South Asia Network of International Zoo Educators SAN-IZE

SAN-IZE (pronounced “san – easy”) is an acronym for the South Asian Network of International Zoo Educators.  SANIZE represents the International Zoo Educator Association in South Asia. The International Zoo Educators Association IZE (www.izea.net) governing board & members have decided to make two regions in Asia for the purpose of better networking and serving of Asian zoos and zoo educators. Thus our SAN-IZE, which has been operating as an unofficial sub-region of IZE Asia region, is now separate region.  This was announced in the 2006 biennial conference which was held at Pretoria, South Africa 11-14 October 2006.   South Asia includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  Sally Walker is the Regional Representative for this region and it is hosted by Zoo Outreach Organisation (www.zooreach.org) and assisted by our sponsors Columbus Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Society and ZOO’s networks.  We are members of WAZA and are guided by WAZA principles.  WAZCS enjoins all zoos and aquariums to support the protection of wildlife in the wild in any meaningful way possible for them regardless of their size or budget. For some zoos, the most immediate and meaningful way to support protection of wildlife and its habitat is through education. WZACS also makes a strong argument for zoos partnering with other organizations to enhance our effectiveness in protecting wildlife and habitat. 

Z.O.O. and W.I.L.D. host several important IUCN groups, taxonomically-themed international NGO’s, focused on the more neglected, highly speciose taxon groups, such as  Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, Bats, Rodents and Insectivores, and Primates.  We use CBSG workshops to gather and assess information which we use for education.

ZOO/SAN-IZE develops much educational material for all target groups, making use of scientific facts about species and their habitats from workshops we conduct involving indigenous scientists. Due to postage and customs costs, we supply the bulk of these materials to Indian educators, but take every opportunity to load visitors from the zoos in India with materials to take back.  We also send samples of everything to all in the region and give permission for them to use it as they require, in translation, modified more to their country, culture etc.  

To know more about How SAN-IZE works, click on "How SANIZE works"

To see our current education reports click on "Education Reports"

To see a very special report from our Education Partner "Conservation Himalayas, Chandigarh" about their Wildlife Education Programme 2006 using ZOO's Educational materials Click here

To view the invitation, requirements and list and illustrations of items we had on hand for this year’s programme click on "Wildlife Week Invitation and Illustration of materials"

To see SANIZE Regional Report

Report for the period April through October 2007

Report for the period October through December 2007

Report for the period January through March 2008

To see SANIZE members directory "SANIZE Directory 2007"

The following report is a bit about each country in our region:

Afghanistan

Kabul Zoo has an  Education Officer, Mohammed Fazil, who conducts tours, classes, school programmes and outreach visits.  Fazil has attended several training courses and meetings conducted by Zoo Outreach Organisation and we hope to have him back at other events.

Bangladesh

There are about nine zoos in Bangladesh of which two have some systematic education programme or facilities.  The Dulahazara Safari Park has a museum, interpretation center and nicely painted bus to take visitors around, as well as some handout literature.

The Dhaka Zoo serves as a training center for all the zoos, very kindly inviting all of them to any useful training programme conducted at the zoo.  For the past 3-4 years, ZOO has been conducting informal programmes there for several zoos.   

Bhutan

There is one mini-zoo in Bhutan with only one zoo officer.  He gives information to visitors when asked and sees to signage.  ZOO/SANIZE provide him with some educational material to use when he speaks to school groups and other public functions.

Sri Lanka

All Zoological institutions in Sri Lanka come under the Department of National Zoological Gardens – Sri Lanka (DNZG). Last year the Government of Sri Lanka created a Ministry of Zoological and Botanical Gardens.  Under this Ministry there are better opportunities for progressive ideas and actions.  In the same year the zoo was awarded posts for 30 scientists graduates and post Graduates from the University, of which 12 are being utilized as educators.  This is a singular event in the world of which the entire South Asia is proud!  ZOO has been invited to conduct a zoo educator training for them specifically to train in planning programmes, events and give presentations.

Nepal

Central Zoo is the only real zoo in Nepal  and, as such an excellent platform for conservation education.  The zoo has an audience of over a million visitors a year, mostly from rural areas.  They run 2 kinds of conservation education programes, those for members of the highly successful (17,000 members) Friends of the Zoo FOZ and walk-in visitor programmes. The zoo has networked over 150 school of Kathmandu valleys, establishing  Eco clubs in 40 of these schools.  FOZ programmes include elaborate functions and even trips to wild areas.  Visitor programmes include guides for school groups booking in advance, hand-outs, interpretation center, etc.  The zoo also conducts teacher training programmes frequently.  In 2000 ZOO conducted an 8 day regional zoo educator training course at Nepal for zoos of South Asia, and in 2003 assisted in a two-day  training for teachers.

Pakistan

Pakistan has about 26 wild animal facilities of which two have education programmes, Karachi Zoo and Lahore Zoo.  Karachi Zoo conducts special visitor programmes with the schools on special days appropriate to celebrating wildlife.  They have a well-furnished museum and facilities for group functions in their Mogul Garden. 

Lahore Zoo runs a number of programmes and conducts evaluation for knowing the impact of their education and training programmes with comparative assessments, surveys and questionnaires, observation of visitor’s behavior, donation records and response to pledges and petitions as well as record of media coverage and  teacher feedback on formal programme.  Bushra Khan, Education Officer of Lahore Zoo,  is the Education Representative for the South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation.

India

India has 159 zoos all of which come under the auspices of the Central Zoo Authority.  Over half a dozen zoos now have education cells and close to a dozen posts for education officer.  In India the Central Zoo Authority has formed a Steering Committee to prepare a protocol for zoo education, with Master Plan guidelines, Visitor survey protocol and other helpful material.  The renowned Centre for Environmental Education, the nodal government specialist on environmental education is the focal point and coordinator for this important activity.  Zoo Outreach Organisation / SAN-IZE assisted over 200 zoos and other organisations and individuals to conduct education in zoos and other public venues with our packets, posters, report summaries, drama kits, t-shirts, etc.  In the year 2006 ZOO distributed 40,065 packets, 17,600 posters, 3200 booklets on diverse topics such as WZACS, primates, animal welfare, plants for life, herptiles, bats, rodents, hoolocks, bears, etc.  Zoo Outreach organized 11 teacher training workshops, 5 refresher courses, and 1 advanced training in 2 countries, educating 345 participants in how to teach wildlife conservation better.