Zoos as Centers for Conservation
Amy Gotliffe talks to the Snare Removal Team at the Budongo
Snare Removal Project. The Oakland Zoo has supported them
since 1991.When you think of a zoo, what comes to mind? Animals in habitats? Children? Goat petting? Have you ever thought of zoos as supporters of wildlife conservation in the field?
It is time you did.
Zoos are actually one of the biggest supporters of field conservation for habitats and animals. In fact, as I write this on my laptop, I am looking around a giant conference room jammed with people from all over the world, representing zoological institutions, conservation organizations, NGOS, donor organizations and superstar field biologists. The bi-annual ZACC Conference (Zoos Committing to Conservation) is a way for zoos to connect with, partner with and support the wild cousins of their captive population. As we wait for the final speaker to present, the room is buzzing with inspired ideas and concrete plan-making.
Zoos and aquariums support conservation in a variety of ways, big and small. They raise and donate financial support, send medical, educational and operational supplies to projects, raise awareness through lectures, classes and publications, donate expertise by sending vets and other staff to project sites and sell indigenous wares in their gift shops. They band together with other zoos in their ecosystem to work on local conservation issues, breed and release species and provide medical attention to local wildlife. They also exercise their most valuable resource, education.
There are many admirable conservation organizations around the world, but zoos have a unique advantage: they welcome 175 million people through their gates each year. These families or individuals, on a nice, affordable day out, can be exposed to conservation messages at a variety of levels. In fact, zoos were ranked among the top most trusted messengers of wildlife conservation.
Awed by a view of an African elephant walking an expansive habitat, moved by the gaze of a chimpanzee studying their expression, amazed by the magnificent coat of a tiger playing in water, a person cannot help but be opened by these individual beings. In this open state of mind, an encounter with a docent, teacher, presentation or educational signage about conservation issues and solutions, can lead a visitor down a path from knowledge and compassion to action.
The last presentation of the afternoon, a rhino project, has just spoken and has ended by thanking the zoos of the audience, stating that much of their funding comes from the generosity and care of zoos. This has been the closing sentiments of most presenters. As we have reached a critical time in the history of conserving wildlife, now is the time for all of us to care and take action. It is fortunate that most zoos do just that.
The Oakland Zoo is proud of our commitment to support local, national and international field conservation. Check www.oaklandzoo.org for more information.
4 Comments
As much as i would like to think that zoos are helping animals, its not as perfect as you make it out to be. There are animals suffering all across the united states. I know that zoos are just trying to help, but the environment that the animals are kept in do not suit them. Animals are in distress and they need help. Conservation is a great thing, but zoos need to do a better job in keeping the animals healthy and most importantly happy.
I completely agree, Anna. This is why I choose to work for the Oakland Zoo, with such a major focus on animal care, comfort, stimulation and happiness. I suppose I only speak of those zoos who have the same mandate. Many of ours are rescued individuals from such things as the pet industry or circuses, so if feels good knowing they have a better home. Nothing is better than a wild, healthy natural habitat, though, for certain.
I have spent much of my life living and visiting Africa, I can tell you that zoo animals have life easy compared to wildlife in Africa. Poaching is the number one enemy of all of African wildlife. Conservation in its truest form ceases to exist in African countries that have banned well regulated sports hunting. In those countries that allow hunting the widespread incidents of poaching are much lower than those countries that have banned sports hunting. Poaching in Africa is not a merciful killing by a quick gun shot. It is by violent strangulation via snares randomly placed and often never checked. The victim is left struggling to get free of a wire snare around its neck or leg. I have photos that show 100’s of thousand’s of wire snares collected from Kruger National Game Reserve in South Africa by their anti-poaching crews. Conservation means protecting the natural habitat of wildlife in a given area. Habitat destruction by encroaching human populations and over population of wildlife are the two major threats to all species of wildlife in Africa. If left unchecked in areas like Southern Africa, (Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana & Mozambique) elephant herds would destroy major portions of habitat which endangers and kills off all other wildlife in the area. It has been happening for the past four decades and the only choice is do nothing which allows millions of animals to die of starvation or manage the wildlife and keep their populations in balance with their habitat. That is what conservation is about. Zoos have traditionally provided valuable research, money and resources to protect habits worldwide by studying wildlife in captivity. They have also saved endangered species such as the White Rhinoceros to the point that some countries have allowed strict management of sports hunting to maintain habitat balances. They are currently bringing back the Black Rhinoceros and Cheetah from near extinction and have been very successful in both cases. In Africa sports hunting contributes far more dollars to conservation of wildlife and habitat preservation than all photographic ‘safaris’ put together. One final point, wild animals are not human and to treat them as such is highly immoral. They certainly deserve our respect and protection but let's not apply human qualities to them.
[...] us to the 25 most endangered primates. The lecture and silent auction are an annual benefit for The Budongo Snare Removal Project in [...]