POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds has announced that they are launching a series of five conservation initiatives around the world aimed at implementing conservation solutions and safeguarding wildlife locally and globally.
The five initiatives include:
- North American Center for Bison Conservation at The Wilds
- Gorilla Doctors Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Center for Species Survival for Asian Elephants in Assam, India
- Conservation Efforts for Black and White Ruffed Lemurs in Madagascar
- Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
North American Center for Bison Conservation at The Wilds
The bison is the United States’ National Mammal, holding cultural and historical significance. Together with the scientific investigation and prairie restoration efforts at The Wilds, this program is looking to become a leading model for conserving wild bison traits, behaviors, and ecosystem benefits through herd management and partnerships.
Gorilla Doctors Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo
This new center will empower Gorilla Doctors to provide swift and effective care for endangered gorillas and other wildlife, while also raising awareness about their crucial work. Gorilla Doctors is an international team of wildlife veterinarians in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC, who provide life-saving veterinary care to endangered mountain and critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas in the wild. The new center will further benefit gorilla health and conservation by providing a medical and diagnostic facility within a short distance from Virunga National Park, one of the last major refuges of mountain gorillas.
Center for Species Survival for Asian Elephants in Assam, India
This center will establish the world's first Asian elephant conservation hub exclusively dedicated to a single species and uniquely located within the species' natural range. The population of Asian elephants in their native ranges has declined over the last century from over 100,000 animals to around 50,000 today. The overall goal of this center is safeguarding the future of Asian elephants and their habitats.
Conservation Efforts for Black and White Ruffed Lemurs in Madagascar
In Madagascar, the Columbus Zoo is ramping up its conservation efforts for critically endangered black and white ruffed lemurs in the Ranomafana National Park. Research indicates that reproduction is linked to factors like habitat modification, nutrition and climate change. Identifying these keys to reproduction will allow the scientists at the Ranomafana Ruffed Lemur Project to develop conservation strategies to save ruffed lemurs from extinction.
Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo’s My House facility will transform into the new Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation. In the new conservation center, visitors can learn about the Columbus Zoo’s local conservation initiatives, gaining insight into the projects dedicated to saving species such as hellbenders, Eastern plains garter snakes, freshwater mussels and American burying beetles.
In addition to these major projects, the Columbus Zoo will continue to help fund other projects such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia and Somaliland, Lola Ya Bonobo in the DRC and People and Carnivores in Bozeman, Montana. Funding for these other projects totaled more than $841,000 in 2023.