Oregon Zoo awards $133K to wildlife conservation organizations worldwide

The Oregon Zoo Foundation’s grants stem from admission surcharges and endowments

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Zoo and its foundation have doled out $133,500 to their conservation partners across the globe.

According to Director of Education and Conservation Melanie Sorensen, the zoo’s partnerships benefit “some of the most celebrated and endangered species” worldwide.

“The Oregon Zoo is well known for its work in the Pacific Northwest, restoring California condors, butterflies and other native wildlife,” Sorensen said. “But we also have a global impact that extends across three continents.”

A portion of grant money will go toward Hutan, an organization focused on biodiversity and reforestation in a Malaysian region with a variety of orangutans, elephants, clouded leopards and more.

Similar to Hutan, two other awardees are based in Sabah, Malaysia. Seratu Aatai will use the funding to improve human-elephant coexistence in the region while the Sabah Wildlife Department will cover wildlife ranger roles and rescued elephant treatment.

Another portion of funds have been allocated to Polar Bears International, which works to protect polar bears in the Arctic. The World Wildlife Fund reported the region is “warming about twice as fast as the global average,” hindering the species that calls it home.

The Oregon Zoo Foundation has also awarded the Tiger Conservation Fund, with a focus on habitat loss for the Sumatran, Amur and Malayan subspecies of tigers. All species have long been considered as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Similarly, IUCN will receive some funding to support its species conservation planning.

The Elakha Alliance, the International Rhino Foundation, Chimpanzee and Asian Elephant SAFE will benefit from the awards as well. Learn more about their programs and initiatives here.

The Oregon Zoo Foundation’s grants stem from admission surcharges and endowments.

“Generous gifts from our supporters help the zoo create a better world for wildlife, people and the habitats we all depend on.” Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Rider said in a statement.