitaker and Findley, 1980). There are three species of sanguivorous bats: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), white- winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi ), and hairy-legged vampire bat {Diphylla ecaudata ), and all have been maintained in captivity (Barnard, 1995, Delpietro and Russo, 2002; Hoyt and Altenbach, 1981; Joermann, 1988; Schutt et al., 1999; Uieda et al., 1992). Vampire bats are highly specialized animals that live in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the New World. In the wild, the common vampire bat preys primarily on mammals, but also feeds on avian blood, whereas the white-winged and hairy-legged vampire bats feed primarily on the blood of birds (Gardner, 1977). Species Typical Behavior — The Starting Point Maintaining an animal’s well-being in captivity requires a thorough understanding of its life in the wild (Maple et al., 1995). As each generation of captive animals is bred, it is important to make every effort to preserve not only their phenotypic and genetic makeup, but also their behavioral repertoire, which is easily extinguished through generations of captive breeding (Bukojemsky and Markowitz, 1997). This can be achieved in part by encouraging natural behaviors, while at the same time preventing stereotypical and abnormal behaviors (Carlstead, 1996; Duncan, 1997; Gavazzi and Markowitz, 1994). Thus, a discussion on bat enrichment begins with bat behaviors and how these animals perceive their world. Because food is an important tool in providing bats enrichment, it is important to understand how different species find food. This involves using the senses of vision, olfaction, and hearing. Megabats find their food through vision and the sense of smell. The visual ability of flying foxes is considered to be equivalent to that of the domestic cat {Felis catus) (Graydon et al, 1987), which is known for both diurnal and nocturnal visual abilities. With the exception of the Egyptian fruit bat ( Rousettus aegyptiacus), flying foxes do not have the ability to form images of their environment acoustically through echolocation. Depending on the species, microbats use vision, hearing, olfaction, echolocation, and/or the ability to sense heat. Although vision is used for monitoring light levels in the environment (Eisentraut, 1950; Eklof, 2003; Erkert, 1982) and detection of landmarks when hunting and migrating (Davis, 1966; Griffin, 1970; Holler and Schmidt, 1996; Layne, 1967; Manske and Schmidt, 1979), echolocation is the primary sense for locating food (Novick, 1977; Schnitzler and Kalko, 2001). Echolocation involves active sonar with a number of morphological and physiological adaptations that allow these animals to “see” with sound (Kunz and Pierson, 1994). Carnivorous microbat species use vision, hearing, and echolocation to find prey (Altringham, 1996).- Bulldog bats utilize echolocation to find fish and to determine a fish’s swimming velocity (Wenstrup and Suthers, 1984). Frog-eating bats {Trachops cirrhosus) can locate and distinguish frog species by recognizing their calls, which allows them to discriminate between palatable and poisonous frogs (Ryan and Tuttle, 1983; Ryan et al., 1983). Vampire bats have specialized heat-sensing cells around their noses that allow them to locate warm areas on the prey’s skin, where blood vessels are near the surface. These bats are also very agile and have elongated thumbs that serve as front feet, permitting silent quadrapedal locomotion (Brown, 1994; Greenhall and Schmidt, 1988; Wimsatt, 1986). Nectar-feeding bats rely on vision and olfaction to locate food. Ultraviolet light reflected from nectar- rich plants (Willson and Whelan, 1989) is visible to these bats (i.e., Glossophaga soricina; Winter et al., 2003), and helps them to find and feed on the plants, often pollinating them in the process. Bat workers should research the natural history of the species they are managing, and provide their 218 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol 39, No. 5 May, 2012 charges with an environment that encourages natural behavior. Although information on many bat species is limited, bat workers can try to stimulate behaviors such as foraging, exploration, predator avoidance, and flight (Shepherdson, 1997). When attempting to elicit foraging and exploration, one must keep in mind that different species appear to have different needs for mental stimulation. For example, some species (e.g., species that exhibit daily torpor) have a comparatively low level of curiosity and activity. Conversely, other bats in captivity, such as many flying foxes, actively explore their environments. Enclosure Design Hediger (1969) stated, “In every good zoo the animal does not feel itself in any way a prisoner, but as in the wild it feels more like the tenant or owner of that unit of space to which the animal instinctively lays claim.” Hediger (1950) also argued that managers of captive animals should not think that they can truly replicate a natural environment in a captive setting. Maple et al. (1995) emphasized that zoological institutions should instead direct their efforts toward providing their inhabitants with as many biologically and ecologically relevant stimuli as possible. Enclosure design, more than any other variable in the captive environment, determines the variety of behaviors that captive animals display, and the goal should be to maximize their ability to express their natural behavior. This can be achieved by emphasizing useable space versus total space in exhibit design. Considerations in enclosure design include space for unobstructed flight, protective cover, visual barriers, feeding areas, access to water, drainage, easy cleaning, substrate type, pest control, and the ability to capture or restrain occupants with minimal trauma. Bats are particularly sensitive to lighting, temperature, ventilation, and humidity, and they should be given a variety of microclimates that allow them to select their preferred environment (Fascione, 1995; Guerrero, 1997). Enrichment Priorities Although each bat species has specific requirements based on its abilities, the following enrichment priorities can be modified to fit the needs of most species managed in captivity. FLIGHT Bats are the only group of mammals that have true flight (Fig. 5-1), but this trait is limited by captivity (Wilson, 1988). Flight is one of the most impor- tant enrichment priorities for all bat species. Some species or individuals may develop weight problems if not allowed to exercise by flying. Flying foxes can be stimulated to fly by using foraging devices such as spinning rakes and the pollination pole (Appendix 5-1). For insectivorous species that inhabit flight cages, flight can be stimulated by placing dishes containing insect larvae in wicker baskets hung from the ceiling in the middle of the enclosure. Fig. 5-1. Pteropus rodricensis flying over a palm. At Lubee Bat Conservancy, enclosures are donut shaped, allowing bats the opportunity for continuous flight. Photo by the author. Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 219 Fig. 5-3. Eptesicus fuscus in a residential attic. A) attic with bats in vent; B) close-up of bats in vent. Photos courtesy of Susan M. Barnard. The AZA Bat Taxon Advisory Group (Bat TAG) has recommended minimum caging requirements for sustained flight. The suggested length is at least 8 times the wing span of a bat, with a minimum width of no less than VA times the wing span (Fascione, 1995). These recommendations, however, do not take into consideration the number of bats or the species that are to utilize an enclosure. Sustained flight is best facilitated in doughnut or dumbbell-shaped enclosures. Cubical designs are the cheapest and the simplest to build, but are the most inadequate in meeting the needs of captive animals (Hediger, 1969). In some instances, flight may not be possible. Therefore, stimulating them to flap their wings while remaining stationary (LeBlanc, 1999a). A bat that can not fly due to injuries should be able to achieve an adequate quality of life with appropriate social enrichment, food enrichment, or a training program to encourage physical activity. fully flighted bats can be exercised by Locomotion on Natural Substrates and Environmental Complexity All free-ranging bat species move over a wide variety of substrates while foraging and roosting, and bats in captivity should be given similar opportunities. Foliage- dwelling species climb on vertical and horizontal branches and vines (Fig. 5-2), and this helps to wear down continuously growing nails. All plant material used for captive bats should be non-toxic, and vary in texture, diameter, and firmness. Crevice-dwelling species roost in caves, rock crevices, hollow trees, beneath tree bark, and in man-made structures (Fig. 5-3). These bats are able to land and climb on rocks, cement walls, and wood. Common vampire bats are able to walk and jump on the ground and have a terrestrial foraging pattern. Fig. 5-2. Pteropus rodricensis on vertical surface (A) and horizontal surface (B). Photo (A) © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy; (B) by the author. Natural and man-made substrates can provide complexity in a bat enclosure by adding a variety of 220 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 roosting niches such as bat boxes, ropes, ladders, natural plant barriers (Fig. 5-4), and ground covers (Fig. 5-5; Maple and Perkins, 1996). Complexity in the environment, rather than space alone, may be the key to eliciting normal behaviors (Carlstead, 1996). Environmental complexity encourages foraging and scent-marking, and also provides hiding areas (Bureau, 1997). In captivity, the nails of bats can overgrow in mesh-sided caging when appropriate substrates are lacking. Contrary to the advice given by Carpenter (1986), nail trimming as a management technique should be avoided, and bats should be offered opportunities for wearing down their continuously growing nails (Luckhoff, 2010; Minogue and Luckhoff, 1996). Locomotion on natural substrates is a form of enrichment and has the benefit of minimizing nail overgrowth (Barnard, 1991, 1995,2009). Secure Environment Bat roosts differ among species, with each species having specific requirements. Some roost in rock crevices, caves, hollow logs, beneath loose bark, foliage, tree canopies, and bat boxes. In the wild, roosts are secure locations that provide concealment, protection from potential predators, access to preferred temperatures, interactions with conspecifics, and resting areas. In most situations, these needs also apply to bats held in captivity. Colonial species in captivity require a variety of roosting niches in their enclosures. When many roosting opportunities are offered, bachelors, females with pups, and breeding animals are able to segregate themselves (MacNamara et al., 1980). Therefore, to ensure a secure environment and to maintain natural segregation, it is important that established roosts not be moved to new locations within an enclosure. Roosts should be subdivided into day, night, and feeding areas. Because bats tend to roost at the highest points available to them, roosting material should be placed high in their enclosures. The vertical dimension of the roost is as important as horizontal spacing because bats separate themselves according to dominance. For example, dominant Indian flying foxes ( Pteropus giganteus ) occupy the upper branches on a tree, whereas subordinates are restricted to the lower branches (Neuweiler, 1969). Bats should be Fig. 5-4. Artibeus lituratus roosting in a persimmon plant. Plants are often used as visual barriers in bat enclosures. