Conservation Institute Research Articles

Territorial Autonomy across Asia: Assessing Challenges, Addressing Concerns

executive summary: This article analyzes one response to the challenges that governments face in managing diverse ethnic minorities—special self-government through territorial autonomy—focusing on Asian cases such as Aceh, Mindanao, Kashmir, Tibet, and Xinjiang, among others. main argument This article addresses five concerns related to territorial autonomy as a method of governing diverse ethnonational populations: (1) autonomy provides a path to eventual independence, (2) granting autonomy to one region triggers a cascade of demands from others, (3) autonomy results in ineffective governance, (4) self-government amplifies differences between groups rather than bridges them, and (5) autonomous regions mistreat local minorities. It argues that the first two concerns are exaggerated, while the third is more mixed; meaningful autonomy has yet to result in independence and does not typically spark demands from other regions but might lead to poor governance. The final two concerns are more valid, rooted in the very purpose of self-government; autonomy leads to regional nation-building that could weaken relations with other groups and generate tensions with local minorities. policy implications • Territorial autonomy serves distinctive minorities, but it also serves national governments. Autonomy should be seen as a conservative institution that preserves the territorial status quo. • The most important concerns related to territorial autonomy are within autonomous regions. This shifts the focus from maintaining a country's integrity and toward designing better forms of autonomy. Within autonomous regions, laws should speak to minority rights, encouraging titular minorities to recognize their own minority groups. • Territorial autonomy has underappreciated potential to manage minority demands while maintaining international borders in Asia-Pacific countries.

A ‘natcon takeover’? The New Right and the future of American foreign policy

Abstract Donald Trump's capture of the Republican Party enabled a radical questioning of received wisdom within the broader conservative intellectual movement. In particular, it enabled the emergence of a post-Trump, distinctly American New Right. This policy paper examines the American New Right and its visions for United States foreign policy. In the context of contemporary American politics, the New Right is best understood as a rejection of the ‘fusionism’ that has characterized US conservatism since the early decades after the Second World War. The paper argues that there are three major identifiable parts of the New Right: the Claremonters, the post-liberals and the national conservatives. In part because of their ‘big-tent’ character, as well as deft intellectual leadership by Yoram Hazony, the national conservatives have become the most influential group within the contemporary New Right. The article also examines how the New Right has attempted to create an alternative ideational infrastructure, with a clear focus on entrenching itself through large-scale credentialing of personnel deemed to be loyal to the New Right's agenda. There is reason to speak of a ‘natcon takeover’ of traditional conservative institutions. This is particularly the case with the Heritage Foundation, the largest and most influential conservative think tank. While all segments of the New Right ostensibly embrace some notion of grand strategic restraint, the policy paper argues that the rise of national conservatism is likely to accelerate the US pivot from Europe to Asia rather than lead to neo-isolationism, as is sometimes suggested.

An Integrated Data Acquisition Approach for the Structural Health Monitoring and Real-Time Earthquake Response Assessment of a Retrofitted Adobe Church in Peru.

The structural health monitoring (SHM) of buildings provides relevant data for the evaluation of the structural behavior over time, the efficiency of maintenance, strengthening, and post-earthquake conditions. This paper presents the design and implementation of a continuous SHM system based on dynamic properties, base accelerations, crack widths, out-of-plane rotations, and environmental data for the retrofitted church of Kuñotambo, a 17th century adobe structure, located in the Peruvian Andes. The system produces continuous hourly records. The organization, data collection, and processing of the SHM system follows different approaches and stages, concluding with the assessment of the structural and environmental conditions over time compared to predefined thresholds. The SHM system was implemented in May 2022 and is part of the Seismic Retrofitting Project of the Getty Conservation Institute. The initial results from the first twelve months of monitoring revealed seasonal fluctuations in crack widths, out-of-plane rotations, and natural frequencies, influenced by hygrothermal cycles, and an apparent positive trend, but more data are needed to justify the nature of these actions. This study emphasizes the necessity for extended data collection to establish robust correlations and refine monitoring strategies, aiming to enhance the longevity and safety of historic adobe structures under seismic risk.

