Earthwatch for Zookeepers

M. Skidmore

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Illinois, USA

Zookeeper615@hotmail.com ; Mskidmore@Lpzoo.org

This poster will show how and why zookeepers should participate in an Earthwatch expedition. There are also numerous benefits for the institution. I have been a member on three Earthwatch trips: to Australia , Mexico and Kenya . There is literally an expedition to interest everyone, especially zookeepers.

Earthwatch is a truly international organization, with offices in the US , Australia , Europe , Asia , Africa and Japan and expeditions to all points of the globe. The enthusiasm and excitement a keeper can achieve by not only seeing animals they work with in a wild setting, but contributing to their long term survival is something you can’t quantify. This enthusiasm is something the keeper brings back home with them and spread to their institution and it‘s visitors. The most recent expedition I attended, “Saving Sweetwater’s Rhinos”, is a perfect example of a project that combines volunteers, science, economics, community and government involvement to achieve their goals. The main goal is not only the survival of black rhinos but increasing their numbers. While protecting the rhinos, hundreds of other species also benefit along with the local people. The Sweetwater expedition uses volunteers for collecting data on vegetation and tree growth, damage by animals and weather to key vegetation, invasive plants, game counts and rhino observations. The planning that goes into projects like this is very intricate and far reaching.

Lincoln Park Zoo recently became the beneficiary of a grant, the Feay Earthwatch Grant, that will send a member of our collection staff on an expedition every year. My trip was the first of hopefully many. The 2008 trip was also in Africa , focusing on the Tarangire migration route.