Conservation in Africa
Africa is home to some of the last great wild landscapes on Earth, where vast savannas, ancient forests, deserts, and wetlands support an unparalleled abundance of large wildlife. The continent is renowned for its spectacular seasonal migrations and for harboring the world’s largest populations of elephants, giraffes, lions, and many other iconic species.
These interconnected ecosystems not only sustain extraordinary biodiversity but also provide clean water, fertile soils, and livelihoods for millions of people. Protecting Africa’s wild places helps ensure that these remarkable landscapes—and the wildlife that depends on them—continue to thrive for generations to come.
Tanzania Conservation Research Program
Reid Park Zoo has had a personal relationship with Charles and Lara Foley over the past two decades. Their in-situ conservation efforts related to African elephants have been inspirational.
Over the last few years, they have been working to create habitat corridors for elephants to move outside Tarangire National Park as they search for water and food. They have found new ways to collaborate with local people and create a community-based approach to protect the elephants. To date, over 2 million acres of habitat around Tarangire National Park have been protected.
Tusk Trust’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge
Since 2023, Reid Park Zoo has participated in Tusk Trust’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, an annual day of solidarity with Africa’s wildlife rangers.
Every day, these brave men and women do the demanding, dangerous, and essential work of protecting wild animals and wild places, ensuring that the wild cousins of Zoo favorites like Meru the elephant, Yebonga the rhino, and Tony the lion survive and thrive. In Africa, the Challenge consists of a series of mental and physical training challenges that culminate in a 21 km race. At Reid Park Zoo, the Challenge consists of a solidarity walk around Reid Park to raise money for African wildlife rangers – join us!
International Rhino Foundation
Working to protect all 5 rhino species, the International Rhino Foundation focuses on protecting habitat, anti-poaching, and building community relationships throughout rhino habitat in Africa and Asia.
You can join “Team Rhino” and stay up-to-date on rhino news by following the IRF on Facebook.
Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates (LEEP)
Located at the University of Arizona, LEEP studies lemurs in Madagascar to better understand parental care of infants and how individuals cope with dynamic social and natural environments.
Currently, LEEP research is focused on how the gut microbiome is affected by stress and how a warming climate impacts lemur thermoregulation and persistence through thyroid studies. This information will help us understand what lemurs need to survive and reproduce.
Painted Dog Conservation (PDC)
The SAFE African Painted Dog program supports the protection of wild dogs in their native habitat through Painted Dog Conservation (PDC).
With the help and employment of local people, Painted Dog Conservation runs conservation, education, and outreach programs. These efforts include the Anti-Poaching Unit team and Rehabilitation Facility. They also monitor painted dogs daily across Hwange National Park and packs in Mana Pools and the Mid-Zambezi.
Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)
Reid Park Zoo is a proud partner of the SAFE Giraffe program and directly supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF).
GCF works closely with African governments, local and international NGOs, communities, and academic partners across a wide range of conservation initiatives – including anti-poaching and de-snaring support, community-based education, provision of field equipment and technical support, population monitoring, and rewilding projects. Overall, GCF impacts over 160 million acres of giraffe habitat across Africa, supporting the conservation of all four species of giraffe to secure and recover healthy wild populations.
The Lion Recovery Fund (LRF)
Reid Park Zoo is a proud partner of the AZA SAFE African Lion program, which supports the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF).
The Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) supports organizations in Africa that reduce threats to lions and their habitats and prey. These organizations work closely with communities and governments in Africa to support healthy coexistence with lions, and ultimately, double the number of lions in the wild by 2050!
