The Importance of Zoos in Wildlife Conservation and Education

1. The Role of Zoos in Wildlife Conservation The Role of Zoos in Wildlife Conservation

2. Thats 1 out of every 10 people on the planet. An estimated 600 million people will visit a zoo within the next year.

4. Whats the attraction? Entertainment Education Biophilia- love of life or living systems Reminders that were not the only ones who live on this planet.

5. To understand the role of Zoos, we have to understand about our history with animals. To understand the role of Zoos, we have to understand about our history with animals. For the majority of our time as humans, that relationship has been about two things: For the majority of our time as humans, that relationship has been about two things:

8. Domestication Domestication Dogs (from wolves) - 15-35,000 years ago Sheep -11-13,000 years ago Goats -12,000 years ago Cows -10,000 years ago Chickens - 4,500 years ago Elephants - 4,500 years ago http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_animals

9. First known zoo-type collections First known zoo-type collections Eygpt, ~2,500 BC Some pharaohs maintained huge numbers of animals (Ramses II had giraffes, lions, ostrich) Eygpt, ~2,500 BC Some pharaohs maintained huge numbers of animals (Ramses II had giraffes, lions, ostrich)

10. Syria, 1,500 BC King Thutmose III kept monkeys, leopards, birds, giraffe Syria, 1,500 BC King Thutmose III kept monkeys, leopards, birds, giraffe Babylonia, 600 BC King Nebuchadnezzar collected lions Babylonia, 600 BC King Nebuchadnezzar collected lions King Solomon collected animals from Africa and Asia (as well as women- 700 wives and 300 concubines) King Solomon collected animals from Africa and Asia (as well as women- 700 wives and 300 concubines) China- ~400 BC- Garden of Intelligence 1500 acre menagerie China- ~400 BC- Garden of Intelligence 1500 acre menagerie

11. Aristotle Aristotle 4 th century BC, extensive Greek menageries allow Aristotle to conduct the first systematic zoological survey- 4 th century BC, extensive Greek menageries allow Aristotle to conduct the first systematic zoological survey- The History of Animals described 300 vertebrate species The History of Animals described 300 vertebrate species

12. and then there was Rome and then there was Rome Rome Rome With the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire, conquerors radiated out of the Mediterranean into Africa, the Middles East, Asia, Europe With the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire, conquerors radiated out of the Mediterranean into Africa, the Middles East, Asia, Europe Brought in animals by the thousands Brought in animals by the thousands Unfortunately, they were also good at record keeping Unfortunately, they were also good at record keeping Single days slaughter might include >100 bears, >400 leopards, >500 lions Single days slaughter might include >100 bears, >400 leopards, >500 lions (to put 500 lions in perspective, that would wipe out the entire population of lions living in Asia) (to put 500 lions in perspective, that would wipe out the entire population of lions living in Asia)

18. Tower of London Tower of London

23. Martha September 1, 1914 Martha September 1, 1914

25. Role of the Modern Zoo Role of the Modern Zoo Recreation Conservation Research Education 1970s 1970s 1980s 1980s 1990s 1990s

26. Through the 1970s, zoos probably had a negative effect on wildlife populations Many of the animals were still taken from the wild. Few efforts were in place to put animals back.

28. Ex-Situ Contributions Ex-Situ Contributions Research Research Captive breeding Captive breeding Veterinary care Veterinary care Opportunity to work directly with animals that are otherwise inaccessible Opportunity to work directly with animals that are otherwise inaccessible Contributes to research methods for animals in the wild Contributes to research methods for animals in the wild Husbandry & Caretaking Husbandry & Caretaking Diet Diet Behavioral Research Behavioral Research Behavioral enrichment Behavioral enrichment

29. Species Survival Plan (SSP) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Established in 1981 to provide guidance for captive breeding of endangered species to maintain genetically diverse and healthy populations of animals in zoos. Think of it as a fancy computer dating service for animals. Zoos Bread & Butter

31. Sumatran Rhino Sumatran Rhino

32. Ex-Situ Conservation Ex-Situ Conservation Captive breeding Captive breeding Artificial insemination Artificial insemination Embryo transfers Embryo transfers Frozen embryo transfers Frozen embryo transfers Interspecies embryo transfers Interspecies embryo transfers Cloning Cloning Seed bank Seed bank Emergency room methods Emergency room methods $$$ $$$

