The goal of Conservation Corner has always been to introduce readers to topics and ideas that aren’t yet part of the national discourse. We want to illuminate ongoing issues in the world and hopefully, incite some critical thinking and discussion on these topics. When it comes to conservation, progress only takes place when demanded by an informed public.

To that end, we try to cover a broad spectrum of topics. While we often write about specific events such as the death of Nola the white rhinoceros, we’ve also been known to delve into the more esoteric fare, like migratory adaptation. Regardless of the topic, we always try to drive the conversation deeper and to explore the broader ramifications of the concept under discussion.

The death of Nola was perhaps the biggest news item so far covered by Conservation Corner. When she passed away at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the number of northern white rhinos left on the planet was reduced to three. The story blew up online and on TV for all the usual reasons; it was dramatic, it was traumatic, and it illuminated a gigantic and obvious conservation problem. People responded in droves and that can only be counted as a win for the forces of wildlife conservation.

In our coverage of the loss of this beautiful animal, we tried to refrain from focusing on the depressing and macabre and instead investigated what her species’ decline had meant for the particular ecosystem.

That article led directly to our opening piece of 2016, entitled “Settling for Second: The Evolutionary Cost of Trophy Hunting”. This piece focused on a frequently unnoticed side-effect of human hunting. While it’s well-documented that such pressures can eliminate a species (as seen in the dodo, Stellar’s sea cow, and others). What has been largely ignored is the effect it can have even on well-managed target populations; such as those of bighorn sheep or mule deer. Whereas standard predatory practice targets the old, the sick, and the weak thereby weeding out undesirable genetic traits, trophy hunting specifically targets idealized specimens. This has the side-effect of leaving less-qualified individuals to reproduce and carry on the species.

From there we covered another topic related to anthropogenic over-hunting; a novel reintroduction project enacted by the Sahara Conservation Fund and their partners, Environment Abu Dhabi, and the Government of Chad. This ambitious project aims to reintroduce into the deserts of Chad, a species of antelope that has been extinct in the wild for nearly three decades. The scimitar-horned oryx (which roam in the habitats here at Safari West) is one of the many victims of unrestricted human hunting discussed above. Luckily, forward-thinking conservationists were able to establish functional captive breeding programs before the last wild individual was shot in 1989. Thanks to that foresight and the ongoing work done by so many, including our own hoofstock keepers, the species is now getting a second chance to thrive in their natural habitat.

This is not to say, however, that the re-wilded scimitars are being released into an Edenic, human-free environment. Quite the opposite in fact. They will be competing for resources with domesticated goats and cattle. They will need to contend with roadways and vehicles. Undoubtedly, hunters, human and otherwise, will also be a concern.

We explored this intersection of humanity and our wild neighbors deeper in a piece focused on the ways in which animals are adapting to us. In the long history of this planet, life has always had to evolve to deal with challenges; climate change, sea level rise and fall, the invasion of novel species, and natural disasters galore. While the ubiquity and industry of the human species may be unprecedented in nature, life appears to be up to the challenge.

In that article, we focused primarily on the fascinating and mysterious monarch butterfly. This world-famous pollinator makes the longest migration of any insect species, traveling up and down the United States; from the border of Canada to the forests of northern Mexico. Although they’ve always been forced to fly around the Gulf of Mexico—sticking doggedly to the coastlines along the way—they’ve recently begun to make surprising use of offshore oil rigs. Normally a symbol of environmental exploitation and degradation, these machines of industry are increasingly becoming stopover points, allowing millions of delicate but determined butterflies to rest their weary wings as they make the arduous trip south.

Discussion of this migration must’ve stuck in our minds because the very next edition of Conservation Corner furthered the discussion. Dovetailing into the centennial of the National Parks Service, we discussed their incredible success at protecting specific areas of the wilderness and the sedentary species that make their homes there. What the park system has been less successful at is creating safe havens for migratory animals like the monarch. Their focus as they move into their second century is centered on how to address the needs of migrating birds, pronghorn antelope, salmon, butterflies, and more.

