Seneca Park Zoo Supports Firefighting Efforts to Protect Ranomafana National Park’s Unique Biodiversity

Ranomafana National Park, located in southeastern Madagascar, is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant areas in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, the park plays a critical role in protecting Madagascar’s unique flora and fauna, much of which is found nowhere else on Earth. Home to critically endangered species like the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus), the park serves as a vital refuge for wildlife threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change. Its lush rainforests and complex ecosystems also contribute significantly to global biodiversity, offering unparalleled opportunities for research, conservation, and education. Beyond its ecological importance, Ranomafana National Park is integral to the local economy, providing jobs through eco-tourism and research initiatives while fostering a sense of stewardship among surrounding communities.

The Seneca Park Zoo has a long-standing and deeply impactful relationship with Dr. Patricia Wright, the renowned primatologist who was instrumental in the creation of Ranomafana National Park. As a long-time partner in conservation, the zoo has supported Dr. Wright’s efforts to protect Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, particularly through research and public engagement. Dr. Wright’s groundbreaking discovery of the golden bamboo lemur in 1986 catalyzed international attention and led to the establishment of Ranomafana as a protected area in 1991. Since then, her work has inspired countless conservation initiatives worldwide, including programs with the Seneca Park Zoo that emphasize the importance of protecting Madagascar’s fragile ecosystems.

 

The formation of Centre ValBio, a state-of-the-art research facility at the edge of Ranomafana National Park, is one of the most significant outcomes of Dr. Wright’s work. Founded in 2003, the center has become a hub for conservation science, education, and community engagement. It provides a base for researchers from around the globe to study Madagascar’s biodiversity and develop strategies for its preservation. The Seneca Park Zoo has been a proud supporter of Centre ValBio, contributing to its mission by funding research, fostering collaborations, and raising awareness about Madagascar’s conservation challenges. Through this partnership, the Zoo has helped bridge the gap between local communities and global conservation efforts, demonstrating the power of collaboration in protecting our planet’s most extraordinary habitats.

A devastating wildfire continues to threaten the area west of Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar, particularly the village of Vohiparara, a community with which Centre ValBio and its partners, including the Seneca Park Zoo, have worked closely for years. Despite the presence of a cyclone in the north of Madagascar, much-needed rains have not reached the southern regions, allowing the fire to spread further. The destruction has been heart-wrenching, with reports of scorched endemic wildlife such as Brookesia chameleons, land snails, frogs, and even displaced dwarf lemurs fleeing the flames.

 

In response, Centre ValBio and Madagascar National Parks are leading a collaborative firefighting effort, mobilizing over 500 people, including local community groups from Ifanadiana, Kelilalina, Ranomafana, Ambatovaky, Vohiparara, and Amboditanimena, along with park rangers, gendarmes, and military personnel. Volunteers are working tirelessly in challenging conditions, and local women are preparing meals for firefighters deep in the forest. To support these critical efforts, the Seneca Park Zoo has just sent $10,000 to assist with firefighting resources, food supplies, and community support. This funding is helping sustain the volunteers as they battle to protect the people, wildlife, and ecosystems that make Ranomafana a globally important conservation area.

 

Written by Director of Programming & Conservation Action, Tom Snyder

Recognized by the Rochester Business Journal: Pamela Reed-Sanchez’s Vision for Environmental Equity and Conservation Impact

Pamela Reed-Sanchez: A Rochester Business Journal Environmental Leader

We’re proud to share that Pamela Reed-Sanchez, CEO and President of the Seneca Park Zoo Society, has been recognized on the Rochester Business Journal’s Power List for Environmental Leaders!

Pamela highlights the Zoo Society’s commitment to improving our local ecosystem through impactful programs like our Urban Ecologist Workforce Development Program, native pollinator habitat restoration, community cleanups, and plastic pollution prevention.

Her vision for the future centers around equity in access to nature. Pamela emphasized the importance of addressing environmental injustice through meaningful municipal investments in tree canopies, green spaces, and projects like the new High Falls State Park. Her belief: connecting ALL people to nature is key to building healthier communities and solving environmental challenges together.

To learn more about Pamela’s leadership and the incredible work happening behind the scenes, check out her feature in the Rochester Business Journal here.