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-5. Natural ground cover of grass being raked inside a Pteropus vampyrus exhibit at Lubee Bat Conservancy. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-6. A) bat boxes hung inside a mixed bat exhibit at Memphis Zoo; B) Noctilio leporinus inside a bat box. Bat boxes hung inside flight enclosures provide security for bats that roost in dark areas. Photos courtesy of Angela Price. Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 221 Fig. 5-7. A) Rousettus aegyptiacus roosting in an inverted flower pot; B) inverted Rubbermaind® container attached to cage ceiling; C) Pteropus pumilus roosting inside inverted Rubbermaid® container. Not all bats that require low light levels during daylight hours require the confines of a bat box. Some prefer a slightly more spacious roost. Photos by the author. given enough roosting space to display such natural dominance hierarchies. Visual barriers created with plants can simulate the natural screening effect of forest foliage (see Fig. 5-4), serve to reduce aggression, influence roosting density, and provide concealment (Mckenzie et al., 1986). Lollar and Schmidt-French (1998) reported using fabric pouches attached to cage walls with Velcro® to serve as roosts for the Mexican free-tailed bat ( Tadarida brasiliensis), a gregarious insectivorous species. Depending on the species, bat boxes (Fig. 5-6) or inverted flower pots and other containers (Fig. 5-7) placed inside flight enclosures can provide hiding places and security for a wide variety of bats that roost in dark places. Such species include, but are not limited to, big brown bats ( Eptesicus fuscus ), bats in the genus Myotis, Nathusius’s pipistrelles ( Pipistrellus nathusii ), Egyptian fruit bats, little golden-mantled flying foxes ( Pteropus pumilus ), Jamaican fruit bats ( Artibeus jamaicensis ), Seba’s short-tailed bats (Caro Ilia perspicillata ), Pallas’s long- tongued bats, and greater bulldog bats. Southern wax-myrtle (Myrica cerifera ) branches and sabal palm fronds (Sabal spp.) can be utilized as long-lasting foliage barriers (LeBlanc, 1999b). Corrugated vinyl roofing sheets hung vertically serve as visual barriers for large flying fox species, and they are easy to clean and disinfect (LeBlanc, 1999b). Not all stress to bats occurs inside enclosures. Human traffic outside can be very stressful to these animals, and commercially available shade screen (Fig. 5-8) can be attached to the outside walls of enclosures along high-traffic service areas to provide protective barriers. 222 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Social Enrichment Each bat species has a different social organization, and social groups should be modeled after wild groupings. Native North American foliage-roosting bats, such as red bats (. Lasiurus borealis), Seminole bats ( Lasiurus seminolus), yellow bats ( Lasiurus intermedins, L. ega, L. xanthinus ), and hoary bats ( Lasiurus cinereus) are solitary as adults and should be housed alone (Barnard, 2009; Lollar and Schmidt-French, 1998; Wilson, 1988). Spectral bats live in pairs or small family groups, and due to their monogamous nature, they should be maintained in captivity in these units (Altringham, 1996; Vehrencamp et al., 1977). Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats (Epomophorus wahlbergi) mate in leks. Males set up breeding stations where they perform courtship displays to attract females (Wickler and Seibt, 1976). This species is polygynous and does well in small colonies with one breeding male. Egyptian fruit bats, straw-colored fruit bats {Eidolon helvum), and Malayan flying foxes {Pteropus vampyrus) are strongly colonial, forming multi-male harem groups in large aggregations (Nowak, 1994; Pierson and Rainey, 1992). Males of these species may form bachelor groups when not breeding. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus ) form large maternity colonies of up to several thousand with mother-pup pairs as the social unit (Kunz and Pierson, 1994), whereas male little brown bats are usually solitary. The sexes of little brown bats are therefore separated during the day and females enter male-occupied areas at night (Altringham, 1996). Ignoring the natural groupings of each species being held in captivity can lead to conflicts over territory, incompatibility between the sexes, and increased competition for food, water, or preferred roosting sites. At times, when an individual of a colonial species must be separated from its group for medical reasons and direct contact with other bats is not possible, social enrichment can be provided indirectly by allowing visual, vocal, and olfactory communication. Training and positive reinforcement may also reduce stress during capture and medical procedures. Dietary and Foraging Enrichment Dietary and foraging enrichment is the simplest form of behavioral stimulation (LeBlanc, 1999a,b). The typical diet for captive bats is relatively unchanging due to economics, nutritional requirements, cage restrictions, and husbandry practices. Conversely, bats in the wild feed on a wide variety of food items that are rarely available to captive bats, and unlike captive bats, they also spend a higher proportion of their daily activity budget searching for, processing, and consuming food. Therefore, the key to dietary enrichment is novelty, which stimulates natural foraging and exploratory behaviors, and minimizes boredom. For some bat species, especially flying foxes, food can be placed in a variety of devices, such as suet feeders (Fig. 5-9), wicker baskets (Fig. 5-10), and those listed in Appendix 5-1 to promote flight and foraging behavior. In addition, food can be placed in areas around an enclosure where bats have to search for it, rather than taking food out of a bowl that is placed in the same location every day (Reinhardt, 1993). Mineral blocks and salt licks (e.g., All Living Things®) can also be moved around the enclosure to keep the bats searching for these dietary supplements. Plant-visiting Bat Species Dietary enrichment for plant- visiting bats can take many forms, such as offering novel fruits (Fig. 5-11), vegetables (Fig. 5-12), juices, nectars, teas, browse (Fig. 5-13), and flowers (Fig. 5-14) (see also Appendices 5-2 and 5-3). Presentation of foods can be changed by not peeling fruits (Fig. 5-15), or offering novel shapes, whole foods (Fig. 5-16), frozen items (Fig. 5-17), or mixing fruits with gelatin to make “bat jigglers.” The preferred form of foraging enrichment among plant-visiting bats is the “fruit kabob” (Fig. 5-18) or whole fruits placed throughout the enclosure (LeBlanc, 1999a). This includes placing pieces of food on shower curtain rings and attaching them to plastic chain Fig. 5-8. Pteropus vampyrus enclosure with shade cloth barrier (darkened area behind bats). Photo © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol 39, No. 5 May, 2012 223 Fig. 5-9. Pteropus vampyrus extracting fruit from a suet feeder. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-10. Wicker baskets make convenient devices for presenting enrichment food to flying foxes. Shown here is Pteropus rodricensis at the basket. Photo by the author. (Fig. 5-19), bungee cords, ladders (Fig. 5-20), ropes, swinging rakes (Appendix 5-1), logs, grapevine wreaths, and branches (Atkinson, 1993; LeBlanc, 1999a; Porter, 1993). Depending on the species, both New and Old World, free- ranging fruit and nectar bats are known to eat insects in addition to plant matter (Courts, 1997, 1998; Funakoshi et al, 1993; Gardner, 1977; Roberts and Seabrook, 1989; Parry-Jones and Augee, 1991a,b, 1992). However, some New World species, such as Pallas’s long-tongued bat and Seba’s short-tailed bat, often reject insects in captivity (Barnard, pers. comm.). Barnard speculates that the diets fed to these bats in captivity probably contain adequate protein. Studies with captive Rodrigues fruit bats {Pteropus rodricensis ), Livingstone’s fruit bats {Pteropus livings tonii), and Malayan flying foxes have shown that these bats will consume insects (Courts, 1997; Courts, 1998; Pope, 1997), as will captive straw-colored fruit bats and Egyptian fruit bats (Carpenter, 1986; LeBlanc, 1998). Thus, insects of various sizes can be included in dietary enrichment programs for these species. Insectivorous Bat Species Dietary enrichment for insectivorous bats is complicated, especially for species that spend a large part of their time in torpor, even when they are not hibernating. Furthermore, when they forage, they catch their food either in flight or by gleaning it from plants or the ground, depending on the species. In most captive situations, insectivorous bats are not maintained in flight cages, and