A Vibrant Future for Coral Reefs

The Zoo’s Tropical Reef is one of the most iconic exhibits on the Tropics Trail, and coral reefs are some of the most vibrant ecosystems on Earth, home to an incredible diversity of marine life. However, these delicate ecosystems face a variety of threats, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. 

Thanks to a grant from the Ulysses S. Seal program, which is directly funded by donors like you, Minnesota Zoo Aquarist, Abby Tatreau, was able to participate in an exciting project focused on saving and restoring coral reefs. This research, in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s BioHeat Mass Transfer Laboratory and the CARMABI Foundation in Curacao, worked toward preserving coral species at risk of disappearing. 

The project is particularly timely. In 2023, the Caribbean experienced record-breaking ocean temperatures, resulting in widespread coral bleaching. This, coupled with the emergence of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in Curacao, highlights the urgent need for both on-site conservation efforts and innovative off-site strategies, such as cryopreservation. 

Cryopreservation, or the preservation of coral cells in extreme cold for future use, holds great potential for coral conservation. By freezing and storing coral gametes, larvae, and tissues, scientists can build gene banks to preserve genetic diversity and improve the potential for future reef restoration. Abby and the team worked on the cryopreservation process so that hopefully one day these frozen specimens can be “reawakened,” re-grown, and used to restore damaged reefs. 

The potential impact of coral cryopreservation work is huge. If successful, it could help create long-lasting solutions for coral reef restoration and give hope to these vital ecosystems, which are home to one in four fish species in the ocean. This project is just one example of how you help the Minnesota Zoo contribute to innovative conservation efforts that are saving wildlife. 

Funding for the Ulysses S. Seal program is provided by generous gifts from our donors. With your support, we’re ensuring that future generations will be able to experience the beauty and diversity of coral reefs for years to come.