41 trees preserved for the future

118 lbs waterborne waste not created

17,401 galllons wastewater flow saved

1925 lbs solid waste not generated

3791 lbs net greenhouse gasses prevented

29,015,600 BTUs energy not consumed

Additional savings for using paper manufactured with 100% windpower

1924 lbs ghg emissions not generated

2 barrels fuel oil unused

not driving 1905 miles WCS planting 131 trees

Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx , 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, 10460 SAVING WILDLIFE 718.220.5100 www.wcs.org & WILD PLACES [ COVER ] Baby Pende, one [ INSIDE COVER ] A southern of many western lowland elephant seal rests on the gorillas born and bred at the coast of Península Valdés in . Argentina. The region falls within one of more than 75 landscapes and seascapes WCS works to conserve.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education, and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes toward nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. FROM TO THE WORLD

WCS WAS FOUNDED IN 1895 AS THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT THE URGING OF CONSERVATIONIST AND FUTURE PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT. MORE THAN A CENTURY LATER, IT IS THE PREEMINENT SCIENCE-BASED WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD.

Since our inception, WCS has dispatched leading conser- the world’s biodiversity. The gorillas of Africa, the tigers vationists to all corners of the globe and developed five throughout Asia, the macaws in South America, and the world-class zoological parks in New York City. The sharks and turtles traveling through our planet’s seas first and most famous of those parks, Zoo, benefit from our foresight. was established in 1899. Within a decade, we aided the To fulfill our mission, WCS does not shy away from American bison’s recovery by sending some of our Bronx- adversity or the complex demands of working in conflict bred animals to western prairies. Today, we continue and post-conflict areas, such as Afghanistan, the Democratic to harness the power of our parks and our fieldwork to Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. 5 protect wildlife and wild places in perpetuity. Each year in New York City, more than 4 million people WCS’s strategy addresses visit our wildlife parks—the Bronx Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, and . conservation at every angle. Within the and aquarium, our award-winning exhibits fascinate the public with naturalistic settings and infor- With a dedication to science-based conservation and mative graphics. Our animals are ambassadors for the wildlife education, our 4,000-plus team fosters environmental protection of their wild relatives and native habitats. Our stewardship within schools, communities, governments, visitors encounter the planet’s amazing biodiversity and and corporations. To save wildlife and wild places, we learn how they can help secure its future. Our educators address four global issues: climate change; natural resource reach students and teachers in New York and around the extraction; the relationship between wildlife health and world. Our veterinarians and other experts provide the human health; and the connection between sustainable

A hippopotamus in the best care available to our parks’ wildlife collections while development and local livelihoods. SOCIETY CONSERVATION WILDLIFE Luangwa River. Since 2003, contributing to our conservation work abroad. Simply put, WCS’s strategy addresses conservation at WCS’s COMACO program has Across four of the world’s continents and all of its every angle. The knowledge we gain in the field, in the lab, worked to simultaneously oceans, WCS conducts more than 500 conservation proj- and in the classroom serves to sustain key species and wild improve rural livelihoods and ects. Our staff work on the ground in the often remote places, to safeguard humans, livestock, and wildlife from restore local wildlife populations locales of 60-plus countries. We do so to protect priority disease, and to keep local economies thriving. in Zambia. landscapes and seascapes, and the species that depend on them. We are committed to protecting 25 percent of A CONSERVATION LEGACY

1934 William Beebe completes 1908 NYZS work record-setting to protect fur 1916 A fully-equipped zoo- 3,000-foot dive in seals in the Bering based animal hospital opens bathysphere off Sea’s Pribilof on Bronx Zoo grounds. Bermuda's coast. 1894 Theodore Roosevelt, Islands begins, 1930 NYZS officers head

as Boone and Crockett & 1902 NYZS resulting in a a campaign against the

Club president, appoints 1901 The Bronx takes over 1912 international 1923 William & 1929 The Bronx Zoo opens misguided slaughter of a committee asking New 1897 NYZS Zoo hires its management of treaty outlawing Beebe leads his its first wildlife education thousands of wild ungulates York State to establish undertakes its first full-time the New York open-ocean first expedition department, teaching zoology, in Zululand, South Africa to a zoological society in first expedition zoological park Aquarium in lower seal hunting for to the Galapagos conservation, and natural eradicate tsetse fly. New York City. to Alaska. veterinarian. . the first time. Islands. history to visitors and students. 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s

