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Community Corner

Science and Conservation Day

Don’t miss an engaging day focused
on conservation and research at Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday, March 29, 2014.



The keynote address - The Science
Behind Managing Healthy Populations of Gorillas Within and Beyond the Borders
of North American Zoos -
will be given by Dr. Kristen Lukas.



As Chair of the Gorilla Species
Survival Plan, Dr. Lukas is involved in the management of nearly
350 gorillas in 50 North American zoos accredited by the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums. Research has been instrumental in ensuring the long-term
sustainability of this population. Recent studies at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
are helping to define obesity in gorillas, improve their diets, and increase
the expression of natural behaviors, while the Great Ape Heart Project is
a multi-institutional effort to investigate and address heart disease in
zoo-housed gorillas. Healthy gorillas exhibiting natural behaviors help connect
zoo visitors to what's happening to gorillas in nature. Because gorillas are
critically endangered in the wild, there is an urgent need to increase public
awareness of conservation threats and provide avenues for people to get
involved and help. 

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Following the keynote address, there
will be panel discussions focused on studies within the Zoo and conservation in
the field. For more information and to see the full schedule, visit www.franklinparkzoo.org.



TICKETS:    $35 per person, $25 for students and Zoo members.
Registration includes a box lunch and Zoo admission. Space is limited and
pre-registration is required. For details and to register, please call 617-989-3742,
e-mail education@zoonewengland.com or visit http://zoonewengland.doubleknot.com/event/science-and-conservation-day/1503359

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Please note: This conference is geared toward college students, older
teens and adults.






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