2017 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from Dan Ashe 1 Saving Species 2 Goals and Measures of Success 4 SAFE Species 5 Project Coordinators/Collaborators 11 Engaging People 14 Program Support 17 “ As we educate the public on how zoos and aquariums have evolved over the last several decades and some question our relevancy in today’s world, we must demonstrate that we exist for a higher purpose beyond the exhibition of animals. And that purpose is the conservation of species in the wild. Working together, we have the ambitious goal of contributing $1 billion to field conservation over the next five years. SAFE is the mechanism that will allow all AZA- accredited facilities to engage in this mission and help us achieve this goal.” Jim Breheny, Executive Vice President & General Director, Zoos & Aquariums, WCS and the Jonathan Little Cohen Director of the Bronx Zoo 1 A Message from Dan Ashe I joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums last January in part because I saw the potential for the community to make a significant difference for conservation. On my arrival, the AZA Board of Directors — already committed to SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction — asked me to make SAFE more successful and inclusive. In SAFE, I see a path forward for AZA members to do more to save species. Because we are facing a global extinction crisis, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, and all conservation organizations, must step up their game. We have had many successes with SAFE this past year. The AZA community stepped forward with a heroic effort to save the vaquita. In 2017, AZA members contributed over a million dollars to the VaquitaCPR rescue effort, jump-starting a dramatic rescue operation late in the year. The “Invest In The Nest” Kickstarter campaign engaged a global community to help save endangered African penguins, becoming the first Kickstarter campaign to help an endangered species. Less than three percent of all Kickstarter campaigns seeking to raise over $100,000 are successful, and thanks to you, ours was one of them. Over six million people tuned in to a Facebook Live marathon that highlighted species conservation and animal care. But the extinction crisis demands that we grow SAFE. To accomplish this, SAFE has become a member-driven program, with AZA staff supporting a framework that can help members do more and better conservation. In 2016, AZA-accredited facilities contributed more than $216 million to protect wild animals and wild habitats. SAFE leverages that conservation work and the commitment of our members to build capacity so that the entire AZA community can engage in conservation. We will do better conservation by aggregating member efforts and leveraging each other’s skills. This 2017 SAFE Annual Report shares the progress made over the past year. I hope you are as inspired as I am about the potential for SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction. Dan Ashe President and CEO December, 2017 2 “ I can’t imagine a world without giraffe! But with giraffe already locally extinct in seven African countries, this could happen. To save the species we love, we need new ideas and new collaborations. The AZA’s SAFE program is helping bring together the passion, expertise and voice of zoos to make sure the wildlife we love don’t go extinct on our watch.” Liza Dadone, VMD VP of Mission and Programs, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Co-Liaison, Giraffe SAFE Program; Member, IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group Vision Together we are saving the most vulnerable wildlife species from extinction and protecting them for future generations. Mission The mission of SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction is to combine the power of zoo and aquarium visitors with the resources and collective expertise of AZA members and partners to save animals from extinction. 3 SAFE SPECIES: Saving Species » African penguin In early 2017, we began developing the framework to support SAFE as a member-led program, » Asian elephant with giraffe as a pilot species. This initiative has informed the transition of SAFE. » Black rhinoceros A key aspect of SAFE is that of collaboration. This includes collaboration among AZA-accredited » Cheetah facilities: SAFE Species program teams are required to have two or more AZA member » Gorilla participants when they apply for a new program. SAFE also encourages collaboration with the » Sea turtle larger conservation community—from the International Union for Conservation of Nature » Sharks and rays (IUCN), to government agencies and conservation organizations/NGOs—to create three-year » Vaquita SAFE Program Plans that are linked to and advance already established conservation plans for that species. » Western pond turtle SAFE Conservation Action Plans have already been developed for African penguin, cheetah, » Whooping crane sharks and rays, western pond turtles, giraffe, and vaquita, and include specific projects that NEW IN 2017: provide opportunities for AZA zoo and aquarium colleagues to become involved in species » African vultures conservation. » Black-footed ferret » Giraffe » Radiated tortoise “ With so many species and habitats around the world facing growing pressures to survive, it is invaluable to see the enormous efforts of AZA members towards conservation in the field, through research and in education. