Review of the conditions for the overseas transfer of koalas
Overseas transfer conditions
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2009
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The current Conditions for the overseas transfer of koalas were finalised in May 2004. The conditions were formulated to ensure that the welfare of koalas being transferred overseas is protected and that the chances of establishing viable captive koala populations in those overseas institutions receiving animals from Australia are maximised. The conditions provide the framework within which it is determined whether the statutory requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 have been met regarding transportation, accommodation and care en route to, from and in, approved overseas facilities.
The conditions were developed in close consultation with the Australasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Queensland Environment Protection Agency, the Australian Koala Foundation, and other experts in the field. Following discussion with stakeholders, and the finalisation of 'overseas conditions' documents for Tasmanian devils and wombats in early 2008, the decision was made to review the Conditions for the overseas transfer of koalas.
In the past, 'overseas conditions' for other species have become rapidly outdated due to being overly prescriptive and detailed, particularly with respect to health testing requirements that specified particular testing techniques. In order to avoid this, an attempt has been made to make the koala document less specific.
The more significant changes that have been made to the document are:
- Removal of references to tooth wear and body scoring index tables (1.1(d)). These were previously included as appendices to the document, but following advice suggesting that regional variation and captive diets may negate the value of these indices, they have been removed. The new requirement is for an age and body score assessment to be completed by an experienced veterinarian or relevant expert.
- Removal of wording prescribing testing for specific infectious diseases, as the department believes the requirements for medical testing should be more general. The requirements have been amended to remove the requirement for a Chlamydia test that is no longer available in Australia (2.4 (i)). This will make the Conditions more flexible to changes in technology and husbandry techniques, while still maintaining the department's ability to ensure high standards of health and welfare for all transferred animals. This is consistent with the approach taken in all other 'overseas conditions' documents.
- The accompanying persons requirement (3.1) has been amended to clarify the requirement for the accompanying person to be either from the sending zoo, or have spent time with the koalas in Australia, in addition to being experienced in their care. This also brings this requirement more into line with the other 'Overseas Conditions' documents.
In addition to these changes, several minor grammatical and structural changes have been made.
Public comment on this revised document should be sent to the address below no later than Monday, 11 March 2009:
The Director
Wildlife Trade Assessments Section
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Or by email to: wta@environment.gov.au
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