The Cause of Conservation
“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." Legendary Senegalese Conservationist Baba Dioum
This well known quote about conservation is used in several ways at the Indianapolis Zoo, not least of which is as inspiration for our staff and visitors to remember what our true mission is: The Indianapolis Zoo will empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation.
In every way, we are trying to create conservationists every day at the Zoo through how we exhibit our animals, the interpretative graphics we use to describe our exhibits, the educational programs we provide for adults and children alike, the volunteers we use to man our naturalist carts, and so much more.
- In August 2009, the Zoo's Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Jan Ramer, began a two year leave of absence to become the Regional Field Manager for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP). Everyone call follow her work in Africa through the MGVP web site, Dr. Ramer's field blog, and through the personal insights recorded by Dr. Ramer on her blog. To learn more about this exciting project and to link up, click here.
- In particular, we are engaged in a number of long-term research projects. Click here for information.
- We also participate with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) on conservation projects and issues, as do other AZA zoos around the country. Click here for more information.
- We support the efforts of other non-project conservation organizations around the world that are dedicated to the cause of saving the threatened and endangered animals of the world. Click herefor information and links.
