Conservation is our purpose

Zoos & Conservation

Professional zoos are committed to the conservation of species and habitats locally and globally by establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with conservationists, organizations, universities, researchers, and their communities.

Conservation practitioners

At Niabi Zoo, we are working today to assure a better tomorrow for all living things. We are committed to the conservation of species and habitats locally and globally by establishing and maintaining collaborative efforts with conservation organizations, universities, and zoos from around the world.

Niabi Zoo participates in 19 cooperative managed breeding programs with many other zoos to help sustain animal populations at risk. The list of animal conservation status is compiled through the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Of our 160+ species, our dedicated animal care staff is responsible for the daily welfare of:

6 Critically Endangered Species
5 Endangered Species
5 Vulnerable Species
8 Near Threatened Species

Click to view our Conservation Species List.

Actions each of us can take

Niabi Zoo understands that conservation starts at home. In order to garner support for conservation efforts, we not only need to increase awareness of conservation issues, but practice the steps necessary to achieve conservation action. Each of us can:

Reduce or eliminate single use plastics
Reuse items as much as possible
Recycle as a last resort
Plant a pollinator garden
Purchase sustainable products (seafood, wood, etc.)
Reduce your carbon footprint
Support the Zoo’s conservation efforts as a Donor or Member

Learn about Plastic Reduction Initiative

Visit the zoo and learn

You can support conservation by purchasing a Saving Species Scavenger Hunt. This series of fun booklets are themed by habitat and provide clues which will take you around the Zoo to find animals from that habitat. Once identified, the booklet can be taken to the Wild Things Gift Shop to collect Conservation Cards for the species found as well as a bonus Conservationist Card. All proceeds go to the Niabi Conservation Fund.

Learn more about Conservation Cards and descriptions of the icons found on them.

You can help even more just by coming to the Zoo. Not only will you learn about the animals and environments that need our help, but just purchasing an admission ticket will help.  With every admission, 25 cents is donated to conservation projects through Niabi’s Coins for Conservation program. You can double your impact by donating 25 cents of your own at the Coins for Conservation kiosk in the Zoo entrance plaza.

The power of conservation

The power is in your hands as you can choose which partnering conservation organization you would like to support including:

1. Snow Leopards with Snow Leopard Trust
2. African Painted Dogs with Painted Dog Research Trust
3. Whale Shark Research with Ch’ooj Ajauil (Blue Kingdom)

Learn more

Conservation speakers