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.