Animal Movements: The Conservation Stories

March 31, 2020

As a part of Zoo Projects at home, we’re bringing our Animal Programs to you. In our first virtual program, ‘Animal Movements’, we introduced you to four very different species and learned about the ways they move. As an extension of the program, we’re sharing conservation information about each species and actions you can take to help protect their counterparts in nature. Did you miss the videos? Watch them below!

PART I:
New Caledonian crested gecko (Hopscotch)

The  IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has categorized the crested gecko as Vulnerable, and their population is continuing to decrease.  The crested gecko was actually thought to be extinct, until some were accidentally found in 1994 in New Caledonia. The invasive fire ant had previously been brought to the island and had caused the rapid decline of the gecko population. Since finding the geckos again in 1994, the population began to rebound, but the pet trade and habitat loss are now causing another decline.

Ways you can help crested geckos:

  • Become a responsible pet owner. Make sure you know the source of where your gecko came from and that the source is a responsible breeder. Never have a pet that came from their natural range since that encourages people to take animals from their habitat, which harms populations. Also make sure that geckos are a good fit for your lifestyle before getting one. Do your research to learn about all of their needs and upkeep.
  • Help reduce habitat loss by recycling paper and cardboard, and by purchasing pre-owned items when possible to lower factory demand.
  • Be aware of how you may spread invasive species (like the fire ant that caused the believed extinction of the crested gecko). Make sure to brush off your hiking boots and clean off boats before going to new areas.

Mallard Duck (Ernie)

While Ernie is a domestic mallard duck, meaning he lives with or around people, there are many species of wild ducks throughout the Northern Hemisphere.  Ducks face threats such as urbanization and habitat loss, as well as pollution.  Ducks need to migrate to warmer temperatures, which means they need access to natural areas with fresh water such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.  Ducks are greatly affected by pollution, as their main sources of food are found in and along waterways.  If a water source is polluted, then the fresh water plants, bugs, and fish that the ducks feed on may no longer be available, or may  make them sick from the chemicals.  Ducks may also eat litter, thinking that it may be food, and may also get caught in things such as fishing line and soda six-pack rings.

Ways you can help ducks:

  • Make sure to look up your county’s recycling protocols and be aware of which products are recyclable.  Set up a recycling station in your house and encourage your friends and family to recycle.
  • Be aware of what goes down the storm drain.  To keep pollution to a minimum, make sure only rain goes down the storm drain.  Wash your car at car washes, rather than in your driveway.  Car washes have a process to properly filter their waste water.  Soapy water from your driveway will go into your yard, local waterways, and the closest storm drain, and can negatively affect the ecosystem.
  • Cut your soda six-pack rings and make sure they go into a waste receptacle.

Part II:
Marine Toad (Cane Toad) (Bubba)

Marine toads are an invasive species, meaning they are not native to many of the areas that they are found, and cause harm to those ecosystems. The marine toad’s native range is Texas down through Mexico to South America. In these areas, the toads have a niche in the ecosystem. However, areas like Hawaii and Australia, where the marine toad have been introduced, are suffering huge disruptions in their ecosystems. Marine toads are opportunistic, meaning they will eat almost anything that they think smells good. This means they can cause a lot of damage to prey species population numbers.

Also, marine toads are poisonous for their entire lifecycle, even when they are eggs. Predators that live in these new ranges are not used to this, and often become sick or can die when they eat a marine toad, causing damage to predator population numbers. When predators learn to avoid marine toads, the toad population increases to numbers that can’t be controlled, especially since marine toads can lay up to 40,000 eggs every time that they reproduce.

You can help prevent the disruption of ecosystems by invasive species:

  • Learn about which invasive species are moving towards your area, or are now found in your area. Help identify and report these on imapinvasives.org.  Your reports can help environmental and governmental organizations control these species and therefore decrease environmental damage.
  • Be aware of how you may spread invasive species. Make sure to brush off your hiking boots to stop seeds and insects from spreading to new areas.  Clean off boats to prevent seeds and aquatic animals from spreading to new areas.

Burmese Python (Garrett)

Although Burmese pythons are an invasive species in the southern United States (mainly due to the pet trade), their species numbers are declining in their native range of southeast Asia. Burmese pythons, as well as many more snake species, face the threat of poaching (illegal hunting).  Snake skins are used to create products such as purses, boots, belts, and hats. Snakes also face fear killings. Unfortunately, throughout history, humans have viewed snakes as scary, and sometimes even as evil.  Snakes are actually a very important part of the ecosystem, and don’t actively seek to harm others. Without snakes, the rodent and insect populations would increase to a point that may make the ecosystem unstable.  Seeing a snake in your yard means that there are less chances of insects and rodents invading your home.

