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Zoological institutions that are accredited by organizations such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), like Oceans of Fun, get inspected to ensure that species in human care receive topnotch healthcare and an exceptional environment to thrive in.  These facilities in partnership with other conservation-based organizations, like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, play a pivotal role in the protection and preservation of threatened or endangered species.  Without accredited zoos and aquariums, the race against extinction would be lop-sided highly in favor in the disappearance of species.

Unfortunately, the wild isn’t the wild anymore.  Humans have encroached on the territory of animals spanning a wide variety of environments.  From the seemingly barren deserts to lush rainforests, human-caused obstacles are making life in the wild a struggle for many animals.  Pollution, global climate change, poaching, deforestation, habitat loss, and destructive fishing practices are just a few of the many problems we are inflicting on animals all around the globe.  Ruining the environment is all of our problem and it is our responsibility to come together to protect this one planet we all share.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by supporting accredited zoos and aquariums.  These zoological institutions have dedicated time, effort, staff, and resources to combating extinction.  Accredited facilities have breeding and reintroduction programs that are placing animals back in the wild that have been extinct in their natural habitats for decades or centuries.  We are studying animals in human care so we can better serve their wild counterparts to ensure that even thriving populations continue to be successful in the wild.  Due to the exceptional healthcare we are able to provide, animals in human care are living double or triple the lifespan of their wild counterparts. Every time you support an accredited organization, like Oceans of Fun and the Milwaukee County Zoo, you are supporting all of this and so much more.  Extinction is forever and once a species truly disappears it can never come back.  We can all work together to ensure that this single planet we all share is populated by all of these magnificent creatures and more for future generations to come. 

To read more about the challenges animals in the wild are facing and to find out more about how you can help start combating extinction right now visit our Saving Species page.