The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. They do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.
They protect many of the world’s iconic creatures here and abroad, including gorillas in the Congo, tigers in India, wolverines in the Yellowstone Rockies, and ocean giants in the world’s amazing seascapes. During their 115 years, they have forged the power of their global conservation work and the management of their five parks in New York City to create the world’s most comprehensive conservation organization. They currently manage about 500 conservation projects in more than 60 countries; and educate millions of visitors at their five living institutions in New York City on important issues affecting the planet. Their parks include: the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo.
With a commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity, they address four of the biggest issues facing wildlife and wild places: climate change; natural resource exploitation; the connection between wildlife health and human health; and the sustainable development of human livelihoods. While taking on these issues, they manage more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, with more than 200 scientists on staff.
The WCS parks in New York City welcome 4 million visitors each year, and help the city to educate millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.