Husky Energy Makes Significant Contribution to Conservation Research

September 7, 2011

   
    CEO Asim Ghosh with Calgary Zoo President & CEO Dr. Clément Lanthier (left) and Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, Head of Conservation Research.
       
   
    CEO Asim Ghosh and Calgary Zoo President & CEO Dr. Clément Lanthier unveil signage recognizing our support of the Husky Energy Endangered Species Program.

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Zoo today welcomed a significant contribution to its Centre for Conservation Research in support of the Husky Energy Endangered Species Program. This $1.25 million gift from Husky Energy is the largest program donation ever received by the Calgary Zoo.

“By supporting conservation research, we can deepen our connection with science, while advancing conservation in Western Canada,” said Husky CEO Asim Ghosh. “This flagship program is conservation in action.”

Husky first partnered with the zoo’s Centre in 2003 when the Husky Energy Endangered Species Program was first introduced. This program has significantly advanced the conservation of some of Canada’s most threatened species including the whooping crane, burrowing owl, swift fox and northern leopard frog.

“By renewing and increasing this contribution to the Zoo, Husky illustrates their strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship,” said Calgary Zoo’s President and CEO Dr. Clément Lanthier. “The support of environmentally-minded corporations like Husky is of vital importance to conservation research.”

Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, Head of Conservation Research, Calgary Zoo states, “Species recovery requires leadership, and Husky Energy is once again showing its true leadership role in environmental sustainability. This donation will not only benefit species that are dear to Canadians, but also develop solutions to environmental problems that will be applied around the world.”

Funds will be directed toward four overarching areas of conservation science:

  1. Advancing the science of reintroduction to benefit species and ecosystems – this work will optimize ongoing reintroductions nationally and globally to identify key conservation needs, develop scientific conservation tools and evaluate the sustainability of reintroduced populations. Species include: black-footed ferret, black-tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, northern leopard frog, whooping crane and swift fox.
  2. Advising provincial, national and international agencies in the development and implementation of science-based policies that maximize the effectiveness of reintroductions for conservation. This will include swift fox critical habitat classification work and shaping global conservation policy by facilitating the revision and development of global IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) reintroduction and assisted colonization guidelines.
  3. Serving as a hub for knowledge and expertise regarding reintroductions in North America.
  4. Connecting, engaging and inspiring Canadians in Husky Energy’s areas ofoperation – using national, rural and social media to communicate important initiatives and engage zoo visitors, youth and Husky employees in the important ongoing conservation research.

For more information:

Trish Exton-Parder
Marketing Communications Coordinator
Phone: (403) 232-9381
Cell:  (403) 371-9075
Trishep@calgaryzoo.ab.ca

www.calgaryzoo.com