Niabi conservation partner, Dr Greg Rasmussen returns to the Niabi Zoo as they work to bring a pack of endangered African Painted Dogs to the Quad Cities. Photo: Painted Dog Research Trust.

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (April 23, 2022) — Niabi Zoo is excited to welcome back to the Quad Cities, Dr Greg Rasmussen from the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) in his fourth appearance in Niabi’s Conservation and Science Speaker Series. As a conservation partner with Niabi Zoo, Dr Rasmussen and his team lead field conservation efforts to help protect the endangered African Painted Dog. Niabi will be hosting him for multiple speaking engagements at local universities as he presents Challenges and triumphs: Protecting the endangered Painted Dog in a human dominated landscape.

As part of their conservation partnership, Niabi has assisted PDRT in the development of their field education programs. Niabi provided strategic planning material to support hosting bush camp for local children at PDRT’s Sizinda Conservation Ecology Center and leading education outreach programs in to the surrounding communities of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Niabi staff also helped prepare and launch PDRT’s new website at www.painteddogresearch.org.

African painted dogs are among many animals that get caught and killed in snare wire. Poachers often use wire snares kill wildlife in the African bush. PDRT works with local communities in Zimbabwe to remove this wire to protect animals. To prevent the wire from ending up back in the hands of poachers, the snare wire is shaped into artistic pieces of wire sculpture. Wire-snare art shaped like painted dogs and giraffes will be available at the upcoming speaker events. Every purchase helps support painted dogs and the communities working to protect them.

During his visit from April 27-29, Dr Rasmussen will be giving presentations at the following locations:

  • Wednesday, April 27, 6:30PM, at Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities, Riverfront Hall, Room 111 (open to the public)
  • Thursday, April 28, 7PM, at St Ambrose University, McCarthy Hall, Room 013 (open to the public)
  • Friday, April 29 at Augustana College, Conservation Biology course (staff and enrolled students only)

To register and attend, visit www.NiabiZoo.com/Education/conservation-speakers. RSVP is required by April 26 for all attending. While the event is free to attend, donations are encouraged to support the important work to help save painted dogs. For more information, contact Curator of Conservation & Education, Joel Vanderbush, at 309-799-3482 ext. 222 or jvanderbush@niabizoo.com.

About Niabi Zoo

Niabi Zoo, which is operated by the Forest Preserve District of Rock Island County, offers an opportunity to explore more than 40 acres in Coal Valley, Illinois that encompass 200 animal species. This exploration guides guests through the discovery of more than 800 animals from around the world. Niabi Zoo strives to instill a sense of care and understanding for wild animals in each and every visitor as they work in the community. For more information about the Zoo, visit NiabiZoo.com.

Like so many others, staff shortages have required us to rethink our operational strategy in an effort to continue providing the level of service our guests and animals deserve.

Effective opening day, April 18, tickets pre-ordered online by 9AM the day of your visit will be discounted while tickets purchased at the zoo admission booth will be a few dollars more. Our new process will allow us to staff more effectively for expected attendance, ensuring the best experience for you while taking care of our team.

These little ones can’t wait to welcome you to the zoo this season! Thank you in advance for helping us create the best experience for YOU.

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