I used to be requested to attend the AZA Annual Convention (Affiliation of Zoos & Aquariums), which was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada September 14 – nineteenth this 12 months. Whereas I referred to as Namibia house for eight years with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, I’m a born and raised Calgarian, and simply occurred to be house whereas the convention was occurring. It was a simple “Sure!” when the invitation got here.
Because the assistant studbook keeper for the Worldwide Cheetah Studbook, I used to be invited to current at two cheetah particular conferences in the course of the convention – the cheetah SSP (Species Survival Program) and the cheetah SAFE session (Saving Animals From Extinction). I’ve been helping Dr. Laurie Marker with the studbook for nearly seven years now, and in that point, I’ve made some wonderful contacts within the cheetah world, however by no means truly been in a position to meet them in individual. Individuals like Dr. Adrienne Crosier, who’s each the cheetah SSP and SAFE coordinator for North America, or John Andrews, who’s the assistant director on the AZA inhabitants administration heart. Assembly them felt a bit like assembly a celeb, but in addition helped me to see the function I play throughout the larger image of captive cheetah administration and reaffirmed my ardour for the studbook venture and my dedication to proceed engaged on it.
With over 2000 individuals attending the convention, there have been numerous displays to select from, and many totally different subjects coated. From “Learn how to goal prepare hellbender salamanders”, to “How wonderful willow bushes are”, there was one thing for everybody. Organising my poster for the poster reception, on one aspect of me was a poster about assortment and evaluation of elephant sperm, and on my different aspect was a poster about spider monkey behaviour and introductions. Who knew north American contemporary water mussels had been endangered and have their very own SSP? It hit near house speaking with Brooke and Reana from Staff Wolf about how they cope with human wildlife battle on farms within the northern US between wolves and farmers and drawing many similarities with human wildlife battle in Namibia with cheetahs. Or listening to from US Fish and Wildlife about their wildlife confiscations in america and sharing some tales from Somaliland with the unlawful commerce of cheetahs.
Having grown up in Calgary and on the Calgary Zoo, it was particular to have the ability to come again to a spot the place my ardour for animals and conservation started. One in all my favorite talks to attend was “Partaking Communities in Conservation Analysis and Follow” by Dr. Donna Sheppard. Dr. Sheppard is the Conservation Programme Supervisor with the Wilder Institute at Calgary Zoo and has been concerned of their conservation efforts for over 20 years. I grew up listening to her tales from the Wechiau Group Hippo Sanctuary and dealing with endangered mountain bongos in Kenya. She was one of many causes I grew to become taken with wildlife and conservation, and to have the ability to say thanks in individual meant rather a lot.
I’m so grateful for the chance to have the ability to attend this convention, and in addition so proud to say that it was hosted by Calgary. Attending to share my house with pals from the US and overseas meant a lot. It was a tremendous week of seeing each outdated pals, and making new connections. Being impressed by tasks occurring around the globe and looking out ahead to new adventures. Whereas this was my first AZA convention, I hope it isn’t my final.