Download Commitment to Conservation

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Commitment to Conservation
With the understanding that many of the world’s animal species are either endangered or
threatened, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo began a campaign to focus its efforts on wildlife
conservation both locally and globally. In keeping with this goal, Tampa’s Lowry Park
Zoo’s collection philosophy supports exhibiting Florida species, species that are
endangered or threatened in the wild, as well as species from habitats similar to Florida.
All the Zoo’s exhibits and programs are designed to inspire people to treasure the natural
world and act wisely on its behalf.
To support our efforts in the conservation of Florida species, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission in the early 1990’s to participate actively in the conservation
of endangered Florida manatees, Red wolves, Florida panthers, Key Largo woodrats, Key
deer and Whooping crane. In recognition of the Zoo’s successes to date, House Bill 457
was signed by Governor Bush in 2004 to recognize Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo officially
as a center for Florida species conservation and biodiversity.
To promote conservation on a global front, in 1995, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo formed the
Eco-Conservation Committee to raise funds for in-situ conservation and to begin a zoowide recycling program. This committee now called Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Conservation Fund annually supports many conservation programs worldwide. Tampa’s
Lowry Park Zoo chooses to support conservation projects that have a strong community
component to their mission. Whether by providing jobs for local people or educational
outreach programs for children, involving local communities is absolutely essential for a
conservation project to succeed. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo raises funds for these
programs through a wishing well, conservation parking meters, annual conservation
themed events, recycling, private donations and various other fund-raisers.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s conservation initiatives have been successful in the rescue,
rehabilitation, research and protection of many species, including restoration and
expansion of prime species habitat and the support of community education and outreach
programs. Below is a list of the zoo’s current conservation initiatives.
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FLORIDA CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo works in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its Florida Wildlife
Research Institute to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured or sick manatees. The David
A. Straz, Jr, Manatee Hospital at Lowry Park Zoo is one of three critical care facilities in
the state of Florida for the endangered West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus
latirostris) and the only not-for-profit manatee rehabilitation center. This conservation
project costs the zoo approximately $1 million per year in operating expenses and has
positioned us a leader in the zoo industry in percentage of annual budget spent on in situ
conservation. Between 1991 and 2014, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, has received more
than 330 manatees for rehabilitation and released more than 190. Though gross statistics
suggest a 60% survival rate, if a manatee survives the first 48 hours at the Zoo they have
an 85% chance of being released back into the wild. In 2013 during a severe red tide
event in the Southwest region of Florida, all of the manatees rescued from came to
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for critical care treatment. Of the 16 red tide manatees
received, all but one survived and have since been returned to Florida waters.
Every November, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo sponsors a Manatee Awareness Day to
educate visitors on the plight of the manatee and how to share our waterways safely with
these gentle giants. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo also provides annual funding to the Sea2
Shore in support of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). The MRP utilizes
radio collars to track selected rehabilitated manatees to monitor their post release
progress and to help determine if the overall program is a success.
www.sea2shore.org/
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Whooping Crane
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo works with U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission to provide veterinary
support and staff support as needed to both the nonmigratory and migratory whooping crane (Grus
americana) populations in Florida.
Additionally, in 2012 the Zoo provided emergency
funds to the International Crane Foundation to treat wild whooping crane nesting sites
for black flies, thought to be a cause in an increasing number of nest abandonment by
adult pairs. The Zoo also maintains a pair of Whooping Cranes for captive breeding and
education in the Mason M. and Charles P. Lykes Florida Wildlife Center.
Florida Panther Recovery Program
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo works with U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission to provide veterinary support for the wild Florida
panther (Puma concolor coryi) population. This veterinary support
includes assisting annually with wild panther health assessments and
responding as requested to any injured or orphaned panthers. By
assisting with the Florida panther recovery program, the zoo helps
maintain important bloodlines and provide a platform to educate our
visitors on the history and future of the Florida panthers.
In 2008, the Zoo received a baby panther that was abandoned in the
wild. The baby, named Caloosa, was reared by zoo staff and is now on exhibit in the
Mason M. and Charles P. Lykes Florida Wildlife Center.
