1. Patty McGill / Brookfield – Small Population
Analysis
Initial general discussion about population numbers, available space and
sustainable populations. This information will be needed to complete the RCP:
Example
from tanagers; Blue-grey tanagers have about 30 founders that have bred and
many other still living. Population has
a high potential diversity but actual diversity is lower since there are
many founders who have not bred (the effective breeding population is
low).
The current number of effective breeders is not sufficient for a sustainable population with maintenance of 90% diversity for 100 years.
The
take-home message of the example is that the periodic importation of a small
number of founders will be necessary or we would need to provide 100’s of
spaces per species, which is unrealistic.
Note that “importation” does not mean harvest from the wild, any new
genetic input will do (e.g., birds from European zoos not related to US zoo
populations, current wild caught non-breeders that breed, etc.)
2.
Feral Birds in Hawaii
Discussed
the use of feral populations of species as a source for new founders, e.g.,
non-native species in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Use of these as test populations may be one way to determine if the
periodic importations of founders will work to maintain 90% diversity. We need a pilot program for future species
management programs to develop techniques, mechanisms for staff training in
capture, transport techniques, converting to captive diets. Possible projects for IMLS or CEF
grants? Suggested
Action Plan item, below.
3. Goals for Species Interest Groups
i. NA
Passerine Species Interest Group
Ken Reininger, Kevin Kalhoon and Mark Myers are
currently listed as the members of this group.
One goal of this group would be to establish a working list of interest by Zoos, i.e., those who have native species exhibits, to facilitate the placement of non-releasable rehab birds. We should incorporate a position statement into the RCP for Native American species rather than individual recommendations for each species. Also to develop other sources for native birds, e.g., researchers that routinely euthanize individuals at the end of the study (we will need to deal with FWS regulations that currently make it easier to euthanize than relocate research birds).
ii. Husbandry
manual framework will be sent out to all SIGs.
Short draft will be due on October 15th,
01 and then sent out to reviewers for comment and additions. The short term goal is to compile a brief
document that is usable on a short timeline which can then be modified,
expanded and completed within 2 years.
This initial draft should consist of what each SIG feels is the most
critical information for establishing and maintaining the species. The first draft would include only the
basics for that entire taxonomic group, future drafts would incorporated
specifics for individual species where appropriate.
Husbandry
manuals should include a list of references (perhaps an annotated bibliography?)
4. Vet Advisors
There are
currently no PACT TAG Vet advisors; Martin Vince will work on getting vet
advisors. The vet advisors would also be able to help with the Medical sections
of the Husbandry manuals.
5.
Suggestion
to plan a workshop for SIG organizers at the 2002 workshop.
6.
Education
objectives of the TAG- continue
promoting IMBD (take over this role from AZA), Support the Great Backyard Bird
Count as a jumping off point for educational outreach programs focusing on
native birds. Suggested
Action Plan items.
7.
RCP specifics:
Procedures: deal with the species already existing in collections, once
“holes” are identified, we can go back and identify “Phase In” species
recommendations.
DERP
(Display, Education, Research Population) category: need to spell out the
justifications for each species that is recommended for DERP (since we will
have a lot of species in this category).
Identify the long-term goals for management, e.g., to identify a species
for either phase out or development into a PMP.
Designate
DERP categories as follows:
i. DERP – rehab for Native (North Ameican)
species. Should identify the number of
spaces that would be available for rehab birds.
ii. DERP – husbandry Species whose aviculture is
poorly understood
iii.
DERP – research Species that are part of a designated research program that is not
husbandry
8. Russian and Chinese imports
Discussion of the status of imports from Russia (and China?), harvesting of passerines appears to lack any form of control or oversight for birds that are taken and exported. There seems to be a recent increase in availability of both Russian and Chinese passerines. Need to research the situation to identify the extent of the problem and determine if the PACT Tag should take an official position on this issue. Martin Vince will try to get more info on this and report to the TAG at the September 01 meeting in St Louis.
9.
Suggested Action Plan items:
1.
Explore the collection of feral species on Hawaii as an option for importation
to captive
collections / Ken Reininger, Martin Vince, James Mejeur to
investigate. Let them know,
if you want to help.
2.
Iron storage in sturnids – does
anyone remember the specifics of this?
3.
UV light and mate choice in tanagers - project in progress. IMLS funding has
been applied
for. If more funding is needed, may
become Action Plan item to qualify for CEF funding.
Patty
McGill.
4.
West Nile Virus (need Vet advisor to define how best to contribute to
control/study etc.)
5.
Husbandry guidelines from each SIG, due October 15th,
01
6.
a)Promote IMBD: produce an information packet for citizen action projects that
can be
made available to zoos
b)Urban Bird Treaty: compile information
on the process, how to get this initiated in your
city, what are the
costs/benefits, how can zoos spearhead efforts to get cities to sign on.
Brad Parks
/ TAG Education Advisor (Denver Zoo)