The National Park Service is one of the world leaders in human management of the ecosystem, but the example they’ve set is being followed by others. The Pepperwood Preserve—Safari West’s neighbor to the east—is among those pioneering forces. Earlier this year they held a prescribed burn. They intentionally set fire to a portion of their vast acreage. This technique is increasingly used to reduce the potential for wildfires across the world, but Pepperwood’s experiment had a different aim. They were hoping to reduce the spread of an invasive grass. Medusahead grass has exploded beyond its original range and continues to flood into novel environments at an alarming rate. The Pepperwood experiment is part of an increasing trend toward utilizing natural processes rather than synthetic ones—like toxic herbicides—to help control and restrict environmentally destabilizing invasive species.

Ecosystem engineering of this sort is looking more and more like it will be a necessity in the world of tomorrow and further exploration of the idea lead us to explore the kind of bioengineering that takes place even without our intent. We looked into how species like beavers can transform an entire forest with their teeth and tails as effectively as we can with chainsaw and bulldozers. This exploration revealed how ecosystems that have adapted to the activity of bioengineers like beavers suffer at their loss, whereas ecosystems that experience novel engineering, such as that so frequently brought about by human industry, tend to suffer.

Tying into this idea of environmental resilience, we then discussed invasive species more directly. Invasive species have become one of the largest conservation issues dealt with by facilities like Safari West. The term “invasive species” is one that has established itself in the common discourse and is familiar to any farmer, rancher, any boater, or any traveler who’s crossed a state line. They’ve become the boogeymen of modern conservationist thought which is a bit of a mixed blessing. While public awareness of the problems of invasive is by all accounts a good thing, the underlying fact is that invasive species are also critical to the process of evolution. Ecosystems are by their very nature dynamic and novel influences help keep populations healthy and strong. To an extent. In isolated ecosystems like those found on many islands, the much slower pace of invasion leaves them vulnerable to extreme disruption when something new appears. As with the bioengineering article, our exploration of invasive species revealed a concept in which frequency or intensity made the difference between what is a stabilizing influence, and what is catastrophically destabilizing.

That article brought us into back-to-school season and so we came out of the deep weeds on conservation philosophy and presented a targeted piece that aspired to illuminate the vast and growing problem of rampant consumerism. We now live in a culture that constantly tells us that every occasion requires a purchase and that last year’s model can’t compare to this year’s. In a world of more frequent buying, products must be cheaper and more disposable. This leads inevitably to exploding waste, primarily of cheap and easy to produce plastics.

Ecosystems may be able to adapt to a novel species in their midst, but thus far, no system has come up with a cure for plastics. Plastic polymers persist almost eternally, don’t biodegrade, and are detrimental to virtually all forms of life. We are filling our planet with plastics and most of the human race is so far unaware that there’s a problem.

The last two articles of the year continued the theme of illuminating largely invisible problems. The first piece focused on palm oil; an ingredient nearly as ubiquitous as plastic and one which has an equally detrimental impact. The oil palm is an amazing plant that produces—quite efficiently—a product which has found use in everything from food to cosmetics. Many studies have suggested that over fifty percent of all products on store shelves contain palm oil derivatives. The problem with palm oil is that it grows best in the same places that tropical rain forests do and coincidentally, those tend to be the very same locales that have the least amount of legal protection. The high and growing demand for palm oil has led to unrestrained deforestation on an apocalyptic scale. Slash-and-burn land clearing techniques and unrestricted persecution of local wildlife has led to precipitous declines in hundreds of irreplaceable species like orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, and elephants. Luckily, there is progress even on this front and it is now easier than ever to track you palm oil usage and direct your dollars toward companies that supply it sustainably.

