By Brendan Rees
Conservation and animal welfare were on the agenda for the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK), which held its annual conference in Pearcedale last week.
Hosted by Moonlit Sanctuary on Friday 4 May, the conference provided an opportunity for zoo keepers to come together as an industry to share ideas, discuss zoo developments and to network.
More than 100 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea attended the meeting where they discussed a range of topics based on the theme: ‘Keep seeking creative keeping’.
President of the ASZK Michael Drinkwater said workshops were held to share ideas and provide an educational opportunity for all staff members.
“This about how we as zookeepers in Australasia can contribute to an international project which is based around helping under-educated and under-privilege keepers throughout some of the poorer regions in the world,” he said.
“We did an activity based exercise which the keepers had to use a few very rudimentary basic items to build some equipment to solve a problem. That exercise is about contributing to programs and helping zoo keepers internationally.”
Mr Drinkwater said the overarching question for zoos was their role in conservation which was an “ever changing space.”
“Conservation is also about people rather than it being about animals and their environment,” he said.
“We play a part in what’s actually happening out there in the wild too. We certainly, absolutely and fundamentally realise that we are not the saviours but we play a significant role.
“We all continue to work together to try and find effective ways forward.”
He said although Moonlit Sanctualy was a smaller wildlife park, it had taken significant steps in wildlife conservation, particularly in protecting the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot.
Moonlit Sanctuary director Michael Johnson said he was pleased with the outcome of the conference.
“Most of the conference delegates were keen to look at our facilities,” he said. “It gives us some recognition as a growing and increasingly important wildlife park in Australia.”
Senior keeper Lisa Tuthill was also recipient of an award for her outstanding contribution to zoos and wildlife parks.
