Prioritizing Conservation

Prioritizing Conservation. Historic Maryland Zoo. , The Round Cage represents a chapter of Zoo history that is over. Instead of collecting animals, the Zoo now focuses on conserving species, excelling in animal care, and promoting respect for wildlife., The Maryland Zoo is better positioned than ever to prioritize wildlife conservation because of its institutional expertise and strong partnerships across the globe. One of its longest-standing partnerships is with SANCCOB, the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds. In recent years, that partnership has become increasingly hands-on. Zoo staff have travelled to South Africa to assist in SANCCOB's phenomenally successful Chick Bolstering Project, which involves the annual rescue, rehabilitation, and release of hundreds of abandoned African penguin chicks and eggs. Already expert in penguin handling, Zoo staff have been able to jump right in to help tube-feed and medicate fragile and famished chicks, supervise swim time, prep and clean, and even assist in the release of several young penguins back to the ocean and to their wild population.