Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

May
17

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Painted Dog Conservation

Posted by in Africa,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Conservation,Doubt and Xmas,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

Dr. Greg Rasmussen: Painted Dog Conservation

Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) was originally established as Painted Dog Research in 1992 by Dr. Gregory Rasmussen. During the first two years the human-induced incidents from snares, shootings and road kills accounted for 95% of all Painted dog (aka African wild dog) mortalities. Early public presentations showed prejudice and ignorance and it was clear that unless this situation was addressed, the species could become extinct. The initial emphasis was to identify the critical issues and develop a strategy that would make a substantial, lasting contribution to Painted Dogs, nature conservation and, very importantly, to the lives of the local people.

Today, PDC employs over 60 people from the local communities to run programs that ensure the survival of the Painted dogs and improvement the livelihoods of the local people.

PDC is a leading model for community-based predator conservation. By combining the most advanced modern technology with traditional knowledge of local communities, PDC has experienced great success – Zimbabwe’s wild dog population has increased from 400 to 700 individuals since the project’s inception. PDC’s model also brings direct benefit to local people with increased employment and unparalleled education opportunities.

Painted Dog in rehabilitation facility just before release back into the wild

Residents of PDC’s neighboring communities not only benefit from its programs but also actively contribute to them.  For example, community members are employed in anti-poaching units and produce beautiful and unique art from the confiscated snare wire.  They assist in systematic monitoring of the painted dog population and teach environmental educational.  The active engagement of local residents empowers communities, strengthens conservation, and raises environmental awareness. 

When you come to the Houston Zoo on May 19th and 20th for our Wildlife Heroes weekend visit the Painted dog exibit area, and try your hand at building your own snare wire sculptures.  Wire sculpture building will take place at 10am until 12 pm on both days .  Hope to see you there!

You can meet Dr. Greg Rasmussen at the 2012 Wildlife Conservation Expo on October 13th in San Francisco, CA

 

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May
16

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Okapi

Posted by in Africa,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research,Okapi,Uncategorized

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

Okapi Conservation Project, Democratic Republic of Congo – John Lukas

This not John Lukas but this is an Okapi in Epulu Conservation Station, DRC

John Lukas is the Executive Director of the White Oak Conservation Center in Yule, Florida and the founder of the Okapi Conservation Project.

Striped hindquarters of a OkapiThere is very little that is not amazing about the Okapi. Perfectly colored to blend into the deep forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this distant relative of the Giraffe looks like more like a relative of the Zebra from their striped hindquarters and legs. Currently believed to  exist exclusively in the Ituri Forest of the DRC, a country that is struggling with civil strife, illegal mining operations and illegal logging,  it is a flagship and iconic species for a region which is one of the most biologically diverse in the world.

The species was not discovered by scientists until 1901 which is even more amazing for a mammal the size of a horse

The Okapi is a conservation success story, in a very difficult region, all due to the workd of the Okapi Conservation Project. You can view the Houston Zoo’s Okapi right next to our Elephant exhibit.

John Lukas will be a presenter at the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo on October 13, 2012 in San Francisco, CA

Come and visit the Okapi exhibit at the Zoo on May 19th and 20th for our Wildlife Heroes weekend to learn about the alternate protein source effort the Okapi project is attempting to reduce the need for poaching.

 

 

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May
15

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Cotton-top Tamarins

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Central America,community-based conservation,Conservation,Cotton-top Tamarin,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

 

Rosamira Guillen, Director of Proyecto Titi: Cotton-top Tamarins.

That monkey has one bad hairdo.

Cotton-top Tamarin, Colombia. Proyecto Titi

This should make it easy to promote, or hard to promote – who wants an endangered species of primate roaming around the forest if they cannot manage their hair? Well, we do!

Cotton-top tamarins are an endangered species of primate found only in the tropical forests of Colombia. Weighing about 1 pound, this tiny monkey needs our help in order to survive. Proyecto Tití is a conservation program that works to study cotton-top tamarins in their tropical forest habitat  as well as educating local communities about the need to protect the biodiversity of Colombia. But, to make conservation economically feasible  for many local communities, they have developed some innovative strategies to empower local people to get involved and benefit from conservation activities.