The most recent issue of Conservation Corner focused on yet another widely unknown but absolutely critical conservation issue; that of our seafood supply. Fish arrive in our supermarkets daily and almost none of us question where they come from. The oceans are vast and fished by massive fleets representing hundreds of nations. The difficulties in regulation, the loopholes in labeling, and a complete and utter lack of transparency have all helped to lead us where we are today. Worldwide, fishing stocks have been depleted by anywhere from seventy to ninety percent. Our oceans are becoming deserts and the vast majority of us don’t even know there’s a problem.

Over the last year, we’ve covered a long list of topics that range from land to sea, and from practical to philosophical. We’ve made an effort to be illuminating rather than depressing and to offer solutions wherever possible. As we close out this year, and in case we failed in that goal, I’d like to point out a few of the bright rays of hope that have 2016 shine.

Safari West became partners with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. This program is one of the leaders in combating the issues with our seafood supply. Simply by downloading their app onto your phone, you become instantly equipped to make informed choices in your seafood purchases, whether in a restaurant or at the grocery store. Experience has shown again and again that industry follows the money. If we’re buying sustainable supplied products, they will shift to capitalize on that trend.

On a similar note, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has an app that accomplishes the same thing with palm oil. The app includes a barcode scanner that will tell you at a glance whether the ice cream in your hand is produced by a member of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil. It’s a great tool for identifying sustainability-minded companies that you may want to support.

This was also a year which saw the meeting of nearly two-hundred nations in Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss and regulate trade in endangered species. This conference of parties to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) not only shut down several proposals to re-legalize trade in ivory and rhino horn, but also established new protections for many species including elephants, rhinos, pangolins, and numerous species of sharks and rays. The conference was a big step forward for many endangered species and ecosystems.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to mention some of the practical things that have been accomplished right here at Safari West. We updated the plumbing system throughout our luxury tent camp. While this update in no way impacted guest experience, it did reroute all gray water (water draining from sinks and showers) to be used in our landscaping. Thousands of gallons that would otherwise have drained away wastefully are now being put to use among our vegetation. In a state stricken by drought, this is a valuable conservation action.

We’ve also initiated a brand new wildlife monitoring project. Our habitats aren’t only home to our exotic collection, but also to all manner of local wildlife. At Safari West our safari guides and keeper regularly encounter hawks, vultures, snakes, turtles, deer, otters, and countless other member species of the Mayacamas Mountains biome. This wildlife monitoring program will help us to better understand how these species are adapting to our presence and how to make the environment of Safari West more welcoming to them.

As we close out this chapter and begin the next, it is with a palpable sense of excitement and motivation. Many challenges await—both those we know about and the inevitable surprises waiting in the wings—but every year, our species gets smarter and more ambitious. We figure out what we’re doing right and how to correct what we’re doing wrong. We continue to improve our ability to live effectively within our ecosystems, rather than struggling to dominate them. Progress is being made and it’s thanks to people like you. We at Conservation Corner thank you for your support throughout this year and we look forward to working with you to make the next one even better.

Happy Holidays to you and a very Happy New Year!

The post Conservation Corner: Looking Back, Moving Forward appeared first on Safari West.

To date, the Safari West AAZK chapter has elected a governing body and is currently working with all Safari West departments to establish a core membership. Even as our keepers are getting this chapter off the ground, they’re already hosting their first event. On Thursday, September 22nd, and Sunday, September 25th, Safari West AAZK will be celebrating World Rhino Day here on property.

This year’s celebration of World Rhino Day includes the “Nail it for Rhinos” campaign; a novel approach to raising awareness of the rhino poaching crisis. There are currently five species of rhinos left on this planet and all of them are in trouble. A primary factor causing the decline of these massive and beautiful creatures is rampant poaching. Rhinos are frequently targeted for their unique and captivating horns. Horns which are often thought of as being somehow medicinal in spite of the fact that they are made of little more than keratin. Keratin is the same material that makes up the human hair and finger nail; two things which we can all agree have no medical value whatsoever.