Implementing an Adaptive Climate Control Strategy: Collection Monitoring and Sustainability Outcomes

ABSTRACT In 2022, the authors presented the first stage of implementing a revised climate control strategy at the National Gallery of Victoria, monitoring collection object response in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute using acoustic emissions (AE) monitoring. The research and education, motivating factors, and interdepartmental alignment required for adopting the Bizot Green Protocol (BGP) were discussed, as well as the experimental design and set-up of the AE system on a large Flemish altarpiece in an active gallery. This second and concluding paper presents the results of the AE monitoring study along with energy used by the HVAC system for the gallery housing the AE monitoring study, during the transition from traditional environmental parameters through to broadened parameters as defined in the BGP. The project highlights the importance of understanding individual gallery and building behaviour as well as the HVAC system in place. In the case of the gallery housing the AE study, the implementation of BGP parameters resulted in smaller environmental fluctuations than expected. That HVAC energy efficiency could be improved with a relatively low impact on the gallery environment was an unexpected but welcome outcome. This case study describes some common challenges faced when considering such a change operationally, including resourcing and communication needs. Identifying points of resistance, framing problems clearly, and identifying common goals were essential to making progress. In this case, sustainability has compelled many stakeholders into alignment and enabled a shift in institutional culture.

Sustainable and Collaborative Solutions for the Long-term Care of Heritage Earthen Sites in Seismic Areas in Peru

ABSTRACT The challenges posed by conserving historical earthen structures in seismic-prone regions prompted the initiation of the Seismic Retrofitting Project (SRP) by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Since 2009, the SRP has aimed to enhance the structural performance and safety of historic earthen buildings while preserving their historical fabric by combining traditional techniques, local materials, and technical expertise with advanced computational tools. The project has focused on four Peruvian earthen buildings as case studies, including the seventeenth-century adobe church of Kuñotambo. An intervention was carried out between 2016 and 2019 by the regional branch of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco based on techniques developed by the SRP. The GCI is now working on a monitoring and maintenance plan for the site, collaborating with local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture of Peru in Cusco, the Archdiocese of Cusco, and the community of Kuñotambo. This paper primarily discusses the practical aspects of on-site monitoring, including the tools and techniques used to track changes in the building and its decorated surfaces. It also outlines the implementation of a structural health monitoring system and the development of capacity-building activities for Latin American engineers. The overarching goal is to provide a sustainable framework for the long-term preservation of historic earthen structures in seismic-prone regions, highlighting the importance of community involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The influence of conservation policies and legislations on communities in Tanzania

Benefit-sharing mechanisms have been instrumental in securing the support of local communities living on the edge of protected areas, and in resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Understanding how current conservation policies influence benefit-sharing and the management of human-wildlife conflicts is vital for designing strong mechanisms to achieve both conservation and ethical community outcomes. Here we examined how benefit-sharing and human-wildlife conflicts are acknowledged and addressed within the current conservation policies (wildlife policies, legislations, regulations and strategic plans) using the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem (GSE) as a case study. The fourteen policies focusing primarily on wildlife conservation in Tanzania are analysed. We also drew on the findings of three studies conducted during 2021 and 2022 documenting community interactions with wildlife and adjacent protected areas. These studies covered the types of benefit provided by various conservation institutions to local communities, the effectiveness of benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the conservation-related losses incurred by communities. The study uncovered a wide range of benefits provided to local communities in the form of social amenities, livelihood support and employment. However, the losses and costs experienced are far greater than these benefits. Integrating these findings with policy analysis, we identified that the main limitations reducing the impacts of benefits in motivating positive conservation behaviours to be: losses of livestock and crops were more than four times the value of benefits/compensation offered to communities; a lack of details and clarity of benefit-sharing mechanisms; benefit/conservation rates that have not been indexed against inflation and; shortcomings in implementation. To achieve conservation outcomes, we recommend revising the conservation policies and legislation across the country in collaboration with local communities who experience the impacts of conservation in their day-to-day life. We also propose a coordinated approach for all conservation institutions managing wildlife to address widespread human-wildlife conflicts across the country effectively and to achieve better conservation outcomes rather than leaving that task to a single organization (i.e. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority).

