Tuesday, October 7th, Palm ABDE, 8:00-10:00 AM

A unique asset the AZA and AAZK communities bring to the conservation landscape is the strength of, and relationship with, our audiences, including our internal zoo and aquarium staff, boards, volunteers, and vendors; our visiting public; the communities where we are located; and additional communities in which we support conservation priorities. “Conservation is a people problem” and if all voices are not equitably heard and part of the conservation solutions, long-term, meaningful impact is an uphill battle. Achieving the goal of saving animals from extinction will need everyone!

Keepers are uniquely positioned to contribute towards conservation efforts, through their extensive knowledge of ex situ animal husbandry that benefits active reintroduction programs and animals confiscated from illegal wildlife trade; ability to manage small populations for the welfare and wellbeing of the animals in their care, as well as animals in the wild; and role as storytellers for the species in their care and their wild counterparts when interacting with the visiting public. Whether you serve as the studbook keeper, the partner representative for a SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) species program, a member of your facility’s “green team” tasked with offering recommendations on more sustainable practices, or the staff providing keeper chats outside of a critically endangered species’ habitat, your enthusiasm for the animals in your care is valued and perfectly aligned with your facility’s mission to save animals from extinction. Join us at this year’s general session as panelists discuss their various experiences within the conservation community.