..The mission of ZACC conferences is to bring field researchers together with representatives of zoos and aquariums to tell compelling stories. We look for projects that have a sound scientific foundation but as importantly include a holistic approach which includes employment and direct involvement and benefits to local populations as well as containing an active education component. We think the projects listed here not only represent good science but they tell inspiring stories.

 

Cheetah in Samburu Reserve (photo by Peter Barber

...ACK conducts studies to evaluate cheetah habitats, human interactions and tolerance in areas that support cheetah populations on ranchlands and wildlife dispersal areas. We estimate Kenya’s cheetah population at about 1400 with a distribution across about 60% of the historic cheetah range. The majority of Kenya’s cheetah populations are well connected, but to prevent fragmentation the on-going studies and programs are needed. ACK supports the development of student initiatives in the research of human/wildlife ecology in regions where cheetah populations are sustainable. We establish links with other local and international conservation and education initiatives to develop projects and programs with a focus on cheetah and the habitat that supports cheetah.

EcoSys Action Cheetah Football Cup

Kavuko Primary Tree Planting Competitoon winners visit Nairobi Cheetah Orphans

Jimmy, Pius, Lumumba, Mary - ACK Team Salama

Community meeting Samburu

Cosmas Wambua with Samburu research assistant Chris Lentaam

...2011 has begun with a big bang for conservation education programs in Kasiisi Project Schools. Thanks to generous support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and Cleveland, Brevard and Columbus Zoos we have new and exciting projects in the works. We believe that multiple approaches targeting children and teachers with fun and interesting projects is the best way to raise a population of local conservationists committed to protecting their environment. But these projects have a second important impact – as well as engaging our schools in their local wildlife they bring all Kasiisi Project schools together in a spirit of friendly competition and collaborative learning. The feeling that they are a special group who can learn together and help each other excel boosts all our education programs and creates a climate of cooperation which means that future conservation programs will be readily incorporated into the school schedule.

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From Keeper to Conservationist: An Interview with Dr. Dave Morgan

This interview first appeared in the 2009 Gorilla Gazette publication

....Dave Morgan began his animal related career as a child when he attended Busch Gardens/Tampa Zoo Camp. Eventually Dave went on to work at Busch Gardens with Great Apes as a keeper. In the mid-1990’s Dave was accepted as a an assistant gorilla researcher at the Mbeli Bai Gorilla Study in Nouable Ndoki National Park for a two year period - Busch Gardens was an early supporter of the Mbeli Bai study. After his research stint ended Dave returned to the states to work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a brief time – but it was not long before the pull of northern Congo became too strong. In 1999, the Columbus Zoo received a call from National Geographic photographer Michael “Nick” Nichols looking for a grant for Dave to begin a pilot study of naïve chimpanzees at the Goualougo Triangle located just outside the southern border of the Nouabale Ndoki National Park. Columbus Zoo awarded the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project its first grant and the study continues to this day. During those 10 years Dave has earned his PhD in Biological Anthropology from Cambridge University UK, and he met fellow primatologist, Crickette Sanz who not only became his research partner but more recently his wife. The following interview was conducted by GG editor Beth Armstrong.

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..There is little debate that unchecked human population growth and the development of "modern" societies are responsible for the current biodiversity crisis. To stop the growing loss of biodiversity, global conservation have mostly focused on creating protected areas free from human influence.

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...The Kibale Fuel Wood Project has handed down a large task to the communities around the park. Help conserve Kibale by changing, even if just a little bit, what you do everyday. Take control over this one thing and have faith that it will not only reduce the pressure on the lush verdant rainforest but also on your lives. .read more

..The Kasese Wildlife Conservation Awareness Organization (KWCAO) is a conservation education outreach program founded in 2002 by Asaba Mukobi, then a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio. Asaba, who is now a keeper at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, grew up in Uganda, and like the students served by KWCAO was never exposed to local wildlife. The program’s mission is to create wildlife and conservation awaress in schoolchildren and their communities in the Kasese District of Uganda. The Kasese district is 12000 mi2 (31200 km2) and completely contains two of Uganda’s ten national parks. Both Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park are noted for their high levels of biodiversity; QENP for its diversity in birds and mammals, RMNP for plants.

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