Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Conservation agriculture wikipedia , lookup
Mission blue butterfly habitat conservation wikipedia , lookup
Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project wikipedia , lookup
Wildlife crossing wikipedia , lookup
Conservation biology wikipedia , lookup
Operation Wallacea wikipedia , lookup
Cheetah reintroduction in India wikipedia , lookup
Conservation psychology wikipedia , lookup
WildCare Institute Update April 2013 Created in 2004 to bring together conservation initiatives under a single organization, the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world. The Institute and its 12 centers take a holistic approach to troubled ecosystems by addressing three key ingredients in conservation success: wildlife management and recovery, conservation science and support of the human populations that coexist with wildlife. Here’s the latest news on the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center activities. Zoo Ranks Among Top Organizations Listed in Analysis of Conservation Initiatives The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recently announced that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums contribute approximately $160 million a year to wildlife conservation, supporting more than 2,650 conservation projects in 130 countries. Of the top 10 mammals targeted by AZA zoos for conservation support, the Saint Louis Zoo provides significant support for eight of them in this order: cheetahs, African elephants, African hunting dogs (painted dog), chimpanzees, African lions, Asian elephants, Grevy’s zebras and polar bears. Two of the animals, the cheetah and Grevy’s zebra, are core species for WildCare Institute centers; the Zoo offers significant support for four others. Of the top 10 bird species targeted by AZA zoos for conservation support, our Zoo provides significant leadership and financial support for two of the top three—Humboldt penguins and ostriches. Of the top five amphibian species targeted by AZA zoos for support, the Saint Louis Zoo is the acknowledged leader for the #1 species: Ozark hellbenders. The Zoo has also played a significant role in long-term support for #2, the Puerto Rican crested toad. Among the top 10 organizations with which AZA zoos collaborate on conservation projects, the Saint Louis Zoo plays a significant role in providing leadership, core support and staff talent for two of them: the International Elephant Foundation and the Sahara Conservation Fund. AZA’s latest Annual Report on Conservation Science shows that AZA-accredited zoos and aquarium funded an extensive range of projects, including support for anti-poaching teams in range country national parks, population assessments, support for local communities to resolve human-animal conflict, habitat restoration, campaigns against illegal bush meat hunting, training for field veterinarians and reintroduction of species into their natural habitats. Center for Conservation in Madagascar The March issue of St. Louis Magazine featured Center Director and Primate Curator Ingrid Porton in a multi-page article on her two decades of conservation work in Madagascar. This center works under the auspices of the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG), which is headquartered at the Zoo. The center’s robust research program in Betampona Natural Reserve has exposed the extraordinary number of plant and animal species that inhabit Betampona and led to greater understanding of the importance of conserving wildlife in the area. Check out the St. Louis Magazine article by clicking on these links: http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/ March-2013/Our-Lady-of-the-Lemurs/ Web exclusive “Saga of the Lemur Releases”: http://www.stlmag. com/St-Louis-Magazine/March-2013/Send-in-theLemurs-How-the-Zoo-Tried-to-Restock-the-Rainforest/ Web exclusive photos: http://www.stlmag.com/ St-Louis-Magazine/March-2013/Gallery-The-SaintLouis-Zoos-Lemur-Project/ On February 23, the Saint Louis Zoo and the MFG hosted a booth at the Missouri Botanical Gardens’ celebration of the Garden’s 25 years in Madagascar. The Zoo provided material on MFG’s botanical activities, e.g., control of invasive guava, and on our joint nursery at Parc Ivoloina. Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center The center supports The Mali Elephant Project (MEP). Despite the escalating conflict in Mali, MEP Leader Dr. Susan Canney reports that a community approach to elephant conservation continues to provide hope for the species’ future. Equally impressive is the project loyalty this approach seems to engender among the 520 young men employed by the project, all of whom are prime targets for recruitment to the jihadist movement in Mali. To date all 520 young Malian men in the project have remained with the project. In 2012, MEP reported only six poaching incidents. Thus far, MEP communities have managed to stem the tide and are now poised to deploy a specially trained, anti-poaching team, established with the Mali government and supported by numerous sponsors including SOS-Save Our Species. Center for Conservation of Large Carnivores in Africa This center supports Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK), which works to promote cheetah conversion through research, awareness and community participation. ACK national surveys show that Kenya is home to 1,200 to 1,400 cheetahs with over 75 percent residing on land outside protected areas. Cheetahs have been extirpated from 25 percent of their historic Kenyan range since 1990. The goal of this project is to promote cheetah population sustainability in Kenya through facilitating cheetahs’ coexistence with people. The objectives are to: 1) Identify factors affecting cheetah livestock predation and mitigate conflict; 2) Understand cheetah habitat selection and 3) Influence public and administrative changes to positively affect cheetah conservation and management protocols. ACK works closely with local wildlife authorities and land holders to develop policies and programs that support wildlife conservation and human livelihoods for the long-term development of sustainable human and wildlife zones. Camera trapping, game counts, fecal collection and conflict investigation methods were used in the Meibae region of the Samburu District to improve understanding of cheetah adaptations to land-use changes. Students worked with technical and academic advisors to develop protocols for camera trapping and scat collection. Game count data from 2012 will be analyzed at the completion of the project in 2013. Results from studies identify factors influencing cheetah habitat selection and issues affecting livestock predation will be used in educating community members and wildlife managers and to support development of problem-animal control measures. Center for Conservation in Forest Park In April, the Forest Park Center is working with Bridget Ebert, naturalist instructor, and Forest Park Forever on a project in the restored riparian zones of the park. (A riparian zone is the interface between land and a river or stream, typically these zones are vegetated areas along both sides of bodies of water.) This project involves classroom visits to St. Louis City Public Schools—Soldan High and Washington Elementary School—and several student field trips to Forest Park when they will learn the importance of the restored zones to migratory and native wildlife. The students will assist in the installation of multiple habitats in riparian zones. Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation Conference 2013 The WildCare Institute is supporting the Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation Conference, to be held in Des Moines, IA, by providing support for the meeting’s T-shirt.