AnimalConservation.
One of Wilstem's main missions is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife! Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting animal species and their habitats. It is achieved partially through legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the establishment and protection of public lands, and responsible public practices that conserve wild animal populations. In addition to our partnership with the International Elephant Foundation, we are doing our part by helping conserve several endangered species.
The Asian elephant is classified as endangered with fewer than 50,000 left in the world! They are slightly smaller than the threatened African elephant which numbers about 400,000 – 500,000. The Asian elephant can be identified by their smaller ears, smoother skin, rounded back and only one finger-like tip at the end of their trunk.
AsianElephants.
Giraffe.
Giraffes are the world's tallest mammals with adult height ranging from 14 to 19 feet tall. Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern. ​Both male and female giraffes have horns already at birth. These ossicones lie flat and are not attached to the skull to avoid injury at birth. They only fuse with the skull later in life.​ Unfortunately these beautiful animals are now listed in critically endangered.
Red RuffedLemur.
The red ruffed lemur is the largest members of the family Lemuridae. Red ruffed lemurs have a narrow snout with small back ears that are sometimes hidden by their long fur. The IUCN Red List states that the red ruffed lemur is critically endangered. The population of red ruffed lemurs is directed by a Species Survival Plan. Several zoos work with each other in breeding and caring for the captive population. To prevent inbreeding, wild caught animals have been introduced to the captive breeding program. Wilstem is proud to host one in hopes to contribute to the conservation of this species.
Black & White RuffedLemur.
The black & white ruffed lemur is an endangered species of ruffed lemur, one of two which are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Together with the red ruffed lemur, they are the largest extant members of the family Lemuridae, ranging in length from 3.3 to 3.9 ft and weighing between 6.8 and 9.0 lb. All three subspecies of the black-and-white ruffed lemur are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Black-and-white ruffed lemurs were part of a reintroduction program from 1997 to 2001, organized by the Madagascar Fauna Group and the Duke University Primate Center. Wilstem is proud to host one in hopes to contribute to the conservation of this species.
CommonEland.
The common eland, also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a savannah and plains antelope mostly found in East and Southern Africa. Common elands live on the open plains of southern Africa and along the foothills of the great southern African plateau. The species extends north into Ethiopia and most arid zones of South Sudan, west into eastern Angola and Namibia, and south to South Africa. However, there is a low density of elands in Africa due to poaching and human settlement. The Common Eland is considered vulnerable by the IUCN.
The Aoudad is considered vulnerable on the IUCN list. This species also known as the Barbary sheep has been introduced to southeastern Spain, the southwestern United States, the Trans-Pecos, and other parts of Texas and New Mexico, Hawaii, Mexico, and some parts of Africa. Its adaptability enabled it to colonize nearby areas quickly, and private game estates provided other centers of dispersion. The species is currently expanding. Wilstem is the home to a herd of around 20 to contribute to the genetic biodiversity of the species.
Aoudad.
Two-ToedSloth.
Though not uncommon in the wild, deforestation and other forms of habitat destruction remain threats for the sloth. The are considered a threatened species by the IUCN. Wilstem is proud to be the home of Luna and Willow, our two-toed sloths.
Binturong.
The binturong is a fierce, canopy-dwelling carnivore, with a prehensile tail, a sweet tooth for figs, and it smells like buttered popcorn. Binturongs are listed as vulnerable in some parts of their range and endangered in others. Nowhere are they common, though, and they are currently at risk due to habitat destruction, poaching for traditional Asian medicines, and the fur and pet trade.
Cotton Top Tamarins.
One of the smallest primates, the cotton-top tamarin is easily recognized by the long, white sagittal crest extending from its forehead to its shoulders. The species is found in tropical forest edges and secondary forests in northwestern Colombia, where it is arboreal and diurnal. With only a few thousand remaining, these tiny monkeys are Critically Endangered due to extensive deforestation, and capture for the illegal pet trade. Wilstem is proud to house a breeding pair and their babies.
Asian Small Clawed Otters.
The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), also known as the oriental small-clawed otter and the small-clawed otter, is an otter species native to South and Southeast Asia. It has short claws that do not extend beyond the pads of its webbed digits. It is the smallest otter species in the world. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and in some areas also by hunting.
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