Saint Louis Zoo

A vet tech’s job is not just at the Zoo! Christian Burmeister and Kim Aubuchon, two vet techs at the Zoo, both presented at the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians annual conference earlier this week. Kim inspired others, discussing how vet techs can enhance their skills as leaders while also advocating for themselves and their profession. Christian presented on diseases in primates in zoos and understanding the crucial implications for the work in zoological health and management. Not only do vet techs care for animals here at the Zoo, but they also share their knowledge and experience with others in the industry.

Thanks to all who made this animal vaccine clinic at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park possible!

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, the Saint Louis Zoo is proud to announce our participation in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Buffalo Treaty — a treaty of cooperation, renewal and restoration. This September, a gathering was held on traditional lands of the Kainai Nation in Stand Off, Alberta, Canada, where Nations, Tribes and guests came together in ceremony to sign the treaty. Edward Spevak, Ph.D., Curator of Invertebrates at the Saint Louis Zoo and Director of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Native Pollinator Conservation, attended in representation of the Zoo. Spevak also co-leads the The Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) North American Bison Program with Mollye Nardi, General Curator at The Birmingham Zoo. They signed the Buffalo Treaty on behalf of the AZA, the AZA SAFE North American Bison Program and the Saint Louis Zoo. Bison (also known as American buffalo to Native Americans and First Nations peoples) once numbered in the tens of millions as they roamed in large herds across the plains of North America. They occupied an integral role in the culture of many Indigenous people, who for thousands of years depended on the animals for their well-being and survival. They also were a keystone species critical to helping maintain the biodiversity of the prairie ecosystem in which they lived. The Buffalo Treaty was a recognition of the profound loss for both the people and the land when bison were decimated in the 1800s. It initially brought together 13 Indigenous Nations from eight reservations in the United States and Canada into an intertribal alliance to restore bison to their lands and strengthen cultural relationships with the animals. Since that time, hundreds of First Nations across North America have signed the Buffalo Treaty.

In honor of National Vet Tech Week, we want to thank the five dedicated members of our vet tech team who treat and care for all types of animals, from frogs to penguins to gorillas, here at the Zoo. From checkups to major surgery, this team sees it all and has expertise in everything from diagnostic lab work, to radiology to managing anesthesia. They are essential to the health and well-being of the animals in our care and we are grateful for their dedication and expertise!

Last month, Saint Louis Zoo hosted “See Like Me,” a day at the Zoo for the blind and visually impaired. In collaboration with a group of St. Louis organizations known as the Sight Collective, guests registered to participate in a giraffe feeding or a visit to Penguin and Puffin Coast and ended the day at the Zoo's stingray touch tank. Several other organizations participated in the Resource Fair throughout the day so that all guests at the Zoo could learn about the services they offer!

Get a behind-the-scenes look from Nine PBS at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, the Zoo's safari park and conservation center under development in St. Louis County. Check out their story (featuring a cameo from an adorable baby addax) below. 🦒🦓

Bison, also known as buffalo, once numbered in the tens of millions as they roamed in large herds across the plains of North America. They occupied an integral role in the culture of many Indigenous people, who for thousands of years depended on the animals for their well-being and survival. They also were a keystone species critical to helping maintain the biodiversity of the prairie ecosystem in which they lived. The Buffalo Treaty, which marked its 10th anniversary in September, is a recognition of the profound loss for both the people and the land when bison were decimated in the 1800s. It initially brought together 13 Indigenous nations from eight reservations in the United States and Canada into an intertribal alliance to restore bison to their lands and strengthen cultural relationships with the animals. Since that time, hundreds of First Nations across North America have signed the Buffalo Treaty. Join the Zoo and our conservation partners for the Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability Series: Buffalo Treaty Oct. 10-12 around the St. Louis region featuring guest speakers, films and more. Admission is free, but reservations are required. See more information and register at https://bit.ly/3U2yYdk. The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, the Native American Studies Program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Buder Center for American Indian Studies at Washington University, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Saint Louis Zoo are collaborating to host the series.

Thank you to St. Louis Public Radio for featuring this milestone in the Zoo's longtime snail conservation work! 🐌🎉 https://lnkd.in/gR82ih7x.

Want to know what it's like to be CEO and president of a zoo? Listen to Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO of Saint Louis Zoo, on the Something Extra podcast speaking with Lisa Nichols. Check out their conversation at https://lnkd.in/gmJeN4eK.

Today the Zoo is celebrating our phenomenal Horticulture Team by breaking down "by the numbers" just how much hard work, planning, expertise and, yes, weeding goes into caring for the Zoo's beautiful plant life. This team of 17 team members, three managers and 11 volunteers maintains more than 110 acres in the Zoo in Forest Park with each staff horticulturist managing about 10 acres personally, plus group projects and work at other Zoo properties. In 2024, so far, the team's efforts amount to: 🌿 13,600+: Pieces planted in annual display beds 🌱 19,000+: Bulbs scheduled to be planted this fall 🙅♀️ 550 +: Collective labor hours spent removing invasive plants 🌳 200+: New native trees and shrubs planted in place of invasive species throughout the Zoo in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. 🌲25+: New trees planted, including oak, river birch, elm, black gum, hackberry, magnolia, bald cypress and sycamore. 🌼720+: Yards of mulch distributed 🌷 450+: Collective hours spent planting or preparing display beds. 🪴1250+: Hours watering baskets, plant containers and area around the greenhouse. ❄️ 900+: Hours of early morning snow removal keeping Zoo grounds safe for staff and guests. 🙋800+: Volunteer hours spent on horticulture from those dedicated to keeping the Zoo beautiful. 🏛️ 10: Zoo buildings with interior plant displays maintained including the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium, the Bird House, the Primate House and the beautiful blooms in the Mary Ann Lee Butterfly Wing. 💧 30+: Irrigation systems critical to Zoo horticulture managed 🌿 Countless: Weeds removed. 😂