CONSERVATION PROJECTS: Species Survival Plan

Many plants and animals disappear because of human impacts on the environment. Extinction is claiming at least two animal species every day. Zoos are committed to preserving endangered species.

One of our most powerful tools in combating extinction is the Species Survival Plan. The Species Survival Plan, or SSP, began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species at North American zoos and aquariums. Each SSP carefully manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining captive population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. Beyond this, SSPs include a variety of other cooperative conservation activities, such as research, public education, reintroduction, and field projects. Currently, 87 SSPs covering 116 individual species are administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, whose membership includes 183 accredited zoos and aquariums throughout the world.

Below is a list of SSP animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo. You can find Species Survival Plan animals at RWPZ by looking for this symbol.