"The story of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo involvement with the Snow Leopard Trust is a story of how creativity combined with passion and perseverance can make for a very successful partnership.”  writes Marissa Niranjan, SLT Conservation Commerce Manager.

Stephanie Huettner, Assistant Animal Curator for Omaha’s Zoo, first got involved with snow leopards when she met the Trust’s Conservation Program Director, Jennifer Snell Rullman, at a SSP master planning session in 2007.  They began talking about how Stephanie could bring the mission of the Snow Leopard Trust to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.  Stephanie stated, “At that time, I had no idea to what level of commitment we could participate in, but I really wanted to be a part of this organization and all of its wonderful accomplishments.” Little did she know, they would actually end up becoming one of the highest contributing Zoos when it comes to selling SLT products.      

Stephanie brought back a packet of information that Jennifer handed out during the planning session and shared it with her coworkers.  She started to get her Gift Shop to sell the merchandise, and while that was still in the works, she began placing orders and selling the products out of her office.  In 2007 she sold over $1,500 worth or product!  In 2008, Stephanie worked her way into an underused corner of the Gift Shop during the Christmas season.  That year they sold close to $4,000 worth of product.  This year, Stephanie is working with both docents, volunteers, and very dedicated staff to man a booth on zoo grounds on Saturdays, Sundays, and during holidays.  They have sold $3,000 worth of product so far, and if they sell all of the products that they have, they would reach $6,000 in sales.  If successful, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo will have sold $11,500 in Snow Leopard Trust products since 2007!

Stephanie says, “I believe this is such an easy way to reach out to the public to not only sell a product, but to share the messages of what the Trust and other organizations are doing for conservation of people and animals.  Since Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo has become involved with the Trust, we have been able to obtain a USFWS permit to import a Snow leopard out of Canada, and are currently working on exporting one to Canada.  Without the Trust, we would not have been able to do that. Aside from that, I feel fantastic knowing that by giving a few hours of my time to sell some really cool handmade products, I am helping to save the Snow Leopard.”