Our collaborations with a variety of governmental and nonprofit partners allow us to extend the reach and maximize the impact of conservation efforts.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Los Angeles Zoo collaborates extensively with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Zoo has become a permanent home to many smuggled animals and plants that wildlife officials have seized at ports of entry into the U.S. Additionally, the Zoo provides temporary care and accommodation for animals involved in pending cases. Animal Care staff also serve as experts in court and assist USFWS agents in identifying wildlife to determine legal status of specimens being brought into the country. Removing these animals from the illegal wildlife trade is a critical step toward stopping this practice, as it removes financial incentives associated with trafficking

U.S. Geological Survey

This federal agency is responsible for a surprisingly broad range of scientific study that includes water, changes in climate and land use, natural hazards, environmental health, and ecosystems. Mutual concerns have brought about much collaboration over the years. One of our longest collaborations is the mountain yellow-legged frog program, a joint effort between USGS, USFWS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Los Angeles and San Diego Zoos to reestablish this critically endangered species to parts of its historic range.

ECO-CELL

Zoos across the country encourage electronics recycling through a company called ECO-CELL, which refurbishes phones where possible, then resells them or donates them to conservation NGOs. Devices or accessories that cannot be refurbished are recycled, keeping toxins out of the environment and reducing the demand for tantalum and other conflict minerals. Another ECO-CELL benefit is that a portion of the proceeds from zoo-based electronics recycling goes to conservation nonprofits such as Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE), which is working to save the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla.