Houston Zoo Inc

Wildlife conservation is a core HZI mission. In 2024, the Zoo supported 33 long-term partnerships across 17 countries, linking on-site animal care with global field conservation. Regional efforts focused on Texas species of concern, including: - Houston Toad Conservation: Release of 1,865,700 eggs, 4,300 tadpoles, and 430 toadlets in Bastrop County in partnership with USFWS and Texas State University. - Attwater's Prairie Chicken Conservation: Breeding and release of 58 birds into native grasslands. - Sea Turtle Conservation: Provided medical care for over 50 injured or stranded wild sea turtles along the Texas coast. (Continued on Schedule O)International wildlife conservation programs emphasized species in the Zoo's collection, exemplified by Birds of the World, which connects guests to partners protecting endangered avian species globally. Other efforts included protecting jaguars, giant anteaters, and tapirs in Brazil's Pantanal and reducing marine wildlife threats from plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands and the Gulf Coast. Through these initiatives, HZI advances wildlife conservation locally and globally while engaging Houstonians in meaningful action.

The Houston Zoo's Conservation Education Department engaged 725,235 participants in 2024 through camps, school partnerships, interpretive programs, and community outreach, fostering wildlife-saving actions. Key initiatives included: - Camp Zoofari: Immersive summer sessions for children ages 6-12, with 2,040 campers enrolled and scholarships provided to families with demonstrated financial need. - Zoo Crew Teen Program: Provided conservation skills training for 68 high school students, fostering leadership in wildlife conservation. (Continued on Schedule O) - School Partnerships and Free Field Trips: Supported 88,000 K-12 students through free field trips, with 80% from Title I schools, many in federally recognized Justice40 communities. Additionally, 17,359 college students from four local colleges visited for free, and 12,031 participants engaged in pre-scheduled programs, including Camp Zoofari, Zoo Crew, Overnights, Animal Encounters, and pro-bono Community Outreach. - On-Site Interpretation: Staff and volunteers facilitated 250,000 guest interactions, promoting conservation awareness through storytelling and demonstrations. These programs underscore HZI's commitment to accessible, impactful conservation education.