North Carolina Zoo Conservation and Research International 4 Conservation Conservation is at the Heart of Everything We Do.
Regional 30 Conservation
© Lo ri Wi lliams
Conservation © N at rd 38 Education han Shepa
© D r . G ra s ham Reynold 44 Research
Animal 50 Welfare Our mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join us in conserving the natural world. The North Carolina Zoo’s staff are dedicated to local and global wildlife conservation, educating future generations, and ensuring the best possible care and wellness for the animals under our care. Green Practices We do these things because we believe the diversity of nature is 56 & Sustainability critical for our collective future.” L. Patricia Simmons Director of North Carolina Zoo International Conservation Since 2013, the North Carolina Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society have partnered to conduct Tanzania’s first substantial vulture monitoring program. This important collaboration continues to provide guidance to wildlife managers in terms of the overall status of various vulture species, the impact of poisoning events as well as providing protected areas with near real-time poaching-related intelligence to guide their protection operations.” Aaron Nicholas Program Director, Ruaha-Katavi Landscape, Tanzania, Wildlife Conservation Society
Tracking Tanzania’s Vultures Vultures are currently the fastest declining Since 2013, the Zoo has worked across group of birds globally, and several African southern Tanzania in two important vulture vulture species are considered Critically strongholds encompassing over 150,000 km2: Endangered. The primary threat to vultures the Ruaha-Katavi landscape and Nyerere is poisoning - often from livestock carcasses National Park. Led by the Zoo’s Dr. Corinne poisoned by people attempting to kill lions or Kendall, the goal of this work is to conserve hyenas, which occasionally prey upon their southern Tanzania’s vulture populations cows or goats. Vultures are wide-ranging and by reducing poisoning. Our approach is congregate at carcasses. A single poisoning multifaceted. We monitor vulture population event can have a catastrophic effect on abundance over time, use satellite telemetry vultures, and poisonings are also leading to to discover poisoning events, train rangers in declines in carnivores, such as lions. Therefore, rapid response protocols for poisoning events, finding effective solutions to address poisoning monitor lead levels in tagged vultures, and will save not only vultures, but also carnivores. build partnerships to improve collaboration on coordinated conservation strategies.
Katavi, 0 Ruaha 45 140 poisonings in vultures rangers & Nyerere Ruaha National trained in rapid National Parks tagged Park since response Tanzania February 2018
6 | International Conservation International Conservation | 7 Using SMART Technology to Protect Wildlife Around the World In partnership with some of the world’s Information on animals, illegal activities and largest conservation organizations, the Zoo conservation actions taken are recorded and helped to develop the Spatial Monitoring and then fed into a central database. This allows Reporting Tool (SMART; the data to be quickly analyzed, visualized, smartconservationtools. mapped and acted upon so that park managers org) and found the can rapidly respond to threats. Transforming SMART Partnership. raw data into usable information helps SMART is the leading managers allocate their time and resources protected area more effectively and better protect wildlife. management tool Through our leadership in the SMART globally - used in more Partnership and the development of SMART than 850 sites in over 65 technologies, the Zoo has had a significant countries and adopted as impact on wildlife conservation around the the national tool for park world. However, the Zoo also directly supports management in SMART use at more than 20 sites across 18 countries. seven countries in Africa, which are critical for SMART allows rangers the conservation of iconic wildlife, like black working on the ground rhinos, Cross River gorillas, elephants, lions, to use ruggedized and many other species. In addition to training smartphones to record hundreds of rangers across Africa, the Zoo has local SMART implementation partners. With data about what they encounter in the field, also provided technical support, equipment, SMART, the Zoo is not only putting powerful and track where their patrols go. funding, and even infrastructure, to its technology in the hands of rangers, we are giving them the advantage they need to be one step ahead of poachers.
SMART is an inspiring example of global collaboration and partnerships, and the positive impact they can have on research and conservation projects around the world.” Dan Ashe President and CEO Association of Zoos and Aquariums
8 | International Conservation International Conservation | 9 SMART is a really important tool to help us protect gorillas in Nigeria. Technical support from North Carolina Zoo helped set up SMART at five sites in Nigeria and annual refresher training ensures that SMART is updated and works effectively.” Andrew Dunn Country Director WCS Nigeria Program
Conserving Africa’s Most Endangered Ape Nigeria’s Cross River Led by the Zoo’s Dr. Rich Bergl, we have region is one of been working to help save these gorillas by Africa’s most important supporting better protection in the wild and by biodiversity hotspots, researching the threat posed by diseases to the but its wildlife are under gorillas. By working to conserve these gorillas, significant threat from our efforts serve as an umbrella for the rest poaching and habitat of the region’s biodiversity, with action taken loss, made worse by to preserve the gorillas helping to ensure the some of the highest conservation of many other plant and ©WCS Nigeria human population animal species. densities in the world. monitor illegal activities at all its sites. to see if diseases may be transmitted to the The Cross River gorilla, Working closely with our partners, at Wildlife Using SMART has contributed to a significant gorillas. Results from the current genetic and found only in a few small, Conservation Society (WCS) Nigeria, the Zoo increase in patrol effort (67%), a drastic parasitology work are still pending, but initial mountainous pockets has trained, equipped, and supported rangers reduction in hunting pressure (71%), and data suggest the presence of several human of forest along the to better protect this species in the wild. These stable or slightly increasing wildlife pathogens in the gorilla population. This Nigeria-Cameroon efforts have become a case study on the use populations at all WCS sites in Nigeria since information will help us better understand border, is the most of SMART conservation software in the region, implementation began. the health and genetics of the small endangered ape in and the team on the ground has become a remaining gorilla population, and will improve Africa, with only global SMART leader. SMART has helped WCS Working with Emory University, the Zoo conservation planning efforts to reduce threats about 300 Nigeria to improve the effectiveness of law is also researching disease in Cross River to both gorillas and the people who live in individuals remaining. enforcement patrols and to more efficiently gorillas, humans, and livestock populations communities near the gorillas’ habitat.
