WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

A decision based on passion in preserving ecological balance and the importance of maintaining the survivavility of a species, AAC put up a team of experts in the field of animal welfare, sanctuary management and veterinary medicine to offer a comprehensive program in handling and running a full-fledged wildlife sanctuary that is sustainable, and profitable.

AAC Wildlife Sanctuary Program is unique in that a certifier actually visits the property to ensure requirements are met. Property who meet requirements and pass a site inspection will receive a sign designating as a registered “wildlife sanctuary.” If a property does not meet certification criteria, the certifier will recommend steps that should be taken to bring the property up to certification standards and recommend a timeline for future certification.

AAC is adept to a great diversity of technical expertise consists of resident staff and international experts. This team represent a core technical team whose input will be channeled and coordinated to make sure cost-effective distribution of resources. In order to further enrich existing experience and capacity of staff  and the sanctuary, short-term consultants on permanent part-timer basis are selected and recruited to perform and teach specific tasks in the field of wildlife research and conservation, livestock and rangeland management, veterinary, animal husbandry and  animal capture.

With almost two decades of experience, we are proud to announced that we are able to create programs suitable to any environments in order to establish ranches, wildlife sanctuary and safari management. AAC  also provide consultation services in the field of animal welfare and wildlife management to enhanced  and create a more suitable  conservation program. We  have provided advices to several municipality  in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who were the pioneers in the field of wildlife conservation. And we are proud that these programs have been successful through the years.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

It is our goal to place all our animals into large acreage habitats where they can experience life with plenty of space, diets of exceptional quality, expert veterinary care and freedom from performing, traveling or doing things nature did not intend. All animals are given solitude to adjust to their new home. Depending on the level and type of their conditions they are rehabilitated with the proper care and veterinary needs. We have a team of experts to determine the exact needs of every species to be able to adjust in the sanctuary. Proper habitable conditions and diets are prepared so that all animals will flourishe inside the sanctuary.

SAFARI MANAGEMENT

Our safari management program will study and allow the hunting and fishing trips in a sanctuary for individuals and businesses that is profitable and sustainable. With our knowledge and experience in handling vast scope of lands, we guarantee that  we are more than capable to handle any business and circumstances that  may arise. It is our agenda to offer high quality destinations, which are quality assured through personal visits. We place high demands on the products and services to our customer. Our services, facility and attitude will be able to withstand any comparison – whether it concerns price, quality or standard at the destinations.

CONSULTATION

It is our goal to place all our animals into large acreage habitats where they can experience life with plenty of space, diets of exceptional quality, expert veterinary care and freedom from performing, traveling or doing things nature did not intend. All animals are given solitude to adjust to their new home. Depending on the level and type of their conditions they are rehabilitated with the proper care and veterinary needs. We have a team of experts to determine the exact needs of every species to be able to adjust in the sanctuary. Proper habitable conditions and diets are prepared so that all animals will flourish inside the sanctuary.

We are also a leading, full-service consulting company dedicated to helping animal sanctuary operate more efficiently and effectively.  We offer a wide array of services to non-profit and municipally-run entity.  Our dedicated professionals can evaluate, recommend and even help you implement strategic solutions to address the challenges of your organization. When you hired us, you are getting the most qualified company in the entire industry.  Simply put, no other company offers professionals with as much experience, knowledge and level of success as the professionals at AAC. Years of professional experience allowed us to take and tackle situations through studies and able to give sound advice in wild animal welfare and sanctuary.

AAC has the requisite project experience in previous projects, can adapt and utilize the international best practices in achieving and performing project objectives and  scope of work. The company will  use its accumulated knowledge and international best practices  to develop specific designs for specific project needs on the  the following fields: protected areas management, wildlife research, captive breeding and reintroduction for species at risk, wildlife management, wildlife husbandry, nursery management, landscape management, ecotourism development and tourist management, eco-design, interpretation and environmental education, project management, logistical  support, procurement planning and management.

We have a list of potential approaches and method of operations in order to perform the expected services implementation of a work scope that may or may not be used in particular based on the needs that requires it.

At the inception phase of any project, a management unit (PMU) will be established in order to secure the successful management of the project and effective implementation of the project´s scope of work.  It will be prepared to establish a suitable team. The PMU will be based on-site with a direct Supervision  and logistical support from FM Safari’s Main Office.