Leveraging Systems Thinking to Dismantle Systemic Racism in Conservation

ABSTRACT In the early 1990s, the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and other cultural heritage organizations began to formally address the lack of racial diversity in the US conservation field. Since then, a wide array of programs designed to attract a more racially diverse group of people to the field have been developed and implemented. Their impact, when measured by increased racial diversity in AIC membership, has been limited. Using the concepts of systemic racism, critical race theory, and systems thinking, this article explores how the conservation field got to where it is today and what it could do to become a contributing element of an inclusive society. Possible ways to leverage lasting change are proposed. An invitation to those who are interested in interrogating what is set out, finding the weak points, filling the gaps, and building on the strengths is extended to all readers.

Gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild birds in Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil.

Studying parasites in captive wild birds is vital for their health, well-being, biodiversity preservation, species conservation, and safeguarding of both individual birds and ecosystems. It holds significance for public health by identifying potential zoonotic risks. We aimed to describe the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild birds from a Conservation Institute in Brazilian Cerrado biome. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 17 captive wild birds (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara ararauna, Ara chloropterus, Ara macao, Megascops choliba, Pteroglossus castanotis, Ramphastos dicolorus, Ramphastos tucanus and Strix huhula) at a Conservation Institution in Mineiros, state of Goiás. The samples were processed for Willis' simple flotation and Hoffman's spontaneous sedimentation examinations to identify parasitic forms of gastrointestinal endoparasites. Macaw aviary birds (Ar. ararauna, Ar. chloropterus and Ar. macao) showed higher positivity, with all six fecal samples positive for helminths or protozoa. In contrast, captive toucans showed only two positive results (P. castanotis and R. dicolorus). An. hyacinthinus showed Ascarididae, Capillarinae and Trematoda eggs; whereas S. huhula had Ascarididae eggs. Regular parasitological examinations are essential for the timely detection and treatment of gastrointestinal infections in captive birds, thereby enhancing overall bird management.

Implications of Microplastic Pollution for the Conservation of Marine Protected Areas Authors

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) function as a tool for the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems. These designated areas should be free of any environmentally harmful pollutants. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 mm (about 0.2 in). These fragments are an emerging threat to our oceans, and we are investigating the effectiveness of MPAs against these pollutants. We analyzed data gathered from research conducted on microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs around the world. 53 MPAs and 53 non-MPAs around the world were used and the microplastic concentrations were deemed low, medium, or high by using the classifications established by the researchers. The Marine Protection Atlas (MPATLAS), created by the Marine Conservation Institute, was used to identify the levels of protection of each MPA and confirm the size of the protected area. The population density of cities nearest to an MPA or non-MPA was obtained by dividing the city’s population by the total area. Microplastics were found in all 106 sites researched, including waters near Antarctica and the northern waters of Greenland. When compared to non-MPAs, MPAs showed a higher number of areas with a “high” or “medium” concentration of microplastics. This indicates that Marine Protected Areas are an inefficient conservation tool against microplastic pollution. Population density did not appear to have a relationship with microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs. The prominence of microplastics in protected marine ecosystems highlights the urgency to uncover their effects and a way to combat these anthropogenic pollutants.

