Real Zoo Conservation Projects

ThylacineAlive

ThylacineAlive

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Based on a small conversation started on the http://www.zoochat.com/65/family-gorillas-go-back-wild-306793/#post637193 thread, I want to know what kind of things zoos/aquariums do in terms of conservation besides captive breeding and public awareness? We all know zoos have come together to breed and reintroduce species like the Przewalski's Wild Horse, California Condor, Andean Condor, Golden Lion Tamarin, Red Wolf, ect. but I'm talking about the kind of things the John Aspinall Foundation is doing with their reintroduction of Black Rhinos and Western Lowland Gorillas. One example is Bronx reintroducing the Kihansi Spray Toad. The entire Wildlife Conservation Society (based at the Bronx Zoo) is a good example also as they do over seas field work in an attempt to "save wildlife and wild places". I know Disney does do film documentaries on endangered species such as Africa's big cats and Common Chimpanzees but do they do anything else?

Thanks

~Thylo:cool:
 
The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI has sent back thousands of puerto rican crested toad tadpoles to be released into the wild.
 
I think that Durrell zoo in jersey has a very good conservation programme for 'mountain chicken' frogs, not sure however if they have yet released any into the wild.
 
Melbourne Zoo has done incredible work with Lord Howe Island stick insects. 2 pairs were collected when the were rediscovered after being thought extinct and brought to the zoo to be bred and studied. The breeding program has gone so well that they are now found in other zoos as well as in captive situations back in their home range. Rodent eradication programs are being undertaken on the island in the hope that they'll soon be living there again.
 
epickoala123 said:
I think that Durrell zoo in jersey has a very good conservation programme for 'mountain chicken' frogs, not sure however if they have yet released any into the wild.
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I believe Durrell also does great conservation work with both Grand Cayman Iguanas and Pygmy Hogs. They also do great work in the Mascarenes and have helped many Mauritius species.

I saw a video by the WCS saying how they teach US troops in the Middle East to locate and put down the illegal animal trade in small markets.

~Thylo:cool:
 
A couple years ago, WAZA produced an excellent book on this very topic. It has a separate chapter devoted to each of 25 different zoo based conservation and/or reintroduciton programs. Also some introductory chapters by major worldwide conservationists about the need to work with zoos. Every serious ZooChatter who can afford it should get this book.
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Building-Future-Wildlife-Biodiversity-Conservation/dp/3033022340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359479539&sr=1-1&keywords=building+a+future+for+wildlife]Building a Future for Wildlife: Zoos and Aquariums Committed to Biodiversity Conservation: Gerald Dick, Markus Gusset: 9783033022348: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]
 
Arizona Docent said:
A couple years ago, WAZA produced an excellent book on this very topic. It has a separate chapter devoted to each of 25 different zoo based conservation and/or reintroduciton programs. Also some introductory chapters by major worldwide conservationists about the need to work with zoos. Every serious ZooChatter who can afford it should get this book.
Building a Future for Wildlife: Zoos and Aquariums Committed to Biodiversity Conservation: Gerald Dick, Markus Gusset: 9783033022348: Amazon.com: Books
Click to expand...

Is this the kind of book you have to hold in your hands while you read it or would it be fine to get it on a Kindle?

~Thylo:cool:
 
The Toronto Zoo has reintroduced lots of black footed ferrets, Vancouver Island marmots, and Puerto Rican crested toads back into their natural habitats. I know that they also do lots of research with native turtle species.
 
Auckland Zoo is working hard with many of our native species including Kaka, tuatara and native frogs, supporting populations that are re-established on pest free offshore islands. I'm sure someone who knows more than me can provide more details?
 
Bailey13 said:
Auckland Zoo is working hard with many of our native species including Kaka, tuatara and native frogs, supporting populations that are re-established on pest free offshore islands. I'm sure someone who knows more than me can provide more details?
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Isn't there a protected forest that was completely exterminated of introduced species that the government is using as a new home for endangered native species?

~Thylo:cool:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Isn't there a protected forest that was completely exterminated of introduced species that the government is using as a new home for endangered native species?

~Thylo:cool:
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There are a number of offshore islands and fenced patches of forest, called "mainland sanctuaries" which are completely pest-free and used for reintroducing species, especially those that are most endangered and at risk of predation ny introduced mammals. Some hardier species, e.g. Blue Duck, Kaka, Kiwi, etc are released into National Parks and other forests to boost population numbers, even though these are not pest-free.
 
Let's not forget the work done by the Wildfowl Trust [now Wildfowl & Wetlands] to propagate the Nene & rebuild the wild population. They also had the imagination to put them out into the private sector where they are now one of the commoner geese in collections.
 
zooboy28 said:
There are a number of offshore islands and fenced patches of forest, called "mainland sanctuaries" which are completely pest-free and used for reintroducing species, especially those that are most endangered and at risk of predation ny introduced mammals. Some hardier species, e.g. Blue Duck, Kaka, Kiwi, etc are released into National Parks and other forests to boost population numbers, even though these are not pest-free.
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I think he's probably thinking specifically of Zealandia because it has a gallery here.
 
Taronga Zoo bred and reintroduced Rhinoceros Iguanas to the wild in the 1980s, have been working in Fiji to conserve the Banded and Crested Iguanas, have bred and are re-introducing the Corroboree Frog and Regent Honeyeater.

:p

Hix
 
epickoala123 said:
I think that Durrell zoo in jersey has a very good conservation programme for 'mountain chicken' frogs, not sure however if they have yet released any into the wild.
Click to expand...

Hi all, yes, mountain chicken frogs from Jersey have been reintroduced already. Actually, there was the story of one frog at the wildlife park, who was bred from parents captured in in 1999 (after a volcanic eruption wiped out many invertebrate prey in the island) in Jersey, then taken to Montserrat in 2009 for release... only for researchers tracking him and his release-mates to realise Chytridiomycosis had become epidemic in the region. He was quickly caught back up, and came back to Jersey. Then in 2011 he was taken back as a group of 33 who were trial released. The project is ongoing.

Off the top of my head, other recent (within the last few years) Durrell reintroductions have included:

Black tamarin (Brazil)
Golden lion tamarin (Brazil)
Ploughshare tortoise (Madagascar)
Side necked turtle (Madagascar)
Madagascar Pochard (Madagascar)
Red-billed chough (Jersey - happening as we speak)
Agile frog (Jersey)
Round Island keel scaled boa (Mauritius)
Telfair's Skink (Mauritius)
Pygmy hog (Assam, India)

...and there are undoubtedly many more. Then there are long term, ongoing projects where a re-release has yet to happen. If you'd like a master list, I could probably post one.

I would estimate that 80% of work at Durrell is conservation or conservation training based, with 'visitor attraction' making about half of the remaining 20%, and general fundraising accounting for the rest.

R
 
Not directly "zoo" related but the USNPS has had successful reintroduction of Otters and Elk on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I know Knoxville Zoo was involved at least from a logistics/support role.
 
Lisbon Zoo sent all of its Black Rhinos to Kruger Park in South Africa. Most famous was Chibula, who was sent in 1991, and in exchange Lisbon received 32 animals, including some that weren´t kept in Zoos outside their home range. The exchanges keep happening and some weeks ago Lisbon sent a pair of Persian Leopards to Russia to be introducedto the wild.
 
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