10 | International Conservation International Conservation | 11 To date, we have set up SMART-based Conserving Carnivores Across Africa monitoring systems and trained staff in 14 Populations of large carnivores like lions, protected areas across the region. Improved cheetahs, and wild dogs, are declining across training and monitoring has resulted in both all of Africa. Lions in particular have suffered increased motivation of rangers and greater due to poaching, unintentional snaring, and success protecting wildlife. retaliation for livestock predation. As a result, the lion population has declined by nearly 50% The range of West African lions has been across Africa since the 1990s. If these declines reduced by 99% and only 500 individuals are not reversed, many African carnivores remain in the wild. The Zoo also works with may face extinction. The Zoo supports the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nigeria ©Sebastian Kennerknecht/Panthera conservation efforts in numerous key sites for to protect Yankari Game Reserve, home carnivore conservation across Africa, including to Nigeria’s last population of lions and implementing SMART anti-poaching programs, elephants, in addition to other wildlife. The to help protect these species and the national critical for the survival of lions, cheetahs, Zoo helped implement SMART in Yankari, parks on which they depend. African wild dogs, and other carnivores. which has improved anti-poaching strategies Improving conservation law enforcement is and contributed to no poached elephants in Since 2014, we have worked with our partner, essential because carnivores in the region Yankari since May 2015. These improved anti- Panthera, to support anti-poaching work are under unprecedented pressure from both poaching patrols are benefiting all wildlife, and in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in areas poaching, and reductions in prey populations. populations of many other large mammals at Yankari are now recovering.
SMART has transformed the way that conservation is being managed in Southern Kafue Africa, and with North Carolina Zoo’s support, SMART is being used to effectively manage all patrol and research data across eight national parks in Zambia and National Zimbabwe. This has contributed to increased patrol effort and poacher Park apprehensions, as well as improved wildlife protection.” Xia Stevens Zambia SMART Program Manager - Southern Africa increase in Panthera carnivore observations
increase in poacher apprehensions
increase in patrol efforts Since 2018
12 | International Conservation International Conservation | 13 Protecting the Largest Remaining Our work to save black rhinos is a great example of how the North Carolina Zoo Black Rhino Populations is making a difference for endangered species around the world. If we are to Across Africa, rhinoceros populations are save these amazing animals from extinction, we must continue to expand our conservation efforts both here in North Carolina and abroad.” declining due to poaching for their horns, Richard Bergl, Ph.D. primarily to supply traditional medicine Director of Conservation, Education and Science markets in Asia. This poaching has driven the North Carolina Zoo western black rhino to extinction, while only two northern white rhinos remain. If the threat of poaching is not reversed, rhinos in Africa will go extinct in the near future. Northern Namibia, and specifically Etosha National Park, is home to the largest black rhino population in the world; this area also supports a large population of southern white rhinos. The Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia is also home to the last free-roaming population of the desert-adapted black rhino, which is software that the Zoo helped develop. Using conserved largely through the efforts of local SMART, both government and community community conservancies. ranger patrols are now collecting field observations on rugged smartphones, which The Zoo works with several partners in allows information to be quickly analyzed and national parks and community conservancies conservation strategies to be improved to in Namibia to implement an anti-poaching better protect wildlife. This work began initially program based on SMART conservation in Etosha National Park and the Kunene region,
but based on the success of these initial deployments, the Zoo and its partners have expanded efforts to include all of the national parks in northeastern Namibia: Bwabwata, Khaudum, Mangetti, Mudumu, and Nkasa Rupara National Parks.
We look forward to continuing to build on sites these exciting and impactful partnerships through further capacity building efforts and long-term technical and logistical support, and SMART expansion we aim to work with our partners to further in Namibian expand SMART use to more of Namibia’s protected areas national parks in the future.
14 | International Conservation International Conservation | 15 Saving Chimps by Removing Snares Kibale National Park in Uganda contains one of the largest chimpanzee populations in East Africa, making it one of the few remaining strongholds for chimpanzees in this part of the world. However, the ©Kevin Langergraber “I have been very lucky to chimpanzees in Kibale one three-person snare removal team that observe many amazing things are threatened by patrolled the area around the Ngogo study over the 20 years that I have poaching and often get site, but it quickly became apparent that to studied the Ngogo community caught in snares— be most effective, they would have to expand of chimpanzees. But the most rewarding thing I have observed so much so that it their presence to cover the entire park. Thanks is the dramatic reduction in snare is estimated that in part to the Zoo, which has been supporting injuries since we began our one-third of all the project for nearly a decade, they were able anti-poaching efforts.” chimpanzees in to secure enough funds to meet this goal and Kevin Langergraber, Ph.D the park have snare patrol the whole park starting in Fall 2019. The Co-Director related injuries. project now employs five three-person snare Ngogo Chimpanzee Project teams that are based strategically throughout To protect chimpanzees and other animals in the park to enable them to patrol every square Kibale from poaching, the Ngogo Chimpanzee foot of Kibale and better protect the Project began implementing regular snare park’s chimpanzees. removal patrols in 2010. They started with
©Kevin Langergraber
16 | International Conservation International Conservation | 17 Following Elephant Movement in West Africa Elephant populations in Central and West The satellite tracking data have allowed Africa have significantly declined throughout rangers to anticipate where elephants are at The partnership between the 20th and 21st centuries due to the greatest risk of encountering poachers and the Ministry of Waters and expansion of human settlements, conflict with also alert them when the herds are heading Forests of Cote D’Ivoire and the North Carolina people and ivory poaching. The widespread toward human settlements, thereby reducing Zoo is fundamental to loss and fragmentation of habitat forced the risk of human-elephant conflict. the conservation of elephants into closer contact with people, elephants in our country. resulting in frequent conflict The Zoo’s Director of Animal Health, Dr. Jb The data will improve the over finite space and Minter, and Dr. Mike Loomis, the Zoo’s Chief management of elephants resources. Crop raiding, Veterinarian emeritus, have also recently begun and their habitats in injuries and deaths collaborating with the Ministry of Waters and the country.” caused by elephants Forests of Cote D’Ivoire. This partnership aims Kone Salimata foster resentment and to support Ivorian efforts to mitigate threats Director of Wildlife and Hunting Resources, can result in elephants to elephants, as many elephant populations Ministry of Waters and Forests, being viewed as a in Cote D’Ivoire are small, restricted to isolated Côte d’ Ivoire nuisance and killed for forest fragments, and under intense pressure reasons other than from poaching and human-elephant conflict. their ivory. With the Zoo’s continued support, the Ivorian government is committed to protecting Since 1998, the these populations. Zoo has worked to conserve wild elephants in Central and West Africa, by attempting to better understand movement patterns and habitat requirements of elephants through the use of GPS satellite tracking technology. Using this technology and in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, other NGOs, and local government agencies, we have been able to monitor elephant movement patterns in real time and identify several vital elephant migration routes.
