Animal Conservation
At the Little Rock Zoo, our commitment to wildlife extends far beyond our gates. As proud participants in global conservation initiatives, we are dedicated to protecting endangered and threatened species in the wild and inspiring our community to join us in preserving the natural world for generations to come.
Global Conservation Initiatives
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Little Rock Zoo plays an active role in initiatives like Species Survival Plans® (SSPs) and AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction. These programs are at the forefront of wildlife conservation:
- SSPs focus on maintaining healthy, genetically diverse populations of animals in human care while supporting critical research and public education.
- AZA SAFE amplifies these efforts by channeling resources to protect species directly in their natural habitats.
When you visit our Zoo, look for the SSP and SAFE logos at exhibits to learn how your support helps safeguard these vital conservation efforts.
Conservation Programs
We are committed to the conservation of endangered and threatened species in the wild. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we are responsible for financially assisting organizations around the globe that are actively helping to protect wildlife. Our Zoo asks for support from the community to help us fund these important conservation projects. In addition to financial support, we also send our keepers abroad to assist with conservation projects in the wild.
Below is a list of the conservation organizations we support.
The Little Rock Zoo's Education Department works with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and several Arkansas state parks on bald eagle and raptor awareness community programs. These educational programs help inform the public of the importance of these natural predators in the ecosystem.
By utilizing non-releasable raptor ambassadors, the public gets a bird's eye view of these individual birds of prey. We also assist with statewide Raptor Research Projects, which address behavioral and scientific issues.
The Little Rock Zoo is a proud supporter of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), founded in 1990 by Dr. Laurie Marker. Based in Namibia, home to the largest population of wild cheetahs, CCF is dedicated to research, education, and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term survival of this species.
Through groundbreaking studies, policy development, and community engagement, CCF works to protect cheetahs and their ecosystems. By supporting CCF, the Little Rock Zoo contributes to these vital efforts to safeguard cheetahs for future generations.
The Little Rock Zoo is a proud supporter of Chimp Haven, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifetime care for chimpanzees retired from medical research, the entertainment industry, or private ownership. Founded in 1995, Chimp Haven became the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary in 2002 following a rigorous selection process by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Located in Keithville, Louisiana, on 200 acres of donated forest land, Chimp Haven welcomed its first residents in 2005. Today, over 100 chimpanzees enjoy a safe, natural environment where they can live out their lives in peace and comfort.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), an international organization dedicated to conserving threatened animal and plant species through scientific management of small populations in the wild, with connections to captive populations when needed. Founded in the 1980s, CBSG has played a key role in programs like the recovery of the critically endangered black-footed ferret and continues to make a global impact on wildlife conservation today.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports efforts to combat the Global Amphibian Crisis, a worldwide decline in frogs, toads, and salamanders. While habitat loss remains a significant threat, a deadly fungal disease known as chytrid has devastated amphibian populations, particularly in Central America.
In collaboration with AZA-accredited zoos and international conservation organizations, we support the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama. This facility works to safeguard endangered amphibians by establishing captive breeding programs and preparing for future reintroduction efforts.
Your support helps us contribute to critical conservation initiatives like this, protecting amphibians for future generations.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. IBA promotes the scientific management of bears through research and information sharing, addressing challenges such as habitat loss, land-use conflicts, and declining populations.
By supporting organizations like IBA, we contribute to cooperative efforts in research, management, and education, ensuring a brighter future for bears worldwide.
The Little Rock Zoo is proud to support the International Crane Foundation (ICF), which is dedicated to securing a future for all crane species. Through research and collaboration, ICF works to protect crane populations and their ecosystems, benefiting countless other species.
Founded in 1973 by George Archibald and Ron Sauey, ICF began as a "species bank" aimed at breeding cranes in captivity while also supporting efforts to conserve them in the wild.
Your support helps continue these vital efforts in preserving cranes and their habitats.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), which works to conserve and protect elephants both in captivity and the wild. In 2005, we donated funds to support Conservation Response Units (CRU) at the Elephant Conservation Center in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Sumatra’s shrinking forests and rising human populations have placed the endangered Sumatran Asian elephant at risk, leading to increased human-elephant conflicts. IEF has funded medical supplies and training for conservation centers in the region, focusing on elephant health, care, and habitat protection.
Through this collaboration, we aim to improve the welfare of both captive and wild elephants while supporting long-term conservation efforts in Indonesia.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), dedicated to the conservation and care of African primates. PASA sanctuaries, established over the past three decades, provide vital care for orphaned chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and other endangered primates across Africa.
PASA members adhere to a strong code of conduct emphasizing integrity, transparency, and commitment to both the animals and the conservation of their natural habitats. Each sanctuary is uniquely tailored to the species it protects, but all share a deep passion for safeguarding primates and their wild spaces.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving South Africa's coastal bird species. SANCCOB plays a critical role in rehabilitating ill, injured, oiled, and orphaned seabirds, especially those at risk of endangerment. Their mission includes responding to oil spills, raising awareness through education, and collaborating on vital research projects to ensure the protection of these species for future generations.
The Little Rock Zoo proudly supports the Clouded Leopard Breeding Project in collaboration with international partners, including the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, the Nashville Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, and the Clouded Leopard SSP. This project aims to create a self-sustaining breeding program for clouded leopards, with the Khao Kheow Zoo serving as the primary breeding center.
The program involves the transfer of cubs to the U.S. to enhance the genetics of the SSP population. A U.S.-based coordinator, Rick Pasarro, oversees the project in Thailand, working to improve husbandry techniques, train zookeepers, enhance enclosures, and assist with veterinary care. This effort is vital to the continued conservation of clouded leopards.
The Little Rock Zoo is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, which focuses on science-based conservation to protect the state’s biological diversity. As the central repository for data on rare plants, animals, and natural communities, the Commission makes informed conservation decisions. Our staff volunteers in the field, providing essential support for their projects.
Additional Contributions
In addition to the funds donated by the Little Rock Zoo to conservation efforts, the Little Rock chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) raises independent funds for conservation programs of their choice.
The Little Rock AAZK Chapter has contributed to the following programs:
Turtle Survival Alliance, established in 2001 and a nonprofit since 2004, is dedicated to preventing the extinction of tortoises and freshwater turtles. By combining local leadership with science-based initiatives, the organization fosters sustainable, community-driven stewardship. Through captive breeding programs, they ensure the survival of species that cannot yet thrive in the wild, preserving hope for their future.
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Memberships support the Zoo's efforts to promote conservation and education. It is the perfect way to benefit humans and animals, alike!
1 Zoo Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-661-7200
Hours of Operation
9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Last admission 3:30 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 4:00 pm
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