when they are, it is usually indoors. Therefore, insects fed to these bats are either defrosted and dead, or larval forms (e.g., fly maggots \Diptera], mealworms [ Coleoptera ], and waxworms [ Lepidoptera ]). To compensate for such dietary limitations, insects and their larvae can be fed (i.e., “gut-loaded”) with a single flavored or aromatic food item a few hours prior to feeding them to bats to make the same food item appear different. For example, mealworms can be fed foods listed in Appendices 5-2 and 5-3. These foods can be rotated so that no single flavor or aroma is repeated for a week or more. Mealworms used in this way should still be fortified on their regular diet (e.g., Table 2-1). In addition to offering the same insect species containing different flavors, the types and sizes (Fig. 5-21) of insects fed to bats can be varied, and where possible, fed live. Different orders of insects can be cultured (Chapter 3) and rotated for dietary enrichment. Insects can also be collected from the wild (Chapter 4). Bats that are housed outdoors can be exposed to nocturnal insects that are lured into enclosures with a variety of lights. However, wild-caught insects may contain pesticide residues or serve as intermediate hosts for parasites (Barnard, 1991; 1995; 2009; Pope, 1997). As a precautionary measure, routine fecal examinations should be performed on bats fed wild foods (see also Chapter 16, Volume 1). Carnivorous Bat Species The greater bulldog bat catches small, surface-swimming fish from rivers, freshwater ponds, and the sea with its long, sharp claws. The fish are eaten in flight or carried to a roost to be consumed (Nowak, 1994). The greater bulldog bat also feeds on aquatic crustaceans, and catches insects with its feet (Novick and Dale, 1971), including winged ants and termites, crickets, scarab beetles, and 224 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Fig. 5-11. Pteropus vampyrus feeding on a large watermelon. By Fig. 5-12. Pteropus rodricensis hanging leaving the rind on the melon, it can be hung from the enclosure from a partially eaten pumpkin. Photo © ceiling with a zip tie or shower curtain ring. Photo courtesy of John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Susan M. Barnard. Fig. 5-13. Pteropus conspicillatus with willow browse. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-16. Pteropus hypomelanus with a whole apple. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-14. Rousettus aegyptiacus with an edible flower. Photo courtesy of Dawn Vezina, Organization for Bat Conservation. Fig. 5-15. Rousettus aegyptiacus with unpeeled bananas. Photo courtesy of Dawn Vezina, Organization for Bat Conservation. Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 225 Fig. 5-17. Fruit juice popsicle hung from the ceiling of a flying fox enclosure. Photo © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Fig. 5-19. Pteropus vampyrus holding figs it retrieved by pulling up the plastic chain with its thumbs. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-18. Pteropus vampyrus surrounding a fruit kabob. Photo © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Fig. 5-20. Pteropus conspicillatus retrieving fruit from a ladder. By hanging fruit throughout a bat's enclosure, the animal is stimulated to forage and explore its environment. Complexity can be added to the enrichment by placing the fruits on devices such as ladders, ropes, and plants. Photo by the author. 226 Animal Keepers 'Forum, Vol 39, No. 5 May ; 2012 stink bugs. Where enclosure space allows, natural foraging behavior can be stimulated by allowing bulldog bats to catch live fish. In small exhibits these bats have responded to insects and pieces of fish that are floated in a shallow pool (Bloedel, 1955; Novick and Dale, 1971; Suthers and Fattu, 1973; see also Price, Chapter 2). The greater bulldog bat may also respond to fish-scented ice hung from the enclosure ceiling. The Australian ghost bat feeds on frogs, geckos, birds, small mammals (including other bats), and a wide variety of arthropods, including millipedes, spiders, cockroaches, termites, crickets, moths, beetles, caterpillars, and ants (Churchill, 1998). These bats do well in captivity and feed on both live and dead prey. However, to stimulate a ghost bat’s natural foraging and exploratory behaviors, live food may be required. These bats may also respond to defibrinated or citrated blood, or blended animal brains presented in one or two of the enrichment devices listed in Appendix 5-1. Hopkins (1990) used unspecified animal brains to encourage newly captured Australian ghost bats to begin self-feeding. The spectral bat feeds on birds and small mammals, including other bats (Gardner, 1977). Greenhall (1968) reported feeding mice, chicks, pigeons, and raw meat to these bats, but when offered fruits, the bats rejected the food, which agrees with the observations of Howell and Burch (1974). Vehrencamp et ah (1977) reported that spectral bats brought prey back to the roost, including birds that ranged in weight from 20-150 g (Note that individual specimens of V spectrum weigh 90-145 g; Nowak, 1994). Enrichment programs can include the use of a variety of prey sizes, both dead and alive. As with other bats that feed on live mammals and birds, liquefied brains, or defibrinated or citrated blood could be presented to these bats in the same way that nectar is presented to captive fruit- and nectar- feeding species (see Appendix 5-1). Omnivorous Bat Species Omnivorous species, such as the greater spear-nosed bat, eat a variety of insects, small vertebrates, and plant material, including fruit, pollen, nectar, and flower parts (Gardner, 1977). Enrichment for these bats can include many of the methods employed for flying foxes, as well as for insectivorous, carnivorous and sanguivorous bats. Dunn (1933) reported P. hastatus taking blood in captivity, and feeding blood as enrichment should not be ruled out. Where enclosure types allow, live insects and small rodents should also be offered. Sanguivorous Bat Species Whatever the natural host of the common vampire bat was prior to the arrival of Europeans in Latin America, the introduction of domestic animals into its range changed the diet of this bat. Where domestic animals and common vampire bats share the same habitat, these bats prefer the blood of cattle, including water buffalo, followed by (in order of preference) horses and burros, goats, pigs, poultry, sheep, dogs, and humans (Brown 1994). In captivity, common vampire bats are usually fed cow and pig blood because these are the easiest to obtain, and as the bats become accustomed to a specific kind of blood, they appear to prefer this source in comparison to the blood of other mammals (Harmon, 1999). Barnard (pers. comm.) found that common vampire bats consumed different animal bloods, apparently out of curiosity, but would consume a new kind of blood only the first time it was offered. For effective dietary enrichment, it may be necessary to allow several weeks to pass between offerings of new kinds of blood. In addition to offering Desmodus different kinds of blood, the bats can be enriched by rotating their preferred blood types prepared three different ways (e.g., defibrinated, citrated, or blended; see Schmidt and Barnard, Chapter 2). Curious bats in a group may Fig. 5-21. Chalinolobus gouldii with a bogong moth (Agrotis infusd). Bogong moths are part of the food habits of free-ranging, Australian insectivorous bats. Photo courtesy of Mandi Griffith. Animal Keepers ' Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 111 also lick frozen blood in the form of “blood popsicles,” but not as a substitute for their regular diet. In addition to the horizontal placement of food in an enclosure, the natural foraging behavior of common vampire bats may be stimulated by placing containers of blood at different levels within the enclosure (Barnard, pers. comm.). If live chickens are used as enrichment, enough chickens must be available to allow a ratio of no more than 2 bats per chicken, but preferably 1 bat per chicken, and only for one feeding per week. Unlike the common vampire bat, free-ranging white-winged vampire bats feed primarily on avian blood, and to survive in captivity, they must be allowed to feed on live chickens at least once a week (Muradali et al., 1993; Pye, 1967; Schutt et. al., 1999. For enrichment, small amounts of defibrinated or citrated horse blood, or blood from other types of hoofstock, may be accepted by these bats, but should not be substituted for the regular diet. The hairy-legged vampire bat requires live chickens for good health (Delpietro and Russo, 2002; Hoyt and Altenbach, 1981). It is uncertain what type of dietary enrichment these bats will accept. Villa-Ramirez (1966) was unable to get Diphylla to accept defibrinated or citrated bovine blood, or chicken blood from a dropper. The stealth required to obtain a blood meal from a living animal is demanding and simulates behavior in the wild. Thus, captive vampire bats that feed on live chickens have an enriching experience as they stalk their food. WATER ENRICHMENT For most bat species, water can be an important source of dietary enrichment (LeBlanc 1999a,b). The taste of water can be altered by giving either bottled or mineral water, or by flavoring water with Avimin® multivitamins or tea. This type of enrichment can aid in maintaining hydration and stimulating investigation, while not increasing caloric intake. Water can also be offered as ice and allowed to drip while hanging from the enclosure ceiling. Some free-ranging bat species are subjected to rain and heavy mist. At Zoo Atlanta, Barnard (pers. comm.) set up misters (e.g., Sidewinder®) over the zoo’s Glossophaga exhibit. Twice daily, the misters were turned on for 15 minutes. The bats became active, and in addition to flying through the mist, they also flew to their feeders to consume nectar and fruit. OLFA CTOR Y ENRICHMENT Bats have a well-developed sense of smell. Neuweiler (2000) reported that the Egyptian fruit bat is able to locate 0.1 g of mashed banana paste while in flight and can distinguish it from banana oil. The greater spear-nosed bat is able to find