Management of Captive Populations
In order to maintain the genetic diversity of captive populations it is vital that zoos work together both regionally and internationally to ensure the long term health and survival of the animals in their care. To this end many species are monitored or managed at various levels.
ISB: International studbook – the monitoring of the captive population of a species on an international basis. The species co-ordinator works with the regional co-ordinators exchanging information.
EEP: European Endangered Species Programme – the highest degree of species management. The Species Co-ordinator works alongside the species committee to discuss issues associated with the husbandry of the species and discuss recommendations before they are issued to the relevant zoo. All institutions working with such programmes sign an agreement to work with and follow the recommendations they receive from the Species Co-ordinator.
ESB: European Studbook – the species is monitored by the Studbook Holder, who can in turn offer advice to institutions holding the species regarding husbandry issues or animal movements.
Species Monitor: an individual monitors the regional population of a species looking for trends and potential problems. If the species is not thriving as well as it could be in captivity, the species may be moved up to either an ESB or EEP.
As of October 2006 there are 165 species in EEPs and 161 species in ESBs. Cotswold Wildlife Park currently works with 43 of these species.
EEP Committees
The Park's Assistant Curator, Jamie Craig, is currently a member of the following EEP Committees:
Scimitar Horned Oryx
Greater Bamboo Lemur
Crowned Sifaka
Citron Crested Cockatoo
Assistant Curator Jamie talks about a recent Sifaka EEP Committee meeting
As a member of the EEP committee for the Crowned Sifaka, I attended a meeting at Paris Zoological Garden in June to discuss the future of this species both in captivity and in the wild. Many important areas of husbandry were discussed – focussing on breeding and how to manage such a low population. Many points were covered which will hopefully ensure that the Sifaka population will gradually increase and thrive in European zoos.
An In-situ project was also discussed involving a population survey in North West Madagascar to allow for an accurate assessment into the number of this critically endangered primate in its natural habitat. Once this survey is complete, a plan of action can be drawn up to work towards the preservation of this species. The Cotswold Wildlife Park is delighted to be involved in this process and is committed to raising funds and assisting in this project. Further details will be made available as the project develops.
What does a studbook do?
Information on all individuals of the species within the European region is collated and put into a software database, SPARKS (Single Population Analysis Record Keeping System), by the Studbook Holder.
The most important information is the relationship or ‘pedigrees’ of individuals, but certain trends can also be monitored such as the sex ratio of a species, longevity and fertility, and any recurrent health issues.
Once all the information has been collated there are various software programmes that can then analyse the population and assist the Species Co-ordinator with their recommendations.
The data will show which individuals are the most suitable for pairing, thus preventing inbreeding, maintaining genetic diversity and creating a self-sustaining captive population.
Studbooks held at Cotswold Wildlife Park
Red-crested Turaco ESB
Mount Omei Babbler ESB
Species Monitored by Cotswold Wildlife Park
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Crested Pigeon
Programme species held at the Park
The Park currently holds 43 species which are part of either an ESB or EEP:
Mammals
Crowned Sifaka (EEP)
Greater Bamboo Lemur (EEP)
Mongoose Lemur (EEP)
Alaotran Gentle Lemur (EEP)
Black Lemur (EEP)
Ruffed Lemur (EEP)
Emperor Tamarin (EEP)
Geoffroy’s Marmoset (EEP)
Cotton-top Tamarin (EEP)
Lar Gibbon (ESB)
Siamang (ESB)
Linne’s Two-toed Sloth (ESB)
Red Panda (EEP)
Asiatic Lion (EEP)
Amur Leopard (EEP)
White Rhinoceros (EEP)
Scimitar-horned Oryx (EEP)
Brazilian Tapir (EEP)
Chilean Pudu (EEP)
Reptiles
Radiated Tortoise (ESB)
Yellow-headed Day Gecko (ESB)
Mexican Beaded Lizard (EEP)
Rhinoceros Iguana (ESB)
Cuban Boa (EEP)
Jamaican Boa (EEP)
Madagascar Tree Boa (ESB)
Birds
Humboldt Penguin (EEP)
Black Stork (ESB)
Hamerkop (ESB)
Waldrapp Ibis (EEP)
Edward’s Pheasant (EEP)
White-naped Crane (EEP)
Sunbittern (ESB)
Pink Pigeon (EEP)
Bleeding-heart Pigeon (ESB)
Crowned Pigeon (ESB)
Citron-crested Cockatoo (EEP)
Kea (ESB)
Violaceous Turaco (ESB)
Red-crested Turaco (ESB)
Giant Hornbill (EEP)
Mount Omei Babbler (ESB)
Bali Starling (EEP)
Want to Help?
A visit to the Cotswold Wildlife Park can now be even more worthwhile. By adopting an animal, you can provide a helpful contribution towards the costs of keeping and feeding the animals and supporting our conservation breeding programmes... click here for more information