Conservation at the Zoo

Species Survival Plan® Programs

The Lake Superior Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP was created so that AZA-accredited zoos can cooperatively manage threatened and endangered species. Each SSP Program is responsible for managing the breeding of a species to ensure the population remains healthy, the gene pool stays diverse, and the population remains stable.

Our SSP Animals:

  • Amur Tiger
  • Angolan Colobus Monkey
  • Bennett’s Wallaby
  • Brush-tailed Bettong
  • Cabot’s Tragopan
  • Callimico Monkey
  • Cape Porcupine
  • Cotton-top Tamarin
  • Eurasian Eagle-owl
  • Golden Coin Turtle
  • Kinkajou
  • Laughing Kookaburra
  • Linne’s Two-toed Sloth
  • North American Porcupine
  • Pallas’ Cat
  • Prehensile-tailed Porcupine
  • Prehensile-tailed Skink
  • Pygmy Slow Loris
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Red Panda
  • Ring-tailed Lemur
  • Sand Cat
  • Six-banded Armadillo
  • Snow Leopard
  • Spiny Turtle
  • Straw-colored Fruit Bat
  • White-naped Crane

Field Conservation

The Lake Superior Zoo raises and donates money to field conservation projects that help save animals in the wild. When you visit the zoo, you have the opportunity to contribute to these efforts through donation boxes, our ADOPT program, special events, and more! Here’s a list of just some of the contributions we made in recent years.

Bat Conservation International
Half of the proceeds from our annual pumpkin sale fundraiser during “Boo at the Zoo” go to Bat Conservation International (BCI).
$545.51 donated in 2024
$370.00 donated in 2025

Proyecto Titi
A donation box near our cotton-top tamarin exhibit collects money for Proyecto Titi, an organization that works with Colombian communities to collect and recycle plastics into fence posts, thereby saving wood/trees and providing income to the community for collecting plastic waste. These monkeys, found only in Colombia, are one of the most endangered primates in the world due to deforestation.
$226.78 donated in 2024

Pallas’s cat International Conservation Alliance (PICA)
A donation box at the entrance of our Nocturnal Building collects money for PICA, an organization that enhances conservation of the Pallas’s cat (manul). This small cat faces numerous threats in the wild.
$946.00 raised in 2023
$647.79 raised in 2024
$1,150.50 raised in 2025

Other 2025 Donations

SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction

Most zoo visitors don’t realize the extent of important scientific conservation work that is done by zoos and aquariums because it occurs largely behind the scenes and sometimes off-site. For example in 2023, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums invested $356.7 million in field conservation projects. Those projects took place in 125 countries and benefited 1,021 species.

It’s been said that teamwork divides a task and multiplies the success. The AZA has taken this notion to heart and developed a program called SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction. In 2024-2025, Lake Superior Zoo staff were involved in two SAFE programs: North American Songbirds and North American Monarch.

Sustainability at the Zoo

Conservation of wildlife requires the conservation of natural resources. Therefore, whenever possible, our business operations incorporate sustainable practices that conserve these resources. Here are some examples:

  • Our Tiger Deck features a rooftop garden designed to cool the building in the summer and provide insulation in the winter.
  • The picnic tables on our Tiger Deck are made from polyethylene created from recycled milk jugs.
  • We use food we grow in our organic vegetable garden to supplement the zoo animals’ diets.
  • Our electric zoo train runs on electricity generated from solar panels.
  • The hot water system in our barn is run on solar energy.
  • Our Tiger’s Paw Gift Shop offers a fair trade section highlighting crafts and gifts from globally sustainable organizations.
  • Our Safari Café uses compostable/biodegradable dishes, napkins and utensils and composts and recycles waste.
  • We support local businesses to cut down on emissions caused by shipping of products.
  • Our office supplies contain at least 30% post-consumer recycled content when possible.
  • Packing materials, office supplies, and plastic bags are reused or brought to a recycling facility.
  • Old cardboard boxes and newspaper are repurposed as enrichment for our animals.

Conservation Education

Zoo animals serve as ambassadors for their wild relatives, inspiring visitors to learn about how they can help protect wildlife around the world. Zoo staff are committed to teaching about conservation issues and the important role zoos play in conservation. Through our many programs and talks, we hope visitors leave with a better understanding about how they can help solve the many environmental problems at the root of the current extinction crisis.

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Get Involved!

Recycle Small Electronics

The Lake Superior Zoo is a drop-off location for small electronics. Bring in small electronics or organize a drive at your school or work to collect electronics for recycling. Then, drop them off at the zoo and we will take care of the rest!

Cell phones and other small electronics are made using many minerals, some of which are mined in gorilla habitat. Recycling electronics helps keep these small electronics out of our landfills and raises money to support conservation initiatives.

For more information about what can be donated and how to do so, visit: https://eco-cell.com/

Adopt-a-Drain

Join the Lake Superior Zoo in helping keep our water clean! The zoo has adopted the storm drains around the zoo and works to keep them clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution.

You can adopt your neighborhood storm drains, too!

Visit mn.adopt-a-drain.org to learn more and adopt a local drain!

Learn about species in your own backyard

The best way to learn about wildlife is to get outside! There are lots of great resources to help you learn about local wildlife:

Help birds during migration
  1. Reduce bird collisions!
    • Research DIY solutions or purchase window tape to make your windows safer for birds!
  2. Bird Friendly Lighting
    • Did you know that 80% of migrating birds migrate at night? Pledge to turn off all non-essential lights at home between 11pm and 6am during migration.
      • Spring: March 15-May 31
      • Fall: August 15-October 31
  3. Birdwatching
    • Go on a nature walk or watch out your window to learn to identify the birds in your area. Use a field guide or download the Merlin Bird ID app to identify them! You can also add observations to eBird.