Owston's Civet Project, Vietnam
Newquay Zoo is home to a family of rare Owston's Civets at the zoo, just one part of a long running programme of support to the Small Carnivore Project based at Cuc Phuong National park. The Owston's Civet is at risk from illegal wildlife trade, trapping for its fur and meat. Newquay Zoo staff have visited Vietnam as part of financial and skills support. This helps train rangers within the park and at the breeding centre, plus gives support to local education projects and much needed research.
Red Fronted Macaw Project, Bolivia
Ecotourism could help protect these rare parrots, found only in dry Andean valleys in one region of Bolivia, by making wildlife and wilderness areas valuable. The building of an ecolodge to host visitors to watch the ‘most beautiful of all macaws' in its bleak but atmospheric desert home will help rejuvenate this partly deforested and poverty stricken area. Newquay Zoo holds a pair as part of the breeding programme and raises funds for this project, run by Asociacion Armonia, a local wildlife charity.
Pacarana Project, Colombia
This project aims to study and breed this unusual giant rodent in a disappearing mountain and wetland habitat surrounding the expanding city of Bogota. Newquay Zoo supports the work of the staff and students of the University of Columbia in Bogota in researching the habitat and building a breeding facility for these ‘terrible mice' (as their scientific name translates)! Newquay Zoo staff have visited to promote and support the project in Colombia as well as pledging financial support and giving practical help.
UNAU Sloth Project, Colombia
Sloth rehabilitation.
Deforestation and the pet trade in the growing cities such as Medellin have badly affected the lives of young sloths. Newquay Zoo staff have past experience of hand-rearing abandoned sloth babies, so have provided financial, equipment and skills support to this rehabilitation and release project, working with UNAU staff and local landowners.
http://www.fundacionunau.org/detalle-contenidos_f.php?idb=44&id=1
Pangolin Project, Vietnam
At risk from the bushmeat and traditional medicine trade in Asia, this unfortunately edible Pangolin (scaly anteater) in Vietnam is quite defenceless against humans. However Pangolins now benefit from the zoo supporting the building of a specialised rescue and rehabilitation centre in Vietnam. Veterinary care, research into diet and behaviour and local awareness raising are all part of this project, supported by Newquay Zoo through skills support and funding. This project covers a range of species.
Libanona Project in Madagascar
Education staff set aside a % of each workshop fee to provide funding to support local education in Southern Madagascar. Through sponsoring students we make a long term investment in Madagascar and help wildlife and biodiversity in a draught stricken area of dry scrub forest, home to lemurs and other endangered animals.
www.libanona.com
World Land Trust
Saving threatened habitats worldwide
We recently signed up to the World Land Trust's Wild Spaces project with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). This aims to raise £260,000 to purchase a critically threatened 3,675 acre (1,500 ha) parcel of strategically placed land in the Brazilian Atlantic forests, home to over 930 bird species and 260 mammal species.
The World Land Trust takes direct action to save tropical and other wilderness land. They buy it, acre by acre and are currently working to create new reserves to save threatened habitats in Brazil, Ecuador and India. To find out more please visit
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/wildspaces/