Conservation Impact in our community & around the world

Seneca Park Zoo is our region’s largest conservation organization,
reaching more than 600,000 individuals each year through our
conservation education and action programs. The Zoo is also heavily
involved heavily in species survival, raising critical funds and awareness
for the many threatened species whose continued existence relies on
positive, collective human action. 

Monarch Butterfly The Butterfly Beltway is a cornerstone project for Seneca Park Zoo, embodying our commitment to species conservation and habitat preservation. Beyond its ecological impact, this initiative serves as a vital platform for fostering scientific inquiry and sustainable practices. We believe that healthy ecosystems are integral to healthy communities, and our public gardens in Corn Hill along the Genesee River and the Tyshaun Cauldwell Memorial Garden offer welcoming spaces for community scientists and those seeking a serene connection with nature. Over the past year, the project has made significant strides in habitat restoration. Seeded restoration efforts have expanded to include up to 5 acres in SUNY Brockport and another 5 acres at RIT, where these habitats are part of a long-term study exploring pollinator networks, public health benefits, ecosystem services, and the efficacy of different seeding methods.

Since its inception in 2002, the Butterfly Beltway has rehabilitated and restored over 125 acres of habitats and 350 gardens. Our expanded native seed offerings now include 10 specialized mixes tailored for specific conditions, such as soil challenges, grow height preferences, and deer resistance, ensuring accessibility and effectiveness for various landscapes.
In 2024, we enhanced our community outreach through pollinator focused programming at our onsite Nature Cart. Over the summer, we engaged with more than 10,000 guests in meaningful conversations,
distributing nearly 1,000 flower seed packets to empower individuals to act in their own backyards.
This ongoing work exemplifies the Zoo’s mission to inspire our community to connect with, care for, and conserve wildlife and wild places. Through innovative partnerships, impactful education, and a shared vision for sustainability, the Butterfly Beltway continues to
thrive as a model for conservation leadership.
To learn more visit senecaparkzoo.org/butterflybeltway

 

You can get involved!

Seneca Park Zoo’s Butterfly Beltway program allows individuals to purchase and plant native pollinator gardens. Your Zoo offers a variety of seed mixes. Unlike the seed mixes you see in box stores, our mixes are carefully chosen and geographically focused to our rea. We take great care to include native species that are best suited to thrive in our local environment, ensuring the highest chances of success.

By choosing our seed mixes, you can help support the conservation of local wildlife and create a beautiful, sustainable landscape, as well as supporting our Butterfly Beltway project with sales proceeds. 

Written by Beth LaPierre

Using eDNA to Tell the Story of a Watershed

The Genesee River is a cornerstone of the Rochester Community. On the brink of collapse in the 1970s, parts of the river were put on an EPA Area of Concern listing to help mitigate issues with human use of the river (swimming, drinking, and eating fish from). Since being listed, the river has reversed course and is now considered a healthier ecosystem. In 2015, the Zoo conducted a biosurvey to look at the small things in the river, discovering a variety of resilient diverse wildlife.

Continuing to tell the story of the Genesee through the wildlife found there, the Zoo’s Urban Ecologists, a 2-year workforce development program in partnership with the City of Rochester, spent time this summer using eDNA technology to test the river and its tributaries to look for the elusive North American river otter. The Zoo has long been involved in North American river otter conservation, starting in the 1980s assisting with translocating otters, which were regionally extinct. The current eDNA project builds on more than thirty years of work saving otters. The river otter is a bioindicator. Their presence in a river or tributary can help gauge ecosystem health. By using this cutting-edge technology, the Zoo’s Urban Ecologists can blend traditional scientific techniques to target waterways to test. Using a water sample, scientists will look for remnants of otters, helping us provide vital science on the success of the otter reintroduction campaign the zoo was a part of in the 1990s.

Environmental DNA, or eDNA for short, is a tool for scientists who want to know what animals are living in places like rivers, lakes, or forests without seeing them. Imagine every time an animal swims in the water, walks on the ground, or flies in the air, it leaves tiny bits of itself behind, like scales, feathers, or even just bits of skin. These tiny bits contain DNA, which is like a special code that tells us which animal it came from. Scientists can collect water from a river or soil from the ground, or even air with a vacuum and use special tools to identify DNA in it. They then match the DNA to different animals, kind of like solving a puzzle, to figure out what animals are living there. It’s a way to learn about animals that are hard to find or see, and it helps us know how to protect them and their homes. This works because every animal has its own unique DNA code, so scientists can tell exactly which animals have been in that area, just from those tiny bits they left behind!

