Conservation Showcase for 2010

Each year the Zoological Society of San Diego takes a long hard look at its conservation projects around the world – in 35 countries, with 8 projects in California – and selects 10 that will be highlighted in Development and Marketing efforts throughout the year.

That’s not to say that the projects that are not on the Conservation Showcase list are any less urgent, but this will help us remain focused in our efforts to connect people to wildlife and conservation.

Sifting through nearly 100 conservation project proposals submitted by Society curators, veterinarians, and nutritionists, as well as pathologists, researchers, scientists, and educators from the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, is not for the light of heart. Each project reflects various levels of “dire straights” facing the diversity and health of the Earth. Some projects echo a continued effort from past years, while others represent a new area of emphasis.

All of the conservation work the Society is managing or involved with is dedicated to the preservation of flora and fauna around the world; it is difficult to decide which species will get our help and resources, and which will not.

The Criteria Review Group (CRG) consists of approximately 15 Society employees from a broad range of departments, who evaluate each CRG proposal for how well it aligns with our mission and Lynx 2.0 priorities. The CRG reviewers keep their post for three consecutive years, and then pass the selection baton onto another associate.

What follows is the list of Conservation Showcase Projects for 2010 with the contact person and division/department:

Anegada Iguana Project Glenn Gerber, Caribbean Program

Cactus Scrub Habitat Enhancement and Cactus Wren Monitoring Bryan Endress, Director of Applied Plant Ecology

Conservation and Ecology of Wild Giant Panda Populations Ron Swaisgood, Applied Animal Ecology

Conservation Breeding, Reintroduction, and Field Ecology of Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs Ron Swaisgood (manages field program), Jeff Lemm (manages breeding program), Applied Animal Ecology

Desert Tortoise Recovery Program Paula Kahn, Conservation Program Manager

Infectious Disease Control and Bioresource Banking for the Amphibian Extinction Crisis Allan Pessier, Wildlife Disease Laboratories

Polar Bear Conservation: Research and Educational Outreach Megan Owen, Applied Animal Ecology; Ron Swaisgood, Applied Animal Ecology

Recovery of the California Condor Mike Wallace, Applied Animal Ecology

Southern Africa Elephant Conservation Program Matt Anderson, Behavioral Biology

ZSSD Zoo Elephant Research Programs Jeff Andrews, Collections Husbandry Science