SSP/ Responsible Breeding Program Spread

It is not uncommon for visitors of the Zoo to wonder why some species breed and others
do not. Children that visit often ask, If there is a mommy and a daddy why isnt there a
baby? Well, the answer to that question is the Species Survival Plan.
Like every AZA-accredited zoo, one of our goals at the Baton Rouge Zoo is to
responsibly breed threatened and endangered wildlife in order to maintain healthy and
genetically diverse populations. As much as everyone loves baby animals, producing
them at a constant rate would compromise the conservation of these animals as well as
be irresponsible. And its because of this concern that the Species Survival Plan was
incorporated.
Organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1981, the Species Survival Plan
was created to manage the breeding of certain species of animals at accredited zoos
and aquariums. The goal of SSP programs is to maintain a healthy population among
endangered animals that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.
Animals that are inbred due to non-compliance with the plan programs are more likely to
have developmental abnormalities and are more susceptible to disease. The regulation
of captive animal breeding also helps to avoid overcrowding in zoos so that the animals
can have more enriching habitats and can live in appropriate social groups.
There are more than 500 Species Survival Plan programs among AZA accredited zoos
and aquariums and we currently maintain 54 of those programs here at the Zoo.
Studbooks are created for each species, breaking down the captive population by
lineage, number, location, health and age, along with other useful information. Annual
breeding recommendations are made based on the information in these studbooks, with
the recommendation sometimes being not to breed at all.
A recommendation not to breed a species could be because an animal is too young or
too old, the animals bloodline is currently overrepresented in the population, or there
may be health or genetic reasons not to breed. If it is recommended not to breed a
certain species, the most appropriate form of contraception is implemented. Separating
the animals is one form of contraception but for some species and individual animals
that live in social groups, separation can cause stress. If this is the case, other forms of
contraception are evaluated.
We manage 55 different species survival plans here at the Zoo, with a different level of
involvement for each one. Some species are recommended breedings and some are
just being held here simply because space is a critical issue with all the managed
programs. Each species is managed by a team and population advisor that review
populations at set intervals, then send out recommendations to see if the zoos can meet
those recommendations, said Assistant Director and General Curator, Sam Winslow.
After recommendations are sent to the Zoo, there is a 30-day comment period for the
Zoo to respond to the recommendations.
To be selected for a Species Survival Plan, a species must satisfy a number of criteria
set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Most of the selected species are
endangered or threatened in the wild, and have the interest of qualified professionals
with time to dedicate toward their conservation. SSP species are also often flagship
species, which are well-known animals that arouse strong feelings from the public for
their protection and preservation. Cheetahs and tigers are examples of some of our
flagship species here at the Zoo.
Because of the Species Survival Plan and its success in safely rehabilitating wildlife
populations, it is a celebration when our animals give birth to healthy babies. Working
towards long-term sustainability for the specific animal is the biggest benefit for zoos,
said Winslow. With the birth of those babies, the survival of their species in the future is
increased and the chance of extinction diminishes just a little bit more.