Please help the LEO Zoological Conservation Center and its quest to save the Orangutans!
Who we are
Lionshare Educational Organization (LEO),
a private 501 (c)3 operating foundation that funds the endeavors of the unique
wildlife preserve, LEO Zoological Conservation Center, which is situated on 100
acres in the Greenwich/Stamford area of Connecticut. LEOZCC is a low impact,
professionally operated refuge for rare, threatened and endangered animals with
a focus on breeding species at risk. Fully accredited by the Zoological
Association of America, the center takes pride in providing each of our 46 species with large, natural, enriching, and peaceful
environments.They all receive plentiful and varied diets, top quality care, all
with an emphasis on distinction.
Founders and staff are dedicated to
protecting these treasured creatures and to educating and inspiring others to
save the animals of today for the people of tomorrow. Education and non-invasive
research are the cornerstones of the Center’s conservation efforts. We offer
free of charge, hands-on internships to college students in order to augment academic studies and
allow them to learn far more than any textbook can offer. The Center’s goal is
to make a significant impact on wildlife populations via our innovative research
and our dedicated and inspired students.
For more on "What We Do"
What does low impact mean?
Low impact means that we minimize the
amount of contact and stress the animals encounter while maximizing their
comfort and quality of life. Animals tend to
not breed unless they are comfortable and happy. Limited exposure to excessive
unnatural stimulus leads to a more natural life for our animals. We have a small
number of “visitor days” allotted for the center, of which half are always
dedicated to our Special Cause Groups.
Please refer to the NY Times Article: "To Save Some Species.." for more information on the growing need for low impact, offsite breeding facilities.
What is an orangutan?
Orangutans are Great Apes, and share that
distinction with gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos. All Great Ape species have
large brains, forward-facing eyes and gripping hands. Humans are also classified
as Great Apes, and we share 96.4% of our genetic makeup with these orange long
haired primates!
A recent study states that orangutans are
the most intelligent animal, after humans, based on their ability to learn and
problem solve.
Wild Orangutans only live in Indonesia and Malaysia on the
islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Because
orangutans live in only a few areas, which are all prime commercial logging
locations, they are constantly losing their habitat and they fall victim to the
susceptible to the effects to logging in these areas. Unfortunately,
deforestation, hunting, the palm oil industry, and other human activities have
placed the orangutan in danger of extinction. Many fear that by 2025, orangutans
will be extinct in the wild!
How we currently provide care for our 6 orangutans:
Since this species is so complex, they require
much more care than your average animal. Our
staff is constantly hard at work conditioning these gentle apes to present and
perform specific behaviors, such as opening their mouth or displaying certain
body parts. This aids the staff in assessing and caring for their
needs.
A team of zoo professionals, nutritionists, and
veterinarians create and monitor their diet to make sure they receive the proper
nutrition.
We are constantly monitoring to make sure
everyone is eating, hydrating, digesting properly, and check for visual issues
or injuries. We monitor the females menstrual cycles, always maintain the
appropriate seasonal temperatures for our orangutans, and so much more.
Veterinary care is brought in or consulted immediately if there is a potential
issue or problem.
But these intelligent creatures not only need
physical care, they also require mental stimulation. We keep their minds sound
by providing different types of enrichment. They have access to toys, movie
videos (Disney G- rated are their favorite and are played when the
zookeepers/staff go home for the day), physical enrichment, puzzle feeders, and
training, which they all willingly participate in and seem to
enjoy.
But there is more that we can do for this endangered species....
We Need a New Monitoring Area
This new monitoring area will allow for us to
provide the absolute best care possible, in the safest environment, for the
animals. We are also currently working on a groundbreaking research project that
can directly help and effect the conservation efforts in their native
environment of Malaysia and Indonesia. We have already made new advances and
discoveries.
Since this endangered species is so closely
related to humans, they need the same health care that you and I require. That
can be a challenge, so this new monitoring area will:
- Provide a scale which will allow them
to be weighed on a more regular basis in a non-invasive way. Currently we can
only weigh them intermittently as they need to be tranquilized.
- The monitoring area will have a section
strictly used for conditioning training, which will
help increase the effectiveness of the training therefore decreasing the
possible stress of routine wellness checks and medical procedures.
- It will provide a “port”, which is a large,
safe opening made into their enclosure, which will allow for a safe contact
area, should we need to perform such things as vaccinations, ultrasounds, blood
pressure monitoring, and blood work.
- It will be INDESTRUCTIBLE! Orangutans are 6
times stronger than humans and are extremely intelligent. So, the professional
installation of the monitoring area, scale, and port will require A LOT of
welding!
The Impact - Increasing their Longevity!
Once we have the new Monitoring Area installed,
LEO ZCC's staff can improve the longevity, health and well being of our
orangutans by:
- Obtaining accurate individual weights,
which will allow for better and more personalized medical treatments for each
individual orang.
- Identifying pregnancies
- Safer and more controlled introductions
between the males and females
- Safer transport from one enclosure to
another
Should we exceed our $14,500 goal
If we're lucky enough to garner more donations than anticipated for this project, our orangutans have a wish list a MILE long!
- iPads
- Termite mound
- Paint, canvases and other art supplies
Other Ways YOU Can Make A Difference
If you believe in and support what we are
accomplishing with these amazing animals, then please help us by spreading the
word! Share this campaign on Facebook and/or Twitter and get your friends
involved. Every dollar counts and by doing so you are supporting animals around
the world!
Although we do not have animal care positions,
you can visit our website for other
volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved with LEO
ZCC.
Donate your time, your skills and your talents!
Donate unused tools! Donate through your workplace! Donate when you buy
groceries!
