Quarters for Conservation
Want to help save wildlife and wild places? By visiting Zoo Atlanta, you already have!
Did you know that 25 cents of every Zoo Atlanta general admission ticket benefits field conservation programs? You can help us decide how to distribute grants to our conservation partners! Read about the projects here and vote for your favorite.
Colobus Conservation
Area of Influence: Diani Beach, Kenya
What’s the issue?
As part of the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa Global Biodiversity Hotspot, this area is home to over 500 species of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Rapid development following the construction of a road through the forest has exposed local wildlife to new threats of habitat fragmentation, increased traffic volumes, and exposed power lines. As a result, the local population of Angolan colobus monkeys has declined.
What your vote will support
Colobus Conservation works in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Services to deliver conservation awareness campaigns, mitigate wildlife traffic accidents, protect wildlife habitat, and provide economic opportunities to local communities. Their work includes building and maintaining “colobridges” that allow wildlife to safely access forest areas on either side of the road; propagating and selling native trees; and providing free conservation education workshops to various community groups.
How YOU can help
- Combat habitat loss by choosing sustainably sourced wood and paper products. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) labels on products containing or packaged in wood or paper.
- Learn more about colobus monkeys and spread the word to family and friends about how to support them. Use #changetheworld when sharing with your networks.
Did you know?
- Colobus monkeys are some of the most arboreal primates, staying up in trees and rarely coming down to the ground.
- Infants are born completely white and develop adult coloration within a few months.
- Nearly all females in colobus troops help in the rearing of offspring. This is called alloparenting or aunting.
- Colobus monkeys have a specialized digestive system to break down leaves through fermentation.
Project Gorilla Fernan-Vaz (PGFV)
Area of Influence: Ogooué-Maritime Province, Omboué, Gabon
What’s the issue?
Wild populations of western lowland gorillas are less than half the size they were 20 years ago. If this trend continues, the species could become extinct in as few as 20 years. A mineral in our phones and tablets, called coltan, is mined in the forests of Africa where gorilla species live. This results in habitat loss which leads to increased incidences of poaching and disease transmission between people and gorillas.
What your vote will support
Project Gorilla Fernan-Vaz (PGFV) aims to save gorillas while helping people. Their focus on capacity building in the local community includes purchasing locally-grown produce for the rescued gorillas in their care;hiring local people to work at the sanctuary; and training community members to conduct biodiversity surveys. These initiatives provide reliable income so that residents do not need to rely on poaching, while educational community events drive conservation awareness.
How YOU can help
- Help stop gorilla habitat loss by bringing electronic devices to the Zoo to recycle them. A mineral found in many electronics is mined in gorilla territory, but it can be reused when we recycle phones, tablets and other rechargeable devices we no longer need or use.
- Learn more about gorillas, and spread the word to family and friends about how to support them. Use #changetheworld when sharing with your networks.
Did you know?
- The nose print of each gorilla is unique to that individual, like our fingerprints.
- Research has identified 25 distinct vocalizations used by gorillas.
- Gorillas sometimes laugh when they tickle, play, and wrestle with one another.
- Zoo Atlanta houses one of the largest gorilla populations in North America.
VulPro
Area of Influence: Hartbeespoort, South Africa
What’s the issue?
Vultures are essential for breaking down carcasses and cycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, so when their populations decline, the entire ecosystem is at risk. Right now, African vultures are in crisis – most species native to southern Africa face a high risk of extinction in the wild. The most significant threats to vulture populations include poisoning (both accidental and intentional), poaching for the wildlife trade, habitat loss, and collisions with power infrastructure.
What your vote will support
VulPro aims to protect vulture populations through rehabilitating injured birds; bolstering wild populations by releasing birds bred in human care into the wild; and studying vultures to inform conservation planning. They need our help to expand their breeding program to include hooded vultures and lappet-faced vultures – two endangered species that call Zoo Atlanta home.
How YOU can help
- You can help vultures here at home by avoiding the use of poison for pest control. Poisons and other toxins can accumulate in the food chain, affecting a variety of species that vultures consume as carrion. If you hunt, avoid lead ammunition. Even small amounts can harm wildlife when consumed. If you use lead ammunition to hunt for food, you may be consuming small amounts of lead, too.
- Learn more about vultures and spread the word to family and friends about how to support them. Use #changetheworld and #SaveOurScavengers when sharing with your networks.
Did you know?
- Some African vulture species have declined by as much as 97% in recent decades.
- Their status as scavengers has earned vultures the nickname of “nature’s clean-up crew.”
- Vultures may help prevent the spread of deadly diseases like rabies, cholera, botulism, and anthrax.
- VulPro has rescued over 900 vultures across South Africa.
Connect With Your Wild Side #onlyzooatl