18 | International Conservation International Conservation | 19 Conserving Africa’s Most Threatened Red colobus monkeys face a tough situation and saving them is going Monkey Group to take the support of a global community not only for the species, Ranging from the forests of Senegal to the but also for the conservationists islands of Zanzibar, red colobus monkeys on the ground working to save are the most threatened group of African them. With this ambitious action plan, the Zoo and its partners monkeys. According to the International Union are optimistic that we will save for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red these animals from extinction.” List of Threatened Species, 13 of the 17 red Drew T. Cronin, Ph.D. colobus monkey species (>75%) are listed as Associate Curator of International Conservation Critically Endangered or Endangered and all are the first comprehensive Red Colobus North Carolina Zoo threatened with extinction. The primary threats Conservation Action Plan, uniting local facing red colobus are poaching, particularly for and international conservation groups, the commercial bushmeat trade, and habitat governments, academic institutions, and loss, both of which are ultimately driven by zoos to prevent a continent-wide extinction a combination of human population growth of all 17 red colobus species. These groups and increasing demand for natural resources. have also launched a global effort - the ©Alexandra Hofner Despite their conservation status, only a few Red Colobus Conservation Network (www. red colobus populations have been studied redcolobusnetwork.org), which the Zoo helps Red Colobus Range & Status in any detail and the general public is largely lead, in an effort to catalyze red colobus unaware of these monkeys and their plight. conservation and drive increased funding and Niger Delta Preuss’s Oustalet’s Kisangani Lomami Semliki actions for red colobus protection. Without Temminck’s Red Colobus Red Colobus Red Colobus Red Colobus Red Colobus Red Colobus Red Colobus In response to this critical need, the Zoo’s urgent conservation measures across its Dr. Drew Cronin and partners in the African range, Africa will lose many of its red colobus Primatological Society and IUCN Primate monkeys in the coming decades. Specialist Group are together spearheading Bay Colobus Tana River The Zoo also supports efforts to protect red Red Colobus colobus and its habitats on the ground in Africa. In Nigeria, our long running work in Cross River National Park supports ranger patrols giving protection to the Critically Endangered Zanzibar Red Colobus Preuss’s red colobus. In Uganda, anti-poaching Ashy Red efforts with the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project Miss Waldron’s Pennant’s Bouvier’s Colobus Red Colobus Red Red have strengthened protections for all wildlife in Colobus Colobus
Kibale National Park, including the Endangered VULNERABLE Udzungwa Ashy red colobus. Finally, in Equatorial Guinea, Red Colobus ENDANGERED we provide technical support for anti-poaching CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Tshuapa Red Ulindi Red Foa’s Red patrols using SMART to protect the Critically Colobus Colobus Colobus INTEGRATED, POLYCHROMATIC FORMS Endangered Pennant’s red colobus. ©Global Wildlife Conservation ©Illustrations by Stephen Nash
20 | International Conservation International Conservation | 21 Conserving Critically Endangered Pacific Birds The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean are the northernmost string of islands in Micronesia, made up of Guam, a US territory, and the 14 islands of the Northern Mariana Islands, a US commonwealth. In the 1940’s, the brown tree snake was accidentally introduced to Guam, and by the 1980’s, the snake had decimated bird populations, driving nearly all of the native species on Guam to extinction in the wild. The Mariana Avifauna Conservation (MAC) Program’s primary objective is to ensure the same fate doesn’t befall the native endemic population of birds on the Northern Mariana Islands. The Zoo has been a banded according to US Fish and Wildlife long time MAC partner, protocols and also undergo a veterinary health providing critical exam, before being transported to their release conservation support site. After their successful release, biologists in two ways: technical from the Commonwealth of the Northern support for capturing Mariana Islands Division of Fish & Wildlife birds to be translocated to continue to monitor how the birds do in their snake-free islands, and new home. providing veterinary care for the captured birds until they are released onto these new islands. The Zoo also has a captive breeding program for the Critically Endangered golden white-eye, In the wild, Zoo staff have assisted with the a bird native to Saipan, which received its first capture and translocation of birds to snake- two pairs of wild-caught golden white-eyes in free islands with the MAC program for more 2008. In 2009, the first healthy chick hatched, than 10 years. Recently, translocation efforts and was the first successful captive breeding Alongside AZA partners, we are working to not have focused on capturing two bird species on for this species. We have had a total of six only raise awareness about these birds, but also Saipan and relocating them to the neighboring chicks successfully hatch and fledge since to protect these native species, which don’t exist island of Alamagan. Teams of more than 25 2009, and have transferred several of these anywhere else in the world, from extinction.” staff from over 15 AZA institutions trapped birds to other North American zoos as Heather Scott 100 rufous fantails and 93 golden white-eyes. part of the effort to create a sustainable Hospital Manager, Veterinary Section Captured birds are carefully cared for and breeding population. North Carolina Zoo
22 | International Conservation International Conservation | 23 The Zoo also expanded its role in the The Zoo is undertaking a similar effort in the Conservation in the Caribbean Caribbean in 2017 by reinvigorating recovery Bahamas with the Silver boa. Although only Under the leadership of Curator of Reptiles efforts of the Virgin Island boa. We began recently described to science in 2015, it’s and Amphibians, Dustin Smith, the Zoo works conducting surveys to determine population already considered the world’s rarest boa on numerous projects in the Caribbean, including sizes and better understand the overall species, with fewer than 140 in existence. The Puerto Rican crested toads, status of the snakes. Zoo veterinary staff also Zoo is partnering with UNC Asheville and the Virgin Island boas, and conducted health assessments of the boas Bahamas National Trust to conduct surveys for Conception Island silver encountered. It was determined that we should the species to learn more about its population boas. Although the begin breeding snakes at the Zoo for additional and natural history. In addition, we are geographic scope is introductions to expand the wild population developing an assurance population to ensure broad, spanning from size. We also maintain an “assurance its long-term survival and to better understand the Bahamas to Puerto population” to make sure the species its reproductive biology. Rico and throughout survives if something happens to the the Virgin Islands, the goal remaining wild population. for all these species is the same: recover declining populations.
