Conservation Beyond Reid Park Zoo

SAFE African Elephant is dedicated to amplifying and focusing efforts on the conservation of African elephants. The inaugural program plan focuses on enhancing conservation initiatives, increasing public awareness of both species of African elephants, building vital partnerships with key conservation organizations and securing the long-term sustainability of these majestic animals.

Over the last 25 years, lion populations throughout Africa have decreased by half. This program’s goal is to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050. Through the SAFE Lion program, Reid Park Zoo is partnering with organizations in Africa to reduce threats to lions throughout Africa by mitigating conflict between farmers and lions and addressing habitat loss.

SAFE African Painted Dog works within three regions of Africa (West and Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa) to increase conservation support, raise public awareness of African painted dogs, and build relationships between AZA institutions and key African painted dog field partners in Africa.

The Andean bear may become endangered in the next 20 years due to deforestation and human encroachment into their habitat. SAFE Andean Bear monitors Andean bears found in 15 protected areas across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia to determine changes in Andean bear populations and identify areas that need protection.

SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo (AHF) works to ensure sustainable populations of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos throughout their geographic range in South America. SAFE AHF supports the recovery and conservation of these three species through research, monitoring, public engagement, targeted training, community outreach, and education programming.

SAFE Gibbon, in collaboration with field partners and AZA institutions, is committed to addressing the critical threats facing gibbons today, including habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and the illegal wildlife trade.

The primary goal of the SAFE Giraffe program is to support a world in which healthy giraffe populations live in the wild. The program also seeks to find opportunities where in situ and ex situ research can work together to help with giraffe conservation, giraffe health, and educational initiatives.

The SAFE Jaguar program conducts, funds, and supports jaguar-related fieldwork in Central and South America. Using objectives outlined by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Cat Specialist Group, the SAFE jaguar program is focused on protecting jaguars primarily in Central America and expanding capacity to protect jaguars throughout their range.

SAFE North American Monarch brings together a wide range of partners, from zoos and botanical gardens to government agencies and landscape associations, to catalyze expanded butterfly and pollinator conservation measures across this iconic species’ migratory range.

Songbirds are some of the most familiar and beloved birds, as well as some of the most threatened species on Earth. SAFE North American Songbird program partners work together to reduce threats to native songbirds by reducing bird collisions with glass, reducing the impact of domestic animals on wildlife, preserving, enhancing, and establishing native habitats, and promoting Bird Friendly® coffee.

Red pandas are listed as Endangered on the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with populations decreased by up to 50% in the last three generations. SAFE Red Panda supports work to protect red pandas in their native habitat through the Red Panda Network (RPN), which uses integrated, landscape-level approach to conservation that is built on the support and participation of local communities.