To take part in the “Nail it for Rhinos” campaign, make a reservation to visit Safari West on September 22nd or 25th. Head out to the main lawn in front of the Amani Oasis aviary and paint a fingernail or two for rhinos! Once you’ve completed your manicured masterpiece, upload a picture to social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest) and include the hashtags #nailit4rhinos and #safariwestAAZK to help generate awareness for these magnificent creatures.

Alongside the nail painting and photo posting, we’ll also be selling “rhino paintings”. Not quite paintings of rhinos and not quite paintings by rhinos, these completely unique pieces of art are something in between. Proceeds from these sales as well as any charitable contributions you may feel like making will be sent to Save the Rhino.

Safari West AAZK is eager to hit the ground running with this kickoff event. Come to Safari West and join us as we work to protect the world’s rhinos and take our first steps on this brand-new, exciting AAZK adventure.

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Nola, a Northern White Rhinoceros and resident at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, died this November. On the 22nd of that month, the Safari Park announced her passing and immediately, news outlets around the world picked up the story. It’s always sad when an animal as magnificent and fascinating as a rhinoceros dies, but why did this particular death generate interest on a global scale? Mainly it’s because of the kind of rhino Nola was. She was a Northern White Rhinoceros; one of the last. Now that she’s gone, there are only three left on the planet.

Caring people the world over rally around calls to save the whales, and save the pandas, and save the frogs. “Save the (insert species here)” is a cry heard across our planet. While this may seem a very species-specific approach, these very vulnerable flagship animals are working to represent something beyond themselves. “Save the rhinos” means so much more than working to preserve that species alone. There is tremendous value in focusing our attention on one species. There is also tremendous value in understanding that any one species is part of a much bigger picture. Nola was a beautiful animal and a member of a beautiful species that we are losing. She was also part of something bigger; an interconnected and delicate ecosystem. When we talk about endangered rhinos, we are also talking about the world they are a part of; the other animals, the plants, the fungus, the bacteria. In short, all the other ingredients that make that system what it is.

Imagine making a cake. There are many ingredients that go into a cake; eggs, milk, flour and so on. If you are missing an ingredient when you start, what you end up with will not be the cake you envisioned. Sometimes the change is minimal. For instance, if you make a cake but don’t have any frosting, you wind up with a disappointing but edible cake. Other times the missing ingredient can prove catastrophic. Try making a cake without any baking powder, or flour, or milk. What you wind up with is an inedible mess.

An ecosystem can be a bit like a cake. Remove one ingredient, maybe a particular species of dragonfly or pine tree or bacteria, and the entire ecosystem changes. Sometimes the species that has been removed is the frosting and the ecosystem remains functional, but diminished in some way. Other times, however, the species is the baking powder and the whole ecosystem turns into something else.

There is evidence to indicate that Nola and her kin are a baking powder kind of species. Baking powder species are more commonly referred to as “Keystone species” (in architecture, the keystone is the stone that keeps an archway together. Remove it and your whole doorway falls in). Northern white rhinos used to range across the part of central Africa where Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic meet. Rampant poaching devastated their numbers and in 2008 the northern white rhinoceros was declared “extinct in the wild”. At that point, all remaining members of Nola’s species lived in captivity. With the rhinos gone, that ecosystem is now fundamentally changed.

White rhinos are grazers, meaning they eat grasses rather than the leaves of shrubs and trees. It’s easy to think of them as enormous gray lawnmowers but more accurate to think of them as very large gardeners. When gardeners weed the garden, they don’t pull up every plant, just specific ones. The plants left untouched thrive in the absence of competition. Rhinos work the same way. They selectively eat certain grass species, which allows other species to flourish. This leads to greater biodiversity among plants which then attract different types of herbivores (think antelope and zebras). This, in turn, brings in different types of predators (lions, jackals, etc).

With the rhinos gone from that northern range, the opposite will likely occur. Like dominos falling, other populations will shift in response to the missing rhinos. For instance, the grasses the rhinos had been eating will likely grow in faster and thicker, choking out some competing plants. As these plants become harder to find, the species that rely on them will begin to struggle and their populations may diminish. This, in turn, would lead to a decline in the predator species who either starve or move out of the area in search of food. This can lead them to move into human populated areas (think about the mountain lions we now see with some regularity in Orange County suburbs).