Since 2015, the Zoo has bred and released existence. Because of this, we are working with Puerto Rican crested Puerto Rican collaborators and AZA partners toads annually to help to design more wetlands and breeding sites bolster populations in for ongoing recovery. In 2017, we also assisted the wild. The goal is to develop more self- with the design and construction of two ponds, sustaining populations, but this is difficult, as which have already been used multiple times there are only two natural breeding ponds in by this Critically Endangered toad.
Projects with our partners are critical for recovering federally listed species. Proactive partners such as the North Carolina Zoo provide tools and efforts that complement the USFWS’s work and allow on-the-ground recovery efforts with direct conservation benefits for our species.” Jan P. Zegarra Recovery Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Boqueron, Puerto Rico
24 | International Conservation International Conservation | 25 Conserving Tanzania’s Giraffes Collaborative Zoo & Field Global giraffe populations have declined by roughly 50% since the 1970’s. Masai giraffe in Conservation Through SAFE Tanzania have faced similar declines and there is little information available on their population status and threats. The Zoo was privileged to attend the Tanzania National Giraffe Conservation Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) is a program of the Action Plan meeting in 2018. At that meeting, the needs for more population monitoring, detailed Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) that brings together AZA demographic data (age, sex, reproductive status, etc.), and better understanding of Giraffe Skin member institutions and field-based partners to work collaboratively Disease progression for giraffe populations in southern Tanzania were highlighted. towards the conservation of threatened wildlife. The Zoo has actively engaged with SAFE and is a Program Leader for African vultures, To address these needs, the Zoo developed a research project for Nyerere National Park American red wolves, and Asian hornbills, and is a partner on black rhinos, (formerly Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Park to improve our understanding of chimpanzees, giraffe, gorillas, monarch butterflies, and North American songbirds. SAFE allows giraffe population status and trends, as well as disease progression over time. The goal of zoos and aquariums from across the country to use their collective expertise to work towards the project is to use these data to develop and implement sustainable and well-informed strategic actions to save animals in the wild. conservation strategies.
Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority is delighted to work with North Carolina Zoo, whose vulture and giraffe studies are expanding our understanding of these vanishing species.” Singira Ngoishiye Head Ecologist Selous Game Reserve Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority
tta Da ©Aparajita
26 | International Conservation International Conservation | 27 Zoo Staff Making a Difference From Behind the Scenes The North Carolina Chapter of American into the Wild Association of Zookeepers (NCAAZK) is dedicated to advancing animal care, promoting Keepers at the Zoo work hard to care for public awareness, enhancing professional our animals and ensure excellent guest development, and contributing to local and experiences. One aspect of their work is international conservation efforts. AAZK and behind the scenes tours, which generate funds NCAAZK organize numerous fundraising events that primarily support the Zoo’s conservation each year, such as Bowling for Rhinos, which programs, but that also provide support provides support to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, to external conservation organizations International Rhino Foundation, and Action for selected by the keepers. Recently supported Cheetahs in Kenya, and the Run Wild 5K hosted organizations include the Zoos Victoria Translating Science into Conservation at the Zoo, which supports keeper education Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund, which and development, as well as a host of global Action in the Philippines provided emergency veterinary care to animals and local conservation organizations. NCAAZK The Zoo supports international conservation impacted by the Australian bushfires, the has raised more than $180,000 for Bowling For efforts by applying our resources and staff Philippine Eagle Foundation, which conserves Rhinos. Collectively, AAZK chapters have raised expertise to support evidence-based planning The North Carolina Zoo brings significant the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle, more than 8 million dollars since 1990. for important species of high conservation ex situ hornbill experience and a deep and the Orianne Society, which conserves value around the world. Zoo staff often have understanding of both the Philippine reptiles and amphibians across the eastern context and IUCN Conservation Planning In addition to annual fundraisers, NCAAZK unique knowledge which allows them to play United States. protocols, putting them in a unique members also vote to select two local and two key roles as members of IUCN SSC specialist position to support local NGO’s to do the global conservation organizations to support groups and in species conservation planning. very best they can for these species.” Zookeepers support each year, such as the Endangered Wolf Center The One-Plan approach to conservation Dr. Lucy Kemp wildlife conservation and SaveNature.org. In an average year, the developed by the IUCN supports an integrated Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group The American Association of Zoo Keepers NCAAZK donates more than $7,000 to local strategy for species conservation planning with (AAZK) is a non-profit, volunteer-led and global conservation organizations through a single plan to bridge the gap between wild organization made up of professional zoo this effort. and captive population management. The first, held in March 2019, emphasized keepers and other interested individuals. the Critically Endangered Sulu hornbill, while The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot the second, in June 2019, focused more for hornbills, home to 10 endemic species, broadly on five high priority endemic species which the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist from the West Visayas region, including the Group identified as a critical region due to Critically Endangered Rufous-headed hornbill four high priority hornbill species in need of and the Endangered Visayan hornbill. The conservation planning. In 2019, two species Zoo’s Director of Animal Management & conservation planning workshops were Welfare, Roger Sweeney, contributed to both organized for Philippine hornbill species, with workshops as a member of the IUCN SSC many international and national stakeholders Hornbill Specialist Group and led the representing Philippine government agencies, specific ex situ working group for the landowners, conservation groups, universities, Sulu hornbill workshop. tourism, agriculture and local communities.
