A STRATEGY FOR SSP EXPANSION Adrienne Krefft: Jasmine Palmer: Kelsey Gordon: Jessica Gray: Naomi Garner: 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 Bohmke  Woodland Park Zoo  AZA Accreditation Committee

Current Zoo Efforts  ~ 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 places Educating and engaging public, professional and government audiences Serving and increasing membership Developing a robust and sustainable economic model which empowers AZA to provide superlative member services

Accreditation in the AZA Accreditation committee Requirements of zoos Applying for accreditation Benefits of belonging to AZA Increased public trust Increased revenue Increased access to experts in field Participation 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 conservation UNABLE 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 AidPublic Aid Participation in SSP

The Strategy SSP Protocol $ 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 wild Poaching Conflict Land use/Habitat loss

How the AZA Works with Elephants  What does accreditation mean? Conservation Husbandry Enrichment Education  Species Survival Plan Evaluation of specific elephant protocol How elephants are involved Why 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 AZA Crane 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 breeding Eggs sent to Russia Captive 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) Retrieved on 17 February 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), 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), Retrieved on 17 February QUESTIONS?