September 21, 2020

⚠️The Port Moresby Nature Park is facing closure due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic! As the only rescue centre in Papua New Guinea and a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association, this park is responsible for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, the conservation of several threatened species, an outstanding education programme and the employment of several workers!
---
💲DONATE today to help them stay open and carry on their important conservation and education work!

December 11, 2019

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has been updated!
----
😞Bad news first: 30.178 species threatened with extinction (27% of all species on the list), and there is more evidence of the negative impact of climate change.
----
😀But there are also GOOD news: eight bird and two fish species have improved their conservation status!
----
👏Captive breeding has been one of the key strategies in these success stories.
 

November 13, 2019

The silver-backed mouse deer (or chevrotain) was re-discovered in Vietnam after being lost to science since 1990. This achievement was made possible by camera trap technology and the work of Global Wildlife Conservation, supported by several zoos and institutions, and will encourage the reinforcement of protection measures for this species and its habitat.

July 29, 2019

Fantastic news to celebrate in this #InternationalTigerDay! The Indian tiger population has increased to almost 3,000 animals in the last four year, showing how effective conservation efforts can be! Lets all keep working together for wildlife.

July 20, 2019

With The Lion King now out, many of its fans are running to the cinemas! Some of the most important characters in the movie are also seriously misunderstood in real life: hyenas may be villains in the movie, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem they are part of.. They are also fascinating animals! The following article by National Geographic explains exactly that.

July 18, 2019

The threat status of 105,732 species was assessed by IUCN, and over 1/4 of those (28,338) are threatened with extinction. Unsustainable fishing, hunting for bushmeat and habitat loss have been responsible for the decline of several species!

​

Not the best of news and it's now more important than ever that we work together for wildlife!

November 27, 2018

Want to make responsible, smarter consumer choices that positively impact orangutans in the wild? Want to ensure that the products you use are 100% certified sustainable palm oil? If you said yes, then download this app.! Developed by the Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado, USA, this app. contains a comprehensive list of companies that have recently joined the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). From food to drinks and beyond, learn how YOU can make smarter decisions that will ultimately benefit the orangutans of Indonesia and their rainforest habitats. Available for androids and iPhones!

Download app. at: http://www.cmzoo.org/index.php/conservation-matters/palm-oil-crisis/

May 04, 2018

"Sharing is Caring" is the new article by Species360 - Global Information Serving Conservation, explaining why sharing data is absolutely necessary for zoos and other institutions to achieve their missions of conservation, research & education.

April 15, 2018

Exciting news for the zoo community! Species360 has announced the release of overlay functionality for the ZIMS for Studbooks, which has seven new key features that will make data management easier and fun!

December 11, 2017

Jonathan Wilcken, Auckland Zoo's Director & Chair of the Board of Trustees for Species360 - Global Information Serving Conservation, explains why ZIMS is a vital tool for animal management and conservation.

October 18, 2017

Are you planning an exciting visit to the zoo anytime soon? Great idea! But make sure you, your family and friends know the best way to behave in order to minimise disturbance to the animals.

September 06, 2017

The latest issue of Zooquaria, by EAZA, is now out, featuring the anti-poaching research being undertaken at Kolmården Wildlife Park, the new conservation initiative for banteng, anoa and babirusa, a review of the Eurasian lynx studbook, the "underwater forests" at Oceanário de Lisboa and much more!

July 25, 2017

The director of research at Zoo Atlanta explains, in this article, how he got into the world of zoo science. Despite the scepticism he initially got from his academic mentor and some of his colleagues, he flourished in the zoo environment and works now in a dynamic and diverse environment, including the zoo, an university and in partnership with conservation institutions.

July 21, 2017

Sad news for pangolins, as new study, led by the University of Sussex, shows a 150% hunting increase across Central Africa, between the 1970s and 2014. Pangolins are considered the "world's most illegally traded mammal" and this study highlights the need to further protect these animals.

June 20, 2017

Doug Cress, CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is encouraging zoos to be more loud about the vital conservation work they do! According to him, some zoos still feel guilty about what they used to be in the past, but it is now time to move on from that and focus on what they are now and what they represent for the future of wildlife.

June 11, 2017

In April, the Quebec government has announced the move of the last 15 caribous in Val-D'Or to Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, as they are threatened by a mining project. However, environmental groups have criticised this idea and the zoo has now decided not to accept the animals due to "Social acceptibility" issues.

June 03, 2017

A bonded pair of male vultures at ARTIS zoo is looking after a chick after they have successfully hatched an abandoned egg the keepers have given them.

May 25, 2017

Zoo Pomerode (Brazil) has become the first zoo in the whole America to hold the subspecies of Angola lion (Southwest African lion - Panthera leo bleyenberghi). Four Angola lions were moved from Lisbon Zoo to this Brazilian institution, part of an international breeding programme for this subspecies. Lisbon Zoo is member of both EAZA and ALPZA.

