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Jo Gregson and Mike Bungard Promoted to Critical Positions at Paignton Zoo
Paignton, UK - Two new appointments have been made at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park following the retirement of long-serving Curator of Birds & Reptiles Colin Bath. Colin retired at the end of July after nearly 50 years with the Zoo. The new Curator of Birds is Jo Gregson, who has been with the Zoo since 1974. She was Senior Head Keeper of Birds for 18 years. Jo explained: “As curator I have as much work to do outside the Zoo as I do within it. I am presently heading Paignton Zoo’s involvement in the cirl bunting re-introduction project in Cornwall, while at the same time looking for other in situ projects. These roles are becoming increasingly important as our natural world shrinks and livestock becomes scarce.” “Within the Zoo my first task is to set out a collection plan that is workable using the facilities and skills that we have here. It is vital that we maintain out skills with a broad variety of birds for future in situ projects.” Jo is involved in the conservation of species such as the wrinkled hornbill, Socorro dove, orange-headed ground thrush and trumpeter hornbill. She sits on a number of Taxon Advisory Groups, which provide husbandry guidelines, regional collection plans and supervise breeding programmes. There are currently 40 TAGs for broad species classifications such as equids, terrestrial invertebrates and penguins.
He is responsible for the Zoo’s acclaimed Crocodile Swamp exhibit, Reptile Tropics, Reptile Nursery, the giant tortoises and a planned new amphibian conservation facility. Mike, who is already active within BIAZA, the British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria, said: “I want to contribute more thoroughly to conservation; this post gives me an unrivalled opportunity to join a well-respected and renowned collection. I want to capitalise on work I have already started with partner organisations such as the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group on Malagasy amphibian conservation. “With amphibians facing an unparalleled rate of extinction, the amphibian ark will provide Paignton Zoo with the framework it needs to save such a vulnerable group of animals. Intelligent planning and targeted resources will see the collection evolve and connect to even more conservation projects, both local and overseas, in the future.” Mike’s first task will be to take stock of the species in his care and to set about designing the new amphibian facility. His remit includes lower vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians and fish, as well as invertebrates, which include ants, spiders, cockroaches and snails. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500. ENDS Further information Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. Registered office: Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU. Registration number 792877. Registered charity number 300923. Place of incorporation: Companies House, Cardiff.
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By Philip Knowling
An additional post has been created to reflect the growing importance of reptiles and amphibians in the Zoo’s collection. The new Curator of Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates is Mike Bungard, previously the Curator of Zoology at Living Rainforest, in Newbury.
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Irresponsible Board of Management
Maybe , just maybe The Toronto Zoo Board Is In The Middle Of A Financial Crisis And There Is No Place To Go But To City Council like a wayward son go to Mom and Dad for more money...
Although it was made clear by Shelley Carroll (the City's Budget Chief) that the Toronto Zoo has to behave more financially responsible, perhaps the problem is that there is no place else to go. The $250 Million fund-raising plans are a pipe dream (especially after firing the Zoo Foundation), it is not possible to raise admission prices any longer (or face a significant drop in attendance) and the "junkets" (especially to China for the Giant Pandas) by members of the Zoo Board can not be cut significantly for any reason. In other words, there is no place to go but City Council. What a crock! The Toronto Zoo Board needs a reality check, as it has become clear that they do not understand the problems they are facing. Perhaps the thousands of free Zoo passes given to Councillors on the Zoo Board could be cut to zero, perhaps the Zoo Foundation could be re-instated, and perhaps a citizen's advisory committee could be formed to provide much-needed guidance to the existing members of the Board.
This is Proof positive
that citizens should have more direct say in the budget process. Line item veto by a citizen's budget committee might get the desired cuts we must attain. The citizens of Toronto should stand with one voice that we just won't allow a property tax increase this year.
By Latinoboy in TORONTO
Ethyl Mercaptan
I would be quite interested in any reference you might have to the presence of ethyl mercaptan in carrion. Most literature indicates that dimethyl sulfide and methyl mercaptan are the sulfur containing entities involved. I had also thought that vultures, like many carrion eating and inhabiting species (flies, etc) were attracted to the rather bad smell of the nitrogenous materials (cadaverine, putresceine, etc) produced during decomposition.
Ant farms
Very nice ant exhibit! I wrote a small ant farm post with a reference to your article.
Train Business Directory Available for Visitors
A "Train Business Directory" shows over 850 locations near all of the Portland MAX light rail at PortlandLightRail.net.
Happy Birthday, Boomer!
You are a great ambassador for your cousins in the wild, Boomer!
Orangutans are critically endangered because of rapid deforestation and the expansion of palm oil plantations.
If nothing is done to protect orangutans, they could be extinct in just a few years!
Your fans can visit the Orangutan Outreach website to make a difference!
Orangutan Outreach
http://redapes.org
Reach out and save the orangutans!
Facebook Cause: http://causes.com/redapes
Venemous snakes?
What is it with people that want to exterminate venemous snakes? If they weren't an integral part of the food chain and ecosystem, they wouldn't be here! Evolution and natural selection has chosen them as survivors! The fact that they are "harmful" to humans is only a result of humans encroaching on their territories and habitats. Be mindful of your surroundings and situation and you can safely live with the so called "harmful" species that we share this planet with!
Local wildlife day
Good luck with the event. We have some fabulous wildlife in Devon that's really worth celebrating. We recently had a botanical survey of our small Devon nature reserve, which recorded more than 180 species in about 3.5 acres. And even more amazing was the depth of local knowledge the visiting naturalists had to share - on everything from obscure moths to lichens.
Local wildlife day
Good luck with the event. We have some fabulous wildlife in Devon that's really worth celebrating. We recently had a botanical survey of our small Devon nature reserve, which recorded more than 180 species in about 3.5 acres. And even more amazing was the depth of local knowledge the visiting naturalists had to share - on everything from obscure moths to lichens.
Sadly, a lack of common sense is the trend
What is sad to me is the lack of common sense regarding venomous snakes that seems to becoming more commonplace.
It has become trendy for government agencies to defend venomous snakes, saying they kill rodents, etc., but non-venomous snakes also kill rodents. I have not heard one logical argument as to what a venomous snake contributes to an ecosystem that a non-venomous snake doesn't.
Any non-biased biologist can affirm species extinction has always happened naturally. It's common sense to kill a venomous snake, rather than let it continue breeding and increase the potential for harm.
The unfortunate consequence of naturalists defending venomous snakes is they make them appear so necessary and harmless that both people and agencies--hospitals, for example--do not expect or prepare for snake encounters.
It's doubtful that many hospitals near the snakes stock the expensive antivenin. Governments should help fund snakebite treatment rather than fund snake protection.
Skype Usage
Very cool and novel way to use Skype. Glad to see that people are thinking outside the box with its collaborative application. If it's not too late, you may want to submit this to Skype as a good use of their software for the Skype in business contest they're running.
Shawn
OnState Communications
Word Oceans Day - June 8
And don't forget to "Wear Blue and Tell Two"
Another great way to celebrate World Oceans Day is to wear blue in honor of the ocean and tell people two things they likely don't know about the ocean and two ways they can take action. For more Information check out this website:
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