Collaboration on Animal Welfare with Taman Safari Indonesia
In early March 2018, Wild Welfare teamed up with our old friend and partner, the Akademie für Zoo-und Wildtierschutz e.V. and in collaboration with the welfare and ethics committee of the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA), responded to an invitation from Taman Safari Indonesia to visit their Safari Parks in Bogor and Prigen in Java respectively, and a third on the island of Bali.
Presentations were made to the entire staff bodies of all three facilities – totalling nearly 600 people altogether – starting with a guide to the Five Domains of Animal Welfare Compromise by Mr. Willem Manansang, chairman of the welfare and ethics committee of SEAZA, followed by an introduction to the principles of the welfare of wild animals in zoos by our own field director, Dave Morgan.
Dr Julia Maltzan from the Akademie gave advanced blowpipe training for anesthesia and drug administration to the veterinary teams at the three facilities. She also used the opportunity to discuss specific cases with the vets and rendered advice and guidance. Both Dave and Julia were shown around the three parks and made suggestions and recommendations at each.
Drs Jansen Manansang MSc, the Director of Taman Safari Indonesia, said: “Taman Safari Indonesia is happy to have had Mr Dave Morgan and Dr Julia Maltzan visit our three parks. Their valuable comments and input reaffirm our commitment towards high standards of welfare for the wellbeing of the animals in our care. We are able to achieve this because of our passionate staff and the training and professional development provided to them.
Taman Safari Indonesia strives to excel in all that we do, from our sound business management and policies, to providing quality wildlife experiences to visitors in all our parks. Our hope is for visitors to come see, learn, feel and live the wonder and excitement of being close to the amazing animals in Taman Safari Indonesia, so that they can support conservation efforts and be the guardians of these animals, for our future generations.”
Wild Welfare’s field director, Dave Morgan, said: “Overall, the day-to-day husbandry and care in the exhibits was of a high standard in all three parks. We were especially impressed with the interest, enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the Safari Parks staff to animal welfare, not just the animal care personnel, but even the likes of the security guards and education teams.
“The animal care staff were knowledgeable and up-to-date with behavioural enrichment techniques and I was quite surprised and gratified by the calibre of the questions I received on animal welfare following my presentations.”
“It was an intensive week full of new experiences and we met with a lot of interesting people (and animals),” said Dr Maltzan.
We would like to thank Taman Safari Indonesia for their invitation to visit and their kind hospitality.
Image: Dave Morgan presenting at Taman Safari