Conservation In Action at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) , cooperates in a number of programs to further conservation and animal welfare. Among these programs are Species Survival Plans (SSP), Population Management Plans (PMP), Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG), Conservation Action Partnership (CAP) and regional cooperative breeding programs.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park currently participates in 17 SSPs for rare and endangered species of wildlife. These include: red panda, snow leopard, Asian elephant, ring-tailed lemur, ruffed lemur, golden lion tamarin, Humboldt penguin, ocelot, rhinoceros iguana, spectacled bear, mandrill, siamang, red wolf, Amur tiger, radiated tortoise, Andean condor and Lake Victoria cichlids.

SSP populations in AZA zoos are managed using a studbook. The decision to breed an animal is made using studbooks and cooperative planning of many zoo professionals. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park coordinates and publishes the studbook and PMP for the endangered Turkmenian markhor and studbook for the white-handed gibbon. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is nationally recognized for its successful breeding program with the Asian Elephant. We also participate in the Coral Reef CAP.

The Behavioral Enrichment Committee, formed in 2000, plans and coordinates the daily enrichment and training of the animals to improve the welfare of the animals and stimulate natural behavior of animals in our care.

Locally, the Zoo participates in cooperative breeding projects for the bog turtle and the Chittenango ovate amber snail. Both projects are spear-headed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information on these local projects, visit www.dec.state.ny.us/

Chittenango Ovate Amber Snails

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo continues to be actively involved in the efforts to preserve and protect the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail, an endangered species in New York State. A member of the Zoo’s keeper staff is working with the current team that is conducting a census to determine the present size of the snail population. While encouraged by the number of snails being found last year and this season, it is still too early in the study to draw definite conclusions.

In addition to the fieldwork, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo recently sent tissue samples from a preserved snail to a U.S. Government laboratory for the purpose of determining whether the snail has hybridized with a more numerous snail species. If hybridization has taken place, the threat to the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail’s existence will be better defined.

For more info on the COASs and the study that is taking place, visit http://nyfo.fws.gov/es/nyrecovery.htm or dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/coasfs.html.

Click here for a 5 minute video on the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail Conservation Effort.
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Conservation at Home

Are you interested in animals, but don't know what you can do to help the environment? If you have a general interest in helping the environment and your home, the United States Department of Environmental Protection has a web page for you. This page covers topics from acid rain to Waste Wise programs.

This month's conservation tip:

Make fallen leaves work for you, not the other way around! 

With autumn quickly approaching, many of us are preparing to rake our yards and put the leaves by the curb for pick up.  But the trucks that pick up your leaves burn fuel, and your yard loses the nutrients those leaves can provide.  Instead, try recycling the leaves by making a compost pile in the corner of your property and turning it with a pitchfork every once in a while.  Then, come spring, you can use this nutrient-rich compost as a natural fertilizer for your lawn or garden.  For more information, visit www.ocrra.org/yardwaste_backyard.asp.

 

Recycle your cell phones & ink cartridges at the ZOO!

We have partnered with ECO Cell and RecycleFirst to launch a recycling program for cells phones and ink cartridges.  All makes and models, chargers and batteries are accepted for recycling, whether they are in good working condition or not.  Through Eco-Cell’s innovative program, 80% of the phones collected will be used by first-time, low income users in Latin America or by selected local organizations, such as Battered Women’s Programs for emergency use (911 calls).  All unusable cell phones and accessories are recycled under strict EPA guidelines by certified recyclers.

Just drop off your cell phones and ink cartridges at the Membership Desk in our Lobby.   

Click here for more information on Eco-Cell

Click here for more information on Recycle First

 

Butterfly Garden and Bird Feeders

Many species of animals are suffering from habitat loss. You can help by creating a beautiful garden in your own backyard. This will not only beautify any home, but it will also create food for butterflies and birds. If you use native species in your garden, you will reduce the need for fertilizer and water, because these species are adapted to living in your environment. If you start your own bird feeding station, don't forget to feed year round! Birds need food more than ever in the winter!

Here are some web pages to help you start your butterfly garden:

http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef006.htm

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6711.html

Junk Mail

Tired of receiving tons of junk mail? Here's how to lessen the amount of unwanted magazines and credit card applications. If you want to be removed from all mailing lists, type the following information in a letter: complete name, common misspellings found on mailings, complete address and a message "Take me off all mailing lists."

Send this information to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmington, NY 11735 AND Director of List Maintenance, ADVO-Systems, Inc. 239 West Service Road, Hartford, CT, 06147-1280. It may take up to four to six months to stop receiving these mailings.

If you want to receive some mailings, but not others, take the unwanted junk mail, write "Take Me Off Your Mailing List" next to your name and address and send this to them in their own stamped envelope. If they do not send a pre-stamped envelope, save money and send a postcard to the organization with your mailing information.

Reducing Trash

Tired of lugging so much garbage to the curb each week? Here's a solution that will help the environment as well as lighten your trash load. Pre-cycle when you grocery shop!

  1. Purchase products in containers that can be recycled. When choosing items such as ketchup and mustard, look for items that are in glass containers. If you need to buy plastic, look on the bottom of the container and look for a number 1, 2 or PETE symbol. These items are the easiest to recycle. Avoid containers with a number any higher than 2.
  2. Purchase items that have as little packaging as possible. Avoid packages that are wrapped more than once such as lunch and snack packs.
  3. Buy reusable juice boxes and cups instead of throw-away juice boxes. Throw-away juice boxes and single sized juice bottles are not recyclable and the trash generated by them adds up! Reusable juice boxes are simple to use and economical too!


You Can Help to Conserve on Your Next Visit to the Zoo!
Located near the entrance and exit of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, our friendly frog map recycling bin is an opportunity to help the Zoo conserve trees. If you visit the Zoo often or do not want to keep the Zoo map as a souvenir of your visit, please place your Zoo map into the frog map recycle bin and help to make a difference!

Still not sure about recycling? Here's a great web site for you to check out!

To learn more about Endangered Animals in New York State, visit
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/
 

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