Making It Last: Training Conservators in Sustainable Solutions for Treating Outdoor Painted Sculpture

ABSTRACT Outdoor painted sculptures (OPSs) are a regular feature of public spaces and private collections throughout the world. Their painted finishes can appear deceptively simple, but their esthetic is a subtle combination of color, texture, and reflectance, making them challenging to care for and repair. OPSs are exposed to direct sunlight, rain, wind, pollutants, human interactions, and biological debris from plants and animals. Conservation of these artworks is a matter of preserving an artist’s esthetic intent, rather than the original paint system, which will inevitably need to be replaced. This paper discusses the development of the Getty Conservation Institute workshop Treatment Strategies for OPS, to develop skills in this specialized area of conservation. The full repainting of an artwork is expensive, laborious, logistically challenging, and includes the use of chemicals and processes with significant carbon footprints: improving the economic and environmental sustainability of these treatments has become imperative. The workshop teaches participants strategies that help stave off full repainting, such as working with specialized painters for lasting localized repairs, removing graffiti without altering the sculpture’s finish, and creating regular maintenance programs that help prevent deterioration.

Polycentric Groundwater Governance: Insights from the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

This paper analyses groundwater governance within a transfrontier conservation landscape. Given the current heightened interest in groundwater development, it is imperative that more thought be given to how groundwater resources can best be managed in different contexts for multiple uses and users. Transfrontier conservation areas are areas of vast biological diversity whose functioning and ecosystem integrity depends on the availability of water to sustain ecosystems and subsequently derive economic benefit. Further, climate vulnerable rural communities depend on and form an important part of this landscape. The work highlighted in this paper is based on a study conducted in parts of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), the largest TFCA in the world. Climate induced challenges such as droughts and general poor land use planning have resulted in threats to long term sustainability of freshwater ecosystems and increased incidences of human-wildlife conflicts over limited water resources. Effective groundwater governance can potentially provide pathways for alleviating these challenges. Building on the theoretical fundamentals of polycentric governance, this paper analyses the case of the KAZA TFCA in which multiple levels of governance exist. The paper discusses how to achieve coordination and accountability within a shared landscape to foster sustainable use and management of groundwater. Groundwater within a TFCA context has the potential to alleviate human-wildlife conflict over freshwater, support groundwater dependant ecosystems and sustain smallholder agriculture for the rural communities. Understanding this role of groundwater adds to the framing of freshwater governance and conservation efforts within a TFCA and the identification and development of platforms for the integrated management of groundwater. Bringing together freshwater and conservation institutions in a multi-country context towards integrated water resource management is an initial and novel attempt which forms the foundation for achieving optimal governance approaches in the commons.

Interdisciplinary Aspects of the Introduction of Virtual Reality Technologies in Court Proceedings

Modern law is closely interrelated with the active development of high technologies. Judges, prosecutors, lawyers, as well as other participants of court proceedings are gradually introducing elements of digitalization into their activities. In some countries, neural networks are already being used to help the judge in making a decision in the case under consideration, and also consider court cases in the metaverse. However, any high-tech tools that are easy enough to integrate, for example, into the business sphere, are introduced into law with certain restrictions. They include normative and legal regulation, technological solutions, and digital literacy of the population. However, even all these conditions being provided, the consideration of civil and criminal cases in virtual reality is quite a difficult task. Jurisprudence traditionally remains one of the most conservative institutions, extremely reluctant to introduce high technologies. This paper, taking into account the experience of the courts of Colombia in the consideration of cases in the metaverse, elucidates technical and legal aspects of the introduction of virtual reality technologies in the consideration of civil and criminal cases by Russian courts. The authors analyze the implementation of the principles of legal proceedings, the rights of participants, identity verification and the flow of information.

