Nov. 2, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, mdixon@wcs.org, 347-840-1242 (texts and emails are best) From Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium, Director of the Bronx Zoo:We have restored power to three-quarters of the exhbits and holding quarters at the aquarium. Work progresses in restoring power to the last large exhibit building at WCS’s New York Aquarium, Explore the Shore. Progress to restore this power is slower than we anticipated due to the adverse conditions and extensive...

Nov. 1, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, 347-840-1242, mdixon@wcs.org A statement issued by Jim Breheny, Executive Vice President of WCS Zoos and Aquarium and Director of the Bronx Zoo: Using generator power, we are making progress restoring life support systems to our aquatic exhibits throughout the WCS New York Aquarium. We have restored power to two of our main exhibit buildings -- Glover's Reef and Conservation Hall. However, we still have areas that we have not been able to fully assess as to when...

Here is an update on WCS's four zoos and aquarium following Hurricane Sandy: The Bronx Zoo is reopening Saturday, Nov. 3. The aquarium is closed due to storm and we'll keep you posted on reopening. The Queens Zoo is reopening Friday, Nov. 2. Central Park Zoo is reopening Friday, Nov. 2. Prospect Park Zoo reopened Thursday, Nov. 1.

Oct. 31, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, 347-840-1242, mdixon@wcs.org A statement issued by Jim Breheny, Executive Vice President of WCS Zoos and Aquarium and Director of the Bronx Zoo:The Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium is conducting a 24/7- effort to stabilize conditions and restore utilities and operating systems after experiencing serious flood damage during Hurricane Sandy. Staff have established temporary life support for the aquatic systems, are pumping flood waters out of base...

Oct. 30, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, 347-840-1242, mdixon@wcs.org The Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium, located in an evacuation zone in Coney Island, experienced severe flooding from the storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy. The entire 14-acre facility was under water. As the water recedes, we will need time to assess the full extent of the damage. Our staff remain at the aquarium after working throughout the storm. WCS's four zoos -- the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prosp...

As of today, Saturday, Nov. 3, all four WCS zoos have reopened post hurricane sandy: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo are all open. The New York Aquarium remains closed as we work to recover from the storm surge.

WCS and partner organizations have issued a new report emphasizing paramount threats to wildlife in Southern Africa. Illegal hunting, the bushmeat trade, and unselective snaring are compromising already-fragile species.

Lions, cheetah, leopard, and wild dog particularly vulnerable Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states take first steps to tackle looming conservation crisis View the report>> JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (October 25, 2012) – A recent report says illegal hunting of wildlife in South African Development Community (SADC) states can lead to the eradication of many species across extensive areas a...

The recent death of "Lonesome George"--the last of our planet's Pinta Island tortoises--reminds us of these creatures' fragility. Although we've been working to conserve turtles and tortoises for decades, risks that include global trade persist. 

Animal lovers from around the globe are smitten with Mitik, the orphaned walrus calf who recently joined the New York Aquarium. Writing for the Huffington Post, WCS's President and CEO discusses Mitik's condition, as well as larger concerns about protecting wild walruses and their habitats.