Staff Participation in AZA Population Management and Conservation Programs

About

The zoo’s staff is committed to furthering the goals and purpose of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation. In addition to its conservation and science programs, the AZA also serves as the national accrediting body for zoos and aquariums. Species Survival Plans® (SSPs) are cooperative management programs established by the AZA to ensure the viability of animal populations in zoos and aquariums.

SSPs are overseen by Taxonomic Advisory Groups (TAGs), which work to manage species that share similar taxonomic background, exhibit needs, and care and conservation priorities.

SSP and TAG Programs

Lincoln Park Zoo participates in more than 85 SSPs. Zoo staff also serve as SSP coordinators, vice coordinators, studbook keepers, and advisors for SSPs and TAGs, including the following:

• African Painted Dog SSP
• Angolan Colobus SSP
• Bali Myna SSP
• Bat-eared Fox SSP
• Coraciiformes TAG
• Chimpanzee SSP
• Common Eland Studbook
• Eastern Crested Guineafowl SSP
• Eastern Black Rhinoceros SSP
• Inca Tern SSP
• Klipspringer Studbook
• Lion SSP
• Pygmy Hippopotamus SSP
• Raptor TAG
• Red-billed Hornbill SSP
• Sichuan Takin SSP
• Southern Three-banded Armadillo SSP
• Swan Goose SSP

AZA Population Management Center

The AZA Population Management Center (PMC) is housed at Lincoln Park Zoo and plays a critical role in SSP programs. The PMC assists zoo and aquarium professionals across the country with conducting demographic and genetic analyses and preparing Breeding and Transfer Plans for SSP species.

AZA SAFE

The zoo is also involved with AZA’s Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) initiative. SAFE programs use the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to substantially improve the conservation status of species in the wild. Zoo staff currently serve in leadership or advisory roles for several SAFE programs for animals like chimpanzees, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, eastern black rhinoceroses, and North American songbirds.