“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Albert Einstein
More than 70 wildlife conservation projects in 30 countries are benefiting from $1.1 million in program support awarded in 2008 by the Columbus Zoo and Partners in Conservation (PIC). Projects conducting research and engaging in grassroots conservation on behalf of Africa’s great apes, cheetahs, West Indian manatees, Siberian tigers, polar bears, amphibians, and Ohio’s endangered freshwater mussels, are among the Zoo’s conservation partners for 2008. Over the past five years, the Zoo has distributed $3.8 million in conservation grants.
Organizations addressing critical conservation issues including the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT), and the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), receive support through the Zoo’s Conservation Fund. In 2008, Columbus joined the Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration – a global partnership that aims to prevent and mitigate human-wildlife conflict through a worldwide network of diverse stakeholders. www.humanwildlifeconflict.org
In 1995, the Columbus Zoo launched the Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation conference (ZACC). ZACC is a bi-annual event that promotes the role of zoos and aquariums in supporting conservation activities worldwide. The 2009 ZACC conference was hosted by the Houston Zoo. See www.houstonzoo.org/zacc/ for highlights from the recent conference.
Mission of the Zoo’s Conservation and Collection Management Committee (CCMC)
The Conservation and Collection Management Committee aims to have a direct effect on wildlife conservation through awarding grants which promote sound and sustainable practices that integrate conservation research, capacity-building, education and community involvement around the globe. The Committee also provides oversight and direction to the Zoo regarding on-site scientific studies, living collection management and animal health programs. For information about the application process or to request an application form, contact the Field Conservation Coordinator, at (614) 724-3409
Hot Links
Year of the Gorilla
Year of the Frog - The Global Amphibian Extinction Crisis
Conservation Lecture Series
March 26, 2010 - Birdology