A STRATEGY FOR SSP EXPANSION

Adrienne Krefft: akrefft@uw.edu; Jasmine Palmer: palmej@uw.edu: Kelsey Gordon: klg11@uw.edu; Jessica Gray: jngray@uw.edu; Naomi Garner: naomi89@uw.edu

ESRM 458 Winter 2011 Professor M. Miller, Professor J. Marzluff, Professor V. Gallucci

Table of Contents

Background Problem Strategy Case Studies

Elephants Cranes

Conclusion Recommendations Implications

Please see our report for additional information

The Client

Bruce BohmkeWoodland Park ZooAZA Accreditation

Committee

Current Zoo Efforts

~2300-2400 zoos in US including “roadside zoos”

Only 10% zoos AZA accredited

Current regimes More animal focused –

overall wellbeing is important.

Strong focus on conservation and captive breeding/release programs.

What is the AZA?

Caring for wildlife and wild placesEducating and engaging public, professional and government audiences

Serving and increasing membershipDeveloping a robust and sustainable economic model which empowers AZA to provide superlative member services

Accreditation in the AZA

Accreditation committeeRequirements of zoos Applying for accreditationBenefits of belonging to AZA

Increased public trustIncreased revenueIncreased access to experts in fieldParticipation in SSP captive breeding

and exchange

Species Survival Plans

Have resulted in successful breeding of a wide array of species in zoo collections.

SSPs facilitate stud books for the species involved in the program, track reproductive variables, and promote genetic variation.

A Positive Feedback Loop

No Participation in SSP

Small Zoo with Assistance

Small Zoo without Assistance

Small Zoo

-low budget-small animal

collection-low public trust

-little or no emphasis on

captive breeding or conservation

UNABLE TO MEET AZA

ACCREDIATION STANDARDS

Small Roadside Zoo

-low budget-low or basic animal

care-low public trust

-little or no emphasis on breeding or

conservationUNABLE TO MEET

AZA ACCREDUATION STANDARDS

AZA Accredited Zoo

-High budget; access to grants, tax

exceptions-highest standards for

animal welfare and enrichment

-highest public trust, highest attendance

levels-conservation focused

Small Zoo

-increased budget-improved housing,

enrichment, veterinary care, etc. -increased capacity for captive breeding

or conservation MEETS AZA

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

AZA Aid Public Aid Participation in SSP

The Strategy

SSP Protoco

l $

AZA Guidelines

Rare/Endangered

Species

Non-AZA Zoos

Humans

AZA - SSP

Protocol

AZA Zoos

Human Dimensions Framework

Elephant Conservation

Elephant Behavior Social behavior Intelligence

Importance of stimulation Interaction with the landscape

Humans and Elephants

In the wildPoachingConflictLand use/Habitat loss

How the AZA Works with Elephants What does accreditation mean?

ConservationHusbandryEnrichmentEducation

Species Survival PlanEvaluation of specific

elephant protocol How elephants are involvedWhy flagship species?

Only Elephants?

The AZA has developed an Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP).

We argue that a SSP protocol for each species participating in the program should have equally specific husbandry and housing procedures.

Red-Crowned Crane SSP

In the SSP program Specific SSP

protocol is possible Vast research on captive breeding of cranes

Success in the AZACrane experts within the AZA

Red-Crowned Cranes

Breeding Late reproductive age;

monogamous; specific nesting conditions

Migratory Multi-national distribution Requires international

cooperation Threats

Habitat degradation

Red-Crowned Crane Conservation Conservation status

CITES Appendix I “endangered” under ESA and IUCN Redlist Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) Ap. I and II

AZA 5 year strategic priorities “Conservation Education and Public

Engagement”Facilitate multi-institutional conservation

education, outreach, and collaborations that activate the public to connect with and take personal action to conserve wildlife and wild habitats.”

– AZA Strategic Plan, aza.org

Cranes and the AZA

International Crane Foundation (ICF) Conservation research

and education AZA-accredited Zoos

Captive breedingEggs sent to RussiaCaptive release in

China and Russia

Significance of SSP Expansion More space for rearing/harboring

endangered species Contribute to the gene pool Access to AZA expertise and better

husbandry Inspire more people to care about

conservation

Conclusions

After analyzing the effectiveness of current SSP programs and the disparity in representation across US zoos, we now move to propose a systematic shift in the AZA accreditation procedure.

Recommendations for Client Action

Equalize standards for all SSP participating zoos.

Provide SSP protocols for all SSP animals. Support institutions in obtaining AZA member

status. Expand mentorship capacity to include grants

or other forms of funding for participation in SSP programs.

Have greater enforcement to ensure adherence to SSP protocols.

Creation of a new potential position/liaison to guide non-member institutions through grant application procedures.

AZA’s 5 Year Plan

We propose a FEASIBLE, INEXPENSIVE, starting point!

Improved funding opportunities will ultimately increase efficiency of SSP programs, contribute to faster resolutions and allow the AZA to enhance its global reputation.

Thank You!

Selected References

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (n.d) < http://www.aza.org/> Retrieved on 17 February 2010.

BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.Fernandez & Timberlake (2008).  Mutual benefits and collaborations between zoos and academic institutions.  Zoo Biology, 27 (6).Hutchins, M. & Thompson, S.  (2008).  Zoo and aquarium research: priority setting for the coming decades.  Zoo Biology, 27 (6), 488-497. Snyder, N.F.R., Derrickson, S.R., Beissinger, S.R., Wiley, J.W., Smith, T.B., Toone, W.D., & Miller, B. (1996) Limitations of captive breeding in endangered species recovery. Conservation Biology, 10(2), 338-348. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/2386850> Retrieved on 17 February 2011.

QUESTIONS?