1895 The New York 1899 The Bronx 1913 NYZS Director 1916 NYZS 1924 Congress 1929 NYZS passes 1931 NYZS analysis of Zoological Society Zoo (formally, William Hornaday helps write Curator of Birds, passes new code resolution to oppose whaling logs illustrates (NYZS) is founded. The New York language in Underwood Tariff William Beebe of game laws for introduction of non-native distribution and seasonal Zoological Park) Act, prohibiting importation opens a tropical Alaska as a result animals in U.S. national migrations of whales and officially opens. of bird plumage for use research station of NYZS pressure. parks and urges the National becomes foundation of later in hats. in British Guiana. Park Service to prohibit all cetacean conservation work. NYZS establishes such introductions. & & 1907 The American Bison the Department of 1922 NYZS Society transfers Bronx Zoo Tropical Research begins campaign 1929 After 10-year bison to protected lands in there in 1923. against the killing battle, the Migratory Bird the American West to restore of “vermin” Conservation Act passes, the species' decimated species: eagles calling for 14 sanctuaries populations. and other birds, across the U.S. bears, and wolves. 1957 New York Aquarium 1967 NYZS opens in Coney Island, supports Sir moving from its original Iain Douglas- Manhattan location Hamilton’s 1989 In the heart after a 16-year hiatus. ecological 1966 NYZS of Brazil’s flooded 1948 The Conservation survey of biologist Thomas 1985 NYZS builds forest, NYZS Foundation is founded elephants in Struhsaker 1970 Recording of the Wildlife Health launches the to handle NYZS’s ever- Tanzania’s begins study humpback whale Center, one of Mamirauá Lake expanding conservation Lake Manyara of a primate communications the first modern Ecological Station, program. The foundation National Park. & 1941 With its & 1987 NYZS later fledges as a community within by NYZS biologists zoo hospitals, at which becomes African Plains the Kibale Forest, Roger and Katie Bronx Zoo. design department Brazil’s first free-standing entity. 1967 Dian exhibit, Bronx fostering an Payne generates (EGAD) works Sustainable Fossey continues Zoo begins association wave of public 1985 The Bronx with Kenya Wildlife Development George Schaller’s grouping animals 1946 NYZS establishes the 1956 NYZS supports biologist 1960 Bolivia's Laguna with wildlife interest in these 1981 The Bronx Zoo's JungleWorld Service on plans Reserve. work on mountain by continents Jackson Hole Wildlife Park George Schaller's expedition Colorada Reserve is conservation mammals and & 1972 The World of Zoo becomes opens, becoming for what will gorillas with or ecosystems, to exhibit Rocky Mountain with Olaus and Margaret Murie established pursuant and scholarship contributes to Birds exhibit opens first to perform the first zoological become Nairobi 1989 NYZS initiates NYZS support. rather than fauna. It becomes part to Alaska’s Brooks Range. They to NYZS surveys and in Uganda that the movement to at the Bronx Zoo. embryo transfer exhibit of tropical Safari Walk – the first ever genetic orders of Grand Teton National later urge Congress to create the conservation proposals continues today. ban commercial 1977 Wild Asia opens from gaur to monkeys in a EGAD’s first global zoo-based field and families. Park in 1962. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. for James’s flamingos. whaling. at the Bronx Zoo. domestic cow. naturalistic setting. design project. veterinary program. 1940S 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s

