sleeping fox

Animal and Wildlife Conservation

Types of Conservation

There are 7 categories of conservation and animals at Mill Mountain Zoo. Click an option to learn more.

Wildlife Conservation

What is it?

The preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats.

Everything is connected. Some species can’t survive outside of their natural habitat, so we must preserve those habitats.

Why is it important?

Red Panda in enclosure

To reduce the harm that human activities have on the environment

To prevent the emergence of new diseases

A barrier between wildlife and humans is critical to prevent the “jump” of diseases from animals to humans.

That’s why habitat preservation is so important

To protect production of medicines we rely on

Many of the medications we rely on are made from plants and/or animals

To continue to enjoy the natural world and ensure it will be here for future generations

Species Recovery

An endangered species is any animal or plant that is considered at risk of extinction. 

Every species affects our world in profound ways. Losing even a single species can have disastrous impacts on the rest of the ecosystem, because the effects will be felt throughout the food chain.

Below are animals the we are helping to protect

Declared extinct in the wild in the 1980s

Human-based mortality (gunshots/vehicle collisions) cause for status

False reputation of being aggressive and sly

Actually skittish and shy, not a threat to humans

Fewer than 20 in the wild and about 250 under human care

Endangered due to habitat loss/fragmentation, road mortality, agricultural machinery mortality, predators, poaching, invasive plants, degraded water quality, emerging diseases.

Grow to between 5.5 and 7.9 inches in straight carapace length.

Less than 1k in North America, less than 5k world.

Farmers interested in larger breeds, so they aren’t bred.

The American Guinea Hog is a rare breed with a black coat, sturdy body, curly tail and upright ears.

The Guinea hog has an especially flexible snout, which is helpful when foraging for food.

50% decline in population over past 20 years

2,500 left in wild

Habitat loss/fragmentation, illegal trade, exploitation of forest resources, disease, climate change

The most abundant of the world's cranes. They mate for life. Their sound is loud, rolling, and trumpeting.

Near Threatened:

Bobwhite Quail

Crested Wood Partridge

Nicobar Pigeon

Pallas' Cat

Tufted Deer

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