APPLICATION OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES AS POTENTIAL BIO-INDICATORS IN MALAYSIAN'S RIVERS: GAP AND BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSES

The literature on reliable indices, suitable bio-indicators, taxonomic level, frequency of measurements, and replications on benthic macroinvertebrates remains scarce in Malaysia. In addition, no review study was conducted using bibliometric analysis related to this discipline. Thus, this review aimed at gap and bibliometric analysis of publications on benthic macroinvertebrates as potential biological indicators. Sixty-six relevant scientific research papers from 2011 to 2022 were selected from the different databases. Then, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to assess the most reliable potential bio-indicators for river assessment and monitoring. Visualized statistics regarding bibliographic coupling analysis of authors, journal proceedings, and organizations were analyzed. The findings revealed that publications on invertebrates had no significant relationship in the last ten years (r = 0.241; p > 0.05). Most publications on macroinvertebrates in Malaysian rivers were found in the Scopus database (53.57%). Therefore, research articles must be published in journals included in the Journal Citation Report (JCR) to improve their quality further. Besides, benthic macroinvertebrates are commonly identified only up to the family level (47%) due to incomplete tropical benthic macroinvertebrates identification keys. As such, using environmental DNA methods with the power of next-generation sequencing has come in handy in bio-indicator species identification. Among the potential bio-indicators found in Malaysian rivers are Chironomidae (9.11%), Baetidae (8.87%), and Hydropsychidae (8.62%). Based on the approaches utilized in analyzing benthic macroinvertebrates as bio-indicators, in-depth research such as bioassay and toxicology tests is necessary to realize the potential bio-indicators fully. Many studies focused on recreational rivers in Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, research studies would be expanded to urban rivers and rivers in Sabah and Sarawak. Also, to overcome the limitation of the single biotic index, developing a multimetric index to evaluate the water quality by selecting many river basins is essential. Bibliographic analysis showed that the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, made the greatest total link strength. The Serangga Journal published the highest number of research articles. Finally, utilizing advanced technologies is recommended to address Malaysia's lack of potential bio-indicator studies.

Investigation on Fuel Properties of Synthetic Gasoline-like Fuels

Article Investigation on Fuel Properties of Synthetic Gasoline-like Fuels Weidi Huang 1,2, Koichi Kinoshita 1,*, Yohko Abe 1, Mitsuharu Oguma 1, and Kotaro Tanaka 2,3 1 Research Institute for Energy Conservation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan 2 Carbon Recycling Energy Research Centre, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan 3 Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan * Correspondence: koichi-kinoshita@aist.go.jp Received: 8 November 2023 Accepted: 25 March 2024 Published: 27 March 2024 Abstract: Synthetic fuels have gained considerable attention due to their promising characteristics. A comprehensive survey was undertaken to assess the availability of synthetic fuels in the global market, followed by an investigation to evaluate their potential in engines. This report presents the initial findings regarding the physical and chemical properties of synthetic gasoline-like fuels, specifically DMC (dimethyl carbonate), bioethanol, EtG (ethanol-to-gasoline), G40, and bio-naphtha. A comparison was conducted between these synthetic fuels and conventional gasoline. Furthermore, discussions were provided to enhance the understanding of the potential influence of fuel properties on spray and combustion characteristics. EtG and G40 are specifically designed to emulate conventional gasoline. Results indicate that EtG and gasoline should be directly interchangeable in the engine or blended in any proportion because they have almost identical Research Octane Number (RON)/Motor Octane Number (MON), fuel density, and higher heating value (HHV). G40 has a higher RON (105) compared with that of gasoline (92.2), likely resulting from the high content of iso-paraffin in G40. Bio-naphtha exhibits the high fraction of paraffin and naphthene content relative to other fuels. The feature of chemical compositions results in a lower RON (55.9), lower HHV and smaller fuel density compared to other fuels. DMC and bioethanol blends in gasoline were investigated. Regardless of whether DMC or bioethanol is incorporated, under a 60% blend ratio, gasoline distillation accelerates initially, until DMC or bioethanol completely evaporates, after which gasoline distillation returns to its normal rate. With increasing the volumetric fraction of the ethanol in the blends, either chemical compositions or the RON/HHV basically change linearly.

