Saint Louis Zoo

Conservation close to home: Zoo staff recently surveyed an endangered species found only in Missouri ???? In October, the Zoo took part in surveys and habitat assessments of the grotto sculpin (Cottus specus), a cave-adapted fish species that can only be found in the subterranean streams of Perry County, Missouri. The species became a federally protected endangered species in 2013. Zoo staff, including University of Missouri-Saint Louis professor Michi Tobler, who serves?as a Senior Scientist at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute,?and members of the Zoo's Herpetology & Aquatics Department joined the survey. They climbed down crevices and crawled through narrow passages to reach underground streams, where they counted cave fish and assessed the quality of their habitat. Michi then collected genetic samples for his lab's ongoing research into spring and cave fish. Missouri is known as the Cave State with more than 7,000 caves. These caves,?both in Missouri and worldwide, harbor diverse ecosystems that are highly imperiled, but also vastly understudied. Closing that knowledge gap is key to effective conservation of these important sites. About 38% of people in the U.S. get their drinking water from subterranean sources. Conservation of cave-adapted species like the grotto sculpin and the habitats they live in can also protect ground water health. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Cave Research Foundation.

We're proud to announce a new conservation initiative at Saint Louis Zoo that will support research, field work and outreach to help wild polar bears in the Arctic and the people that live among them. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Polar Bear Conservation is the first new conservation center created by the Zoo since 2019. Upon launch, the Center's projects will include: ???? Joining a World Wildlife Fund project researching polar bear ear tracking tags that could significantly improve research of the species ???? Supporting polar bear deterrence programs in two Alaska Native villages ???? Continuing the Zoo's support of the Polar Bears International Arctic Ambassador Center network and dedicating funds to the nonprofit's Maternal Den Study of polar bear behavior in the Arctic. ???? Using the Zoo’s platform to inform the public, amplify indigenous perspectives and motivate action on one of the greatest threats to polar bears: climate change. The projected loss of essential sea ice habitats caused by rising temperatures is expected to greatly reduce the species' global population size. “It's incredibly important that we better understand and protect this species now more than ever,” said Center Director Julie Hartell-DeNardo, who also serves as the Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores at Saint Louis Zoo. “We hope deepening the Zoo’s longstanding support of this species can make a real impact for these magnificent bears.” Learn more at https://bit.ly/3V5Q5LQ. ?? Polar bear photos courtesy of Don Getty/World Wildlife Fund and Dmytro Cherkasov/Polar Bears International.

Community input has been central every step of the way at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, our safari park under development in north St. Louis County. Check out this great article from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis magazine exploring how the Zoo and UMSL's Community Innovation and Action Center worked with 25 St. Louis area teens to develop ideas for exciting new youth programs at WildCare Park. The safari park is set to open to the public in 2027. https://lnkd.in/gX7MwSrq

It’s International One Health Day! This is a day to celebrate the connections of human, animal and environmental health. An example of the Zoo’s involvement in One Health is the work we do in Madagascar with one of the most trafficked wildlife species on Earth. Along with a number of partners, we work to ensure the health of Radiated Tortoises as part of a re-wildling program. In this program, we work to return healthy tortoises confiscated from illegal trade so they can be placed back into the wild. The Saint Louis Zoo leads the veterinary, epidemiology, and molecular diagnostics parts of the effort; all three of which help us better understand disease threats to the tortoises of Madagascar. A true One Health project, the work we do in Madagascar is three-pronged, placing importance on wildlife conservation, ecosystem resilience, and human well-being. A team from the Saint Louis Zoo's Institute for Conservation Medicine and the Department of Animal Health will return to Madagascar later this month to continue their work!

