Fighting extinction in the Pacific Northwest

A California condor flies free in Pinnacles National Park.

Section menu

Animals
Fighting extinction
Research at the zoo
Animal well-being
Conservation issues
Global Partners
Cascades Pika Watch
Lead-free hunting education program
Small actions

Wildlife conservation starts at home

The Oregon Zoo is helping keep the Pacific Northwest wild by taking action for some of our region’s most at-risk species. Working alongside Tribal, state and federal partners, we advance recovery through conservation breeding, head-starting and species reintroductions while addressing the threats driving their decline. Donate to the Oregon Zoo Foundation and help make a lasting difference for wildlife.

118 released to the wild

California condor

Since 2003, the Oregon Zoo has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to breed and raise California condors for release into the wild. Zoo-hatched birds help strengthen the growing population and improve survival rates, supporting coordinated recovery efforts aimed at downlisting North America’s largest flying bird from endangered to threatened.

Learn more

35,162 released to the wild

Oregon silverspot butterfly

Since 1998, the Oregon Zoo has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to raise Oregon silverspot butterflies for release along Oregon’s coast. Carefully managed reintroductions strengthen wild populations, advance breeding knowledge, and support habitat restoration efforts aimed at securing a future for this threatened native pollinator.

Learn more

850 released to the wild

Northwestern pond turtle

Since 1998, the Oregon Zoo has worked with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to head-start northwestern pond turtles by raising hatchlings in human care before release. This strategy improves survival during vulnerable early life stages and has helped rebuild populations while engaging visitors through hands-on conservation learning.

Learn more

1,045 released to the wild

Northern leopard frog

Since 2018, the Oregon Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have raised northern leopard frogs collected as egg masses for release into protected wetlands. Head-starting frogs in human care boosts survival and helps restore populations impacted by habitat loss and invasive predators across the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more

84 released to the wild

Pacific lamprey

In 2025, the Oregon Zoo partnered with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission to support Pacific lamprey recovery. Lamprey from Willamette Falls are overwintered, genetically identified, and released above migration barriers, helping restore this culturally significant species while informing future conservation strategies throughout the Columbia River Basin.

Learn more

Mazama newt

In 2025, the Oregon Zoo and National Park Service launched a conservation breeding program for the Mazama newt, found only in Crater Lake National Park. By developing assurance populations and producing young for future release, the partnership is taking urgent action to prevent extinction driven by invasive crayfish.

Learn more

544 released to the wild

Oregon spotted frog

From 2008 to 2012, the Oregon Zoo partnered with regional agencies to reintroduce Oregon spotted frogs to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. Egg masses were raised at the zoo through early life stages before release, improving survival and helping restore a population where the species had disappeared.

Learn more

91 released to the wild

Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit

From 2000 to 2012, the Oregon Zoo helped prevent extinction of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit through a collaborative captive-breeding effort with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Zoo-born rabbits supported reintroduction efforts, preserving unique genetics and enabling the species’ return to protected native shrub-steppe habitat.

Learn more

33,270 released to the wild

Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly

From 2003 to 2020, the Oregon Zoo partnered with regional conservation organizations to restore Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly populations. By breeding and releasing butterflies into restored prairie habitats, the program rebuilt wild populations and helped return this rare native pollinator to parts of its historic range.

Learn more

Fight extinction

Donate now

Wildlife conservation starts at home

Fight extinction

Related links