Conservation Outreach projects are independently funded by people like you. To support the conservation and community development work of the Calgary Zoological Society click here. | RZSS Northern Rock Hopper Penguin Project
In 2012, CZS will partner with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Edinburgh Zoo to initiate conservation programs aimed at Northern rockhopper penguins. Northern rockhopper penguins nest in only two locations in the southern Atlantic Ocean: Gough Island and Tristan de Cunha and only two locations in the Southern Indian Ocean: St Paul and Amsterdam Islands. On March 16, 2011, the cargo ship Olivia went aground in the Tristan de Cunha Archipelago threatening a key breeding ground for the endangered northern rockhopper penguin. Thousands of birds were oiled in the aftermath. Islanders rallied to the cause and in the ensuing weeks and months, they rescued, washed and released hundreds of birds. However, many hundreds more died as a result of the oiling. CZS and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland will first invest in a vehicle to facilitate rescue and conservation operations in remote areas of Tristan de Cunha. To read more about the ship wreck and the effect on northern rockhopper penguins go here. |  |  | More Penguin Conservation Efforts – Penguin Lifelines
CZS is working with the Zoological Society of London and Oxford University on a unique penguin monitoring project known as Penguin Lifelines. Many endangered species of penguins are distributed widely in the southern oceans and the threats to various populations may differ from location to location. At the same time, research in these remote locations is very expensive and time constrained. It is near impossible for researchers to visit all locations where endangered penguins exist to conduct first-hand monitoring activities. Penguin Lifelines will establish a remote monitoring network to photograph penguins and monitor threats and then use the photographic data to target conservation efforts where they are most needed. To learn more about this CZS supported penguin conservation project go here. To read reports from the field, click here.
| More Penguin Conservation Efforts – Sphenisco
The CZS will also partner with a consortium of European zoos and a conservation partner called Sphensico to conduct penguin conservation programs in South America. The endangered Humboldt penguin nests in only two countries: Peru and Chile. Sphensico works with grassroots conservation organizations on the ground in both countries doing a variety of activities to protect Humboldt penguins. To learn more about this CZS and Sphenisco partnership go here. |  |  | Ape Conservation
CZS is a founding contributor and platinum level sponsor of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums great ape conservation initiative. To learn more about this programme go here. Through this program, a group of primate experts working in North American zoos, identifies and funds significant conservation programs aimed at the great apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. By combining resources and expertise, this group of zoos is able to provide more substantial and longer-term funding for ape research and conservation than they would be able to offer as individual institutions. Specifically, the CZS supports the following projects
1) The Goualougo Triangle Ape Project – read about this project here.
2) The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme – read about this project here. | Eighth Annual Gorilla Run
The Gorilla Run is the only running race which uses the Calgary Zoo as part of its race course. The race occurs on the Sunday following Thanksgiving each year and hosts more than 500 runners in the 15 km race. Participants are attracted to this event because of the connection to conservation. The format of the event is the 15 Km race course followed by breakfast, awards, and a presentation by CZS Conservation staff about current and future conservation initiatives. Dozens of testimonials each year reinforce the notion that connecting a competitive running event with a conservation cause is appealing to participants and makes the event unique in Calgary. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the race are donated to the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International each year in support of mountain gorilla conservation efforts. The other half of the proceeds is donated to other conservation initiatives funded by the Calgary Zoological Society. Follow this link to the Gorilla Run for more information. Or to learn more about the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International go here. |  |  | Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary Guidebook
The Calgary Zoological Society's work in the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary includes substantial scientific monitoring of the plant and animal populations within the protected area. This ongoing research has recorded around 500 animal species in the sanctuary and, notably, has documented an increase in the area's biodiversity since the creation of the community protected area.
Creating the "Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary Guidebook" was an ambitious three-year project which has translated biological research and many historical and cultural elements into a high-quality, 186 page souvenir book. The guidebook is now sold in the Sanctuary's visitor centre with proceeds benefitting the Sanctuary scholarship fund in support of gifted students who are prevented from attending secondary school because of economic challenges.
To view chapter introductions from the book, or for more information about the book's financial and content contributors and the editorial team go here.
| The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. As local and indigenous groups across the world chart a path towards sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by honouring them on an international stage.
Since the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary was awarded the prize in 2008, significant progress continues to be made in all facets that define sustainable development and a community wildlife sanctuary. Click the image to the right for a larger view.
|  |  | Established by the people of the Wechiau Traditional Area in 1999, the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary consists of a 40-kilometre stretch of riverine forest and Savannah woodland running the length of the Black Volta River, which forms the Upper West Region's boundary with Burkina Faso. Of particular interest is the hippopotamus population resident along this stretch of river. One of only two remaining hippo populations within Ghana, the group represents an important conservation priority. | | More projects on the next page. |
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