Conservation Fund Finalists

We invite you to learn about this year's 5 conservation project finalists.  Select your 2 favorite projects and then place your vote.  Voting will be open September 22 through October 24.

Finalist #1 - African Carnivores - Saint Louis Zoo
Finalist #2 - African Lions - Gorongosa Lion Project
Finalist #3 - Cotton-Top Tamarins - Fundación Proyecto Tití
Finalist #4 - Grevy's Zebra - Denver Zoological Foundation
Finalist #5 - Snow Leopards - Snow Leopard Trust

Click on each picture to view videos submitted by the finalists.


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Finalist #1

Ecology and Conservation of Carnivores in the Termit/Tin Toumma region of Niger: Balancing Needs of Carnivore and Human Populations

Saint Louis Zoo
Species Focus: African Carnivores (cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, etc.)
Country, Continent: Niger, Africa
$23,800.00 requested
    There is a silent crisis of extinction underway in the Sahara and surrounding Sahel that has until recently received little attention from the international community. The Termit/Tin Toumma region of Niger is one of the last refuges for an entire suite of wildlife under threat, including addax, gazelles, ostrich and cheetahs. The Sahara Conservation Fund has worked over the past several years to gain a better understanding of the population dynamics and ecology of the antelope in the region. However, very little is known about Saharan carnivores, and conflict with humans threatens conservation efforts. Local herders suffer livestock losses from carnivores and use poisons against them indiscriminately. A viable reserve needs a full population of native carnivores, but their impact on human activities must be mitigates by balancing the needs of both.
    Funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund will help complete a survey of carnivore distribution in the area, as well as create programs with local communities to investigate and mitigate livestock predation to achieve carnivore conservation. Ultimately, the success of this reserve depends on engaging the local community in its management plan so that they have a sense of investment in its success.


Finalist #2

Gorongosa Lion Project

Carr Foundation – Gorongosa National Park Restoration Project

Species Focus: African lions
Country, Continent: Mozambique, Africa
$20,000.00 requested

    Gorongosa National Park in Central Mozambique was once home to the highest density of wildlife in Africa and the largest number of lions anywhere in the world. Yet, twenty years of wars (1972-1992) decreased the wildlife population by 95%. Today, only 35 lions live in the 4,000 square kilometer park. While that number is holding steady, it should be increasing as the number of prey continue to grow. Park managers and scientists suspect disease, inbreeding and illegal animal snares as possible causes. Rangers report continued problems of lions getting caught in snares. Park staff has even had to amputate lion toes to remove them from the snares.
    Funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund will help provide salaries for additional park rangers to help curb poaching and will pay for the scientific research to determine is disease or inbreeding is a problem.


Finalist #3

Proyecto Tití: Community Programs to Enhance the Conservation of the Cotton-top Tamarin in Colombia

Fundación Proyecto Tití
Species Focus: cotton-top tamarins
Country, Continent: Columbia, South America
$22,755.00 requested

    Cotton-top tamarins are a highly endangered primate found only in the forests of Columbia. This species is threatened by deforestation and the continued capture for the illegal pet trade. Fundacion Proyecto Titi was established to develop a comprehensive conservation program to protect the cotton-top tamarin and its habitat for future generations. However, no conservation program can be successful in developing nations without addressing the needs of local communities that are dependent upon forest resources for survival.
    Funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund will help support Fundacion Proyecto Titi’s various programs that include census and other research studies, education programs to increase local awareness to the plight of the cotton-top tamarin, and economic incentive programs to help reduce communities’ dependence on forest resources.

Finalist #4



How do Human Modified Landscapes Impact the Movements and Genetics of the Endangered Grevy’s Zebra in Kenya?
Denver Zoological Foundation
Species Focus: Grevy's zebra
Country, Continent: Kenya, Africa
$22,750.00 requested

    Grevy’s zebras are one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Current estimates put the total population at less than 2000 individuals, found only in northern Kenya and Ethiopia. Population declines are thought to be primarily due to habitat degradation, competition with humans and livestock for resources, and increased predation resulting from human-induced changes in zebra behavior. Populations continue to decline and decisive action is needed to prevent extinction of the species. However, conservation efforts are severely compromised by a lack of scientific information. In particular, for effective management and recovery of the species, subpopulations must be identified and characterized. This will allow us to assess which subpopulations are at greatest risk due to genetic isolation, and to understand the relationship between habitat fragmentation and local population declines.
    Funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund will help with scientific research regarding the genetic diversity, population structure and movement patterns within Kenya. The study will provide information that is crucial for designing effective conservation programs for Grevy’s zebras while simultaneously meeting the needs of humans and other wildlife.

Finalist #5

Snow Leopard Enterprises

Snow Leopard Trust
Species Focus: snow leopard
Country, Continent: Mongolia, Asia
$25,000.00 requested

    The snow leopard is a majestic big cat that is considered a flagship species for the mountains of Central Asia. Unfortunately, only 3,500-7,000 snow leopards remain in the wild today. For more than a decade, the Snow Leopard Trust has been working in Mongolia, which has some of the richest snow leopard habitat in all of Central Asia and is home to as many as 1,000 snow leopards, making the country one of the most important regions for conservation. However, in Mongolia’s rugged wilderness, snow leopards and nomadic herding communities share in the struggle for survival. Herders trap or poison snow leopards to protect their livelihood and also kill the animals to sell their pelts on the black market.
    Funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund will help continue Snow Leopard Enterprises, a program that helps Mongolian herders to create and sell handicrafts made from the wool of their livestock. These crafts are sold in international markets. In exchange for the support of the Snow Leopard Trust and steady product purchases, each community signs a contract agreeing to not poach snow leopards in their area.