Minutes
PACT TAG meeting
St Louis - 01 September 2001
Steering committee members present: Martin Vince, Robert
Webster, Peter Luscomb, Ken Reininger, John Azua, Scott Barton, Patty McGill,
Lee Schoen, Aliza Baltz, Herb Roberts, Stan Searles.
- Bob
Siebels reviewed status of Bali Mynah program.
- Bali
mynah master plan completed in July and sent out for review and comments.
This document will be done as soon as comments are reviewed and comments
can be incorporated into plan.
- Captive
population stable and remains at about 250 birds domestically.
- Budget
for Bali Mynah project is at $3500.
- Only
6 birds are left in the wild in Indonesia and 50 birds in the propagation center.
- PCR
test is being developed to diagnose Atoxoplasmosis. Treatments for this disease are
improving.
- Native
Passerine List serve:
- Ken
Reininger notified committee that a Native Passerine list serve has been developed to
facilitate the exchange of ideas on the captive management, exhibit and
conservation of native species. This list serve will allow zoos to better
interface with the research and conservation communities.
- Ken
notified committee that a researcher at Princeton has 20 Easter Kingbirds
available. More information will
be provided to membership through the ASAG list serve.
- Nutrition
adviser:
- Sue
Crissey and Ann Ward are the PACT TAG nutrition advisors
- They
have requested that the TAG identify the needs of the TAG and a possible
direction for her work. Ken Reininger suggested a review of insectivorous
supplements.
- Martin
informed the committee that Riverbanks Zoo is working on the benefits of
using tea in the diet of birds that are prone to iron storage disease.
- Husbandry
outlines:
- Chelle
Plasse mentioned that the Animal Welfare committee has developed a
standard format for husbandry manuals. This information can be found in
the AZA Resource center under AZA Conservation Programs Resource Guide/
Chapter 6, AZA Species Survival Plans (SSPs). This is an excellent
outline.
- Action
needed: Committee to review the SSP husbandry outline and decide
whether or not to use it as our standard or modify it to meet our
needs. Martin to present issue to
steering committee.
- Martin
informed committee that IATA shipping regulations are being reviewed and
has requested input for the different interest groups. Martin will
consolidate information from TAG and transfer information to Sherry
Branch at WCMC.
- Feral
birds in Hawaii
- Decided
to wait until the RCP is completed and then identify birds that are in
Hawaii that may be needed. Ken Reininger, James Mejeur, Peter Lucomb and
Martin Vince to coordinate.
- Martin
is proposing that the TAG identify target species established in Hawaii,
with population numbers larger enough to sustain extractive pressures. Eg
Japanese white-eyes.
- We
will be using this program to develop techniques for the capture and
acclimatization of wild birds to captivity.
- Russian
and Chinese imports
- Concern
with over-harvesting of birds from this region. Martin reviewed this issue and indicated that the concern
was not substantiated. We will continue to monitor this concern.
- International
Migratory Bird Day.
- Brad
Parks from Denver will be coordinating activities for PACT TAG. All zoos
are being encouraged to participate in this event. Contact Brad Parks for
information of activities your zoo can be involved with.
- Brad
will be coordinating activities with other TAGs as well.
- American
Bird Conservancy ABC.
- This
is an organization that maintains information on the status of North
American birds and their conservation concerns.
- One
issue discussed was the concern of building/towers keeping lights on at
night and the affect it has on birds. They are encouraging
building/towers to turn of their lights to minimize the effects they have
on migratory birds. Check out
their web page at http://www.abcbirds.org/
- Vet
advisor
- Two
Vet advisors have been identified: Ned Gentz DVM / Albuquerque Zoo and
Jan Raines / Dallas World Aquarium. In addition, Terry Norton DVM / St
Chatherine’s Island is the veterinary advisor to the Bali mynah SSP.
- Goal
and Objectives
- Martin
handed out Goals and Objectives for the TAG.
- Action
needed: Steering committee members are to review the G/Os and provide
Martin with comments. Martin will consolidate comments and provide committee
with a draft revision that the committee can vote on. Comments due back
to Martin by 10 Oct 2001.
- TAG
Conservation programs
- Martin
notified committee that a Guyana Conservation Program was being
developed. The focus of this project is to develop a variety of programs
using the strength of AZA institutions to provide the local community
with the cultural and economic incentives to conserve their natural
biodiversity. The Guyana Shield is an area with a very low human
population and a high percentage of their natural habitats still
intact. Reg Hoyt, Senior VP
Conservation and Science / Philadelphia Zoo will be coordinating this
project. A conservation plan will be developed by our next meeting.
- The
TAG will be looking at options to import Cock-of-the-Rock to be used as a
flagship species for this project and this region. It is hoped that zoos housing Cock of
the Rock will use these birds to encourage their visitors to support
conservation efforts in this region through ecotourism or other
activities. Chelle Plasse suggested that we consider acquiring eggs and
hand raise chicks. This way we get birds of know age and heath status,
and do not impact the adult population.
- Regional
Collection Plan
- Martin
handed out a CD with information needed to complete the RCP to all
Interest Group Leaders. Martin reviewed all of the documents.
- Action
needed: Martin has requested that all Interest Group Leaders complete
their RCP first draft by 16 October 2001. Turn in to Martin.