pieces of banana hidden among the leaves in a tropical forest. Common vampire bats prefer feeding on certain individual cows within a large herd, a behavior attributed to olfactory discrimination. The mouse-eared bat ( Myotis myotis) can reliably locate and extract a dead insect or a paste made of macerated insects hidden in moss or leaves. Olfactory enrichment may promote a wide variety of natural behaviors such as exploration and scent marking (Kunz and Pierson, 1994; Laska, 1990; Suthers, 1970). Olfactory enrichment also has the benefit of creating activity without increasing caloric intake beyond the normal diet. All Bat Species Bats identify individuals in their colony by scent. When housing males and females of the same species in separate enclosures, the scents of females can be placed on muslin sheets and given to the segregated males. This provides the male bats with olfactory enrichment without allowing them physical access to the opposite sex (Stevens et al., 1996). The introduction of male scent marks may result in changes in the female estrous cycle. Male scent marks can also be given to male bachelor groups to promote territoriality and scent marking behavior. Rodrigues fruit bats display more interest in intraspecific scents than in the scents of fruits or flowers (Stevens et al., 1996). Olfactory enrichment 228 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 offers many options for stimulating exploratory behavior, including the use of a variety of animal and plant scents found in a bat’s natural environment. Snakes routinely prey on bats (Barr and Norton, 1965; Esberard and Vrcibradic, 2007; Hammer and Arlettaz, 1998; Hardy, 1957; Hopkins and Hopkins, 1982; Lemke, 1978; Richarz and Limbrunner, 1993; Thomas, 1974). The shed skins of snakes (Fig. 5-22) are potential sources of olfactory enrichment for most bat species (Van Wormer, 1999), and they have been used with Old World fruit bats at the Lubee Bat Conservancy. By exposing bats to the scents of natural predators, it may be possible to stimulate predator-avoidance behaviors in captivity. Plant-visiting Bat Species A variety of cooking extracts, spices, fresh herbs, and hunting lures have been utilized for enrichment with nocturnal mammals and should be tested with bats (Nicklaus, 1997; Rosenberg, 1997; Stevens et ah, 1996). However, Olsson and Barnard (2009) and Barnard (2009) warned against exposing bats to perfumes, which may cause allergic reactions. Olfactory enrichment can be enhanced by making a scent of whole fresh herbs added to distilled white vinegar and aging the mixture for several months (Powell, 1994). A wide variety of herbs can be stored for long periods in this manner, thereby keeping enrichment programs novel. Plants can offer fruit bats a variety of olfactory experiences when clippings are hung from the enclosure ceiling or placed in a section of PVC pipe (Fig. 5-24). Live plants offer extended olfactory and tactile enrichment, and offer a renewable source when planted in hanging planters (Fig. 5-25) or window boxes (Fig. 5-26). The following aromatic flowers and herbs are excellent for olfactory enrichment: spearmint ( Menta spicata ), peppermint {Menta x piperita), oregano ( Origanum vulgare), creeping marjoram ( Origanum spp.), English lavender {Lavandula angustifolia ), catnip ( Nepeta cataria ), basil {Ocimum basilicum ), thyme {Thymus vulgaris), and lemon balm {Melissa officinalis) (LeBlanc, 1999b). Most fruit bats cause minimal damage to scented plants while exploring the foliage. However, some fruit bat species actively consume basil and lemon balm, and these plants can be treated as browse. Animalivorous and Sanguivorous Bat Species Bats that feed on live animals respond to the scents of the animals on which they prey (Bahlman and Kelt, 2007; Neuweiller, 2000; Vehrencamp et al, 1977). Olfactory stimulation for insectivorous bats can be achieved by placing their food in different areas of their enclosure. Small enclosures housing these animals can be constructed in such a way that food can be placed at different levels each evening. For species that glean insects from the ground, the food can be placed in dishes behind plants or other visual barriers. The spectral bat appears to locate avian prey by scent rather than by vision or echolocation. Prey consists primarily of foliage-roosting birds, or those that roost communally or have a strong odor (Vehrencamp et al, 1977). This natural behavior makes it possible to stimulate exploration by hiding bird carcasses in various areas of the animals’ enclosures. Fig. 5-22. Shed snake skins used to stimulate predator avoidance behavior in bats. Photo © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 229 Fig. 5-24. Pteropus vampyrus with a flower feeder. Edible flowers are presented to bats for both olfactory and dietary enrichment. By placing flowers in a custom-made feeder as shown here, bats have an opportunity to manipulate the device, creating a complex and interesting environment for the animal. Photo by the author. Fig. 5-26. Plantings of herbs (arrow) and flowers can be grown in the enclosures of plant-visiting bats. Most fruit bats interact with the foliage while causing minimal damage to the plant. Photo © John Seyjagat, Lubee Bat Conservancy. Fig. 5-27. Pteropus vampyrus displaying at a Burmese python (. Python molurus hivittatus ). Photo by the author. Fig. 5-25. Pteropus hypomelanus roosting next to purslane (Portulaca oleracea) plants in hanging flower pots (arrow). Purslane can offer bats security by serving as a visual barrier, olfactory enrichment with its sweet scent, and it is edible. Purslane contains 0.01 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid (Beaulieu, 2010). Photo by the author. 230 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Bahlman and Kelt (2007) confirmed the role that olfaction plays in foraging common vampire bats. These authors showed that the bats significantly favored blood meals associated with the scent of livestock (e.g., fur and feces) over meals lacking such olfactory cues... To finish reading this chapter, the book can be purchased at the address below... BATS Want to read more? Bats in Captivity - Volume 3 is available at Amazon.com or go to logos-press.com/batsincaptivitv BOOK REVIEW Bats in Captivity - Volume 3 • Edited by Susan M. Barnard Copyright 2011 • Logos Press ISBN: (Hardcover 978-1-934899-06-9) (Softcover 978-1-934899-07-6) In the text Bats in Captivity - Volume 3: Diet and Feeding - Environment and Housing, Susan M. Barnard continues by discussing the importance of proper nutrition and the general requirements of the various types of systems involved; insectivorous, nectarivorous, frugivore and vampire. It gives the reader a less static view of diet by presenting a variation of thought and examples and gives an excellent overview of proximate, vitamin and mineral parameters needed for proper health. Nutritional requirements, combined with the sections of “Food Presentation” and “Feeding Problems”, provides the reader with a holistic approach to bat nutrition. The reader will find the food item and plant analysis appendix to be tremendously useful, especially if one is attempting to construct a proper diet or modify an existing one. Enrichment, another topic which the author discusses, conveys the importance as it pertains to the long-term effects of captive bats. Many examples of foraging devices, toys and other non- food related implements are offered for your consideration. Accompanied by these enrichment devices are pictures that not only make it easy for the user to re-create but also provides wonderful examples of their use. Environment and housing, paramount to any institution with bats or considering to house them, is a section that details topics of proper substrate, roosts and cage/exhibit furnishings. Provided are many useful diagrams that also detail materials used. Used in concert with the discussion of proper environmental conditions provides the reader with an excellent means and understanding to properly house a variety of bats. Having cared for various species of bats over the past 12 years with an interest in bat nutrition, I highly recommend this text. Its sections are set up in a manner that makes the text flow in a logical progression and provides the reader with impressive detail of its topics. Scott Parish Lead Keeper, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 231 Techniques for Wild Chinchilla Habitat and Behavior Studies By A.L. Deane, Species Coordinator, IUCN/SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group Casilla 302, Illapel, IV Region, Chile and B. Ganesh-Babu, Instructor Department of Geography and Meteorology Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN Introduction Once believed extinct in the wild, the only known wild long-tailed chinchillas ( Chinchilla lanigera ) exist in north central Chile (Jimenez, 1995). Both species of chinchillas and their range decreased dramatically as millions were exported from Chile for the fur trade (Albert, 1900). In Chile, both species are listed as endangered and are protected from international trade by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Appendix 1 (CONAF 1988, IUCN 1972). Population estimates of C. lanigera vary from less than 1000 to approximately 5000 (Jimenez, 1995; Mohlis pers. comm.). Based on colony size and densities reported by Jimenez (1995:92), approximately 4050 individuals were known to exist in Auco, Chile as of 1990. At that time, the population was declining (Jimenez 1995). All prior research reported a deterioration of chinchilla habitat over the last few hundred years. Enhancing the habitat meant learning what and where was chinchilla habitat. This paper is meant to explain the methods used to study the chinchilla habitat and common techniques used to evaluate wildlife, which aim to define conservation priorities. Site definition and methods. To be comparable with prior studies it is advisable to mimic the prior researchers’ methods. Our grids are duplicated from those used by Jimenez (1990) in his studies of Dr. Jaime Jimenez holding the newly rediscovered, wild short-tailed chinchilla {Chinchilla brevicaudata ) in March 