28 | International Conservation International Conservation | 29 Regional Conservation Conserving North Carolina’s Red Wolves The Zoo has supported the conservation of the Zoo will identify and expand its capacity to the Critically Endangered American red wolf house red wolves by 50 new spaces. The Zoo’s since 1995. In the wild, red wolves - the most wolf population will then become a source endangered canid in the world - are restricted population for any additional recovery and to a small area in eastern North Carolina, with reintroduction areas identified by US Fish and a population of fewer than 20 individuals. Led Wildlife Service. by Chris Lasher, a Supervisor at the Zoo, Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) Coordinator In addition to increasing the population and American Red Wolf Saving Animals From under human care, we are also working to Extinction (SAFE) program leader, the mission educate and engage guests, non-government of the SSP red wolf program is to increase organizations, governments and land owners in conservation efforts for the American Red Wolf recovery areas about the benefits the red wolf by maintaining a healthy and viable assurance provides to the ecosystem and economies of population of red wolves under human care, the areas where reintroduction efforts expanding education and awareness efforts are focused. about the species, and aiding research vital to The North Carolina Zoo’s contributions to conservation of the American red wolf are vital to the recovery of this species. The Zoo’s management of the American Red supporting the recovery and management of Wolf Species Survival Plan ensures the long-term genetic health of the species and this species. establishment of future new red wolf populations, and the Zoo’s key role in the Red Wolf SAFE program addresses education and awareness efforts and research vital The initial goal of the SAFE program is to to recovery and management of this species.” increase space for red wolves under human Emily Weller care from the current capacity of 225 wolves to Red Wolf Recovery Lead the US Fish and Wildlife Service recommended U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service minimum capacity of 330. To achieve this goal,
32 | Regional Conservation Regional Conservation | 33 Amphibian Conservation in the Carolinas Home to nearly 100 species of amphibians, protecting the hellbenders and their eggs North Carolina is a hotspot of amphibian inside. We are also monitoring these sites to diversity, including more species of determine the effectiveness of the boxes in salamanders than anywhere in the world. different areas. Unfortunately many species are in decline. Many of our state’s endangered amphibians Eastern hellbenders are a type of salamander, live in the piedmont/coastal plain and are known locally as “Snot Otters”. They require specialists of the long-leaf pine ecosystem. “Our partnership with the North clean, well-oxygenated Gopher frogs and ornate chorus frogs, both Carolina Zoo has allowed the NC rivers with plenty state Endangered species, breed during winter Wildlife Resources Commission to of prey items, and rain events in ephemeral wetlands. Each increase our capacity to work on appropriate shelter winter, we visit these ponds with staff from the amphibians in a way that we and nest rocks. Due to Wildlife Resources Commission to conduct would otherwise be unable to do. ongoing degradation egg mass surveys and collect a small portion Specifically, the Zoo’s ability and capacity to hatch eggs and head- of streams and from each egg mass for headstarting. The eggs start several rare frogs, such as the surrounding habitats, are transported to the zoo to hatch and we gopher frog and the ornate chorus most of North Carolina’s raise the tadpoles to small frogs. Once they’ve frog, gives these species a better hellbender populations morphed, they are marked, measured, and chance for long-term survival are in decline. The Zoo released back into the wild. This effort gives in the wild.” is working with the North Carolina Wildlife the individuals a higher chance of surviving to Jeff Hall Resources Commission to bolster populations be adults. In addition to releasing at the historic Partners in Amphibian & by installing artificial nest boxes in streams breeding sites, we are also expanding this Reptile Conservation Biologist, North Carolina Wildlife where hellbenders occur. The nest boxes are effort to include recently restored wetlands. Resources Commission designed to withstand fast moving rivers, while
hellbender nest gopher frogs boxes installed released into in rivers the wild
34 | Regional Conservation Regional Conservation | 35 Preserving Wild Places in North Carolina With over 2,800 acres, North Carolina Zoo is for marbled salamanders. The Preserve also the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. Aside shares a deep and important connection from the 500 developed acres of the Zoo, with local communities around the Zoo. The much of this land is set aside for preservation preserve’s trail system (approximately two due to its unique geological, botanical, and miles) was constructed over time by two Eagle wildlife value. Scout members of the Asheboro Troop 527 chartered by the First United Methodist One of the most interesting features of our Church in Asheboro. local wild-lands is Purgatory Mountain, which is part of the Uwharrie Most recently the Zoo has added three mountain range. On the additional parcels that will serve as buffers for mountain, there are existing property from future developments. In several isolated upland this way, the Zoo helps to maintain important pools and seeps as habitat and corridors for native wildlife. well as a prairie home to the Endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii). Purgatory Mountain Trail is the primary, original trail on Zoo property, and sole access remains via foot trails. However, the Zoo now features By protecting and restoring these natural lands, we provide approximately four miles of marked trails. healthy habitats for native plants and animals for the benefit of our community and future generations.” Another property, Ridge’s Mountain Preserve, Betsy Roznik, Ph.D. an area of approximately 280 acres, is home to Associate Curator of Regional Conservation unique geologic features, soils, plants, and even North Carolina Zoo two upland pools which are breeding habitats