1952 NYZS supports 1958 Through 1965 George 1973 Studies of 1980 George 1984 NYZS 1988 NYZS assumes research by A. Starker efforts by NYZS’s Schaller 1966 NYZS 1972 New York City’s first field ecology and Schaller begins helps create management authority over 1989 NYZS Leopold and Frank Fraser Carleton Ray, the conducts first establishes 1969 WCS work native-born gorilla, Pattycake, animal behavior long-term study world’s first NYC zoos, under contract elephant research Darling on wildlife conditions world’s first land ecological and Institute of in Argentina is delivered at what will help design the of giant panda in jaguar reserve, to Department of Parks and and advocacy in Alaska, focusing on forest and sea park behavioral study Research in between become NYZS’s Central Park management for China’s Wolong in Belize’s Recreation. contributes to an destruction, overgrazing, is established of Serengeti Animal Behavior 1960-1969 Zoo. She is the first of many Kenya's Amboseli Natural Reserve. Cockscomb becomes a NYZS park in international ban and wolf eradication. at Exuma Cays lions. at Rockefeller leads to six gorillas to be hand-reared Masai Game Basin. 1988, followed by Queens on ivory trade.

& 1947 The in the Bahamas. University that coastal reserves, at the Bronx Zoo. Reserve. Zoo in 1992 and Prospect professionalizes including Punta Park Zoo in 1993. 100 millionth 1948 The Conservation conservation Tombo and visitor attends Foundation & NYZS study 1979 NYZS 1959 George Schaller work and gives a Península Valdés. the Bronx Zoo. effects of pesticides on establishes the conducts first ecological home to leading animals, 14 years before world’s first wild study of mountain gorillas in scientists in Rachel Carson’s Silent gorilla tourism Virunga Volcano landscape. the field. Spring. program in Rwanda’s Virunga 1948 NYZS President Volcanoes. Fairfield Osborn writesOur Plundered Planet, calling attention to environmental destruction by humankind. 1998 The New York Zoological Society (NYZS) 2007 Cambodian prime officially changes 2005 WCS minister declares the Seima 2008 WCS efforts lead 1995 NYZS leads its name to revives American forests a protected area. to creation of first federally- effort to establish the Wildlife 2003 The Bronx Bison Society It is the fourth protected designated U.S. wildlife two important Conservation Zoo's renaissance to restore area resulting from WCS’s migration corridor, the Path 2010 WCS & parks in Bolivia: Society (WCS). master plan is the species’ Cambodia work. of the , to protect 2009 Allison Maher policy efforts Madidi National adopted and ecological role, the longest land migration Stern Snow Leopard help protect Park and Kaa-lya 1998 WCS 2002 WCS refurbishment with support 2007 WCS surveys reveal in the lower 48. Exhibit opens at Central 170,000 acres of

del Gran Chaco becomes first commissions of its historic & 2004 With land donated by from other that the second largest land Park Zoo. Alaska’s National National Park. The conservation architectural landmarks begins. Goldman, Sachs & Co., WCS conservation migration (of 1.3 million Petroleum

latter is the first group to work & 2000 WCS rescues firm Ayers, Saint shepherds creation of Chile's groups, Native antelope and other species) 2009 The LEED-certified Reserve near such area in the in Cambodia Tanzania’s last populations Gross to begin a 2003 Tiger 1,160-square-mile Karukinka Americans, survived decades of war WCS Center for Global Teshekpuk Americas initiated after fall of of Kihansi spray toads, just master plan for Mountain opens Reserve. government in southern Sudan. WCS Conservation opens at Lake, land vital by an indigenous Khmer Rouge. as they faced extinction in the Bronx Zoo's at the Bronx Zoo. agencies, and becomes wildlife advisor to the Bronx Zoo. for caribou and group. the wild by dam construction. renaissance. private ranchers. the provisional government. migratory birds. 1990s 2000s 2010s

1999 WCS biologist 2001 The Robert 2002 A documentary 2004 WCS 2007 WCS-led 2009 WCS Mike Fay completes W. Wilson Charitable by WCS and WWF 2003 Alien establishes research helps 2008 WCS partners with conservationists 2010 WCS returns 1,200-mile trust begins persuades the Stingers exhibit One World- define expansion Tanzania Wildlife Research discover nearly Bronx-bred Kihansi megatransect walk an eight-year Gabon government opens at the New One Health™, of Canada’s Institute to conduct national 6,000 Irrawaddy spray toads to a across Congo Basin. conservation to establish 13 new York Aquarium. promoting Nahanni National survey of elephants and river dolphins, breeding facility challenge to WCS, national parks. WCS collaborative Park, inspiring frame a national strategy among the rarest in Tanzania. 1999 Bronx Zoo’s resulting in $310 executives and U.S. strategies to a six-fold for their conservation. species of marine

