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LEO Zoological Conservation Center

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Adult Rothschild's giraffe

The Lionshare Educational Organization (LEO) Zoological Conservation Center is an off -exhibit, nonprofit wildlife reserve and breeding facility in Greenwich and Stamford, Connecticut.

About

LEO Zoological Conservation Center is located on Lionshare Farm, a property of about 90 to 100 acres (36 to 40 ha) owned by Marcella and Peter Leone. Marcella Leone established the LEO Conservation Center in 2009 to house and breed threatened and endangered animals, particularly species at risk of extinction.[1]

As of July 2015, the facility housed about 50 species, including camels, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, orangutans and other primates, and penguins.[1] Unlike a traditional zoo, it is not open to the public. However, "Private Safari Tours" can be arranged for an allotted minimum donation.[1] LEOZCC also hosts special visits for educational institutions. Conservation biologists say that breeding facilities, such as LEO, that do not exhibit animals play an important role in maintaining healthy populations of endangered animal species.[1]

http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-cheetah-cubs-carry-on-rare-genetic-line-5825248.php .[2] In February 2013, the center announced the birth of an eastern mountain bongo, an antelope indigenous to Kenya that is close to extinction in the wild.[1][3] The following month, a Rothschild giraffe was born at the facility.[1][2][4] Photos and video of the baby giraffe, which belongs to a very endangered subspecies of giraffe, attracted extensive media attention.[1] The center announced a public contest to choose a name for the baby; in response, over 6,000 suggestions were submitted on the center's website.[1][5] The winning name, Sandy Hope, was announced on the NBC Today show on April 1, 2013.[1]


Ideology

Mission: To save the animals of today for the people of tomorrow

Philosophy: To share our animal world so that learning is a joyful experience, caring is a genuine concern, and acting on their behalf becomes a priority for us all. Learn...Care...Act

Vision: LEO Zoological Conservation Center will directly and indirectly increase the number of at risk animals saved throughout the world by becoming a global conservation leader, locally supported preservation center, and educational resource providing the most innovative, advanced knowledge, and practical experience to the world's current and future conservationists. [6]


Species Highlights

Adaeze and Odie Adaeze, meaning "daughter of a king" is one of 8 cubs born to Mona Lisa, the only king cheetah in North and South America. King Cheetah are extremely rare, and approximately only 30 remain in the wild. Recorded as the largest litter ever birthed, LEOZCC keepers realized the mother could not successfully raise all 8 cubs, and 3 were removed to be hand raised, 2 of which will be going back to Africa for reintroduction to spread their rare and diverse genes back into the wild. Adaeze was raised alongside companion animal, Odie, an Australian Shepard, to become an "Animal Ambassador" for educational outreach and to spread the word on cheetah conservation.[7] The duo has travelled to many events including the Museum of Natural History Annual Family Party, Lion Country Safari in Florida, and the Today Show on NBC. [8]


Artie the Orangutan In the spring of 2014 the center welcomed baby Artie, the first ever orangutan born through artificial reproductive technology, to the LEO family. This success completed the first step of their Wild Cycling program, a term coined by founder and director Marcella Leone, which aims for the expansion of genes both in and out of zoological institutions and wild populations. The goal of the Wild Cycling program is to preserve, as well as increase genetic diversity within the species in order to promote a viable future Orangutan population.[9]


Rothschild's Giraffe With fewer than 700 individuals left in the wild, LEOZCC has welcomed several successful births for this endangered species.[10] The first Rothschild giraffe was born to the center in 2013, followed by massive media contest for its naming. The center was overwhelmed with suggestions and the name Sandy Hope, in dedication to the tragic 2012 elementary school shooting in Sandy Hook, NJ. The center followed the naming by welcoming victims families out the the center for a day to interact with zoo animals.[11]

History

The property was purchased in Connecticut in 1994 with the idea of building a state-of-the-art equestrian facility, and Lionshare Farm was born. This land, once a golf course, grew into a world-renowned show barn for horse and rider alike, aided by the reputation of Peter Leone, an Olympic Medalist.

With careful long range planning, Lionshare Educational Organization (LEO) was founded in 2009 to create a conservation center for animals. Its location on the 100 acre Lionshare property in Greenwich/Stamford, CT, makes it perfectly situated for what is essentially a wildlife preserve, as it is bordered by many acres of preserved land.

Over the years, the center has developed into a thriving organization. Structures have been dedicated to veterinary care, quarantine, acclimation, observation, and administration. Everything has been designed to enhance the health and well-being of the animals’ bodies and minds. Even though “lion” is part of our name, ironically there are no lions at Lionshare Farm or the conservation center! The name comes from leone, meaning “lion” in several languages, which is the last name of Founder and Director Marcella Leone and her husband, Peter.[12]

Since founding LEO Zoological Conservation Center, Marcella has done more than just dedicate her life to wildlife conservation. Through education, internship programs, innovative conservation research, and partnering with “boots on the ground” organizations abroad, Marcella hopes to lay a groundwork for an ongoing legacy of conservation.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kristin Hussey (March 31, 2013). "Baby Giraffe Draws Attention to Sanctuary". New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Allison Terry (March 25, 2013). "Rare giraffe born at Connecticut refuge. It's a girl, and she needs a name". Christian Science Monitor.
  3. ^ "Critically Endangered Eastern Mountain Bongo Born!". LEO Zoological Conservation Center. February 7, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  4. ^ "Endangered Rothschild Giraffe". LEO Zoological Conservation Center. March 23, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  5. ^ Scott Stump (March 26, 2013). "Help name a rare baby giraffe born in Connecticut". Today.com (Today show website). {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  6. ^ www.LEOzoo.org http://leozoo.org/center/philosophy/. Retrieved 2014-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo3ibs6LzYo
  8. ^ http://www.lioncountrysafari.com/lion-country-safari-welcomes-rare-animal-ambassador-in-february-2015/
  9. ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/23/orangutans-assistedreproduction.html
  10. ^ http://www.ctpost.com/printpromotion/article/Giraffe-born-at-non-profit-Greenwich-breeding-6359518.php
  11. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/01/nyregion/baby-giraffe-brings-attention-to-connecticut-animal-sanctuary.html?_r=0
  12. ^ http://leozoo.org/center/history/
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