ACTION PLAN

The following represents the first steps in determining priorities for action for the ReintroSAG, based on discussions among the Action Planning Task Force and at the annual AZA ReintroSAG annual meeting in Fort Worth, TX in September 2002. 

1. NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The ReintroSAG first needs to poll the AZA membership concerning those issues and activities that they identify as the ReintroSAG's most important current priorities. This would include contacting TAG, SSP and CAP Chairs to determine which of the ReintroSAG functions are most relevant to their members. The needs assessment might also include input from potential partners (e.g. zoo associations in the New World) that might desire input on ongoing or proposed reintroduction programs. We especially need to ask our constituency whether they wish us (or another AZA group) to provide advice on rehabilitation of animals (e.g. pets, injured local wildlife) or translocation of nuisance animals found on zoo property and elsewhere. If this information is desired from the ReintroSAG, we need to determine the best way to provide it. 

2. OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION

A major function of the ReintroSAG is to communicate with the AZA membership concerning a variety of issues having to do with reintroduction. This function can be fulfilled via:

1. Regular symposia and workshops at AZA meetings. Of proposed topics, a symposium on Current Progress in Reintroductions of Endangered North American or New World Species has been suggested by the Action Planning Group for 2003. Other future topics for workshops and symposia include captive management of species for reintroduction (e.g. training, behavioral management and husbandry), reviews and evaluation of different reintroduction approaches, organization and structure of reintroduction programs, multi-disciplinary contributions to reintroduction programs, metapopulation management of in situ and ex situ populations, and evaluation protocols and methods for measuring the success of reintroduction programs.  Results from symposia might include significant and timely publications on reintroduction topics.
2. Maintaining a listserve with updated information.
3. Providing updates on the ReintroSAG’s mission and activities at the annual meetings of the Chairs of the SSPs, TAGs and CAPs.
4. Responding to queries concerning reintroduction.
5. Maintaining a database on reintroductions with which AZA members are involved.
6. Drafting and periodic review of policy statements concerning reintroduction programs, to the ultimate benefit of the AZA membership.

3. PARTNERSHIPS

The ReintroSAG should expand its interactions with other organizations having an interest in reintroduction. 

1. The ReintroSAG should develop a mechanism to interact with AZA SSP, TAG and CAP groups involved with reintroduction and provide expert advice for proposed and existing reintroduction efforts as well as determining how many programs are contemplating reintroduction. The ReintroSAG can assist in project design, assessment methods, etc.
2. The ReintroSAG can work closely with the IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group, especially in exchange of information and development of joint activities, perhaps with a North American emphasis. It is important that the ReintroSAG and RSG not be redundant; rather, the focus should be on synthesis and integration of functions and activities.
3. The ReintroSAG should facilitate the development of relationships with other groups, organizations and agencies with common interests, e.g. USFWS, Society for Conservation Biology and restoration ecologists.

4. EXPERT REVIEW

The ReintroSAG has the responsibility of providing expert advice for planned or existing reintroductions. Thus, a major function should be proposal review and evaluation of ongoing AZA programs via objective anonymous peer review through:

1. Development of a process to review all new CEF, SSP and TAG proposals that include reintroduction as a component. The ReintroSAG may develop a template for reintroduction proposals to be distributed to all CAP, SSP and TAG Chairs; develop a standardized format for the review process to ensure consistency of response; and maintain a database of experts from the zoo, conservation and academic community who can review proposals.
2. Periodic review and dissemination of guidelines for reintroduction developed for different taxa and by other organizations and agencies.
3. Development of a process for periodic monitoring and evaluation of extant programs including goals and objectives, sources of funding, structure and organization, measures of success, monitoring and evaluation procedures, “lessons learned” and actual accomplishments. 

Current as of October 26, 2006