Case Study: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium achieves reduced disease risk in endangered species conservation with Palisade (@RISK and PrecisionTree)

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium - Customer Case Study

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, represented by Dr. Douglas Armstrong, faced the challenge of assessing and managing complex, uncertain disease risks to endangered animals involved in conservation actions like translocation and captive breeding. To address large gaps in field data and many interacting risk factors, the zoo partnered with Palisade using its @RISK and PrecisionTree tools as part of IUCN–Conservation Breeding Specialist Group workshops.

Palisade’s @RISK and PrecisionTree were deployed in hands‑on workshops to help scientists and veterinarians model uncertainty by entering ranges of possible values instead of fixed estimates, enabling clearer analysis of disease transmission scenarios. The Palisade-based approach improved anticipation of disease threats, supported better decision-making across conservation programs, and provided a practical, broadly applicable toolkit for minimizing disease risk in endangered species efforts.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Douglas Armstrong

Conservation Breeding Specialist