Conservation work of Australian zoos

[Tiger91]

Then there is the issue that Durrell and Jersey Zoo are grappling with, and which was under debate even when I was there on a course 26 years ago. That is Durrell do a tremendous amount of in-situ conservation work around the world. Why operate a zoo on Jersey, when it contributes nothing to conservation and is becoming a financial drain?

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I mean there is the history of the zoo and what it stands for. It would be sad to see them close it. It is quite literally the original conservation based zoo design. Considering all that zoos vic does wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Gerald Durrell .
The jersey zoo has always been ironic, what it was built for will ultimately be its down fall unless it plays the popularity game. But that goes against why the zoo originally went for the weird and wonderful.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

There are two points that I would make that appear to have been overlooked so far. Apologies if they have been mentioned - I have just speed read the thread and missed them if they were.

1 Many of the true conservation projects that have been attributed to one zoo or another are not necessarily individual efforts. The individual zoo's effort will frequently be part of a collaborative zoo effort.

2 None of the true conservation projects are part of a race or a competition to see who does the most, spends the most etc. We all take part according to our means.

Both are very valid points.

To point 1, noone has claimed any particular efforts is exclusive to any one zoo. Most discussions have been focused on scrutinising the work of the flagship zoos.

To point 2, again, noone is suggesting it is a competition - the entire thread stems from a derogatory comment made by a poster that Melbourne and Taronga are disappointing to which I responded that I leave immensely satisfied from Melbourne Zoo as I am fully aware that it is doing amazing work as a part of Zoos Victoria, Australia's largest conservation-based zoo organisation. Some were upset by this acknowledgement...

 

[MRJ]

Both are very valid points.

To point 1, noone has claimed any particular efforts is exclusive to any one zoo. Most discussions have been focused on scrutinising the work of the flagship zoos.

To point 2, again, noone is suggesting it is a competition - the entire thread stems from a derogatory comment made by a poster that Melbourne and Taronga are disappointing to which I responded that I leave immensely satisfied from Melbourne Zoo as I am fully aware that it is doing amazing work as a part of Zoos Victoria, Australia's largest conservation-based zoo organisation. Some were upset by this acknowledgement...

Not from me. The only thing that upset me was your misrepresentation of what makes up zoo-based conservation work.

 

[MRJ]

The "Reverse the Red" World Species Conference will be held online on the 15th of May (actual starting time is 2200GMT 14th May). The conference consists of dozens of 3 minute presentations on species conservation action from around the world and goes for 24 hours.

Registration is free, and can be completed here:
Begin Registration

For what it is worth, I am in a presentation on orange-bellied parrots at a little after 0100 GMT.