Leech infested forests? Monsoons? Leg swallowing mud and Sea Gull poo?

You will find it all here as well as special events and stories from across the globe as we follow the Houston Zoo’s Naturally Wild Conservation Program in the office and in the field right here on the conservation blog.

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Feb
08

Following lemurs in the wild

Posted by in Africa,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,Travel

One of my zoo keeper friends was one of the fortunate few that got to join the researchers in Madagascar to assist in tracking the Carolina Five.  I treasure the stories she shared with me about following the group through the thick forest.  One of the lemurs, unfortunately, remained in a captive mind set at [...]

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Feb
07

Introducing and Re-introducing Ruffed Lemurs

Posted by in Africa,Conservation,Endangered Species

Ruffed lemurs are definitely one of my favorite species of lemur!  They are terrible to clean up after, and horribly loud, but delightful characters.  When I was a zoo keeper, I worked closely with the oldest Red-ruffed lemur in captivity at the time.   I had to do some training with him once and the only [...]

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Feb
05

Lemurs Love Rafting

Posted by in Africa,Endangered Species,Field Research,Travel

I have always been fascinated by Madagascar.  Did you know that it is the world leader in primate diversity?   The story that many schools of thought support is that the earliest form of primate, the lemur, drifted over to Madagascar on a piece of land/rafty thingy.  It creates an interesting image in one’s head (or [...]

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Feb
02

It’s Groundhog Day!

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts

HOUSTON! We had no winter. This is clearly the fault of some burrow dwelling rodent, but most likely no the fault of the Groundhog but please feel free to debate that issue with friends and colleagues. Since you most likely need a little background to win the winter vs. rodent argument, I thought it would [...]

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Jan
13

The Houston Zoo Cares About Diamondback Terrapins, By Rachel Godambe

Posted by in Conservation,Diamondback Terrapins,Endangered Species,Uncategorized

Do you love turtles? I love Turtles! Do you want to do something to help preserve turtles and their habitat? I know I do! Houston Zoo keepers have planned an awesome turtle bonanza weekend for all you turtle lovers!! Starting Friday, January 20th the East Texas Herpetological Society is hosting a lecture by our very [...]

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Dec
15

Kids for Science, AND TOADS! @ Painted Dog Conservation- Zimbabwe

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Field Research,Painted Dog,Rachel and Cullen in Africa

  At the request of Painted Dog Conservation, I traveled to project headquarters in Zimbabwe to assist in the implementation of a new conservation education program called “Kids for Science”. Accompanying me on this visit was Cullen Geiselman PhD (HZI Board Member member and bat biologist), and her friend, Leighton Dancy, a professional photographer who documented [...]

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Dec
06

The Houston Zoo is educating Painted Dog Conservation about bats

Posted by in Africa,Bats,community-based conservation,Conservation,Rachel and Cullen in Africa,Supporting Painted Dog Conservation

Cullen Gieslman is a Houston Zoo conservation board member.  She has been studying bats for quite some time and volunteered to accompany Conservation Programs Manager, Rachel Rommel to Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe to educate staff there about bats.  Painted Dog Conservation’s (PDC) education program for the local communities focuses on the eco-system.  PDC was very eager to [...]

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Dec
02

The Houston Zoo is Toad (and Bat) Tracking with Painted Dog Conservation

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Rachel and Cullen in Africa,Supporting Painted Dog Conservation

Houston Zoo Conservation Program Manager Rachel Rommel is in Zimbabwe with our partners at Painted Dog Conservation to bring the Houston Zoo’s Toad Trackers program to their evironmental education programing. The Houston Zoos good friend, conservation board member and bat biologist, Cullen Geiselmen is also with me on this adventure with another colleague, and professional photographer from [...]

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Dec
01

The Houston Zoo shares Toad Trackers with Painted Dog Conservation

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,community-based conservation,Conservation,Rachel and Cullen in Africa,Supporting Painted Dog Conservation

Houston Zoo Conservation Program Manager, Rachel Rommel is in Zimbabwe with our partners at Painted Dog Conservation to bring the Houston Zoo’s Toad Trackers program to their childern’s environmental education programing.  Enjoy Rachel’s update from Zimbabwe. “It’s my first visit to Africa and I am honored to be able to visit and work with such a [...]

Continue Reading The Houston Zoo shares Toad Trackers with Painted Dog Conservation
Nov
30

The Houston Zoo Supporting Painted Dog Conservation with Social Media

Posted by in Africa,community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Supporting Painted Dog Conservation

The Houston Zoo’s conservation department is always looking for practical ways to assist our wildlife conservation partners.  We strive to provide them with the tools they need to succeed in saving species.  Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) is a very good community-based conservation project in Zimbabwe that hires over 60 locals to help run their various conservation programs.  Their efforts have had tremendous results, but they often [...]

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