New Conservation Partnerships in Africa

Rhinos, lions, giraffes and other African wildlife got a boost from Oregon last month as the zoo announced $180,000 in support for three community conservation partners over the next three years. Funds will aid the International Rhino Foundation, Somali Giraffe Project and Niassa Carnivore Project in their work for wildlife and communities in four African countries.

“We’re well known for our work with native species in the Pacific Northwest, like northwestern pond turtles and silverspot butterflies,” said Melanie Sorensen, the zoo’s education and conservation director. “But we also have a global conservation impact that spans three continents, and we’re thrilled to deepen that commitment with these new partnerships.”

Over the past year, the zoo’s conservation and animal care teams connected with community organizations in Mozambique, Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Using funds from zoo admissions and a conservation endowment from the Oregon Zoo Foundation, partnerships were established with the following organizations:

International Rhino Foundation: Supports the protection and monitoring of endangered black rhinos by the Bubye Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe as well as the Nyae Nyae Conservancy’s community rhino ranger program in Namibia. This work also includes caring for orphaned black rhinos, supporting anti-poaching efforts and working with local primary schools to increase education about rhinos and conservation.

Somali Giraffe Project: Supports anti-poaching and anti-snaring efforts in northeastern Kenya to protect reticulated giraffes. The Somali Giraffe Project also works with local communities to reduce human-giraffe conflict and survey livestock for disease outbreak.

Niassa Carnivore Project: Works to reduce the killing of carnivores like lions, leopards and spotted hyenas for the illegal wildlife trade in Mozambique. The project provides education and training for people living inside Niassa Special Reserve, while mitigating carnivore attacks and working to reduce disease risk for people and wildlife.

To see a video, visit bit.ly/africa-partnerships