Rostov Zoo

January 22-28, 2016

GOALS

To introduce Doroty (approximately 4.5 – 5 year old female infant) to any other chimpanzee, as well as  to see if the chimpanzees could be regrouped.    To give suggestions regarding basic husbandry, enrichment, training or behavioral issues for any other species in the collection. To hold a webinar about   chimpanzee behavior and the Phoenix Zoo’s contra freeloading program. 

Chimpanzees  

Doroty (Dora) - 2011 – unknown	Toto - 1996 - P.t. verus	Tayson - 2006-P.t. verus
Mikl (Michael)- 2005 - P.t. verus	Elis -1991-P.t. schweinfurthii	Haus - 2010 - P.t. schweinfurthii x P.t. troglodites

Doroty and her brother

Along with her brother, Doroty was purchased from poachers by a private owner. They were originally given to the Kazan Zoo, which retains legal ownership. After a while, the  siblings were   separated because Doroty was stunted in her growth (she looked like she was approximately  two-years-old), didn’t appear to use her legs very well, and had limited social skills. Consequently, staff was concerned about her not being able to protect herself from her brother.

Doroty was loaned to the Rostov Zoo and hand-reared by the primate manager and her family in a cage modified to be a nursery which was inside the chimpanzee building.

The plan was to slowly introduce her to six-year-old juvenile, Haus, and then later to adult female,  Elis, and possibly to early adolescent male,Tayson, since Elis and Tayson have been housed together and got along well with each other.

The plan couldn’t procced because Doroty had a piece of wire in her neck (under her skin), a possible   remain from a snare or other capturing or restraining device of the poachers.  The consultant felt that  the wire needed to be removed prior to any introductions to avoid probable injury in the future.

In the meantime, Doroty’s resocialization has started. Haus (who was also being hand-reared  by the primate manger) was easily separated from early adolescent Mikl and was walked  by hand next to Doroty daily. He spent a half a day being “howdied” with Doroty and then he was put back with Mikl  in the afternoon. Haus could approach her through a small tunnel and she could climb up and meet him sitting on a metal bench. Staff needed to stay with the infants at all times in case Haus accidentally punched Doroty’s wire, if she fell the wrong way during playing through the bars, or if Haus would try to take out the wire from her body.  Since the tunnel that connected the two cages was about five feet high (1.5m), Doroty was forced to use her limbs extensively. By the second day, she was clearly holding the bars with her feet and was able to thrust her body upwards. It is most likely that soon she will be able to use her legs properly or at least satisfactorily.

Suggestions: Every attempt should be made to transfer Dorothy’s brother from Kazan to Rostov and either reunite the siblings or introduce him to other chimpanzees. This male is only an  Infant and should not be kept in solitary confinement.

The Rostov Zoo (as a leading zoo in Russia) also should try to communicate with other zoos and discourage illegal animal trading.   No follow up information yet. 

Changes after consultation: It was confirmed on April 8, 2016 that Doroty was operated on.  Email follow up on”
Friday, April 08, 2016 4:22 AM “About Doroty. We've operated her. And now she is in the rehab period. Everything is fine! I'll send you some

photos of our new enclosure for small carnivores soon”.

After her recovery, Doroty should be introduced as the original plan suggested above.  Introducing her to other chimpanzees should be priority since she spends approximately14-15 hours alone after staff is gone and also that she would develop her proper chimpanzee  social behaviors instead of relating to humans. Once her legs are working satisfactorily (she will use them   for running, climbing, holding objects, etc.), she can be introduced to Haus and then to the surrogate parents.  Again, this step should be pursued as fast as her development allows it. Infant chimpanzees will not learn   proper behaviors if the adults, especially the mothers or surrogate mothers, are not present. In the wild, mothers  are the main teachers of all survival skills up until the infants reach about eight years of age. Instructions of  introducing Dorothy to Haus and then to Mikl was provided. No follow up information yet. 

Doroty’s nursery should be a chimpanzee nursery and not a human one. Most human toys, blankets, etc.,    should be removed and the cage filled with substrate, ropes, hanging object, sleeping devices such a hammock,   or baskets to promote developing proper motor skills. All objects should be elevated (especially nests) since   chimpanzees (as per their natural behaviors) do not feel safe sleeping/resting on ground, and also because  chimpanzees spend more than half of their daily budget (59 percent) off the ground.