36 | Regional Conservation Regional Conservation | 37 Conservation Education UNITE: Sustainable, Community-driven Environmental Education The Zoo believes in the power of education rooted in science and culture that addresses both for our visitors and as part of our environmental needs with appropriate international conservation efforts. Through our sustainable solutions. To do this, UNITE UNITE program, which has operated around employs four Ugandan staff members year- Uganda’s Kibale National Park for more than round to work in close collaboration with 17 years, the Zoo is training Ugandan teachers 28 schools within a five-km radius around to be better environmental educators and Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. stewards. Kibale is a critically important UNITE staff empower teachers to enhance conservation area with the highest density of their teaching methods, incorporate more primates in all of Africa, including the largest environmental topics into the classroom, chimpanzee population in East Africa and and help the local community reduce their the only viable population of the Endangered impact on the neighboring national parks. Ashy red colobus monkey. Recently, the These objectives are accomplished through a Zoo expanded efforts to neighboring Queen combination of teacher workshops, school field Elizabeth National Park, which, together with trips, one-on-one work with head teachers, Kibale, forms a continuous forest corridor that and creation of conservation clubs, all of which is critically important for the conservation of are carefully monitored and evaluated through many African wildlife species, including lions, classroom observations, student evaluations, leopards, elephants, and chimpanzees. and school and home visits. With our support, teachers, their students, and their communities UNITE provides Ugandan communities with are better protecting the forests and wildlife quality conservation education programming that they live alongside.
Educating Nurturing sustainable Future livelihoods Leaders 28 45 615 schools beehives fuel-efficient built stoves built The real cure to our environmental problems is to understand, appreciate and show 300 105 1,530 willingness to save Mother Nature. At UNITE, we believe that empowering students, teachers vegetable trees teachers and local communities living adjacent to protected areas towards gardens planted planted meaningful stewardship over our planet helps to nurture a responsible generation, whose words of appreciation may not be heard today but in times to come.” 9,200 225 22 Samwel Nyawanga students banana trees waste Training Ugandan teachers Assistant Education Officer, planted incinerators built to be better environmental UNITE for the Environment, North Carolina Zoo educators and stewards of the natural world.
40 | Conservation Education Conservation Education | 41 Providing a Refuge Using Polar Bears in Climate for Migrating Change Education Polar Bears International (PBI) is the leading In 2019, educators from Monarchs polar bear conservation group in the world. AAC’s around the country They work to conserve polar bears and save met for the Climate Several monarch waystations can be found the sea ice the bears depend on. Since 2009, Alliance Workshop. Emphasis around the Zoo in areas like Kidzone and the the Zoo has supported four keepers, two was placed on how to engage in productive Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden, providing safe volunteers, and two educators to attend conversations about climate change with haven for migrating monarchs and habitat for PBI’s Climate Alliance Workshop in Churchill, the help of evidence-based communications other local pollinators and also demonstrating Manitoba, which is considered the polar bear methods from the National Network for Ocean how simple it is to create pollinator habitat. capital of the world due to the significant and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI). Recently, the Zoo has been working closely population of bears that migrate through the This specialized training has been implemented with the community to share expertise in the area. The Zoo is also among an elite group in 184 institutions from 38 states. Creating a creation of “Pollination Stations,” which consist of 40 zoos, aquariums, and museums that framework using universal values, explanatory of planters of native nectar and host plants for partner with PBI as an Arctic Ambassador metaphors to more clearly explain how local pollinator species. Working with Center (AAC). With this partnership, the Zoo climate change works, and community level community partners, we have installed participates in actions which promote climate solutions, the Zoo reaches more than 45,000 Pollination Stations made with recycled change awareness, such as tree planting at people annually through presentations at the containers and decorated by children at three local parks and schools, facilitating workshops North Carolina Science Teacher Association Randolph County preschool sites and one at at colleges, and presenting the “Paw of Conference, our Living with Nature Distance the Child Development Center at Davidson Approval” awards to North Carolina businesses Learning Events, Facebook Live videos, and County Community College. with green practices that work to mitigate the in-person interactions. The Zoo’s preschool pollinator program has impact of climate change. also been incorporated into teacher trainings. The overall goal is to create pockets of plant diversity that support local pollinator species, help local schools meet curriculum guidelines, and reinforce community partnerships. Having the NNOCCI training has made me much more confident in my ability to Pollination stations are also part of the Zoo’s educate guests on the mechanics contribution to the nationwide efforts of the of climate science and how to empower Monarch Butterfly SAFE program. them to help protect our world and the plants and animals that live in it. I am excited to join the rest of the AAC The pollination station helps spark a team to support the Zoo’s mission as a spirit of conservation in young children leader in conservation education.” at an early age so that students can have positive experiences with nature Leslie Wilhoit School Programs Coordinator and the outdoors.” North Carolina Zoo Dena Harward 2019 Climate Alliance Workshop Participant Early Childhood Teacher Head Start, Asheboro
