Noorazlan Mohd Noor

A workshop on Animal Identification Method and Manual Records was held at Malacca Zoo, Malaysia from May 5 - 10 1997. It was conducted by veterinarians and curators from The Singapore Zoological Gardens, Zoo Negara, Zoo Taiping and Zoo Melaka. The workshop was attended by a total of 17 participants from the Philipines (1), Thailand (5), Indonesia (3), and Malaysia (8). The objective of the workshop is to train zoo record keepers on the standardized manual record keeping system to make it easy for transition to a computerized system in the future. Participants were trained in animal identification methods as well as physical and chemical restraints. Methods of animal identification, including ear notching, tagging, clipping, ringing and use of transponders were covered. Great emphasis was put on the practical aspects of identification and restraints techniques. This paper will report on the workshop activities and feedback from the facilitators and participants.

The Animals Identification Method and Manual Record Workshop was held in Zoo Melaka, Malaysia from May 5th - 10th 1997. This workshop was originally scheduled during the 5th SEAZA Conference in Taipei in October 1995. It was first decided to be held on the October 1996, just before the 6th SEAZA Annual Conference in Melaka, Malaysia but due to unavoidable circumstances it had to be postponed. Organizing committee from SEAZA members, Singapore Zoological Gardens, Zoo Negara, Zoo Taiping and Zoo Melaka had come to a decision to proceed with this workshop. The aim of this workshop is to focus on member zoos without computerized record keeping system so that a standardised manual record keeping could be implemented.

The Opening ceremony of this workshop was attended by Mr. Mohd Nawayai Yasak, the Vice President of SEAZA and closed by the Director

General of The Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia, Mr. Musa Nordin. The 5-day workshop was successfully conducted by experienced veterinarians

and curators from the organising committee. Besides delivering the knowledge and know how in various subjects, they also shared their experiences with the participants. This workshop was divided into theory and practical sessions.

Modern zoos throughout the world are no longer only exhibit and education centers for wildlife but are fast becoming conservation centers and a base for reintroduction of wildlife throughout the world. Presently zoo’s in South East Asia are becoming captive breeding centers for a number of endangered animals in the region. Melaka Zoo for Malayan tigers, serow, black panther; Zoo Negara for serow, Singapore Zoo for Tapir and so on. Identification of these animals is a very important part of the management and husbandry of these animals to prevent inbreeding and disease control. Identification of these animals is also very important in providing data on genetic history and basic demographic information for local and global species management. Thus the use of various I.D methods is a very important part of management of captive animals in zoos. In order to place identification tags and other identification equipment, animals have to be tranquilized or physically restrained.

This paper will discuss the various methods of ID and tranquilization used in this workshop.

On the first day of the course the topic on restrain was discussed. These included physical, chemical and a combination of both. Dosage and the choice of drugs to use were also discussed. The chemicals used were Imobilon, ketamine, rompun and zoletil. For physical retrain, ropes, nets and cat catcher were used and methods on how to restrain crocodiles, snakes and small carnivores and small mammals were discussed. The various animals covered in the course included large carnivores, deer, cats, crocodiles, birds tortoises, snakes and small mammals. During lectures the participants also shared their experiences on various drugs.

On the first day of the course identification methods and the choice of equipment were also discussed. The participants were taught how to identify the animal by physical characteristics. The choice and location of different tagging systems were discussed.

The participants were advised to use a standard method across all zoos. The transponder microchip that was recommended and agreed upon was "TROVAN".

Most Indonesian zoos and smaller zoos throughout South East Asia are still practicing manual record keeping. As such the participants were taught to use a standardized manual record which can be upgraded later onto the computerized system. The topic covered in this section were physical examination, data taking and proper record keeping.

The zoos that are practicing computerised record keeping in South East Asia are Singapore Zoo, Zoo Negara, Melaka Zoo, Taiping Zoo and most zoos in Thailand. Computer record keeping system was taught by the facilitators from Singapore Zoo. The system taught was A.R.K.S. ( Animals Record Keeping System) version 3.0 which is currently only used in Singapore Zoo. Taiping Zoo, Melaka Zoo and Zoo Negara are still using ARKS 2.

Most participants who attended the course were satisfied with the equipment, teaching material and facilities provided as well as the topics covered. Most participants suggested that similar workshops should be carried out regularly.

The organising committee wishes to thank Mr. Tan Kit Sun and Dr. Paulo Martelli from Singapore Zoological Gardens, Dr. Kevin Lazarus from Zoo Taiping, Dr. Naim Haji Ramli from Zoo Negara, Dr. Zainal Zahari Zainuddin and Dr. Razeem Mazlan Abdullah fom Zoo Melaka for their help in conducting the course; and directors, chief executives of the zoological parks of the organising committee for their support and encouragement in making this workshop a success.

Andrew A. McKenzie B.V.Sc., Ph.D. (1993) The Capture And Care Manual The South African Veterinary Foundation, Pretoria.