Our Mission

Conservators' Center is a nonprofit organization that preserves threatened species through educational programs and support worldwide, responsible captive breeding, and rescuing wildlife in need.

The three parts of our mission support each other and help secure our reputation as a leading facility for the care of these species.

Educational programs for fellow professionals and the local community.

Responsible captive breeding of selected species.

Rescue and placement of animals in need.

Education

Our incredible animals serve as the best possible ambassadors for their respective species and the need for comprehensive conservation efforts. Children and adults alike leave our site touched by the experience and with a better understanding of how we are all interconnected. We also educate future and current animal professionals on issues ranging from enrichment to husbandry practices.

Conservation

Selective conservation breeding is vital for maintaining species of animals whose survival is threatened by loss of habitat and other factors. Our breeding efforts are strategically coordinated with an international coalition of conservation programs.

Rescue

We accept and care for the animals that no one else wants - including ones suffering from behavioral issues, physical disabilities, and those who are elderly. For many, we are the home of last resort.

Our Rescue Commitment

In order to save a species you must preserve an entire ecosystem. The Conservators' Center participates through our conservation work.

Photograph by Abbie Cooke

We also believe there is value in individual animals. The animals in our care contribute to the survival of their species because people who learn about them come to understand why it is important to protect them, and their habitats. Our conservation breeding program contributes to the limited numbers of these animals that are bred in captivity. Networking with other organizations allows us to have more of an impact through sharing offspring for educational programs and future breeding.

Saving individual animals requires accepting rescue and placement animals. The majority of our animals arrived at the Conservators' Center by rescue and placement. Our staff has the experience and ability to accept the worst-case animals. For instance, those who:

have serious behavioral issues

are very ill

are at immediate risk of death

are seized from angry owners who were responsible for animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty

The animals we rescue are confiscated by government authorities who ask us to take them, or come to us after an urgent call from an owner who is no longer able to control the animal. We receive no state or federal funding to transport or house rescued animals.