Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation - 2009

The 2009 Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation conference was recently held in Houston, Texas. Nearly 200 attendees representing 135 organization from 27 countries participated in this years event.
 
The first ZACC conference was hosted in 1995 by Ohio’s Columbus Zoo. ZACC is a bi-annual event that promotes the role of zoos and aquariums in supporting conservation activities worldwide, both at their institutions and in the field. Conference participants include representatives from zoological institutions, international conservation organizations, local non-governmental organizations, government agencies, funding agencies and, most importantly, field biologists and conservationists. Bringing together individuals from different countries and disciplines, ZACC conferences help to build a stronger and more effective global network for wildlife and habitat conservation, and to establish direct links to zoos, aquariums, and their constituencies.
 
As in 2007, ZACC and the Houston Zoo awarded funding for conservation programs presented at the conference. The 2009 grantees included:
 
Kibale Community Wood Fuel Project, Uganda. Michael Stern and Rebecca Goldstone

Using Healthcare incentives to protect Gunung Palung Nat'l Park and its population of wild orangutans -Sumatra. Health in Harmony, Dr. Hotlin Ompussunga

Satellite tracking and social behaviour of the Bornean elephant in the LKWS, Malaysia. Dr. Benoit Goossens, Danau Girang Research Centre
 
Protecting India's Snow Leopards through Expansion of Insurance Compensation Scheme, India. Snow Leopard Trust, Charudutt Mishra
 
An Integrated Approach to Ecosystem Conservation in the South Rift Valley of Kenya. African Conservation Centre, John Kamanga and Samantha Russell

The Ostrich Recovery Project in Niger: Improving the infrastructure of the ostrich breeding pens in Kelle, Niger. Sahara Conservation Fund, Sara Hallager
 
Vendors for Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation award for Leadership and Inspiration was awarded to: Dr. Hotlin Ompussunga, Health in Harmony.
 
Zoo Heidelberg Conservation Award: Scarlet Macaw Conservation in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. ARCAS-Guatemala, Colum Muccio
 
Houston Zoo - ZACC Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. William Conway