Editing Bronx Zoo (section)

==Conservation==
In 1905, the zoo's first director, [[William Temple Hornaday|William T. Hornaday]], along with [[President of the United States|President]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]] and other conservationists, created the [[American Bison Society]] (ABS) in an attempt to save the [[American bison]] from [[extinction]]. The bison had been depleted from tens-of-millions of animals to only a few hundred by the end of the 19th century due to [[United States territorial acquisitions|westward expansion]]. The society worked to breed the species in captivity as well as raise public awareness, raise money to create protected reserves, and [[Species reintroduction|reintroduce]] bison back into the wild.<ref name="newyork.com"/> On October 11, 1907, the first reintroduction of bison began when the zoo sent six males and nine females, by rail, to the [[Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge]] in [[Oklahoma]]. Seven days later, the animals were successfully reintroduced to the park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains/wildlife/bison/history.html |title=History of the Bison Herd – Wichita Mountains – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220054417/http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains/wildlife/bison/history.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By 1935, the society, who had successfully carried out several more reintroductions from bison kept in zoos and ranches, considered their work done and disbanded that year.

In 2005, the Wildlife Conservation Society resurrected and re-purposed the ABS to, "help build the social and scientific foundations for the [[ecological restoration]] of bison", and, "restore bison ecologically, not just animals in pens but actual functioning animals in the larger landscape", (Keith Aune, WCS bison coordinator).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://programs.wcs.org/northamerica/Wildlife/Bison/American-Bison-Society-News-and-Updates.aspx |title=American Bison Society News and Updates |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227194324/http://programs.wcs.org/northamerica/wildlife/bison/american-bison-society-news-and-updates.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcs.org/our-work/species/bison |title=Bison - WCS.org |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310210015/http://www.wcs.org/our-work/species/bison |url-status=live}}</ref> According to a study published in 2012, virtually all wild and captive bison in the United States are [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] with [[Domestic cattle|cattle]] genes, with the exception of the two distinct breeding populations within [[Yellowstone National Park]] and their descendants. The cattle genes entered the bison population due to private ranchers hybridizing their bison to make them more docile, with some of these animals being accidentally reintroduced by the ABS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/08/16/new-research-indicates-hybrid-bison-may-not-be-as-fit-as-those-without-cattle-genes/ |title=New research indicates hybrid bison may not be as fit as those without cattle genes |work=The Wildlife News |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312131903/http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/08/16/new-research-indicates-hybrid-bison-may-not-be-as-fit-as-those-without-cattle-genes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In response, in the fall of 2011, the WCS arranged for a herd of female bison originating from the [[American Prairie (nature reserve)|American Prairie Reserve]] to be sent to the [[Colorado State University|Colorado State University's]] Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory to be used as [[Surrogacy|surrogates]] in an attempt to [[Embryo transfer|transfer]] the fertilized embryos of genetically pure bison. After an [[ultrasound]] showed one female to be pregnant, the herd was moved to the zoo where, on June 20, 2012, the calf was born. The herd is kept in an off-exhibit section of the zoo and the goal is to eventually create a breeding herd of genetically pure bison through embryo transfers with the surrogate hybrid bison.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4799/Bronx-Zoo-Announces-Birth-of-the-First-Genetically-Pure-Bison-Calf-Ever-Produced-by-Embryo-Transfer.aspx |title=Bronx Zoo Announces Birth of the First Genetically Pure Bison Calf Ever Produced by Embryo Transfer |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312131959/http://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4799/Bronx-Zoo-Announces-Birth-of-the-First-Genetically-Pure-Bison-Calf-Ever-Produced-by-Embryo-Transfer.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1981, the zoo successfully implanted a [[gaur]] embryo into a [[Holstein Friesian cattle|Holstein cow]] in an attempt to [[Clone (cell biology)|clone]] the endangered species.<ref name="nydailynews.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bronx-zoo-turns-110-110-nyc-favorite-article-1.417057 |title=In honor of its birthday, 110 things to know about the Bronx Zoo |author=Jacob E. Osterhout |date=November 13, 2009 |work=Daily News |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112105/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bronx-zoo-turns-110-110-nyc-favorite-article-1.417057 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JtFl11TzvgYC&q=gaur+cloning+bronx+zoo&pg=PA52 |work=[[Field & Stream]] |title=Unknown |date=March 1982 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531040633/https://books.google.com/books?id=JtFl11TzvgYC&q=gaur+cloning+bronx+zoo&pg=PA52 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1990, the zoo experienced a pest problem with the [[Canada goose]]. The park had become so over-crowded with the geese, that the zoo had to take action to decrease their numbers. Apart from their presence, the geese were very aggressive towards other birds and occasionally carried diseases into the park. To cope with the problem, the zoo hired a [[sharpshooter]], who killed 19 geese. Zoo workers also destroyed 144 eggs found on the property. In 1991, the zoo employed a gentler method of sterilizing the birds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-02-mn-2817-story.html |title=Bronx Zoo Workers Killing Pesky Geese |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 2, 1991 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104640/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-10-02/news/mn-2817_1_bronx-zoo |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, the zoo sent the frozen sperm of a male [[Indian rhinoceros]] to the [[Cincinnati Zoo]] where, four years later in 2009, it was thawed out and used in the first successful [[artificial insemination]] of the species when a calf was born in late 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2010/08/19/cincinnati-zoo-prepares-for-world%E2%80%99s-first-ai-indian-rhino-birth/ |title=Cincinnati Zoo Prepares for World's First AI Indian Rhino Birth |work=The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313091648/http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2010/08/19/cincinnati-zoo-prepares-for-world%E2%80%99s-first-ai-indian-rhino-birth/ |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The calf did not survive long-term.

