Perth Zoo is committed to making a lasting contribution to conservation by supporting projects that will secure long term populations of species in natural environments.
Conservation projects that are directly linked to improving the status or viability of threatened wild populations or habitats include:
- re-introduction programs;
- providing funds, equipment and skilled staff for field based projects;
- conservation-based research aimed at resolving specific problems relevant to securing/restoring wild populations or habitats; and
- conservation education aimed at changing behaviours and attitudes that impact on the conservation status of wild populations or habitats.
Projects in the wild are also known as in-situ conservation projects.
Reintroduction programs
Native Species Breeding Program
Perth Zoo breeds threatened native animals for release into the wild as part of broader species recovery programs coordinated by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation.
The Zoo is responsible for the development of the research into the biology of the species; production of husbandry manuals; and reproduction of the species for re-introduction.
Australian species bred for release into protected habitats the wild include Western Swamp Tortoise, Numbat and Dibblers.
Read more about the Native Species Breeding Program.
Articles on the WAZA website about these programs:
- Building a Safety Net for Frogs
- Dibbler Breeding for Release Programme
- Breeding Numbats for Release Programme
- Managing the World’s Rarest Freshwater Turtle Ex Situ for a Release to the Wild Programme
Bukit Tigapuluh Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection, Sumatra
Bukit Tigapuluh Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection is a joint program between the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Perth Zoo and Australian Orangutan Project, with the support of the Indonesian Government. The program’s work focuses on the unique ecosystem of Bukit Tigapuluh, with the aim of protecting the habitat and the wildlife within it by supporting various projects and programs including the establishment of a new population of critically endangered Sumatran Orangutans in the wild.
Staff Participation in Species Recovery
Perth Zoo staff are active participants in species recovery planning in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Support for Field-based Conservation Projects
Perth Zoo supports the conservation of bears in South-East Asia, including Sun Bears, through its ongoing partnership with the Free The Bears Fund and donations made by the community to the Zoo’s fundraising program Wildlife Conservation Action.
Read more about the projects Wildlife Conservation Action has supported.
Zoo-funded Staff Activities
Perth Zoo encourages staff involvement in in-situ conservation. Under Perth Zoo’s Professional Development Policy, staff can be funded to work on in-situ conservation to broaden their expertise, skills and knowledge and to encourage partnerships in conservation. Perth Zoo officers have participated in conservation projects in Kalimantan, Sumatra, Peru, Zimbabwe, Panama, Queensland and South Africa.
Memoranda of Understanding
Perth Zoo provides in-kind support to in-situ conservation organisations. This includes the use of Zoo facilities; cross-promotional opportunities; signage within the Zoo; and Zoo passes for fundraising purposes. These special arrangements are set out in what is known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
MoUs are currently held with the following organisations:
- Asian Rhino Project
- Australian Orangutan Project
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- Conservation Council WA
- Free the Bears Fund
- Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group
- Painted Dog Conservation Inc.
- Project Numbat
- Silvery Gibbon Project
- Tenkile Conservation Alliance
- Zoo Peru