May 11, 2017

The new and shiny ZIMS for studbooks is getting all ready to make the lives of studbook keepers much easier! Species360 estimates it will take 1-2 years for all (1000+) stubooks to be transferred into ZIMS... Exciting news for species and zoo management!

April 07, 2017

EAZA Strategic Plan 2017-2020: Progressive zoos and aquariums collaborating to lead on conservation.

April 03, 2017

Doug Cress named new Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums!

February 12, 2017

Charles Darwin was born exactly 208 years ago. This legendary naturalist and his theories were revolutionary and he is still an inspiration for many scientists that dedicate their lives to the natural world.

To celebrate his birthday, ZSL has put together some invaluable memories that show the close relationship between Darwin and this institution. Member of ZSL's council from 1839 to 1841, Darwin has studied the behaviour of animals and developed some of his theories during his time at ZSL London Zoo.

Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin... and Thank You!

​

#CharlesDarwin

January 29, 2017

For anyone interested in learning "elephantish", a guide with different elephant calls and their meaning is now available! This was done by a team of researchers, who have recorded and interpreted thousands of elephant calls. Great tool for zoo elephant management?

​

Photo: © E. Gilchrist

January 13, 2017

Despite all controversy, Zoos and Aquariums are very important institutions...

​

"Together, zoos and aquariums spend over 100 million each year for field conservation. They have also saved countless species from imminent decimation, including the red wolf, the Louisiana pine snake, the Arabian Oryx and the black-footed ferret. All of these valued creatures were rescued through highly organized, cross-institutional breeding programs. Many others have been saved too, either directly or through the influence of education and research."

January 12, 2017

The world's wildlife is in serious trouble and Zoos Victoria explain why good zoos play such a vital role in its protection.

December 31, 2016

Anti-zoo campaigns are very often based on biased information and misinterpretation of facts. This article by Zoo Nation explains five misleading claims often presented by animal activists.

December 31, 2016

A breeding centre is being built to breed animals in order to increase sustainability of zoo populations. Not open to visitors, this centre will have the space and the conditions to breed species that need help (some of them critically endangered) and better representation in zoos. This is part of the Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife, a partnership between San Diego Zoo Global and Audubon Species Survival Centre.

January 01, 2020

A study by ZSL, Wildlife Conservation Society and Panthera indicates there are only 7100 cheetahs remaining in the wild (9% of the species' historic range). The authors of this study are now recommending that the threat status of this species is updated to "Endangered", in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

December 21, 2016

Amazing summary of several different (but all important!) conservation careers.

​

Of course, a shout out for point 11: "Supporting Conservation Work at Zoos". Yes, working in a zoo is also working for conservation!

December 09, 2016

The new IUCN Red List brings us worrying news: Nearly 30% of the species assessed are threatened with extinction.

​

Photo: © Lousia Richmond-Coggan

December 08, 2016

Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are now listed as threatened ("Vulnerable") in the IUCN Red List, after they have declined by 40% in the wild.

December 07, 2016

A new economic impact report shows that Chester Zoo has boosted the regional economy by £50 million last year. This impressive news shows that, on top of their work for conservation, research and education, zoos also have the potential to improve local economies.

November 25, 2016

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is concerned about the shipping of 32 elephants from Zimbabwe to China. According to them, more information should be provided, by both parties involved, on where the animals are actually going to, how the wild population will be affected and if the Chinese institutions have the necessary resources and expertise to look after these animals.

​

​Photo: © Michael Poliza (Elephants at Hwange National Park)

November 02, 2016

New research by WWF's African Elephant Program shows that poaching has a negative effect on tourism, which consequently affects local economies in Africa. In some areas, the amount of money that is needed for anti-poaching strategies is smaller than the amount currently being lost due to poaching.

October 27, 2016

World's biodiversity is in serious danger! A new report released by WWF and ZSL shows that wildlife will decline by 67% by 2020 if nothing is done to protect it.

October 27, 2016

The world's oldest Sumatran orangutan lives at Perth Zoo! 60-year-old Puan has received a certificate from the Guinness World Records. This zoo is not only committed to the welfare of the orangutans under its care, but also to the conservation of this (and other) species in the wild.

​

Find out more about this critically endangered species and how Perth Zoo is helping to save it from extinction here.

October 22, 2016

SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Fund has given $15 000 to Polar Bears International, to support a long-term research project on the use of sea ice habitat by male polar bears. The outcomes of this research may have important applications to the conservation of this species.

October 21, 2016

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is endangered and Snow Leopard Trust explains, in the link below, how poaching, mining, and climate change are a major threat to its survival. Over 70 world-wide zoos support the work of this institution and help towards the conservation of this species.