Rosamira Guillen has worked tirelessly to protect this species. Over 90% of the cotton-top tamarins forest has been lost to development and other activities. Proyecto Titi began in 1985 and is committed to raising public awareness to the plight of the cotton-top tamarin through a variety of projects involving numerous individuals and organizations.

From community education programs to alternative uses for heating and cooking, Proyecto Titi is making a difference in protecting this very important primate within a limited habitat. Learn more at http://proyectotiti.com

If you are on the West Coast and would like to meet Rosamira Guillen, she will be presenting in Losa Altos, California on June 2nd and then at the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo in San Francisco, CA on October 13th, 2012.

Join us for the Wildlife Heroes weekend here at the Houston Zoo on May 19th and 20th and learn about the community commerce effort this project has created to offer new ways to generate income for the poor surrounding communities.  During the keeper chats on this special weekend you will also hear about various research techniques this project uses for this unique species.

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May
14

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Orangutans

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Borneo,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research,orangutan

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, Borneo’s Orangutans and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project

You have seen a number of posts the past few years on Dr. Ancrenaz and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project. The Houston Zoo has been a partner of this program going back to 2004. Orangutan conservation is an important piece of our programming and Dr. Ancrenaz and his team have made it part of their lives since 1998.

Borneo is the world’s third largest island and a region of high biological diversity that has lost upwards of 75% of its original tropical forest cover. The two most prominent species on the Borneo are the orangutan and the Asian elephant, both of which are classified as Endangered and have lost significant habitat to logging and the subsequent conversion of natural forest to oil palm plantations.

Bornean Orangutan photo courtesy Paul Swen

The Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Program includes significant priorities and goals for this region:

  • Enhanced knowledge of orangutan ecology and conservation status including the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Ulu Segama/Malua Forest Reserve, Timimbang Forest Reserve and Eastern Sabah landscapes
  • Assessment and monitoring of orangutan population health and genetic status
  • Orangutan ecological adaptation to degraded and fragmented habitat
  • Development of policies for population management within and outside protected areas
  • Reduced level of conflicts between human activity and orangutans including improved land use and reforestation
  • Community engagement and education in the conservation of orangutans and habitat
  • Environmental education programs for Malaysian school children

To learn more and watch a short vidoe of the region – link here

Join us for our Wildlife Heroes weekend on May 19th and 20th and learn how local communities monitor Orangutan populations.  At the orangutan exhibit you can be a researcher and participate in an activity to document what you see our Orangutans doing.  See you at the Zoo!

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May
11

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Rhinos

Posted by in Africa,community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research,Rhino

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

 

Raoul Du Toit: African Rhinoceros

Raoul Du Toit truly is a Rhino Hero. Raoul is the International Rhino Foundations African Rhino Program Advisor and the Director of the Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe. He has worked for over 25 years to protect the Black Rhino and White Rhinos of Africa, two species whose populations sturggle due to habitat loss and immense poaching pressures.

The Rhinoceros has survived on our planet for millions of years and once occurred not only in Africa and Asia but in Europe andNorth Americaas well. But today, only five species of rhino survive. Four of these five species sit on the verge of extinction and the fifth, the White rhino, holds a population of less than 18,000 individuals across the African continent.

The Rhino is truly a species on the edge. Zoos, conservation organizations, and field researchers have worked together for many years to help fight for their survival. It is difficult to protect a species whose numbers have plummeted so quickly but when you consider the 25,000 rhinos worldwide are spilt between 5 species, it makes the challenge of recovery all that more daunting.

To learn more about the Houston Zoo’s work with Rhino Conservation or to support our efforts, follow the link.

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May
03

Lost and Found

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research

Rarely a day goes by here when we do not get a email or news report of one species or another in decline. It is part of the business and communication of conservation. At the same time there is a report every few months of a new insect or plant or even an amphibian that has been discovered in some of the few unexplored regions of the world. Even more exciting is when a large animal such as the Saola, a antelope from Laos and Vietnam, was discovered some 20 years ago.

