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!
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
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.
+ More news
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