The Role of Zoos - ISTC · Not enough space for all species within zoos ... appropriate actions...
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The Role of Zoos
Transcript of The Role of Zoos - ISTC · Not enough space for all species within zoos ... appropriate actions...
The Role of Zoos
Animals in a Zoo Setting
Indianapolis Zoo Engage-touch the heart
Enlighten-feed the mind
Empower-call to action
1970s-began shift away from collecting Advent of cooperative breeding programs
Development of computer software for population mgt was in it’s infancy
Studbooks developed
LeopardCloudedStudbook.pdf
Development of SSPs and PMPs Began with Tiger
Management for genetic diversity with hope of eventual reintroduction
Gained knowledge of species biology, behavior, husbandry needs
Introduction of conservation education
HusbandryLeopardClouded.pdf
RiverOtterCareManual2009.pdf
Realization of resource limitations Space
Not enough space for all species within zoos Particularly challenging for propagation of herd species and less “sexy” species
Human resource capacity-program leaders Shift more towards conservation of species in the wild Reduced funding for zoos in general-most program leaders manage
programs as volunteers
Mgt of populations for “long term sustainability” Concentrate the most “resources” for population planning on those
species who are most likely to achieve sustainability in a zoo setting over time
Increased conservation component Particularly critical for lesser known species Allows for cultivation of more creative conservation partnerships Capacity building
Felid TAG Strategic Planning Final Report FINAL 16 Jan 2008 (3).pdf
Holistic approach: Science Husbandry Conservation Education Capacity building
Economic impact of Zoos/Aquariums
$8.4 billion in economic activity (contribution to U.S. Gross Domestic Product)
$2.65 billion in personal earnings (taxable income for Federal, state and municipal governments)
126,000 jobs
Association’s member organizations had 173.4 million visitors in 2008, holding steady with 2007 attendance levels
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums spend nearly $70 million per year on conservation initiatives and in the last five years have funded over 3,700 conservation projects in more than 100 countries.
The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both locally
and globally, to advance animal conservation.
Cornerstones
Building Awareness of Issues
Promoting Sustainable Behavior
Protecting Wildlife and Wild Places
Advancing Knowledge
The Zoo will educate and provide guidance to the public regarding environmental issues and the appropriate actions that should be taken to address these issues prioritizing conservation messages
awareness building campaign
Utilizing a variety of formats educate the public
formalized and measured
Small actions can make a big difference!
• Over 6,500 people pledged in 2.5 years •CO2 reduction of over 13.7 million
pounds!
We will transform our internal culture and the community to regard environmental stewardship as a core value Through compelling stories and modeling of sustainable
behavior in our practices the Zoo will become the lens through which our audiences see the positive results of sustainable behavior and will adopt that behavior in their lifestyle.
As of 2008, the Indianapolis Zoo is a 100% green user
of electricity through IPL’s Green
Power Option.
• 6.5 tons of paper • 24 tons of cardboard • 4 tons of glass/aluminum/plastic
• Plastics #1 - #7
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Aluminum
•Tin
• Glass
• Approximately 500 cell phones per year
• 65 pounds of batteries per year
Water Recovery System
Saves over 4 million gallons of water per year.
• 65 tons of concrete & brick • 21 tons of trees and shrubs • 9 tons of construction walls
• 5 tons of metals • 13 tons of asphalt
113 Tons of Recycled/Reused Materials for New Cheetah Exhibit!
Average over 650 lbs. of
phone books/yr.
Average over 45,000 lbs. of electronics/year Events also include document shredding
The Zoo will act as a catalyst to protect wildlife and wild places through strategic partnerships and alliances. create partnerships with like minded organizations build human capacity focus on species exhibited at the zoo or native species concentrate on projects that prevent a “fire” versus those that
put out a “fire”
Storylines that engage visitors at exhibits
The Zoo will act to further our understanding of wildlife and wild places, with an emphasis on species and habitat protection as well as audience behavior related to development of a conservation ethic.
Tarangire Elephant Project
Ricords Iguana
Tiger Conservation Support
African Wildlife Foundation
Over $100,000 annually direct support of In-situ Conservation
Direct support by guests Race a Cheetah-$11,430 raised in 5 months
Care of 2 orphan cheetahs
Care of 1 litter of livestock guarding dogs
Medical work up and release of 2 rehabbed wild cheetahs
The Zoo’s initiatives in conservation stewardship encourage its one million plus annual visitors to take steps in their own lives to embrace animal
conservation.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org
