Keepers in Action: Conservation Projects Making a Difference

Posted March 2, 2026 by Angela Hatke

Conservation is happening all over the world — even in our own backyard — thanks to the dedicated keepers and staff at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, who have secured grant funding from the Cincinnati Zoo to support projects that protect wildlife, restore habitats, and engage communities. Thanks to special conservation grants from the Cincinnati Zoo, employees at the Zoo get the opportunity to go above and beyond to make a difference in ecosystems around the world. From supporting endangered species recovery in the wild to wildlife rescue, habitat restoration, and community education, these projects are making a real difference for animals and the people who live alongside them.

Let’s take a closer look at the projects making a difference.

Capacity Building for Improved Efficiency and Utilization of Raptor Rehabilitation

Zoo Liaison: Ellie Hahn

Species: Multiple Local Raptor Species in the Greater Cincinnati Area

This project helps strengthen raptor rehabilitation efforts through a long-time partnership between the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and RAPTOR Inc..

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The goal is to repair and upgrade RAPTOR Inc.’s aging CCTV camera system, which staff use to monitor injured and orphaned birds of prey as they recover for release back into the wild.

Several cameras in the 13-camera system have stopped working over the years, making it harder to keep a close eye on recovering raptors. With grant funding, RAPTOR Inc. will fix the broken cameras and update equipment like wiring and Wi-Fi transmitters to get the system fully up and running again.

Having a reliable camera system means staff can check on birds more easily without disturbing them, make quicker care decisions, and improve overall rehabilitation success. With the system restored, RAPTOR Inc. hopes to boost its raptor release rate to over 60%—well above the national average. The project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026.

Collaborative Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation and Habitat Restoration

Zoo Liaison: Karissa Bilbo

Species: Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus), river and riparian

This project is all about helping the incredible Japanese Giant Salamander survive — and thrive — in its native river habitat.

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During a nighttime survey, the team saw something heartbreaking: at a stretch of river without a ladder installed, at least nine salamanders were desperately trying to climb a straight 90° concrete wall. They kept trying until they were exhausted and eventually washed back downstream. It was a tough thing to witness — but it made it crystal clear how important this work is.

So what’s the plan?

First, install two additional dual-use passageways (basically “ladders”) to help salamanders and fish safely move past barriers in the river and reach better habitat upstream.

Next, design and install 3–5 custom nesting structures in areas with low salamander density but great potential. These structures will be specially built using freshwater-safe materials and could involve collaboration with the Cincinnati Zoo CREW and Zoo Academy students — combining conservation with innovation.

And finally, level up the tech. The team is continuing to train an AI detection model (using DINOv3) that can identify and differentiate individual salamanders at night using photos from surveys and camera traps placed near the new passageways.

In short: build better pathways, create safer nesting spots, and use smart tech to monitor progress — all to give these giant salamanders a better shot at successful migration and long-term survival.

Evaluating and Enhancing Breeding Success of First Wild Sihek (Guam Kingfishers) in 36 Years

Zoo Liaison: Kimberly A. Klosterman

Species: Sihek (Guam kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus)

This project is focused on giving the Sihek — the Guam kingfisher — a real shot at a comeback in the wild for the first time in 36 years.

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Because brown tree snakes still threaten the species on Guam, conservationists took a bold step: releasing Sihek on Palmyra Atoll as a temporary safe haven. In September 2024, nine young birds were released. By spring 2025, four breeding pairs had formed and three attempted to nest — an exciting milestone! While no eggs hatched this first round (totally normal for young, first-time parents), the pairs are expected to try again in early 2026 with better odds of success.

This next phase is all about learning and fine-tuning. Funding will support nest boxes, monitoring equipment, and hands-on management so the team can closely track breeding attempts, understand what these birds need to thrive, and step in with support if needed. The data will help guide real-time decisions — from adding nest boxes to providing chick care — and shape smarter release strategies in the future.

The big-picture goal?
Build a thriving wild population of Sihek at Palmyra, grow the global population to prevent extinction, and develop the tools and knowledge needed to eventually return them home to Guam once snake threats are under control.

It’s careful science, adaptive management, and a lot of hope — all aimed at bringing this stunning kingfisher back from the brink.

Anna Zangora/The Nature Conservancy

First Steps to Recovery: Providing Safe and Secure Housing for Rescued Wildlife

Zoo Liaison: Kimberly A. Klosterman

Species: Any Lao species rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, including young, orphaned primates (gibbons, langurs), civets, pangolins, turtles, tortoises and small felids.

This project is all about giving rescued wildlife in Laos a safe place to land while they recover from the illegal wildlife trade. Led by the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, the plan is to build two secure forest enclosures where animals like gibbons, civets, pangolins, turtles, and small wild cats can rest, heal, and start adjusting back to life in the wild.

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Since nearly every confiscated wild animal in Laos comes through LCTW, these enclosures are a big first step in the rescue and rehab process. The forest setting keeps animals away from people, reduces stress, and helps them prepare for eventual release, while vets keep a close eye on their health.