Changes after consultation: Dora’s cage was modified already to better suit her needs and to help to develop her motor skills.

“How do chimpanzees spend their time?” – instead of “What chimpanzees do?”

It is imperative that proper nesting materials (leafy branches, paper products, edible dry leaves, etc.) are provided daily for learning how to build a nest.Chimpanzees rest in incredible heights (30-50”) up in the canopy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olbrzuz2ot0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiUtT0TslE&feature=related

In captivity chimpanzees should at least be provided with:

Elevated structures

Beds/Baskets	Sleeping platforms	Hammocks

Nesting materials

If elevated structures cannot be provided, substrates need to be added on grounds fornest building. Please compare resting without and with substrate. No follow up information yet. 

Shredded paper	Excelsior	Wrapping paper

Clothing	Hay/straw	Browse
Dry leaves	Natural soil	grass and vegetation

Winter care 

The chimpanzees are usually locked inside for 3-4 months during wintertime. 

Chimpanzees can be allowed outside for limited time during the winter. However, they need to have access to    inside heat and provided with extra blankets. Some institutions keep a temperature guideline and will only let     their chimpanzees out if the temperature reaches 10-13 degrees Celsius. Others, such as Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, USA, allow the chimpanzees to make their own decision. It is important to remember to provide chimpanzees the opportunity to seek warmth if allowed outdoor access during cold weather, and there might be     a temperature below which outdoor access is inappropriate. The only time they don't allow them outside is when   heavy, wet snow reduces the voltage on their electric fence.

Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, U.K.	Saint Louis Zoo, USA

See-through curtains made from heavy-duty plastic strips can be hung inside the night houses to keep   the animals warm. Management must take into consideration the type of enclosure, the animals’ behavior and                                                                       characteristics, the materials used, if it would prevent the animals from exiting or entering the enclosure, etc. 

Suggestions: The method used by the Chester Zoo in England is simple. Strips of thick, clear ARCO PVC   are cut to the length of the slide and holes are drilled in the PVC. A strong, thick metal plate, which has   the same amount of holes drilled in it, is lined up and bolted onto the wall. This makes it a lot easier to take off and replace broken or torn PVC strips. 

OTHER SPECIES

Solitary Primates
Several primate species were kept on bare concrete and also in solitary confinement. Social isolation and reduced space allowance have been documented to cause increased levels of aggression and stress levels in a range of   captive wild animals from primates to dolphins.

Orangutan
There was a female orangutan kept in solitary confinement and on concrete, inactive most of the times due to lack of stimulation.

Suggestions: It is a misconception that orangutans live in solitude in the wild.

Orangutan Social Life

 They also keep in very large groups in captivity in the Orangutan Foundation International, Borneo. It would be in  the best interest of the animal if she was introduced to another orangutan as soon as possible.If the Rostov Zoo cannot acquire another specimen from another accredited institution, then this animal should be transferred to another zoo or sanctuary and taken out of solitude. 

About Dr. Mary Galdikas Birute

Dr. Birute's Research

Ring-Tailed lemur introduction

Male and female ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) were housed separately because of their age differences.    However, due to the large importance of keeping social animals in group settings, an introduction was attempted  and it went well.

Changes after consultation: lemurs received substrate as well.

Suggestions:

Solitary primates need to be able to see, smell and touch other primates, even if it is a different species, until they are paired up with their conspecific. Please consider these laws and guidelines regarding social   keeping of primates –

Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter A – Animal Welfare Part 3 Standards, Subpart D  Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transportation of Nonhuman Primates,  

Sec. 3.81 Environment enhancement to promote psychological well-being.Dealers, exhibitors, and  research facilities must develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan for environment enhancement  adequate to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. 

The plan must be in accordance with the currently accepted professional standards as cited in appropriate  professional journals or reference guides, and as directed by the attending veterinarian. This plan must be  made available to APHIS upon request, and, in the case of research facilities, to officials of any pertinent funding agency. The plan, at a minimum, must address each of the following:

(a) Social grouping. The environment enhancement plan must include specific provisions to address    the social needs of nonhuman primates of species known to exist in social groups in nature.Individually   housed   nonhuman primates must be able to see and hear nonhuman primates of their own or compatible species unless the attending veterinarian determines that it would endanger their health, safety, or well-being.

