What is a Breeding Recommendation?

A breeding recommendation is part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) copyrighted breeding and conservation program. The SSP is designed to maintain a healthy, self-sustaining, genetically diverse and viable, as well as demographically stable, population of a species in human care in North America. Generally, animal collections in individual zoos and aquariums are typically too small by themselves to impact long-term conservation efforts. The SSP provides a means for conserving species that may not survive in the wild. While zoo populations are established for many reasons – such as conservation education, exhibit of interesting species, and research – establishing managed populations and saving species from extinction is an important contribution of zoos to conservation.

The SSP therefore organizes zoo and aquarium-based efforts to preserve the species in situ. The collaborative management of individual animals within AZA-accredited institutions is critical to ensuring the long-term survival of threatened and endangered species represented in its SSP program, such as Sumatran orangutans.

“Sending animals to other institutions is evidence of how zoos work together to conserve species such as Sumatran orangutans. Our staff builds a bond with each of our animals and these breeding recommendations are important moves,” said Steve Marshall, El Paso Zoo Director.

The goal of breeding programs for threatened and endangered species is to establish populations that are large enough to be demographically stable and genetically healthy. The animals’ health and well-being is a top priority for zoos, and the SSP is part of that goal. Using the SSP, matches are made using a database that determines genetic compatibility while maintaining a healthy age structure. This means the SSP ensures reproduction is reliably successful, protects the population against diseases and preserves the gene pool to avoid the problems of inbreeding.

Butch was transferred to El Paso from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden based on a breeding recommendation to match with Ibu. There are only 12 female Sumatran orangutans under human care in AZA-accredited facilities that have a recommendation this year.

El Paso residents may recall animals being transferred from the zoo because of breeding recommendations. Mosi the giraffe’s was transferred to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas based on a breeding recommendation from the SSP. He is also an expecting father, just like Butch! Again, the mission is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered species. Similarly, Xerxes the lion was transferred to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle based on a breeding recommendation. This recommendation was made because the female lions at the El Paso Zoo are related to Xerxes. Since being transferred, Xerxes has sired African lion cubs.