Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US were very happy to receive an invitation to attend the 32nd Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA) Conference, held in late October at Taipei Zoo in Taiwan. Our very own Simon (Wild Welfare Director) and Dave (co-founder and Field Director) were delighted to attend the conference to represent our organisations and connect with partners from across Asia.
Almost 300 delegates were in attendance from all nine SEAZA member countries, plus participants from an additional twenty nations. The conference provided a valuable opportunity for us to network with many influential contacts and partners to build and maintain strong connections. This is absolutely crucial to ensure the sharing of best practices and to support a strong regional standard for animal welfare. This collaborative arrangement remains absolutely central to Wild Welfare’s values and strategic approach.
Simon and Dave also had the opportunity to participate in several meetings and discussions to explore our future programme development. These conversations have helped to set the foundations for our continued support for SEAZA and its members in enhancing animal care and welfare standards across the region.
The team were particularly excited to attend the presentation by our partners at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (LKWP) in Sabah, Malaysia. Presented by LKWP Wildlife Officer, Nur’ain Ampuan Acheh and animal caregiver, Brent Boniface, the talk highlighted the important progress being made in their Bornean Elephant Protected Contact Management (PCM) programme.
This presentation wonderfully showcased the significant improvements LKWP have achieved with the support of Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US. Together we have introduced a PCM approach at the park, which conscientiously addresses the safety of both the elephants and their care staff. This progressive method has seen the introduction of physical barriering being used during direct human-animal interactions. The implementation of this new practice not only allows for essential animal husbandry training and medical care to be conducted within a safe and efficient manner, but allows the elephants more choice and control over their interactions, reducing stress on staff and animals.
Adoption of newly designed facilities at LKWP, coupled with ongoing PCM training, represent a step forward for Bornean elephant welfare within the region. This progress is a testament to the ongoing dedicated collaboration between LKWP and Wild Welfare US.
We look forward to continuing our work with SEAZA and its many member facilities to ensure good welfare standards continue to develop and are upheld across the breadth of Southeast Asia’s zoo and aquarium community.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org
Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.
Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).
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