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission believes our growing partnership with AZA is crucial to prioritizing and mobilizing conservation action around the world, linking efforts within accredited zoos and aquariums to those in the wild and continuing to work together to secure a thriving future for wildlife and wild places.” Jon Paul Rodriguez, Chair, IUCN SSC 4 Goals of SAFE Measures of Success 2017–2022 » focus collective expertise and » Meaningful stories to tell about SAFE Species each year leverage audiences to save species » 100% of members involved in field conservation » build capacity within AZA » Contribute >$1 billion to support field conservation members to engage in meaningful, » Partners/stakeholders inspired to contribute additional $1 billion+ strategic and collaborative » 30+ SAFE Species conservation » AZA community works together for conservation » achieve clear measures of success » AZA members recognized as leading conservation organizations at 5 and 10 years » provide a straightforward Measures of Success 2023–2028 framework for engagement » Contribute >$1.5 billion to field conservation » expand the reputation of AZA » Partners/stakeholders inspired to contribute additional $1.5 billion+ members as leading conservation organizations • A 10-year field conservation investment >$5 billion » Field conservation is a cultural norm and professional obligation for AZA members » 50+ SAFE Species » Demonstrated conservation impacts for SAFE Species » A shift in positive public opinion about member aquariums and zoos “ All zoos — no matter how big or small — should become actively involved in conservation efforts; that’s who we are as a profession. SAFE now gives us a clearer framework to become involved with partners around the globe on species conservation projects.” Elizabeth Whealy, President and CEO of the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History 5 “ AZA members stepped up to help save a critically endangered species and, knowing the risks, made this historic conservation project possible. AZA’s generous support has raised global awareness about the plight of the vaquita and the need to continue working with the Mexican government on a conservation plan that can still save the most endangered marine mammal in the world.” Dr. Cynthia Smith, VaquitaCPR, Executive Director of the National Marine Mammal Foundation SAFE Species Vaquita In early 2017, the Mexican government declared the need for an emergency effort to relocate vaquita to a safe haven until their natural habitat is cleared of gillnets. Entanglement in gillnets is the biggest threat facing vaquita and with fewer than 30 individuals alive, the vaquita is the most endangered cetacean in the world. AZA-accredited aquariums and zoos rose to the occasion in response to the Mexican government’s decision. Over 100 members contributed more than $1 million to the rescue project, while others made staff available to develop plans, protocols, and facilities for the search and housing of animals; help the international team operate efficiently and maximize communication; and provide husbandry expertise in the event of vaquita being brought into human care. The funds raised by AZA members helped convince the Mexican government to commit an additional $3 million to the rescue effort. A team of 65 scientists from nine countries was assembled in preparation, and efforts to rescue the remaining vaquita began in October. The dire situation vaquita are facing called for a courageous approach. But by the end of the 24-day field season, weather had permitted the team to conduct searches on just 13 days. And even with the tremendous expertise of the teams involved, only two animals were safely caught and transported; one was released immediately due to young age and the other died shortly after release. The rescue project was called off and next steps for the overall recovery plan are being considered. 6 But elsewhere, efforts to save the vaquita continue. Shrimp fisheries in the region were evaluated by Monterey Bay Aquariums’ Seafood Watch program, so consumers could understand the environmental impact of their seafood purchases — including the effect on species like the vaquita. AZA commercial member McRoberts Sales, one of the AZA community’s largest seafood suppliers for animal diets, became a Seafood Watch Business Collaborator, offering the community a way to leverage their purchasing power to benefit vaquita. The heart of the market driving the use of gillnets in vaquita habitat is an endangered species called totoaba: a fish highly prized in China. In 2017, Ocean Park Hong Kong led a study to better understand the illegal trade and consumption patterns of totoaba fish maw in Hong Kong and Southern China. The results of this study will inform an approach aimed at reducing demand in these markets.