12Aug-Photo Release – Many don’t believe in the mission of the Zoos. Not that long ago, I would have been with them. We’ve perhaps all experienced or at least heard of abusive Zoos and organizations, like circuses, rodeos, etc. Back in the day, those concerns would have been legit, except for the Rodeo. I’ll argue that with you all day. Animal rights groups have had a huge influence these last 20 or more years. Zoos especially have come along way and in fact are an integral part of preventing extinctions and caring for needy animals. Animals born in captivity have little chance in the wild, so there is a dire need for these organizations today and funding for them, which is why we are members of the Oakland Zoo Family. See the sidebar below about what Zoos bring to the table today.
My favorite is the Lion habitat. I’ve been coming here since the brothers first arrived. Three of these behemoths live together and at times it can get downright terrifying. These guys make noise and you can here it in the parking lot. The pecking order was determined early. If you look closely at the three; there’s one with almost no scars. I assume he’s the alpha, the other two definitely defer to him. The other two I think are in constant conflict and they have the scars to show for it, one more than the other. The video at the end is poor quality but the chain of command is evident. Just watch.
This particular visit – 12Aug-Photo Release – was my turn to participate in the Breakfast with the Elephants Event. People get to enter the enclosure before the elephants are released into in. They grab a handful of fruit and produce to lay out for the elephants. Then the people leave, and the animals are released to the feast. It seemed like we laid out an entire supermarket produce department. The two elephants traveled the enclosure until they ate it all. 😊 I made a bunch of images of parents and kids but I never feel comfortable posting those shots, so I just include the animals usually.
NOTE: In the photos, you saw a rather large Bull. He is not released with the ladies. Ahem!
12Aug-Photo Release
Oakland Zoo – Breakfast with the Elephants September 25, 2021
12Aug-Photo Release
Three Brothers – turn up the volume a little.
Zoos. What are they good for?
The mission of the modern, accredited zoo has undergone a fundamental transformation over the last few decades. Zoos have evolved from public display parks into critical hubs for scientific research, habitat restoration, wildlife rescue, and active species survival. Today, the central purpose of an accredited zoo is to act as a conservation power center aimed directly at preventing extinction and restoring natural ecosystems.
The Oakland Zoo (managed by the Conservation Society of California) is widely recognized as a leader in this modern paradigm shift. Its stated mission – “to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world” – is executed through proactive field conservation, native species recovery, and human-wildlife coexistence initiatives.
Oakland Zoo’s approach illustrates how modern zoos drive species preservation:
- 1. Direct Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintroduction
Modern zoos do not merely keep captive populations; they serve as emergency care centers and breeding grounds for endangered species that are then released back into the wild.
- Native Yellow-Legged Frogs:To combat chytridiomycosis (a fungal pandemic devastating global amphibian populations), the Oakland Zoo operates specialized amphibian crisis labs.They raise, treat, and have successfully reintroduced over 1,000 yellow-legged frogs into high-elevation California lakes and streams.
- Riparian Brush Rabbits:The zoo actively collaborates with federal and state agencies to vaccinate and breed endangered Riparian Brush rabbits to prevent their extinction in the Central Valley.
- California Condors: Serving as a key partner in California condor recovery, the zoo provides specialized veterinary treatment for condors suffering from lead poisoning before re-releasing them.
- 2. Local Ecosystems & Strategic Action Plans
While global efforts are crucial, modern zoos recognize that local biodiversity requires immediate intervention.The Oakland Zoo operates under a Conservation Strategic Plan centered around three main pillars:
- Species & Habitat Protection
- Wildlife Trade Mitigation
- Human-Wildlife Coexistence
A prime example of human-wildlife coexistence is their founding of the Bay Area Cougar Action Team (BACAT).The zoo provides veterinary medical intervention for injured or orphaned mountain lions, tracks urban puma movement, and advocates for wildlife corridors (like overpasses) so apex predators can survive alongside human infrastructure.
- 3. Cultural and Indigenous Partnerships
Preventing extinction requires honoring the deep relationships between local communities, indigenous nations, and native fauna.
- Through partnerships with the Blackfeet Nation and Indigenous-led organizations, the Oakland Zoo participates in returning heritage American bison to native tribal lands.This effort restores genetic diversity to bison herds and helps heal degraded North American prairie ecosystems.
- 4. Global Action & Mitigating Illegal Wildlife Trade
Beyond northern California, modern zoos leverage their resources to target systemic drivers of extinction worldwide – such as habitat destruction, poaching, and the exotic pet trade.
- Oakland Zoo supports frontline initiatives like the Budongo Snare Removal Project in Uganda, which hires former poachers as eco-rangers to remove wire snares and protect wild chimpanzees.
- The zoo actively participates in the Wildlife Confiscation Network (WCN), working with federal authorities to receive, treat, and shelter animals seized from illegal wildlife trafficking.
- 5. Visitor-Funded Field Work (Quarters for Conservation)
Modern zoos engage their visitors as active participants in species survival. Through programs like Oakland Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation, a portion of every admission ticket and membership directly funds field conservation projects locally and internationally. Guests vote on projects – such as jaguar corridor protection or elephant anti-poaching units – turning millions of everyday zoo visits into direct funding for wildlife protection.
Summary
Today’s zoo is no longer a static museum of living animals; it functions as a field laboratory, hospital, and advocacy center. The Oakland Zoo exemplifies this modern mission by dedicating its veterinary expertise, financial resources, and public platform to ensuring that vulnerable species -from Bay Area mountain lions to African elephants – can coexist with humanity and avoid extinction.
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