A scientific look at large scale, do-it-yourself, wildlife management
UFAW International Animal Welfare Symposium, Zoological Society of London, London UK
4th (and, possibly also, 5th) May 2010
In recent years, there has been a huge growth of interest in feeding garden birds in many countries. In the UK, the amounts provided make a significant contribution to the annual food requirements of many bird populations. At a time when human changes to the environment are a major threat to many other species, garden bird feeding is grass roots, do-it-yourself wildlife management on a large scale.
Whether we like it or not, in meeting the needs of the vast and rapidly growing human population and in tackling the associated environmental consequences, the whole world is becoming a managed environment. Can lessons learned from caring for free-living backyard wildlife be applied more widely to help conserve biodiversity and to avoid adversely affecting wildlife welfare?
The aim of this symposium is to consider these questions and to share the results of recent research and advances in understanding on various aspects of the feeding and management of garden birds (matters that UFAW and others have been working on together in recent years through the Garden Bird Health Initiative – see http://www.ufaw.org.uk/gbhi.php). Topics will include nutritional aspects, effects on breeding and survival, epidemiology of diseases, and technological advances.
Call for expressions of interest in attending or presenting papers or posters:
We would like to hear from anyone involved in garden bird care and management, human/bird interactions, wildlife management and related subjects who would be interested in making a contribution to the symposium on the feeding and care of garden birds particularly as it relates to their health, welfare and conservation.
Please let us know if you wish to receive further information about this symposium. If you are interested in presenting a poster or abstract please submit a provisional title as soon as possible. Thereafter, the deadline for submission of abstracts is 1st November 2009. Abstracts must be in English and be no longer than 400 words and should include the name and full contact details of all contributors.
The meeting may be expanded from a one-day meeting on 4th May, to include the 5th May 2010 also. This will be decided and announced in due course.
Other details:
Details of registration fees will be published later, once the length of the meeting is decided. Registration will include a copy of the programme of the symposium containing abstracts, and refreshments. Delegates will however have to make their own lunch and accommodation arrangements. Contact UFAW for further information.
Venue:
The symposium is being held in the Zoological Society of London’s Huxley Lecture, which is located on the opposite side of the road to the main entrance to London Zoo and to the right (ZSL, Outer Circle, Regent's Park London NW1 4RY). Camden Town, on the Northern line, is the closest underground station.
Background to UFAW:
UFAW, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, is an internationally-recognised, independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. The organization promotes high standards of welfare for farm, companion, laboratory and captive wild animals and those with which we interact in the wild (Registered Charity No 207996 (Registered in England) and Company Limited by Guarantee No 579991).
Contact Details:
Stephen Wickens, Development Officer, UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8AN, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1582 831818; Fax: +44 (0) 1582 831414; Website: www.ufaw.org.uk; Email: wickens@ufaw.org.uk