Association of Zoo and Aquarium Australasia (ZAA) recently conducted their annual meeting in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, where Papua New Guinea was represented by Port Moresby Nature Park at the international level. They managed to undergo sponsorship by Synchronicity Earth, an NGO in the UK with strong affiliation with PNG.
On hand during the occasion was Conservation Manager Francis Otto Gundu, who spoke of the park’s new partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission to create the IUCN Centre for Species Survival: PNG. The centre is directed towards the conservation of Papua New Guinea’s endemic animal and plant species. Wildlife Officer Ms. Bonnie Irima Bilson spoke of the park’s record-breaking feat of breeding the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, a milestone which was achieved during PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The highlight of the night was when Francis Gundu, a Simbu Province indigenous, received the ZAA Employee of the Year award, which is given to one who upholds teamwork, innovation, integrity, and leadership in conservation.
Port Moresby Nature Park chief executive Johnpaul Houston said, “We were all delighted to have Francis and Bonnie representing us from the park, and over the moon when we found out Francis had been shortlisted for the award following our nomination. The award criteria ask for evidence of teamwork, innovation, integrity, and inclusion, and I can honestly say that this genuinely does sum up our hardworking wildlife team—and Francis as our manager at the helm.”
Miriam Supuma, Melanesia Program Manager at Synchronicity Earth, said, “So these types of exposures are best suited for learning and sharing knowledge, networking, and even capacity building. We have to impart our Papua New Guinean youths with skill sets which can facilitate the continuity of work on species, environment, and cultural heritage conservation.”
While accepting the award, Mr. Gundu dedicated it to his team:
“While I have been recognized by the association, this work is always a team effort and a huge team effort. I thank the ZAA team, our board, and Port Moresby Nature Park CEO for recognizing the big work we do for wildlife conservation, research, and education throughout PNG.”
The victory highlighted not just Gundu’s leadership but also enhancing Port Moresby Nature Park’s global standing as a conservation, educational, and species survival leader.
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