Into the wild: a year of breed-for-release at zoos
ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums contribute to conservation through wildlife hospitals, partnerships, conservation research, education initiatives, visitor engagement, environmental sustainability work, behaviour-change campaigns and fieldwork in the wild.
One form of conservation effort that’s very satisfying to see is when zoos use their expertise to breed, raise and release threatened species back into our native environments, bolstering wild populations. 2019 has been a big one for breed and release programs across the ZAA membership.
Adelaide Zoo’s efforts to breed and release critically endangered orange-bellied parrots under the ZAA ASMP program for the species grew wings.
For the first time Adelaide Zoo directly took part in the release of five birds into the wild, along with 20 other birds also released by other participants of the orange-bellied parrot Mainland Release Trial.
Alice Springs Desert Park successfully bred nine Mala for release into Newhaven Sanctuary (Australian Wildlife Conservancy).
Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in WA successfully bred 50 Woylies or Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia pencillata). This year they received the Australian Wildlife Society Community Wildlife Conservation Award and want to thank their amazing volunteers.