The team also hopes to install cameras so staff can monitor animals without disturbing them — and even share some of that footage with visitors to show how the rehabilitation process works.

In short, these enclosures will give rescued animals a safer, more natural place to recover and a better chance at making it back into the wild.

In Situ Rescue and Rehabilitation of Wild Native Aquatic Birds

Zoo Liaison: Cody Sowers

Species: Over 100 different species of aquatic birds

This project helps improve rescue and rehab care for aquatic birds along the Pacific Flyway by upgrading some key equipment and facilities.

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First, they’re getting a mobile disinfecting setup with all the supplies needed to keep rescue areas clean and safe. It’ll be easy to move around the facility and designed to prevent spills, which protects both the birds and the workspace.

Second, they’re making electrical safety upgrades in the bird “drying room” to keep both the animals and staff safer during recovery and treatment.

And third, they’ll build 3–4 new indoor hospital pools with warm water. These pools will give injured and recovering aquatic birds — especially those with leg injuries or temperature issues — a better space to heal, regain strength, and stay hydrated.

Overall, it’s about creating a safer, cleaner, and more effective rehab space so rescued birds have the best possible chance of recovery.

International Bird Rescue conservation partner helping a bird

Plague Mitigation Support for Black-footed Ferret Recovery in the Conata Basin

Zoo Liaison: Mike Cisneros

Species: Black-footed ferret, mixed-grass prairie ecosystem, black-tailed prairie dog colonies

This project supports the recovery of the endangered Black-footed ferret in South Dakota by helping protect the prairie dog colonies they depend on for food and shelter.

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In the Conata Basin — one of the most successful ferret reintroduction sites — the main threat is sylvatic plague, which spreads through fleas and can wipe out prairie dog colonies. The project funds tools like treated bait and burrow dust that kill fleas and help stop the plague from spreading, keeping the ecosystem stable for ferrets.

The project also includes a field visit to document the work through photos and video, helping tell the story of black-footed ferret recovery and why this conservation work matters.

In short, it’s about fighting plague, protecting prairie dogs, and giving black-footed ferrets a better chance to survive in the wild.

Black-footed Ferret sticking his head up from the ground

Student Engagement and Defining Essential Habitat Areas for the Federally Endangered Sheepnose Mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus) in the Ohio River

Zoo Liaison: Donna Griffen

Species: Sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus) in the Ohio River Geographic

This project is a team effort between EDGE Engineering and Science and Ohio River Foundation to better protect the endangered Sheepnose mussel in the Ohio River.

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The science side of the project focuses on studying mussel habitat and creating clear guidelines for what counts as “essential habitat” — basically identifying the areas these rare mussels need to survive and recover. Funding will help analyze data, model habitat, and produce a technical report that can guide future conservation work. It’s also helping support an early-career freshwater mussel researcher gaining experience in the field.

At the same time, the project connects local students in New Richmond to the mussels living right in their own backyard. Through classroom programs and activities led by the Ohio River Foundation, kids will learn about freshwater mussels, why they matter, and how they can help protect them.

Overall, it’s a mix of science and community engagement — protecting a rare species while getting the local community excited about the river they live next to.

Student Engagement and Defining Essential Habitat Areas for the Federally Endangered Sheepnose Mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus) in the Ohio River

Wild Cats of the Pampa Conservation Project

Zoo Liaison: Dawn Strasser

Species: Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), Munõa’s Pampas Cat (L. munoai), ocelot (L. pardalis), margay (L. wiedii), southern tiger cat (L. guttulus), and jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi); in addition to the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor)

The Wild Cats of the Pampa Project is all about helping wild cats and people coexist in southern Brazil’s grasslands. The project focuses on species like Geoffroy’s cats, pampas cats, ocelots, jaguarundis — and even bigger cats like pumas and jaguars — living in the Brazilian Pampa.

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A big part of the work is reducing conflicts with farmers, especially when wild cats go after chickens or other small livestock. The project supports local farmers by helping repair and strengthen coops and pens, offering technical advice, and sometimes compensating for losses so there’s less motivation for retaliatory hunting.

They’re also working to reduce problems caused by free-roaming pets by expanding spay/neuter and vaccination programs for domestic dogs and cats, which helps prevent disease spread and competition with wild cats.

On top of that, the team runs education programs in schools and rural communities to help people learn about these cats and why they matter.

Overall, it’s about protecting wild cats in the Brazilian Pampa by supporting local communities and finding practical ways for people and wildlife to live side by side.

Wild Cats of the Pampa Conservation Project

As you can see, the impact of these projects goes far beyond the walls of the zoo. Thanks to the passion, expertise, and leadership of our keepers — working hand‑in‑hand with partners and communities around the world — the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is helping protect species, restore habitats, and spark conservation action in places where it matters most.

We are proud to support these initiatives, and we’re inspired every day by the keepers who dedicate their skills and hearts to this work.

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