After joining the site recently and following a few threads of interest and Bears is one of mine, it is apparent that many of the contributers to the site are very unfamiliar with EAZA breeding programmes, their management, strictly applied rules and how much planning and organisation there is in such a species as Spectacled Bears. The movement , pairing and numbers of animals in each participating zoo is controlled and managed long term , not by the zoo but by the programme co ordinator. The choice of Bears is not made by the zoo, but once again all done by the co ordinator. so the fact that specific bears are in Chester and South Lakes the pairings, numbers and strategy is not a decision made by either zoo it is a decision solely made by the Species Committee and co ordinator. This applies to all EEP managed species and with regard to private or charity zoos it makes no difference. No EEP animal is allowed to be traded under any circumstance. It is a condition of membership of EAZA to conform to all requests and rules of the EEP committee.
South Lakes have 5 bears, yes, but that was not the original plan, it was to keep 1.2 animals. At one time the recommendation was to send the two paris born twin females to Chester for breeding and to keep the two Zurich born females to breed at South Lakes. However the plan was changed and another solution for Chester was made. this left South Lakes holding five animals , having to build new facilities indoors last winter for the extra needs (the outdoor being large enough for all five animals). Zoos who commit to EEP speices have to pay for all the necessary requirements and this is part of the commitment to careful and responsible animal management. A zoo was supposed to take the two females but let the EEP down by not building the facilities promised and the bears were not allowed to go because standards were not met. All facilities must be checked and approved by the EEP before allowing any zoo to take on these wonderful animals. By the way, you can apply all this criteria to all managed speices withing EAZA and AZA. I have been concerned in my first visits to the site that many comments are made that dont have sound or factual base and I am sure that if all were more informed of the quality assurance from EAZA as opposed to other organisations in the zoo world then that would assist the enthusiasts who sometimes are way out in the guess work and concepts about zoos. Im sure that this will get a number of comments but maybe many dont realise that planning at species level is not made by individual holders of animals in EAZA.
I know that Snoopy and Zamora and Zepita were given recommendations to breed in the annual report for the EEP , it has been reported to the EEP that they are both pregnant. the enclosure there is unique as it is reported to have a pair of tapir, many agoutis, otters and coatis mixed with the five bears and all are breeding as a report was done last year for a study on bears behaviour and the stimulus was noted as being excellent for the mental welfare of the bears. So lets hope Chester and South Lakes have success because bears in the UK are few and far between. Also take note of the conservation programme in the wild at South Lakes it has been adopted by the EAZA EEP , in Peru about $50,000 US a year is spent by South Lakes on conservation management and re introduction of rehabilitated bears to the wild so the literature says. Why dont more zoos do this kind of thing? Cheers
