All Stories

Category: Conservation

11/28/22

Reducing Human-to-Jaguar Conflict in the Wild

We support the Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit’s work on jaguar ecology and human-to-jaguar conflict in the Rupununi Region of southwestern Guyana. Guyana is at the center of one of the world’s largest expanses of intact tropical forest (about 134.2 million hectares). This area, termed the Guiana Shield for the ancient volcanic rock formations that differentiate them from the Amazon, stretches across eastern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and northern Br... Read More
at 11/28/22
Conservation

11/22/22

Why Do Animals Go Through Quarantine?

A part of the Zoo that very few guests get to see is inside the animal hospital. One would correctly assume that a few of the hospitalized animals are sick or injured, but the majority of animals who pass through the hospital are there for another important reason – quarantine. Animals that are in quarantine are in a new, unfamiliar space, and they may need peace and quiet during their stay. Every new animal that comes to the Zoo has the potential to bring new diseases and parasit... Read More
at 11/22/22
AIYI Conservation

10/28/22

Helping Reconstruct Lemur Habitats in the Wild

Just off the main path at the Zoo, guests may find themselves in our one-of-a-kind wellness inspired African Forest which contains the Madagascar exhibit. When first stumbling upon this off-the-beaten-path exhibit, guests are sure to notice the unique diversity of our five species of lemurs. From our blue-eye black lemurs, mongoose lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs and our Coquerel’s sifaka lemurs. Guests are sure to be drawn to these prosimians by thei... Read More
at 10/28/22
Conservation

10/21/22

Conserving the Critically Endangered Eastern Bongo

When taking a stroll around the Africa Loop, guests may see an orange-colored animal tucked under the bamboo, palm trees or along the boardwalk. These elusive creatures are the Eastern Bongo, also known as the Mountain Bongo, a species of forest antelope. The Eastern Bongo is a beautiful chestnut brown color with 12 to 14 white stripes going horizontally down their back. Eastern bongos only live in densely forested mountainsides of Kenya. There are approximately five fragmented popu... Read More
at 10/21/22
AIYI Conservation

10/18/22

A United Front Against Okapi Trafficking

The dust diffused in the afternoon sun as Congolese authorities lugged several containers of illegal cargo into the light. Each box contained the velvety brown, uniquely striped skins and body parts from okapi poached in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This seizure, which also resulted in an arrest, is indicative of an unsettling increase in illegal wildlife trafficking between eastern DRC and Uganda. Conserv Congo, a local NGO partnering with authorities, seeks to smother this emergi... Read More
at 10/18/22
Conservation

9/20/22

Why Are Gorillas Endangered?

Gorillas are one of five species of apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, humans, gorillas, and orangutans). Apes can be distinguished from monkeys and other primates by the absence of a tail after birth. In the world, there are two species of gorillas, the Western gorilla and Eastern (also known as Grauer’s) gorilla, both living in the equatorial regions of Africa. Gorillas are the largest of the ape species, with thick bodies,  wide chests and very strong shoulders. Their families are... Read More
at 9/20/22
Conservation

8/25/22

Planting Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies are endangered due to habitat loss across their range. Not just in their forested overwintering grounds in Mexico, but also where they migrate and reproduce here in North America including the Jacksonville area. One of the most important things we can do to combat monarch habitat loss in North America is to increase the presence of a type of plant commonly known as milkweed.  Milkweed is the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs and the only plant their caterpi... Read More
at 8/25/22
Conservation Horticulture Pollinators