Animal Organizations
Animals are a huge part of our world.
This page is a work in progress.
Please be sure to come back in a week or so to see a world of information about the survival of animals and how we all can help.
This page is a work in progress.
Please be sure to come back in a week or so to see a world of information about the survival of animals and how we all can help.
Species Survival Program
What is the mission of Species Survival Plans?
The mission of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA's) Species Survival Plan program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species.
The mission uses a combination of the following strategies:
1. Organize scientifically-controlled managed breeding programs for selected wildlife as a hedge against extinction
2. Cooperate with other institutions and agencies to ensure integrated conservation strategies
3. Increase public awareness of wildlife conservation issues, including development and implementation of education strategies at AZA-member institutions and in the field
4. Conduct basic and applied research to contribute to our knowledge of various species
5. Train wildlife and zoo professionals
6. Develop and test various technologies relevant to field conservation
7. Reintroduce captive-bred wildlife into restored or secure habitat as appropriate and necessary.
The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.
An SSP master plan outlines the goals for the population. It designs the "family tree" of a particular managed population in order to achieve maximum genetic diversity and demographic stability.
Studbooks are fundamental to the successful operation of SSPs, as each contains the vital records of an entire managed population of a species, including births, deaths, transfers and family lineage.
With appropriate analysis, a studbook enables the species coordinator and management group to develop a master plan containing sound breeding recommendations based on genetics, demographics and the species' biology. Data for each studbook is compiled and constantly updated by a studbook keeper who has knowledge of the species and time to assist in its conservation.
While managed breeding for reintroduction is not a panacea for the endangered species problem, it is sometimes the only option for reestablishing healthy wild populations. Reintroduction projects have been successful in returning certain species to their natural places in the ecosystem. Several species, such as black-footed ferrets, California condors, and red wolves, have been brought back from the brink of extinction through successful managed breeding programs.
SSPs for which reintroduction is not appropriate have a positive impact on assisting the wild population through fund-raising to support field projects and habitat protection, development of new technologies, public and professional education programs, and basic and applied research.
Click here to learn more about SSPs.
The mission of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA's) Species Survival Plan program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species.
The mission uses a combination of the following strategies:
1. Organize scientifically-controlled managed breeding programs for selected wildlife as a hedge against extinction
2. Cooperate with other institutions and agencies to ensure integrated conservation strategies
3. Increase public awareness of wildlife conservation issues, including development and implementation of education strategies at AZA-member institutions and in the field
4. Conduct basic and applied research to contribute to our knowledge of various species
5. Train wildlife and zoo professionals
6. Develop and test various technologies relevant to field conservation
7. Reintroduce captive-bred wildlife into restored or secure habitat as appropriate and necessary.
The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.
An SSP master plan outlines the goals for the population. It designs the "family tree" of a particular managed population in order to achieve maximum genetic diversity and demographic stability.
Studbooks are fundamental to the successful operation of SSPs, as each contains the vital records of an entire managed population of a species, including births, deaths, transfers and family lineage.
With appropriate analysis, a studbook enables the species coordinator and management group to develop a master plan containing sound breeding recommendations based on genetics, demographics and the species' biology. Data for each studbook is compiled and constantly updated by a studbook keeper who has knowledge of the species and time to assist in its conservation.
While managed breeding for reintroduction is not a panacea for the endangered species problem, it is sometimes the only option for reestablishing healthy wild populations. Reintroduction projects have been successful in returning certain species to their natural places in the ecosystem. Several species, such as black-footed ferrets, California condors, and red wolves, have been brought back from the brink of extinction through successful managed breeding programs.
SSPs for which reintroduction is not appropriate have a positive impact on assisting the wild population through fund-raising to support field projects and habitat protection, development of new technologies, public and professional education programs, and basic and applied research.
Click here to learn more about SSPs.
Video of Amur leopards from Big Cat Keeper Brian.