2001 in the far north of Chile. Photo Credit - Dr. Jaime Jimenez 232 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Believed extinct since the 1950’s, this short-tailed chinchilla gives hope that other “extinct” animals still exist. However, to date, no other colonies of wild short-tailed chinchillas have been located in Chile, Peru, Bolivia or Argentina. Photo Credit - Dr. Jaime Jimenez wild chinchillas. By mimicking his methods, our data is comparable over a long time-period. For example, we have a descriptive record of the plants associated with chinchillas for the last 30 years. It is these plant species that our restoration efforts are focused on. Four permanent trapping grids consisting of 49 stations per grid in a 7x7 configuration were placed on north facing mountain slopes of two different drainage basins in Auco, Chile. The distance between grids varies based on the location of chinchilla colonies, and within each grid, stations were spaced 15m [49.21ft.] apart. Each column is labeled A to G and each row 1 to 7. At each station, 30cm [11 .8in.] red wooden stakes are labeled with the station number and hammered into the ground. Be consistent with one grid layout. For example, the lower left comer is A1 and the last station G7 is located at the upper right comer of the grid. The purpose of grids is to estimate the type and distribution of animal species using the vegetation and ground cover. For example, you may want three grids in known occupied areas, and others in restoration areas, and presumed unoccupied areas. This helps in understanding the relationship between ground cover and vegetation types, and the animals that prefer that environment. Vegetation measurements : To calculate total vegetation cover, species’ frequencies and abundance, we used the line intercept method. In each grid described earlier, we analyzed 16 transects, each measuring 18.5m [~61ff] in length, compensating for topographic variations. Use a rope 18.5m long and a measuring tape to measure all ground cover along the line. Record ground cover type or species and its length in cm. For each grid, the total area measured for all transects was used to calculate cover. First, placement of transects within grids was created using a random number list. Four random numbers were used to identify each location. The first number identified the starting position by column for each transect. The second number identified the starting position by row. The third number identified if the transect was to be placed to the right or left of the trap station. The fourth number designated if the transect was to go up or down slope from the station at a 45 -degree angle. Once data was gathered it was analyzed in a spreadsheet program. One can calculate cover Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 233 by unit length covered by species or cover type divided by the total unit length measured in transect. In our case, sometimes the slope of the landscape and overlapping shrub crowns resulted in transect total area measures being greater than or less than the 18.5m long transect. Therefore, percentage ground cover (not just transect) would be calculated, for example, in the following manner: 538 bare soil (cm) 0/ . ,u. u .n — - — x 100 (for % cover, in this case, bare soil) 1956 total length (cm) Other vegetation data: At each station, we documented the dominant and second most dominant plant species and the percent of ground cover for a five-meter radius. We replicated prior research by using the same categories of cover (plant species for shrubs and trees, small herb, large herbs, small rocks, large rocks). Percent of ground cover was broken into three categories: <20% for sparse, 20- 80 % cover as typical and > 80% as dense cover for our site (Jimenez, 1990). This data was coupled with the smoke card data to identify exactly what species of plants were associated with each of the larger small mammals. Smoke cards: Smoke cards can be used to identify the presence and types of animals in a location during a given time. Smoke cards record tracks of animals that tread on them, which can then be identified and associated with the surrounding environment. A smoke card is a square piece of sheet metal that has been heated by a carbon torch. We used 25cm2 sheets of zinc/aluminum that were heated to create a black coating on the cards. This black soot sticks to anything that comes into contact with the coated surface. Thus, if an animal walks or hops across the card, it will leave footprints. These prints, collected at different locations, can tell us much about an animal’s distribution. The cards are placed at equally-spaced locations in a grid for 24 hours. We placed ours out in the morning and collected the following day at the same time. Be wary of the weather, because rain can destroy the results. To secure the cards in the field, rocks can be placed in the comer or the comer can be secured under bmsh or roots. Upon collection, the back of the card is numbered and all animal tracks are lightly coated using hairspray to prevent erasure. Data for each station can be added to a record in a database or spreadsheet. Once data is recorded, warm soapy water is used to wash the cards clean for future use. At first, it may be difficult to interpret tracks and identify animals. Sometimes, tracks can be only grouped under a broad category, such as ‘small mice’. If published sources for tracks are not available, it is best to collect tracks from captive species (zoos or private owners), wild populations in known areas, or natural history museums. For the chinchilla project, we created a template of footprints using captive animals at the Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas and some domestic species. Transect data: Paired transects have been used to access the chinchilla colonies both inside and outside of the National Chinchilla Reserve. CONAF personnel gather transect data that recorded the presence of The local Coca-Cola company in Illapel, Chile donates the empty bottles for us to use for seedlings. When we have funds, we actually purchase seedling bags. The plants and their seeds, which make up wild chinchilla habitat, are not sold. We must collect the seeds in the mountains and grow the seedlings to make more resources for the wild chinchillas. Photo Credit: Amy Deane 234 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 chinchilla feces and the location of dust baths since at least 1993. The east side of the reserve has transect runs 1125m in length [~1 37yds.]. To the west, transects each contain 50 segments. Each segment is separated from the next by 50m [~55yds.] and each covers a distance of 2500m [8,202ft.]. El Grillo’s transect data is an exception as it runs a length of 1250m [~4, 100ft.] and contains 50 segments each 25m [27.3yds.] apart. Data was recorded quarterly through 1998 and semi-annually thereafter. Surveyors look for visual chinchilla clues for a five-meter radius from each point along the transect and record the presence or absence of a species. Behavior studies - Ethogram and Worksheet: Behavior studies are visual and audio studies of what, when and for how much time an individual is exhibiting a certain behavior. Researchers use a worksheet and stopwatch to record the time a behavior began and ended. Symbols representing each type of behavior are used to record how an animal spends its time. Relaxation RS = Sleep - unconscious RR = Rest - conscious but not active Food H20 = Drink - consume water E = Eat - consume food unknown food items EB = Browse - acquire woody vegetation EG = Graze - acquire herb vegetation GN = Gnaw - chew but not appear to consume Hygiene- Social Relations BA = Bathe - roll in dust FW = Face wash - clean face with forepaws GS = Groom-self - body washing with paws or nibble GO = Groom-other - cleaning other with nibbles SM = Smell - olfactory sensing (of what) SX = Sex - copulation Locomotion-Social Relations LH = Hop - jumping LR - Run - rapid jumping LL = Lead- to be followed by another LF = Follow- to follow another LC = Chase- to cause one to flee LF = Flee- to escape from another DP = Display- rhythmic or repeated movement that shows abilities or excitement OS = Out of site- not in range of view Also, researchers record data like which position or body part an animal uses for the behavior (for Start Tunc End Time Position* body part Other(s) Notes: Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 235 Table 1 - Reported sex, mean weight and right hind paw length for individuals held in Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas small mammal display. Species ScnT Weight (grams) f {md-piuv (mm) , ' Abrocoma benmtti Male (h=t) 230.0 31.0 Female (n=2) 268.0 26.5 A. benmtti sub-adult Male (n=l) 141.0 29.0 Female (n~l) 169.0 27.0 Abrothrix olwaceus Male (n=l) 28.0 22.0 Female (n=t) 26.0 22.0 Chinchilla lanigera Male (n=3) 459.0 58.7 Female (n=3) 433.0 56.0 (n=2) Octodon degus Male (n=3) 172.3 30.3 Female (n=2) 157.5 28.5 Phjllotis damini Male (n=t) 50.0 23.0 Thylamys elegans Female (n=l) 28.0 17.0 example sit, stand, lay (side, face, head, side, back, ventral) and if the animal is alone or with others (how many are included in the behavior). Lastly, other notes are recorded that may be important. For example, is a prey or predator in the area because this affects the species behavior? The techniques outlined in this paper are the exact ones used to evaluate the critically endangered long-tailed chinchillas but can be modified to study any wild population of plants and animals. Literature Cited Jimenez, J.E. 1996. The extirpation and current status of wild chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera and C. brevicaudata. Biological Conservation, 77:1-6. Jimenez, J.E. 1995. Conservation of the last wild chinchilla ( Chinchilla lanigera ) archipelago: a metapopulation approach. Vida Silvestre Neotropical. 4(2): 89-97. Jimenez, J.E. 1990. Bases biologicas para el manejo de la chinchilla Chilean (< Chinchilla lanigera ) silvestre. Informe final, marzo 1987-febrero 1990. Corporacion Nacional Forestal, Illapel, IV Region, Chile. Jimenez, J.E. 1989. Uso de la tecnica de las tarjetas ahumadas para evaluar la efectividad de cebos para micromamiferos silvestres, con enfasis en Chinchilla lanigera. Medio Ambiente (Chile) 10:84-91. Mohlis, C. 1983. Informacion preliminar sobre la coservacion y manejo de la chinchilla silvestre en Chile. Boletin Tecnico No. 3, Corporacion Nacional Forestal, Santiago, Chile. 