Forest Park Zoo Hosts Summit to Strengthen Regional Wildlife Collaboration

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park hosted its inaugural Wildlife Summit on March 27, bringing together nearly 100 wildlife professionals from across Massachusetts and Connecticut for a day of collaboration, networking, and professional development.

The half-day conference was designed specifically for licensed wildlife rehabilitators and other wildlife professionals. Attendees participated in a variety of roundtable discussions covering key topics such as conservation methods, bird strike prevention, reptile care, carnivore care, and an ‘ask a vet’ session. The day also included a behind-the-scenes zoo tour, offering insight into the zoo’s animal care practices, as well as a ‘swap shop’ where rehabilitators could exchange supplies to support their work.

The event was spearheaded by Emily Bouwer, the zoo’s director of Animal Care and Facilities, who is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. She envisioned the summit as an opportunity to foster interstate relationships and create a space where professionals could come together and learn from one another.

“Due to our proximity to Connecticut, I would receive many of out-of-state calls regarding injured wildlife, but I didn’t know how to properly direct the inquiries,” Bouwer said. “In talking to other rehabbers, I noticed this was a common theme. The Wildlife Summit was born out of a necessity to bridge this divide, and the idea grew from there.”

The conference reflects the zoo’s ongoing commitment to supporting displaced wildlife through safe, permanent placement after an injured or orphaned animal is no longer considered a candidate for release back into the wild. Because of this tenet of its mission, the zoo works closely with wildlife experts, making the summit a natural extension of its role as both a resource and a partner in the wildlife community.

The Wildlife Summit was free for participants thanks to a grant from the Christopher and Susan Mastroianni Foundation.

“The zoo’s mission is to inspire our community to respect and value the natural world through education, conservation, and rehabilitation,” said Sarah Tsitso, executive director of the Zoo in Forest Park. “This Wildlife Summit is an important part of that mission. We are so grateful to the Mastroianni Foundation for joining us in our efforts to bring together rehabilitators to expand their learning and continue making a difference in the lives of wildlife right in our own backyards.”

Following the success of this year’s event, the zoo plans to make the Wildlife Summit an annual event.
“Moving forward, I would love for the event to grow as a resource in the community and to expand to include aspiring rehabilitators,” said Bouwer. “Everyone in the field is so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, so having an opportunity to learn from these experts could be really beneficial for someone just starting out.”