How you can help endangered species at Niabi Zoo

Yahoo

23-04-2025

Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley had its opening day Tuesday. Beyond the fun of visitors seeing animals, managers at the zoo hope to educate visitors about endangered species.
Curator of Conservation and Education Joel Vanderbush told Our Quad Cities News 'Education is really key to everything we do at a zoo, so we want to make sure that not only are people enjoying their experience out here and seeing the variety of animals but also understanding the greater purpose for zoos which is conservation and education.'
Niabi Zoo is home to :
Six critically endangered species (Species with an extremely high risk of extinction); The Amur Leopard, axolotl, Bactrian Camel, elongated tortoise, and red wolf.
Five endangered species (Species at risk of extinction due to rapid decrease in population or loss of habitat); African Painted Dogs, buff-cheeked gibbon, chinchilla, cockatoo, giraffe, and white-bellied caique parrot.
Five vulnerable species (species at high risk of becoming endangered): The binturong, snow leopard, Aldabra Tortoise, Greek Tortoise, and Eastern Box Turtle.
Eight near-threatened species (any species vulnerable to extinction in the near future): The African Leopard, Anthony's Poison-Arrow Frog, bicolored poison dart frog, Goffin's Cockatoo, Pallas's Cat,, Harmann's Tortoise, Southern White Rhino, and yellow-backed duiker.
Although many zoo animals live in artificial environments, Vanderbush says many zoos are helping to protect species that would otherwise no longer have a home. 'I as a zoologist will be the first one to say that if this were a perfect world all of the animals would be back in their natural habitats, but we also have to understand that the habitats that some of the animals come from are barely there anymore.'
Zoos are also often very involved in projects helping animals and educating people. Vanderbush says that the animals are often excited to see people when the zoo opens up.
Niabi Zoo is currently working with Ch'ooj Ajauil for its Whale Shark Project, the Painted Dog Research Trust, the Snow Leopard Trust, and more programs in an effort to help protect endangered species. These organizations collect data and conduct research to better understand the needs of these animals and monitor their populations.
With every admission ticket, Niabi Zoo donates 25 cents to projects for conservation. They also have breeding programs to help the populations of struggling species.
This year, the zoo will welcome new species including squirrel monkeys and Asian Small Clawed Otters. It is also working on completing its new cat and eagle exhibits, and hopes to finish those within the next month.
Vanderbush says the zoo is not just for kids, but is something that adults can enjoy as well. This year there is a focus on holding some events for adults too, including Father's and Mother's Day brunches and a new escape-room activity.
Vanderbush says the future of the zoo is positive thanks to community support: 'We're pushing the envelope for what a small zoo can do for conservation.'
Vanderbush says his favorite part of the job is 'being able to educate the people about their favorite animals or what the plight of some of those animals are and how the zoo is working to help restore habitats and help save species.' He adds 'Seeing someone's face light up when they learn something about their favorite species – that's usually my favorite part.'
Just by visiting a zoo and learning about endangered species you can make a difference by creating awareness, he said. Beyond that, donating to conservation efforts goes a long way.
To learn more about Niabi Zoo click here.
For a list of more endangered species click here.
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