In the Field
A Bunch of Progress in Restoring Bunchgrass
These grasslands are typically dominated by perennial bunchgrass plant species and are home to incredible biodiversity…
Mysteries of the Brown Kiwi
Comparing captive kiwi and wild kiwi in an attempt to determine the causes of the low reproductive success rate in captive populations.
Primate Conservation in Asia
Maximizing the sustainability of critically endangered species requires a fundamental understanding of their biology, translating that knowledge base into workable conservation solutions, and training the next generation of in-country scientists and reserve managers.
Big Gains for Giant Panda Conservation
We’ve come a long way with panda conservation in the past few years. This is true for both the San Diego Zoo’s program and for panda conservation science in general.
Name that Bellow: Koala Conservation Update
Those iconic fuzzy marsupials from Down Under are getting much-needed conservation efforts in both their native land and at the San Diego Zoo.
Conservation Strategies in Central Africa
The San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research established its Central Africa Program in May 2007, building on previous work conducted in Cameroon since 1999. Its current geographical focus is in the extremely biodiverse, yet understudied rain forest region stretching from the north of the Sanaga River in Cameroon into the remaining forest fragments in Nigeria.
Blooming Conservation in Orange County
Developing strategies and partnerships to meet the conservation needs of the Orange County region.
Restoration of Bunchgrass Ecosystems in the Blue Mountain Ecoregion
Bunchgrass habitat is one of the most degraded ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest due to cultivation, over-grazing, altered fire regimes and the introduction of non-native plant species.
Giving Palms a Hand
Developing science-based certification protocols for harvesting various species of palm resources.
Three Decades of the Condor
Conservation strategies to save the California condor.
Tortoise Conservation Coming out of Its Shell
The San Diego Zoo has joined the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in operating the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Colorful Conservation for the Rainbow Boa
Human development is constricting island-dwelling snake populations.
Iguanas Cannot Be Ignored
Due to increasing human development and the introduction of predators and competitors, such as cats and rats, the Turks and Caicos iguana, once found throughout the 200+ islands comprising the Turks and Caicos, now occupies less than 5% of its historic range. San Diego Zoo Conservation Research is working collaboratively to tip the scales in favor of this beloved reptile.
Herp Help in Asia
The last remaining strong-hold for the red-crowned roof turtle and the gharial, a slender-snouted crocodilian, is the Chambal National Sanctuary, a 400 km river in north India that feeds into the Ganges River. But even this safe haven has its threats to these rare species.
Saving the Golden Lancehead Snake from Dire Straights
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest has one of the highest biodiversity levels in the world, including the critically endangered golden lancehead snake. We are taking a multi-prong approach to this urgent conservation challenge.
Recovery of Rock Iguanas
The San Diego Zoo has been actively involved in the conservation and research of endangered Caribbean iguanas since 1992, with successive efforts focused in Cuba, Anegada, the Turks and Caicos, and most recently in the Bahamas and Lesser Antilles. All of these projects share a similar goal: securing the long-term survival of Caribbean iguana species and their threatened dry-forest ecosystems.
Nine Lives of Black-footed Cats
This project is part of a larger conservation initiative to better understand the ecology, genetics, health, and reproductive biology of the black-footed cat in southern Africa.
Native Seeds for Native Americans Program Sponsored by the Burpee Foundation
Our innovative Native Seeds for Native Americans program, sponsored by the Burpee Foundation, links conservation with cultural empowerment of Native American tribes to help renew a connection between native plants and tribal people.
Conserving California Coastal Sage
Southern California has been identified as a one of the worlds richest biodiversity hotspots by the international conservation community. Much of this diversity is found in a habitat known as coastal sage scrub, which historically occupied large areas of southern California.
Loggerhead Shrike Program Making a Home Run
Since 1991, the Zoological Society of San Diego has been involved in the recovery of the San Clemente loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi, one of the most endangered passerines in North America. This shrike is found only on the U.S. Navy-owned San Clemente Island, the southernmost island of California’s Channel Islands and an essential training base for U.S. military.
Living Large: Elephant Conservation in Southern Africa
San Diego Zoo’s Conservation Research has active projects in over 35 countries across the globe, including projects supporting wild elephant conservation. Dr. Michael Chase established Elephants Without Borders (EWB) in 2004, a research-based nonprofit organization in Botswana.
Hatching a Conservation Plan for the Brown Kiwi
Wild populations of kiwi are declining due to habitat degradation and the introduction of predators and competitors, resulting in low rates of chick survival. Prior to these disturbances, minimal parental care was needed to ensure chick survival and maintain sustainable populations.
Giant Panda Ecology
Studying mating strategies using behavioral, ecological, endocrine, and genetic approaches, we can better understand risks to the genetic health of giant panda populations and determine the best management approaches.
Micro Markers Highlight Caribbean Iguana Relatedness
The eight species of rock iguanas (genus Cyclura), have been drastically reduced due to a number of human-related threats.
