Learn about wildlife in Minnesota and the Zoo’s local conservation projects. Zoo biologists are leading efforts to save endangered prairie butterflies, freshwater turtles, bison, and more.
Pollinator Conservation Initiative
The Minnesota Zoo’s Prairie Butterfly Conservation Program works with many agencies and groups to save endangered butterflies like the Poweshiek skipperling and Dakota skipper.
Restoring Bison
Minnesota Zoo staff and partners are working to conserve pure American plains bison genes in the state of Minnesota to keep American plains bison populations healthy for years to come.
Restoring Freshwater Mussels
Five mussel species native to Minnesota are federally endangered. The Minnesota Zoo is working with the MN Department of Natural Resources to boost the state’s mussel restoration efforts.
Studying Moose
Moose numbers in northern Minnesota have declined rapidly. Zoo scientists and their partners are working together to better understand the reasons for the decline and what can be done to help.
Amphibian Health and Disease
Nearly 32% of the world’s 6,000 amphibian species are known to be threatened or extinct. The Minnesota Zoo is working with partners to understand and monitor amphibian diseases on Zoo site.
Conserving Minnesota’s Freshwater Turtles
As a result of habitat loss & degradation, road mortality, nest predation, and poaching, turtles today are in trouble.