Zoos Recognized for Rearing Endangered Species

LINCOLN (NE) December 16, 2015 – One of the world’s rarest insects is being reproduced under laboratory conditions and their larvae are being manually placed into area saline wetlands.  The process had a modest beginning in 2011, when eleven larvae were reared then reintroduced.  Since then, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo have learned much and made many improvements to the process of rearing Salt Creek tiger beetle larvae in their laboratories and both were honored for their efforts on Wednesday by the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (NRD).

In five short years, the output of larvae reintroduced into saline wetlands has increased from eleven to 800 in 2015 and another 1,300 larvae are in line for future reintroduction.  NRD Resources Coordinator Dan Schulz said, “Producing Salt Creek tiger beetle larvae is labor intensive, yet both zoos continue to commit to this program each year.”  Saline wetlands form when artesian salt water flows to the surface.  Over a long period of time, salt accumulates in the soil until only salt tolerant plants and animals, such as the Salt Creek tiger beetle, can survive there.  Schulz said the NRD, along with the Saline Wetlands Conservation Partnership have worked to successfully restore some of the saline wetlands degraded by commercial, residential and agricultural development in Lancaster and Saunders counties.  “These two zoos,” Schulz said, “are giving the Salt Creek tiger beetle population a chance to increase in proportion to its habitat.”  Prior to the program, annual counts of the Salt Creek tiger beetle were down to 200 or less.  The beetles are listed as an endangered species in Nebraska and by the federal government and they are known to exist only in this area.

The Lincoln Children’s Zoo and the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo accepted the NRD’s Tributary Award on Wednesday.  The award recognizes individuals and groups that have made extraordinary efforts to protect and enhance conservation and the environment. 

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Contact:  Mike Mascoe, Public Information Specialist

                 Lower Platte South Natural Resources District                                                                                         

                 402-476-2729, mmascoe [at] lpsnrd.org