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The Species Survival Plan Program (SSP) was begun in 1981 by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums. These species are identified in the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species.
At present there are 181 species in 115 programs. Each program has a master plan overseen by a coordinator who is an expert in his/her field. The purpose of the plan is to maintain healthy and genetically diverse animal populations in zoos and aquariums as one way of saving the species from extinction. SSP’s also participate in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects.
New SSP’s are approved by an appropriate Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). A studbook is created for each species which identifies breeding populations in zoos throughout North America.
Safari Niagara, as a member of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is home to individual animals or family groups from a number of species which have been identified in SSP’s. As well, we are breeding two endangered primates, Siamang Gibbons and Dark Handed Agile Gibbons.
