Animal Transfers. with moving animals. Why is there any need to move animals? Successful captive breeding programmes

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1 Animal Transfers

2 Animal Transfers Captive breeding and considerations involved with moving animals Why is there any need to move animals? Successful captive breeding programmes will generate e e surplus us individuals. dua In order to maintain a healthy populations o within captive environments, and to maintain genetic variability within those populations, animal transfers are essential. It is therefore critical to have both the capability and the facilities in place for such movements. Co-operation and Co-ordination An essential element for successful transfers is national and international co-operation between the interested parties. Animal transfers within captive breeding programmes are part of global conservation initiatives. Such initiatives were initially started by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Now it is the vision of the World Zoo and Aquaria strategy to become a major force for global conservation. This means that before acquiring and moving animals, partners in such programmes must have a strong background in conservation science, played a part in good quality research, and remain well co-ordinated and highly communicative. For good communication between partners, there needs to be good knowledge of the legislation in force, liaison with other collections, good relationships with government bodies such as the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and also good relationships with transporters (e.g. airlines, agents and road carriers). E.Astbury One of Chester Zoo s sea horses. Many species will have exacting requirements which need to be met prior to any transfer. Chester Zoo At Chester Zoo, there is a dedicated member of staff, the Registrar, who is responsible for managing animal transfers in and out of the Zoo. The Registrar is in a high pressured position. If any of the legislation for international transfer is breached only once, then the Zoo would lose its licence, pending an investigation. 1

3 Record Keeping Legislation Accurate and organised record keeping is a fundamental requirement within captive breeding programmes and for animal transfers. There are many records kept at Chester Zoo, one of which is a spreadsheet recording all current Imports and Exports (updated weekly). Information recorded within this spreadsheet includes: Species information (e.g. numbers and sexes) ARKS numbers Receiving/sending collections name and contact details Balai approval number (if applicable) Proposed export\import date Quarantine arrangements Pre-export tests required (and results if necessary) Paperwork required Travel plans and action, plus notes Placing Animals Legislation covers national (including most of the EU) and international (non EU) transfers. Broadly, two main areas that legislation covers are health issues and trade issues. There are many legislations alongside these. Most legislation differs for EU and non-eu transfers. Health legislation is managed by DEFRA. One of the most significant pieces of new legislation which affects zoo transfers that has come into force in the past year is the Balai Directive (Council Directive 92/65/EEC). General information about importing a variety of species can be found on the DEFRA website. Trade legislation is managed by the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). Animals have to be moved when required, for example if new births mean the collection is over stocked, or if an animal is an important individual within a captive breeding programme. Animal transfers are initiated in a number of ways. One is through Studbook Keeper recommendations. The studbooks list all the individuals within a captive breeding programme and enable appropriate groupings of animals to be made. Another way is through the production of Wanted\Surplus lists which are circulated through BIAZA & EAZA (British and Irish, and European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) websites. There is also liaison between zoos at Curatorial and Registrar levels. A male Asiatic lion being transferred to a partner zoo as part of the captive breeding programme 2

4 Health Considerations Health legislation and documentation is based on taxonomic classification of the species being transferred. Important notes include UK rabies regulations, pet and horse passport schemes. Other documentation includes the origin of animals and whether originating and/or receiving collection is\are `Balai Approved`, and in or out of EU. Border Inspection Post (BIP) requirements need to be known, alongside Individual country variations. Their may be temporary restrictions to consider. For example, current health restrictions include: Blue-tongue Foot & Mouth disease Avian Influenza Tuberculosis Trade Considerations There are rules set out for the import, export, sale and movement of species listed by CITES. Information on species listings can be found on the CITES website. The regulation of trade is based on a system of permits and certificates which may only be issued where certain conditions are met. Four types of Permits and Certificates are used within the EU and each individual consignment must be applied for. Chester Zoo holds a certificate allowing species in imminent danger of extinction to be included in the collection, as long as breeding or research work benefits their conservation. There are tight controls of animal transfers: animals being sent out from Chester Zoo must be received by places with at least equal certification. Transport Logistics Animals can be transported by air, sea, rail, road and post. Air transfers are governed by the International Air Traffic Association (IATA). There are exacting standards for animal containment and labelling. These are species specific and updated yearly. y There are also requirements for container construction, including specific materials, ventilation, partitions, design principles, spacer bars, floor dimensions, lids\tops \sides and density. Air transfers are very expensive and just booking the flight can be problematic. All live-stock must be pre-paid, with the receiving collection footing the bill. Not many airlines carry livestock, and those that do have limited availability and flexibility. Unsympathetic cargo handling can be a problem, and clearing borders is always time consuming. There are also specific regulations governing transport by sea, rail and road (DEFRA). One regulation specifically protects the animal against long periods of transit. Postal transfers (e.g. plants, insects), must be specifically labelled, especially species listed by CITES. Transfers out of the EU must be declared at Customs, with specific paperwork and labelling showing the post is under control of HM Customs and Excise. 3

5 Case Study Sammy the Black Rhino: moved from Osaka, Japan to Chester Zoo, UK. Sammy was 2 years old when he was moved as part of the captive breeding programme from Japan to Chester Zoo. It took a joint team to prepare for and implement the move in April The journey took 40 hours by air and road, during which time Sammy was kept calm with sedatives. The move went smoothly and was successful. Now Sammy is well integrated with the other Black Rhinos at Chester Zoo. He is a very important rhino in Europe as he brings a new blood-line into the European captive breeding programme for this species. Since his arrival he has successfully bred and his son, Asani (born 29/10/2008), now has his own important future within Europe. Summary References / Information Animal transfers are a vital part of captive breeding programmes. Co-operation and good communication is essential. Good knowledge of and adherence to specific legislation l is fundamental (especially health and trade legislation). The final part of the process is the actual transport this alone has many potential issues! /imports/iins/livebalai/index.htm 4