North America

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

In addition to the breeding programs at the Oregon Zoo, the Future for Wildlife grant program funds projects throughout North America.

Surveys for Oregon's Two Imperiled Turtle Species

The Northwest Ecological Research Institute is conducting a study on the Western Painted and Western Pond Turtles. With help from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Zoo, Metro Parks and GreenSpaces and many others, this study is the first of many that will contribute to the long term effort of collecting data on the turtle's habitat use, quality and quantity.

Influence of Livestock Grazing Intensity on Grassland-breeding Bird Habitat Quality

Oregon State University is studying the effects of grazing livestock in Northeast Oregon on grassland-breeding passerines - one of the most threatened groups of birds in North America. This study will help set guidelines for land management to ensure livestock and grassland-breeding bird populations can co-exist.

Investigation of Columbia River Diet in Stellar Sea Lions

Currently more and more sea lions are moving up the Columbia River to feed, which is also home to many endangered and threatened species of fish such as salmon and sturgeon. Portland State University (PSU) is studying the potential impact of sea lions on Oregon’s fish populations. By studying sea lion scat using Near Infrared Spectroscopy, PSU hopes to evaluate and track the types of food they are eating. Future for Wildife funds support a pilot-project study that studies sea lion scat in the zoo’s Stellar Cove.

Non-lethal Management Techniques and Behavioral Response of Cougars

The Oregon Zoo's animal care staff are tracking the behavioral responses of cougars when they place tiger urine (collected from zoos) in areas the cougars shouldn't be. They are hoping that the cougars will smell the predator and and around the area. This would then be a non-lethal method of limiting the range of the population without killing or harming individuals.