The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo mission is “We innovate at the intersection of people, wildlife, and the environment to secure a healthy future for our planet.”
The Zoo’s scientific and research activities advance the Zoo’s mission by leveraging our unique resources and skillsets to support, develop, and implement collaborative initiatives that benefit the animals in our care and ultimately help inspire and engage guests to help us protect our planet’s biodiversity and the ecosystems on which we all depend.
Specifically, the Zoo’s research program aims to apply and advance science to create a zoo in which
- All animals in our care are thriving;
- We contribute to the health and sustainability of zoo and free-ranging wildlife populations; and
- People are valued as stakeholders and change agents;
all of which will be done to advance the Zoo’s conservation goals and engagement outcomes.
In keeping with this mission, the Zoo’s science program was created to both develop and coordinate scientific studies that:
- Continuously improve the husbandry, management, and health of zoo-housed animal populations;
- Leverage the care and understanding of the animals at the Zoo to better serve conservation efforts in the wild;
- Advance knowledge in the areas of our expertise to advance the Zoo’s mission;
- Support and initiate collaborative research efforts among AZA-accredited organizations, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and government agencies;
- Encourage staff members to initiate and conduct their own projects; and
- Provide professional development and training opportunities for staff and students.
Have a question?
If you have a question for the Zoo, please contact [email protected].