Zoos present plan to preserve 10 endangered species

NEWPORT , Ky., May 15 (UPI) -- An international effort by zoos to save 10 species from extinction was revealed Friday.

The project, Saving Animals from Extinction, or SAFE, involves 228 zoos in the United States and seven other countries, united to help preserve the Asian elephant, the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, the gorilla, the sea turtle, sharks and rays, the western pond turtle, small porpoises called vaquitas and the whooping crane.

Experts on each animal's habitat will undertake an action plan to help save the species.

"Zoos and aquariums have been saving species over the years. Think of bison, red wolf, California condors, black-footed ferrets, desert fishes," said Kris Vehrs, executive director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is leading the campaign. "Yet, the animal kingdom is shrinking. We want to make sure we are holding our feet to the fire."

Speaking at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky., she added an increase in public understanding of conservation is one of the goals.