​

Photo: © San Diego Zoo

October 14, 2016

One of the females of scimitar-horned oryx, recently reintroduced to the wild, gave birth to the first wild-born calf in a very long time! A new hope for a species that was, until a few months ago, extinct in the wild.

​

Photo: © Tim Wacher/Jabulani Sibanda (SCF)

September 25, 2016

IUCN's new report shows a drastic decline in African elephant populations - the worst in 25 years. Poaching is the main reason behind this decline - if a solution is not found to reduce/eliminate poaching, African elephants may be facing extinction soon.

September 21, 2016

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has offered a new home to Pizza, the polar bear that lives at a shopping mall in China. This animal, called "the world's saddest polar bear" in the media, currently lives in poor captive conditions. The UK zoo is an international centre for the conservation of the species and provides its polar bears with a ten acres enclosure and two lakes. An example of the commitment of modern zoos to animal welfare.

September 16, 2016

According to new research, the amount of ivory that could be provided sustainably is not enough to meet the demand. Therefore, legalising the ivory trade would most likely lead to the extinction of African elephants.

September 14, 2016

A report by RSPB, in partnership with ZSL and 52 other wildlife organisations, shows a decline in 56% of UK native wildlife, over the last 50 years. One in ten species are threatened with extinction in the UK, with the hedgehog being one of the species most affected. In response to these threatening new findings, Sir David Attenborough said: "The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before."

September 09, 2016

Until now, only one species (four subspecies) of giraffe was considered.. However, a team of researchers from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation & Senkenberg Research Institute have analysed the DNA of these four subspecies and concluded they are actually distinct species: Masai (Giraffa tippelskirchi), Reticulated (G. reticulata), Southern (G. giraffa) & Northern (G. camelopardalis) giraffes.

​

September 05, 2016

The Eastern gorilla is now listed as "Critically Endangered" - making it the fourth, out of six, great ape species to be given the highest "threatened level", according to the IUCN Red List.

Better news for the giant panda, though, as its threatened status has been downgraded from "Endangered" to "Vulnerable", a result of conservation actions to protect and restore its habitat.

September 02, 2016

The Great Elephant Census, a project that aims to count the total number of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) from the air, has estimated a total number of approximately 352 271 elephants, far less than previous estimates. Some areas, like Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania) and Niassa Reserve (Mozambique) have lost over 75% of their elephant population in just 10 years. Alarming news for this species!

August 17, 2016

The genome of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) was finally fully-sequenced. This will hopefully boost the captive breeding success of this species, as scientists can now identify the genes responsible for health issues. 

August 10, 2016

Taronga Zoo has been awarded with the San Diego Zoo Conservation Medal, in the category of Conservation Partner.

From its work to save the Tasmanian devil & reintroduction programmes to its collaboration in over 76 conservation and research projects, this zoo has proved its commitment to protect wildlife.

Zoos Victoria have also been awarded for their hard work against extinction.

August 09, 2016

The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots e.V. has decided to allow their captive Spix's Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) to raise their own chicks, and, so far, they are doing well! This species is critically endangered (possibly extinct in the wild) and captive breeding may be the only way of saving it from extinction.

August 04, 2016

Devastating news for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) - The deadly amphibian disease "chytrid" has killed more than 85% of this species in just over 18 months. Zoos are partnered with the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme (MCRP) to investigate the impact of this disease on the populations of this species in the two Caribbean islands - Dominica and Montserrat.

July 15, 2016

WILD Zoological Park is located in Wolverhampton and aims to educate the public about all types of animals and to motivate people to support wildlife conservation. They will open to the public on the 31st of July!

June 30, 2016

Great Big Story features the Addax (Addax nasomaculatus), a critically endangered species, which survival may depend upon captive breeding programmes and the work of zoos. Amali and her 3 weeks old calf live at Saint Louis Zoo and they are helping to ensure a future for their species - not only by being part of the captive breeding programme, but also by working as an ambassador.

June 21, 2016

Although still widespread, giraffe populations are declining in the wild, and two giraffe subspecies (Niger & Rothschild’s) are listed as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List.

​

What are zoos doing to ensure a future for these giant ungulates? Apart from the valuable international captive breeding programmes (ensuring there is always an insurance population for reintroduction, if needed), the Giraffe Conservation Foundation is partnered with Blank Park Zoo, Chester Zoo and Denver Zoo "to protect and secure populations of all giraffes throughout Africa" (WAZA Conservation Project).

June 15, 2016

The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is listed as critically endangered (IUCN Red List) and it is threatened by habitat loss, over-exploitation and competition with the invasive American mink (Neovison vison).

​

WWF Spain has warned there are fewer than 500 European minks left in Spain and that an urgent ex-situ conservation programme is needed to save this species in the country. Other actions, like national surveys and forbidding the farming of American minks, are also needed. 

