April 2008 Archives

Source: Zoo Zürich / Swiss Friends of the Galapagos

It was not a bunny that bought an Easter surprise to Zoo Zürich, but the Galapagos Giant tortoise "Nigrita". And her surprise was also well hidden, buried in the sand of the Tortoise enclosure. It consisted of seven eggs - one of which was damaged - but the other six were all intact and moved to the incubator.

Unique Galapagos giant tortoise breeding success at Zoo Zürich

Outside the Galapagos Archipelago, successful breeding is still quite rare. Zoo Zürich is the only institution in the old world breeding the Giant tortoises on a regular basis. This is due to their long-time experience in tortoise husbandry (Nigrita came to Zoo Zürich in 1946 and Jumbo, her mate, in 1962) and the regular scientific work done at the Zoo and in the Charles Darwin Research Station.

There are three main factors contributing to this success:

• The design of the enclosure optimally combines light and temperature
• There is only a short distance between the summer and winter holding areas so a long acclimatisation period is not necessary
• Committed staff, under Head keeper Jürg Rohner, care for the tortoises and in addition, good veterinary supplies are essential for their daily care

And finally, it is also due to the good relationship between Nigrita and Jumbo that, for more than 19 years, Zoo Zürich has been successfully breeding the giant tortoises.

The last successful hatchlings are from February 29th and March 5th 2008 - youngsters Number 51, 52, and 53! They hatched after an incubation period of 117 to 122 days, with an incubation temperature of about 29.5C. Six weeks after hatching, they now weigh between 60 and 78 grams - still a long way to go to reach their father Jumbo with his almost 200 kg!

There are two more clutches with a total of 18 eggs in the incubator at the moment and, with the clutch laid at Easter time, there should be more young tortoises hatching later this year.

Zoo Zürich also keeps the European Studbook for the Galapagos giant tortoises. There are currently 53 animals registered in 12 institutions, all of them ambassadors for the unique and vulnerable fauna of the Galapagos Islands.

The selection process to replace Graham Watkins, the Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, has begun. Towards the end of 2007 he informed the board that he would not be seeking a third two-year term with CDF, effectively ending his role in January 2009.

"This period with the CDF has been, and continues to be, rewarding; however, after four years, I will be ready to move on to new challenges. What we have achieved during this period provides a platform from which my successor will be able to elevate CDF to new levels of productivity, effectiveness and financial security", said Graham.

In 2004, Graham was contracted to help stabilise the CDF and lead a programme of change, and during his tenure they have undergone substantial development in strategy, structure and overall governance of the organisation. The remainder of this year will bring further changes including development of the education and fundraising programmes.

"The CDF in 2008 is leaner, more efficient, and more focused than the CDF of 2004. While our financing from bilateral and multilateral sources has declined from over 50% of our budget to less than 10% of our budget, we have been able to replace this loss with new financing from individuals and Foundations", comments Graham.

Peter Kramer, President of the CDF Board, passed on his thanks to Graham: "In the name of Board and in my personal capacity I would like already at this point to thank you for your very significant contribution to the work of the CDF. You were and continue to be the most important catalyst facilitating changes of the CDF which prepare us for a new phase in the development of our organisation and strengthen us for the great challenges Galapagos is and will be confronting."

For a full job description, visit the CDF's website at http://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/about-us/jobs/08_ed-fcd.