+ Who we are

The Wilds is a 10,000-acre zoological park and conservation center accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium family. The Wilds focuses on conservation breeding programs, conservation science and education programs, and unique animal experiences for our guests. Our overarching goal is to promote conservation of rare and endangered species and their habitats through managed breeding programs, conservation science, education, and outreach.

To learn more about The Wilds, visit thewilds.org.

+ How The Wilds is involved in conservation breeding

The wide-open landscape at The Wilds allows us to maintain herds of large ungulates in natural social groupings. We manage a number of successful breeding programs for rare and endangered species from around the world. As an accredited member of the AZA, our herds are part of scientifically managed breeding programs called Species Survival Plans™ that maintain assurance populations for species like the scimitar-horned oryx, Père David’s deer, Grevy’s zebra, Przewalski’s horse, and southern white rhino. The Wilds has a history of collaborative research dedicated to improving our ability to care for and manage these species. These partnerships had led to success in developing assisted reproduction techniques that produced offspring in Persian onagers and banteng. We work with the West Virginia Division of Wildlife and other partners to head start and reintroduce eastern hellbender salamanders to augment populations in West Virginia. We breed American burying beetles for reintroduction as part of the federal endangered species recovery program. Scimitar-horned orxy born at The Wilds were part of the Sahara Conservation Fund’s reintroduction program in the north African country of Chad. All of these projects become part of our education and outreach programs with the goal of connecting our guests to these conservation stories.

The Wilds is also a founding member of Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2), a collaboration of conservation-minded zoos and individuals working toward sustainable populations of endangered species. This group works to apply its collective resources for species survival challenges, allowing us to have a greater impact than we could working separately.

+ Why The Wilds supports caribou conservation breeding

Throughout the world, critical natural habitats are being compromised by human activities resulting in the continued reduction and even extinction of some animal populations. Conservation breeding of rare and endangered species for assurance herds, with the goal of reintroduction to a protected ecosystem - is sometimes the best choice for the long-term survival of that species and its ecosystem. This model has worked for scimitar-horned oryx, golden lion tamarins, Przewalski’s horse, and others. The Caribou Conservation Breeding Foundation and partners have a well-researched plan for building a healthy assurance herd of southern mountain caribou, allowing for future reintroduction.