42 | Conservation Education Conservation Education | 43 Research Veterinary Research in the Field Black-faced impala are genetically distinct Science informs our from common impala and are endemic to conservation efforts and Namibia, where only 3000-4000 individuals our animal care at the Zoo. remain. In order to conserve this vulnerable Through our work with species, they need to be translocated students, universities, away from areas of poaching or and partners, we have inadequate resources. a unique opportunity to further animal care Translocation involves darting the impala and conservation via and using anesthesia, often in remote areas capacity-building with limited support, which can be dangerous and research.” to the animals. Zoo veterinarian Dr. Katie Corinne Kendall, Ph.D. Delk has partnered with the Ministry of Curator of Conservation and Research North Carolina Zoo Environment, Forestry and Tourism in Namibia to evaluate anesthetic protocols with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality during translocation in Etosha National Park. Science at the Zoo Initial fieldwork has resulted in improved anesthetic methods and zero mortalities. Research conducted at the Zoo spans a variety In addition to safer translocations for the of disciplines, including veterinary medicine, impala, this partnership also builds capacity evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and of Namibian staff, who are trained to assist conservation. The Zoo acts as a resource for in procedures. Results from this work will be universities and colleges all over the country to published in an open-access veterinary journal learn about and better understand wildlife in so that local or regional wildlife veterinarians ways that are only possible by having animals can benefit. in human care. Studies conducted at the Zoo have helped calibrate how scientists measure body condition in wild polar bears, improved our understanding of biomechanics (how Being able to immobilize black-faced animals move) in gorillas and chimpanzees, impala in the safest way possible is a and provided a testing ground for new huge advancement and will greatly methods in using Doppler radar to detect contribute to future translocation poachers and wildlife in the field. Overall, successes of this iconic species.” by prioritizing research, the Zoo forges Carl-Heinz Moeller new pathways to discover little known, but Veterinarian and Chief Pilot desperately needed information on wildlife Wildlife Support Services Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism health and behavior.
46 | Reseach Research | 47 Zoo-based research is a fundamental step in enriching the lives of our animals. The science we do at North Carolina Zoo ensures that our animal husbandry practices are evidence-based and responsive to our animal’s needs.” Emily Lynch, Ph.D. Associate Curator of Research North Carolina Zoo
Improving the Lives of Animals through Research In addition to facilitating external research, The Zoo’s dedication to research also the Zoo has dedicated scientific staff facilitates educational and learning working to improve the opportunities for students. Our staff work lives of our animals. closely with undergraduate and graduate Research projects are students, designing and implementing a variety conducted through of research projects. This experience enables close collaboration students to gain the skills required to execute among our research, scientific research with wild animals, as they veterinary, and work towards careers in veterinary science, animal teams, who ecology, or wildlife conservation. work together on the implementation and supervision of all on-site research. Our staff use research to improve the lives of our animals by producing applicable results, which directly improve health, habitat design, enrichment use, diet plans, breeding behaviors, and overall animal management strategies.
48 | Reseach Research | 49 Welfare Wildlife Rehab Center The Zoo’s Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was established in 2001 to provide veterinary and rehabilitative care to sick, injured, and orphaned North Carolina native wildlife, and to provide opportunities for individuals to learn respectful and responsible techniques for caring for wildlife for the sole purpose of returning them to the wild. In an average year, more than 700 animals are admitted to the wildlife center, representing around 100 different species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
The center also works closely with the community and local agencies and institutions. For instance, the Zoo assists the North the center’s in-house program, as well as Carolina Wildlife from North Carolina’s Black Colleges and Resource Commission Universities and the Youth Advocacy and with injured and Involvement Office programs. orphaned bear cubs, providing the best care Center staff also work further afield having possible, while ensuring the participated in Hellbender and American cubs can be successfully alligator research and conservations initiatives, returned to the wild. contributing to a The center has also native salamander provided numerous breeding project, opportunities for and providing assistance and training long-term for locally licensed guidance and wildlife rehabilitators. In assistance to Wild 2019, the center had a waitlist Sun Rescue Center The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center continues to be an integral and invaluable resource that the Zoo provides to the wildlife and people of North Carolina.” of enthusiastic volunteers, topping out at in Costa Rica. 95 active contributing team members. This Halley D. Buckanoff, Wildlife Center Veterinary Technician, North Carolina Zoo exceptional group included interns from
52 | Welfare Welfare | 53 abilities of local responders and conservation secure facilities for such a large group of groups in Madagascar, so an international confiscated animals. operation was mounted by members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, to which In January 2019, news broke that 1,800 lesser the Zoo contributed a three-person team, flamingo chicks were abandoned by their with each member contributing different skills parents because of severe drought near the to the response effort. Our team comprised breeding area, Kamfers Dam, South Africa. The a veterinary resident, who participated in the 1,800 abandoned chicks were rescued and health assessment and medical care of the sent to zoos and wildlife centers across Africa. confiscated animals; an animal care supervisor, Zoo Aviary zookeeper, Jeff Souther, joined who participated in setting up animal care other zoo professionals in Africa to care for the routines to house, feed, and monitor the chicks. During his visit he prepared formula, confiscated animals; and also a member of our hand fed the chicks, cleaned enclosures, Zoo maintenance team to help develop the bathed, and weighed the 115 chicks housed at infrastructure to provide housing and his location.
