BIAZA Newsletter | Winter 2017 | Issue 13

ING GROUP PLANT WORKING GROUP NEW N WORKING GROUP MAMMAL WORKING ORKING GROUP RESEARCH COMMITTE NMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE G GROUP HEALTH AND SAFETY SUBGROUP working group update

Field Programmes Committee (FPC) The FPC has had some changes in membership and welcomed on board Phil Riordan (Marwell Wildlife) and Andrew Terry (Durrell). Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change Group The Palm Oil Working Group has updated the 2014 BIAZA Palm Oil Statement, reflecting the fact that BIAZA now encourages its members to move away from unsustainable palm oil use by using certified sustainable palm oil, rather than by boycotting palm oil altogether. This approach provides incentive for companies to produce sustainable palm oil and allows us to work better with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to encourage them to use more progressive criteria for best practice and to increase the amount of plantations certified. The full statement is available on the BIAZA website on the palm oil pages. Research Committee (RC) After many years of dedication and leadership Amy Plowman stepped down in December as RC Chair, to be replaced by Jessica Harley (Tayto Park). Paul Rose (Sparsholt) and Sue Dow (Bristol Zoo) will be teaming up as Co-Chairs. We would like to thank Amy for all her work and support over the years. Communications & Development Committee (CDC) CDC has also seen a number of changes with the resignation of Becky Churcher (Marwell Wildlife) and Alex Smale (Tribemix), both of whom have been valuable members and we thank them for their dedication to the group over the years. The Committee has also seen Rebecca Blanchard (ZSL) step down as Chair and we would like to thank her for competently steering the Committee over the past 18 months. Rebecca will stay on as a committee member and we are currently seeking a new Chair (announcement to follow). Finally, CDC welcomes new members Olly Davies (RZSS), Michael Kitching (ZSEA) and Paul Simmons (Marwell).

if anyone is interested in getting involved please contact us on jellyfishfocus@gmail.com. We will also be running a larger jellyfish conference next year at The Deep with details available through the BIAZA website nearer the time.

Animal Training Focus Group (ATFG)

By Jim Mackie, ZSL and Chair ATFG BIAZA’s Animal Training Focus Group was formed in 2015 to provide BIAZA members with the latest information about advances in the use of humane behaviour modification using operant learning methodology. It also aimed to provide zoo keepers with the tools to achieve best practice in the field by developing a national education programme, creating a social network for sharing training ideas, providing a forum for answering questions, and by producing best practice guidelines. So far the ATFG has supported training based workshops on ungulates, callitrichids, reptiles and amphibians, seals and sea lions, big cats, and nocturnal primates, and has been represented at numerous conferences. A significant development in our mission to boost credibility and professionalism in the use of animal training in our community is our membership of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) as Advisory Members. The ABTC has an accreditation process which aims to create standards within the training community. Plans are under way to move into the Practitioner Member category with an assessment process for zoo keepers and aquarists who complete a new, structured career path, in line with ABTC standards. This will enable keepers to become registered trainers and coaches. The process will involve presenting a portfolio of experience, skills and education to the ATFG for assessment. The ultimate aim is to have a registered training practitioner working in every BIAZA institution. The LCC has recently voted to upgrade the status of BIAZA’s ATFG from a focus group, normally a short-term group established for a short-term function, to a full working group. 2017 will see our first annual conference which will provide an opportunity to announce the beneficiaries of our small grant award for advancing behaviour management in a BIAZA collection. Conference dates and more information on the grant will be made available soon on the BIAZA website.

9 BIAZA News • Winter issue 13