Conservation of Rare and Endangered Anseriformes of Eurasia

Programme Coordinator – Vladimir Ostapenko, Moscow Zoo, Russia

Several species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation were selected as the main subjects of the program. Ongoing studies are aimed at improving breeding methods for the swan goose, the lesser white-fronted goose, the tundra swan, and other rare Anseriformes. These and other species of Anseriformes breed in a number of EARAZA zoos.

Programme goal:

• development and implementation of a strategy for the conservation and restoration of the wild populations of rare species of Anseriformes through intensive breeding in artificial conditions and subsequent reintroduction into the wild.
• establishing the required number of stable, genetically healthy breeding groups (ex situ populations) of rare species of Anseriformes at zoos and breeding centres.

Objectives of the programme:

Breeding and reintroduction of birds into the wild with addressing a set of issues of the optimal methods of ex situ management and breeding of these species, including:

• identification of the species of Anseriformes where wild populations require supplementation through ex situ breeding and subsequent reintroduction into the wild;

• continuous monitoring of the status of the populations of Eurasian Anseriformes;

• development of standard requirements for housing conditions for Anseriformes (enclosures, cages, pens, pastures, winter facilities, enclosure complexes for birds’ pre-release adaptation to natural environment);

• providing recommendations on the design and construction of facilities for Anseriformes;

• developing approaches to the selection of birds suitable for breeding and release into the wild;

• identification of the best reintroduction sites;

• elaboration of principles and methods of establishing groups of birds in enclosures;

• predicting critical stages in biological cycles of Anseriformes (molting, preparation for reproduction, raising offspring, transportation, stress, etc.) and developing measures for preventing negative effects;

• developing intensive breeding methods (artificial incubation of eggs, hand-raising of chicks, including shaping diverse natural behaviours, increasing egg production, etc.);

• optimization of veterinary care of Anseriformes;

• development of zoo diets depending on the stage of biological cycle;

• developing requirements for the transportation of Anseriformes;

• management of the Studbooks for the species in question;

• testing post-release monitoring methods;

• general biological research.