Conservation Participation
Conservation & research we support around the world
At Reid Park Zoo we are actively involved with conservation programs around the world. With help from you, we are able to address a wide range of issues that impact animals in the wild. Here are a few of the in-situ (in the wild) projects we are working on with our colleagues now:
Tarangire Elephant Research Project
Reid Park Zoo has had a personal relationship with Charles and Lara Foley over the past several years. Their in-situ conservation efforts related to African elephants have been inspirational. Most recently, their work related to creating corridors for elephants to move outside the park has been of interest. They have found new ways to interface with local people and create a community based approach to protect the elephants. Read More…
National Elephant Center
As a Zoo that wants to remain a leader in the care and housing of captive elephants, Reid Park Zoo contributes to the National Elephant Center. The Zoo intends to make this project an annual funding priority. The National Elephant Center is the result of a unique collaboration among zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and individuals / organizations that care deeply about elephants.
Link: http://www.thenationalelephantcenter.org/
Grevy’s zebra conservation
Reid Park Zoo provides an annual contribution to the Northern Rangelands Trust to support Grevy’s Zebra research and protection in East Africa. These funds regularly support a scout, and we have also contributed additional funds when emergency funding for anthrax vaccines was needed. The project studies the endangered Grevy’s zebra and involves local Massai communities in conservation programs, preventing poaching and protecting habitat. We participate in this project in conjunction with our colleagues at St. Louis Zoo.
Link: http://www.stlzoo.org/wildcareinstitute/hornofafricaconservationce/conservingthegrevyszebrain/
Polar Bears International
Reid Park Zoo is supporting Polar Bears International. The funds are designated for GPS collar placement and tracking of a single bear. The tracking is intended to provide information about a single bear’s movement as well as a solid overview of the population’s status.
Link: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/
Hornbill Research Foundation nest adoption
This is the second year Reid Park Zoo is supporting a hornbill nest adoption project in Thailand. Funds are used to hire local field assistants in Thailand to observe hornbill pairs and to record breeding behaviors and nest cavities. We participate in this project with Woodland Park Zoo.
Link: http://www.zoo.org/conservation/hornbill.html
Carnivore research in Botswana
Prompted by a Zoo sponsored travel experience, Reid Park Zoo became a supporter of the carnivore research being conducted by Tico McNutt in Botswana. Originally his work focused only on wild dogs, but his recent focus related to “bio-fences” to contain dogs is very promising for a variety of carnivores.
Link: http://www.save-the-african-wild-dog.com/index.asp?pageid=20382
African Predator Project
Each year Reid Park Zoo sends a staff member to the “Zoos in Conservation” conference with conservation dollars to spend. Alisha, a Zoo Keeper, selected the African Predator Project as the recipient of funds after meeting with representatives of this project at the conference.
Link: http://www.apcro.org/index.html
Kori bustard feather and fly trade
Zoo Keepers collect Kori bustard feathers on Zoo grounds, and the feathers are given to individuals who make fly-fishing lures. Voluntary donations from these individuals support Kori bustard conservation efforts. This is a great partnership to protect an endangered species!
Link: http://koribustardssp.org/Links.html
Artistry and Veterinary Medicine
Reid Park Zoo’s support of the local Artistry and Veterinary Medicine program raises funds to support research and public awareness about Valley Fever. As Valley Fever has affected several animals in the collection at Reid Park Zoo, ongoing research into the effects, transmission, and possible treatments for this debilitating fungal disease is a priority.
Link: http://www.vetart.org/
Tapir conservation – Naturally Wild
Reid Park Zoo participates in the Baird’s Tapir Species Survival Plan. Additionally, we support conservation efforts with our colleagues at the Houston Zoo, which serves as headquarters for IUCN’s Tapir Specialist Group. Funds are used to support publications, workshops, and field conservation projects focused on the world’s four threatened tapir species.
Link: http://www.houstonzoo.org/tapir/
Local wildlife rehabilitation
Reid Park Zoo supports local wildlife rehabilitators, who care for injured, sick, distressed or orphaned wild animals. Their goal is to rehabilitate animals so that they are able to survive on their own, and then be released back into the wild.
Gila monster study
Gila Monsters in captivity are not legally allowed to be re-released into the wild in Arizona at this time because of disease transmission concerns. Local herpetologists conducted research to determine if gila monsters can be tested and released without concern, with the goal of allowing for future reintroduction programs. Reid Park Zoo funded scientists’ laboratory fees for fecal exams and blood work on local gila monsters.
Desert tortoise rehabilitation efforts
Reid Park Zoo is currently collaborating with a local researcher who works with injured desert tortoises. The Zoo regularly funds medical expenses related to the tortoises that need help.
Spay and neuter program
As with many zoos, stray cats and dogs find their way to Reid Park. Any cat or dog found in the Zoo is placed in a private home whenever possible. As responsible pet ownership is a key message of our education programs, Reid Park Zoo funds the cost to spay or neuter any animal that is adopted from the Zoo.
