Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute
Did you know the Saint Louis Zoo is a world leader in saving endangered species and their habitats? Many of the animals you will see at the Zoo are threatened in the wild by shrinking habitats, disease and poaching. The need for conservation is greater than ever, with one vertebrate species disappearing from the Earth every day. Ultimately, we need to save the ecosystems on which animals and humans depend.
The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, with the support of its Conservation Fellows, takes a holistic approach to troubled ecosystems by addressing three key ingredients in conservation success: wildlife management and recovery, conservation science, and support of the human populations that coexist with wildlife.
11 Centers. One goal.
American Burying Beetles: we are conducting surveys to see if critically endangered American burying beetles still live here, and developing a captive breeding program in case there is a need to re-introduce captive-bred beetles into the wild.
Avian health in the Galapagos Islands: we are studying the health of their unique birds to prevent their extinction from diseases, and training Ecuadorian scientists and rangers to recognize and test for diseases.
Cheetahs in Africa: we are helping survey the health and numbers of wild cheetahs, and working to reduce conflicts with livestock by teaching ranchers how to co-exist with cheetahs and other predators.
Center for Conservation in Forest Park: we are studying native wildife in our "backyard" of Forest Park.
Hellbender Conservation in Missouri: we are sponsoring water quality studies of the hellbender’s habitat, and starting a captive breeding program in case there is a need to supplement wild populations of this declining amphibian.
Horn of Africa Conservation Center: we are helping raise awareness and support for the wildlife of the Horn of Africa - through cooperative ex situ conservation, research and education programs for species such as the Grevy's zebra, mountain nyala, Speke's gazelle, African wild ass and Ethiopian wolf.
Lemurs in Madagascar: we are studying the health and genetics of endangered lemurs, and teaching local students and rangers how to manage and protect the remaining lemur populations.
Horned Guans in Mexico and Guatemala: we are studying the habits of the horned guan in order to develop a recovery plan for this endangered bird, and teaching local communities how to farm in more habitat-friendly ways.
Humboldt Penguins in Peru: we are working to protect Humboldt penguins by establishing a breeding reserve for them, supporting improvements in the Peruvian fisheries industry, and raising awareness of marine conservation issues.
Mountain Vipers in Armenia: we are studying the little-known habits of rare mountain vipers, and teaching local communities the value of these snakes, as well as how to farm in more habitat-friendly ways.
Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center: we are helping survey the numbers of critically endangered addax, and working to establish a reserve for these and other near-extinct desert antelope.
Mission
The WildCare Institute is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world.
How You Can Make a Difference
To become a partner in our field programs and research, contact:
Eric Miller, DVM
Direct: (314) 646-4557
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4557
For media information, contact:
Janet Powell
Direct: (314) 646-4633
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4633
PR@stlzoo.org
For information on donations, contact:
Kim Lovings
Direct: (314) 646-4691
Zoo: (314) 781-0900, ext. 4691
donation@stlzoo.org
Sustained by a $16 million endowment from the Zoo Friends Association, the WildCare Institute is privately funded by grants, partnering corporations and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
Conservation Research at the Zoo
By studying the behavior, hormones, reproduction and nutrition of captive animals, Saint Louis Zoo scientists can better help the animals of our conservation centers.
Our assisted reproduction studies may pay dividends to help the Central American horned guan population. We are also one of only a few zoos studying the important effects of animals' hormones on their reproduction.
Our behavior studies are invaluable tools for supplementing data on similar animal in the wild.
The work we do to learn about the nutritional needs of diverse animals can have a great impact on their survival.
And we use the latest developments in wildlife veterinary medicine to assure that the animals in our collection receive the very best health care available today. Everything we learn about our Zoo animals, we can then apply to their counterparts in the wild.
