Reflecting on 2024: A Year in Conservation
March 10, 2025
Reflecting on 2024: A Year in Conservation
2024 was a remarkable year filled with milestones, collaborations, and advancements in wildlife conservation.
We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, which makes these accomplishments possible.
Here are some highlights from the past year that demonstrate the impact of our collective efforts:
Burrowing Owl Program
This year, we released 26 head-started burrowing owls, giving them a helping hand during a vulnerable stage of their lives. Of the 13 pairs released, 10 successfully nested, producing 50 fledglings! These are owlets that would likely never have existed without these head-starting efforts. Additionally, a new cohort of 26 owlets has settled in at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, under the Animal Care, Health & Welfare team’s watchful eyes, where they will grow into healthy adult owls before being released back to the prairies in the spring.
Vancouver Island Marmot Program
In April, we embarked on an exciting new collaboration with the Toronto Zoo to deepen our understanding of the Vancouver Island marmot’s diet in the wild. By collecting and analyzing plant samples from marmot habitats at various times of the season, these efforts aim to examine the nutritional content of plants in marmot habitat for comparison to and potential improvement of the diet of marmots living under human care. This collaborative effort is spearheaded by the Toronto Zoo, with field implementation led by our Vancouver Island marmot research team.
Whooping Crane Program
Our whooping crane team traveled to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, to participate in the inaugural Northern Whooping Crane Festival. This inspiring event celebrated the species’ recovery and fostered community engagement. Activities included educational workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and collaborative outreach with local partners, emphasizing the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in the South Slave region.
Half-Moon Hairstreak Butterfly Program
A major milestone this year was successfully encouraging a female half-moon hairstreak butterfly to lay eggs in a controlled environment. These eggs are spending winter under Parks Canada’s care, simulating the cold temperatures of their natural habitat in Waterton Lakes National Park. Come spring, the eggs will hatch, providing insights into larval development and helping to inform potential future conservation efforts for this Endangered species.
Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area
In Ghana, in the Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area landscape, we supported a thermal drone survey in partnership with the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast. This survey—using innovative, non-invasive technology—aimed to monitor, track, and ultimately protect wildlife and their habitats by informing decision-making. The surveys successfully captured images of sitatunga, monkeys, and various bird species, marking the first live sightings of sitatunga using drones in this area.
Limestone Barrens Ecosystem Program
In September, we joined existing efforts to conserve the Limestone Barrens ecosystem in Newfoundland. This unique habitat is home to highly specialized, endemic plant species that are found nowhere else on earth. Collaborating with Memorial University, the Limestone Barrens Species at Risk Recovery Team and other key partners, we’ve begun supporting habitat restoration efforts. These collaborative efforts lay the foundation for long-term recovery and conservation of this rare ecosystem.
Cross River Gorilla Initiative
Two Critically Endangered Cross River gorilla silverbacks were captured on camera in Nigeria’s Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, a significant achievement for this elusive species. They were recorded on cameras installed by Adekanmbi Cole Adeyinka as part of his M.Sc. program, which is supported through the Cross River Gorilla Initiative. With fewer than 300 individual Cross River gorillas remaining, these sightings provide crucial data for conservation. Supported by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the University of Calabar, this initiative builds local capacity through research, training, and community engagement.
Kenya Mountain Bongo Partnership
From completing the Ragati Forest Mountain Bongo Security Site to processing honey at the Eburu Natural Forest Honey Cooperative, 2024 was an eventful year for the Kenya Mountain Bongo Partnership. The year’s accomplishments also included establishing eight new Nature Conservation Clubs in secondary schools, adding to the 14 launched in primary schools last year.
We also supported the Community Conservation Champions in publishing the “Common Medicinal Plants of Eburu Forest” guidebook, which features 77 species named in local languages and highlights two years of research and effort by this dedicated group!
Additionally, we took steps to advance the potential bio-enterprise of fruit farming in the Mt. Kenya area, linking mountain bongo recovery with community livelihoods. These efforts, taken alongside our partners at Rhino Ark, underscore the importance of integrating community involvement into conservation for a brighter future for both people and wildlife.
Amplifying Our Voice on the Global Stage
We proudly hosted the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference, welcoming over 2,200 zoo and conservation professionals to Canada for the first time in 40 years. The conference showcased cutting-edge practices in animal care and conservation, fostering collaboration across the industry.
Additionally, we represented the Wilder Institute at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where members of our team connected and collaborated with conservation leaders from across the globe, united by a shared vision to create a thriving future for both wildlife and people.
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, we remain committed as we act for wildlife, working to save species and inspiring people to join us.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
We can create a future where people and wildlife thrive, together.