Zoo Atlanta presents “Protecting South Luangwa”

Rachel McRobb of Conservation South Luangwa speaks on efforts to protect elephants and other wildlife on April 23.

Zoo Atlanta is proud to host Rachel McRobb, Chief Executive Officer of Conservation South Luangwa, as she presents “Protecting South Luangwa, one of Africa’s most wild and spectacular National Parks,” on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 7 p.m.

McRobb will share insights on protecting African elephants and other wildlife of Zambia’s renowned South Luangwa National Park using community-based anti-poaching efforts; sniffer dogs; and chili peppers as a means of safely deterring exploitation of crops by elephants and other animals – a contemporary challenge experienced by human communities living shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Africa’s most iconic wild animals.

Based in Zambia, Conservation South Luangwa is one of Zoo Atlanta’s newest conservation partners. Conservation South Luangwa is a nonprofit organization working to identify and prevent illegal wildlife trafficking using anti-poaching patrols, aerial surveillance and detection dogs trained to find ivory, animal skins, ammunition and firearms, and certain species killed for the commercial bushmeat trade. More than half of the people inhabiting this region of Zambia make a living from agriculture and natural resources, making human-animal conflict a major threat for African elephants and other species when animals are persecuted by humans for exploiting crops. Conservation South Luangwa also has a strong focus on mitigating these conflicts by working directly with local people to safeguard their crops and livelihoods while engaging them as advocates for wildlife conservation.

Announced in summer 2018, the partnership with Conservation South Luangwa represents a significant step toward a goal of increased leadership in elephant conservation for Zoo Atlanta. The partnership strongly aligns with the Zoo’s Conservation Strategic Action Plan, which seeks to commit Zoo Atlanta’s professional and financial resources to partnerships demonstrating a multifaceted approach to conservation with long-term results. The commitment also aligns with the Zoo’s goal of leadership in the care of African elephants with the upcoming opening of the all-new African Savanna in summer 2019. The new African Savanna, which will also feature new habitats for giraffes, zebras, warthogs, ostriches, meerkats and new southern white rhinos, will more than triple the size of the Zoo’s current elephant habitat. The complex will incorporate a variety of dynamic features designed to enhance elephant well-being, both in its outdoor habitats and in the state-of-the-art indoor Zambezi Elephant Center.

“Protecting South Luangwa” is a free opportunity, but seating is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Pre-register online at zooatlanta.org/luangwa.

The event will take place in the Coca-Cola World Studio in the Zoo’s Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC).

For more on conservation programs and partnerships supported by Zoo Atlanta, both locally and globally, visit zooatlanta.org/conservation.

Photo courtesy of Edward Selfe.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Zoo highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, a set of twins born to Lun Lun on September 3, 2016; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian exhibit. The Zoo’s newest experience, Treetop Trail presented by Kaiser Permanente, opened in March 2017. Up-close-and-personal animal experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, African lions, Aldabra giant tortoises and giant pandas. Zoo Atlanta is open year-round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife presentations, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.