Canadian Council on Animal Care, Olfert ED, Cross BM, McWilliam  AA1993.                                                                                                                                                  Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Volume 1, 2nd Edition. 

Canadian Council on Animal Care, Ottawa
"The social needs of animals used in research, teaching, or testing, should be    given equal consideration with environmental factors such as lighting, heating, ventilations  and containment (caging). Particularly in the case of singly housed animals, daily observation  provides an alternative from of social contact for the animal and commonly facilitates handling in that the  animal becomes accustomed to the human presence. .. Most animals should not be housed singly unless    required by medical condition, aggression, or dictates of the study. Singly housed animals should have some  degree of social contact with others of their own kind. ... 

In the interest of well-being, a social environment is desired for each animal which will   allow basic social contacts and positive social relationships. Social behaviour assists animals to cope with circumstances of confinement."

European Commission 2002.

The Welfare of Non-human Primates -  Report of the Scientific Committeon Animal Health and Animal Welfare.  European Commission, Strasbourg, France
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scah/out83_en.pdf

"Primates should not be housed singly unless fully justified by health considerations  (for the animal and human handler) or research procedures, as advised following an ethical review process. If primates have to be singly housed, the animals should have visual, olfactory    and autitory contact with conspecifics.”

International Primatological Society 1993. IPS International guidelines for the acquisition, care and breeding of 

nonhuman primates, Codes of Practice 1-3. Primate Report 35, 3-29
" A compatible conspecific probably provides more appropriate stimulation to a captive primate than any other potential environmental enrichment factor. ... Monkeys should, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so, be housed socially. ...

 Young monkey should not normally be separated from its mother at an early age (i.e., at 3-6 months) but   should remain in contact for one year to 18 months, in most species. There is unlikely to be any greater                                                             productivity through early weaning, in seasonally breeding species, such as rhesus monkeys. Even in non-seasonal breeders, any slight increase in productivity must be offset against the resulting behavioural                                                              abnormalities of the offspring."

National Research Council 1996. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 7th Edition. 

National Academy Press, Washington
"Animals should be housed with the goal of maximizing species-specific behaviors and minimizing stress-induced  behaviors. For social species, this normally requires housing in compatible pairs or groups."

National Research Council 1998. The Psychological Well-Being of Nonhuman Primates. 

National Academy Press, Washington
"Social interactions are considered to be one of the most important factors influencing the psychological  well-being of most nonhuman primates. ... The common practice of housing rhesus monkeys singly  calls for special attention [p. 99] ... 

Every effort should be made to house these [singly caged] animals socially (in groups or pairs),   but when this is not possible, the need for single housing should be documented by  investigators and approved by the IACUC. ... The animal technician's and caregiver's roles are  pivotal to the social support of primates, particularly animals that are singly caged."

Vervet monkey introduction

Female vervet monkey was found in a small cage inside a much larger exhibit due to being displaced and  injured by her conspecifics constantly. It was a good effort to prevent solitary confinement, however, the  cage was too small to house an animal for the rest of her life and she still spent much of her time alone.    It was suggested that she should be introduced to the adult male of the group who formed a good relationship  with her in the past and then they will be moved to the much larger cage that was now empty after the lemur introduction.

Changes after consultation:

Vervet monkeys were introduced and moved into much larger empty lemur cage. They received substrate and enrichment.

 GENERAL PROPOSALS

Small concrete cages and exhibits, off-exhibit areas and correct substrate use

Special attention needs to be paid to all the small enclosures, night houses and other off- exhibit   holding areas, where animals spend an average 14-17 hours in concrete/bar cages or situations where an animal needs to be kept isolated for any reason. Although hoof stock were kept in large   exhibits, many animals (mostly carnivores, birds and primates) were housed on sterile surfaces  either outside in freezing temperature (-17C; 1.4F) or locked inside into extremely small areas with reduced chance for exploratory behaviours. This practice creates poor mental and physical   conditions for the animals. 

Suggestions:

Continuing to keep animals off of very hot or very cold, persistently wet, unyielding surfaces  (brick, concrete, etc.) would be desirable. The use of appropriate substrate (inside- paper  products, hay or straw, etc.; outside- nonflammable materials such as grass, sand, soil, mulch, fresh browse, etc.)  will make a significant difference not only in the animals’ health but also in improvement of the exhibit aesthetics.

