EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

1st edition. 146 Seiten. European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Summary:

This document reflects our current knowledge about general biology and keeping requirements to provide adequate levels of wellbeing for chimpanzees. It provides information about different aspects that should be taken into account when managing chimpanzees in captivity to ensure a healthy and self-sustaining population, helping to the development of a global “ex situ conservation” program. It also provides information about the situation of the species in the wild and “in situ conservation” projects supporting field conservation in host countries, which all the zoo institutions keeping chimpanzees are encouraged to support following the IUCN strategy of One Plan Approach.

Section 1., Biology and Field Data, reflects our current knowledge of species in the natural environment using the most recent taxonomic information. The philosophy behind this is that ex situ conservation can be used more effectively as a conservation tool if it is part of an integrated approach to species conservation (IUCN/SSC 2014). This section provides wide and actual information about the species in its natural habitat.

Section 2., Management in Zoos, covers housing, nutrition, food presentation and environmental enrichment, social structure and behaviour. There is also useful information on introductions of chimpanzees. Control of breeding is an essential component of successful managed programmes and comprehensive information to assist zoo veterinarians to decide on the most appropriate contraception method for their animals is provided. Managed programmes also rely on the movement of animals between zoos and advice on handling and transport is provided. It is essential that chimpanzees are provided with complex environments and there is detailed practical information on environmental enrichment. One indispensable method of feeding enrichment is the use of browse and information on suitable plants species is provided. A comprehensive veterinary section provides information on current knowledge on all aspects of medical care. Our knowledge can only increase through appropriate research and the final section covers ongoing and recommended research topics.

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