The Association of Zoos and Aquariums managed over 450 animal programs, including Species Survival Plan programs, Population Management plans and Reintroduction to the Wild initiatives. This nonprofit organization began in 1924 as an instrument of zoo conservation, animal research and a way of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. AZA-accredited zoos care for over 900,000 animals and generate more than $8.4 billion each year, which is no small feat! The prestige that this organization brings to a zoo is unquestionable, but more important is the amount of clamor they bring to the public sphere.
The AZA has many zoo conservation programs underway. In 2007, they announced some of their greatest success stories. For instance, the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle nests are being protected along the Mexican Gulf Coast, with hundreds being added each year. Grevy’s zebras are being conserved in Kenya, thanks to the work of a Saint Louis Zoo. The Great White Shark is being preserved at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where the animal exhibit hopes to change the public’s perception of these infamous trophy creatures. Butterfly monitoring in Florida, marmots at the Toronto Zoo and bald eagles in San Francisco are all successful programs underway.
The World Wildlife Federation has also been credited with much zoo conservation work. In 2009, they proudly announced the shift in rhinoceros populations from 8,466 to 14,500 white rhinos and 2,599 to 4,000 black rhinos. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga National Park increased its number of mountain gorillas significantly. The panda reserves have also been protected over the past year. Over the winter, the Bhutan Wangchuck Centennial Park was set up as the only place on Earth where tigers and snow leopards live together. There is now a 10-year plan to protect Coral Triangle reef marine life. The Sumatran forest will now be a home for even more tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans, now that the Tesso Nilo National Park has been doubled in size. Thanks to the work of dedicated Americans, more and more species will thrive for years to come.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed stop panic attack as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.
Kids and Teens • November 20th, 2009 •