Conservation

clouded leopard

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Nashville Zoo is tons of fun and a great place to see fascinating animals…but there is also a lot of serious conservation work happening here.

Our experienced staff is actively involved in research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard.

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See What We're Doing to Save Wild Animals
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Clouded Leopard

More than 35 cubs have been born at Nashville Zoo since 2009.

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Hellbender

The first institution to successfully breed hellbenders using biotechnology and the first externally fertilizing salamander to be produced utilizing cryopreserved sperm.

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Giant Anteater

We are pioneering giant anteater care in zoos and helping to write the care manual for the species.

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Puerto Rican Crested Toad

Nashville Zoo is successfully breeding thousands of these toads and releasing them into protected areas of their native land.

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Rhinoceros Hornbill

We are the most prolific producer of rhinoceros hornbills in the United States.

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Alligator Snapping Turtle

We are participating in a head start program to give alligator snapping turtle hatchlings a better chance of survival.

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Loggerhead Shrike

Nashville Zoo has been surveying and monitoring loggerhead shrikes in Middle Tennessee since 2013.

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Haitian Giant Galliwasp

Nashville Zoo is home to a genetic reserve colony of these burrowing lizards.

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Great Blue Turaco

Since introducing co-parenting in 2016, the Zoo has seen a dramatic increase in chick survivability.

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Local Stream Conservation

Nashville Zoo is working locally to restore and protect habitats right here in Nashville.

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Nashville Crayfish

In collaboration with multiple agencies, the Zoo has led the revitalization and protection of crayfish habitat in Nashville.

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Wild WorksSuccess Stories

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to saving species from extinction and has made a significant impact on several species by pioneering their care, collaborating on innovative breeding programs, protecting their habitats, and more.

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Conservation News

Financial Contributions to Conservation

When the Zoo can’t be actively involved, we contribute proceeds gained from your support to a wide array of incredible efforts organized by other environmental protection programs. Check out our Annual Report for a list of organizations we supported last year.

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Species Survival Plans

Nashville Zoo participates in a number of Species Survival Plan ® (SSP) programs with other zoos worldwide. Each SSP carefully manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining captive population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. Explore our animal pages to see which SSPs we contribute to.

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Your Choices Matter

Shopping responsibly for consumer products can make a big difference for wildlife and wild places.

The Palm Oil Problem

Palm oil is the most widely produced edible vegetable oil in the world and is an ingredient in nearly half of all consumer products.

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Single-Use Plastic

Plastic is nearly always present in our lives. From candy wrappers to water bottles, there are plastics we use every single day.

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