Global Efforts

In November 2017, Toledo Zoo played a leading role in an emergency rescue which resulted in the recovery from the illegal wildlife trade of 110 endangered Santa Cruz Ground Doves. Since that time, we have maintained a continuous presence in the Solomon Islands, training local conservationists and working towards the establishing of a conservation breeding facility for threatened endemic species.

Working with our partners at the Talarak Foundation and Bristol Zoo, we are providing funds and expertise to facilitate the first ever release of captive-bred Negros Bleeding-heart Doves into the wild. Our goal is to establish a new population of this critically endangered species in the Bayawan Nature Reserve.

Through the African Parks Foundation, the Zoo has provided funding for a survey of the Hippo population in the Chinko Conservation Area in Central African Republic. Our support will also enable African Parks to conduct anti-poaching patrols and work with local communities in finding ways to manage human-wildlife conflict.

In addition, the Zoo is sourcing products for our gift shop from Ndara, a social enterprise project in Bangui, the capital of CAR. A percentage of profits from these sales is being donated to Chinko.

Working with the Nepalese Ornithological Union, we provided assistance for a survey of pheasant populations in the Dhorpatan Valley. This survey was conducted in March 2022, with a primary focus on the threatened Cheer Pheasant (although numbers of Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Koklass and Kalij Pheasants were also recorded). The baseline data obtained will be of vital importance in informing future conservation action and in measuring the success of any strategies subsequently employed. We have also contributed to the publication of a Nepali language translation of a field guide to the Birds of Nepal - an essential resource for local conservationists.

Pigeons and Doves currently rank as one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world. Since March 2021, the Zoo has hosted the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. This global network of experts aims to assess and monitor the status of Pigeon and Dove species, raise awareness of their ecological importance, and catalyze action to conserve them.