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Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
The Oklahoma City Zoo partners with the ODWC on various projects throughout the year through a large grant of $20,000. Staff members from the Zoo assist ODWC biologists and staff in surveys and other projects. Projects supported include:
Winter Bird Survey
Winter bird count in the Cimmaron Hills and Cimmaron Bluffs Wildlife Management Areas
Lesser Prairie Chicken Saturation Survey
This survey takes place in the Cimmaron Hills and Cimmaron Bluffs Wildlife Management areas and is being used to help lessen the impact of wind farms on this species. Funds from the Zoo may be matched by government grants and the surveys will be conducted from March 25 through the end of April.
Photo: Christopher Taylor
Other projects being considered for zoo funds and staff
- Bat survey - McCurtain County Wilderness area
- Swift fox track survey
- Monarch tagging with Monarch Watch
- Development and dissemination of Public Service Announcements highlighting wildlife species
- Possible black footed ferret release program in the future
- Vernal pool creation for amphibian conservation
The PanEco Foundation, Sumatra
Conservation efforts of the PanEco Foundation include:
The Biodiversity Agricultural Commodities Program partnered with PanEco to develop palm oil plantations on degraded land and mineral soil as an alternative to the expansion of plantations in the peat swamp forests of Tripa.
This program supports the most southern population of orangutans while also investigating the populations of Asiatic tapirs, Sumatran rhinos and tigers. A research station with a camera trap was set up in 2006.
Sea Turtle conservation program
This program works in studying the turtles, their eggs and their habits as well as supporting conservation of the species.
This program is working with Sumatran and international vet hospitals developing field vet training. They have rehabilitated more than 180 orangutans, with more than 120 re-released into Bukit Tigapuluh - an area that had been wiped out of orangutans and other wildlife.
Helpful Web Site Links:
www.PanEco.ch (English)
www.aza.org/pressroom/detail.aspx?id=16832
Funds from the Oklahoma City Zoo support:
- $5,000 towards elephant habitat protection
- $5,000 towards "captive" CRU work
"CRU" stands for Conservation Response Unit. These elephant jungle patrols help to reduce the human/elephant conflict by responding to crop raids, patrolling habitats and setting up elephant corridors. They are also a great source of eco-tourism!
This nature preserve and conservation information center is located just outside of Medan, and works to bring environmental education to the urban setting. The preserve also conducts surveys to establish biodiversity. The Zoo's support will help with building renovations, messaging and educational materials as well as supporting biological and geological surveys.
Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya
- Ensure the conservation, management and sustainable use of the natural resources within the Trust Area
- Promote and develop tourism and all other environmentally sustainable income-generating projects within the Trust Area
- Promote culture, education and sports of the residents of the Trust Area
- Promote better health of the residents of the Trust Area through the provision of better health services and facilities
- Alleviate poverty of the inhabitants of the Trust Area through improved social services, provision of employment and establishment of community-based enterprises
- Promote and support trusts, corporations, NGOs and other charitable organizations with similar objects to those of the Trust.
Lekurriki Conservation Trust
One of the many conservancies of the Northern Rangelands Trust, the Oklahoma City Zoo has been working with the Lekirruki Conservation Trust.
Due to its diverse landscape, Lekurruki Conservation Trust is home to many different species of wildlife and plants. Large herds of buffalo and elephant are common within the conservation area with one herd of elephant estimated at 450 individuals. The Mukogodo Forest is home to many unique species of plants, birds and butterflies.
Eco-Tourism
In 2000, with assistance from the privately owned Borana Ranch, an eco-lodge was constructed within the core conservation area of Lekurruki. Since its opening to guests in June 2001, Tassia Lodge has been a premier tourist destination in northern Kenya and offers clients a unique opportunity to enjoy a diverse array of fauna and flora. The lodge employs 90% of its staff from the Lekurruki Group Ranch and also provides income for conservancy operating costs (40%) and community projects (60%).
NRT Trading
NRT Trading has recently started working with women’s groups in Lekurruki. Initial engagement has included a needs assessment, business-training workshops and visits by the NRT Trading project team. NRT Trading is working with seven women’s groups from the conservancy and plans to expand engagement in the future. The improvement of cultural artifact-making initiatives, product quality and groups formation are areas that are currently being discussed.
Community Programs
Recent repairs on various roads within the conservation have greatly enhanced accessibility to community settlement areas and Borana Ranch. Also, the construction of a building at some of the surrounding schools have made it possible for students to learn under a roof unlike previously where the learning was under a tree. Finally, the procurement of camping gear (which includes tents, sleeping bags, and ruck sacks) for the Scout team by the US Fish and Wildlife Service has made security operations more effective.
Oklahoma City Zoo Funds Support
Elephants in Africa face critical threats, including intense poaching, disease, predation, and dramatic loss of habitat. In the past 25 years, the in situpopulation of African elephants has fallen from 1.6 million to less than 500,000 - a decline of more than 100 elephants each day.
The construction of the manager's house and security office will give the Lekurruki Trust a major advantage when it comes to fighting illegal poaching and keeping the animals safe. Currently without the equipment and supplies to combat poaching effectively, Trust staff will now be able to be much more efficient, safe and diligent in their attempts to stop poaching. Support for this will help managing their resources more efficiently they don't have ther equipment of a station enable them to be much more efficient, safe and diligent in the attempt to destruct poaching of the elephants for their tusks and horns and bushmeat trade. Keep the conservancy as an animal refuge.
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The Zoo is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums (AAM) as both a living museum and a botanical garden. AZA accredited facilities are dedicated to providing excellent care for their plants and animals, a great experience for guests and a better future for all living things.
A New Breath of Fresh Air: As of Nov. 1, 2007, state law prohibits smoking inside zoological parks. Please help us abide by this law by refraining from smoking within the Zoo. Thank you for maintaining a smoke-free environment for all living things!