When it comes to zoo conservation, no group is more respected than the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In the past five years, AZA-accredited zoos have enacted over 3,700 conservation projects totaling up to $89 million in over 100 countries. They are continuously working toward protecting endangered species with their Species Survival Plan program and genetically diverse breeding operations. The 110 SSP programs are aimed at saving more than 160 rare species. While saving the animals will undoubtedly take more than breeding, this group understands that preservation is also about habitat restoration and education too.

In 2007, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums released an article discussing zoo conservation success stories that happened that year alone. More than 6,000 Wyoming toad tadpoles were released into the wild, bringing these neat-patterned amphibians back from the brink of extinction. Fifty-two Perdido beach mice were housed in a Florida breeding facility to protect their species following a devastating hurricane. With just 400 North Atlantic right whales left, there are now 3,693 conservation projects underway to improve their situation. The 215 black-and-white ruffed lemurs held in captivity are now being reintroduced to the wild in Madagascar.

The World Wildlife Federation has also been credited with much zoo conservation work. In 2009, they proudly announced the shift in rhinoceros populations from 8,466 to 14,500 white rhinos and 2,599 to 4,000 black rhinos. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga National Park increased its number of mountain gorillas significantly. The panda reserves have also been protected over the past year. Over the winter, the Bhutan Wangchuck Centennial Park was set up as the only place on Earth where tigers and snow leopards live together. There is now a 10-year plan to protect Coral Triangle reef marine life. The Sumatran forest will now be a home for even more tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans, now that the Tesso Nilo National Park has been doubled in size. Thanks to the work of dedicated Americans, more and more species will thrive for years to come.

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