How Do Zoos Help Endangered Animals Dear Earth. Talk Do zoos have serious programs to save endangered species, besides putting a few captives on display for everyone to see Kelly Traw, Seattle, WAMost zoos are not only great places to get up close to wildlife, but many are also doing their part to bolster dwindling populations of animals still living free in the wild. To wit, dozens of zoos across North America participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums AZAs Species Survival Plan SSP Program, which aims to manage the breeding of specific endangered species in order to help maintain healthy and self sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable. The end goal of many SSPs is the reintroduction of captive raised endangered species into their native wild habitats. According to the AZA, SSPs and related programs have helped bring black footed ferrets, California condors, red wolves and several other endangered species back from the brink of extinction over the last three decades. Zoos also use SSPs as research tools to better understand wildlife biology and population dynamics, and to raise awareness and funds to support field projects and habitat protection for specific species. AZA now administers some 1. SSPs covering 1. 81 individual species. To be selected as the focus of an SSP, a species must be endangered or threatened in the wild. Also, many SSP species are flagship species, meaning that they are well known to people and engender strong feelings for their preservation and the protection of their habitat. The AZA approves new SSP programs if various internal advisory committees deem the species in question to be needy of the help and if sufficient numbers of researchers at various zoos or aquariums can dedicate time and resources to the cause. AZAs Maryland based Conservation and Science Department administers the worldwide SSP program, generating master plans for specific species and coordinating research, transfer and reintroductions. Part of this process involves designing a family tree of particular managed populations in order to achieve maximum genetic diversity and demographic stability. AZA also makes breeding and other management recommendations with consideration given to the logistics and feasibility of transfers between institutions as well as maintenance of natural social groupings. In some cases, master plans may recommend not to breed specific animals, so as to avoid having captive populations outgrow available holding spaces. While success stories abound, most wildlife biologists consider SSP programs to be works in progress. AZA zoos have been instrumental, for instance, in establishing a stable population of bongos, a threatened forest antelope native to Africa, through captive breeding programs under the SSP program. Programs Help Endangered Species' title='Programs Help Endangered Species' />Purpose. To orient students to the plight of endangered species and to help them understand and gain perspective on human issues that continue to endanger species and. SSN and ET. There are hundreds of nongovernmental and private groups working to help save endangered species in the world, and in many ways the most important forum. Many of these captive bred bongos have subsequently been released into the wild and have helped bolster dwindling population numbers accordingly. Of course, for every success story there are dozens of other examples where results have been less satisfying. SSP programs for lowland gorillas, Andean condors, giant pandas and snow leopards, among others, have not had such clear success, but remain part of the larger conservation picture for the species in question and the regions they inhabit. CONTACTS AZAs Conservation Science Program, www. Endangered Species Act of 1973 Other short titles Endangered Species Act of 1973 Long title An Act to provide for the conservation of endangered and threatened. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Ed Carter, Executive Director 440 Hogan Rd. Nashville, TN 37220 615 7816500 Ask. TWRAtn. gov. Dear EarthTalk Do zoos have serious programs to save endangered species, besides putting a few captives on display for everyone to see Kelly Traw, Seattle, WA. There are many species of vultures around the world, but unfortunately most of them are in danger of disappearing. Photo Laszlo CsomaShutterstock. Conscience. Earth. Talk is produced by EThe Environmental Magazine. SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO Earth. Talk, P. O. Box 5. Westport, CT 0. 68. Read past columns at www. Earth. Talk is now a bookDetails and order information at www. Premiere Pro Cs6 Presets Free Download on this page.