National Wildlife Refuge System

In 2003, the National Wildlife Refuge System celebrated its 100th birthday. The quiet, behind-the-scenes work of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums's member institutions in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Refuge System is a critical part of this evolving success story.

The National Wildlife Refuge System protects the habitat of 260 endangered species, safeguards breeding and resting places for millions of migratory birds, and conserves premier fisheries and coastal habitats for marine mammals.

Partnerships between AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and the National Wildlife Refuge System have steered species such as the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) and black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), away from almost certain extinction and toward the road to recovery. Many AZA members are working to save dozens of smaller, lesser-known species that have become imperiled by human activities.

AZA's efforts extend well beyond captive propagation and outreach programs. Zoo and aquaria staff throughout North America also contribute to the recovery of native species by participating in habitat restoration, population surveys, basic research, control of non-native species, interpretive material design and maintaining genetic refugia.

Here are some examples of the extraordinary partnerships between AZA zoos and aquariums and National Wildlife Refuges.

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership

Pilot Joe Duff of Operation Migration leads juvenile whooping cranes at Necedah NWF in Wisconsin.

One of the most exciting partnership stories is the reintroduction of the whooping crane into their former range. In a historic event in July, 2001, ten whooping crane juveniles, destined to be taught a migratory route from Wisconsin to Florida, flew (via a volunteer's private jet) from a breeding center in Maryland to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin. Their arrival marked the return of whooping cranes to Wisconsin, which had been extirpated since 1878!

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership brings together AZA members, National Wildlife refuges, and a variety of government and private sector organizations. Visit Tracking the Eastern Whooping Crane Flock, maintained by the International Crane Foundation – an AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums – for information on the flock's progress.

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Credit: George Gentry

Others partnerships, like the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge involve more quiet work. The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 to protect the panther and its habitat. Florida panthers hunt, den, and roam throughout the refuge and adjacent lands. Many AZA institutions have worked with the Friends of the Florida Panther NWR to provide financial and human resources for a variety of refuge activities including education, monitoring and restoration.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Credit: J&K Hollingsworth

The North Carolina Zoo participates in a program to radio collar and monitor red wolves on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. This species was reduced to 14 individuals and all known wolves had to be removed from the wild to protect them from interbreeding with coyotes. The zoo is also involved in extensive education programs on the plight of the red wolf. Visit North Carolina Zoo's Red Wolves of Alligator River for more information.

Attwater's Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

The first Attwater's prairie chickens were hatched at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas. Today, Texas A&M University, the Houston Zoo, the San Antonio Zoo, the Abilene Zoo and Sea World of Texas all take part in raising birds to return to the wild. Many of them will be released at the Attwater's Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the Fossil Rim Wildilife Center's Prairie Chicken Recovery page has more information.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Credit: J&K Hollingsworth

Volunteers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore have done extensive salt marsh habitat restoration in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and elsewhere in the Chesapeake Bay. While not specifically endangered species work, it is another vital part of the National Wildlife Refuge System/AZA partnership.

Hooper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The Santa Barbara Zoo recently joined the San Diego and Los Angeles Zoos and World Center for Birds of Prey in their long and highly successful partnership with the Hooper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the recovery of the California condor.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Credit: J&K Hollingsworth

One of our longest-running and most productive partnerships is between Zoo Atlanta and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Zoo and Refuge sponsor several events each year, including the popular Okefenokee Swamp Festival. Also, the Conservation Action Resource Center allows zoo and refuge professionals to team up and offer classes at schools throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was one of the first zoos to participate in the captive breeding of Mexican wolves. Today, they work in a coalition that includes Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the Mexican Wolf pre-release facility. Here, Mexican wolves are acclimated to their historical habitat in large pens. Some of the wolves are candidates to be released into the wild in other parts of the southwest.

There are many challenges ahead for our National Wildlife Refuge System and the remarkable diversity of wildlife it nurtures and protects. AZA zoos and aquariums can play a significant role in helping to address these challenges as we share many of the same goals, values, and missions.