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The South China Tiger Masterplan Workshop held at Suzhou Zoo,
was attended by representatives from 14 of the20 zoos holding
South China tigers, the CAZG Office, city officials from Suzhou,
and CBSG. There were presentations by Chinese zoo staff on tiger
husbandry issues, including one by Huang Gong Qing on the management
of tigers at Suzhou Zoo's South China Tiger Breeding Facility.
Jansen Manansang's presentation on the development of the Indonesian
Zoological Parks Association's program for Sumatran tigers provided
a useful model for the CAZG. CBSG presented the organizational
template for developing the South China tiger masterplan on a
regional and global level. The CAZG presented ideas for developing
a conservation strategy for the South China tiger.
A record keeping working group suggested that more consistent
record keeping by each zoo, a complete and accurate studbook,
and widespread technical training are essential for the development
of a competent captive management program for the South China
tiger. The records issues are individual animal identification,
standardized records across zoos, an accurate studbook record
keeping system, a studbook numbering system, and tiger pedigree
verification. Training needs include: medical and dental care,
nutrition, husbandry, genetic analysis, assisted reproduction
techniques, and animal transport.
A management and animal health working group noted that zoos
have different methods for managing tigers. Some zoos need more
training in tiger management and tiger health programs than other
zoos. To help develop standardized techniques in all aspects of
managing tigers, which includes immobilizations, physical examinations,
disease analysis, vaccinations, parasites, dental problems, pathology,
nutritional analysis and record keeping, protocols addressing
these issues that are contained in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums's (AZA) Tiger Husbandry Manual (Management and
Conservation of Captive Tigers, 1994) will be adapted for
use in Chinese zoos.
A studbook working group reported that the number of South China
tigers in the database was tripled from only 76 individuals in
the International Tiger Studbook to 264 individuals by
completion of the verification process. Many of these additions
were from neonatal deaths, required to evaluate demographic trends,
management issues and inbreeding depression in the population.
Inconsistencies in the database were resolved by direct communication
with institutional representatives. The revised studbook will
be submitted to the International Tiger Studbook Keeper with the
official endorsement of the CAZG and CBSG.
Based upon demographic and genetic analyses of the studbook,
possible population management strategies and recommendations
were discussed. Participants set five- and ten-year goals to minimize
loss of genetic diversity in the captive population. An exercise
evaluating current and potential carrying capacity of CAZG zoos
was used to demonstrate that sufficient space exists within participating
zoos to meet goals, negating the need for a centralized tiger
breeding facility. Improvements to tiger facilities and enclosures
within participating Chinese zoos will be needed. Recommendations
were compiled and presented to all Chinese zoos as the South China
Tiger Captive Masterplan.
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