Once in a while, we simply lose things. People lose things all the time; keys, their phones, sunglasses, a stroller – thankfully without the baby it was brought in to wheel around, one sock – we all lose one sock. I knew a red panda that lost his sock once but that is a story for another day.

Unfortunately we lose species – back in 2010 the Yangtze River Dolphin was pronounced to be extinct. That is a pretty big mammal to go extinct under our watch. In 1975, a specimen of large rodent was discovered on a small island in the Philippines. Known as the Dinagat Island Cloud Rat (Crateromys australis to us rodent nerds), this species was never seem again and thus declared extinct. That was until this year when the Dinagat Island Cloud rat was seen and videotaped by two researchers.

Drawing of Dinagat bushy-tailed cloud rat by William Oliver of the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation

It may not sound like much, who needs another rodent in the world right? But this is an amazing find and amazing little mammal. I say little mammal but this is one of the largest and most beautiful of rodent species, endemic to only this one tiny island in the Philippines. Yes I wrote beautiful and rodent in the same sentence, get over it. This island is also home to a few other little known species which most of you are going to think are a bit bizarre but here goes: How about the Dinagat hairy-tailed rat! Sounds exquisite but more exciting is the Dinagat moonrat which is not really a rat but an insectivore – try that for a Jeopardy question, Alex Trebeck!

There are a number of species of Cloud Rats – that’s right, the more the merrier – in the Philippines including the Giant bushy-tailed cloud rat, the Ilin Island cloud rat., northern and southern Luzom cloud rats, Panay bushy-tailed cloud rat and the dwarf cloud rat. This group of species are found nowhere else but the Philippines and are under pressure frm both hunting and habitat loss to agricultural development.

So the next time you lose your phone, don’t worry I found it and have recycled it, but the next time you or your red panda lose a sock, just realize it may take you 37 years to find it again, but when you do it will be one of the most amazing discoveries of your life.

 

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Mar
23

International Veterinary Students

Posted by in Africa,community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Gorilla

The Houston Zoo welcomed a friend from Rwanda his week as part of our Veterinary Externship. Methode Bahizi recently completed his studies in veterinary medicine in Rwanda where he designed and implemented a project for our partners at the  Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to investigate the presence of disease vectors and the potential for disease transmission between livestock and wildlife.

In the summer of 2009, he led a University study team through countless rural communities in Rwanda working with 40 different sector veterinarians to visit over 450 families in Rwanda. The families that were visited had received cows from the Rwandan government in an effort to combat childhood malnutrition. In the “One Cow Per Poor Family” program, the cow is to provide milk and fertilizer in an attempt to increase the overall plane of nutrition for rural poor families in Rwanda. The concern is that the families were not experienced with animal husbandry and the project was designed identify areas of education that would help the families to better care for their livestock. The project was successful and Methode was recognized for his achievements.

Methode’s trip to the US is sponsored by Step One Foundation from Houston whose goal is to develop models for technology on farms that will improve animal welfare, farm productivity, and address environmental issues. This is Methode’s first trip to the US.

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Mar
22

The Pollinator: A Superhero of Superheroes

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Bats,Birds,Bumblebees,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Going Green

Dressed in a multitude of colors, this superhero fights crime like no other – the potential of declining food production due to lack of pollination. They leap (flitter above actually) tall buildings, see through walls (sniff through backyard fences), and have super strength (you try flying around all day).

He/She is The Pollinator! Really, right there in the photo below. Yes that green cocoony thing with the three gold dots and as you can see he or she is amassing his or her forces of pollinator buddies in my backyard. 33 of them to be exact as of today.

Monarch Butterfly chrysalids hanging out on a fence post after a feast of Milkweed plants (Asclepia species)

Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by pollinating animals such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, or by the wind. In our case above, a Monarch Butterfly. The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization, and successful seed and fruit production for plants.  Pollination ensures that a plant will produce full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds.

