In situ and ex situ reptile projects of the Cologne Zoo: implications for research and conservation of South East Asia's herpetodiversity

Abstract

In this review, some of Cologne Zoo's in situ and ex situ research and conservation projects dealing with South East Asia's reptile fauna (particularly that of Vietnam) are summarized. Diversity and ecological research linked to nature conservation within in situ projects are highlighted. The range of study of our GermanVietnamese research team includes taxonomy, autecology, population analyses, public awareness, and development of rescue centres and breeding stations. In the framework of ex situ conservation and research engagement, the roles of collection planning, species identification and biological research in zoological facilities are described with examples of monitor lizards and crocodiles.

New insights into the habitat use and husbandry of crocodile lizards (Reptilia: Shinisauridae) including the conception of new facilities for Vietnamese crocodile lizards Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis in Vietnam and Germany

“…Experiences and observations of managed S. c. vietnamensis mainly originate from the Me Linh Station for Biodiversity, where the subspecies has been kept since 2012 (Ziegler, ; Ziegler & Nguyen, ; Ziegler et al ., ); before that time, the subspecies was maintained at the Amphibian Station Hanoi, Vietnam (Ziegler et al ., ).…”

“…Ecological field surveys occurred in 2013-2016 (in May, June and July each year) in Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve (NR), Bac Giang Province, Yen Tu NR, Dong Son-Ky Thuong NR and Hai Ha District, Quang Ninh Province, North Vietnam, as well as during winter in January 2016 in Tay Yen Tu NR. During these surveys microhabitat parameters both during summer and winter, habitat selection, thermal niche and activity patterns of wild S. c. vietnamensis have been extensively investigated (for detailed methods see van Schingen, Ihlow et al, 2014;van Schingen, Pham et al, 2014, 2015unpubl. data (SVL) > 140 mm] for several days (unpubl.…”

“…The Crocodile lizard was recently listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List . The research results of our working group, related to population status, microhabitat and trade analyses (van Schingen, Pham et al, 2014, 2015van Schingen, Schepp et al, 2015), have contributed towards the recent upgrade of the Crocodile lizard from Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to Appendix I (Ziegler & Nguyen, 2017).…”

Introduction to Reptile Conservation

“…Thorough investigation of these poorly accessible areas resulted in the discovery of species that are new to the scientific world. Often, these are cryptic species complexes that look alike and it is only by using new techniques, most often based on molecular investigations, that we are able to differentiate between the species (Hebert et al ., ; Goldstein & DeSalle, ; Ziegler, ). Cryptic species complexes also occur in larger species, such as the VU African dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis (IUCN, ; Schmidt et al ., ) .…”

“…They not only include basic research on biodiversity, with the description of newly discovered species, but also ecological studies of the animals in their natural habitat. Based on this knowledge, conclusions are drawn for the management of reptiles at Cologne Zoo and other zoological facilities, and the concurrent development of conservation projects in the range countries (Ziegler, ). Similarly, a decade has been dedicated to studying the spatial ecology, genetic diversity and natural history of rare vipers in Armenia: the Near Threatened Armenian viper Montivipera raddei , the CR Darevsky's viper Pelias darevskii and VU Armenian Steppe viper Pelias eriwanensis (IUCN, ; Ettling et al ., ).…”