Paths Towards LGBT Rights Recognition in Brazil

IntroductionThis article addresses the processes that led to the recognition of LGBT rights in Brazil, the role played by civil society mobilization, and the interaction between the Federal Supreme Court and the National Congress in these processes.MethodsThe study’s primary method is document analysis. Our sample was established in 2021 and includes four court decisions and 93 law proposals presented from 2011 to 2020 by 83 legislators whose profiles are also analysed (data collected in 2021). Moreover, the article references secondary source interviews conducted in 2017 and 2018.ResultsThe Federal Supreme Court was responsible for all the LGBT rights recognized at the federal level in Brazil. Our data shows that federal legislators, on the other hand, have been unable to make bills focused on LGBT rights (pro or against) pass. Some highlights from the results show that 46.2% of the proposals on the matter are contrary to those rights, and 48.2% of the legislators who mobilize the matter are affiliated with the Evangelical Bench, an influential conservative institution in the Brazilian National Congress. Although not yet able to make law proposals pass, those legislators with a conservative profile tend to use LGBT rights as political currency by presenting bills or making speeches against these rights. They also play a role in not allowing pro-LGBT rights achievements in the legislative arena. Aware of the legislators’ profile, civil society organizations tend not to focus all their efforts on this arena and to take or create legal opportunities, even though the path through courts still represents several obstacles. Moreover, although the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court has shown a willingness to decide on LGBT rights, the outcomes of the rulings depend on the composition of the body, which is influenced by nominations made by the president. That is, the same court Brazil has relied on to recognize LGBT rights could be responsible for denying them had it had the same powers but different members.ConclusionsWhile the deadlock in the Federal Congress persists, and the judicial decisions that recognized LGBT rights remain effective, LGBT persons continue to exercise their conquered rights. However, the conservative wave in Brazil places the country in a context of uncertainty and vulnerability with regard to LGBT rights.Policy ImplicationsThis study’s contribution lies in showing why Brazil is an unpaired case when it comes to LGBT rights recognition and how vulnerable these conquered rights are in the country. The article provides an overview of the recognition processes taking multiple arenas and actors into account. Therefore, the analyses and the database of law proposals fill a gap in the literature and can contribute to future work from both scholars (for example, other studies from the database) and practitioners (for example, the development of legal mobilization frames and strategies).

Patterns and spatial distribution of sea turtle strandings in Alagoas, Brazil

This study makes a descriptive analysis of necropsied sea turtles registered in the Biota Conservation Institute database between May 2018 and May 2022 on the coast of Alagoas, Brazil. During this period, 79 animals of four species were necropsied: 87.4 % (69) Chelonia mydas, 6.3 % (5) Caretta caretta, 3.8 % (3) Lepidochelys olivacea and 2.5 % (2) Eretmochelys imbricata. C. mydas was the most frequent species, mainly juvenile females. In 29.1 % (23/79) evidence of anthropogenic interactions was found (e.g., fishing net marks, plastic waste in the digestive tract, trauma from collisions with boats). Cutaneous tumors suggestive of fibropapillomatosis in 35.4 % (28/79), in C. mydas and E. imbricata, half were in an area of high eutrophication, close to the capital. Endoparasites were found in 46.8 % (37/79) individuals. Information on strandings in the region is essential for understanding the use of the area and the impacts to which these animals are exposed.

Pengaruh Pembangunan IKN (Ibu Kota Negara) Terhadap Populasi Primata Di Kalimantan Timur

This article explores the impact of the development of the National Capital City (IKN) on the primate population in East Kalimantan. The main problem discussed was the need to protect the natural habitat of primates which is threatened due to infrastructure and housing development which destroys natural ecosystems. The aim of this research is to highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity and considering conservation issues in the planning and implementation of IKN development in the region. The method used in this research is literature study. The literature study method is a series of activities related to library data collection methods, from journals, books, mass media that support the writing of this article. This article focuses on previous research that describes threats to the survival of primates in East Kalimantan due to the destruction of their natural habitat. The research results show that the development of IKN in East Kalimantan has serious implications for primate populations, including species listed as threatened or vulnerable. This analysis emphasizes the need for effective conservation strategies and the implementation of regional planning that considers the development of wildlife corridors and protected areas to ensure the survival of primate populations and maintain the balance of the ecosystem in the region. In conclusion, this article encourages greater awareness of the need to protect natural primate habitats as well as the need for collaboration between the government, conservation institutions and other related parties to implement sustainable and environmentally friendly development plans in the East Kalimantan IKN area. This conclusion emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental conservation to ensure the continuity of a balanced and sustainable ecosystem in East Kalimantan.

