Destination: Botswana
Project: Elephants for Africa
Elephants for Africa is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the African elephant through research and education in the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park (MNPNP). For the past 11 years Elephants for Africa has specifically been examining male elephant ecology in Botswana.
Benefit to Conservation:
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
BZI already contributes to Elephants for Africa, but establishing a long-term connection with an organization that is dedicated to the research, education and conservation of elephants, specifically with male elephants, would be extremely advantageous to both organizations.
Benefit to Career:
Participating in field work would broaden my skill set to include data collection, research and observation. The opportunity to witness male elephants in a free roaming bachelor herd and how the adolescent males interact with each other would be an incredible and awe- inspiring experience that I would be able to share with guests.
Destination: Australia
Project: Save the Cassowary, Garner’s Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
The Southern or double-wattled cassowary is an iconic yet endangered bird of Queensland, Australia. It is threatened by habitat destruction, feral pigs, dog attacks and vehicle strikes. Rainforest Rescue has created the Save the Cassowary campaign launched throughout Australia in March 2014; with plans to become global in 2015.
Benefit to Conservation:
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
Benefit to Career:
For more on this PiCA grant, click here.
Destination: New Zealand
Project: Rebuilding the New Zealand Falcon Population, Wingspan Raptor Center
Wingspan Bird of Prey Center in Rotorua is New Zealand’s leading conservation, education and research organization for birds of prey. The mission of the Wingspan Bird of Prey Center’s is the conservation effort of the threatened ‘Karearea’ New Zealand falcon.Benefit to Conservation:
Will participate in hands on action for captive breeding and release of the New Zealand falcon, is the only endemic bird of prey to New Zealand
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
Benefit to Career:
Destination: Indonesia
Project: Orangutan Veterinary Advisor Group Workshop
A large number of orphaned orangutans exist in rehabilitation centers across Borneo and Sumatra. These orangutans – which number approximately 1,600 – arrive bearing a host of physical and emotional wounds and require intense veterinary care to recover. The OVAG workshops focus on the issues relating to orangutan releases, primarily health issues regarding pre and post released individuals.
Benefit to Conservation:
Rehabilitation and release of orangutans that arrive at rescue centers is vital in helping maintain wild orangutan populations. It is essential that the veterinary staff on the front lines fighting this battle have as much information as possible on recent advances in veterinary medicine. As part of the Advisor Group, I would be able to provide insight on case management, diagnostics, therapeutics, and disease management.
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
With the next phase of construction at Birmingham Zoo being an Asian exhibit, this project would help show the public and potential donors our commitment to helping conserve orangutans in the wild.
Benefit to Career:
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
With the next phase of construction at Birmingham Zoo being an Asian exhibit, this project would help show the public and potential donors our commitment to helping conserve orangutans in the wild.
Benefit to Career:
Destination: Namibia
Project: Conserving Namibia’s Desert-Dwelling Giraffe
It is estimated that less than 80,000 total giraffes exist in the wild. Giraffe Conservation Foundation is currently on the front lines in several countries throughout Africa aiding in conservation research. GCF plays a vital role in many conservation aspects to ensure a sustainable future where all giraffe populations and subspecies are protected and secure in the wild.
Benefit to Conservation:
This study will be the first ever giraffe conservation status assessment in Namibia, which is projected to form the baseline data for scientific research to help develop the first ever National Giraffe Conservancy Strategy for Namibia.
Benefit to Birmingham Zoo:
Benefit to Career:
Opportunity to work alongside highly esteemed professionals in giraffe conservation in the field will not only offer tremendous learning opportunities for me as an animal care professional but will also allow for personal growth well.
For more information on this PiCA grant, click here.