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DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Thomas M. Butynski

SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Quarter 2 of 2011 was one of considerable activity, change, and progress at the King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre (KKWRC), but also a time of challenges and some risks. Some of the main accomplishments during this period are as follows:

• The King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre First Quarter Report 2011 was submitted to the Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA) and to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

• The King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre’s Accomplishments Reports for April 2011, May 2011 and June 2011 were submitted to the Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA) and to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and translated in full to Arabic for SWA.

• The draft of the Saudi Wildlife Authority - Zoological Society of London Contract for 2011 was received, reviewed by ZSL, and comments presented to SWA.

• The number of animals in KKWRC’s collections increased by 152 during Quarter 2. KKWRC held 889 ungulates of six species in its two collections as of 30 June 2010, and 1,631 ungulates as of 30 June 2011. This is an increase 83% in just 1 year.

• The seven Brucella-positive Neumann’s gazelles at Thumamah were euthanized after failure to treat the disease in this species over the past 2 years. They were deems too risky to maintain in such close proximity to the other 967 ungulates in the collection. Their holding pens have since been extensively sanitized.

• A ‘Brucella Management’ Plan was drafted with inputs by all five KKWRC veterinarians and other senior KKWRC staff (see later in this report).

• The 2011 senior staff ZSL Performance & Development Reviews were completed and delivered to ZSL in London.

• Additional renovations were made to the Gate House at Site 1 so that the SWA Rangers responsible for security at KKWRC, Thumamah, can live there.

• One census of ibex, mountain gazelles, and livestock was conducted in the Ibex...