The PMU will consist of a project manager and team of multidisciplinary technical experiences. This will enhance the onsite team skills base in critical areas; notably animal management, wildlife research, management planning, security and patrolling, conservation programs and livestock and rangeland management.

The team will generally consist of the following positions: Project Director, Procurement Specialist, Accountant and Support Staff and will be responsible for ensuring effective project implementation. 

The team will generally consist of the following positions: Project Director, Procurement Specialist, Accountant and Support Staff and will be responsible for ensuring effective project implementation with specific focus on:

• Ensuring active participation of the clients and Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA)
• Execute the Works in accordance with the Contract, based on the latest version of PIF regulations, procedures, standards and the regulatory mandatory requirements of the KSA Authorities having jurisdiction over the project.

Wildlife is sensitive to heat, cold, thirst, energy deprivation and stress during initial step of reintroducing to the sanctuary. Our team will make every effort to avoid capture mortality from such factors as temperature extremes, stress, shock, inappropriate handling, and undue suffering and capture myopathy.

The following are general guidelines that would be followed by our team when physically restraining wildlife.Wild animals shall be handled quickly and without sudden movements, utilizing the minimum number of personnel    that   are  required  to  safely  and  efficiently  perform the task. Blindfolds alleviate stress and subdue animals. This method shall be used whenever appropriate. Excessive noise from loud equipment, vehicles, or talking shall be minimized. The team’s wildlife capture team is aware of the negative responses wild animals may have to noise and touching of any kind.

Excessive struggling or stress in the restrained animal can lead to hypothermia, especially during warm or hot conditions. In some cases the time of day will also be an important consideration with handling efforts focused     during    cooler    periods  (dawn/dusk). The time of year can be an important consideration when handling and restraining wild mammals. Many animals may be more readily baited into holding areas when the natural conditions are at their poorest. When restraining an animal by hand, the force applied and technique shall be appropriate for the species in   question. The use of gloves may reduce the dexterity of the handler.

The mesh size and construction of nets must ensure that the animal cannot force its head through the mesh  or  easily  chew  through  the  net  material. Many unconditioned animals will fail to recognize chain link or wire as a barrier. Therefore, any corrals or run fences that are constructed of these materials should be draped with burlap or opaque plastic to act as a visual  barrier. Movement through solid-sided chutes will be facilitated if the chute is constructed with a curved path and provides a visual escape pathway (i.e. light at the end). If circumstances increase the potential for human or animal injury, the wildlife capture team will terminate the  exercise.

Game capture experience allows the management to select the best method of capture so as to maximize efficiency and minimize mortality.The degree of control of the animals achieved during the capture determines the success and a combination of good management practices and long acting tranquilizers can result in negligible mortality at capture and transportation.

In addition, wild animal intelligence is more than we think. In capture, and through the method of association, one capture methodology becomes less and less effective with time. Animals, observe, associate and learn. It becomes a methodology of adaptation. Therefore alternating capture methodologies from time to time is a must.

Accordingly, our team will be using and alternating a combination of different capture techniques such as:

1. Mass Capture Using Plastic Bomas
   The main advantage of this capture is that human/animal contact is minimized and a large herd may be captured and transported as a single entity. With experienced game capture team, Bomas can be sited, erected and dismantled and very large tracts of land can be covered in a short period of time.

2. Mass Capture Using Net Bomas
   This method is useful for the capture of small groups of small antelope, up to 15 animals per drive. Experienced and efficient manpower is essential, with a requirement of at least one man per animal captured, for restraining and handling.

3. Passive Capture at a Feeding Site
   This method of capture requires the construction of a semi-permanent Boma in the shape of a large box, with a feeding station or water point situated within. Animals voluntarily enter the Boma that is often constructed out of plastic Boma sheeting or wooden poles. An electrically operated spring-loaded curtain is activated by an observer once sufficient animals have entered the Boma, of their own accord.

4. Chemical Immobilization of Individual Animals/General Protocols of Chemical Restraint
   Drugs administered by projectiles can seriously wound or kill the target animal if a vital organ, a major blood vessel or a non-target area of the body is penetrated. Therefore, heavily muscled areas must be targeted when darting wild animals.

FM Safari will purchase, supply and distribute approved food to all animals contained within pre-release enclosures on a daily basis (or as required to maintain optimal health of the animals) as long as they are contained within the enclosures.

