Colombian Spider monkeys and Alaotran Gentle Lemurs are just 2 of the 16,306 varieties of animals, plants and water life described in the 2007 IUCN Red List as threatened with extinction. Indonesia home to the Sumatran Tiger, Brazil - the Tapir and Peru - the Spectacled Bear have some of the highest numbers of endangered birds and mammals. Human activities - deforestation, poaching and urban growth may be the main threat to the world’s species but humans can also help them recover.
“Together you and I can make a difference…….” David S Gill, Park owner
Today this zoo plays a vital role and is committed to education and conservation. It has been calculated that around 90% of the cost of conservation in the wild is contributed by zoos and the 600 million people worldwide that visit them each year. Every year this park, through our 2 wildlife charities committs thousands of pounds to conserving species, communities and their habitats all over the world. In 2007 we were the largest fundraisers for Sumatran Tigers anywhere in the world and The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Programme was the largest programme for Sumatran Tigers.
In General there are 2 main ways to conserve biodiversity:
1. EX-SITU Conservation - In the Park
As species like the Babirusa grow ever rarer in the wild there is a critical need, and many top zoos have made agreements at international level, to co-operate and contribute to conservation.
As one of the 305 members of EAZA – European Association for Zoos and Aquaria – spread over 34 countries South Lakes Wild Animal Park is actively involved in captive breeding programmes.
Following the launch of the EEP (the European Endangered Species Programme) in 1985, the number of species co-ordinated throughout Europe has grown from the initial 17 to over 150 today. The EEP is the most intensive type of population management, each species has a co -ordinator who collects information on all the animals of the species in EAZA zoos. The ESB is less intensive than the EEP programmes. The studbook keeper, usually someone with expertise of the species in question, collects all the data on births, deaths, transfers etc from all EAZA zoos.
Here at South Lakes we take an active part in over 30 international breeding programmes and play a very important role as co-ordinators for a number of species including the White Handed Lar Gibbon, Red Kangaroos, Western Grey Kangaroo..... Which means besides keeping up to date with all the latest research and producing a plan for the future management of the species, whenever any zoo in Europe wishes to breed, move or obtain any Gibbons or Kangaroos they are advised to consult us here . This enables a tight control to be held over the genetics and improve the long term viability of these species in captive management.
Look out for these signs throughout the animal pages:
2. IN-SITU - Conservation in the wild
In Situ conservation ensures as well as the target species a whole host of interlinked species are preserved. The Sumatran Tiger trust whilst ensuring the future for tigers protects the plants, insects, trees, elephants, gibbons and bears etc that live alongside the tiger. South Lakes Wild Animal Park is working within natural habitats all over the world and is home to two international charities.
HOME OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER TRUST reg charity no: 1082186
There are only around 350 Sumatran Tigers remaining in the wild - like this female photographed by remote camera living freely in the forests of Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. They are critically endangered and desperately need our help today to survive! The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Programme is the largest conservation programme for tigers in Indonesia and extremely active in the wild.
Sumatran Tiger Trust
Follow the link to find out what we are doing to save Sumatran Tigers in the wild.
HOME OF THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION FOUNDATION reg charity no: 1113166
 
With wildlife conservation & community projects in Peru, Madagascar, Niger, Colombia, Indonesia...the foundation is working to save endangered species all over the world. Pictured right - a village fresh water well built & funded by the WPF left - Cholita one of the Spectacled Bears rescued by the programme funded in Northern Peru.
Wildlife Protection Foundation
Follow the link to see where we are working to conserve animals in the wild.
We don't just talk about conservation ..We get out there and do it!
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