Association of Zoos & Aquariums

The Associations of Zoos & Aquariums will build the sustainability of its cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan® (SSP) populations. Currently, only 30 of the 500 SSP populations are genetically stable. The information needed to address this situation is currently only available in multiple, lengthy, and technical population planning documents for each SSP, This situation complicates recognition of the essential actions required, and thwarts decision making for those aiming to increase the sustainability of these vital wildlife populations. In this three-year project, AZA will distill the massive amount of related demographic and population information into a Sustainability Database to yield "Species Sustainability Reports" for all SSPs, revealing the path to build each population's sustainability.