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Florida is one of the most species-rich states in the nation.
This past year, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo was recognized
by the
State of Florida as a center for Florida wildlife conservation
and biodiversity (HB 457). As we know, this biological diversity is being threatened. In keeping with the zoo's mission statement, we have partnered with state and federal wildlife officials to preserve such species as the Florida panther, red wolf, whooping crane, Key Largo wood rat, Florida manatee, and key deer. The zoo's role in each of these recovery efforts includes rehabilitating, breeding, educating, and research.
 The zoo partnered with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission over ten years ago to help preserve the Florida Panther. Our original role in the program included captive breeding for eventual reintroduction into the wild. Questions regarding the genetics of the panther kept any captive breeding from occurring for many years. All captive panthers are now post-reproductive and our primary function includes both education and rehabilitation. It is our goal to establish a recovery pen at our Green Swamp facility for injured panthers. The current panther population is estimated to be between 80 - 100 animals, with limited breeding taking place in the wild. Field biologists documented five litters this year alone.
The Red Wolf is part of a joint AZA/U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Species Survival Plan program. Both captive breeding and research are an important part of our involvement. We currently house five red wolves, two onsite and three at Green Swamp. Two pairs are slated for breeding, and we provide critical housing for additional animals not slated to breed. We hope to augment our participation with this program by building additional red wolf pens at the swamp. Currently there are about 100 wolves in the wild and 152 in captivity.
In 1993 the Whooping Crane was reintroduced into Florida after a 50-year absence. We partnered with USFWS in 1997 and became one of seven facilities to hold the cranes. Our primary function with this recovery program has been both education and rehabilitation. We have treated birds for reintroduction and held birds awaiting release. We have been asked by USFWS to expand our role to include a breeding facility at the Green Swamp. Whooper biologists have visited the swamp and feel it an ideal location for such a program. Offspring produced here would potentially be released into Florida.
Estimates for the wild Key Largo Wood Rat population stand between 30 - 120 animals. In 2002, Lowry Park received two wild caught animals and in cooperation with USFWS established the only captive breeding program for this species. Currently, we have nine wild animals - six of the females are pregnant and to date have raised 13 offspring. Our primary role with this program is breeding for reintroduction. We are currently expanding our wood rat facilities to house multiple breeding groups and their young.
 We are one of three rehabilitation facilities for the Florida Manatee. Our partnership with both the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USFWS spans more than a decade. We have had 133 animals brought to our facility and released 69 of them back to the wild. Our role with this program includes not only rehabilitation, but also includes capturing, releasing, post-release monitoring of animals, researching and educating our guests on the plight of this flagship species. We have hosted approximately twenty researchers studying various aspects of manatee biology, from their sensory abilities to their morphology.
To learn more about the Florida Manatee and see how they are tracked in the wild, click here: http://www.wildtracks.org/Florida/home.htm
The Key Deer is a subspecies of the abundant white-tailed deer. The USFWS's recovery plan has brought the number of key deer from about 100 animals to its current population of about 750 animals. We joined in the recovery efforts this year when we received 3 wild deer. Although our primary role is education, one deer came to us pregnant and birthed fawn we named "Little Pine ". We are one of only two facilities to hold this species. We will also provide veterinary services to injured animals.
 Finally, the zoo is a founding member of the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. This initiative was started by the AZA and is dedicated to the conservation of threatened, endangered, and vulnerable North American butterflies. Lowry Park has contributed $3,000 over three years with monies earned at the wishing well to support the reintroduction of the Miami Blue butterfly. The Miami Blue was thought to be extinct after Hurricane Andrew, but when a population of about 50 animals was found in the Keys, emergency action was taken to list this species as endangered. A captive breeding program was started and this year 500 captive bred Miami Blue caterpillars were released into the wild.
All animal numbers are subject to change without notice. Please contact us for the most updated information.
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