41 pp. Murie, O.J. 1974. A field guide to Animal Tracks. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Second edition. Houghtin Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 236 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 * **,# Thylamys elegans / * , *»* ** « • * .* * %* * Abrothrix olivaceus #V »|* V Chinchilla lanigera Phyllotis darwim O , * Jfc f f f* Abrocoma bennetti >* tf f Octodon degus Fig 1. Small mammal tracks are represented by a set of all four paw impressions. Each set is a tracing of tracks left upon smoked cards and represents actual straddle. The elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum ( Thylamys elegans ) is in the upper left hand comer. The large opposable fifth digit of each paw is evident. Olive grass mouse {Abrothrix olivaceus ) tracks are located in the upper middle. Darwin’s leaf-eared mouse {Phyllotis darwini) tracks are the two sets furthest to the right of the page in a vertical pattern. Notice the hind paw imprints overlap forepaw impressions. Pictured under P darwini ’s tracks are those of the degu {Octodon degus), also in a vertical fashion and furthest to the right and bottom of the page. Long-tailed chinchilla {Chinchilla lanigera) tracks are located in the middle left hand side of the figure. Notice the forepaws are inside the hind paw prints. The lower left set of tracks is from Bennett’s chinchilla rat {Abrocoma bennetti). Left fore and hind paw prints are not overlapping while those of the right hand side do in this example. Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 237 A short-tailed wild chinchilla pictured in its native environment. Photo Credit - Dr. Jaime Jimenez Did You Know? Chinchillas are caviomorph rodents which once roamed the mountains and foothills of South America. Chinchilla brevicaudata, the short- tailed chinchilla, was hunted severely and is endangered. Its native range included the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The long-tailed species, Chinchilla lanigera, has been listed as endangered and was thought to be extirpated from its original range which included the foothills of the Andes in Chile. Chinchilla are endangered because of hunting and trapping of the animals for its pelts. Between 1895 and 1921, over three million chinchilla pelts, including a small number of live animals, were exported from Chile. Some authors report that more than 21 million chinchillas were actually killed between 1840 and 1916, and only a fraction of those caught were able to be exported (1996). Upon rediscovery of wild C. lanigera in central Chile during the mid- 1970’s, a series of studies on these endangered rodent populations have tried to understand chinchillas, their habitat, and populations which continue to decline. About half of the wild population is located within a fenced reserve. About 400 individuals are located on private unprotected land. Excessive hunting greatly reduced the number of wild chinchillas. Today hunting is forbidden and the animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Animals (CITES). Although these animals are protected, their habitat continues to be destroyed. Grazing animals, collection of wood and mining harm this endangered animal’s last known habitat. For more information, go to wildchinchillas.org 238 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol 39, No. 5 May, 2012 @®K1 saMMi’oeca ST AVION Palm Oil: an Overview and Message of Hope By Jessa Franck-McCauley, Zookeeper, Mesker Park Zoo Jfranck@meskerparkzoo.com In the summer of 2011, I traveled to Malaysia with a group of zoo professionals for a field trip under the auspices of the AZA Orangutan SSP. We spent the first week conducting a husbandry and enrichment workshop at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur. The second week was spent touring Sabah, Borneo, learning about local conservation efforts and the effects of oil palm plantations. Palm oil is harvested from the oil palm {Elaeis guineensis). The trees produce clusters of small red fruit. The pulp of the fruit is made into palm oil. The core of the fruit is made into palm kernel oil. Those are the two most easily recognized names, but there are a lot of other variations making it important to carefully read the ingredient labels on food and cosmetic/hygiene products. Palm oil in cosmetic/hygiene products can be even harder to identify because there are other sources of these chemicals. Very few products label the source of these chemicals, so if consumers want to continue to use these types of products while still being palm oil-aware, individual product research is needed. Palm oil is used in a variety of ways. It was adopted by the food industry as an alternative to trans- fats, although studies have shown it is not the healthiest oil available. Palm oil in cosmetic and hygienic products has a multitude of purposes including producing suds, lubrication, stabilization, and emulsification. There is debate in the conservation community right now about the use of sustainable palm oil. To be classified as sustainable palm oil the growers have many regulations including not clear-cutting rainforest for plantations, using chemicals in a safe manner, and paying employees fair wages. The main governing body for sustainable palm oil is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO was founded in 2004 by the World Wildlife Fund and major players in the palm oil supply chain and its stakeholders. Our group visited a palm oil plantation that was working on becoming RSPO certified. Another RSPO requirement is to not harm wildlife that enters the plantation. On a lot of plantations, the wildlife that is considered destructive is destroyed and usually not in a humane manner. Orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus) are some of the most-recognized victims of this practice. Mothers are killed leaving infants orphaned. Some of these orphans are sold in the pet trade. Some make it Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 239 to rehabilitation centers. Our group visited Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center near Sandakan, Borneo. The orangutans housed there are raised in such a way that they can be released back into the wild. Some conservationists seem to have two big issues with sustainable palm oil. The first question is how reliable are the regulatory bodies ensuring that growers are following the rules. The second question is how companies can guarantee that they are using sustainable palm oil when after it is harvested it just enters the greater pool of palm oil and cannot be distinguished from non-sustainable sources. Palm oil is not going away. It is too wrapped up in the grower countries’ economies. Malaysia and Indonesia account for the highest percentage of palm oil production and palm oil is in the top five crops of Malaysia. The main beneficiaries of money from palm oil seem to be the governments, the plantation owners and companies that use the palm oil in their products. The palm oil plantations Planting trees along the Kinabatangan River in Borneo, (photo by Megan Elder, Como Park Zoo) The dramatic difference between palm oil plantations and rainforest, (photo by author) 240 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 have displaced indigenous people and given them few opportunities other than low-wage labor on the plantations. The argument can be made that getting rid of palm oil plantations would deprive the local economies of jobs, but in Malaysia, the majority of workers on plantations are immigrants from the Philippines. Halting the destruction of rain forest to produce more land for palm oil plantations is part of the solution. Instead, palm oil growers should use already-cleared-land, which is easier said than done because already-cleared-land is not going to be as fertile. So here the RSPO’s rule of responsible chemical-use should come into play. When we flew into the Bornean state of Sabah, it was immediately evident how widespread the palm oil plantations are. There is a stark contrast where palm oil plantations meet up with intact rainforest. The destruction is even worse in Indonesia due to poor government regulation and enforcement. Another positive step is creating wildlife corridors so there are continuous tracts of land available and animals are not in isolated pockets of habitat. Along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo, some of the palm oil plantations have agreed to move their growing area back from the river with the goal of creating wildlife corridors. Different environmental groups, both locally and internationally- based, are working together to replant the areas. Our group was able to participate firsthand in replanting efforts. The forests near Sukau, Borneo were clear-cut logged by the British 40 years ago. Where logs were held before being sent downriver, the ground has become so compacted that tree seedlings are unable to get a foothold. Conservation groups have found that planting three species of fast-growing trees breaks up the ground enough that a normal forest regeneration cycle can begin. This experience was very meaningful for me because as we were planting the trees, we heard Bornean gibbons (. Hylobates muelleri) singing in the background. These are the same species I care for at my workplace. The thing I like to impress upon zoo visitors is that oil palm plantations don’t just affect orangutans. They affect all the wildlife of Borneo, Sumatra, and anyplace oil palm is grown. This fact is especially important at my workplace because we don’t exhibit orangutans. When I am able to point to our gibbons, our clouded leopard, our rhinoceros, our tigers, our hombills, and numerous other animals it helps bring the issue home to visitors. When I go to the store, I read ingredient labels and avoid foods with palm oil. Since it is harder to avoid cosmetic/hygiene products with palm oil, I shop