CONSERVATION
Elephants have been in decline throughout the world due to poaching for ivory and habitat destruction, and in the logging industry since the introduction of machinery. Today, there are only an estimated 35,000 elephants left in the wild and 500,000 African elephants.
Blackpool Zoo is committed to raising money for animal conservation both locally and internationally. Donation boxes can be found at many locations around the zoo, all our animals are available for adoption, and fund-raising events are held here at the zoo annually, all of which provide valuable support for animal conservation.
Another way in which funds can be generated specifically for elephant conservation is to ask the elephants to paint! Marcella has produced many paintings in the past and the money raised from the sale of the paintings is then donated to elephant conservation organisations, such as "Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust" in Sri Lanka.
Blackpool Zoo is proud of the fund-raising in which it takes part for animal conservation, both here in the UK and internationally.
Blackpool Zoo is a member of the following organisations :
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EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC
Blackpool Zoo often receives animals or parts of animals which have been confiscated from travellers trying to bring them into the country illegally. Below, you can see items made of ivory and an elephant's tooth which were given to us by HM Customs and Excise - these are used in the zoo for educational purposes and taken on outreach and to exhibitions to show the wider general public.
UK ZOOS LEAD THE WAY IN PROMOTING ELEPHANTS' WELFARE
The following is a document produced by BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in answer to public criticism of elephants being kept in zoos under their jurisdiction.
The Zoo Federation published the world's first management guidelines for the welfare of elephants in zoos, tackling head-on the most emotive and sensitive issues surrounding these endangered species.
Zoos recognise that welfare standards, which have been evolving rapidly over the last 10 years, need to be continually reviewed. The guidelines define and recommend current best practice in all aspects of elephant welfare including nutrition, breeding, training and keeper safety.
Chris West, the Chair of the Federation's Elephant Group, said, "For the first time, elephant keepers in this country have a comprehensive guide to help them provide the best possible standards of care for their elephants.
As long as these wonderful and complex animals are in our care, we will be dedicated to ensuring they enjoy the full range of their natural behaviours."
These guidelines are to be circulated to members of the Zoos Forum for consideration. It is hoped that the Forum, which includes representatives from leading animal welfare organisations, will endorse the guidelines and it is widely expected that zoos throughout Europe will adopt them.
The document is the result of extensive consultation over a three-year period with all UK collections, and brings together the expertise of zoo managers and keepers, vets, zoo biologists, nutritionists, educationalists and others.
The publication contains mandatory procedures with which all Federation zoos must comply.
"Standards will be monitored and checked annually and those zoos that do not comply should not keep elephants," added Chris West.
He continued: "The situation in the wild, particularly for Asian elephants, is becoming desperate. If current trends continue, we are facing the extinction of a sustainable population in the next 30 years.
There is still so much that we do not understand about these amazing creatures. However, with conservation organisations such as modern zoos, working together, there is real hope for this species.
For more information, please contact :
The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, LONDON NW1 4RY
Tel : 0207 449 6351 Fax : 0207 722 4427 email : admin@biaza.org.uk
Blackpool Zoo is very proud of its demonstrable and ongoing commitment to conservation, and believes that it is essential to continue to raise awareness and funds for the protection of wild animals, habitats and ecosystems.
During 2003 / 04, for example, we participated with other zoos in a Europe-wide campaign to raise funds for wild tiger conservation projects in Asia. The plight of wild tigers was effectively disseminated amongst our visitors and throughout our local community, and we generated just under £14,000 from events and public donations.
In 2005, our project was "Shellshock", a campaign set up to raise awareness of the dire plight of many species of turtles throughout the world. Turtles are taken from the wild for food and to sell the shells to tourists as souvenirs. The total raised at Blackpool Zoo exceeded £15,000.
2006 saw fundraising for conservation of habitats in South America, particularly in the rainforest regions. Various events were held, the main one, as always, in August, when a charity auction evening alone raised £3500. It is thought that the final total will be very close indeed to £20,000. Keep an eye on this site for details of the 2007 campaign.
As somebody who has expressed concern for the well-being of endangered animals you may be interested in viewing details of one of these important campaigns at www.eaza.net or www.21stcenturytiger.org.
