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Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, to accept the gift of travel, registration, and lodging expenses, not to exceed $2,750.00, from the Taipei Zoo for staff member Megan Elder to travel to an ex-situ population management symposium in Taipei, Taiwan, from Oct 26-28, 2015 (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 N. American Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA); and
WHEREAS, the “2015 International Conference on the Management of Ex Situ Population for Conservation” symposium hosted by Taipei Zoo covers management of populations in conservation planning and promotion, and the “Orangutan Regional Species Management Programme (RSMP) for Asian zoos” in which Megan Elder facilitates; and
WHEREAS, the Taipei Zoo has enlisted Megan Elder to run population management analyses and breeding recommendations for orangutans to the Regional Species Management Programme (RSMP) in Asia; 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 Oct 26-28, 2015 (plus travel days) and thanks the Taipei Zoo for its generous gift.