February 1, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE Johannesburg Zoo is often seen merely as a place to spend the weekend with the kids, wandering around the grounds and stopping at the enclosures to watch the antics of the animals.
But behind the scenes the zoo has programmes in place covering much more than the safe-keeping of animals - including conducting research into animal behaviour, running breeding programmes and formulating education programmes for scientists and members of the public.
These goals all fall under the guidelines of the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Paazab), which sets out a code of ethics for zoos, as well as detailing how zoos can be improved. Its aim is to ensure zoos and aquaria in Africa maintain world-class standards in conservation.
"Johannesburg Zoo has signed to the Paazab code of ethics, which ensures the best maintenance and welfare of animals," says Paazab chairman, Dave Morgan.
Paazab was formed in 1989, with the Johannesburg Zoo one of the founding members. There are now 33 members from nine African countries that belong to Paazab, which itself is an associate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Waza).
For any zoo to be affiliated to Paazab, it has to be an organisation that is open to the public, provides educative and research programmes, holds cultural exhibitions and preserves living animals.
"Paazab has helped us to become an excellent education and resource centre," says Johannesburg Zoo educationist, Teresa Slacke. "We are not just a place where animals are exhibited in cages for the pubic to see."
According to the zoo's website, the core business of the Johannesburg Zoo "is the accommodation, enrichment, husbandry and medical care of wild animals".
It contributes to the quality of life of the citizens of Johannesburg through education, conservation, research and recreation.
According to the code of ethics, issued in May 2000, all institutions failing to abide by the rules will jeopardise their accreditation status, membership and the reputation of Paazab.
Johannesburg Zoo publishes the Paazab Bulletin, an official newsletter that comes out twice a year.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
