The days are lengthening, the temps are rising (slowly), and the Minnesota Zoo’s Conservation Department is busily preparing for an active field season ahead. The coming months promise to be full of targeted action and in-depth research aimed at helping Minnesota’s wildlife. Here are some exciting happenings to look for from each of the Zoo’s local conservation projects.

One of the first adult butterflies to emerge.

Saving Pollinators
The Zoo’s Pollinator Conservation Initiative continues to grow as we begin to awaken thousands of caterpillars from their winter slumber. The Zoo houses significant portions of the global populations for both Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling. As these hungry caterpillars continue to grow and eat their way into adulthood, they’ll morph into butterflies, ready for release back into the wild. Zoo biologists will be transferring Poweshiek skipperling butterflies to Michigan where they will be released at the last remaining known site for this species in all of the United States.

In addition, the Pollinator Conservation Initiative will turn its attention westward with a first-ever release of Dakota skipper butterflies at Glacial Lakes State Park. Dakota skipper were once common throughout much of the state but have since experienced drastic declines and vanished from most sites. In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), biologists hope to establish a reintroduced population of Dakota skipper butterflies at Glacial Lakes State Park. Dakota skipper have not been recorded at this site since 2005.

Invasive zebra mussels cover a native mussel.

Restoring Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are often considered the most at-risk group of animals in the United States. They face many challenges today, including habitat degradation and invasive species. The non-native zebra mussel, originally from freshwater lakes in eastern Europe, was first recorded in the U.S. in 1988 and has now spread and infested many lakes and across across the continent. Zebra mussels threaten native mussel species by outcompeting them for resources, physically overwhelming individuals, and by creating an unhealthy freshwater environment.

Mussel biologists at the Zoo work closely with University of Minnesota researchers on ways we might lessen the negative impact zebra mussels have on native species. While zebra mussels reproduce and spread prolifically in nature, they have proven difficult to rear in a controlled lab setting. Biologists are studying what foods and how much they need at different life stages as well as determining temperature and flow rate guidelines. Replicating the complex and dynamic nature of a freshwater lake is no small task.

Recently hatched wood turtles.

Protecting Minnesota’s Turtles
Minnesota’s many lakes and rivers are home to a variety of native freshwater turtles. Unfortunately, many of them are threatened by a variety of factors, including habitat loss and degradation, road mortality, predation, and climate change. This past winter, the Zoo has been home to 29 young wood turtles as part of our head-starting program. The hatchling turtles are raised at the Zoo for their first year of life, when they are most vulnerable to predation and other threats. In June, these feisty little critters will be released back into Minnesota waterways where they will hopefully help boost local populations.

Team Turtle is also working closely with the Minnesota DNR to assess a population of Blanding’s turtles in the state. Blanding’s turtles are threatened in Minnesota and have experienced range-wide declines over the past decades. The southeastern portion of the state was historically home to a critical population of Blanding’s turtles and biologists are working to better understand the current status here. Turtles are captured, marked and recorded, and then released, helping scientists estimate the overall population size so we can ensure the long-term health of Blanding’s turtles at this important site.

Bison cow and her calf.

Returning Bison to the Prairie
The Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd (MBCH) was created as a partnership between the Zoo and the Minnesota DNR with the goal of establishing healthy herds of bison across the state, eventually totaling 500 animals. Since its inception, the MBCH has grown to include even more partners, including Oxbow Park and Zoo and Dakota County Parks. This past fall, our partners at Dakota County welcomed home 8 bison to Spring Lake Park Reserve. The bison have spent the last few months getting accustomed to their new home, and recently welcomed two new calves to the herd. The herds at Minneopa State Park, Blue Mounds State Park, and at the Zoo are all eagerly awaiting their new spring arrivals as well.

In the coming weeks, you can plan a visit to Spring Lake Park Reserve, the Minnesota Zoo, and Minneopa and Blue Mounds State Parks to hopefully catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals and any recently born calves.