What are zoos and aquariums doing for conservation?

Once, zoos existed solely for entertaining people. Today, zoos and aquariums aren't just great places to spend the day, we’re also doing a lot to help wildlife. Millions of people visit AZA zoos every year and have fun learning about wildlife and conservation. But a lot don’t realize that zoos and aquariums participate in conservation projects all over the world.

What is Utah’s Hogle Zoo doing for conservation?

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is no exception to the other AZA Zoos and aquariums when it comes to conservation. From the Wasatch front to the mountains of Africa, Utah’s Hogle Zoo strives to help the natural world in any way possible.

We not only participate in Species Survival Plans and breeding programs, we educate through field trips, outreach programs, children’s’ classes and interactive learning for Zoo guests. Our staff works hard to provide the most innovative animal care practices and goes the extra mile to ensure species survival.

The Zoo’s Conservation Committee seeks to find solutions to conservation challenges by making an impact on eco-region-based conservation, focusing on the scientific and education conservation of our collection and their natural habitats. We are committed to contributing to the conservation of biological diversity in the field through the support of individuals and organizations that participate in a variety of conservation projects. 

Utah’s Hogle Zoo supported the following projects in 2004.

International projects:

• AZA’s Conservation Endowment Fund
• Cheetah Conservation Fund~Kenya project
• International Elephant Foundation
• International Snow Leopard Trust
• Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund
• Orangutan Foundation Rhino Conservation
• Save the Elephant Fund
• Tigris Foundation
• Wildlands Project
• Zoo Conservation Outreach Group

National support:

• Butterfly Conservation Initiative
• Raptor Inventory and Nest Survey Group

Utah's Hogle Zoo recognizes the importance of local conservation.  We work with other conservation groups to ensure that Utah preserves a valuable resource: wildlife habitat.

Below are some of the local conservation groups that we supported in 2004:

• Nature Conservancy of Utah
• Hawkwatch
• Great Salt Lake Audubon
• Defenders of Wildlife

Other conservation projects Hogle Zoo has been involved with:

• Water Conservation
• Penguins in Crisis
• Lemurs Back to the Wild
• Trout Unlimited

To find out more about AZA's conservation efforts, including the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force, and Giant Panda Conservation visit the AZA website at www.aza.org.