34. Artificial Insemination (AI) Artificial Insemination (AI)

35. Artificial Insemination (AI) Artificial Insemination (AI)

36. Frozen Zoos Frozen Zoos CryoBioBank CryoBioBank

37. Zoos as conservation centers Zoos as conservation centers 1970s- increasing ecological awareness 1970s- increasing ecological awareness Zoos once again find that many of the animals they have in their collections are disappearing in (or have disappeared from) the wild. Zoos once again find that many of the animals they have in their collections are disappearing in (or have disappeared from) the wild. And a new conservation status category is created: Extinct in the Wild And a new conservation status category is created: Extinct in the Wild

38. IUCN Red Data List IUCN Red Data List Extinct in the Wild

39. Extinct in the Wild Extinct in the Wild Guam Rail Guam Rail Micronesian Kingfisher Micronesian Kingfisher

40. Pere Davids Deer Pere Davids Deer

41. Bali Mynah Bali Mynah

42. Mohrs gazelle Mohrs gazelle

43. Arabian oryx Arabian oryx

45. Waldrapp Ibis Waldrapp Ibis thought to have been extinct in the wild thought to have been extinct in the wild other population found based on conversations with Bedouin traders other population found based on conversations with Bedouin traders

46. only exist in captivity

47. Captive breeding not limited to zoos Captive breeding not limited to zoos Specialized breeding facilities that are closed to the public Specialized breeding facilities that are closed to the public Many specialized avian and felid breeding facilities Many specialized avian and felid breeding facilities

48. Clouded leopards Clouded leopards

49. Mauritius kestrel Mauritius kestrel

50. Lonesome George- last surviving Pinta Island Tortoise Lonesome George- last surviving Pinta Island Tortoise

51. Reintroduction efforts Reintroduction efforts Long stated goal of zoo breeding programs Long stated goal of zoo breeding programs Not implemented quite as much - why? Not implemented quite as much - why?

52. California Condor California Condor

53. Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon

54. Black-footed Ferret Black-footed Ferret

55. Red Wolf Red Wolf

56. Golden Lion Tamarin Golden Lion Tamarin

58. Vast improvements in exhibit design and animal care Vast improvements in exhibit design and animal care accompanied by accompanied by increased reproductive increased reproductive success success

61. A Window on the Wild A Window on the Wild Partnership between the Cincinnati Zoo (later other zoos) and the World Wildlife Fund Partnership between the Cincinnati Zoo (later other zoos) and the World Wildlife Fund

62. in-situ (Lat.) in the natural state, in the wild in-situ (Lat.) in the natural state, in the wild Zoos supporting conservation efforts or partnerships in the wild Zoos supporting conservation efforts or partnerships in the wild Usually focused on species found on zoos grounds Usually focused on species found on zoos grounds Provide vital support and, in turn, receive updates from the field, lectures, recognition as partner in helping with species conservation Provide vital support and, in turn, receive updates from the field, lectures, recognition as partner in helping with species conservation

63. In-Situ Conservation In-Situ Conservation -Cincinnati Zoo Conservation Fund- -Cincinnati Zoo Conservation Fund-

65. Many zoos now supporting conservation in the wild Many zoos now supporting conservation in the wild Bronx Zoo- Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo- Wildlife Conservation Society Disneys Animal Kingdom Disneys Animal Kingdom Woodland Park Zoo (here in Seattle!) Woodland Park Zoo (here in Seattle!) London Zoological Society London Zoological Society Columbus Zoo Columbus Zoo

66. AZA AZA Association of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Zoos and Aquariums http://www.aza.org Accreditation organization Accreditation organization Oversees and manages SSP Oversees and manages SSP

67. ZACC ZACC Zoos & Aquariums Committing to Conservation Group that was formed to accelerate zoos focus on both ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts Meetings mix of zoo folk looking to get involved in the field, and wildlife biologists seeking partnerships and funding Great win-win relationship

68. Zoo Careers Zoo Careers Keeper/Animal Caretaker Aquarists Commissary/dietician Veterinarian/Vet Techs Horticulturalist/Gardener Behavioral enrichment specialist Reproductive technician Accounting Marketing/Publicity/Media Relations Food Service Gift Shops/Vendors Grant writers Business Operations Writers Seasonal Animal trainers Development Security Maintenance Plumbers Electricians Artists Exhibit designers Photographer/videographer Educators Distance Learning Technicians Special Events First Aid IT Litter Administration/Directors

69. Suggested Readings Suggested Readings The Crowded Ark by Jon Luoma The Crowded Ark by Jon Luoma Zoos in the 21 st Century: Catalysts for Conservation? (Cambridge University Press) Zoos in the 21 st Century: Catalysts for Conservation? (Cambridge University Press) Hope for the Animals and Their World by Jane Goodall and Thane Maynard Hope for the Animals and Their World by Jane Goodall and Thane Maynard