International Work Projects
Recognizing that the true challenges for wildlife conservation lie with remnant populations of threatened species in their natural habitat, the Wilds maintains involvement in a wide range of international conservation efforts, including:
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Asian antelope conservation
Working with various partners in China, Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan (Russian Academy of Sciences, Antelope Specialist Group, Wildlife Conservation Society) to promote and support conservation efforts for endangered species of antelopes such as saiga, Przewalski’s gazelle, and Tibetan antelope.
Przewalski horse reintroduction
An international program to introduce the Asian wild horse to Mongolia and China with the Asian Wild Horse SSP, and Przewalski horse EEP, including habitat assessment at Kalameili Reserve in China, and may include horses raised at the Wilds.
Repatriation of red-crowned cranes
Mid incubation eggs from red crowned crane pairs at the Wilds are sent to Russia where they are hatched, reared, and released by biologists at crane breeding grounds in the Khingansky Reserve. This program is supported by the Crane SSP partnering with the National Aviary.
Translocation of black rhino
Partnering with International Rhino Foundation, the Wilds continues to assist rhino conservation activities in Zimbabwe including participation in black rhino translocation to Gonarezhou National Park in 2006.
Greater Asian one-horned rhino conservation
The Wilds supports greater one horned rhinoceros conservation efforts in India and Nepal including participating with translocation efforts and captive conservation management. Partnering with International Rhino Foundation and the Greater Asian One-horned Rhino SSP.
Western giant eland conservation
Serve as an advisor to a captive conservation program in Senegal, West Africa, for the western giant eland. Partners include the North American giant eland holders and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
Scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction
A program to reintroduce the scimitar-horned oryx to appropriate habitat in Tunisia in 2006 -7 will include technical support from Wilds’ staff, and may include animals raised at the Wilds.
Takin ecology study
Assisting Chinese Academy of Science priorities to document the ecology of the takin in the Qinling Mountains in Szechuan China including field anesthesia studies, radio collaring and tracking, and behavioral assessment. Partners include the Smithsonian and Wildlife Conservation Society.
Studies of wild Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus ferus) in Mongolia
International, multi-disciplinary effort to conserve remnant populations of wild Bactrian camels. In collaboration with Denver Zoo, Nature Conservation International (Germany), and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
Bactrian deer conservation in Turkmenistan
Promoting support of range state conservation efforts for this critically endangered cervid, partnering with Worldwide Fund for Nature and AZA Cervid TAG.
Persian onager conservation
Working with captive facilities in North America, the Persian onager EEP in Europe, and the SSC Equid Specialist Group to develop conservation management programs and conservation support for the species in Iran.
Endangered tahr conservation
A multi faceted approach to assist the conservation of the Arabian tahr and the Nilgiri tahr including the use of assisted reproduction techniques to support the captive management programs for these species and in situ programs in the United Arab Emirates. Partners include the Peace River Refuge, Texas A&M University, Zoological Society of San Diego, and the Center for Terrestrial Ecology in UAE.