​

There is an European breeding programme for the species, coordinated by Tallinn Zoo and a WAZA conservation project to breed and reintroduce this species into its former range in Estonia. Similar actions are needed for Spain.

​

© Photo by Tallinn Zoo.

June 14, 2016

"The Zoo That Could", by Detroit Zoo. In a new marketing campaign, this zoo shares with us the work it has been doing for wildlife conservation, research, education, animal welfare and the environment.

June 02, 2016

Dr. Samantha Ward, Zoo Biology Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, has written an article in response to the anti-zoo movement that has been created after the accident with the gorilla last weekend, at Cincinnati Zoo.

​

According to Dr. Ward, modern zoos are no longer focussed in "human entertainment" - they also play a vital role in conservation, research and education. Animal enclosures are no longer "small cages" but have improved to much greater animal welfare standards. Some species are not extinct today thanks to captive breeding and the work of zoos (e.g. Arabian oryx, Przewalski's horse, golden lion tamarin).

​

"So next time you decide to visit a zoo, take a deeper look at the animal care and information that is provided for you. You may become a defender of zoos and the vital work they do. But please: don’t enter their enclosures." 

May 26, 2016

The Annual Report (2015-2016) of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Parques Zoológicos y Acuarios (ALPZA​) is now out. This Association, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, promotes the connection and collaboration between Latin American zoos, in order to conserve biodiversity, at a regional and global scale.

​

ALPZA is partnered with World Association of Zoos and Aquariums​, EAZA​ and Zoo Conservation Outreach Group​ - This allows for an exchange of financial and technical resources, which  aims to improve animal welfare in zoos, facilitate access to scientific research and promote a global conservation strategy for threatened species.

May 12, 2016

A female Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) calf was born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (Indonesia). This is the 2nd birth of a Sumatran rhino at this sanctuary, since it was established by International Rhino Foundation, in 1997.

Ratu, a 14-year-old female, gave birth to a male in 2012, and now a female. The whole birth was closely monitored by veterinarians, keepers and international advisors. Andalas, the newborn's father, was born at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in 2001.

With fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild, this is great news for the survival of this species, which is listed as "Critically Endangered" in the IUCN Red List.

April 25, 2016

Kansas City Zoo produces an organic fertiliser out of its herbivores' faeces. This potent fertiliser is used in the zoo's own plants but it is also sold every spring and fall. It takes around two years for the faeces to turn into the compost, which is initially produced by mixing faeces with plant matter. It is left to decompose and every 3 months it has to be mixed up, so it is infused with oxygen.

Elephants and rhinos produce the highest quantities but other animals like zebras and elands contribute as well. This is an effective and useful way of disposing of waste. 

April 16, 2016

Stacey Konwiser, lead tiger keeper at Palm Beach Zoo, was mauled to death by a Malayan tiger. The incident happened yesterday afternoon, around 2 pm, in an off-exhibit area. 

She had been working at the zoo for three years and she was very experienced at working with tigers. Nothing suggests she has done something out of the ordinary at the time of the attack.

"I kind of referred to her as a tiger whisperer. They spoke to each other in a language that only they could understand. And I can't put into words or make you understand for anyone who didn't know Stacey how much she loved these tigers and how much this zoo family loved her. And while she's no longer with us, her memory will live on." said Naki Carter, zoo spokeswoman.

This subspecies of tiger is critically endangered and this zoo is part of an ex-situ conservation programme to save it from extinction.

April 07, 2016

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has the only kiwi in the UK. The Northern Brown kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, is an Endangered species from New Zealand.

Manu, a five year old male, was sent from Frankfurt Zoo, in Germany, so zoo keepers can develop husbandry skills for this species. They can then apply to receive a female and hold a pair.

April 06, 2016

Two white rhinos were found dead and dehorned at Bloemfontein Zoo, South Africa.

A field ranger found their bodies in the morning - they had both been shot to death. Bloemfontein police is looking for suspects and asking for information on the case. 

March 30, 2016

One of the five cubs born on the 8th of March, at Cincinnati Zoo, has not survived. It was the smallest of the litter - the other four are still receiving critical care at the zoo's Nursery. 

“The male cub had significant issues and was not processing the formula. The difficult circumstances under which the cubs were born, their low birth weights, underdeveloped systems and the absence of immunities the mom’s colostrum would have provided have made their first weeks of life challenging.” Dr. Mark Campbell, Director of Animal Health at the Cincinnati Zoo.

March 17, 2016

SeaWorld has announced they will stop breeding killer whales in captivity. They will keep the ones currently at the aquarium, for education purposes (as they would not survive in the wild) but these will be the last generation of captive orcas.

SeaWorld has also commited to become the world's leading marine animal rescue organisation over the next five years, dedicating $50 million to that cause.