Mixed Species Exhibits

Suggestions: Mixed species exhibits can be created in order to free up space and create a more esthetic, complex exhibit. This will also immediately resolve some of the solitary (otherwise social) species problems until they are paired up with their conspecific.

 Please review some photos of Phoenix Zoo mixed exhibits. No follow up information yet. 

Extending Foraging Time
Animals were generally found to be bored in their cages, not being able to carry out species-appropriate behaviors, particularly foraging. Most species ate for a short period of time only. They spent the rest of the time being inactive or exhibiting stereotypic behaviors.

Suggestions: All animals need to be fed in a way that extends their foraging time and  encourages appropriate, species-specific behaviors. If no one can be appointed for  this position, staff can be scheduled to cut browse and chop diet on a rotation basis.     Contra freeloading presentation was given regarding teaching animals how to work for their food  in captivity. No follow up information yet. 

Carnivores

Most carnivores were kept in empty cages and on concrete floors.

Suggestions: Cage bottoms (similarly to hoof stock exhibits) need to be broken off and planted with grass. Until then, about half of the cages can be covered with various substrates such as natural soil, edible dry leaves, hay, straw, paper, etc.

Most carnivores were locked inside into a large Carnivore Building with the understanding that these animals  cannot go outside due to harsh weather conditions (-17C) because they were not cold climate species.However, African lions that live in sub-Saharan Africa or dromedaries of the 

Sahara Desert in Africa were kept outside and on the ice and snow which proves these types of species can also go outside if acclimated well enough.

Suggestions: All carnivores should go outside during the winter time. If the zoo starts to let them out  for shorter period of times during fall and winter, in a few years all species could acclimate  to colder weather. Animals will need to have access inside warm night houses, and cage floors should   be covered at least 1/3 of the areas with deep bedding for the animals to be able to come off of the frozen surface.

Changes after consultation: Changes have begun. Email follow up on 2-29-16 “We started improving – changing the floor covering from carnivores, the environment has enriched with cardboard boxes, wood, we build a new enclosure for carnivores with natural flooring.”

Solitary female lion

There was a young female in solitary confinement in a small cage far away from a pair of lions. 

  Suggestions: This animal needs to be introduced to the pair as fast as possible. Lions don’t do well in solitary confinement and it would also create a much better lion exhibit since lions, by  nature, live in prides. This would also create a better educational message for the visitors.  No follow up information yet. 

Mental health of male Siberian tiger

This animal appeared to be under large distress. He was “moaning, crying” during every night of the  consultant’s stay from approximately 1 – 6 A.M. with very little pause. This is not normal tiger behavior and the                                                                    consultant addressed it immediately. At that moment the only fast solution was to open up the empty cage  next to him to enlarge his exhibit.

Suggestions: This animal should be transferred next to the other two tigers as soon as possible.The tiger pair don’t like to go outside (for reasons unknown to consultant) therefore their exhibit is  empty all the time. He could be alternated into this exhibit with the pair. That would give him some activities to do and well as encourage the other tigers to come outside and explore his scents. Besides  moving him, he will need to receive enrichment every day. No follow up information yet. 

Lack of behavioral enrichment

Most animals lacked enrichment. The consultant addressed this problem immediately, consulting with   Carnivore Manager and Curator. The “Feline Enrichment at the Phoenix Zoo” PowerPoint presentation  was given as well as an email consultation suggesting immediate free or low cost enrichment items that can  be given straightaway.

Suggestions: The following items could be provided immediately.  Phoenix Zoo Carnivore staff will provide a more detailed schedule later:

·         Bones! Beef knuckle bones can keep carnivores busy for hours and they can be left on exhibit for 1-2 days. Use of three dimensions by placing large logs,  hammocks, wooden platform, etc., all the way to the ceiling

·         Feathers

·         Seasonal fruit and vegetables

·         Substrate covering at least 1/3 of exhibits and inside areas

·         Kegs

·         Barrels

·         Cardboard boxes

·         Phone books

·         Spices and herbs (fresh or dry)

·         Hoofstock smells (on logs, hay, etc.)