Applications for the Zoo Young Professionals Advisory Board are open until Nov. 7! Members work closely with Zoo staff on various initiatives. Zoo Young Professionals is a group of professionals in their 20s and 30s dedicated to the continued success of the Zoo and networking with peers. Apply for the advisory board or join today at https://lnkd.in/gWBXBF9N.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, which has led much of the Zoo's conservation work around the world since 2004. WildCare Institute is made up of 16 conservation centers, all of which are dedicated to the conservation of animals and their habitats across the globe, from the American burying beetles of Missouri to the frogs of Ecuador and Grevy's zebras in Africa, just to name a few. Join us in celebrating two decades of conservation success and raise money for a good cause by attending the WildCare Institute 20th Anniversary Celebration. Limited tickets remain. The event will include stories from Zoo experts and conservationists, dinner, drinks and a silent auction with experiences unique to WildCare Institute. Proceeds will help fund the Zoo's continued conservation around the world. ??When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 from 6-9 p.m. ??Where: Saint Louis Zoo, The Living World ??Adults 21+ only. Cocktail attire. To learn more and get tickets, visit https://lnkd.in/gt5JyWUj.

Saint Louis Zoo is proud to be a part of this commitment to biodiversity conservation!

Did you know Saint Louis Zoo has an amazing team of keepers dedicated to hellbender conservation? The Ron and Karen Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation is located in the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium and has a team of four full-time and one part-time keeper. The keepers work with over 1,100 Ozark and eastern hellbenders every day! Each year, the hellbender team works with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to bring in hundreds of eggs to the Zoo where we provide the best head start and environment for them to grow strong, healthy hellbenders. Hellbenders in the center spend the first 2-to-7 years of their lives at the Zoo growing before they are released into the rivers of Missouri. As a native Missouri amphibian, the hellbender is essential to a balanced ecosystem. Hellbenders are also great indicators of healthy rivers. Each year, the keepers look forward to releasing the next generation of hellbenders into our rivers! As of 2024, the Zoo has collaborated with the Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce 12,000 Zoo-raised hellbenders back into Missouri’s native river systems, where both species of hellbenders have been observed reproducing in the wild. #stlzoodepartmentspotlight

We're excited to share this sneak peek of Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery, the new experience for children and families targeted to open in 2026 at Saint Louis Zoo! This animated, fly-through rendering showcases the planned experiences, attractions and animal habitats in store for guests. Construction is now underway on the site of the former Emerson Dinoroarus and Emerson Children’s Zoo. Animal habitats include: Prairie dogs — Guests can make their way through human-sized tunnels and "pop up" into the habitat for nose-to-nose views. Patagonian mara — This rabbit-like rodent native to Argentina is closely related to the guinea pig and capybara. North American river otters — Guests can spot otters on land from an overlook above or see them below water zooming by windows or swimming through two acrylic water flumes above a walking path. Chilean flamingo lagoon — These beautiful South American birds will be viewable up close, both above and below the lagoon’s surface. Coati — A treehouse-style habitat will offer a great view of the active, tree-dwelling coati (pronounced koh-waa-tee) native to Central and South America, Mexico and southernmost portions of the U.S. Tasmanian devils — The immersive Tasmanian devil exhibit, one of only four devil exhibits in the U.S., will feature a climb-through “hobbit” house with up-close views of the animals in their habitat. Babydoll sheep — A walk-through barn and spacious barnyards will be home to a flock of adorable sheep. Guests can meet keepers as they provide care for the animals. Other highlights include: ?? An education building that will be home to, Saint Louis Zoo Preschool, the Discovery Center indoor play space and other educational programming. The new building will allow the Zoo to offer two full-day preschool classes for the first time. ??Waterplay area ??An invertebrate-themed climbing structure ???Wildlife Overlook Boardwalk

What would we do without our AMAZING volunteers! In September, the Zoo hosted its Volunteer Appreciation Event and awarded several awards to some of the most dedicated volunteers in the Zoo community. Ken Johnson recieved this year’s Julie Gerlach Volunteer of the Year Award. In his many leadership roles, he has helped form a community of volunteers and has worked to make this one of the best places to volunteer. The Volunteer Values Award recipients were Ace Derdeyn, Pat Hofmeister and members of the Docent Biofact/Interpretation Committee: Joe Cooper (co-chair), Ann Mihanovich (co-chair), Linda Hollenbeck, Pat Kelly, Alan Lobel, Linda Noland, Nancy Penrod, Nancy Sinclair and Sharon Wall. These volunteers greatly impact the Zoo community, and their spirit truly inspires others.