Animal diet and nutritional program for the existing and increasing numbers of wildlife will be developed through intensive investigation and tests of different nutritional supplementation strategies that will focus on:

• Feeding behavior of all species.
• Feed requirements per species along the different animal’s physiological stages.
• Feed supplements (vitamins and minerals).
• Water quantity and quality.
• Continuous adjustment for feeding program based on the suspected changes in animal numbers and the estimated body condition scores.
• Systematic sampling and laboratory analyses to ensure the quality of feed and water.

Nevertheless, the following diet and nutrition methodology will be followed:

1. To investigate the different nutritional supplementation strategies in order to ensure that animals receive and ingest the correct amounts of nutrients and water required to ensure their optimum well being.

2. To determine if the number and/or locality of existing feeding stations should be changed (increased/decreased/moved to other areas) in order to achieve health, security, habitat utilization, game distribution and dispersion as well as habitat conservation goals.

3. To determine if any habitat enhancements and/or the erection of other infrastructure should be considered to improve the adaptation of and/or conditions for Shaybah existing or future species.

The FMS staff and vehicles shall recharge watering troughs / holes at essential locations within the sanctuary using water tankers on daily basis. All of the water containers that feed the enclosures will be checked for water level daily.

Water troughs will be cleaned regularly using disinfectants to insure cleanliness of water at all times. Water quality will also be periodically monitored. Water samples will be collected regularly and tested for the content of micro-organisms and heavy metals.

FMS will develop a special operational manual to tackle cleaning and sterilization process of enclosure and all item related to watering and feeding of animals. Through this manual, there will be a periodic cleaning and sterilization of enclosures including all contained items such as feeding troughs, shade structures and water troughs as required to maintain optimal animal health. In addition, the manual will includes operation and procedures to tackle accumulated sand issues in and around the pre-release enclosures where it threatens the integrity and functionality of the enclosures or contained components.

A veterinary clinic needs to be functional in place to store and compile all necessary data relating to deaths and treatments administered. All relevant drugs must be strictly controlled in accordance to local and international protocols.

While, due to the nature of the working area in a sanctuary, as well as the free ranging nature of game populations, capture sites and holding facilities, a mobile clinic is recommended. This would allow the veterinarian to have everything needed on site.

Conservation breeding programs have helped species, originally extinct or highly endangered in their natural habitats, to be successfully re-introduced from captive populations into their natural habitats, saving several species from extinction.

However, while many other species have been reintroduced after captive breeding programs, the overall success of these reintroductions is still low. The reasons for this low success are multiple. One possible explanation that needs to be experimentally tested is that captive breeding programs can cause genetic changes that negatively impact fitness related traits after the animals have been returned to natural habitats.

FM Safari (including the Veterinarian) will obtain and evaluate all available information concerning the current animal conservation and health status within the area and outside as well especially neighboring countries.

Bio-security protocol will be developed for the management team, preventive managing movement of disease transition through humans, and animals.

Furthermore, a patrol plan will be developed which will ensure that the site is safe and has an adequate buffer zone. Observation patrols will be conducted with vehicles and would focus on restriction to accessibility of domestic animals (camels, sheep, etc.), people (farmers, picnickers & passersby’s, etc.), vehicles (Cars, trucks etc.) The patrolling plan will assign a ranger or suitably experienced staff member to undertake a visual inspection of all enclosures on a daily basis to determine enclosure

integrity and functionality, availability of food, and the health and well-being of contained animals .

The patrolling plan will assign ranger staff to undertake daily patrols across the sanctuary to monitor the released animals and maintain the detailed records ( according to an agreed data sheet) required to effectively manage captive populations, including such variables as:

• Animal locations , ranges and distribution.
• Feeding behaviour.
• Population structure and group sizes.
• Birth and death rates.
• population sizes of released animals within the sanctuary.
• unusual or anomalous behaviours.

The patrolling plan will also include daily inspections of each and every camp will continue to evaluate animal’s health and performance. Severe injuries and criticallyill animals will continue to be euthanized as a part of animal welfare and diseases survey.

However, animal treatments and culling will be ongoing processes to improve the health status for all animals and also to ensure the higher welfare levels.

