Mission and Philosophy

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and the ICC share a mission: to connect people to wildlife and inspire our communities to conserve nature for future generations.

Over half of our footprint is left untouched to allow native wildlife, grasses, and wildflowers to thrive, while a portion is used to produce hay to feed our animals here and at the Zoo. Our education programs provide an unforgettable experience for all ages: watching our animal ambassadors roam and live as they would in their native habitat, while learning how to protect wildlife.

Our Animals

The African elephant is listed as “Endangered” with a declining population. The ICC’s breeding herd plays an essential role in the preservation of the species. Our contributions to breeding have had a major positive impact on the North American population–our male, Jackson, is tied to nearly 50% of the births over the past decade.

Partners in Conservation

Our long-standing partnership with the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), allows for an effective process to receive and fund elephant-focused projects which directly impact elephants in the wild, as well as in human care.

We have also partnered with Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe to help protect a variety of species. We have helped collar African elephants for research tracking, developed programs to protect vultures and to reduce the spread of deadly disease through training and education.

We work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) programs both at the Zoo and the ICC.

Follow ICC News & Events on Facebook