·         Fire hose and fire hose feeder devices

·         Items hung

·         Perfumes (only sprayed onto small items and then removed after 1-2 hours)

·         Edible tree branches (even if they have no leaves)

·         Logs with bark

·         Fecal from hoofstock (previously approved by vet)

·         Urine from hoofstock (previously approved by vet)

Elephants

The elephant program was found satisfactory with very caring, dedicated staff trying to keep them busy while they were locked inside for the winter time. 

Suggestions: Elephant can go outside for certain period of time under temperature restrictions. AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care, 2012 document was provided for greater details.

.    

Elephants playing on the Snow

The building lacked proper substrates. There was a large, old pool inside unused.

Suggestion: Elephants need to be kept on soft surfaces. Deep (2-3 feet) sand should     be placed inside and outside as well as large (6-7) feet tall sand mounds should beprovided for resting as well as for breaking up the monotone surface. Staff agreed  to fill large pool   with sand in the future.

Puzzle feeders, wallows, scratching posts can be provides for behavioral enrichment to extend foraging time, provide good skin care and to keep animals busy. The Phoenix Zoo’s Elephant  

Enrichment PowerPoint presentation was shown to the elephant staff describing how this enrichment program   helped the Phoenix Zoo to have mentally healthier elephants. Several works of Alan Roocroft, world renowned  elephant consultant, were provided via email such as: The Sand Invasion, five years on, August 2011. 

“Two parts sand, one part imagination” and Foot Care for Captive Elephants. No follow up information yet.

Keeper schedule, routine

Extended workload. I have observed many keepers sitting around and talking, cooking their lunch, etc., for long periods of time. Instead, keepers could rebuild   the empty cages, add appropriate furniture, cut browse, provide enrichment, train their animals for basic medical and husbandry behaviors, plant edible trees inside/outside the  exhibits for future use and shade, plant grass, paint the walls of exhibits and night houses, etc.    They should answer the visitors' questions, talking about their animals' ages, names,  behaviors, etc. so the visitors would start learning about them. No follow up information yet.

EDUCATION

A three-hour long webinar was held regarding chimpanzee care and the Phoenix Zoo’s  contra freeloading program with the following institutions: 

·         Ekaterinburg Zoo

·         Izhevsk Zoo

·         Kazan Zoo

·         Minks Zoo

·         Seversk zoo

·         Moscow Zoo

·         Chelyabinsk Zoo

·         Karsnoyarks Zoo ‘Roev Ruchey

·         Alma-Ata Z00

Fundraisers

There were several discussions regarding raising money for better animal care.

Suggestions: The zoo can do many things following the Phoenix Zoo’s programs such    as hosting birthday parties, weddings, breakfasts with keepers, behind the scene tours,  keeper for a day programs, special gift making and selling (painted eggs, animal paintings, etc.).  Nontoxic children’s paint can be used by animal artists to create unique paintings that can be    sold and the money go to purchasing enrichment items. Please review below: painted chicken and ostrich eggs, animals painting, and pigs rolling out carpets that can be used during weddings.

Staff involvement in decision making and professional development

The zoo needs to incorporate education about basic husbandry into staff training to have  a more qualified and knowledgeable staff. Most staff members under mid-management  levels are less educated, lacking essential knowledge, and, therefore, being underutilized.  For example, keepers were never involved in meetings and decision making and certainlydid not feel part of the team. 

Suggestions: There are many ways to encourage staff to be educated and the best way    is to involve them and provide them with formal training. Staff prof  is crucial to provide quality animal care. Managers should hold short courses about basic husbandry, enrichment and training. Keepers should be assigned to prepare short lectures  regarding the animals they are working with and present them to their area keepers, developing further knowledge. Management can come up with some rewarding systems such as providing   food and beverage during these educational meetings, have a “keeper of the month,” “best   enrichment of the month,” “most creative exhibit improvement of the month,” etc. This inclusivity and training would boost morale, encourage keepers and managers to be  more involved, and improve understanding of the animals and the best way to care for them. 

The following presentations were provided and translated to Russian: 

CHIMPANZEE: TO UNDERSTAND, TO MENTOR, TO SAVE. What makes chimpanzees   special, and why, more than any other species, they deserve our special attention. I will attempt to convey the intelligence, describe the sensitive minds, and illustrate the social  and physical needs of the chimpanzee. By revisiting this close relative of humans from a    different angle, I hope that all people will begin to appreciate these animals and their  fundamental needs on a higher level.