Red Wolf
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Red Wolf Species Survival Plan
(SSP) to help bring red wolves (Canis rufus) back from the brink of extinction. With
estimates of the wild population at around 100, this program focuses on captive breeding,
habitat protection and education. Since 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have
placed selective captive born pups with wild litters.
These pups were successfully reared by the wild
parents, which is a milestone for the recovery of this
critically endangered species.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo currently maintains a
breeding pairs of red wolves on exhibit in the Mason
M. and Charles P. Lykes Florida Wildlife Center
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Key Deer
Key deer (Odocolleus virginianus clavium) are the smallest species of white-tailed deer
and live only in the Florida Keys. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the
1940’s, it was estimated that there were fewer than fifty Key deer remaining in the wild.
With the help of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
establishment of the National Key Deer Refuge in 1957,
Key deer received the protection they needed and
through the years their numbers have rebounded.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has become an important part
of this initiative by constructing a key deer exhibit to
house injured deer from the wild that are in need of
medical attention. This exhibit at the Mason M. and
Charles P. Lykes Florida Wildlife Center at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is not only a safe
haven for injured wild deer but also a “genetic reservoir” should a natural disaster occur
in the Florida Keys. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is the only zoo in the world to house Key
deer.
NORTH AMERICA CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Seafood Watch
Seafood Watch arms consumers with the knowledge needed to make ecologically healthy
seafood choices. Many marine life populations are threatened by over-fishing, poor fishfarming practices, habitat destruction, and unwanted animals getting caught in fishing
gear that has been uselessly discarded. California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium staff
examines extensive data to determine which seafood is harvested or cultured in a wellmanaged, sustainable manner, and which seafood is not. Recommendations are published
on a convenient, wallet-sized card that help consumers be informed shoppers and diners
who know which seafood choices in a market or restaurant are best and which should be
avoided. The cards are updated every six months, ensuring that the most accurate
information is readily available.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo proudly distributes the cards at our Aquatic Center and
Stingray Bay Gift Shop. www.seafoodwatch.org
Puerto Rican Crested Toad
The Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) was once a common sight in Puerto
Rico. There are now fewer than 300 adult toads left in
the wild and these are found only in the Guanica
National Forest. Each year, thousands of tadpoles are
returned to Puerto Rico by participating members of
the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) and Puerto Rican Crested Toad Species
Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is also funding the
construction of two large manmade ponds in Puerto
Rico to help create future breeding sites.
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Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo currently houses a breeding group of the endangered Puerto
Rican crested toads and to date has released over 3000 tadpoles back to the wild. These
toads can be seen on display in the Harrell Discovery Center at Tampa’s Lowry Park
Zoo.
AFRICA CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Swaziland Elephant/Rhino Conservation
In the early 1950s wildlife in the country of Swaziland had been severely decimated by
rampant hunting and habitat loss. One family, the Reillys, recognized this loss of the
country’s wildlife heritage and began a tireless crusade to save the remaining species and
restore those that were lost. Their determination and perseverance led to the
establishment of three National Parks and the beginning of wildlife conservation in the
country of Swaziland. More than 50 years
later, the Reilly family continues to work
tirelessly to manage and protect wildlife as
well as promote awareness of conserving
Swaziland’s natural resources. Elephants,
black and white rhino and many other
species are now thriving due to their
efforts.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has committed
annual funds to provide financial support
to help the people of Swaziland with their
conservation mission. Funds help to defray the cost of acquiring additional land, antipoaching programs, and public education.
In 2013, TLPZ’s Executive Director/CEO, Craig Pugh and VP of Science and
Conservation, Dr. Lawrence Killmar led a tour to Swaziland to show tour guests the
results of our ten years of conservation efforts within the country and more specifically to
talk to Mr. Ted Reilly, Executive Director, of the national parks system and his son Mr.
