Zoos from around the world have been proven themselves to be the most consistent supporters of saola conservation in recent years, even though saola – an elusive antelope-like species – have never been kept in zoos and, indeed, no biologist has ever seen one in the wild.
Twenty-five years since its incredible discovery in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, the saola is one of the world’s rarest large mammals and on the brink of extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only about 750 individual saola may still exist – and that number is likely much lower, with maybe even fewer than 100 left.
That is why zoos worldwide are answering the call to help save the critically endangered animal from extinction by supporting a fundraising campaign to build the world’s first conservation breeding centre for the saola. The conservation breeding centre will be constructed this year in central Vietnam’s Bach Ma National Park and will give the species its last, best and only hope for a future.
Through a crowdsourcing initiative, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has pledged more than $11,000 in support of these efforts, led by the Saola Working Group and its partners. More than 20 other zoos globally are supporting the fundraising efforts.
Donations up to a total of $250 will be matched by the Global Wildlife Conservation. 0We are tremendously grateful to the zoos that are clearly demonstrating their commitment to conservation and to the future of this rare, beautiful animal.
Bill Robichaud, coordinator, IUCN Species Survival, Saola Working Group
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 1
Industry Opinion: Waterparks
More water leisure operators are investing in becoming more accessible, writes WWA's Aleatha Ezra
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
Species survival expert Bill Robichaud shares the trials of the saola and what zoos are doing to save this near-extinct creature
Interview: Bob White
Bob White, COO of Village Roadshow, on
weathering a dip in attendance and keeping
his eyes on investment and expansion
Inclusivity: Open to All
Kath Hudson reports on some inspiring
initiatives to help include people who
face physical, social or economic
obstacles to visiting attractions
Heritage: Lofty Ideals
Westminster Abbey is getting an attic
conversion of sorts. We found out more
Waterparks: Under the Weather
Meet the team who helped bring
Epic Waters to fruition – an undercover
Texas waterpark on an epic scale
Profile: Andreas Andersen
IAAPA’s new chair Andreas Andersen sat
down with Tom Anstey to talk about industry
growth, sustainability – and queueing
Theme Parks: Think Big
Liseberg CEO Andreas Andersen reveals
details of the park’s €200m expansion
Themed design: The Story Builders
Disney’s Joe Rohde and Scott Trowbridge
and Universal’s Thierry Coup reveal the
secrets of their trade – well, some of them!
Zoos from around the world have been proven themselves to be the most consistent supporters of saola conservation in recent years, even though saola – an elusive antelope-like species – have never been kept in zoos and, indeed, no biologist has ever seen one in the wild.
Twenty-five years since its incredible discovery in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, the saola is one of the world’s rarest large mammals and on the brink of extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only about 750 individual saola may still exist – and that number is likely much lower, with maybe even fewer than 100 left.
That is why zoos worldwide are answering the call to help save the critically endangered animal from extinction by supporting a fundraising campaign to build the world’s first conservation breeding centre for the saola. The conservation breeding centre will be constructed this year in central Vietnam’s Bach Ma National Park and will give the species its last, best and only hope for a future.
Through a crowdsourcing initiative, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has pledged more than $11,000 in support of these efforts, led by the Saola Working Group and its partners. More than 20 other zoos globally are supporting the fundraising efforts.
Donations up to a total of $250 will be matched by the Global Wildlife Conservation. 0We are tremendously grateful to the zoos that are clearly demonstrating their commitment to conservation and to the future of this rare, beautiful animal.
Bill Robichaud, coordinator, IUCN Species Survival, Saola Working Group
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 1
Industry Opinion: Waterparks
More water leisure operators are investing in becoming more accessible, writes WWA's Aleatha Ezra
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
Species survival expert Bill Robichaud shares the trials of the saola and what zoos are doing to save this near-extinct creature
Interview: Bob White
Bob White, COO of Village Roadshow, on
weathering a dip in attendance and keeping
his eyes on investment and expansion
Inclusivity: Open to All
Kath Hudson reports on some inspiring
initiatives to help include people who
face physical, social or economic
obstacles to visiting attractions
Heritage: Lofty Ideals
Westminster Abbey is getting an attic
conversion of sorts. We found out more
Waterparks: Under the Weather
Meet the team who helped bring
Epic Waters to fruition – an undercover
Texas waterpark on an epic scale
Profile: Andreas Andersen
IAAPA’s new chair Andreas Andersen sat
down with Tom Anstey to talk about industry
growth, sustainability – and queueing
Theme Parks: Think Big
Liseberg CEO Andreas Andersen reveals
details of the park’s €200m expansion
Themed design: The Story Builders
Disney’s Joe Rohde and Scott Trowbridge
and Universal’s Thierry Coup reveal the
secrets of their trade – well, some of them!
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news
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