In August 2006, the zoo adopted an orphaned [[snow leopard]] cub, named Leo. The 13-month-old cub was found stuck in mud following a landslide in [[Naltar Valley]] in [[Pakistan]]. The landslide had killed the cub's mother. A Pakistani shepherd in the area found the cub with its female sibling, but the female had died a week later due to malnutrition. He then handed over the male cub to Pakistani authorities to care for him. Since there are no captive breeding programs or [[wildlife rehabilitation|rehabilitation centers]] for snow leopards in Pakistan, the authorities decided to send the cub to the Bronx Zoo. The cat will be returned to its place of birth following construction of a rehab facility in the Naltar Valley with cooperation from the United States.<ref name="gathering">Bridges, William. ''Gathering of Animals: An Unconventional History of the New York Zoological Society''. New York: Harper & Row, 1974.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14252884 |title=Pakistan snow leopard cub heads to Bronx |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 8, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2010 |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017173847/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14252884/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/08/top14.htm |title=Endangered Leo bound for Bronx |work=dawn.com |publisher=Dawn |access-date=May 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408081124/http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/08/top14.htm |archive-date=April 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/August/200608081806162scnitram7.682437e-02.html |title=Bronx Zoo Provides New Home for Pakistani Snow Leopard |work=america.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=May 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829180212/http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/August/200608081806162scnitram7.682437e-02.html |archive-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> On April 9, 2013, Leo sired a cub. He was the first cub of Leo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Baby Snow Leopard Born at Bronx Zoo Is Now on Display |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/nyregion/baby-snow-leopard-born-at-bronx-zoo-is-now-on-display.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=August 26, 2013 |first=Lisa W. |last=Foderaro |date=August 26, 2013 |archive-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828204827/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/nyregion/baby-snow-leopard-born-at-bronx-zoo-is-now-on-display.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, the zoo successfully reintroduced three [[Chinese alligator]]s into the wild. In July 2009, the zoo announced that the reintroduced alligators had begun breeding naturally in the wild, producing 15 hatchlings. The breeding was a milestone in the zoo's 10-year effort to [[Species reintroduction|reintroduce]] the species to the [[Yangtze River]] in China.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/chinese-alligators009.html#cr |title=Wildlife Extra News – Critically endangered Chinese alligators breeding in the wild after reintroduction |author=Powell Ettinger |access-date=February 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306124627/http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/chinese-alligators009.html#cr |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2010, the zoo adopted four abandoned [[brown bear]] cubs. Three of the bears, two males and one female, were siblings born in 2009 and rescued from the [[ABC Islands (Alaska)|ABC Islands]] in Alaska. The cubs were named Kootz, Denali, and Sitka. The fourth cub, a [[grizzly bear]] born in 2008, was rescued from [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]] in [[Montana]] and named Glacier after the park.<ref name="nbcnewyork.com"/> In 2015, two other rescued grizzly bears, who had been at the zoo since 1995, were sent to one of the zoo's partner institutions, the [[Central Park Zoo]].<ref name="gothamist.com"/>

The next month, an "assurance colony" of [[Kihansi spray toad]]s was placed in the zoo. The species disappeared in their native [[Tanzania]] home.<ref>{{URL|http://www.bronxzoo.com/multimedia/headlines/kihansi-toad-exhibit.aspx|}}</ref>

In February 2011, the zoo took in two [[bald eagle]]s that were rescued in [[Wyoming]]. The 5-year-old male was found in 2008 and was believed to have been hit by a car. The 3-year-old female was believed to have been injured during a storm. The birds were taken in by the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] and sent to the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in [[New Jersey]] for evaluation and care, where it was decided they were unable to survive in the wild.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

In December 2012, five Chinese [[yellow-headed box turtle]]s, a critically endangered species, were born.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/neighborhoodwatch/neighborhood-news-2012-12-31/ |title=The Neighborhood News |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727050557/https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/neighborhoodwatch/neighborhood-news-2012-12-31/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2015, the zoo rescued a juvenile [[Indian cobra]] which had stowed away on a cargo ship destined for New Jersey. The snake was found in poor condition being [[dehydrated]], cold, and exposed to oil residue. The animal was brought to the zoo for recovery. It's unclear how the snake got onto the ship since it set out from Singapore, which is outside of the species' natural range.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/18/cobra-cargo-ship-bronx-zoo/ |title=Indian Cobra Found As Stowaway On Cargo Ship In NJ Taken To Bronx Zoo |website=CBS2 New York |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306184158/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/18/cobra-cargo-ship-bronx-zoo/ |url-status=live}}</ref>