& 1992 NYZS work helps Congo Gorilla Forest million raised for Secretary of State prevent disease expansion of the mammals, in 2010 WCS leads & 2011 New York Aquarium

establish 5,300-square-mile exhibit opens, raising global field work. Colin Powell meet in transmission park—protecting & 2008 Madagascar! exhibit 2008 WCS discovers Bangladesh. international effort opens Conservation Hall, Okapi Wildlife Reserve within more than $800,000 Gabon to launch the between wildlife, wilderness over opens in Bronx Zoo’s former 125,000 western lowland to protect the 3,200 as part of A Sea Change, Ituri Forest in present-day in each successive Congo Basin Forest livestock, and three times Lion House, transforming gorillas in Republic of Congo, 2009 WCS last remaining wild a 10-year public-private Democratic Republic of Congo. year for conservation Partnership. humans. the size of it into a LEED gold-certified more than half of world’s successfully tigers. partnership. in central Africa. Yellowstone. green building – the first NYC population of this great ape. concludes landmark to receive that rating. Gateways to Conservation, 2008 WCS work in Patagonia a $650 million leads to creation of marine capital campaign protected area, Golfo San Jorge, launched in 2004, a key habitat for Magellanic with a total of penguins and their prey. $663 million. SAVING WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES

LANDSCAPES AND SEASCAPES

Protecting wildlife and the wild places in which they live: this is WCS’s core conservation strategy. Our renowned fieldwork informs local, national, and international policies that address widespread threats to the planet’s ecological integrity. WCS is on the ground in more than 75 important landscapes and seascapes. These premier sites are biologically outstanding and within them, the prospects for conserving species and ecological processes over the long-term remain high. Protected areas are at the heart of many of these landscapes and seascapes, and since the early 1900s, WCS has helped establish more than 150 of them across the globe. In all, we have worked to conserve upwards of 2 million square miles of some of the Earth’s wildest places, from the grasslands of Mongolia to the coral reefs of Belize.

SPECIES

About 25 percent of the world’s species rely on the land- scapes and seascapes where we work. Our commitment to conserve this biodiversity is broad, but it runs deep. Our efforts focus on safeguarding a suite of global priority species. These species are vulnerable to extinction, impor- Fiji’s Totoya Reef was declared tant to humans, and powerful symbols of nature. WCS is “sacred” in 2011. WCS works dedicated to protecting iconic wildlife across their ranges with local islanders to implement and over the long term. At local, national, and international sustainable fishing practices, levels, we work to ensure these species thrive and contribute helping to ensure the island to their ecosystems, so they continue to enrich our planet’s society’s rich culture, traditions, diversity of life. and livelihoods endure. [ ABOVE ] An American bison in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