The role of internet media effects in the sustainable development of animal conservation institutions during the post‐pandemic era: Stimulus‐organism‐response paradigm

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has led cities worldwide to implement lockdowns and stay‐at‐home orders, which has caused a sudden cessation of revenue generation from ticket sales at animal conservation institutions. Accordingly, the cost of feeding and caring for the animals remains unsustainable, and the threat of another outbreak and lockdowns lingers. To this end, the present study investigates the effectiveness of internet media for the sustainable development of animal conservation institutions (e.g., zoos) in the post‐pandemic era. A total of 321 actual visitors' responses were collected through an online survey, and PLS‐SEM was used for the data analysis. The stimulus‐organism‐response (S‐O‐R) theory was used as the framework to explore the effects of content characteristics and internet celebrities in animal conservation institutions on visitors' internal mechanisms and their behavioral responses. Stimulus factors were internet content characteristics and animal celebrities' attributes. Organism factors included visitors' internal mechanisms, such as the attitude toward the ecological environment, trust, and hedonic values. Critical behavioral responses of subscribing to the official channels, visiting the institutions, and making donations were considered. The findings confirm the influence of internet media (content attributes and celebrity attributes) as an antecedent to individual organisms, which in turn leads to spillover effects such as donations. Implications for academic research and practice are provided.

In-Vitro Propagation of Malus domestica and its Conservation

Conventional methods of propagation commonly used for commercially important apple varieties are time consuming, laborious and induce disease transmission from donor to propagating plant. To overcome these problems, a study was designed to optimize the procedure for micropropagation and conservation of Apple. For this purpose, the excised shoot tips of apple varieties were collected from the field of Biological Conservation Institute (BCI), NARC, Islamabad. The surface sterilization of shoot tips was done with 10, 15 20 % sodium hypochlorite for 15 minutes followed by ethanol application at 10, 15 and 20 % for 15 minutes. It had been observed that 10 % of sodium hypochlorite showed maximum survival percentage for ex-plant establishment. After culture initiation, ex-plants were transferred to MS media with the addition of different hormones i.e., BAP at the concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mg/L, GA3 from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/L and IBA from 0.5 to 3.5 mg/L under aseptic conditions. The results revealed that maximum number of leaves, shoots and plant height was attained with the addition of BAP 0.1 mg/L as compared to other hormonal concentrations. Cultures were incubated at 25 ᵒC under 1000-1500 lux. The plants after propagation were shifted to conservation media for five months (sorbitol mannitol at 10, 20 and 30 g/L each). The use of sorbitol at the concentration of 10 g/L showed slowest growth recorded after 35 days. This optimized method can be used for efficient mass scale production of true type apple varieties and breeders may get disease free plantlets of apples.

Treatment of spectacular dysecdysis in a Boa constrictor snake at Lombok Wildlife Park, Nusa Tenggara Barat

Lombok Wildlife Park is a conservation institution located in Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat, and with specialization for wild animals including snake. This paper reports the treatment of spectacular dysecdysis in a Boa constrictor snake. The snake Boly, approximately 1.5 years old with a body weight of 8 ounces, experienced stuck eye caps or spectacular dysecdysis after an incomplete moulting process. There was swelling of the tissue in both eyes, and the boa lost appetite. Treatment was carried out by administering antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for the first 3 days and continued with supporting supplements in the form of iron and intramuscular vitamin B12 for the next 3 days. The swollen tissue in the left eye burst and caused damage to the eye organs, whereas the dried tissue in the right eye was peeled off manually. The snake's appetite has improved again, and it wants to eat on its own.