Mick Reilly, Operations Director, about the challenges in operating wildlife parks in
Africa. While in Swaziland they toured Mkhaya, one of the three parks within the
country to see firsthand the habitat restoration and perimeter fence improvements. This
habitat restoration has improved the overall quality of the pasture by removing invasive
plants and allowing the native grasses and plants to return and the fence line
improvements have helped control public access to the park thus reducing or eliminating
unwanted encampments and more importantly poachers. In discussions with the Reilly’s,
and as a results of the successes of the past ten years, TLPZ renewed its financial support
and talked about the possibility of providing in field training for the zoo staff over the
next ten years.
www.biggameparks.org
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Okapi Conservation Project
Found only in the Congo, the okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a shy and reclusive forest
dweller and is the only living relative of the giraffe. In 1987, the Okapi Conservation
Project (OPC) was founded to secure a protected area in the Ituri
Forest region of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the okapi
and other native species. The goals of this project are to protect
the area from poachers, provide community assistance to people
living around the reserve, educate people about sustainable use,
and to provide care for a breeding group of okapi in the reserve.
In June of 2012, the OCP field station suffered a devastating
attack from rebel forces in which six people and 14 okapi were
killed. With continuing help from partners like Tampa's Lowry
Park Zoo, OCP has taken significant steps to rebuild the field
station and the community that was greatly impacted by this
tragedy.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo maintains a breeding pair of okapi and in January of 2013 had
a successful birth of a male calf
www.okapiconservation.org
Ecology and Conservation of Shoebill Stork
Known as one of the great bird species of Africa, the shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is a
tall, darkly colored bird best known for its unusually large bill shaped like a wooden shoe
with a hooked tip. The population of wild shoebills is thought to number 8,000-10,000
with the species listed as vulnerable, but is difficult to estimate given the animals’ native
habitat of dense marshes and swamps of East-Central
Africa.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has provided funds to support
researcher Jasson John and his study of the ecology and
conservation of the shoebill and cranes in the MalagarasiMoyowosi Flood Plain Ecosystem, Tanzania.
Here at the Zoo, on December 25, 2009, history was made
at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo with the hatching of the first
Shoebill chick in North America. This conservation
milestone came full circle when the female chick, Binti,
matured into an adult bird and relocated to the Houston Zoo
in October of 2011 to pair with a male at their facility. In
2013, the Zoo published in International Zoo Yearbook:
Challenges and successes in the propagation of the Shoebill Balaeniceps rex: with
detailed observations from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Florida.
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African Penguin Conservation
African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) populations are in rapid decline and as thus in
2010 were reclassified by USFWS from Threatened to Endangered. Key factors in their
decline are the loss of suitable breeding habitat, increased predation, food shortages from
overfishing for human consumption and loss from environment disasters within their
range. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo supports African penguin conservation by supporting
the efforts of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
(SANCCOB). SANCCOB is internationally recognized for its efforts in the support and
protection of African penguin populations. They rescue, rehabilitate and release injured
and orphaned penguins and have been first responders to many environmental oil
disasters throughout the world. Their newest initiative includes a chick-bolstering
program to counteract the loss of African penguins by supplementing wild colonies with
locally hand-reared birds.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo houses a breeding group of African penguins and hosts an
annual African Penguin Awareness Day in support of SANCOBB’s African penguin
conservation initiatives.
www.sanccob.co.za
Pygmy Hippopotamus Radio Telemetry
Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) are very secretive and reclusive by nature.
Due to severe deforestation throughout its range, there is great concern for the remaining
wild hippo populations. Because Pygmy hippos are elusive they are also difficult to
study. In 2012, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo provided funds in support of the University of
Georgia and the Royal Society for the Protection of
Bird’s project to perform a radio telemetry study of
Pygmy hippo on and around Tiwai Island and in the
connecting Gola Forest area in southeastern Sierra
Leone. The project aims to use radio telemetry to
better understand the ecology and behavior of the
Pygmy hippo in order to develop more effective
conservation strategies for this species.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo maintains a breeding pair of Pygmy hippo and in November of
2012 celebrated the birth of a health female calf.
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ASIA CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Clouded Leopard Consortium
Tampa Lowry Park Zoo is a supporting member of a coalition of international partners
working together to develop a viable, self-sustaining clouded leopard captive breeding
program. The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in Choriburi Thailand, serves as the project’s
breeding center and has received captive bred zoo-based leopards to form breeding pairs.
