I'm in love with a guy named Tony! Actually, Tony is a river hippo calf born last September at the San Diego Zoo . A mama's boy, Tony only looks small beside his mom Funani who weighs 3,000 pounds. Tony is just one of the many animals born at the San Diego Zoo in the last year. Other zoo births include the Amur leopard, cheetah, southern white rhino, reticulated giraffe, California condor and Western dwarf crocodiles. Some of the babies are off-exhibit, but many are available to be seen at the Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
San Diego Zoo Global is a nonprofit organization that runs over 100 active conservation projects in over 30 countries around the world. According to Rick Schwartz, San Diego Zoo Ambassador, "When you come to the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park, any money spent goes right back into our world-class facilities and our conservation efforts around the world."
It Takes a Village
San Diego Zoo Global teams up with other government and non-government agencies to save wildlife. Schwartz states, "We have been part of many organizations that have worked together to bring back the Giant Panda, California Condor and a handful of other species as well. Some have come off the endangered species list, while others are still classified as endangered, but their population is trending to growth." The Northern White Rhino has only two non-reproductive females left which put it at the top of the endangered species list.
Return to the Wild?
According to San Diego Zoo Ambassador Rick Schwartz, at this time most species do not have a safe native habitat to return to."We are actively working to release some amphibians, reptiles, and birds back into native habitat. Our conservation efforts in many parts of the world are focused on working with local communities and governments to secure safe native habitats for a future release of native species."
How You Can Help Tips from The San Diego Zoo
"We sometimes see animals from far away places as more important than our own wildlife. Truth is, all species play a very important role in a balanced ecosystem- an ecosystem we rely on for water, and other resources. Hosting a park, trail, riverbed or beach clean-ups are very important. Thinking twice about using certain chemicals in your yard is also another way people can help. And as consumers, we can be more cautious about what we buy and how we interact with single-use items. Reusable containers and bags can make a big difference in the impact an individual has on the environment."
For More Information About The San Diego Zoo Visit: http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/
