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

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