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Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, to accept the gift of travel and lodging expenses, not to exceed $2,750.00, from the Taipei Zoo for staff member Megan Elder to travel to an in-situ primate conservation symposium in Taipei, Taiwan, from November 1-3, 2013 - plus travel days.
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WHEREAS, the Taipei Zoo has convened an international meeting and has invited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory's zookeeper, Megan Elder, to attend; and
WHEREAS, The Taipei Zoo has offered to pay for the flight, hotel, and registration fees for Megan Elder to participate in and give a population management presentation at the symposium in her role as the International Orangutan Studbook Keeper for the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA) and the Orangutan SSP Vice Chair for the North American Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA); and
WHEREAS, the symposium covers three thematic sessions: Artificial Insemination and the Cryopreservation of Sperm Techniques; Management of Populations in Conservaton Planning and Promotion; and the "CBSG East Asia Network" which Megan Elder will assist in facilitating; and
WHEREAS, the Taipei Zoo has enlisted Megan Elder to run population management analyses and breeding recommendations for orangutans to the CBSG East Asia Network at the symposium; and
WHEREAS, Como Zoo establishes itself as a leader in the global zoo community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council accepts the gift of travel and expenses, not to exceed $2,750.00, for Megan Elder to attend an in-situ primate conservation symposium in Taipei, Taiwan from November 1-3, 2013, plus travel days, and thanks the Taipei Zoo for its generous gift.