In addition, cubs born from these pairing have been exported to the United States and
other countries to serve as new founders to maintain a genetically diverse global
population.
Orangutan Conservation
Wild orangutan populations in both Borneo and Sumatra are facing serious threats to
extinction from habitat loss due to both legal and illegal logging and the conversion of
primary orangutan habitat to palm oil plantations. It is estimated that in the last decade
orangutan populations on both island have declined by 50%. The IUCN now classifies
Bornean orangutans as Endangered and Sumatran orangutans as Critically Endangered.
The Orangutan Foundation and Orangutan Outreach are two organizations on the
forefront trying to protect and support wild orangutan populations. Both organizations are
also committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned orangutans; which
are often the end results of the human and orangutan conflict over resources.
In 2012, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo sent primate keeper, Amy Blackford, over to Borneo
for one month to help the Orangutan Foundation with their orangutan conservation
efforts. Amy spent time at Dr. Birute’ Galdikas’ research camp and in the field building
infrastructure for a future orangutan release site. The primate keepers at Tampa’s Lowry
Park Zoo have also worked with Orangutan Outreach to raise awareness about how our
visitors can help save orangutans by being smart consumers and avoiding companies that
use unsustainable palm oil in their products. In gratitude for our efforts, Orangutan
Outreach gave us an IPAD with special orangutan apps to provide enrichment and
entertainment to our current breeding group of five Bornean orangutans.
www.orangutan.org
www.redapes.org
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Komodo Dragon Conservation
The Komodo dragon ((Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living species of lizard and
are found on only four islands in Indonesia. Through habitat loss, loss of prey and illegal
poaching, dragon populations have continue to decline and are listed as Vulnerable on the
IUCN red list. To support the Komodo Dragon Species Survival Plan (SSP) and the
conservation of wild Komodo dragons, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s Reptile Staff created
a bumper sticker with the tag line “Forget the Princess, Save the Dragon”
These bumper stickers are sold at keeper talks and at conservation themed Zoo events.
All proceeds from this fund-raiser go to support the SSP’s Komodo dragon population
surveys and long-term monitoring in Komodo National Park.
AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Koala Education and Conservation Program
The Koala Education and Conservation Program is a San Diego Zoo Global initiative to
bring koala holders in North America and Europe together to enhance the long-term
survival and sustainability of both free range and zoo-based koalas. In the wild, koalas
are facing increasing pressure due to habitat deforestation and fragmentation, human
encroachment and disease and climate change related issues such as drought and bush
fires. In captivity, more research is needed on koala health management, reproduction
and disease prevention. By combining both wild and captive populations into a single
holistic program more is ground is gained to sustain koala populations into the future.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is participant in this program and maintains a koala in our
Australian themed Wallaroo Station children’s area.
GLOBALCONSERVATION INTIATIVES
SSP’s (Species Survival Plans)
Lowry Park Zoo participates in over 90 Species Survival Plans (SSPs). SSPs were
established by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) to organize
management of selected endangered species in zoos throughout the country.
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Under these programs, zoos work to maintain healthy captive populations, support field
research and habitat protection, educate zoo visitors, and when possible reintroduce
species to their native habitats.
www.aza.org
International Rhino Foundation
There are only five species of rhino remaining today, of which four are on the verge of
extinction from habitat loss and illegal hunting for their horns. Rhino horn is thought to
have medicinal properties in many Asian cultures and many people are willing to pay a
heavy price in order to obtain it. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is dedicated
to the survival of the world’s remaining rhinoceros species through conservation and
research. IRF protects rhino populations in the wild
while collecting valuable data on their biology and
conservation needs. In addition, IRF supports the
management and research of captive populations to
improve the chances for long-term survival of all rhino
species.
