Programs

What is an SSP

The mission of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program is to oversee the population management of select species within AZA member institutions (i.e., AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Conservation Partners, and Certified Related Facilities (CRFs)) and to enhance conservation of this species in the wild. Each SSP Program coordinates the individual activities of participating member institutions through a variety of species conservation, research, husbandry, management, and educational initiatives. Each SSP works under the supervision of a Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), which may manage multiple AZA Animal Programs within its purview. SSP Programs may work with their TAG to coordinate with other regional and international species conservation programs to lead, develop, oversee, promote, evaluate, and support the cooperative animal management, conservation, and scientific initiatives of the SSP Program

Sustainability Designations

Animal Programs designated as Green SSP Programs manage populations that are the most sustainable over time. Green SSP Program designations are made if Animal Programs:

  • have a published AZA Regional Studbook,
  • have at least 3 defined goals,
  • are managed among at least three AZA member institutions,
  • have a population that is able to retain >90.0% GD for 100+ years or 10+ generations, and
  • have a population that is presently sustainable demographically with a sufficiently largepopulation size and a positive growth rate to reach 100 years or 10 generations.

 

Animal Programs designated as Yellow SSP Programs manage populations that are potentially sustainable but require additional attention and effort to increase their sustainability. Factors such as reduced husbandry and breeding expertise/predictability, limited number of individuals, space, or founders, and/or poor demographics may prevent the Animal Program from achieving the Green SSP Program designation. Yellow SSP Program designations are made if Animal Programs:

  • have a published AZA Regional Studbook,
  • have at least 3 defined goals,
  • have a population size equal to or greater than 50 individuals,
  • are managed among at least three AZA member institutions, and
  • have a population that is not able to retain at least 90.0% GD over for 100+ years or 10+generations, or have a population that has never been formally planned, or was planned more than 5 years ago, so that the population’s projected gene diversity cannot be properly assessed.

 

Animal Programs designated as Red SSP Programs manage populations that are currently unsustainable and in critical need of start-up efforts (e.g., importations) to help them increase their sustainability. This designation may change to a Yellow or Green SSP Program as sustainability increases. Red SSP designations are made if Animal Programs:

  • have a published AZA Regional Studbook,
  • have at least 3 defined goals,
  • have a population size between 20 and 50 individuals, and
  • are managed among at least three AZA member institutions.

 

Gruiformes TAG SSP’s

  • Bustard, Buff-crested SSP: Program leader-Sarah Hallager .
  • Bustard, Kori SSP: Program Leader- Sarah Hallager
  • Crake, Black SSP: Program Leader- Greg Stimpson
  • Crane,Black Crowned SSP: Program Leader- Ms. Laura Reisse
  • Crane, Blue SSP: Program Leader- James Dunster
  • Crane, Demoiselle SSP: Program Leader: Cynthia Gitter