The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is credited with “building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement.” This nonprofit organization started in 1924 to accredit exemplary zoos and aquariums that go over and beyond in their standards for animal care, education and wildlife conservation. They work toward educating the public, soliciting donations, rewarding outstanding team players and preserving exotic animals that would otherwise be pushed to the brink of extinction and beyond. Zoo conservation is an important movement to protect the earth’s biodiversity for our children to see.

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.

Anne Warner, zoo conservation manager at the Oregon Zoo, said their $6.8 million “Predators of the Serengeti animal exhibit hopes to draw more attention to the plight of the cheetah, African lion and painted dog. She explains, “Visitors have to understand why it’s important to help — why support conservation?” At the artistic, innovative exhibit, guests will come nose-to-nose with lions, a caracal, African wild dogs and rock pythons that appear as though they’re lounging at a wildlife sanctuary, rather than a zoo. Careful landscaping, heated dens and waterfalls all make the animals’ realm more comfortable, as visitors are invited to imagine a world without these magnificent animals.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed stop panic attack as well as tips on the various medications for panic disorder available at anxietydisordercure.com.

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