Saving Species
Commitment to Conservation
We are passionately committed to protecting wildlife and wild places, from our own beloved residents to endangered species across the globe.
Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
The Alexandria Zoo is proud to be a dedicated supporter of the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG), a non-profit coalition of zoos, aquariums, and related partners committed to promoting wildlife and habitat conservation throughout the Americas.
Through FOTAZ's contributions to ZCOG, the Alexandria Zoo helps to support field conservation projects, build conservation leadership, and facilitate collaboration.
ZCOG provides direct technical, material, and financial support to critical on-the-ground conservation initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. This includes projects focused on iconic and vulnerable species such as the jaguar, maned wolf, flamingo, and Andean condor. Your visit to the Alexandria Zoo directly contributes to funding for vital research equipment, educational materials, and community engagement programs in these regions.
Building Conservation Leadership
ZCOG develops the capacity of Latin American zoological institutions by providing training opportunities and scholarships to zoo and aquarium professionals. This empowers local experts to lead conservation efforts in their own countries, fostering a stronger, more sustainable network for wildlife protection. The Alexandria Zoo proudly supports the Les Whitt Memorial Scholarship through ZCOG.
The award, which promotes advanced training in animal husbandry and behavioral enrichment, provides full scholarship funding to participate in either of the following Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) professional training program courses: Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings or Best Practices in Animal Keeping.
Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) provides annual funding for this scholarship award, which was created to honor the memory of Robert Leslie "Les" Whitt, director of Alexandria Zoological Park from 1974 - 2008. Les Whitt was a founding board member of ZCOG.
DONATE TODAY
By visiting the Alexandria Zoo and supporting the Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ), you are directly contributing to these vital conservation initiatives both within our Zoo and around the globe through our partnership with ZCOG. Together, we are working to create a world where wildlife thrives for generations to come.
Saving Animals From Extinction
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums's SAFE initiative is a commitment by the Association's accredited zoos and aquariums to harness our collective resources, focus on specific endangered species, and save them from extinction by restoring healthy populations in the wild.
Species survival plan
Each Species Survival Plan (SSP) manages a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population. SSPs also participate in conservation activities such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects.
IUCN
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species. It is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity and a powerful tool to inform conservation action and policy. It provides information about species’ range, population size, habitats and ecology, use and trade, threats, and conservation actions that help inform conservation decisions.
Extinct
Species facing high risk of extinction in the wild.
Extinct in the Wild
The species no longer exists in its natural habitat.
Critically Endangered
Species facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Endangered
Species facing very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable
Species facing high risk of extinction in the wild.
Near Threatened
Species that are likely to become threatened in the near future.