The Zoo de Granby announces : MISSION FAUNE
The non-profit organization is strengthening its commitment to defending and protecting biodiversity by pledging to invest $11 MILLION in significant initiatives by 2030.
Press release
Granby, May 14, 2024 – In response to climate change, which threatens the planet’s ecological balance as well as thousands of animal and plant species, the Zoo de Granby is committing to a series of significant initiatives to address the crisis. For over 70 years, the Zoo de Granby has been committed to protecting endangered species in the wild and uses the expertise of its professionals to ensure the well-being of the animals entrusted to its care. Aware of its leading role in protecting and preserving animal species, the organization is proud to launch Mission Faune, a movement meant to accelerate its impact and initiatives in protecting biodiversity in Quebec as well as internationally. By 2030, this movement will make it possible to protect 70 at-risk species, collaborate to conservation programs in more than 15 countries, release close to 5,000 specimens into the wild, and much more! Thanks to these significant initiatives supported by Mission Faune, the Zoo de Granby is strengthening its mission and working towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Our engagements by 2030
‘‘I arrived in Granby in 1979, and the Zoo, our Zoo, has been my pride for 45 years. I visited it a lot during our first summer when I didn’t speak French yet. That’s why I knew the zoo map by heart, but I didn’t know its mission. A few years ago, I heard on the radio an interview presenting the extent and complexity of the biodiversity preservation work carried out by the Zoo de Granby. Since then, I have become very attentive to the research and expertise of the experts in the field. It is a great honor to be invited by the Zoo de Granby to become an ambassador of Mission Faune. As such, I will be able to follow Mission Faune more closely and perhaps share some of its secrets with you.’’ – Kim Thúy, ambassdaor of Mission Faune
A new chapter for Zoo de Granby!
Raising awareness one person at a time
By 2030, the Zoo de Granby aims to reach 1.5 million people a year to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect biodiversity. The data is alarming and underlines the importance of immediate action. Worldwide, one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction, 75% of terrestrial habitats have been altered, and 87% of wetland habitats have been lost. In Canada, 50% of animal species are in decline, with 37 threatened wildlife species in Quebec. Without significant action to fight the accelerated pressure experienced by plant and animal species, they are threatened with extinction.
With Mission Faune, the Zoo de Granby is continuing to evolve to better preserve the animal world by stepping up its efforts to raise awareness among all its clienteles. Whether on site with animal care experts or via the educational content shared on social media and in newsletters, everyone is made aware of the animal world and the need for humans and nature to live in harmony.
“A video or image will never come close to an on-site visit where nature’s beauty and fragility touches us deeply. To have the chance to make a direct connection with the animals and to see them in action in front of us helps us to grasp the importance of protecting them here and elsewhere in the world,” says Samuel Grenier, Vice-President and Head of Operations at the Zoo de Granby.
The Zoo de Granby also encourages thousands of students to take part in wildlife conservation through its multiple educational programs. Just in 2023, their team of naturalist interpreters held over 1,700 educational workshops. These activities, presented in schools and just about everywhere outside the institution, have raised awareness among nearly 50,000 people. With Mission Faune, the Zoo de Granby intends to double this number by 2030.
Protecting nature here and elsewhere
In addition to being a major tourist destination , the Zoo de Granby is a conservation organization which works daily in protecting biodiversity. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically viable populations through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program headed up by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Zoo de Granby participates in 32 of the current 300 SSP programs, including those for the Amur leopard, the Andean condor, and the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog, at risk of extinction. Of all the animals in its care, close to 23% are recognized as having a threatened or endangered status. The Mission Faune’s various initiatives will enable the Zoo de Granby to increase this proportion to 30% by 2030.
The Zoo de Granby has partnerships with several Quebec universities and financially supports various scientific research projects. Thanks to the strengthening of these commitments, it will continue its partnerships with four Quebec universities and finance 12 scientific research projects over the next six years.
The Zoo de Granby will also invest $11 million in direct initiatives to preserve natural habitats in Quebec and elsewhere. Locally, these initiatives include the Quebec bat recovery program, the preservation of the chimney swift in the Eastern Townships , as well as the protection of the wood turtle and the spiny softshell turtle. The Zoo de Granby is also active internationally through its missions in Martinique and Cameroon. In Martinique, its activities target the preservation of sea turtles as well as the protection of bats and the Lesser Antillean iguana. In Cameroon, where the Zoo de Granby has been involved since 2015 in an ambitious conservation project in the Campo Ma’an National Park, it carries out ecological monitoring of gorillas and offers solutions to conflicts between elephants and humans. The Zoo de Granby is proud to support these conservation and awareness-raising projects. The success of these initiatives demonstrates its ability to act effectively to protect these species and raise awareness of their ecosystems.
“These successes wouldn’t be possible without the all the support of our team of experts, which include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, biologists and several other specialists. The team plays a key role in achieving our objectives and we are honoured to have its members working alongside us. Mission Faune will also allow us to increase our number of specialized employees to 90,” says Paul Gosselin, CEO of Zoo de Granby.
About the Zoo de Granby
In addition to being a major tourist attraction in Quebec, the Zoo de Granby is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the animal world. Since 1953, the Zoo de Granby has acted as a conservation organization through awareness-raising activities, conservation initiatives, and the funding of scientific research programs. Beginning May 18, the Zoo de Granby will be open daily, while the water park will launch its summer season June 14. Join us at the opening to contribute, in your own way, to Mission Faune!
With Mission Faune, the Zoo de Granby is committed to preserving the animal world both here and elsewhere! Join us in this vital mission for the future of our planet. Together, we can make a real difference.
Source : Zoo de Granby
Media Relations : Junior Bombardier | Bombardier Communications |
junior@bombardiercommunications.com
Informations : Marie-Christine Martin | Zoo de Granby | mcmartin@zoodegranby.com
