The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums today announced over $4.5 million in reimbursement funding under the American Rescue Plan Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief program. The funds will be distributed among 26 facilities for costs related to species care during the pandemic.
“These American Rescue Plan Act funds help address the significant revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “These funds are important to sustain the high-quality conservation, recovery and rescue work AZA institutions engage in that benefit our nation’s protected species.”
“Zoos, aquariums, and other organizations took on an important role in saving endangered species during the pandemic and are grateful for this critical funding,” said Dan Ashe, president and chief executive officer of AZA. “AZA-accredited facilities played their part, selflessly helping endangered wild animals during that challenging time. This funding will help all these organizations continue their efforts to save animals from extinction.”
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, Congress recognized the dedication of zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens and other facilities across the nation in helping save animals and plants from extinction. Congress appropriated $30 million to reimburse expenses related to the care of captive species listed under the Endangered Species Act, as well as rescued and confiscated wildlife that are at risk of extinction.
Facilities receiving reimbursement funds include:
- Alaska – Alaska Sea Life Center, $18,624
- Arizona – OdySea Aquarium, $137,444
- California – Los Angeles Zoo, $553,428; Marine Mammal Care Center, $146, 976; The Marine Mammal Center, $1,002,077; San Diego Zoo, $377,993; SeaWorld San Diego, $244,967
- Colorado – Denver Zoological Foundation, $39,127
- Connecticut – Sea Research Foundation - Mystic Aquarium, $68,707; The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, $128,742
- Illinois – Lincoln Park Zoological Society, $106,876
- Iowa – Blank Park Zoo, $137,526
- Kentucky - Louisville Zoological Garden, $246,368
- Massachusetts – New England Aquarium, $68,613
- Michigan – Saginaw Children's Zoo, $21,566
- Minnesota – Lake Superior Zoo, $72,450
- Missouri – Endangered Wolf Center, $42,833; Friends of the Zoo Inc. of Kansas City, $115,669
- New York – Aquarium of Niagara, $189,543; Wolf Conservation Center, $84,446
- North Carolina – Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, $80,161
- Ohio – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, $185,144
- Texas – Abilene Zoo, $11,524; Texas State Aquarium, $335,030
- Washington – Woodland Park Zoo, $160,059
- Washington, DC – Smithsonian National Zoo, $13,090
Funds released today will be directed toward reimbursing 26 facilities for expenses such as:
- Food
- Veterinary care/medicine
- Direct animal/plant care staff time
- Life-support systems
- Transport for medical, reintroduction into the wild, and captive breeding purposes
- Real property debt and holding space improvements/modifications
- Utilities essential for the care of species (e.g., electricity/gas/natural gas to power essential services)
Zoos, aquariums and other facilities work alongside the federal government to support recovery programs, rehabilitate injured animals, care for confiscated wildlife, and help save endangered species from extinction, including manatees, sea turtles, black-footed ferrets, California condors, Florida corals, Mexican wolves, red wolves, northern and southern sea otters, Eastern indigo snakes, Wyoming toads and many others.
Additional information about the Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief program can be found on AZA’s website at http://www.aza.org/endangered-species-COVID-funding
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
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