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The Saigon Zoo Masterplan for Conservation was based on three
visits of 7-10 days each conducted over the course of two and
a half years (1994/97) by members of the Captive Breeding Specialist
Group (CBSG) of the IUCN/SSC. During these visits there was an
intensive evaluation of animal exhibits and animal collection
plans of the Saigon Zoo, analyses of data, discussions with zoo
staff, and on-site training workshops for Saigon Zoo staff.
The IUCN/SSC CBSG team included Dr. Ulysses Seal (Chairman of
the IUCN/SSC CBSG), Dr. Ronald Tilson (Director of Conservation,
Minnesota Zoo, USA), Chris Banks (Curator of Herpetofauna, Invertebrates
and Education Animals, Melbourne Zoo, Australia), Douglas Richardson
(Assistant Curator of Mammals, Zoological Society of London, UK),
Lee Simmons (Director, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, USA) and Sian
S. Waters (Scientific Officer, Bristol Zoo Gardens and representing
the World Pheasant Association, UK).
Our Vietnamese counterparts included Mr. Nguyen quoc Thang (Director,
Saigon Zoo) and Dr. Phan Viet Lam (Head Curator, Saigon Zoo).
This document was improved immensely by the skillful concept drawings
by Tran Van Dung (Landscape Architect, Design Architecture Company,
HCM City) and the Vietnamese language scientific reports by Dr.
Lam.
The first visit of the IUCN/SSC CBSG team in November 1994 was
spent training Saigon Zoo staff in the use of animal management
software (ARKS- Animal Records Keeping System) and in planning
sessions on zoo concept design, animal program priorities and
exhibit critiques. Groundwork for preparing animal collection
plans at the Zoo was begun.
The second visit, in April 1995, emphasized developing animal
collection plans and the design of exhibits that would contribute
to the conservation of threatened Vietnamese species. Groundwork
for developing the Masterplan for Conservation was begun. On the
third visit in March 1997, we focused on completing the animal
collection plan. We evaluated existing and developing exhibit
designs, and recommended specific animal management procedures
and species selection. Discussions were initiated with CARE International
regarding a possible conservation partnership with Melbourne Zoo
to assist Saigon Zoo in the development of a comprehensive education
program.
During the interim from early 1995 to 2000, CBSG was pleased
to learn of the enormous progress Saigon Zoo has made in implementing
a number of dramatic improvements at the Zoo. In particular, the
reorganization of the zoo's exhibits and associated plans for
new and improved facilities for the animal collection and zoo
staff is outstanding. These completed projects and those currently
underway clearly demonstrate Saigon Zoo's serious commitment to
the realization of the masterplan for conservation and a reconfirmation
of Saigon Zoo's invitation to CBSG to start the process to realign
the Saigon Zoo toward modern conservation principles.
The directions set forth in this Saigon Zoo Masterplan for Conservation
focus on change that will lead to a new and improved modern zoo
system for HCM City. The directions and priorities will assist
Saigon Zoo to make immediate and long-range decisions within the
context of a comprehensive strategic conservation plan for endangered
species of Vietnam.
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