Conducted at Karl Kubel Institute, 1-5 December 2005, organized and

hosted by Coimbatore Zoological Park Society and
Zoo Outreach Organisation

SAZARC traditionally makes resolutions based on the conference training themes, guest and participant presentations, working group discussions and committee requirements.  Resolutions for 2006 follow below.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants thank the international zoo community for their concern during the time of the tsunami last December 2004 and earthquake November 2005 which caused much damage and death in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants unanimously endorsed the International Species Information System (ISIS) and its excellent Animal Record Keeping System (ARKS) programme and  encourage all zoos in the South Asian region to become ISIS members, to incorporate the use of ARKS into their zoo management in preparation for  transition to the highly advanced Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants  recommended that current taxonomic revisions, particularly in primates, be observed in South Asian zoos; the SAZARC Secretariat will contact heads of governing authorities of zoos to appraise them of these revisions and of the importance of  adherence to the correct scientific nomenclature.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that zoos which are forced by official diktat to release menace monkeys into rural or forest areas to mark and monitor these animals so that future actions in this regard can be based on conservation science rather than political pressure.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that South Asian zoos holding primates should regularize their holdings so that different species and subspecies are not mixed in the same enclosure, and that the enclosures display accurate signage.  SAZARC Secretariat will supply model signage for all South Asian primate taxa according to current taxonomic nomenclature.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that each country should set up a mechanism by which a small committee of knowledgeable persons visit zoos (including even small establishments calling themselves zoos), points out the lacunae and provides suggestions and encouragement for better animal management.  SAZARC Secretariat will provide a very basic form as a guide for such visits.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that zoo personnel in each South Asian country list all facilities displaying wild animals to the public so that those which are not being managed along the right lines can be brought to the attention of the government by an appropriate entity.

Resolved:  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that everyone would be member of SAZARC, both individual and institution, agree in writing to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws, and Code of Welfare and Ethics of SAZARC.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that all South Asian zoos cooperate with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums WAZA initiative to address substandard zoos and improve their own zoo and the zoos of their country.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that South Asian zoos welcome external zoo personnel conducting in situ projects in their country to involve them appropriately in public education, logistical help within their country, training, animal exchange, staff exchange and other mutually beneficial programmes.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that South Asian zoos establish a formal relationship with both governmental and non-governmental institutions in their country for assisting with in situ conservation projects leading to "the securing of long-term populations of species in natural ecosystems and habitats wherever possible”  as per the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy.

Resolved :  SAZARC members should work together to make the association more meaningful and vibrant so that SAZARC should be known as one of the apex bodies in South Asia in matters related to zoo management and conservation of wildlife.

Resolved :  SAZARC recognizes the WAZA Guidelines on Cooperation between Associations and will strive for bilateral cooperation at the regional level among zoo associations and the local level among individual zoos following same. 

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants welcome Afghanistan’s official entry into the South Asian community and resolved to assist the Kabul Zoo by periodic visits, provision of training and also hospitality for visiting staff from Kabul Zoo.

Resolved :  Conference participants recommended that SAZARC become a signatory of SAARC and strive to be recognized by the national governments and national/regional organizations involved in zoo management in the respective countries.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended the SAZARC Secretariat to arrange at least one training for each country within this year.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended  each country conduct an event pertaining to SAZARC, the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and the WAZA Zoo Improvement Project during this year, inviting the SAZARC President, a former President or Director to attend this event.

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants recommended that South Asian zoos should have a detailed Crisis Management Plan for emergencies of all types in the zoo. The SAZARC Secretariat will distribute helpful literature on this topic to the zoos of the region

Resolved :  SAZARC Conference participants congratulated Dr. R.K. Sahu of Kamla Nehru Zoo, Ahmedabad, who was unanimously elected as SAZARC President for the second year which is a “first” for SAZARC.

Grateful thanks : The participants of the SAZARC Conference thanked their host and sponsor, the Coimbatore Zoological Park Society, the Founder/Secretary Sri G. Rangaswamy and President, Zoo Outreach Organisation and all the CZP and ZOO committee members for their gracious hospitality.

Grateful thanks : The participants of the SAZARC Conference unanimously thanked their member and associate regional sponsors Pakistan Zoos, National Zoo of Sri Lanka, and Zoo Outreach Organisation for their contributions towards costs of the conference.

Grateful thanks : The participants of the SAZARC Conference unanimously thanked the resource persons Karin Schwartz, Aasim Turk, Mike Jordan, Brendan Whitington-Jones, Dave Morgan and Sanjay Molur as well as the institutions which permitted them to come and also sponsored their travel.