Luis Mariano González: Zoos as allies of the public sector to protect threatened species

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THE SPANISH ADMINISTRATION ON CONSERVATION

Biodiversity conservation implies protecting every one of the species that populate our planet. Yet, “synergies between the private and the public sectors are necessary to garantee these species’ protection”. Such is the opinion of Luis Mariano González, Head of the Conservation Initiatives area at the Biodiversity and Environment General Subdirectorate of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition.

Spain has been the first European country to launch an action plan to fight against wildlife illegal trafficking and international poaching, supported by five ministries. In spite of this, the Ministry of Ecological Transition presents some worrying data: 198 wildlife species risk extinction in Spain; 626 are under Special Protection Regulations.

“Administrations are cannot encompass everything. Our conservation laws, in this case those pertaining to natural heritage and biodiversity conservation, state very clearly in their first articles: the main objective is to include private initiatives in the mandate and mission for conservation of biodiversity established by public administrations”

CONSERVATION IN SPANISH ZOOS

As a matter of fact, zoos have been actively engaged in fighting wildlife illegal trafficking for a while. The do so through financial donations and professional support but, looking into the future, Luis Mariano González points out that zoos should also take part in rescuing and harboring confiscated wildlife. Indeed, zoos “can be very helpful by hosting and then returning individuals in the best conditions to their natural habitats”.

Luis Mariano González also believes that the 2003 Law on Zoos has served to show the value of the work that takes place at zoos, as well as to modernize and bring their role in society up to date. “Everything that goo zoos are doing to defend conservation is irreplaceable, both economically and professionally.”, concludes González.

EXPERTS’ FOCUS GROUP ON BIODIVERSITY

Luis Mariano González is a member of the Experts’ Focus Group in Biodiversity launched by the Parques Reunidos Foundation, which also has among its members:

• Enrique Alonso, Permanent Member of Spanish State Council; UNESCO Chair on Spatial Design and the Environment; Honorary Researcher at the Franklin-UAH Institute and the Monterey International Institute of California;
• Alberto Díez, InfoZoos spokesperson;
• Pablo Fernández de Larrinoa, director del Programa de Conservación de la Foca Monje de la Fundación CBD-Hábitat;
• Jesús Fernández, President of the Fundación Parques Reunidos;
• Pedro Lorenzo, Dean of the Veterinary Science School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid;
• Xavier Manteca, Professor, Animal and Food Science Department, School of Veterinary Science of the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and the Group’s moderator;
• Odile Rodríguez de la Fuente, General Director and President of the Fundación Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente;
• Julián Santiago, Research Professor at the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA);
• Andrea Torres, bióloga de InfoZoos;
• Felipe Vilas, President of the Madrid Official College of Veterinarians.

Summary video from the first Focus Group meeting