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San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Sets Ambitious Biobanking Goals

In a bold and comprehensive initiative, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has officially revealed substantial progress toward constructing a global biobanking network dedicated to preserving endangered species. This announcement was made during the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi, where the organization emphasized their commitment to biodiversity conservation across the globe.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is on an unwavering quest to protect the planet’s rich biodiversity, with an ambitious target set to biobank every endangered species by the year 2075. This groundbreaking effort highlights the importance of collaboration among conservation champions, organizations, and global partners, as it cannot be accomplished alone. Dr. Nadine Lamberski, the chief conservation and wildlife health officer of the Alliance, passionately called for collective action to save wildlife and the ecosystems that humanity relies upon.

A Pioneering Effort in Biobanking

This initiative comes on the 50th anniversary of the organization’s esteemed Frozen Zoo®—a groundbreaking biobank that has safeguarded genetic material of endangered wildlife for decades. Established in 1975, the Frozen Zoo represents the largest repository of living wildlife materials on the planet. Over the years, it has served as a critical resource for global biodiversity preservation efforts.

At a recent symposium that attracted a diverse array of international partners and participants, the Alliance provided vital training on cell culture and biobanking techniques, fostering knowledge transfer across borders. Attendees from various countries engaged in hands-on workshops aimed at building capacity for living cell biobanking, which is essential for the conservation of many species.

Key Partnerships and Pilot Sites

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has embarked on the establishment of four pilot biobanks in crucial biodiversity hotspots: Kenya, Vietnam, Hawai'i, and Peru. These regions were carefully selected based on their unique ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation efforts. Here’s a look at the developments in each location:

• - Kenya: The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is forging a strong partnership with the Wildlife Research and Training Institute and Kenya Wildlife Services to create a biobanking network. Plans for a biobank headquarters are underway, as current efforts focus on establishing collection and repository capabilities, linking local rangers, veterinarians, and wildlife scientists.

• - Vietnam: Collaborating with the Institute for Ecology and the Conservation of Nature at Vinh University, the Alliance is building on existing infrastructure by providing necessary training and personnel support. Vietnamese representatives previously participated in a biobanking symposium in San Diego, marking a significant first step toward developing local biobanking expertise.

• - Hawai'i: In this unique ecosystem, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is partnering with the Bishop Museum to enhance biobanking capacity, particularly in preserving Hawaiian birds, some of the rarest species globally. Recent grants have been allocated to boost technical knowledge and expand local conservation efforts.

• - Peru: Working alongside the Ministry of the Environment, the Alliance is initiating the creation of a national biobanking network, ensuring that Peru’s distinct wildlife is adequately preserved and protected.

A Call to Action

Dr. Lamberski emphasizes that the time for urgent action is now. Biodiversity is under severe threat, affecting the health of ecosystems on which both wildlife and humans depend. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to biobanking represents a hopeful movement toward saving endangered species and preserving the rich diversity of life on Earth for future generations. An effective and responsible biobanking system will not only protect individual species but also the intricate systems that sustain them.

In closing, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance invites collaborations with global partners, motivated conservationists, and communities around the world to join this monumental effort. As we stand on the brink of potential ecological collapse, our united efforts can be the key to turning the tide toward a more sustainable future. The call to biobank every endangered species is not only a dream but a necessity—one that we can achieve together, for the health of our planet and its wildlife.