Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), Rotterdam Zoo (the Netherlands) - © Rolf Veenhuizen
ICZ Keeper Conservation Grant 2020
The ICZ is pleased to announce the winner of the ICZ Keeper Conservation Grant 2020 is Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS) is the first and only wildlife rescue center for different species of wildlife in Liberia and officially opened on 2017.
It is a partnership between the Libassa Ecolodge, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL).
The goals of LWS are:
To provide care to confiscated wild animals kept as pets or destined to bush meat, release them whenever is possible or providing them with lifelong care for the ones that cannot be released.
Other important goals also include:
- The protection of sea turtles nesting grounds
- The training of students and communities on wildlife protection
- To raise awareness on illegal trafficking of wildlife in Liberia through education
- Supporting local communities.
So far, 350 animals have entered the sanctuary and more than 175 have been released back into the wild.
The ICZ grant of $1000 would allow us to improve the center’s old quarantine room, which is currently damaged and in need of repair. Improving this facility will make it available for antelopes/ larger animals that need quarantine, or any other animals that can not be housed in the current building. This will greatly improve the facility and care that can be provided at the Sanctuary.
For more information on the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary please visit their website.
We would like to thank everyone who submitted an application and ofcourse Fundació Lluís Coromina for sponsoring this ICZ grant.
International Zookeeper Day: October 4, 2019
#internationalzookeeperday
The International Congress of Zookeepers asks you to join in the 4th Annual Celebration of International Zookeeper day this October 4th!
October 4th was proposed by Barcelona Zoo and AICAS (Iberian Association of Zookeepers) in honor of St. Francis of Assisi who advocated that it was the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature. The Barcelona Zoo has celebrated the Day of St. Francis since 1957.
This celebratory day includes all who make it their life’s work to care for animals, whether they are involved with zoos, sanctuaries, rescue centers, parks or reserves. All who work to improve and save the lives of animals shall be commemorated on this day.
This declaration comes at a time when many animal species are in great peril across the globe. Many species are facing extinction, and their ecosystems and habitats are under tremendous pressure from diverse forces, both natural and human-made. Stewardship is the last hope for many endangered species and the professionals who devote their lives to saving species by way of conservation and breeding programs, education outreach, and research work tirelessly to save these animals.
Each October 4th, the ICZ, via International Zookeeper Day, will engage in programs, activities, and ceremonies which encourage education and public awareness of the important role of keepers in wildlife conservation. Please take the opportunity on October 4th to stop and reflect on the huge contribution zookeepers make to the care and conservation of all species great and small.
Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate! Special Keeper Talks Special behind the scenes tours for guests (Show them what your day is like! Give a tour for a donation to raise funds for your favorite conservation organization). Hang out with colleagues (have lunch as a zoo department or outside of work). Hold Zookeeper Olympic Games Have a happy hour or social. Plant a tree on zoo grounds to commemorate the special day. Share, share, share on social media! #internationalzookeeperday How will you celebrate International Zookeeper Day?
Please check out the IZD 2019 Facebook page and share with us!
Association Collaborations: Harpij Enrichment Book
In 1998, Stichting de Harpij published the first edition of the ‘Harpij Verrijkingsboek’ (“Harpij Enrichment Book”); a reference book with ideas for the behavioral enrichment of animals in zoos. Since then, the book has been translated into five other languages: Russian, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnamese.
This book is a great example of the benefits of zookeeping associations around the world working together as part of ICZ: ABWAK and ASZK sponsored the English translation and AICAS translated the book to both Spanish and Portuguese (and even shared it for free with the Spanish and Portuguese speaking delegates of the ICZ congress in 2018). Currently, AFSA is working on a French translation and BdZ on a German version of the book.
