Hi. I am an ex zookeeper at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, UK, a very long time ago! I worked there for about 10 years, both with the captive animals and those in the admin office when I compiled the first edition of the Grevy's Zebra studbook. My main interests nowadays concern preserving biodiversity all over the planet and also locally in my own back garden. I would love to know what's going on in the world of zoos nowadays and look forward to 'meeting' you all.
Thank you! The studbook was hard work, as so many people, dealers and zoos didn't keep good records in those days, or didn't bother to reply at all, but a fascinating project.
Nice to have some more (ex-)workers from the zoo industry! Your experience is most valuable and will no doubt enrich our forum. I am also quite curious and intrigued as to your work in situ global ... Perhaps at some point you can tell us a little more!
Welcome to ZooChat! It’s really nice to see zookeepers both current and ex participate in this forum, to have a keeper’s perspective. Enjoy your time here.
Thank you for the welcome. In fact I have not worked for any zoological institution since Marwell, but am passionate about the damage the human population is doing to the rest of the biosphere, mainly due to our extraordinary overpopulation which is threatening to topple the natural systems and causing more extinctions every day. My emphasis is on preserving the natural habitats so that entire ecosystems may be preserved, rather than individual endangered species within zoos. Unfortunately, without the protected habitats, there is little chance of making successful re-introductions, especially of large ungulates etc, using zoo-bred stock. Even with the best will in the world. My partner, also an ex zookeeper, has done a lot of work globally, in Bahrain, the Maldives and elsewhere (jealous!) and now feels, like me, that the only hope is in halting the human cancer and preserving what remains of the planet's wild habitats.
I feel the same way. Allthough coming from a different history, background and training, my main ambition, mission and vision in life going forward is to stop the rot, stabilise the environment globally and restore and repair it back up to 50% of our Planet while also dealing with main issue of the human population issue overburdening the Planet (which is an anathema and taboo subject in all main discourse although we know full well what is driving the environmental destruction worldwide).
I agree with everything you say. Unfortunately, the question of human overpopulation is way off limits to most people, involving as it does the spectre of universal access to contraception, but it is the only hope. Co-incidentally, contraception is also the only genuine solution to human poverty but religious objections intercede in poverty's favour! Good luck with everything you are doing and more power to your elbow!