Auckland Zoo’s work recognised with Canon Grant
Auckland Zoo’s New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM) has been awarded Canon New Zealand’s annual
environmental grant – the first zoo-based facility to receive the grant.
The NZCCM was judged by Canon New Zealand to be the most worthy recipient for 2007 over a field of nearly 60 other
applicants. The first national centre for conservation medicine in the world, the NZCCM receives $15,000 worth of
specialised equipment to enable it to further its work in wildlife health, research, diagnostic work, and teaching.
“We received many worthy applications, however the NZCCM stood out for the crucial role it plays in protecting our
native wildlife species, and allowing the public a better understanding of our environment,” says Canon New Zealand
managing director, Craig Manson.
The centre has selected a mix of camera, video and multimedia data projector equipment. The professional video camera
will assist many projects, including non-invasive monitoring of animals in low-light environments, such as kiwis. A
high-quality SLR camera will be used for fieldwork research assignments, such as the current gannet colony research
NZCCM vets are carrying out at Muriwai. In addition, a G9 compact digital camera will provide the team with an
all-purpose camera, and is one that can also be linked with the centre’s microscope to photograph the likes of histology
and cytology slides.
“Our vets really do need quality photographic equipment to obtain the level of detail required for diagnosis and
research. This is particularly important when dealing with animals like our tiny native Archey’s frog (just 37mm long),
and attempting to photograph such things as blisters and injured eyes. Such quality images are invaluable, and we can
then share them, and our findings, online with other international amphibian experts. So this grant, in the form of
technology equipment, is a perfect fit,” says NZCCM manager, Craig Pritchard.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen for the grant, and see it as a real affirmation of the NZCCM team, and the
world-class work they are achieving We’re also delighted to be aligned with Canon, a highly respected company that leads
by example, and is committed to environmental protection,” says Mr Pritchard.
As well as serving the zoo’s animals, the NZCCM focuses on wildlife health, research and diagnostic work, and plays a
key role in biosecurity and native species conservation. It is located onsite at the zoo and has a public viewing
gallery that is open during zoo hours. In addition to interactive displays, floor to ceiling windows enable visitors to
view vet staff at work in the centre’s laboratory, treatment room, and operating theatre.
ENDS