Big Milestones in Butterfly and Turtle Conservation
The Greater Vancouver Zoo has achieved two prestigious awards from the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) in recognition of its groundbreaking conservation work: the Peter Karsten Award for the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Project and the Colonel G.D. Dailley Award for Western Painted Turtle conservation. These awards celebrate not only GVZoo’s impactful work but also highlight the dedication of Wildlife Preservation Canada’s Lead Biologist, Andrea Gielens, whose efforts are inspiring similar conservation programs worldwide.
The Peter Karsten Award for In-Situ Conservation was awarded in honor of the remarkable progress made by GVZoo’s team in the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly (TCB) program. Named after Peter Karsten, the former director of Calgary Zoo and the original visionary behind the TCB project, this award represents a tribute to his legacy and to GVZoo’s commitment to carrying it forward. Guided by Karsten’s initial efforts and nearly a decade of GVZoo’s commitment, the butterfly’s complete life cycle was finally observed in the wild for the first time in 25 years. This remarkable achievement underscores the resilience of this endangered species and the profound impact of collaborative, sustained conservation efforts—a powerful legacy that will continue in every butterfly that takes flight.
The Colonel G.D. Dailley Award for Ex-Situ Species Propagation recognized the zoo’s innovative Western Painted Turtle Recovery Program, specifically its successful head-starting approach to reestablishing this endangered species. Since its inception with just 20 turtles in 2011, the program has expanded to release over 250 turtles annually, helping to restore populations across eight locations where they were once nearly extinct. In response to challenges such as shrinking habitats from urbanization, pollution, and invasive species, GVZoo has worked closely with conservation partners to combat threats facing the Western Painted Turtle. A major milestone this year included the use of groundbreaking medical treatments to reduce Cryptosporidium infection mortality rates from 36% to just 2%, accelerating growth rates in young turtles and increasing their survival rates. This medical breakthrough was discovered at the Greater Vancouver Zoo and impacts not only critically endangered Western Painted Turtles, but also provides a new way to treat this deadly and infectious disease for turtles of all species.
These awards are a humbling and inspiring recognition of GVZoo’s dedication to species conservation, celebrating the tireless efforts of all involved in these programs. They reflect a milestone in wildlife preservation—one built on decades of innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that species like the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly and Western Painted Turtle continue to thrive in Canada and beyond.
