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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

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-topped 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-honed 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)