Why is the Snow Leopard exhibit important?
Micke Grove Zoo is committed to completing the construction of a new state-of-the-art snow leopard exhibit. The exhibit is nearly complete and would help support our conervation breeding program, but a lot of work still needs to be done. The indoor holding rooms and a modern animal kitchen have been constructed and the base plans for the outdoor animal exhibits are being designed.
The new snow leopard exhibit will provide multiple dimensions of positive outcomes. Not only will it be a magnificent addition to the Zoo, it will also create exciting new opportunities for the community and contribute to the conservation of this awe-inspiring endangered species. The new exhibit will additionally symbolize the Zoo's progressive new plan to achieve excellence.
The snow leopard exhibit will represent the beginning of this exciting new era for the Zoo and the community it serves. It has been designed by one of the foremost zoo architects with guidance from snow leopard professionals and input from all levels of management at Micke Grove Zoo. This exhibit, along with all new enclosure designs and animal-related protocols, is being developed to meet or exceed the stringent guidelines established by the Association for Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and will strongly support the zoo in its accreditation process.
Conservation Education Programs
The snow leopard exhibit will also provide some stimulating and innovative education opportunities for the local and surrounding communities. The mission of Micke Grove Zoo's Education Department is to “create learning opportunities and experiences that connect people with the natural world and foster a respect for wildlife." The new exhibit will help educate the public about the amazing natural history and behavior of these captivating animals. It will also create awareness about snow leopard habitats and the critical challenges that seriously threaten their survival.
Conservation Research
One of Micke Grove Zoo’s goals is to conduct
conservation research, especially in the fields of animal behavior,
behavioral ecology, animal health and welfare, and education. The
zoo is especially interested in conducting non-intrusive, hand-off research
on snow leopards to answer critical questions on the behavior,
health and welfare of this species. Since there is a lack of such
information, the new insights would prove invaluable not only to
Micke Grove Zoo but to the wider scientific and conservation world
to helping conserve to snow leopards in the wild.
Micke Grove Zoo also
aims to support snow leopard field conservation efforts by providing
a portion of funds raised by the facility each year.
Learn more about snow leopards by clicking here.
Click here for a video clip of the snow leopard cub at Albuquerque BioPark
.
