Gillian de Felice – Edinburgh Zoo
Thu, Jan 17th 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Gillian de Felice, Edinburgh Zoo, will talk to the members on the Modern Zookeeper
H&R: Hugh Graham & Michele Gray
VoT: Allan Scott
The speaker at tonight’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw was Edinburgh zookeeper Gillian de Felice.
Gillian gave an excellent and light-hearted talk on the many and varied duties of the modern zookeeper, in particular her speciality, hooved mammals, including Grévy's zebras, greater one-horned rhinoceros, banteng, red river hogs and pygmy hippopotamus.
She began by giving the history the zoo, which opened on the current site in 1913, and highlighted the many changes in thinking which has resulted in the modern and developing zoo of today. In the early days, keepers were responsible for everything within the zoo from looking after the needs of the animals, including the cleaning of their pens, to maintaining the paths and gardens. Nowadays, keepers are solely tasked with animal matters, branching out into breeding programmes, enclosure design, nutrition, but, as always, including shovelling poo!! The rhino, alone, produces 8 stones of this per day. The five overriding principles for the keeper’s duties are the provision of: a) food and water, b) suitable environments, c) health care, d) ability to express normal behaviour, and, e) protection from fear and distress.
After her presentation, Gillian answered a number of questions posed by the members and the vote of thanks was proposed by Allan Scott.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
.jpg)
For the second year, the members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome our new President, Charles Keeper, online!!
more
 - President.jpg)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome President Katrina in unusual circumstances!!
more
Working with the Head Teacher and staff of Coltness High School, the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw has agreed to sponsor an Interact Club
more
The Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw recognises the importance of building and maintaining close links with the youth of today, through the schools and youth organisations in our community
more
Tablets, equipped with dementia friendly apps, are delivered to two nursing homes for the use of their residents
more
For a Registration Fee, members of the Club will support cyclists, riding to raise funds for named charities.
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our newest recruit, David Crichton.
more
On 15th and 22nd December, Santa, and some Rotarian helpers, toured Motherwell, then Wishaw, spreading Christmas Spirit and raising funds for various charities.
more
When asked if we could help one of our local primary schools make and build a hut for their garden projects how could we refuse, and what a fantastic day we had doing it.
more
Golf tournament, for the Douglas Clementson Trophy, participating teams being from our local secondary schools to be held at Colville Park Golf Course
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome another new member inducted online, David Grieve
more
An annual event for primary schools in the Larkhall area being held for the first time by the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw (previously run by Clyde Valley Rotary Club)
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to recognise the outstanding service given by Past President Jim Robertson in his thirty-five years in our Club
more
As a Club, we sponsor the attendance of at least two young people on this fantastic award scheme
more
For more than 30 years, Rotary, and our partners, have been working to End Polio Now. We"™re this close to ending the disease forever. Join us!
more
The Furniture for Families Project provides furniture and household items to families in need within our service areas - Motherwell, Wishaw, Bellshill and Larkhall.
more
.png)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our second new member inducted online, Jean Murray.
more.jpg)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to support the Rotary Club of Chelmer Bridge, in the 2019 Rotary Poppy Pin Appeal to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, including Poppy Scotland
more