Notable Women in Zoos, Aquariums, and Wildlife Conservation
- By Taylor Johnson
Women have played a critical role in shaping wildlife conservation, veterinary medicine, and animal care across zoos, aquariums, and global conservation efforts.
From groundbreaking field research to advancing animal welfare, policy, and data-driven science, their contributions have helped define how we understand and protect species today.
This Women’s History Month, we recognize a selection of women whose work has made a lasting impact on conservation and continues to inspire future generations.
Pioneers in Field Conservation and Research
Jane Goodall
Primatologist and Conservation Leader (UK)
Jane Goodall transformed the scientific understanding of chimpanzees through her long-term research in Tanzania. Her observations revealed tool use, complex social structures, and emotional intelligence in primates, which reshaped how scientists understand animal behavior. Beyond research, she established the Jane Goodall Institute, which continues to advance conservation, education, and community-based environmental programs worldwide.
Dian Fossey
Mountain Gorilla Conservation Pioneer (USA)
Dian Fossey’s work in Rwanda brought global attention to the threats facing mountain gorillas. Through detailed behavioral studies, she revealed the social complexity of gorilla groups while advocating for their protection. Her efforts helped lay the groundwork for conservation programs that have contributed to stabilizing and growing gorilla populations today.
Sylvia Earle
Oceanographer and Marine Conservation Advocate (USA)
Sylvia Earle is a pioneering marine scientist whose work has expanded global understanding of ocean ecosystems. With more than 100 expeditions and thousands of hours spent underwater, she has been a leading voice in ocean conservation, emphasizing the importance of protecting marine biodiversity while addressing the impacts of human activity on ocean health.
Advancing Wildlife Health and Science
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Wildlife Veterinarian and Conservation Leader (Uganda)
As Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has played a key role in protecting endangered mountain gorillas. She founded Conservation Through Public Health to address the connection between human health, livestock, and wildlife. Her One Health approach has helped reduce disease transmission and strengthen long-term conservation outcomes.
Ilaria Capua
Veterinary Virologist and Global Health Leader (Italy)
Dr. Ilaria Capua is recognized internationally for her work in animal disease research and zoonotic disease prevention. Her contributions to open data sharing in virology have improved global responses to emerging diseases and strengthened understanding of the connections between animal, human, and environmental health.
Temple Grandin
Animal Behavior Scientist (USA)
Temple Grandin’s research has transformed how animals are handled and cared for by improving understanding of how animals perceive and respond to their environments. Her work has influenced animal welfare practices across agriculture, zoos, and animal management, helping create environments that reduce stress and support wellbeing.
Zoos, Conservation, and Public Engagement
Rae Wynn-Grant
Wildlife Ecologist and Science Communicator (USA)
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant studies large carnivores and human-wildlife coexistence, with a focus on species like bears. In addition to her research, she is a prominent science communicator, helping make conservation more accessible and inspiring a wide range of people to pursue careers in wildlife science.
Corina Newsome
Wildlife Biologist and Conservation Advocate (USA)
Corina Newsome focuses on bird conservation and environmental education, using science communication to connect communities with conservation. Her work emphasizes inclusion and accessibility, helping broaden participation in conservation and environmental careers.
Patricia Sims
Zoo Director and Conservation Leader (USA)
Patricia Sims has led major zoological institutions, including Zoo Miami, where she advanced conservation programs, animal welfare initiatives, and public education. Her leadership reflects the evolving role of zoos as centers for conservation, research, and community engagement.
Data, Policy, and Conservation Science
Amanda Vincent
Marine Conservation Biologist (Canada)
Dr. Amanda Vincent is a leading marine conservation scientist and co-founder of Project Seahorse, an international initiative focused on protecting seahorses and coastal ecosystems. She was the first scientist to study seahorses in the wild and to document their global trade, helping drive international protections, including CITES regulation of marine fish species. Her work bridges research, policy, and community engagement, contributing to marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, and global conservation efforts.
Samantha Strindberg
Wildlife Statistician and Conservation Scientist (USA)
Dr. Samantha Strindberg works with the Wildlife Conservation Society, specializing in wildlife monitoring and population analysis. Her work applies advanced statistical methods to assess species trends and inform conservation planning, supporting evidence-based decisions at both regional and global levels.
Rachel Carson
Marine Biologist and Environmental Author (USA)
Rachel Carson was a pioneering marine biologist and author whose book Silent Spring helped launch the modern environmental movement. Her work exposed the harmful effects of pesticides on wildlife and ecosystems, leading to major policy changes and increased public awareness of environmental protection. Her legacy continues to influence conservation science, environmental policy, and the protection of biodiversity worldwide.
Expanding Environmental Leadership and Access
Wangari Maathai
Founder of the Green Belt Movement (Kenya)
Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work linking environmental conservation with human rights and community empowerment. Through the Green Belt Movement, she mobilized communities to plant millions of trees and restore ecosystems.
Hazel M. Johnson
Environmental Justice Advocate (USA)
Hazel M. Johnson is known as the “mother of environmental justice” for her work addressing environmental inequalities in Chicago. Through grassroots advocacy, she brought national attention to the disproportionate impact of pollution and environmental hazards on marginalized communities, helping shape the environmental justice movement in the United States.
Rosalie Edge
American Environmentalist and Suffragist (USA)
Rosalie Edge was a pioneering conservationist who founded Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first refuge dedicated to protecting birds of prey. A former suffragist and outspoken activist, she also established the Emergency Conservation Committee, using advocacy and public pressure to challenge ineffective conservation practices and push for stronger protections. Her work helped shift public attitudes toward raptors and influenced the protection of national parks and wildlife across the United States.
Margaret Murie
Arctic Conservation Leader (USA)
Often called the “grandmother of the conservation movement,” Margaret “Mardy” Murie was a pioneering conservationist who helped establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and supported the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. Through her advocacy and writing, she advanced the protection of entire ecosystems and helped shape modern conservation policy.
Celia Hunter
Conservationist (USA)
Celia Hunter was a pioneering conservationist and the first female president of The Wilderness Society. She co-founded the Alaska Conservation Society, the state’s first statewide environmental organization, and helped establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while leading grassroots efforts to protect Alaska’s wild lands and shape modern conservation policy.
Herma Baggley
National Park Service Ranger and Naturalist (USA)
Herma Baggley was one of the first female naturalists in the National Park Service, serving at Yellowstone National Park. She helped develop early interpretation programs that connected visitors to wildlife and natural ecosystems, influencing how environmental education is delivered in parks today.
Marina Silva
Environmental Leader and Policy Advocate (Brazil)
Marina Silva is a Brazilian environmental leader and former Minister of the Environment who played a key role in reducing deforestation in the Amazon. Her work has helped strengthen environmental policy, protect biodiversity, and advance sustainable development, making her one of the most influential voices in global conservation policy.
Representation and Global Conservation
Conservation is a global effort that depends on diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise. The work of these women continues to influence how animals are cared for, how species are protected, and how conservation evolves. Their contributions remind us that the future of conservation depends on inclusion, representation, and continued global collaboration.
Learn more about how collaboration across institutions supports conservation worldwide.