Birth Control Instead of Culling of African Bull Elephants
Elephant population control is a critical conservation issue facing many areas in Africa due to ecosystem damage and decreased biodiversity. Minimally-invasive vasectomies on bull elephants is a method of permanent contraception can be used as a management tool for the control of small populations of elephant and as an alternative to the controversial practice of culling.
Let’s Flow: Gorilla Conservation Genetics
Researchers in our Genetics Division were the first to perform genetic studies on wild populations of gorillas and to demonstrate the genetic distinctiveness of regional gorilla populations. We continue to build on this foundation by utilizing the extensive array of gorilla samples stored in the Frozen Zoo® to help us assign gorillas living in zoos today to their historical wild populations.
Health Assessments for Thick-Billed Parrots in Northern Mexico
Current populations of thick-billed parrots are threatened by habitat destruction and degradation. Biologists have proposed the translocation of thick-billed parrots within Mexico and from Mexico into the U.S. in an attempt to bolster existing populations and create a separate population outside of the Sierra Madres.
Research and Outreach for Polar Bears
This program addresses specific aspects of polar bear biology deemed important for conservation management in the wild and zoos including sensory ecology research and the Arctic Ambassador program.
Exciting Ecology of Koalas: Can You Hear Me Now?
Koalas have always been charismatic ambassadors for conservation. The San Diego Zoo maintains the largest breeding colony of koalas outside Australia and has long been a leader in their captive management.
Finding Digs for Endangered Small Mammals in Southern California
This project uses the study of behavioral ecology theory to drive conservation of small mammals in Southern California.
Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program: Saving bird species at the edge of extinction
The Hawaiian Islands are home to bird species that are found nowhere else on the planet, exhibiting a staggering array of adaptations to their unique habitats.
Effects of Wind Turbines on California Condor in Baja and Beyond
As concerns over global warming rise, interest in renewable energy have increased dramatically, resulting in the expanding development of wind turbine facilities around the world. However, wind energy has its own price, posing great risk to birds and bats.
Flying High: Andean Condor Reintroduction Program
San Diego Zoo Conservation Research is working State and Federal agencies, and in-country scientists in South America to re-establish Andean condors in its range countries.
Polar Bear Partnership
The plight of the polar bear is becoming critical. Climate change is taking a toll on polar bears and their habitat, endangering their long-term survival. We need to share the polar bears’ challenges and educate people on this growing conservation crisis. Here is our first step.
Your “Tern!” Monitoring Least Terns and Snowy Plovers
San Diego Zoo Conservation Research continues to coordinate long-term monitoring efforts essential to understanding and slowing population declines in local threatened and endangered shorebirds.
The Thrill of Drill Research in Cameroon
Drills are among the most endangered primate species in Africa and probably the largest monkey species in the world. They are naturally geographically restricted and human impacts further imperil this elusive primate. We are utilizing genetic tools for studying their ecology to make better conservation assessments.
Panda Conservation: Not Always Black and White
This program involves a very close collaboration between the Giant Panda Conservation (GPC) unit of San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research and the San Diego Zoo and extensive collaborations in China, especially with our principle collaborating institution, the Wolong Breeding Center.
Snub or Hug? Social Dynamics of Snub-nosed Monkeys
Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys are commonly referred to as golden monkeys. They are found in central and southwestern China in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei provinces. In some areas, these monkeys are sympatric with giant pandas.
Behavior and Biology of Asian Leaf-eating Monkeys
Threatened by hunting and habitat loss, over 50 percent of Asian leaf-eating monkeys are currently at risk, yet little is known about the behavior and ecology of these primates
Bare it all: Conservation of the Andean Bear
The Andean bear is a species at high risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat degradation and fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.
Managing California Condor Health
San Diego Zoo Conservation Research is undertaking several health related studies for California condors, including West Nile Virus (WNV), effects of chronic lead exposure, and utilizing new DNA sequencing technologies.
Shedding Light on the Mysterious Lives of Gorillas
Scientists at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research performed the first genetic studies on populations of wild mountain gorillas and discovered that even regionally, these animals are genetically distinct. Subsequently, investigators have found significant genetic differentiation within western lowland gorilla populations among what has been considered a single subspecies.
Return of the California Condor to Baja and Beyond
Only a few hundred years ago, the California condor ranged from British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico. As European pioneers settled within its range, the species declined dramatically to near extinction in the mid-1980s. Working with Mexican partners, Conservation Research Applied Animal Ecology scientists have embarked on a long-term program to restore the California condor to the mountains of northern Baja California and beyond.
Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Hopping for Survival
Representatives from California Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are working with San Diego Zoo Conservation Research and the San Diego Zoo Herpetology Department to develop a captive breeding and translocation plan for the critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frog.
Botanical Research Growing in Central Africa
Central Africa is home to the largest expanse of rain forest in Africa. In particular, the highlands between the Sanaga River in Cameroon and the Cross River in Nigeria boast some of the most biologically diverse forests in terms of plant life for the whole continent.
Check back regularly for additional conservation projects!
