Painted Dog Research featured in Conservation in Action Exhibit

A new exhibit called Conservation in Action at Niabi Zoo in the Quad Cities of Illinois features the long-standing conservation partnership between the zoo and PDR. Designed to inspire curiosity, understanding, and action, Conservation in Action explores how people, wildlife, and ecosystems are connected—and how every person can take action to help to protect the natural world. Through interactive displays, engaging graphics, and real-world local and global conservation stories, the exhibit emphasizes that conservation depends on sound science, but also on informed choices and community involvement. A highlight of the exhibit is Walk on the Wild Side in Virtual Reality, an immersive experience that transports guests into the natural world through the eyes of wildlife. The exhibit also includes a cash for conservation donation box to support PDR’s field work.

Beginning in 2018, this has been one of our most impactful partnerships. The staff at Niabi Zoo, spearheaded by Curator of Conservation & Education, Joel Vanderbush, has helped to redevelop the PDR website, help coordinate the PDR annual fundraising and awareness tour in the US, develop the curriculum for many of the PDR education programs, serve as the US repository and distributor of snare wire art, and trained all of the PDR conservation education staff. Dr. Greg has been a featured conservation speaker at Niabi Zoo every year and even had a hand in designing the water feature and feeding zip line for Niabi’s painted dog habitat. This strong relationship inspired Joel to take on a larger role in launching PDR USA as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and leading as the Board Chair. He plays an active role in planning events and fundraisers, used his artistic talent to design the new PDR logo, uniform patches, vehicle signs, and facility signage in Zimbabwe, and uses his 3 decades of experience as a zoologist and public speaker to represent PDR at events across the US.

Much of this story is presented in the Conservation in Action exhibit in the Global Conservation zone. Dr. Greg is featured on a display panel, and the work of many of the PDR team is featured in a neighboring display case. This includes conservation education, wildlife vehicle collision mitigation, snare wire artisans, and the field research team with camera trap data collection. Visitors can even encounter painted dogs up close and personal in the virtual reality experience and, of course, see 4 live painted dogs at the Niabi Zoo habitat. Guests can learn from Dr. Greg from a video display at the painted dog habitat in which he narrates 4 videos. The educational graphics on display at Niabi’s painted dog habitat also include a donation box for PDR. These graphics are also utilized by the PDR Conservation Education team to help teach children at Bush Camp about painted dogs. This is what a strong cooperative partnership looks like.

Learn more at www.niabizoo.com