Conservation Partners
Fundamental to the Fort Worth Zoo’s success is the staff that works tirelessly at home and around the globe, keeping the organization’s commitment to conservation a top priority. The Fort Worth Zoo supports projects in more than 30 countries around the world and promotes conservation efforts for a variety of species ranging from elephants to toads. Since 1993, Zoo staff has been instrumental in the development of numerous nonprofits dedicated to species conservation. From board president to board member to executive director to treasurer, Zoo staff members lead these foundations through various roles.
- Supports native Texas wildlife projects
- Since its establishment in 2001, the Fort Worth Zoo’s Seeligson Conservation Fund has dedicated monies to organizations and individuals whose work benefits native Texas species. This fund was established in the memory of Arthur A. Seeligson Jr., the father of Zoo Board co-chairman Ramona Bass.
- It represents the spirit behind the Zoo’s Texas Wild! exhibit, which teaches the importance of land stewardship and of conserving the biodiversity found in our own backyard.
- Significant achievements: Captive breeding and monitoring of wild Houston toad populations
Caribbean Wildlife Alliance (CWA)
- Supports American crocodile, Jamaican iguana and frog species in the in the Caribbean islands
- Founded in 2010, the CWA is dedicated to the preservation of the Caribbean’s native wildlife through research, education and conservation.
- Significant achievements: CWA partners are working to identify all plant species in the Hellshire Hills area of Jamaica for a more complete understanding of the island’s biodiversity.
- Supports bongo conservation in Kenya
- Since 2006, the IBF has supported and operated bongo conservation, breeding and education programs, with an emphasis on reintroduction, intensive management and protection, and scientific research.
- Significant achievements: Relocation of 18 bongos from U.S. zoos to Mt. Kenya; more than 50 bongo births in Kenyan herd
- Supports African and Asian elephant species in African and Asian countries
- Founded in 1998, the mission of the IEF is to support and operate conservation and education programs both in managed facilities and in the wild, with emphasis on management, protection and scientific research.
- Significant achievements: Elephant health research, elephant translocation monitoring, community conservation awareness
- Supports Javan, Sumatran, black, white and greater one-horned rhinoceroses species in African and Asian countries
- The IRF has been dedicated to the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research since 1993.
- Significant achievements: Increased anti-poaching patrols, population monitoring, translocations, reintroduction efforts, veterinary treatments
- Supports iguana species worldwide, including Jamaica, Turks and Caicos Islands, Anegada
- The IIF was founded in 2001 to ensure the survival of iguanas and their habitats through conservation, awareness and scientific programs that enhance the survival of wild iguanas and their habitats.
- Significant achievements: Coordination of iguana conservation programs for nine species in nine countries
- Supports turtle and tortoise species worldwide with an emphasis in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Mexico
- The TSA has been transforming passion for turtles into effective conservation action through a global network of living collections and recovery programs since its inception in 2001.
- Significant achievements: Development of captive breeding facilities and assessments of turtle populations in Asia
