Animal Keeper's Association of Africa

Dear Colleague,

Following concerns expressed by various parties pertaining to PAAZAB’s engagement with Giza Zoo, Cairo, Egypt, the Chairman of PAAZAB, Dr Clifford Nxomani makes the following statement:

“There have been numerous demands on PAAZAB to clarify its position with regard to its engagement with Giza zoo, both form the point of view of the challenges that Giza zoo faces with regard to animal welfare and husbandry matters as well as thus their continued membership of PAAZAB. The Association would like to have it known that its engagement with Giza zoo is a systematic one made up of the following components:

Dominic Moss (Jhb zoo) and Gabby Harris (uShaka Sea World), both AKAA committee members were both invited to on behalf of the AKAA to partner with PAAZAB in a visit to the GIZA ZOO on a PAAZAB mission.  The mission was to impart knowledge to the vets and zookeepers.  They formed part of a larger team that comprised Mike Harman (retired professional), a bird specialist, Dr Adrian Tordiffe(NZG)—the vet and leader of the team, Mrs Tracy Rehse (NZG) whose expertise is as a zoo registrar and studbook keeper, and Mr Ian Visser (uShaka Sea World)  who went under the banner of reptile specialist.  Ian also assisted with the monkeys and apes.  Dominic imparted knowledge on mammals and Gabby Harris on behaviour modification and enrichment.  Shape of Enrichment kindly supplied pictures and even a toy for the animals.  This heralded a story by one of their vets, Dr Waleed on the Boomer ball that Shape had sponsored in Uganda.  The ball made its rounds of the entire zoo, entertaining all sort of animals before the tigers finally destroyed it.