Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: preservation

Ha, when I opened this photo this morning, I can see why I had never posted it before - too blurry for my liking! Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 16 April 2013. Not sure which two tigers these are - maybe Mom and one of her three cubs? Born on March 30, 2012, the two male cubs were almost full grown when they were moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP), based on the genetics of these Endangered animals for future breeding. "The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Amur tiger, is a tiger subspecies inhabiting mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small population in southwest Primorye province in the Russian Far East. In 2005, there were 331–393 adult and subadult Amur tigers in this region, with a breeding adult population of about 250 individuals. The population had been stable for more than a decade due to intensive conservation efforts, but partial surveys conducted after 2005 indicate that the Russian tiger population is declining." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger

I loved the chance to get some close shots of a little Burrowing Owl and all sorts of other Birds of Prey on two recent trips down south, to the Coaldale Bird of Prey Centre. I know it's not the same as seeing birds in the wild, but it does give one the opportunity to really see what each bird looks like. I have never seen a Burrowing Owl in the wild - but it's something I would love to do.

A photo of one of the small Swift Foxes at the Calgary Zoo, taken on 14 September 2009. Such beautiful creatures. "Captive breeding of swift foxes began in 1973 through a privately run program. In 1978, the species was officially designated as "extirpated" in Canada by COSEWIC, and a national recovery plan was approved in 1995 to reintroduce swift foxes and create a self-sustaining Canadian population. The species is now (August 20th, 2003) listed as "endangered" by COSEWIC. Swift foxes were first officially released in Alberta in 1983. By 1996, 540 foxes had been released in the Alberta-Saskatchewan border and the Milk River Ridge areas, parts of the species' native range. Most animals released were bred in captivity; the remainder were wild-born animals imported from the United States. At present (August 20th 2003), it is estimated that there are approximately 96 swift foxes in Alberta, most of them the offspring of released foxes. The population is stable or increasing slightly, but the species remains extremely vulnerable because of its small numbers and limited distribution." From www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/escc/pdf/swift_fox.pdf After yesterday morning's adventure in dense fog, I'm staying home today, watching the falling snow through my window. Boy, I should have posted a really bright, colourful, cheery photo today.

The last time I went to the Calgary Zoo, I was lucky enough to see four of these beautiful little Swift Foxes in their enclosure. I had only ever seen one, once before. "Captive breeding of swift foxes began in 1973 through a privately run program. In 1978, the species was officially designated as "extirpated" in Canada by COSEWIC, and a national recovery plan was approved in 1995 to reintroduce swift foxes and create a self-sustaining Canadian population. The species is now (August 20th, 2003) listed as "endangered" by COSEWIC. Swift foxes were first officially released in Alberta in 1983. By 1996, 540 foxes had been released in the Alberta-Saskatchewan border and the Milk River Ridge areas, parts of the species' native range. Most animals released were bred in captivity; the remainder were wild-born animals imported from the United States. At present (August 20th 2003), it is estimated that there are approximately 96 swift foxes in Alberta, most of them the offspring of released foxes. The population is stable or increasing slightly, but the species remains extremely vulnerable because of its small numbers and limited distribution." From www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/escc/pdf/swift_fox.pdf