Markus Gusset, PhDConservation Officer & International Studbook Coordinator

The Role of Zoos inWildlife Conservation

unifying organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community

more than 300 members, including leading zoos and aquariums, regional and national associations of zoos and aquariums as well as some affiliate organisations and corporate partners from around the world

membership requires binding commitment to conservation

Who is WAZA?

37 zoos and theme parks in Malaysia

17 of them are members of the Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (MAZPA)

three major zoos in Malaysia: Zoo Negara (national zoo), Taiping Zoo and Melaka Zoo

these three zoos are members of the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA)

Zoo Negara is the only WAZA member in Malaysia

Zoos in Malaysia

Zoo Negara: owned and operated by the Malaysian Zoological Society (non-governmental organisation)

Taiping Zoo: operated by the Taiping Municipal Council (local government)

Melaka Zoo: operated by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (national government)

Management Structures

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

situated outside ofKota Kinabalu

opened in 2007

operated by theSabah Wildlife Department

Visitor Numbers

(Gusset & Dick 2011; Zoo Biology 30: 566–569)

more than 700 million visitors annually

unparalleled by any other group of conservation-oriented institutions

10% of global human population

Zoo Negara Outreach

1 million visitors annually

Partnerships

Awareness-raising Campaigns

Zoo Negara Year of the Bat

WAZA News 2/11

Conservation Breeding

33 animal species classified as Extinct in the Wild on IUCN Red List

28 of these species actively bred in animal propagation facilities

22 of these species with recovery efforts using captive-bred animals

recovery of 25% of the 64 species whose threat status was reduced

International Studbooks

(Müller et al. 2011; WAZA Magazine 12: 37–39)

international studbooks kept under auspices of WAZA

124 international studbooks for 163 (sub-)species

significantly higher relative life expectancy of species with international studbook

classified as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List

fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild

about 10 individuals left in Malaysia

Zoo Negara: more than 200 chicks over last 20+ years

release of captive-bred animals at Kuala Selangorand Kuala Gula Perak (together with Department of Wildlife and National Parks)

Zoo Negara Milky Stork

Zoo Negara Pheasants

Malayan peacock pheasant crestless fireback pheasant

potential candidatesfor release

WAZA Project Branding

project input not recognised

branding of suitable projects

win–win situation

branding on application

currently 216 projects

improvement in conservation status of high-profile threatened species and habitats in biodiversity-rich regions of the world

overall impact scores of a magnitude suggestive of an appreciable contribution to global biodiversity conservation

Evaluation

(Gusset & Dick 2010; International Zoo Yearbook 44: 183–191)

Leipzig Zoo

Leipzig Zoo

Houston Zoo

Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem programme on Sumatra (Indonesia)

Perth Zoo

WAZA letters to Indonesian government regarding the protection of the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA):

• lobbying members of the European Parliament

• public outreach in media

2011: compulsory labelling of palm oil in products soldin the European Union

2012: EAZA and IUCN/SSC Southeast Asia Campaign

Zoos and Palm Oil

Conservation Expenditures

(Gusset & Dick 2011; Zoo Biology 30: 566–569)

about US$ 350 million annually

among main providers of conservation funding

97% North America and Europe

2323© WAZA 2009

sincere thanks to the organisers and sponsors

markus.gusset@waza.org