Empowering Conservation in Aruba

Did you know the Toledo Zoo has almost a 30-year history of studying wildlife and supporting conservation efforts on the island of Aruba?

A great deal has been accomplished in that period, performing crucial research and supporting island-wide conservation planning. However, perhaps the greatest contributions to date are the development of technical expertise on the island. In conservation terms, this is called ‘capacity building,’ the transfer of knowledge and critical skills to local residences so that they are better capable to participate in conservation work. Toledo Zoo staff and collaborating university partners have performed formal and informal training programs during field trips to Aruba. Above, Andy Odum, Curator of Herpetology, leads a local group in Aruba through one of these ‘capacity building’ sessions.

To learn more about the Toledo Zoo’s conservation initiatives, click here.