Wednesday, March 29, 2006

TAIPEI, NUREMBERG ZOOS SIGN AGREEMENT ON EXCHANGING EXPERTISE

Taipei, March 25 (CNA) Germany's Nuremberg Zoo became the first European sister zoo of Taipei City Zoo when both signed an agreement Sunday to exchange expertise on animal protection strategies and to enhance future cooperation on wildlife preservation.

"Germany is one of the leading countries in environmental and ecological protection. Hopefully Taipei can learn from Germany's experience through cooperation in the future," said Taipei City director of Education Wu Ching-ji.

As a goodwill gesture, Nuremberg Zoo presented Red-necked Wallabies, a Chinese Crocodile Lizard and a Blue-headed Macaw to the Taipei Zoo as a gift, said Dr. Helmut Magdefrau, Deputy Director of the Nuremberg Zoo.

About a dozen booths representing local German companies and organizations -- such as board games, children's literature and renewable technology -- created a festival-like atmosphere during the ceremony, which was attended by 100 local German residents.