Blank Park Zoo Foundation - Happy Holidays from Blank Park Zoo

Ryan P. BickelRyan P. BickelAnimal ConservationParticipation in the Species Survival Plan programThe Species Survival Plan (SSP) is an American Zoo and Aquarium (AZA)program where individual species are cooperatively managed by many Zoosworking together. All breeding and animal transfer recommendations are madethrough the SSP. Genetic health is a primary focus to maintain appropriatepopulation size and age distribution. Healthy captive populations serve as a safetynet against extinction and provide a research population that will benefit wildpopulations. Zoos then use this knowledge to educate people about endangeredspecies and wildlife conservation.The Blank Park Zoo currently participates in 28 species-specific AZA captiveanimal management programs, 8 of which are managed at the SSP (speciessurvival plan) level. These eight include:• Bongo Antelope• White-handed Gibbon• Ring-tailed lemur• Snow Leopard• African Lion• Japanese Snow Macaque• River Otter• Amur Tiger.The Tom & JoGhrist Great Catexhibit opened in 1999.According toE.O. Wilson,noted Harvardsociobiologist,fifty thousandspeciesdisappear fromour planet everyyear. That’sabout six speciesper hour.Helping Other ZoosThe Blank Park Zoo also provided animals for other Zoos to improve theircollections, including:• 2 Black Tufted-ear Marmosets to the Cape May County Park Zoo, NJ• 10 Speckled Mousebirds to the Dallas Zoo, TX• 10 Speckled Mousebirds to the San Antonio Zoo, TX• 4 Speckled Mousebirds to the Erie Zoo, PA• 10 Green-winged Doves to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, FL• 50 moon jellyfish to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NEThrough partnershipsat home and abroad,the Blank Park Zooworks to advance theprotection of wildlifespecies and habitatsat-risk.Repopulating the WildThis year one trumpeter swan was donated to the Iowa Department of NaturalResources for the Release Program that is attempting to re-establish a wildpopulation of swans in the state. So far, BPZ has provided nearly 20 swans forthe conservation program.Around the globe andhere in Iowa, we act onbehalf of animals andtheir habitats.