A WCS veterinarian examines a juvenile Galapagos turtle at the Bronx Zoo. To sustain Earth’s biodiversity into Global Health the future, WCS addresses issues that WCS strives to lessen the impact of disease influence ecosystems worldwide. on wildlife through better understanding of the nexus of human, wildlife, and domestic animal Climate Change disease. We do so through research, preventative With each passing year, climate change is education, and clinical care, conducted in our transforming the playing field for conservation. parks and in the field. At state-of-the-art wildlife We have made it our job to anticipate these health facilities, our veterinarians, training changes. From Indonesian coral reefs to central programs, and research combine to provide the African forests, WCS research and projects highest quality care to the animals within our combat the effects of climate change on zoos and aquarium. To address animal health wildlife and human communities. A WCS issues in the wild, we established a first-of- hallmark is to hold long-term commitments its-kind field veterinary program in 1989. Now to, and historical knowledge of, specific areas. from Patagonia to central Africa, we conduct cutting-edge disease investigations and work to prevent the transmission of pathogens—such A WCS hallmark is to hold long-term as avian influenza, West Nile virus, and Ebola commitments to, and historical virus— between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. In order to anticipate and mitigate knowledge of, specific areas. potential health threats to ecosystems and communities, WCS collaborates with in-country This enables us to implement conservation health experts. Together, we create local training 15 14 strategies that will help species and ecosystems programs and formulate disease prevention adapt to new climate conditions. Working with guidelines and policies. local people, corporations, and governments, WCS aims to reduce global carbon emissions Local Livelihoods by protecting the world’s remaining forests WCS conducts conservation in remote places and peat bogs from destruction. Our holistic where many of the world's poorest people approach goes beyond the fences of protected reside. These communities depend on natural areas to combine conservation, sustainable resources and local ecosystems for their food, development, and human livelihoods into one their shelter, and their livelihoods. Investing in integrated climate adaptation agenda. the quality of life within these societies is sound conservation practice. WCS aids communities Natural Resource Extraction across the globe in developing economic

Natural resource extraction—mining, logging, activities that are profitable, sustainable, and SOCIETYWILDLIFE CONSERVATION

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY CONSERVATION WILDLIFE [ OPPOSITE ] West Indian fishing, and oil and gas development—occurs coincide with conservation. Collaborating with flamingos off Inagua Island in many areas where we work. Reducing the community members and their leaders, we in the Bahamas, where WCS impact of these activities, and ensuring the help to ensure their legal tenure, nurture new conducts field research on persistence of wildlife in the face of these threats, agricultural products and practices, implement these colorful birds. are key to our conservation efforts. WCS assists better fishing techniques and management extractive industries in adopting business practices, and generate ecotourism and other practices that minimize their influence on wildlife financial opportunities. In addition, WCS helps and habitats. Additionally, we encourage communities and ecosystems recover within companies to help offset the impact of their areas devastated by natural disasters or actions through support of wildlife conservation. violent conflict. PARKS AND PEOPLE

OUR PARKS

WCS’s four zoos and aquarium comprise the world’s largest urban complex of wildlife parks. Our cutting-edge exhibits attract people in the millions to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, , Queens Zoo, and New York Aquarium each year. The purpose of the parks is manifold. They connect visitors to nature and serve as hubs for environmental education, as facilities for perpetuating endangered species, and as research centers for wildlife health and international conservation. WCS researchers in New York City exchange insights with their field colleagues that benefit wildlife at the parks and in the wild. Zoo-based research has aided vaccination The Next Generation of Conservation Stewards 17 efforts in African wild dogs, helped monitor jaguars in UÊ With more than 1,300 species and interactive exhibits spread Guatemala, and provided optimal nesting grounds for maleos, over 308 acres, the parks serve as an informal science an endangered bird species, in Indonesia. Our thoughtfully classroom for visitors and students. designed exhibits ensure the connection between the parks UÊ WCS, the Urban Assembly, and the NYC Department of and the field is ever present for our guests. In the Bronx Zoo’s Education created the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Congo Gorilla Forest, visitors can direct their admission Conservation for grades 6 to 12, with curricula themed on fee to support the WCS fieldwork of their choice in central wildlife conservation. Located in the Bronx, it is the first Africa. So far, the exhibit has raised more money for field school of its kind. A sister institution, the Rachel Carson conservation than that of any other zoo. More broadly, High School for Coastal Studies in Coney Island, is likewise our parks’ combined focus on research, education, and affiliated with the New York Aquarium. action exemplifies WCS’s unified approach to conservation. UÊ Each year, more than 100,000 students and 2,000 teachers

A porcupine in the Queens participate in WCS’s award-winning education programs—from SOCIETY CONSERVATION WILDLIFE Zoo’s aviary is one of many on-site academic programs to school field trips to day camp. WCS animals that bring UÊ WCS’s Distance Learning Expeditions provide programming ecology lessons to life for for more than 60,000 students in 36 states and 8 countries, students and teachers. including Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras.