The Zoo provides funding in support of IRF
conservation efforts. In addition, Tampa’s Lowry Park
Zoo maintains a breeding group of Indian rhino and a breeding group of White rhino. In
2013, the Zoo hosted its first annual World Rhino Day event to help educated our visitors
on the plight of today’s rhino populations. This event included a visit and lecture from
Dr. Susie Ellis, the Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation.
www.rhinos.org
Vulture Conservation Program
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo's Animal Ambassadors Department created and sells bumper
stickers with a picture of our resident black vulture, named Smedley, and the caption
"Bald is Beautiful". Proceeds go to support global
vulture conservation initiatives, including the
International Vulture Program lead by the Hawk
Conservation Trust. Vultures are an ecologically vital
group of birds that face a range of threats, from
poisoning, habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting for
cultural purposes. Funds provided by Tampa’s Lowry
Park Zoo go to support vulture field research,
community outreach and habitat protection in southern
African and Asia.
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In 2005, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s bumper sticker program won the “Conservation of
the Year” award by the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators.
These bumper stickers can be purchased at the Birds of Prey show at Tampa’s Lowry
Park Zoo.
www.hawk-conservancy.org
Ape TAG Conservation Initiative
The Ape TAG Conservation Initiative is a collaboration of AZA zoos working together to
conserve wild apes and their habitat. All remaining ape species are endangered due to
habitat loss, disease, political unrest and poaching for bushmeat and the pet trade.
Without immediate action, the threat of extinct for our closest living relatives becomes
more real.
By working together, this collaboration of zoos is able to provide greater funding and
multi-year support to field projects working on the frontline of Ape conservation. These
projects are working on crucial activities such as anti-poaching patrols, enforcement of
wildlife laws, management of protected areas, community outreach and education.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has a long history of supporting ape conservation and will
continue to do our part to ensure their long-term survival.
www.apetag.org/ConservationInitiative
Crocodilian Conservation
Of the 23 species of crocodilian, 6 are currently listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered
and are considered to be at high risk for extinction. In October of 2010, one of these
species, the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), took a major hit when super
typhoon Juan hit the Philippines, greatly impacting
the crocodile’s habitat and the surrounding
communities that support their conservation. The
Mabuwaya Foundation Inc. is a community based
conservation organization that has been working in
the Philippines since 1999 to protect the last viable
wild Philippine crocodile populations. When super
storm Juan left a path of destruction in its wake,
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo answered the Mabuwaya
Foundation’s call for emergency funding to help provide much needed relief to the
surrounding village and help begin the rebuilding process. Fast-forward to 2013 and life
is mostly back to normal in this area and the Mabuwaya Foundation continues to actively
monitor and support Philippine crocodile conservation.
Additionally, Tampa’s Lowry Park helps support Gladys Porter Zoo’s annual “CrocFest”
initiative to raise funds for the conservation of the world’s most critically endangered
crocodilians, including the Philippine and Orinoco crocodile, both of which can be seen
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at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
SaveNature.org
SaveNature.org, formerly known as the Center for Ecosystem Survival (CES), utilizes
many zoos and aquariums around the world by raising money to purchase unspoiled land
for conservation. Parking meters are placed around the zoo in order to receive public
donations. These parking meters support the preservation of areas in the Komodo
National Park, Indonesia, Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic, and
Talamanca-Caribbean Biological Corridor, Costa Rica.
Throughout the grounds, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has various parking meters that raise
money to be sent to this cause. 100% of funds raised by the zoo go directly to
SaveNature.org for the purchase and protection of unspoiled land in the above-mentioned
areas.
www.savenature.org
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG)
The Conservation Breeding Specialists Group (CBSG) is also part of IUCN-The World
Conservation Union. The CBSG is committed to the development and implementation of
scientifically sound research and conservation practices. This international organization is
made up of a global network of conservation experts who are committed to saving the
planet’s biodiversity. Zoos, scientists, governments, and wildlife management agencies
use this network to act wisely to save habitats and species.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo provides funding in support of CBSG’s programs, including
CBSG’s “Amphibian Ark” whose mission is to ensure the survival of the world’s
amphibian populations
www.cbsg.org/
For more information or to find out how you can help
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo conservation efforts
Please contact:
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Department of Conservation Research
1101 West Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 935-8552, extension 221
[email protected]
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