Get to know the Zoo: Q&A with OCIC Director Dr. James Bogan

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is more than just a place to have a fun day. There are teams conducting groundbreaking conservation work all the time! Part of the Zoo’s conservation efforts is the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC).

We sat down with Dr. James Bogan, the director of the OCIC to get to know more about the organization and its conservation initiatives.

Courtesy: The Nature Conservancy in Florida

For those who aren’t familiar, what does the OCIC do?

The Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation is a conservation facility focusing on two native species. At the OCIC, we breed two imperiled species, the Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) and the Striped Newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus), to reintroduce the offspring back into regions where they have been extirpated.

How long have you been with the OCIC?

I have been the veterinarian for the OCIC since 2014 and the director since 2020.

As the OCIC’s director, what are your main job duties?

As the OCIC’s director, I am responsible for the health of and coordinating the breeding efforts for the Eastern Indigo Snake and the Striped Newt. Additionally, I oversee the team of Protected Species Technicians who care for the animals as well as maintain the facility. I also oversee the Field Biologist and Field Technician team who monitor the Eastern Indigo Snakes released in Florida. We also partner with several governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as several universities to improve both the in-situ and ex-situ populations through sound care and investigative research.

What drew you to this work to begin with?

I have always had an affinity for reptiles and amphibians, and having an opportunity to work directly with two iconic species is a dream come true.

What’s your favorite thing about working at the OCIC?

I feel the best part of my job is seeing the direct positive impact we get to make for imperiled species native to Florida.

What’s something you would want people to know about the OCIC?

The OCIC does not only care for animals under human care, we also provide field conservation by directly monitoring the snakes released at the Florida reintroduction site. Our field team not only walks several miles daily searching for the released snakes, they also utilize camera traps to capture the presence of the snakes. These motion-activated camera traps capture hundreds of thousands of photos, both with and without the presence of wildlife, and much time is devoted to reviewing photos for the presence of Eastern Indigo Snakes. Recently, we started employing automatic microchip readers in the field, since all of the released snakes are implanted with microchips. This technology will help identify any snakes seen in the photos. Additionally, we are in the initial phases of employing the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor the presence of Eastern Indigo Snakes in and near gopher tortoise burrows.

How can the community support the OCIC’s ongoing conservation efforts and further the mission?

You can support the OCIC by supporting local efforts for your native wildlife. For example, if you see an endangered species of snake, you can report it to FWC. You can also help us monitor our released Eastern Indigo Snakes by reviewing the photos captured at the release site through Zooniverse’s Indigo Snake Watch, a citizen science platform. Of course, you can always directly support OCIC’s efforts through donations by clicking here.

The efforts of the OCIC are a testament to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ mission to create connections that inspire people to take action for wildlife. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the preservation and conservation of animals worldwide. For more information about the OCIC click here.