Posts by Communications
World Wildlife Day 2024
March 3rd is World Wildlife Day, a dedicated time to celebrate the animals and plants that call Earth home and the contributions they make to the planet. It’s important to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and range of life in the world around us. Biodiversity is what keeps our ecosystems functioning and the…
Read MoreWhy Wetlands (And Their Inhabitants) Are Important
In the safety of marsh grass, a frog croaks in the dead of night. An alligator’s all-seeing eyes sit still above the murky water while the rest of his body is submerged below. Deer are grazing not far off on firmer soil and a lonely owl hangs among the cypress trees. In a small corner…
Read MoreThe Impact of Floridian Development on the White Ibis
The white ibis is one of the most abundant wading birds in Florida. If you’re from the South, there’s a chance you’ve seen a flock of white ibises at a local park or even in your backyard. They’re charming with their unique red beaks and white body. However, white ibises have increasingly relied on humans…
Read MoreToxoplasmosis Transmitted to Beluga Whales
You’ve probably heard of toxoplasmosis before. It’s a common parasitic disease in cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can lead to lethargy, liver damage, and other forms of sickness. It’s why pregnant women are told to avoid cleaning litter boxes. However, toxoplasmosis has been transmitted to beluga whales–how did we get here? Toxoplasmosis in beluga whales To understand…
Read MoreGlobal Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Somewhere right now, a wildlife pathologist is working tirelessly in a lab investigating animal diseases. Across the sea, there are veterinarians in Africa saving and protecting species we have all known to love. And, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, biologists sampling and tracking aquatic life to learn more about the creatures that fascinate…
Read MoreCollaboration is Key to the Wildlife Conservation Puzzle
In the cold northern seas, beluga whales are facing a unique threat. Toxoplasmosis, a parasite transmitted by feline species, has made itself prevalent in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Along the shores, this has led to stranded and deceased whales of a once peaceful population. Collaboration is integral to wildlife conservation. One person, or even one…
Read MoreHow Do Zoos Help Animals?
There are very few places where you can safely experience the diversity of wildlife, learn about the world around you, or help animals threatened with extinction. The only place where you can do all three is at a zoo. The path for zoos to become the amazing institutions they are known as today has been…
Read MoreEntrapped Bolivian River Dolphins
With the support of the Wild Animal Health Fund, two zoo and wildlife veterinarians were called to assist in a major conservation situation in the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia. Landscapes in this area are rapidly changing due to farming and forest fires. Rivers tend to erode bringing silt to the rivers, carrying pesticides, heavy…
Read MoreAAZV Conference & Wild Animal Health
By Sydney Kirk, PR and Fundraising Associate, on October 12, 2023 Last month I was a foot away from a clouded leopard and met the most brilliant minds I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. The Wild Animal Health Fund is a program of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, AAZV for short.…
Read MoreCareers Working With Wildlife
Don’t put yourself in a box—there are dozens of career options to explore that help zoos and wild animals. A career working with wildlife is a rewarding job. You can see how your actions directly influence the lives of animals around the globe. Each one of the occupations listed below involves being an animal advocate…
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