 

In 2023, Seneca Park Zoo’s Urban Ecologists learned about the ecology of local river otters and the conservation efforts that brought them back from extinction locally, returning them to the watersheds of Western NY and our own Genesee River. This research led to interest in the study and observation of their current presence. The Urban Ecologists wanted to learn where river otters are living and traveling to. To achieve this, camera traps were deployed around Rochester. No evidence of river otters was seen on our cameras, so the Zoo has begun employing eDNA technology to study them. Environmental DNA (or eDNA) to analyze for otter species present in our waterways. This past winter, the Urban Ecologists met Conservation Biologist Mai Fahmy, who spoke to them about her research that is centered on the use of eDNA for applications in conservation. Over the summer, Urban Ecologists were tasked with going to local waterways, collecting samples of water with eDNA kits that were created specifically to detect river otter DNA, then send the kits off for discovery. Members of the Great Lakes Action Agenda Workgroup were asked to nominate sites where otters were observed.

In August 2024, Urban Ecologists traveled to Finger Lakes Community Colleges’ Muller Field Station, located on a 48 acre property at the end of Honeoye Lake. It sits upon the traditional lands and waters of the Seneca Nation, next to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Honeoye Lake Wildlife Management Area. The Honeoye Lake watershed is a mosaic of 40 natural communities and a home to over 1,200 species of trees, plants, fish, amphibians, insects, birds, and mammals.

 

Urban Ecologists toured the field station, learning about the work FLCC does. They then took canoes out onto the swamp and sampled the water using JonahWater eDNA kits with the goal of identifying the presence of North American river otters. The data that is found will now be shared with conservation partners like the DEC. For most of our young Urban Ecologists, this was their first experience with field work and data collection. If the study is successful, this could give our UE’s the potential to be involved in future studies and published research. This work provides hands on experience UEs will share with the public through presentations to local recreation centers and to Zoo guests through our nature cart.

By Beth LaPierre, Director of Marketing and Communications

Litta Traps: Making A Difference

At Seneca Park Zoo, our dedication extends beyond caring for animals—we’re committed to protecting the environment that sustains them and us. That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the local community to address a pressing issue: plastic pollution in our waterways, focusing on stormwater’s impact on the North American Great Lakes. Stormwater and Plastic Pollution Plastic debris is the largest type of human-made waste affecting our planet’s waterways, including the Great Lakes. While global efforts, like the United Nations’ treaty negotiations, aim to regulate plastic waste, the connection between stormwater runoff and lake health is often overlooked, especially in inland communities. Stormwater is a major pathway for land-based debris to enter our lakes, harming water quality and aquatic life. We’re taking proactive steps to reduce debris and microplastics in our waterways. LittaTraps and CASCADE To combat this, Seneca Park Zoo and RIT have installed LittaTraps—trash capture devices—in storm drains across Rochester, including our Zoo’s parking lot. These traps intercept debris before it enters the stormwater system, reducing the waste that reaches the Genesee River and Great Lakes. Through the CASCADE program (Community Action for Stormwater Clean-up and Debris Prevention), we’re fostering a connection to our waterways and inspiring community action against debris pollution. This 12-week educational program, offered in schools and community centers in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, engages participants in collecting and analyzing debris from the LittaTraps, empowering them to develop local solutions. Expanding Our Reach With support from the Community Action Coalition, we’re expanding this program to Buffalo and Syracuse, creating a regional network dedicated to debris pollution prevention throughout Western New York. Our goal is to raise public awareness of stormwater’s impact on the environment. Education and Engagement at the Zoo Seneca Park Zoo is committed to educating the public about plastic pollution. Our H2OHero exhibit teaches visitors about the importance of clean water and the impact of plastic waste. Additionally, our Urban Ecologist program, a two-year internship supported by the City of Rochester, involves high school students in nature-based programming focused on plastic pollution. The Zoo Society’s partnership with RIT and New York Sea Grant (NYSG) ensures that our staff and interns receive professional development to deliver this critical programming. Over the next year, we will host 18 dedicated days of programming on plastic pollution, reaching more than 400,000 annual visitors through various educational experiences.

