Global Efforts: A Unified Approach to Conservation
From butterflies to black-footed ferrets, from song birds to pollinators, and from turtles to fresh water mussels, the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center strives to act locally in saving endangered species and the wild places they depend on. Through its vast expertise and experience however, the zoo also has a responsibility to act globally in saving endangered species around the world. Protecting wild species and wild places across the state and around the globe is best accomplished through the collective expertise of partnerships with other agencies who are also working to save those species.
The Topeka Zoo works with its global partners with a sense of urgency to save species while also navigating public expectations, budgetary challenges, and resource management for these programs.
Some species exist today only because of the work that Accredited Zoos and AZA SAFE Programs and their partners are doing.
What Is Your Topeka Zoo Doing:
One of the Topeka Zoos partners is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE Program. SAFE – Saving Animals From Extinction, is the conservation arm of the AZA, committing over $250,000,000.00 annually to conservation work being done in over 100 countries, through dozens of individual SAFE Programs, including over one hundred programs that provide wild releases of endangered species back into their native ranges.
Your Topeka Zoo partners with multiple SAFE Programs to contribute to the survival of those species.
We provide boots-on-the-ground work to help save multiple species across Kansas.
We provide significant funding to provide Wildlife Rangers in Sumatra to protect Sumatran tigers
We fund a full time Veterinarian in Asia to provide care for Asian elephants.
As well as providing Research, Field Work, Significant funding, and Hands-on action, the zoo also provides significant and award winning Education on Conservation issues.
Seafood Watch
Seafood Watch, a program by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, empowers consumers and businesses to make sustainable seafood choices. By providing science-based recommendations through easy-to-use guides and a mobile app, Seafood Watch helps protect ocean ecosystems and ensure a future of healthy seafood. It also collaborates with fisheries, aquaculture farms, and restaurants to promote environmentally responsible practices.
Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) is dedicated to advancing wildlife conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean by fostering collaboration between zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations. Through education, capacity building, and scientific initiatives, ZCOG supports efforts to protect biodiversity and endangered species in the region.
SAFE Program
Maned Wolf
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) approved the SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program for the maned wolf on October 5, 2022. This initiative brings together AZA-accredited facilities, government agencies, and various stakeholders to support maned wolf conservation throughout their range. Efforts include rescue, rehabilitation, and repatriation of confiscated and injured wolves, as well as public education and habitat preservation. The program also celebrated the first Maned Wolf Day on October 5, 2023, raising awareness about the species across the AZA community.
Photo by Jonathan Wilkins - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33061605
Join the Fight to Save Endangered Species
Together, we can make a difference. By supporting Topeka Zoo’s initiatives, you’re helping protect vulnerable species, restore habitats, and ensure a future where wildlife can thrive. Join us in taking action today!