for brands that belong to the RSPO. It’s important to communicate to companies that you want to see palm oil-free products. Companies listen to consumers. I send e-mails asking for change, but also congratulating good behavior in companies who have made changes. I have the habit of holding louder-than-necessary-conversations with my husband on why we can’t buy products with palm oil in hopes that other store customers will hear. My husband has gotten used to this behavior, just as he did the switch to using reusable cloth bags. I am proud to say that my mother, after meeting an orangutan I used to work with, decided on her own to try and live a palm oil-free lifestyle. Is it always easy? No, I miss eating certain chocolate sandwich cookies with a cream filling. Is it worth it? Yes, I feel even prouder to care for the animals I work with, knowing that I am involved with the bigger picture of conservation for their species. I want to say that the article by Conservation Committee member T’Noya Thompson Gonzales in the February 2012 AKF really resonated with me. The next level of conservation is strengthening our cores. Oil palm plantations are the cause of a major conservation crisis that has by now probably entered most zoo keepers’ awareness. Zoo keepers have the opportunity to educate themselves on this important issue so they in turn can be a resource on the subject to their social circles and zoo visitors. Zoo keepers are uniquely qualified to passionately convey this substantial concern because they work with animals directly affected by oil palm plantation deforestation. In addition to sharing their knowledge with the public, zoo keepers can make simple changes to reduce their personal Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 241 Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 Teasjpoon { i ■%) STEAREIH -SO. SOCUUM UtSWL SULPHATES. i vi i S0tmJMtj06ECYLSUt»Wre(SaS0RMiW5SX ■ HYDR>^WV.M<^VCa«6^fC6tYUPMWTAW, : SODIUM IAUKYL SULPHATE, OCTYL PALMItte j'\ SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACCTATE, i Each of us has the power to help save orangutans from extinction. Here’s what the Kansas City Zoo is doing to help: ■ The Zoo participates in the orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP). This plan carefully monitors the population of orangutans in 200s, pairing up males and females to produce healthy, genetically diverse babies. ■ The Zoo wilt recycle your old cell phones. The money from this goes to the Orangutan Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of orangutans and their rainforest homes. Here’s what you can do to help. Please: ■ Review this nutrition label, and avoid products with paim oil. ■ Recycle your cell phone at our guest relation’s desk. ■ Avoid buying furniture and picture frames made from teak, ebony, sandalwood, ironwood or mahogany. » If you can’t avoid buying these woods ask for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood products and lumber or recycled wood. Amount Per Serving Calories 150 Catones^ ItilS Fat 70 f VjW ' fatal Tgt * fc^ir^SaturatedlFat 5 O 2ti% cnoteSterot 'SSmg . ia%. Sodium 128 mg 5% Total Carbohydrate 12 T 4% Protein 8 g m . Vitamin A - Vitamin C ter Calcium ' ' A% Irno— m% •Percent Dgify-VaWBS-ase basedoiS catojiixJ®. Palm Oil Graphic at the Kansas City Zoo. (photo by author) palm oil consumption. It is easier to lead a palm oil-free lifestyle when you have the support and understanding of your family and social circle. I will continue to educate myself on this complex issue and to share what I learn about palm oil with my friends, family, and co-workers. I went on this trip expecting to be very depressed about the state of the rainforest in Borneo. However, after meeting with a local conservation group, the Hutan, I felt very hopeful. Based on survey results, orangutans are able to live in the replanted secondary growth forests. There are passionate people living there locally. They want us to do our part in reducing the demand for palm oil and to continue to appreciate the unique and wondrous wildlife of their county. Two excellent resources for more information: cmzoo.org/conservation/palmOilCrisis/ Cruel Oil by Elbe Brown, Ph.D., and Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D. 242 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Conservation/Legislative Update By Greg McKinney African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Photo by Patty Pearthree Africa: Elephants and Rhinos The year of 2011 was one of tragedy for Africa’s rhinos and elephants and so far 2012 appears to be equally catastrophic. Poaching has been on a dramatic rise since 2007. According to an eruption of recent news releases, the increase appears to be driven by organized involvement, in particular from Asian syndicates. Chinese investment in Africa has been well-documented. China is Africa’s largest trading partner and has been increasing its involvement in African infrastructure projects, such as road construction outside of Amboseli National Park. Alex Shoumatoff writes in “Agony and Ivory”, an article published in August 201 1 ’s Vanity Fair , that Amboseli had not experienced much poaching for almost thirty years but since the Chinese-company road building project commenced, four of the park’s bulls have been killed. In 2008, China and Japan purchased 108 tons of stockpiled ivory in a controversial, CITES approved auction from the nations of Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. In 2010, Tanzania and Zambia were rejected in their requests to downlist elephants and to be allowed to sell their own existing ivory stocks. At these times, Kenya and other African nations expressed concern that the sales would stimulate demand for ivory and contribute to a rise in poaching. Kenya, in July 2011, set fire to five tons of ivory that had been confiscated in Singapore, marking the 22nd anniversary of the first Kenyan ivory burning. Mary Rice, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency, one of the few non-governmental organizations to attend the burning went on record to state: “We hope Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 243 the burning of this ivory will serve as a beacon to other nations holding ivory stockpiles and encourage them to follow this example and destroy the huge amounts of poached ivory they have seized. With avaricious consumer markets for ivory such as that in China, where up to 90 percent of the ivory on the marketplace is of illegal origin, there is no such thing as a safe or harmless legal trade in ivory; this serves only to confuse consumers, stimulate fresh demand and allow the easy laundering of black market ivory. The decision to destroy this particular seizure is the only sane and responsible way forward - stockpiled ivory can only ever spur corruption and ultimately further feed consumer demand, and the fire is the right place for it.” Along with an increase in the amount of Chinese involvement in African investments and infrastructure projects, there is the contributing factor of the growing urban “middle-class” of Asia. With the growing prosperity, people are now more willing and able to spend the money needed to purchase ivory and rhino horn products. A 2007 study by the conservation group, Care for the Wild International tcareforthewild.com/files/cwiusaivorvreport507final.pdf). reminds us that the United States is not without its own indifferent materialism, and is second only to China in the ivory market. Ironically much of the ivory comes into the US as carved work from China and Japan. It is likely that some of the ivory seized in 201 1 , which represents at least 2,500 individuals, came from elephants that were killed in previous years. But still, estimates of individual massacres are alarming. Fifty elephants a month are believed to have been killed in Tanzania throughout some part of 2011. In the first two months of 2012, at least 200 elephants have been slaughtered in Cameroon and recent reports suggest that the number may be closer to 500. Ivory is used primarily for jewelry, carvings, and the Japanese hanko, or name seal. Rhino horn is used in traditional, largely worthless medicines of some Asian countries and to a lesser extent for carved Yemen dagger handles. With the surge in value of rhino horn — between $20,000 and $30,000 a pound — over 440 rhinos have been killed in South Africa in 2011. Much of the poaching has taken place in and around Kruger National Park. In February of this year, hundreds of rangers on the Kruger staff went on strike over salary issues. In Kruger and elsewhere in South Africa, military troops, police and volunteers have been deployed to help prevent illegal killing. On 28 February 2012, four South African National Park officials, including at least one striking ranger, were arrested in connection with Rhino poaching. For 2012, as of the end of March, South Africa has lost at least 135 rhinos to poaching, more than half of these in Kruger. The temptation over the rising value of rhino horn has been enough for Britain’s National Wildlife Crime Unit to issue a warning to the 15 British zoos that exhibit rhinos to be vigilant and tighten security. Police have stopped an attempted smuggling to Asia of a horn from a rhino’s natural death at the Colchester Zoo and have also been involved in nearly 50 attempted, and three successful museum burglaries. In Guwahati India, according to the Hindustan Times , an individual carrying a .303 rifle, ammunition and an axe was arrested after scaling the Assam zoo fence where he intended to kill as many rhinos as possible. Forever Wild, a division of the Wilderness Foundation South Africa, recently enlisted the Ogilvy Cape Town Advertising Agency to head their campaign to educate about rhino 244 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 poaching and encourage participation by way of an online petition to be presented to the United States Congress. The agency came up with an idea they called YouTube Interventions where they took popular viral videos and reposted them with a split screen showing a rhino dying after having its horn hacked off. A descriptive video of the campaign can be seen here: youtube . com/watch? v=xkvaKtO