Chimpanzee SSP Action Plan (2003-2008)

I.  In situ Conservation (Advisor: Elizabeth Lonsdorf)

Goal: to promote the preservation of chimpanzee habitats and extant populations. 

Strategies:

Ø      provide technical and financial support of National Parks and Protected Areas containing chimpanzees,

Ø      support field research on the biology and behavior of the species,

Ø      support of indigenous NGO’s in the species’ range that support the preservation of chimpanzee habitat and/or raise awareness among local people about the importance of conserving chimpanzee habitat and the species,

Ø      lessen commercial trade in chimpanzees by supporting sanctuaries for confiscated chimpanzees and conservation education. 

Action:

Ø      identify individual projects in range countries that support research, the conservation of chimpanzee habitat and populations, and conservation education,

Ø      make AZA members aware of particular technical or funding needs of these projects,

Ø      identify potential conservation partners in range countries as well as in the international conservation community,

Ø      make AZA members aware of potential conservation partners and their projects,

Ø      aid and encourage AZA institutions to develop projects to further chimpanzee conservation in partnership with indigenous NGO’s, government agencies, and National Parks in range countries as well as with international conservation organizations,

Ø      provide direct SSP support of habitat and species preservation, conservation education, and research projects by providing funding and technical support.

II. Husbandry (Advisor: Jennie McNary)

Goal: to improve the husbandry of chimpanzees in zoos

 Action:

Ø      review the husbandry manual and supplement with necessary information

Ø      create a husbandry advice team to aid zoos in problem solving, building and maintaining multi-male groups, introductions, staff training, enrichment, hand rearing, socialization, etc.,

Ø      compile information on husbandry practices and techniques

Ø      promote presentations and publications on chimpanzee husbandry

Ø      conduct husbandry and management workshop to advance skills and to disseminate husbandry practices every other year (2004, 2006, 2008)

III. Promote Chimpanzee Exhibits (Advisor: Scott Carter)

Goal: to provide more space for chimpanzees in AZA institutions and non-member participants in the SSP.

Action:

Ø      promote presentations of papers on chimpanzees at AZA conferences by identifying potential topics and individuals to present papers and posters,

Ø      identify exhibit design experts to provide advice on building new exhibits,

Ø      market promotional materials (t-shirts, calendars, etc.) to publicize the SSP and raise the visibility of chimpanzees among AZA members,

Ø      keep member institutions (and potential future members) informed about the activities of the SSP via listservs and other electronic distributions,

Ø      assist in the design and maintenance of a chimpanzee web page within the Ape TAG site.

IV. Facilities (Advisor: Lorraine Smith)

Goal: to provide institutions renovating or building new exhibits with advice on design of holding and exhibit facilities.

 Action:

Ø      compile information on exiting facilities designs,

Ø      utilize the expertise within the SSP management group to aid institutions with specific problems in facility design and planning.

Ø      create a team of experts to review plans and offer advice on design and operation of chimpanzee facilities.

V. Education (Advisor: Rebecca Rose)

Goal: to aid member institutions with developing educational material and programs about chimpanzees.

Action:

Ø      coordinate with the Ape TAG Education group on advancing the goals of the entire TAG

Ø      compile a bibliography on chimpanzees and help zoo education departments find the literature on the species they will need to develop education materials and programs,

Ø      compile a list of chimpanzee topics that zoos can use for graphics, interactives, etc. and to develop education programs.

VI. Research (Advisor: Mollie Bloomsmith)

Goal: to facilitate research on topics deemed critical to the operation of the SSP and the management of the chimpanzee population

 Action:

Ø      compile a list of needed projects and distribute to holding institutions (e.g., hand rearing, introductions, contraception, captive ethogram, social interactions, animal-environment interactions),

Ø      compile and distribute a list of current chimpanzee research projects and researchers,

Ø      encourage publications and presentations of ex-situ chimpanzee research.

VII: Sanctuaries (Advisor: Tammie Bettinger)

Goal:  To develop new relationships and strengthen existing relationships with sanctuaries housing chimpanzees in the United States and Africa.  Under the guidance of the Chimpanzee SSP sanctuary advisor, we will concentrate our efforts on Chimp Haven (with whom we currently have a MOU), HELP Congo (particularly important because of their successes in reintroducing sanctuary chimpanzees back to the wild), and PASA, the umbrella organization over African sanctuaries.

 Strategies: Financial support, professional assistance, development and provision of materials and the sharing of information.

 Action:

Ø      Obtain/develop a database that provides information on which sanctuaries in the United States currently house chimpanzees, their policy on breeding and their mission statement.

Ø      Chimp Haven objectives:

o       Provide a report to the Chimp IR listserv every other month providing information on Chimp Haven’s progress and encouraging zoos to assist in their efforts (promotion, merchandise, etc.)

o       Develop and fund a poster that could be displayed at zoos, in classrooms, at events, etc. explaining why we need sanctuaries and their role.

o       Develop a PowerPoint presentation for use by zoos and by Chimp Haven for use in presentations to community groups, schools, etc. on sanctuaries.

Ø      PASA objectives:     

o       Work with African Sanctuaries and PASA to determine what type of educational material and supplies they need for use at the sanctuaries and encourage zoos to contribute to these efforts

o       Seek funding that would allow us to provide each sanctuary a modest education budget for the purchase on pencils and paper in country (approximately $100 per sanctuary).

Ø      HELP Congo objectives:

o       Raise money to purchase at least one (more if possible) radio collar and transmitter (~$1,200) for HELP Congo to facilitate the monitoring of reintroduced chimpanzees.

VIII:  Veterinary Care (Advisors: Kathryn Gamble and Kay Backues)
Goal: To provide timely information and sound veterinary advice for the collections of chimpanzees in AZA institutions and non-member participants in the SSP.

Action:

Ø      Complete a 13-year post-mortem review to determine species-specific disease concerns.

Ø      Establish a procedure to maintain the post-mortem review current at completion of the retrospective process.

Ø      Review current great ape necropsy protocol standards to determine species-specific adjustments.

Ø      By AZA institution survey, determine an endo- and ectoparasite profile for captive chimpanzees - review perceptions, concerns, and treatments of this problem and apply determinations to “human contact” in situ populations.

Ø      Establish a procedure of prompt review and dissemination of veterinary concerns presented from chimpanzees in AZA institutions and non-member participants in the SSP.

Ø      Facilitate continuity of information between veterinary advisors by a lead chair and co-chair arrangement.