Havana, May 28 (Prensa Latina) Biologists and specialists in the management of wildlife species in captivity are participating today in the 24th Latin American Congress on Zoological Parks and Aquariums, attended by delegates from 18 nations of the region and the United States.
Organized by the Latin American Association, the event is held for the third time in Cuba, previously it was held in 1991 and 1999.
Armando Barrios, from the organizing committee, told Prensa Latina that the event is an opportunity to exchange on issues such as the care and reproduction of species.
The most recent donation of animals from Namibia in 2014 and its subsequent management and care was an endorsement for the regional association to choose our country to hold this event, he said.
Several personalities will come to learn about what Cuba has been doing in this field, including Susan Hunt, president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Ron McGill, communication director of the Miami Dade Zoo.
John Paul Rodriguez, president of the species monitoring committee at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Anne Baker, executive director of that institution, will be also present.
Visits to the two Havana zoos, as well as Las Terrazas community, one of the Biosphere Reserves in western Artemisa province, are some of the attractions.
The academic program consists of debates on such issues as animal welfare and health, behavior, nutrition, environmental education and management, ethics and design of exhibitions.
The 24th Latin American Congress on Zoological Parks and Aquariums will run until June 2.
jg/iff/rc/alb