Here is why it is important according to our friends at the Pollinator Partnership:

  • Worldwide, roughly 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend.
  • Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include: apples, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and tequila.
  • In the United States, pollination by honey bees, native bees, and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.

    Monarch Buttrefly Caterpillar finishing breakfast before metamorphosis into chrysalid

It is simple to help pollinators – just plant a small garden – apartment dwellers can also place pollinator plants in pots out on balconies and porches – and before you know it (and I am not sure exactly how they find me, but they do) butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more will be at your door wearing their little Superhero capes and saving the world through pollination. Get the BEE SMART Pollinator APP for planting tips here.

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Mar
02

The Origin of the Orangutan

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Borneo,community-based conservation,Conservation,Elephant,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research,orangutan

A timely note as we prepare for our next Pongos Helping Pongs: Art by Orangutans for Orangutan Conservation Event

As told to me by a colleague in Malaysia:

The origins of the orang-utan

Long ago, human beings (or orangs) lived in the virgin jungles of Borneo. They stayed in groups, sharing their long houses, subsisting on plants and animals provided by Mother Nature. Within the different groups, this peaceful way of life was however troubled by all sorts of troubles and conflicts involving treacheries, malices, gossips and other problems that are specific to our species.

A peace-loving minority of orangs decided to split from the major group in order to escape the clamors of the village life and went deep into the jungle. They established a new home and lived happily for years. More and more orangs from their former community decided to join this idyllic existence, up to a point that the newly created village became overcrowded and full with problems that follow humans at all times and places (pollution, noise, habitat destruction, cruelty and meanness).

The original group decided to break up from their conspecifics one more time and wandered far away from this place. They established themselves on the mountains where life was paradise. Of course they didn’t stay on their own for long: more and more people joined them and troubled this peaceful existence. Fed up beyond belief, the original oranges decided that enough was enough: because they wouldn’t be able to find peace below the trees, they decided to climb up to the treetop and to settle down in the forest canopy. They also decided to not have any kind of relations with ground-dwelling orangs any more.

From this day on, this group became the orang-utans, or “people of the forest”.

Join us March 10th at The G Gallery in The Heights in support of orangutan conservation. http://www.houstonzoo.org/php/

Learn more about the effects of Palm Oil on Orangutan habitat: http://www.houstonzoo.org/palm-oil/

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Nov
28

Cheetah Conservation Botswana

Posted by in Africa,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research

 

Just a quick update from our partners at Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB).

 

CCB has been engaged by the government Wildlife department to do training in Northern conflict hot spot areas and set up demonstrations of ideal kraals and livestock guarding dogs in the wildlife rich areas of theOkavango, Makgadikgadi Pans and Chobe. This is an exciting initiative which if successful has the potential to be replicated elsewhere in Botswana.

 

CCB further expanded its farmer training program, with the assistance of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. In August, CCB ran its first 5 day farmer training course at the new Tiisano Education Centre. The course aimed to provide training on best practices in range, livestock and wildlife management and increase local capacity to reduce cheetah and other predator conflicts. Certain farmers in the region will also be selected for direct support to improve their methods and be monitored.

CCB Ambassador Cheetah at Mokolodi Nature Reserve

 

A livestock guarding dog clinic was held in the region in collaboration with Maun Animal Welfare Service, with 41 dogs receiving sterilization and vaccinations. After this a bush camp for Kalahari schools took place at the Education Centre and the children learnt about wildlife, the environment and conservation. The new Centre is becoming a great resource for CCB and is an ideal training site for many audiences. Thanks must go to the CCB Ghanzi team and our neighbors for holding back the recent bush fires for over 3 days and preventing all our hard work go up in flames!

Livestock Guarding Dogs at CCB's Ghanzi location

 

As for cheetah! We have recently collared a female with 3 cubs residing on the game farm next to CCB’s Kalahari base. This will be the first female we have collared in the area which is great news as it will significantly add to our understanding of cheetah movements and ecology in the area. The coalition of males collared earlier in the year are from the same area and their movements continue to be monitored. Please visit their News section by linking here

All photos courtesy Houston Zoo

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