Battling EEHV: How Seneca Park Zoo is Saving Elephant Lives

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is a highly fatal disease affecting elephants in both natural range and human care. This herpesvirus causes severe symptoms, including lethargy, swelling, and internal bleeding. Particularly deadly in young elephants, EEHV can lead to death if not detected and treated early. 

EEHV is a leading cause of death in young elephants, threatening populations worldwide alongside habitat loss and poaching. Symptoms often appear rapidly, requiring immediate action for survival. 

In 2021, Seneca Park Zoo was asked if we could start banking plasma for a nationwide effort to create a plasma bank for potential EEHV cases. Our keepers immediately started training. Our elephants had to be trained to accept a larger needle, stand for a longer period for a plasma draw than their normal monthly blood draw, and allow a blood draw from the back of their ears.  Genny C., Lilac, and Moki love spending time with their keepers training and the needle size did not phase any of our girls. We also offered their favorite treats for this procedure, bagel pieces! We now successfully have plasma for each of our three African elephants. We can send this plasma to any zoo that has EEHV case in their herd. 

At Seneca Park Zoo, we help save elephants with EEHV by contributing to a plasma/blood bank maintained by various zoos. Regular blood tests and screenings help monitor our elephants’ health.  

By maintaining a plasma bank, Seneca Park Zoo plays a crucial role in the survival of elephants affected by EEHV. Genny C’s recent plasma donation saved another elephant’s life, highlighting the importance of our work. 

EEHV remains a formidable threat, but through collaborative efforts and prompt action, we can combat this disease. At Seneca Park Zoo, we are committed to this cause, ensuring that elephants have a fighting chance against EEHV. Together, we can make a difference and protect these gentle giants for future generations. 

Stand For Conservation and Join Our Mission

The Zoo is a beloved cultural institution and a place to be close to nature – but there is so much more to learn about the impact of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. Stand for Conservation by making your donation today.

 

Science Saving Species at Seneca Park Zoo

By Robin English, Seneca Park Zoo Senior Veterinary Technician

The Seneca Park Zoo is committed to playing a part in the conservation of species. By utilizing the scientific advances available to the zoo community, we can contribute more and more every day. Whether we are collecting samples, testing equipment, or aiding in the understanding of new techniques, the participation of the staff and the animals has helped to create a global network of collaborators for the betterment of zoo animals and their counterparts in nature.

What can be learned from collecting samples? Anything! The animal health team collects blood samples from our animals during every checkup. We also have several animals that will allow us to collect samples voluntarily. The data used from these samples can be compared across all zoos and can also be used as baseline data for samples collected from wild populations. It’s not just about the blood samples either. Over the last few decades, research on utilizing feces for analysis has grown. We can now learn hormonal changes to predict pregnancy, DNA sequencing to identify species, and more!

 

Masai giraffe Kipenzi participating in a blood draw

How do researchers know their equipment will work in nature? They bring it to the zoo for trials! Our African elephants have tested radio telemetry devices to see how they will stand up to the challenge. The designers can then make adjustments before deploying valuable equipment into the field.

Image: savetheelephants.org

Can zoo animals help to learn more about in situ populations? You bet they can! Our polar bear, Anoki, participated in a bite study where the amount of bites she took from a food item was compared to that of polar bears in nature. She has also been photographed so researchers can compare body condition markers of a healthy bear with those in nature.

Want to learn more about how Science is Saving Species? Stop by the zoo this weekend and chat with our veterinary technicians to find out more!

Media Coordinator

Domestic Rabbit

Domestic Rabbit

(Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The Zoo is home to one domestic rabbit as part of our Ambassador Animal collection. 

Animal Facts

Diet

Herbivore. Grasses, leaves, flowers, bark, roots, grains, vegetables, cecotropes, pellets, timothy hay, greens and veggies.

Status in The Wild

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Domestic rabbit natural habitats include grassland, shrubland, savanna, forest. Their range extends the Iberian Peninsula (including Spain, Portugal, and southwestern France), western France, and the northern Atlas Mountains in Northwest Africa.

Introduced countries: Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

They prefer mixed habitats of Mediterranean oak savanna or scrub-forest, or areas with around 40% cover for shelter from predators and open areas that support their diet of grasses and cereals. They are also often found in areas with high density of managed farmland. Soft soil is preferred for building warrens and in rockier habitats they will often use scrubs as their shelter.