Spreading the word…..

It is important that zoo knowledge and research is shared among zoo professionals so that zoos worldwide can work together in advancing the care we provide for animals. Therefore, Dublin Zoo not only sends staff to attend conferences and workshops but we also host conferences and workshops here. Dublin Zoo staff are given the opportunity to present their knowledge and also learn from other professionals and where possible, research findings are also published in zoo publications and journals. In addition to this, Dublin Zoo shares its research and conservation activities with Belfast Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park at the tri-annual Research and Conservation Committee meetings.

Conferences & workshops hosted/attended (2010)

• Dublin Zoo hosted a BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Elephant Protective Contact Workshop in January. The aim of this workshop was to share with other zoos the world-class facilities and procedures in Dublin Zoo for protective contact with elephants.
• Five keepers (Aisleen Greene, Aisling Kennelly, Pamela O’Brien, Mel Sheridan and Brendan Walsh) attended the ABWAK (Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers ) conference in March in Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire, UK.
• Four keepers (Aisleen Greene, Anita Langston, Pamela O’Brien and Sophie Rogge) attended the 3rd UK and Ireland Regional Environmental Enrichment Conference in May at Marwell Wildlife Park, Hampshire , UK.
• Operations manager, Gerry Creighton, presented “Giant Footsteps – Development of Dublin Zoo’s Elephant Programme” in June at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.
• Keeper, Brendan Walsh, gave a lecture entitled “From India to the Phoenix Park” in the Chester Beatty library in Dublin Castle in September.
• The annual conference of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) was hosted by Parco Natura Viva, Verona and was attended by three members of the Dublin Zoo team; the Assistant to the Director, Paul O’Donoghue, Operations Manager, Gerry Creighton, and acting registrar, Susan O’Brien. Gerry Creighton also gave his presentation on “Giant Footsteps – Development of Dublin Zoo’s Elephant Programme”
• Keepers, Louise McDermott and Peter Phillips, presented a talk on their findings on using biometric measurements in flamingos to sex birds at the BIAZA Bird Working Group meeting in Bristol, UK in October
• Team-leaders, Helen Clarke, Ciaran McMahon and Eddie O’Brien attended the BIAZA Mammal Working Group meeting in Belfast Zoo in October.
• Keepers, Louise Brennan and Alice Cooper, from Dublin Zoo attended the International Elephant School in Hamburg in November, the most comprehensive elephant training centre in Europe. Topics covered include nutrition, veterinary care, foot care and status in the wild. Gerry Creighton also  gave a talk entitled “Giant Footsteps – Development of Dublin Zoo’s Elephant Programme”
• Team-leader, Eddie O’Brien, attended an incubation workshop at the  Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey in December.

Papers published

• In 2010, keeper, Rachael O’Sullivan, published a paper in “Ratel” – a journal produced by the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK).
• O’Sullivan, R (2010) Report on Anaesthetic Procedure and Investigation into Hoof Abnormalities in Hand-Reared Juvenile Giraffe (Giraffe camelpardalis rothschildi).  Ratel 37:4, pp5 -13
• Whilde, J (2010) and Marples, N. The behaviour of a zoo-housed juvenile orangutan following the death of its mother.  Zoo Biology 29, pp 1-7