The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is helping to bring more than $400,000 to five conservation projects led by AZA members through the newly establish SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction??????+ granting program.

With initial funding from the Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Foundation, AZA's SAFE granting program brings funds to AZA members implementing priority conservation projects, according to the association. Additional funds were made available through the generous support of the Disney Conservation Fund and other philanthropic and corporate contributors. Each project team has committed matching funds to double the impact of these awards.

"The SAFE granting program brings new funds to AZA members working toward a shared purpose for these animals," said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA. "The grants help AZA members implement program plans for SAFE species, supporting critical work to benefit species around the world."

Twenty-four SAFE species programs were eligible to apply and after a competitive review, judges selected five projects to fund with over $190,000 in grants. Project participants will match these awards with more than $215,000 in additional funds, ultimately driving more than $408,000 to advance SAFE species program priorities and help vulnerable species. Ten AZA members, six additional non-governmental organizations, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will partner to implement these projects.

AZA congratulates this year's SAFE granting program recipients:

 
African Vultures United
Corinne Kendall, Ph.D., North Carolina Zoo
Darcy Ogada, Ph.D., The Peregrine Fund
Erin Stotz, Denver Zoological Foundation

Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla in Nigeria
Inaoyom Imong, Ph.D., Wildlife Conservation Society
Rich Bergl, Ph.D., North Carolina Zoo
Erica Farrell, Zoo New England

Decreasing Fishing Pressure on the Vaquita in the Upper Gulf of California
James Danoff-Burg Ph.D., The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
David Bader, Aquarium of the Pacific

Determining Mechanisms of How Diet Influences Fertility and Health in the Endangered Black-footed Ferret
Rachel Santymire, Ph.D. and Nadya Ali, Lincoln Park Zoo

Reintroduction of Radiated Tortoises in Madagascar
Michael Ogle, Zoo Knoxville
Rick Hudson, Turtle Survival Alliance

The SAFE program's growth, momentum, and scope are described in its 2019 Annual Report, Growing the Impact.

Anyone may support AZA, SAFE, and next year's conservation projects by visiting https://tinyurl.com/wtktywv to learn more.