Local Expertise

In August 2004, we held a workshop run by international zoo design experts, Becca Hanson and David Roberts of Studio HansonRoberts, on how we would carry out our strategic plan. We aim over the next ten years to develop a pool of skilled local professionals in the disciplines involved in zoo design and planning – builders, architects, and landscapers. We need to be confident that the Zoo has access to good quality technical advice at short notice for consultation and discussion.

After this workshop we conducted risk analysis and concluded that absolutely central to the Zoo's success is the satisfactory co-ordination and delivery of the design, planning, and construction of our development plan.

Organisation Structure

Acknowledging the magnitude of her crucial long-term planning task, our Chief Executive, Alison Lash, handed over the day-to-day running of the Zoo to Life Sciences manager Mauritz Basson, now designated Chief Operating Officer. Veterinarian Dr Katja Geschke replaced him as Life Sciences manager. These arrangements will be reviewed in November 2005.

To strengthen the veterinary team, the hours of second veterinary nurse, Jenny Pettigrew, were increased to full-time, and a part-time second veterinarian, Dr Kerri Morgan, was hired. The Learning and Interpretation team is now complete, with the recruitment of a team leader, Edy MacDonald, and two educators, Sarah Evans and Sarah Satterthwaite. A Team Leader of Marketing and Communication, Beth Houston, was also recruited.

Reflecting the Zoo's greater role in this important regional collaboration, the following staff have been given leadership positions for the Australasian Species Management Program :

• Paul Horton is species contact for greater kudu
  
• Geert van Eyken is studbook keeper for capybara and species contact for yellow crowned kakariki
  
• Suzette Nicholson is species contact for Patagonian cavy
  
• Mandy Richards is species contact for tree shrews
  
• Katja Geschke is the veterinary advisor for Miscellaneous Exotic Mammals, and the Artiodactyl Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG)
  
• Simon Eyre is TAG convenor for Miscellaneous Exotic Mammals
  
• Mauritz Basson is the Artiodactyl TAG husbandry advisor
  
• Barbara Blanchard is the Captive Management Co-ordinator for tuatara.

Training and Development

The Trust remains committed to training staff, and a great deal of this activity has taken place again this year. The training is aimed mostly at continuing improvement in professional standards across the many Zoo functions or at achieving high health and safety standards for both Zoo crew and visitors.

Staff have participated in professional development and team-building courses as well as very effective specialised workshops. Individual keepers, in liaison with the training team, now have training programmes specifically designed for the needs of their respective animals and husbandry routines.

Volunteers

The volunteer programme is now well established and running smoothly. Thirty-two regular volunteers work at least ten hours a month, with many doing up to 60 hours. Short-term volunteers (often overseas students) have in some cases been able to work here for three- to eight-week periods, and several corporate groups have volunteered at the Zoo for a day. The Zoo is especially grateful to these willing bands of helpers.