Teaching Zoo
Originally created to train students for jobs as zookeepers, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo has evolved to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability through public education activities, captive breeding programs, and the use of sustainable practices in day-to-day operations.
Botany and biology classes use the zoo to study the exotic and native animals and plants found there as well as to observe plant succession in the wooded area where the zoo is located. Various issues that are raised in zoo programs and maintenance are potential sources for discussions in such classes as education, ethics, ecology, writing, art, design and digital media.
Captive Breeding Programs
The purpose of captive breeding programs is to maintain and protect the gene pools of animals whose existence may be threatened or endangered in the wild. With the human population expanding around the globe and natural habitats being destroyed at rapid rates, zoos have an important role to play in preventing animal extinction.
White-handed gibbons, bald eagles, Perdido Key beach mice, Asian small-clawed otters, red ruff lemurs, poison dart frogs, Matschie’s tree kangaroos and Guam rails are some of the species bred at the zoo. Offspring are either released into the wild or sent to other zoos that participate in captive breeding programs.
The offspring that are sent to other zoos are the result of matched breeding, meaning their parents were matched based on committee recommendations about what they could contribute to the gene pools of captive populations.
The gibbons are natives of Borneo, Indonesia and the East Asian peninsula. The zoo’s small family of two adults and two juveniles are part of a population of 100 in zoos in the United States. Eventually, the offspring of the adult gibbons will be sent to other zoos.
Eagles mate for life and the zoo had a breeding pair of bald eagles for many years. Neither of the eagles was healthy enough to be released into the wild, but over the years they produced 12 chicks that were released. Although the elderly male recently died, the female eagle may be seen by visiting groups.
The Perdido Key beach mouse is an interesting example of how even the smallest animal can play a vital part in maintaining an ecosystem. These mice exist on one island on the Florida-Alabama border. When a hurricane threatened that island, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moved the mice to safety to preserve their population. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is one of three zoos in Florida that maintain a breeding population of Perdido Key beach mice.
Why are these tiny animals important? By distributing seeds, the mice play a crucial role in maintaining the grasses and sea oats that secure the dune structure of the island. Where the mice and dunes disappeared, individual properties suffered more storm damage than in places where dunes offered a degree of storm protection.
“The mice are a key component of the ecosystem and that ecosystem affects humans too,” said Zoo Director Jonathan Miot. “The story of the mice carries a great message, but because they are nocturnal, the mice are challenging to display for visitors.”
Another success story is that of the Guam rails, small flightless birds that nest on the ground whose population was destroyed by a brown tree snake that was accidentally introduced onto their native island. The zoo is one of the top breeders of Guam rails in the country and the breeding program has been very successful, with many of the birds being released onto a neighboring island in the Pacific Ocean.
Day-to-Day Operations
Through its commitment to keeping native plants on the grounds, the zoo encourages the presence of native birds and animals that visitors can enjoy seeing along with the exotic species. A small pond provides habitat for pond turtles, bullfrogs, banded water snakes, and native fish and plants. Herons also visit the area.
When exhibits are modified or no longer needed, as much construction material as possible is re-used. In contracting with suppliers of food for the animals, the zoo stresses a commitment to sustainable food production. When stocking the gift shop, the zoo looks for products from companies that are committed to sustainability.
For Boo at the Zoo, the popular Halloween event, the zoo purchases candy that is made with sustainably produced palm oil and encourages people who donate candy to do the same.
“This is a concern for Indonesia, where rainforests are being destroyed for palm farms,” Miot explained. “Ultimately, we are a conservation organization, and that means sustainability.”