Sanctuary hosting is not without consequences. It must be considered in terms of the risk level of disease transfer. These releases must not be regarded as consisting of just a single animal, but rather of a package of organisms, including infectious microorganisms and viruses which any single animal may harbor. Any of these organisms may become pathogenic under stressful situations, affecting not only the released animal but equally important, other animals sanctuary.

However, the risk can be assessed in advance and substantially reduced if timely veterinary precautions are taken. These precautions will take place in a rehabilitation or quarantine facility. These precautions will include:

• A clinical evaluation of the health status of the animals
• A period of quarantine
• Appropriate health screening procedures

The purpose of quarantine will be to:

• Allow the detection of certain animals which may be incubating a disease with a short incubation period
• Detect the clinical signs of diseases with a longer incubation period.

Quarantine premises will be appropriate for the species concerned. The premises must allow adequate visual access and permit clinical

examination, sampling and when necessary, chemical rather than physical restraint. Isolation from all possible sources of infection must be absolute.

Upon release of animals from pre-release enclosures to the wider Sanctuary, FM Safari will continuously and periodically provide the following activities and operations ( as mentioned in the previous sections):

1. Refill multiple feeding troughs at approximately seven feeding stations (7) distributed across the sanctuary with approved food.
2. Identify food suppliers, purchasing, delivery, storage and distribution of food within the sanctuary.
3. Identify food types, calculate food quantities, purchase and deliver all required food quantities on a monthly basis based on the animal numbers within the sanctuary for the following month.
4. Relocate all feeding stations to different locations within the Sanctuary periodically to prevent overgrazing of naturally occurring vegetation within a given area and to prevent build up of parasites around the feeding areas.
5. Recharge watering troughs I holes at seven locations within the Sanctuary.
6. Undertake periodic cleaning and sterilization of feeding troughs, shade structures, water troughs and watering holes across the sanctuary as required to maintain optimal animal health and site appearance.
7. Assign Ranger staff to undertake daily patrols across the Sanctuary to monitor the released animals and maintain the detailed records required to effectively manage captive populations, including such variables as:

• Animal locations, ranges and distribution
• Feeding behavior
• Population structure and group sizes
• Birth and death rates.

Management Plans should be succinct documents that identify the key features or values of the sanctuary, clearly establish the management objectives to be met and indicate the actions to be implemented. They also need to be flexible enough to cater for unforeseen events which might arise during the currency of the plan. Related documents to the Management Plan may include more detailed zoning, visitor and business plans to guide its implementation.

However the Management Plan is the prime document from which other plans such as Animal food supply and feeding plan, bio security plan, reporting and communications plan, patrolling plan, and it should normally take precedence if there is doubt or conflict.

Development of the zoning plan and its buffer zone describing the natural heritage hotspots required for protection and recognition in the site Management Plan is very important step toward effective management of the reserve natural resources. Zonation schemes in protected areas define what can and cannot occur in different areas of a park in terms of natural and cultural resources managements; human use and benefit; visitor use and experience; access; facilities and development; maintenance and operations.

FMS will build zoning schemes and try to develop a final zoning plan that are compatible with the management plan requirements and its future management directions. The zoning plan for will be the result of dividing the sanctuary into different areas or ‘zones’ in order to be managed in different ways. It identifies the boundaries of the zones and contain detail on how each of the zones is to be managed. Zoning plans provide additional definition and help implementing the Management Plan, and are sometimes a part of it. Typically, zoning will be used to:

• Provide protection for critical or representative habitats, ecosystems and ecological processes;
• Separate conflicting human activities;
• Protect the natural and/or cultural qualities while allowing a spectrum of reasonable human uses; and
• Enable damaged areas to be set aside to recover or be restored.

FMS will prepare a detailed tourist management plan to assure the provision of high quality onsite tourism services. The plan will include the following actions and operations:

1. Development of a reception area to receive and welcome visitors: the visitor will take a rest at the reception area and have an idea about the environmental importance of the sanctuary.
2. Development of simple and attractive Interpretation tools using new innovative ways to give a general idea about the sanctuary and its importance .
3. Development tourism trail network inside the sanctuary and its surrounding and developing all related tourism programs and trails.
4. Preparing customized safari vehicles to offer excursions deep into desert landscapes. These Safaris and desert excursions will be unique in Saudi Arabia and will create exciting new tourist activities.
5. 5. Training for four staff. The program will provide four staff with essential skills to interpret the trail and the sanctuary.