[ ABOVE ] In 2010, a total of six cubs (three Amur tigers and three Malayan tigers) were born at the Bronx Zoo. Milestones and Discoveries UÊ In communities: WCS helped OUR CONSERVATION FOOTPRINT UÊ On land: So far, WCS has helped establish Bolivia’s Kaa-lya del Gran create more than 150 protected Chaco park by assisting indigenous areas—including the U.S. Arctic people in acquiring rights over their National Wildlife Refuge, Brazil’s ancestral lands. The park is the first Mamirauá-Amaña (the Amazon’s in the Americas to be co-managed largest flooded forest reserve), by an indigenous organization. Ecuador’s Galapagos National Park, Tibet’s Chang Tang Reserve UÊ Conflict areas:Through times of (the world’s third largest terrestrial civil unrest in Uganda, Rwanda, reserve), Tanzania’s Tarangire Democratic Republic of Congo, and National Park, South Africa’s Kruger Afghanistan, WCS was the sole con- National Park, and Gabon’s pro- servation organization that stayed tected area network that comprises to continue their work. After decades 10 percent of the country’s land area. of war in South Sudan, WCS was the first wildlife NGO to return to the region, UÊ At sea: WCS was instrumental in where we discovered the world’s establishing the world’s first land- second largest land migration had and-sea park at Exuma Cays in the remained intact through the conflict. Bahamas, the largest no-take zone in Fiji, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve UÊ Climate change: In Madagascar’s in Belize (and the subsequent Makira Forest, WCS established national network of marine protected one of the first REDD (Reducing 19 areas there), and the first marine Emissions from Deforestation and reserves in Argentina, Gabon, Forest Degradation) projects. These and Madagascar. initiatives address climate change by reducing CO2 emissions from UÊ In our parks: WCS is a leader in deforestation while they support captive breeding and spearheaded local, sustainable livelihoods. the idea of the Species Survival Plan. Zoos around the world use UÊ Species discoveries: WCS conser- these plans, and others like them, vationists were first to identify: the to protect wildlife from extinction Madidi monkey in Bolivia; Mura’s Legislation and Treaties and ensure the genetic integrity of saddleback tamarin in Brazil; the WCS was a founding member of the populations in captivity. black-and-gold salamander and International Union for the Conservation of bare-faced bulbul in Lao PDR; the

Nature (IUCN) and helped create important UÊ Our research: WCS conservationists Mekong wagtail in Cambodia; the SOCIETY CONSERVATION WILDLIFE regimes for protecting wildlife: the Interna- have conducted the first ecological leaf deer in Myanmar; the Arunachal tional Migratory Bird Act, the Pribilof studies on many species, including macaque in India; the kipunji in Fur Seal Treaty, the Convention on the mountain gorillas, humpback Tanzania; and many others. International Trade in Endangered Species whales, giant pandas, tigers, lions, snow leopards, Iranian cheetahs, Habitat connectivity: For pronghorn (CITES), the Great Apes Conservation Fund, UÊ Tibetan antelope, Bactrian camels, in the western , WCS the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, and Where We Work and Mongolian gazelles. helped create the first federally Landscapes the 2009 Semipostal Stamp Act for the O protected migration corridor. Multinational Species Conservation Fund. O Seascapes O Countries PHOTO CREDITS cover: Dennis DeMello/WCS; inside cover: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; page 4: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; Timeline*; page 12: Keith A. Ellenbogen; pages 13-17 (5): Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; inside back cover: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; back cover: Alex Dehgan/WCS

*Timeline, 1890-1929 (7): © WCS; 1931: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; 1934-57 (4): © WCS; 1959: © Peggy O’Shaughnessy; 1970- 72 (2): Dennis DeMello; 1987-2011 (10): Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

[ INSIDE BACK COVER ] A savannah [ BACK COVER ] One of six crystal elephant in northern Uganda. blue lakes in Band-e-Amir, Throughout much of the species' Afghanistan’s first national remaining habitat, WCS works park. WCS assisted in the to develop novel approaches park’s establishment in 2009, for reducing human-elephant and we have since helped conflict and poaching for ivory. create the nation’s first-ever protected species list.