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Major Breakthrough for Elephant Conservation

PRESS RELEASE

4 February, 2005

Wildlife Information Network, the international wildlife charity which provides information on the health and management of wild animals, is to collaborate with two of the major UK conservation organisations to research and collate the diseases and treatment of elephants.

Twycross Zoo-East Midland Zoological Society and Chester Zoo-North of England Zoological Society have agreed to sponsor Wildlife Information Network (WIN) in the production of an information resource "Elephants: Diseases and Treatment". The research will address all of the diseases found in both species of elephants and will give the recommended treatments.

"The module will make a measurable impact on the treatment and conservation welfare of elephants worldwide" said Iain Boardman, Chief Executive of WIN. "It will bring together under one information resource all the information on elephant diseases and will be an invaluable reference to veterinarians, wildlife and field workers, wardens and keepers of these magnificent animals, whether its is a logging camp in Burma, a free-ranging herd in Africa or an eco-tourism project in India."

Twycross and Chester Zoos will both assist the WIN researchers in identifying other specialists working with elephants worldwide to allow the broadest collection of data and texts. "We will not be including any of the controversial issues of 'Hands-On v. Hands-Off' management, but we may consider these aspects in the next module if we are asked to research 'health and management' issues," said Mr Boardman.

The module is expected to be published in the autumn of 2005.

 

Ends:

Issued by Wildlife Information Network, East Midland Zoological Society, Twycross

For further information please contact:

Iain Boardman: +44 (0) 1827 88 11 22

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. The Wildlife Information Network (WIN) was set up 12 years ago by Yorkshire-born Suzanne Boardman, then a veterinarian at London Zoo who was receiving requests for information and technical support from all corners of the world. The information existed, but was fragmented and, in emerging countries, very difficult to obtain. WIN was inaugurated as a paper network of newsletters and collated information. It became a registered charity (No. 1048059) in 1995. Suzanne Boardman is now the Director of Twycross Zoo - East Midland Zoological Society and Iain Boardman is the Chief Executive of WIN.

  2. Wildpro© Multimedia is the software developed and used by WIN to provide information on re-emerging infectious diseases and the health and management of captive and free-ranging wild animals on its Electronic Encyclopaedia and Library. It is a living document, with new information being added constantly through the development of new modules. It is researched, developed and published by WIN to provide information to decision-makers worldwide, and users include wildlife managers, researchers, government officials, veterinarians, field biologists, zoologists, laboratory diagnosticians, zoological collections, conservation and welfare organisations, universities, and students of a wide variety of disciplines. Information is made available on the Internet and by CD-ROMs.

    WIN CD-ROMs that are currently available:
    • Waterfowl: Health and Management
    • Managing for Foot-and-Mouth Disease
    • Wildlife: First Aid and Care
    • West Nile Virus
    • Wildlife: Disease Investigation and Management (Birds)
    • Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Elk
    • Hedgehogs: Health and Management

  3. Twycross Zoo has one of the largest collections in the UK and is the leading primate zoo in the country. The Zoo houses a large range of species, from the massive Asian elephants to the tiny Meerkats. It is famous worldwide for its unique collection of apes and monkeys, which include many rarely seen in captivity. It has the only group on Bonobos (Pygmy Chimps) in the country which are our closest living relative.

    It also has a breeding herd of Asian elephants.

    The Zoo makes substantial contributions to conservation projects overseas and is planning to initiate additional in-house projects.

    Twycross Zoo is located on the A444 in Leicestershire.

    Tel No. 01827 880 250

    Website: www.twycrosszoo.com

  4. Chester Zoo - text to be supplied