Capacity Enhancement Workshop for Zookeepers, South Zone

Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), Bengaluru organized a 3 day "Regional Capacity Enhancement Workshop for Zookeepers of Southern India" from February 27, 2023 to March 01, 2023 in association with Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi. 29 keepers from 20 zoos across the Southern Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participated in the workshop. As there was such diverse group of participants, speaking different languages, translators for Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu were arranged to ensure everyone could make the best use of this workshop.

The workshop included a combination of theoretical sessions and hands-on activities related to captive management and welfare of animals. The objective of this regional level workshop was to allow interaction and knowledge exchange between keepers and sensitize them to the value and importance of routine practices. It additional aimed at enhancing their ability to handle cases that need specialized care and rigorous monitoring.

Day1

Shri. B. P Ravi, APCCF & Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), Mysore inaugurated the workshop by watering the plant along with Dr. Sunil Panwar, Executive Director, BBP, CZA representatives Lakshminarasimha R, Scientific Officer, Central Zoo Authority, Gowri Mallapur, Veterinary Consultant, Central Zoo Authority and other officers and personnels of BBP.

Shri. B.P Ravi and Dr. Sunil Panwar addressed and welcomed the participants to the 3-day workshop. Dr. Gowri Mallapur introduced the participants to the theme and objectives of the workshop. She said that the workshop was a platform to learn from informative talks, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive discussions with subject-matter experts and peers.

Following the inaugural,a pre workshop survey was done to gather information regarding the learning expectation from the workshop. The next session was led by Lakshminarasimha R, Scientific Officer, CZA. The session was a brief introduction “Role of Central Zoo Authority in Scientific Management of Zoos in India”.

The next session was focused on “Hygiene and Biosecurity Protocols in a Zoo”. The session was conducted by Dr. Umashankar K S, Assistant Director (Veterinary Services) and Dr. Vijay Kumar N, Veterinary Officer. Personal hygiene and practices to be in place for maintaining hygiene in enclosures and the surrounds were highlighted. The importance of biosecurity protocols when maintaining quarantine and for animal health was discussed. These protocols also have direct implications for control of zoonotic infections that areanthroponotic and zooanthroponoses in nature.

Dr. Dhanalakshmi, Assistant Professor, Veterinary College, Gadag conducted a session on "Zookeepers and their role in Health Management of animals in a zoo”. She spoke about the vital roles played by the zookeepers and the essentials of working relationships and cooperation between veterinarians, curators, biologists etc. These are crucial for implementation of best practices in management and additionally for the welfare of animals under their care. The zookeepers, form a pivotal bridge between animals and management in a captive setting.

In the afternoon all the participants were taken around the zoo and safari and were given an insight into the practices undertaken in the management of animals at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru.

Day 2:

The first session of the day was conducted by Dr. Gowri Mallapur, Veterinary Consultant, CZA on "Basic of Biology and Husbandry of Reptiles in Captivity”. The session covered biological attributes, methods used to identify the sex of an animal, equipment used for physical restraint and techniques used to mark the individuals. The session also touched up elements of enclosure design and specifications to meet the needs of the diverse reptile species housed in zoos.

This was followed by a session by Lakshminarasimha R. Scientific Officer, CZA on "Basic Biology and Management of Birds in Captivity". Various evolutionary and behavioral adaptions that birds have adapted were shown using videos to provide an insight into the complexity of needs to be addressed when housing birds in captivity. Species-specific requirements related to enclosure design, enrichment, breeding biology etc were discussed. The nest box sizes and designs based on the species of interest were demonstrated to the participants. Best practices used for marking individuals with bird rings as per the species was also demonstrated. The keepers were given time to familiarize themselves with the equipment that was used for demonstrations.

Dr. Ajith Kumar, Affiliate Scientist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore conducted a session on the “Behavior and Biology of different Primate species”. He introduced the participants to the diversity of primate species in India, specifically in Southern India, their feeding habits, activity patterns and social structure in the wild.Dr Ajith highlighted small changes which the keepers can make in their day-to-day routines to keep the primates engaged in captivity.

Later, keepers had a hands-on enrichment activity guided by LakshminarasimhaR, Dr. Gowri Mallapur and Aishwarya K S, Biologist, Bannerghatta Biological Park. The activities included.

• Ice blocks made of fruits and vegetables were offered to the Rhesus Macaques and Himalayan Black Bear. These are activities that can become a part of summer enrichment.
• Deer droppings were scattered in the Tiger enclosure as olfactory stimulation.
• Fodder was hung in a feeder for browsers to promote natural foraging behavior.
• Puzzle feeders with food rewards were introduced to the Zebras and Lion tailed Macaques which was installed by the keepers, who later observed how the animals used the devices.

The keepers were briefed on how they could create enriched habitats and add different enrichment devices on a routine basis for various species under their care for better animal welfare.

Day 3:

Dr. Manjunath V, Assistant Professor, IAH & VB, KVAFSU conducted a session on "Basic Biology and Husbandry Practices for the commonly housed Herbivores in captivity". The session detailed biological attributes of the various herbivore species and the management intricacies involved in their care in captive settings.

Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, Conservation Biologist from Holematthi Nature Foundation addressed the participants about "Management of Carnivores in Captivity" with emphasis on leopards. He shared his experiences of studying leopards in the wild andalso, added how the knowledge of leopard biology and behavior in wild, can be incorporated in improving the management incaptivity. He also provided perspectives on in-situ research on leopards and the complex issues surrounding human-animal conflict.

Keepers are an interface with the animals and public visiting the zoos. Keeper talks help spread awareness, build a connect for the visitors with the animals and enhance an interactive learning experience in the zoo.

An activity that focused on how keeper talks can be done with subject matter research with assistance from the zoo team of education officer, biologists etc and the use of props was demonstrated. Each group of keepers gave a small talk about a species of interest or animal under their care. All the participants actively participated and delivered talk with the educational materials and props available at the zoo. The aim was to motivate keepers to continue this activity in their respective zoos and join hands in spreading conservation message to people from all walks of life.

The workshop concluded with experience sharing by the participants and a valedictory session.