Community Conservation

Our Approach

When committed communities get the support they need, the conservation results are truly inspiring. But communities in developing parts of the world must have a reason – largely an economic reason – to protect wildlife. So the Calgary Zoo starts by alleviating poverty: creating employment opportunities, focusing on education and improving the overall quality of life for community members. When people prosper, nature benefits.

We choose projects that apply sound science, include local communities and have the greatest conservation impact. Then, we determine the best way we can help. Sometimes it’s purely financial support. In other cases, it is the expertise of our staff in the field that is the most valuable contribution we can make

Our Collaborative Programs

Current

Penguins  – Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions

Hippos – Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, Ghana

Mountain Bongos – Kenya

Lemurs - Madagascar

Sitatunga - Avu Lagoon, Ghana

Belief-based Conservation - Liberia and Ghana

Past

Gorillas – the Democratic Republic of Congo

Red Pandas – Nepal

Snow Leopards – Central Asia

Amur Tigers – Russia

Bears – Alberta

The rhinoceros is generally non-social, although they will sometimes gather together to wallow in shallow ponds or streams. A group is called a crash.