Sister zoo

Working for the WILD AROUND THE WORLD

The Sister Zoo Program helps zoos in developing countries become champions of conservation.

ighting animal extinction is a driver at Zoos Victoria and everyone plays a role. “It comes from the top of our organisation,” says Chris Banks, Manager of Conservation F Partnerships. “The Zoos Victoria Board is focused on conservation. If you’re selling tickets, you talk to members and visitors and tell a conservation story. Everybody has a role.”

Since 1992, the organisation’s role has been that of a steward of conservation. In 2005, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) recommended that developed zoos support zoos that lack resources, but which are committed to improvement – the latter point is critical. This call prompted Zoos Victoria to develop the Sister Zoo program. The program focuses on empowering zoo staff in developing countries with skills and training to create zoo-based conservation organisations. Today, the Sister Zoos program runs in Port Moresby Nature Park in Papua New Guinea, and the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, Uganda.

These zoos represent international protection-priority regions – Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa. Chris explains, “We see those zoos as conservation hubs, and they see themselves in the same way. They want to ensure that through them, both Papua New Guinea and Uganda are rich with wildlife into the future. Those are aspirational goals and both zoos are on the way to doing that.”

Working in tandem

The Sister Zoo program helps by upskilling zoo staff. “I work with managers and directors as they identify what their staff training and development needs are,” Chris says. He then finds Zoos Victoria staff with the expertise needed to help meet those needs. Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted tourism and travel, up to $30,000 a year was allocated to facilitate in-person training with each sister zoo.

This model has led to positive outcomes for Port Moresby Nature Park. Since the program began in 2013, education improved with student attendance at the Park rising by 850 per cent. It’s also become the first local attraction to be inducted into TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame.

Zoos Victoria staff see benefits too. “The Port Moresby relationship has involved 30 staff from both organisations. Our staff learn about looking after animals in a different

country and context. It gives them a broader perspective,” says Chris.

A beneficial partnership

Although only finalised in 2019, David Musingo, Head of Education and Information at UWEC, has high hopes for the partnership. “Training will help staff improve planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UWEC programs,” says David. It will also improve animal welfare and management, vet services, endangered or endemic species breeding and research.

The pandemic forced UWEC to close for five months and a decrease in international and student visits has impacted funding. “Since reopening, it does not generate enough revenue to sustain its programs,” says David. This includes salaries, maintenance, animal food, education programs, marketing and animal rescues. David hopes that the lessons learned by Zoos Victoria during COVID-19 will help UWEC “sail through this difficult period”.

A six-month Zoos Victoria closure made it difficult to run Sister Zoo programs in 2020. After months of limited activity, remote online-training began in early 2021 due to international travel bans. “The training focus for both organisations is teachers, educators and keepers – so animal care, welfare and animal training,” says Chris.

COVID-19 and conservation require a global effort and Zoos Victoria is committed to supporting our sister zoos through both. “We have amazing staff so we have an obligation to share their expertise with our friends in Port Moresby and Entebbe.” ZN

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SISTER ZOO INITIATIVE

Learn more about our global partnerships by visiting zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/

global-programs/sister-zoos

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