International Animal Welfare North Carolina Zoo has built an international reputation for practicing a high level of animal welfare science and we believe part of our mission is also to assist The Zoo is committed to the highest standards skills capacity of the ZPO zoo staff. Training is locally and globally, through building the capacity of partner organizations around of animal welfare at our own facility, and by currently focused on ZPO zoos - Chiang Mai the world and joining emergency response and rescue operations when needed.” developing partnerships and working closely Zoo and Khao Kheow Zoo - with these zoos Roger Sweeney with zoos in developing countries, we are being developed into centers of excellence Director of Animal Management & Welfare able to improve welfare for animals at other that can train staff from other zoos in Thailand. North Carolina Zoo institutions as well. Most recently, we have been working with partners in Thailand, The Zoo also assisted authorities in Madagascar, and South Africa. Madagascar in 2018 when they intercepted an illegal wildlife smuggling operation involving In 2018, the Zoo began a partnership with Zoo nearly 10,000 endangered Madagascan Parks Organization of Thailand (ZPO) and Wild radiated tortoises. The size and scope of Welfare, a captive wild animal welfare program this wildlife confiscation was beyond the conceived at the North Carolina Zoo, which focuses on improving welfare standards in substandard wild animal facilities. In this new collaboration, the Zoo provides training to help Thailand ZPO zoos build staff capacity and meet the highest possible standards for animal welfare. Our Zoo staff are now regularly visiting ZPO zoos to review welfare assessment reports, identify critical performance gaps, and design staff training to build knowledge and
54 | Welfare Welfare | 55 Green Practices & Sustainability Green Practices & Sustainability at the Zoo Making Strides at the Zoo... For more than 30 years, the North Carolina and a comprehensive approach to minimizing Zoo has been invested in natural resource single-use plastics throughout Zoo operations. conservation as a way to maintain natural Reducing our plastics use helps accomplish NC ecosystems and prevent environmental numerous goals, including reducing 4 ZOO 8 100% degradation. The Zoo is also a long-term consumption of fossil fuels (most plastics are Electric refill fry grease member of North Carolina’s Environmental made from petroleum), eliminating potential Charging stations within waste Stewardship Initiative and has received marine debris, and addressing growing concern stations ISO 14001 certification, which signifies the over microplastic pollution. the park recycled Zoo’s commitment to minimizing waste, conserving natural resources, and preventing environmental degradation in every aspect of Zoo operations. At the Zoo, we strive to inspire 64% less others to make small incremental wattage using Beginning with the initiation of its first ‘green changes in their own lives to make LED bulbs 1,800 tons Solar Pointe generates energy practices’ in the late 1980’s, the Zoo has the world a better place.” of waste to power 12 enacted numerous projects, such as high Bob Langston composted Sustainability and Conservation homes for efficiency LED lighting and HVAC control Outreach Coordinator annually one year systems. Current priority initiatives include North Carolina Zoo intensive recycling and composting programs, ...and Across the State. 725 miles of 116 acres of longleaf shoreline 400 pine forest trees planted cleaned up restored
5,000 students/year >750,000 lbs educated on 5,000 trash removed seedlings from environmental given away waterways stewardship
58 | Green Practices & Sustainability Green Practices & Sustainability | 59 Conservation Partners Conservation Partners North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Wildlife Conservation Society Pacific Bird Conservation Wildlife Protection Solutions The North Carolina Zoo collaborates with more than 90 partners in more than 20 countries. Painted Dog Conservation Wildlife Trafficking Alliance Panthera World Wildlife Fund American Association of Zoo Keepers Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves, Para la Naturaleza Zambia Department of Parks and Wildlife Côte d’Ivoire ASEAN Center for Biodiversity Peace Parks Foundation Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Kamwenge District Local Government, Uganda Management Authority Association of Zoos & Aquariums Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Kibale Association for Rural and Zoo Miami Bahamas National Trust Philippines Biodiversity Management Bureau Environmental Development Zoo Parks Organization of Thailand Bauchi State Government, Nigeria Piedmont Land Conservancy Kibale Chimpanzee Project Zoological Society of London BioCarbon Partners Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy Leiden Conservation Foundation Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Blue Ridge Biofuels Anthropology Randolph Electric Membership Cooperative Bristol Zoological Society Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Red Colobus Conservation Network Tourism, Namibia Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Widlife Ruaha Carnivore Project Conservation Trust & Ngamba Island Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Cameroon Chimpanzee Sanctuary Save Giraffes Now Ministry of Water and Forests, Côte d’Ivoire Citizens of the Karst Save the Rhino Trust Minnesota Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo SMART Partnership Mohamed bin Zayed Species Talarak Foundation Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Conservation Fund Division of Fish & Wildlife Tanzania National Parks Namibia Nature Foundation Conservation Lower Zambezi Tanzania Wildlife Authority National Geographic Society Conservation South Luangwa Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute National University of Equatorial Guinea Cross River State Forestry Commission, Nigeria Taronga Zoo NC GreenPower Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund The Nature Conservancy Ngogo Chimpanzee Project Drexel University Three Rivers Land Trust Nigeria National Parks Service Duke University U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service North Carolina Aquariums Emory University U.S. Forest Service North Carolina Department of Transportation Frankfurt Zoological Society U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife North Carolina Department of Environmental Game Rangers International Quality Stewardship Initiative Uganda Wildlife Authority Giraffe Conservation Foundation North Carolina Land and Water Fund Uganda Wildlife Education Center Global Wildlife Conservation North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences University of North Carolina - Asheville Greater Uwharrie Conservation Partnership North Carolina Natural Heritage Program University of the Philippines High Point University North Carolina State University University of the West of England International Union for Conservation of Nature North Carolina State University College Wild Welfare of Veterinary Medicine
62 | Conservation Partners Conservation Partners | 63 4403 Zoo Parkway 4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205 Asheboro, NC 27205 www.NCZoo.com www.NCZoo.org