CONTRA FREELOADING. A presentation teaches people how to feed their animals so,    instead of eating, they would forage similar to their conspecifics to the wild.

THE LACK OF SUBSTRATE USE IN ZOOS. Addresses the easy fix of empty cages  and shows how much of a difference it makes in the animals’ lives when they do not  have to sit in empty concrete cages. This is probably the most important animal welfare presentation I will give.

BENEFICIAL BROWSE. Will show how to grow plants even in the Sonoran Desert,  and how to create browse gardens practically from nothing under such harsh climate  and provide edible (free) plants for the entire collection every single day.

GROWING GRASS IN THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT: IF WE CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU! 

Addresses how to create green, luscious grass fields even in a region experiencing highly variable and extreme temperatures (range from 28 to 125 degrees F), extremely low precipitation (about 10 inches or less per year), dust storms, and, within the Phoenix metropolitan area, a   serious heat island effect due to the urban environment. The presentation will provide knowledge about appropriate soil composition, compost ingredients, grass species and their seasonal differences, dormancy and over-seeding, irrigation techniques, maintenance and water reuse.  These applications  can be successful even in a harsh, desert climate.

IT’S NOT ABOUT SPACE, IT’S HOW YOU USE IT: IMPROVING AVAILABLE SPACE

 WITH ENRICHMENT AT PHOENIX ZOO

Many zoos keep animals in very simplistic, inanimate, and basic cages composed of nothing    more than a concrete floor with mesh or bars, a food and water dish, and some room on  the floor for the animal to move around. The situation is amplified when even adequate space  is not provided. This presentation will attempt to outline the many ways that floor and vertical space can be enhanced in order to provide useful habitat in all three dimensions.   Even more, most of these ideas are free or low cost, and can be made from recycling household products.

LET THEM BE ELEPHANTS. Describes how the Phoenix Zoos’ enrichment program    helped us to have happier, mentally healthier Before, all these animals did was to try    to kill each other. It also addresses some foot work to help keep their feet in better shape and prevent the suffering that wet concrete can cause (which includes the possibility of early euthanasia).

ZOO FARM ENRICHMENT AT THE PHOENIX ZOO

Farm animal enrichment has often been neglected due to a primary focus of zoos  in their exotic animal collections. Also, for a variety of reasons, many people hold the view that the sole purpose of domesticated farm animals is simply to provide  a service as food or labor; often this notion even permeates into the zoo setting. 

This thought can create a misconception that domesticated animals have no needs   beyond eating and drinking, that they are simple animals that lack cognition, and    cannot suffer or feel pain, or, even worse, that it would not matter if they could. 

Any notion that they are inferior, simple animals that can be “kept as furniture”   should be disabused, and I urge every zoo that is not already providing behavioral  enrichment to their farm animals to begin doing so. The Phoenix Zoo makes it a priority to   provide equal enrichment to both domestic and exotic species. Our staff proudly presents  an example of high quality care of their farm animals.

FREE CHIMPANZEE ENRICHMENT

Sometimes providing enrichment is challenging due to a lack of an adequate budget. However, necessity  is the mother of invention! This presentation is a collection of enrichment ideas made from free household   products, recycled materials and donated items by the most dedicated chimpanzee staffs around the world.

These enrichment products provided invaluable moments for the chimpanzees in the different zoos.

SUPPORTING ANIMAL WELFARE AT ZOOS AROUND THE WORLD: A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PHOENIX ZOO, THE JANE 

GOODALL INSTITUTE AND OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs)

Hilda Tresz has been an employee of the Phoenix Zoo since 1993, and has had a volunteer affiliation with the Jane Goodall Institute since 2007. The two organizations support her role of traveling toselect foreign zoos up to six weeks per year to assess and advise on animal husbandry practices. This presentation will discuss examples of her efforts and demonstrate a successful collaboration   between zoos and NGOs in order to improve animal welfare.

I would like to thank the Rostov Zoo’s director and staff for inviting me to improve their animals’ welfare.   I would also like to thank Dr. Mary Lewis for funding this trip and Big Hearts Foundation for establishing such a wonderful working relationship between the Jane Goodall Institute, the Phoenix Zoo and the Rostov Zoo.