Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Memphis Zoo Receives Significant Achievement Honor

CONTACT: Jane Ballentine, (301)562-0777 x252

COLUMBUS, OH 11 September 2003 -- The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today honored the Memphis Zoo with a Significant Achievement Award in the North American Conservation category for their “Conservation of the Louisiana Pine Snake and its habitat” program. Zoo officials accepted the award at AZA's 79th Annual Conference, meeting here this week.

The Memphis Zoo maintains a 19-year continuous effort to conserve North America's rarest snake species, the Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni). Beginning in 1984, zoo staff set out to achieve three objectives: (1) secure the species in captivity, (2) provide biological insight through research, and (3) define a leadership role for AZA institutions in future in situ conservation initiatives. To realize the vision required much basic preparation because when the program began, neither captive-breeding nor habitat restoration efforts existed. Memphis Zoo acquired a founder base sufficient for self-sustainment and disbursed these to AZA institutions.

Their efforts helped broaden the focus of zoo-based herpetofauna conservation to encompass native species as well as exotics. They established a regional studbook, which was the first for a North American reptile or amphibian, and later, a Species Survial Plan (SSP) that was the first and still the only SSP for a North American reptile. While building the captive program, they conducted research and published on feeding behavior, reproductive biology, distribution, taxonomy, biogeography, and husbandry.

Their findings revealed a peculiar ecology, leading us to suspect evolutionary independence from related lineages. They pursued this hypothesis with a phenetic analysis of the entire genus and published formal recommendation for species level status of this taxon, a designation now widely accepted. To advance in situ conservation, the Memphis Zoo funds and directs the experimental release of captive-bred Louisiana pine snakes, with our partners from the Audubon Zoo. A grant expanded this ongoing study. Most recently, we organized a coalition of parties whose activities impacted pine snake habitat, and hosted a 3-day conservation workshop. Designed and moderated by Memphis Zoo staff, the meeting yielded significant habitat conservation initiatives. The Memphis Zoo will continue leading conservation work on behalf of the Louisiana pine snake and its habitat for as long as necessary.

The North American Conservation Award is presented each year by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association for recognition of outstanding dedication to conservation issues and development of natural resources.

Note: For more information contact Dr. Steve Reichling, at 901.333.6711

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 213 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.