動物園是啟發許多人認識動物、愛上動物的第一個地方。動物園扮演的「現代方舟」角色，除提供民眾「休憩」場所之外，更重要的是積極發展「保育、教育、研究」功能，將動物園內的域外保育努力回饋及連結至野生動物原生棲地的域內保育。但是這樣的工作，絕對不可能是一個人、一個動物園、一座城市就能辦到的。除了大象以外，地球上還有非常多的動植物也正面臨著生存危機。
Many people have discovered their love for animals at the zoo. Zoos function as destinations for leisure and enjoyment and, more importantly, as centers for education, research, and conservation, helping to reciprocate the zoo’s effort in Ex-Situ conservation and connecting to the respective wildlife’s In-Situ conservation. Zoos are like modern arks. However, no single organization or even city government has enough resources to support zoos’ new missions. There are many animal and plant species besides elephants that are endangered. As a result, partnerships are being established between zoos around the world.
臺北動物園目前除了跟日本旭山動物園合作婆羅洲矮象域內保育計畫外，還參與歐洲動物園暨水族館協會(EAZA)的歐洲瀕危物種保育計畫(EEP)，在全球分工下將非洲野驢引進臺北繁殖；在金剛猩猩保種計畫中，把臺北的金剛猩猩「寶寶」送至荷蘭靈長類公園，另從波蘭歐普勒動物園引進迪亞哥，這些都是為了要讓野外的基因有機會傳承、增加域外族群的基因多樣性。除此之外，與美國貝爾勒龜類保育中心的瀕危龜類保育繁殖存續計畫合作緬甸星龜保育，和日本東京多摩動物公園合作黑面琵鷺保育，都只是眾多保育計畫的一部分。野生動物保育人人有責，缺一不可。
Taipei Zoo has partnered with Japan’s Asahiyama Zoo in a program to save the Borneo elephants. It also has partnered with The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in its European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Under a worldwide division-of-labor arrangement, Taipei Zoo has received an African wild donkey for propagation; sent Bao Bao the gorilla to Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands as a part of the gorilla conservation plan, and welcomed D’jeeco the gorilla from Poland. These efforts provide these endangered species access to greater genetic diversity through breeding. Taipei Zoo has also partnered with the Behler Chelonian Center in a program to breed the Burmese star tortoise, and with Japan’s Tama Zoological Park to protect the black-faced spoonbill. When it comes to endangered species protection, everyone must play a role.
