20/07/2005 - Australian
zoos have been given the green light to embark
on an innovative conservation programme to
breed Asian elephants.
The Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, today
announced he has given approval for Taronga
and Melbourne Zoos to import eight young Asian
elephants to be part of a new breeding programme.
Taronga Zoo will import five elephants and
Melbourne Zoo will import three.
The application from the zoos to import the
endangered elephants has been comprehensively
assessed under the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 which
implements Australia's obligations under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) and provides some of the strictest
wildlife trade controls in the world.
"In granting the import permit, I have
determined the proposal meets the requirements
of the Act, including that it applies best
practice management and it is not detrimental
to the survival of the species," Senator
Campbell said.
With fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remaining
in the wild, a number of activities - including
increased urban development, habitat loss
and poaching - threaten the existence of the
species, particularly in south east Asia.
"The zoos' breeding programme is a significant
and exciting attempt to breed a species that
is endangered and for which the long-term
survival is under continued threat,"
Senator Campbell said.
While it is recognised that elephants are
difficult to breed in captivity, there has
been increasing success in other parts of
the world, particularly in the European region.
"Every attempt must be made to ensure
the survival of the species, including through
captive breeding programmes. Research and
training, and the development of husbandry
and veterinary expertise have an important
role in implementing strategies to increase,
maintain, or halt the decline in, the world
population of Asian elephants," Senator
Campbell said.
"I recognise that some groups are concerned
about importing elephants into Australia and
have strong views about the zoos' proposal.
I have considered these arguments very carefully
in making my decision.
"In approving the proposal under the
Act, I am satisfied the zoos' objectives are
based on the conservation status and needs
of the Asian elephant and aims to make a significant
contribution to the preservation of the species,"
he said.
