Visiting a zoo or aquarium is a great way to see favorite animal species. But did you know these facilities are also helping protect and conserve wildlife around the world?
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program brings together AZA-accredited facilities to share expertise and build conservation plans for species at risk of extinction.
Check out these 12 SAFE programs to learn about amazing conservation work in action and how you can help these animals.
Wild Kingdom highlights 12 SAFE programs
Sloth bear
With their scruffy black hair and long claws, sloth bears look a bit different than other bear species. Wild sloth bears can be found in India, Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. In the U.S., zoos, such as Kansas’ Sunset Zoo, are working with partners in India to exchange caregiving techniques and ensure the species’ survival.
Check out these sloth bear stories for more facts:
“What Are Sloth Bears and How Are They Conserved?” with the Sunset Zoo
“What Set Sloth Bears Apart?” with Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Co-Host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant
Andean Highland flamingo
Way up in South America’s Andes Mountains are three species of flamingos: Andean, Chilean and Puna (James’s). These three species are all protected under the AZA’S Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE program. Some program initiatives include installing satellite transmitters to analyze flamingo movement in Chile and teaching Chileans about their wild flamingo neighbors.
Get to know what sets each species of Andean Highland flamingos apart in this story:
“Andean Highland Flamingos Conserved by SAFE Program”
Asian elephant
Did you know elephants can have freckles? Asian elephants do! It’s one way to tell them apart from African elephants. But perhaps the easiest way is to look at their heads and ears. Asian elephants have smaller ears and a twin-domed head that looks like it has a part in the middle. These gentle giants aren’t just cute. They’re in need of protection, particularly through the treatment and management of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, a viral infection that affects Asian elephants.
Learn more about Asian elephants in these stories:
“Meet This Asian Elephant Heard” with the Saint Louis Zoo
“How the Cincinnati Zoo Protects Asian Elephants”
Credit | Miguel Lajas
African lion
One of the most iconic animal species, the African lion can be found in a variety of habitats in sub-Saharan Africa. They’re known for their social nature, forming groups called prides. One way the AZA SAFE program helps African lion conservation efforts is through a partnership between Zoo Boise and Gorongosa Restoration Park in Mozambique. Funding from the zoo has helped bring back a population of African lions to their homeland.
Read more about African lion conservation in this story:
“Saving African Lions With Zoo Boise”
Chimpanzee
With their charming smiles and incredible smarts, it’s easy to see how chimpanzees have stolen the hearts of many for generations. Chimps may be famous in the entertainment industry, but it’s important to remember they’re endangered, wild animals. In the wild, these apes thrive in large social groups in western and central Africa. Through the SAFE program, zoos are working to provide solutions to threats against chimpanzees in the wild.
Learn more about how zoos are protecting chimpanzees in these stories:
“How SAFE Program Protects Chimpanzees” with the Dallas Zoo
“Your Social Media Can Help Protect Chimpanzees” with the Lincoln Park Zoo
Credit | Oakland Zoo
Giraffe
Did you know giraffes have been studied by NASA scientists? Their one-of-a-kind circulatory system piqued the scientists’ interest, with an ability to drive blood and fluid upward against gravity. Giraffes are native to Africa, but their population has declined by 30% in the last 40 years. To help restore native giraffe population, SAFE program has partnered with the Somali Giraffe Project, an initiative that provides community-based support to help protect giraffes.
Discover SAFE’S work on giraffe conservation in Eastern Kenya in this story:
“How Well Do You Know Giraffes?” with the Oakland Zoo
Jaguar
One way to tell a jaguar apart from a leopard? Look at the spots! Jaguars have spots inside of their black rosette markings, while leopards don’t. In the wild it’s even easier — jaguars live in the Americas and leopards in Africa and Asia. As a keystone species, jaguars are essential to the health of their ecosystem. SAFE Jaguar funds, conducts and supports jaguar fieldwork in Central and South America, helping these big cats in their native land.
Get more jaguar facts in these stories:
“How U.S. Zoos Help Jaguar Conservation Abroad” with the Phoenix Zoo
“Connecting and Conserving Jaguars With Phoenix Zoo”
North American songbird
If there was an award for greatest animal musicians, we think North American songbirds would win it! These 319 species may be well-known for their melodious tunes, but they also play a crucial role in pest control and seed dispersal. The SAFE program helps protect songbirds with a focus on reducing bird collisions with glass, keeping domestic cats indoors and building native habitats.
Learn how you can help protect North American songbirds in these stories:
“How Organizations Protect North American Songbirds” with the Columbus Zoo
“Your Guide to North American Songbirds” with Lauritzen Gardens
Credit | Victoria Ziglar, Bright Coral Creative, Endangered Wolf Center
Maned wolf
Unlike most wolves, maned wolves are solitary creatures, only living among others during breeding season. They’re known for their long legs, slender build and foxlike coloring. Native to South America, maned wolves are threatened by habitat fragmentation. AZA-facilities, such as the Endangered Wolf Center, are researching maned wolves to help safely return them to the wild.
Check out maned wolf conservation in the U.S. in this story:
“Have You Heard of the Maned Wolf?” with the Endangered Wolf Center
Black rhino
In conservation, it’s always good to have a friend like the Rhino Rangers, a dedicated group of professionals providing data to conservation biologists. Black rhino conservation wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration between community members and wildlife conservationists. The SAFE program strengthens this support through community engagement campaigns such as Save the Rhino Trust, Reading With Rhinos and Rhino Cup Champions League.
Learn more about these community-based conservation initiatives in this story:
“Who’s Helping Protect Black Rhinos in Namibia?” with the Minnesota Zoo
African painted dog
One of the most successful hunters in the animal kingdom, the African painted dog lives in close family units, a key factor to triumphant hunts. They’re often mistaken for hyenas, but African painted dogs are much smaller and have large, round ears. Through the SAFE program, zoos work with organizations in Africa, such as the Painted Dog Research Trust, to help these animals in the wild. One simple act that’s protecting these dogs is lowering speed limits in Zimbabwe, reducing vehicular collisions with animals.
Explore plans to protect African painted dogs in this story:
“Leader of the Pack: Meet the African Painted Dog” with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
African penguin
Weighing in at only four to 11 pounds, African penguins may be small in size, but they live in large colonies on the southwestern coast of Africa. Each penguin has a unique pattern of black spotting across its chest and belly. These birds face the threat of functional extinction by 2035, and the SAFE program is working to ensure penguins are protected for generations to come. Conservation efforts include improving disaster response protocols for oil spills and constructing artificial nests to help with population declines.
Watch African penguins in action in this video.
Visiting an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium can help spark a lifelong interest in animal conservation. When we see these animals up close, it’s easy to know why so many people want to protect wildlife. Thanks to the SAFE program, we hope to share our planet with these species for generations to come.
Learn more about why zoos and aquariums are key to conservation success.
