​World Wildlife Day- March 3, 2023

Written By: Zoe Glover 
Zoo Educator ​

What is World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day is a yearly celebration that documents the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora, a document maintaining the survival of species that are internationally traded [1].

​Why celebrate World Wildlife Day?
The main message of World Wildlife Day is to encourage the conservation of plant and animal species and recognize the large contribution they make to the planet [2].

What animal species at the zoo are protected under CITES?
There are 43 species at the zoo that are protected under CITES. These species include the African grey parrot, American alligator, Amur tiger, Andean condor, axolotls, bald eagle, barn owl, barred owl, bison, black and gold howler monkey, black handed spider monkey, blue and gold macaw, boa constrictor, box turtle, Central Asian tortoise, Chacoan peccary, chinchilla, mallard duck, dyeing poison dart frog, emerald tree boa, giant anteater, Goeldi’s monkey, golden lion tamarin, Golfodulcean poison dart frog, gopher tortoise, great horned owl, green and black poison dart frog, greater rhea, greylag goose, guinea fowl, maned wolf, Mexican wolf, North American river otter, red footed tortoise, red panda, sandhill crane, scarlet ibis, spotted turtle, two-toed sloth, white-naped crane, white-tailed deer, yacare caiman and the yellow banded poison dart frog.
What about species that are not protected under CITES? Are they not being protected or saved?
No. Just because species are not protected under CITES, does not mean that they are being helped through efforts such as the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE), or other programs!
What can you do to help?
You can help by supporting zoos by visiting and donating to them, supporting conservation programs, and trying to learn about these valuable species.

Amur (Siberian) tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

Photo credit- Jack Bradley
Amur tigers, formally known as Siberian tigers, are a critically endangered subspecies of tiger, with less than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. Threats to this species include poaching, loss of prey, and habitat fragmentation. Hunting was common in Russia, with an estimated 150 individuals being killed each year during the late 1800s. In 1947, the country put a ban on hunting these big cats [3]. Main prey of the Amur tiger includes deer and wild boar. A decrease in these key prey species due to illegal hunting has contributed to Amur tiger population decrease. Additionally, habitat fragmentation for logging and development has decreased the areas in which Amur tigers can live. Today, wild Amur tigers are found in the Russian Far East, a small part of their previous range, which included the Korean Peninsula, Northeast China, and Northeast Mongolia [3]. Here at the zoo, we have Changbai, a female Amur tiger who is part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, a breeding program which encourages population health and stability.

Red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens)

Photo credit- Emma Carney
Red pandas are an endangered species, as the population is decreasing due to habitat loss and poaching. This species is found in high-altitude mountain forests and bamboo thickets in south Central Asia. Forests and bamboo are being cleared for development and agriculture, which is not only impacting their home, but their main food source of the roots and shoots of bamboo [4]. Poaching is common in China and Myanmar for their pelts, with headwear being found in Bhutan [5]. Here at the zoo, we have a female red panda named Berry, who you can see in the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat or on the Zoo Cam.

Blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna)

Photo credit- Lauren Tiroletto
Blue and Gold Macaws are commonly found in rainforests in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. While they are of least concern, their population is decreasing due to habitat loss and fragmentation for agriculture and development, which is causing a decline in nesting sites. Additionally, they are poached by the illegal pet trade. Here at the zoo, we have Newton, an Ambassador Animal, who has a wonderful bond with some of the education staff! She, along with the other ambassador animals in the education department are handled by staff for programs and outreach, which helps to support our zoo mission in education and conservation. Be sure to look for her on programs.

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

Photo credit- Chrissy Shore and Lauren Tiroletto
Great Horned Owls are common, but like other owls, are protected under U.S. law such as the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are found in all of North, Central, and South America, except the West Indies. While not necessarily threatened, eggs, young, and adults can face threats. Eggs and young can be subject to predation by foxes, racoons, ravens, and other raptors, while adults can be harmed by rodent prey that has  been poisoned and by collisions with cars and fences [6], [7]. You can see our Ambassador Great Horned Owl, Ohundum, in the Upper Farmyard. Be sure to admire her beautiful and prominent yellow eyes!

Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus)

Photo credit- Connecticut's AAZK Chapter
Emerald tree boas are commonly found in the Amazon Basin region of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and from Venezuela to Surinam and the Guianas. While they are of least concern, the main threats to this species include habitat loss and poaching by the illegal pet trade. Habitat maintenance is important, as this species is arboreal and relies on trees to live and camouflage. Here at the zoo, we have Washington, who can be found in the Rainforest Building.

Ball python (Python regius)

Photo credit- Zoe Glover
Ball pythons are commonly found in the Sub-Saharan Africa from the West coast of Senegal, Cot D'Ivoire Ghana Eastwards toward Chad, Sudan, Cameroon, and Uganda up to the Nile River [8]. Their habitats include grasslands and scattered forests. While they are of least concern, the main threats to this species include habitat loss and poaching by the illegal pet trade. Here at the zoo, we have two Ambassador ball pythons, Linus, and Lucy. Be sure to look out for them on programs.

 
[1]- https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php
[2]- https://www.wildlifeday.org/en           
[3]- https://russia.wcs.org/en-us/Wildlife/Amur-Tigers/Amur-Tiger-Ecology.aspx
[4]- https://redpandanetwork.org/Threats
[5]- https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/red-panda
[6]- https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/great-horned-owl
[7]- https://abcbirds.org/bird/great-horned-owl/
[8]- https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/ball-royal-python