irCk. You can sign Forever Wild’s online petition here: wildemessfoundation.co.za/savetherhinos/ The five living species of rhinoceros from the IUCN Red List 2011.2: * In 201 1, the western subspecies of the black rhino {Diceros bicornis longipes ) was declared extinct and the Javan rhino was declared extinct in Viet Nam. Sources: AP, AFP, Reuters, MSNBC, NY Times, CNN International, World Wildlife Fund, The Guardian, IFAW, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, Environmental Investigation Agency, The Independent, Hindustan Times, IUCN Red List, Wilderness Foundation South Africa, Care for the Wild International Species Red List Status Distribution Population White Ceratotherium simum Near Threatened South Africa Namibia Zimbabwe Kenya Estimated 20,170 Black Diceros bicornis * Critically Endangered Angola Kenya Mozambique Namibia South Africa Tanzania Zimbabwe Estimated 4,880 Indian Rhinoceros unicornis Vulnerable India Nepal Estimated 2,575 Javan Rhinoceros sondaicus Critically Endangered Indonesia Viet Nam* Estimated 40-60 Sumatran Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Critically Endangered Indonesia Malaysia Estimated <275 Asia: Tiger On 14 February 2012, the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) hosted a meeting in Bangkok where officials from India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Viet Nam and Laos, met. The officials from these 13 tiger range countries agreed to more cross-border cooperation to crack down on tiger part smuggling. Like rhino hom, tiger parts, particularly but not limited to bones, are used in traditional Asian medicines. The IUCN estimates that fewer than 4,000 tigers ( Panthera tigris ) remain in the wild from the six extant subspecies. This is less than the number believed to be captive in the United States as shown in the 2008 report by TRAFFIC North America: Paper Tigers: the Role of the US Captive Tiger Population in the Trade in Tiger Parts. It is also less than the number of tigers held in Chinese tiger farms. In 2010, 2point6billion.com. a news site devoted to news and issues from emerging Asian markets, reported that China had 6,000 captive tigers, with the capacity for breeding 1 ,000 a year. Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 245 The Global Tiger Initiative was launched in 2008 by the World Bank, the Smithsonian, the Global Environmental Facility, the International Tiger Coalition and others to address the decline of tigers in the wild. During the February ICCWC meeting, Global Tiger Initiative director, Keshav Varma was interviewed by Marwaan Macan-Markar of Inter Press Service. When asked about Chinese tiger farms and their role in the trade of tiger products, Varma said: “Our position is that tiger farms help the market commercialisation of tiger parts. The Bank is prepared to offer assistance to countries to phase them out. In the interim, they need to be better regulated and better managed. There are definitely a lot of tiger farms and tiger parts are commercially produced in the region. China is not the only place. Some countries are concerned that tiger farms are getting out of control and may ask GTI for assistance. They are aware about the surge in demand for tiger parts due to the emergence of a richer class in Asia and the illegal trade being more aggressive and better organised.” Sources: International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, IUCN, WWF Traffic, AlertNet, 2point6billion. com . Global Tiger Initiative Leopard In India, the leopard ( Panthera pardus fused) may be at even greater risk than the tiger with nearly one death a day, nearly 3/4 of these deaths due to poaching and human conflict. Dr. Anish Andheria, Director of Science with Sanctuary Asia believes the numbers could be three to five times higher due to unreported incidences and cub mortality. In mid-February, a viral video of a mob of villagers clubbing a leopard to death was met with strong global public outcry. Source: New Delhi Television, 28 February 2012 Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand On 24 January 2012, an op-ed piece written by Edwin Wiek, secretary-general of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), appeared in The Nation Multimedia of Thailand. In the essay, Wiek debunked a Thai government official’s claims that the killing of six elephants from two of Thailand’s national parks could be explained as being the work of poachers intent on supplying elephant meat to restaurants catering to foreign tourists. Instead, Wiek claimed that the deaths could be explained by the demand for baby elephants to supply the nation’s tourist destination elephant camps. Weik described how the police and crime divisions of Thailand had not found any evidence to support the elephant-meat restaurant claim, and went on to describe how young elephants are “moved to ‘safe houses’ in border areas controlled by corrupt politicians, government officials and influential businessmen, ‘tamed’ through week-long torture rituals to break their spirit and then introduced to a ‘foster-mother’”. Weeks after the story appeared, WFFT was raided by over 60 armed Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation officials. The officials, led by National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department director-general, Damrong Pidech, claimed that WFFT failed to produce the required paperwork to prove that the animals in their care were legally housed. Weik stated that the WFFT staff was not given adequate time to print all the paperwork from the computer. A total of 103 animals were removed from WFFT and placed in government centers from which, ironically, many had been previously rescued. A series of YouTube videos shot during the raid can be found here: voutube.com/user/LaureneWFFT/feed. An online petition can be signed here: thepetitionsite. com/2/urgent-plea-for-rescued-thai-wildlife/. Other NGOs such as Lek’s (Sangduen Chailert) much admired Elephant Nature Park, who had also been vocal on the elephant killings, were also raided. Source: Nation Multimedia Group, 24 January 2012; WFFT; Bangkok Post, 24 February 2012 246 Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 Research in Practice Becky Richendollar, Senior Editor Bobcat Breeding and Enrichment This study examined the effects of environmental enrichment on 1.3 bobcats {Lynx rufus ) living in the Jerez Zoo in Spain. Previous to this study, the bobcats had been living at the zoo for three years and had not received any environmental enrichment. The subjects were housed in adjacent enclosures with the first enclosure holding a nine year-old male and an eight year-old female and the second enclosure holding an eight year-old female with a 10 year-old female. The enclosures consisted of an inside and an outside part and, before this study began, had very little “furniture”. The study was conducted over a period of five months in two separate phases: Previous to enrichment Animal Keepers ’Forum, Vol. 39, No. 5 May, 2012 247 (PE) and with enrichment (WE). Observations were taken on seven categories of behavior: locomotion, pacing, feeding, vigilance, grooming, exploratory behavior, and marking. An activity rate was calculated for each category based on how often the behavior was performed during the duration of the observation period for each animal. During the “with enrichment” phase, several changes were made in the bobcats’ living situation: - exhibit modifications: the exterior space of the bobcats’ exhibits was increased and new furniture such as tree trunks, rocks, and platforms were introduced. In addition, various substrates were added as well as covering the interior walls with tree branches. - objects to investigate: the bobcats were giving various items to investigate including cardboard boxes, newspapers, feathers, and feces from ungulates in the zoo’s collection. - changes to food supply: both the types of food offered and the food presentation was altered. - modification to social structure: during the breeding season, females were alternated with the male and at one point the social situation was altered so that one enclosure held 1 .2 bobcats and the adjacent enclosure held 0.1 bobcat. The results show that the behaviors of locomotion, pacing, vigilance, and grooming were associated with the “previous to enrichment” conditions, whereas feeding and exploratory behaviors were associated with the “with enrichment” situation. After the enrichment program was implemented, all three females bred successfully for the first time since arriving at the zoo. While the reasons for the breeding cannot be scientifically linked to the enrichment, the authors state that “the environmental enrichment led to changes in the behavior of the animals that could indicate an increase in their well- being according to ‘functioning-based’ approaches to animal welfare.” No significant changes were seen in the overall rate of activity in the bobcats after the enrichment was introduced. The authors remind us that one goal of environmental enrichment is to elicit the same behaviors in our captive animals as we would see in their wild counterparts. Several studies have shown that an increase in diurnal behavior in captive felids is unnatural and perhaps should not be a goal of environmental enrichment programs. While the authors argue that their research has limitations, it is one more study that shows that environmental enrichment is beneficial for captive animals. Practical Applications for Zookeepers: • Remember the goals of your environmental enrichment program - is it to increase natural behaviors or simply to increase activity? Keep these goals in mind as you provide enrichment to your animals. • Changes in social groupings, enclosure design, feeding practices, and enrichment can possibly lead to better breeding success in the bobcat. • As always, know the natural history of your animal and how enrichment can best serve to improve their lives in captivity. To View the Complete Article: Molla, M. I., Quevedo, M. A., & Castro, F. (2011). Bobcat {Lynx rufus) Breeding in Captivity: The Importance of Environmental Enrichment. 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