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| Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan | |
|---|---|
| Name | Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan |
| Formation | 1981 |
| Type | Conservation program |
| Headquarters | Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Parent organization | Association of Zoos and Aquariums |
Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan is a coordinated population management program developed to conserve threatened and endangered wildlife through cooperative efforts among Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions, __in situ__ partners, and research organizations. The program emphasizes genetic diversity, demographic stability, and strategic breeding to bolster recovery for taxa ranging from mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians, aligning with international frameworks such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Participating institutions include major zoos, aquaria, and conservation centers across North America and collaborate with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NGOs such as the World Wildlife Fund.
The program originated in 1981 amid growing concern following events like the CITES conferences and high-profile captive breeding efforts at facilities including the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo. Early development drew on population genetics research from institutions such as Smithsonian Institution and coordination models employed by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Expansion through the 1990s paralleled international conservation milestones including the Rio Earth Summit and partnerships with conservationists from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of London. Legislative and regulatory interactions involved agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and collaborations with academic centers including University of California, Davis and Cornell University.
The program's primary objectives include maintaining demographically and genetically healthy ex situ populations, supporting reintroduction and recovery efforts, and providing scientific data for conservation policy, aligning with targets set by the IUCN and regional recovery plans administered by bodies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Scope covers species selection criteria influenced by input from the International Union for Conservation of Nature specialist groups, captive management frameworks exemplified by the European Endangered Species Programme, and collaborative landscape-level planning with partners like the Nature Conservancy and Conservation International.
Governance is administered through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums headquarters with advisory input from regional and taxon-specific coordinators, species advisors drawn from universities such as Oregon State University and research institutes like the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Decision-making processes reference standards used by bodies including the American Zoo and Aquarium Association predecessors and integrate compliance with regulations from the U.S. Department of the Interior and international agreements like CITES. Oversight involves committees that liaise with institutions such as the Detroit Zoo, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Management employs pedigree analysis, molecular genetics techniques developed at laboratories like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and demographic modeling methods taught at universities such as Colorado State University. Techniques include managed breeding, contraception protocols refined at the Smithsonian National Zoo, assisted reproductive technologies pioneered by teams at the Oregon Zoo and Toronto Zoo, and reintroduction strategies coordinated with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. The program collaborates on field conservation projects with organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society, Fauna & Flora International, and BirdLife International, integrating telemetry and habitat restoration approaches practiced in sites like Yellowstone National Park and Everglades National Park.
Participation is limited to Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions and partner organizations including the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and university-affiliated centers at University of Florida and University of Minnesota. International cooperation involves links with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and the Pan-European Association of Zoos and Aquaria members, as well as bilateral projects with agencies such as the Canadian Wildlife Service and institutions like the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Notable successes include recovery and reintroduction programs that paralleled efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the World Wildlife Fund for species managed in collaboration with facilities like the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo. High-profile recoveries drew attention akin to cases such as the California condor recovery partnerships and captive breeding precedents set by the European Endangered Species Programme. Criticisms mirror debates involving Animal Welfare Institute and academic critics from institutions like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge regarding animal welfare, genetic bottlenecks, and prioritization of resources versus in situ conservation, and ethical discussions featured in forums like the Smithsonian Institution symposia.
Research initiatives coordinate with academic partners including University of California, Davis, Texas A&M University, and research institutes such as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to publish findings on genetics, reproductive biology, and disease management. Education and outreach programs are delivered in collaboration with museums and cultural institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History, and public broadcasting partners like National Public Radio and PBS. Outreach also engages global frameworks including IUCN specialist groups, conservation NGOs like Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund, and regional education programs tied to parks like Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
Category:Conservation programs Category:Zoos in the United States