The now famous saga of the wolves of Yellowstone National Park illustrates this concept beautifully. Gray wolf populations were already in decline when Yellowstone was established in 1872. The new park offered no protection to the predators and they were aggressively targeted as a hazard and pest. By 1926 the gray wolf had been completely wiped out. In their absence the elk populations spiked, causing massive destruction to stands of aspen and cottonwood trees. In response, the park service had to institute a capture and relocate the program to try and control the elk population. Coyote populations also surged and impacted the pronghorn antelope herds. Populations of many species were thrown into chaos by the removal of one.

In 1995, a controlled reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone began. Since their return, something startling has happened. The ecosystem has begun again to stabilize. The elk population declined, leading to a corresponding resurgence in willows, cottonwoods, and aspens. The overblown coyote population, once the densest in North America, dropped and correspondingly the fox population (which was suppressed by coyotes) has begun to recover. The resurgent foxes are preying upon rodents and ground-nesting birds that eat seeds. Seeds which are now free to germinate and fill in areas over-grazed by the formerly rampant elk population.

A similar situation has occurred in Africa. Nola’s cousin, the southern white rhinoceros, has been systematically reintroduced in areas of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique; areas they’d been extirpated from in decades past. A recent study conducted by Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt and Mariska te Beest (see below) indicates that returning the rhinos to their former range has had effects similar to what has been seen in Yellowstone.

These two examples provide substantial evidence to indicate that returning keystone species to their former range goes a long way toward stabilizing that particular ecosystem. The problem with the northern white rhinoceros is that there aren’t enough left to establish a new population. So then is that where the whole cake recipe comes apart? Does this mean we must resign ourselves to the destabilization of that ecosystem? Not necessarily. The wolves that once roamed through Yellowstone were not only driven out of the park, they were driven to extinction. When the reintroduction began in the 90’s, the wolves brought in were a Canadian subspecies, similar but taxonomically distinct from the original wolves.

This is a contentious issue in the saga of the Yellowstone wolves but it does open the door to possibility. In the absence of a northern white rhino population to recolonize the northern range with, might it be possible to substitute southern white rhinos instead? Though recognized as distinct sub-species with clear genetic differences, the argument could be made that the southern whites are sufficiently similar to the northern whites to take on their role in that ecosystem. To take it back to the cake analogy, in the absence of whole milk, can a baker can get away with 2%?

The struggle to save the rhinos is ongoing and complicated. There have been major victories and, as demonstrated by Nola, definite setbacks. Globally many populations of rhinos are on the verge of reversing decades long trends. At the same time, the demand for rhino horn continues to drive up poaching numbers. Birth rates are climbing but poaching rates are climbing faster. This is an ongoing crisis and threatens to undo all the gains that have been made over the last century. Those of us who care about these magnificent animals, and beyond that, about the glorious, global network they are a part of owe it to them and to ourselves to stay focused on this goal.

Safari West is lucky to be the home to three beautiful southern white rhinos. Every day we focus our attention on teaching our guests about this species’ place in the world and the challenges the world’s rhinos are facing. We are hoping to see our adult rhinos, Mufasa and Eesha, breed successfully and add another member to that carefully monitored population count. While these goals are Safari-West-specific, we have much loftier hopes as well. We hope our conservation message coupled with the awe-inspiring sight of our three gorgeous rhinos informs and inspires an ever-widening pool of people. People who hopefully become conservation advocates themselves. People who will join us in pursuing these critical conservation aims. Every time we add a voice, the call to save the rhinos gets louder. Every additional rhino in the wild helps to keep the ecosystem in balance. By taking action to save the species, we’re taking action to save the ecosystem and by extension, the whole of our big, beautiful, interconnected world.

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