Ways you can help Burmese pythons and snakes:

  • Don’t buy products that support poaching.  Find alternatives to snake skin products.  If you aren’t sure if something is snake skin, ask the seller.
  • If you see a snake in nature, leave it alone.  The snake will not harm you unless it becomes threatened by you.  Leaving the snake alone will allow it to do its job in the ecosystem.

 Follow Seneca Park Zoo on Facebook for the latest Zoo Project and animal news.

– Rhonda McDonald, Program Manager & Annie Wheeler, Lead Naturalist for Programs

A Discussion With David Hamilton, Zoo Director

March 25, 2020

In January, County Executive Adam Bello appointed David Hamilton, who has served as the Zoo’s General Curator for 15 years, to be Interim Zoo Director. David has worked in animal care for over 26 years. For 20 of those years, he has also served as the North American River Otter Species Survival Plan Program Leader and Studbook Keeper for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). We sat down with him to understand more about his work with the Species Survival Plan (SSP). 

Q: What is the Species Survival Plan?

A: It is a coordinated initiative to plan for and manage breeding of animals across all AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to ensure genetic diversity and species sustainability in human care. Think of it as mega “Match.com” for endangered animals. There are Species Survival Plans for about 500 different species. They drive animal moves and breeding recommendations across AZA-accredited zoos.

Q: That’s a lot to manage! How exactly does it work?  

A: For North American river otters, we create an annual plan. We know every otter at every zoo and aquarium, as well as its lineage. There are currently about 260 animals at 110 facilities. Once a year, we ask all of the zoos and aquariums to let us know what changes they want to make, which include requests for new animals, requests to breed, or sometimes requests to move animals away to other zoos. I work with a population biologist to try to come up with a plan that will work for all involved. There are typically about 25 moves of North American river otters each year and close to 60 recommendations to breed. After fine-tuning, the plan is finalized, and the zoos start planning for the animal moves. 

Q: Why are all these moves necessary?  

A: Being part of the Species Survival Plan means that we’re all solving for the good of the species. We want to ensure there are enough animals with as much genetic diversity as possible to last for a very long time. For instance, animals die each year; across all zoos we want to ensure there are at least as many births each year as there are deaths. For each species, there is a time when a young animal would naturally leave its parents and start its own family. And sometimes, animals move because they don’t have a mate, or they haven’t reproduced with the mate with which they are matched.  

Q: How come some animals are approved to breed and others aren’t?  

A: It’s driven by a few factors. First, whether the institution has the space and skills to care for offspring. Additionally, how offspring would fit with the animals in the collection. And finally, whether the genetics of the two animals are suitable for mating.  

Q: What animal moves do you anticipate here at Seneca Park Zoo?  

A: We have made requests to receive animals in situations where there have been deaths. For instance, we’ve asked for a female North American river otter to be a mate to Sailor, our male. And we’ve asked for a mate for red panda Starlight, since Blaze died last year. We can also anticipate that in time, younger animals born here at the Zoo will move to other zoos to start their own families.

Q: So animals like sea lion Bob and snow leopard Silver will eventually leave to start their own families?

A: Yes, that will be the plan. We try to time it appropriately when they would naturally disperse and leave their mothers. Sometimes they mature more quickly in human care and can move sooner.  

Q: What about new animals like the giraffes?  

A: Giraffes are unique because they can only be transported when they are young or they become too tall to travel. When Animals of the Savanna opened, the SSP took particular care to make sure we had animals that would be appropriate for breeding when they reach the appropriate ages. Our giraffes have very valuable genetics so we shouldn’t anticipate moves there. Eventual calves (we are hopeful!) would move to other zoos.To stay up-to-date on any animal moves, make sure to follow Seneca Park Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Featured image photo credit: Rebecca Sturniolo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

Seneca Park Zoo closed effective March 14, 2020

Updated April 1, 2020

Effective March 14, 2020, Seneca Park Zoo will be closed to all guests and volunteers. After consulting with Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County Parks Director Pat Meredith, and Interim Zoo Director David Hamilton, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello took this precautionary action to protect the health and safety of Zoo guests, volunteers, and staff.

While the Zoo is closed, Animal Care staff will remain on the job and continue to provide excellent care to the animals.