The Lee Richardson Zoo houses (as of July 2005) 146 species of animals.  Look below to see the list of animals at the zoo that are a part of these important plans.   What is an SSP? The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. Beyond this, SSPs participate in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities, such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects. Currently, 107 SSPs covering 161 individual species are administered by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, whose membership includes accredited zoos and aquariums throughout North America. What is a PMP? In 1994, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's (AZA's) Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee (WCMC) created Population Management Plans (PMPs) to provide basic population management for various captive populations. PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and conservation action of Species Survival Plans (SSPs).   What is a studbook? Studbooks are fundamental to the successful operation of SSPs, as each contains the vital records of an entire managed population of a species, including births, deaths, transfers and family lineage. [Studbook Fact Sheet] With appropriate analysis, a studbook enables the species coordinator and management group to develop a master plan containing sound breeding recommendations based on genetics, demographics and the species' biology. Data for each studbook is compiled and constantly updated by a studbook keeper who has knowledge of the species and time to assist in its conservation.   Animal Common Name Species Survival Plan Population Management Plan Regional (R) or International (I) Studbooks         Addax X   I Asiatic Black Bear   X R Black Footed Ferret X   R African Elephant X   R Gaur X   R Siamang X   R Reticulated Giraffe   X R Red Kangaroo   X R Jaguar X   R Lion-tailed Macaque X   I African Lion X   R Snow Leopard X   R Spider Monkey X   R Red Panda X   R North American Otter X   R Pronghorn   X R Puma (Mountain Lion)   X R Black Rhino X   R Baird’s Tapir   X I         Bearded Barbet   X R Red & Yellow Barbet   X R Hooded Crane   X R Stanley Crane     R Sarus Crane   X R Guira Cuckoo   X R Bleeding Heart Dove   X R Chilean Flamingo   X R Boat-Billed Heron   X R Waldrap Ibis   X R Kookaburra   X R Bali Mynah X   R Burrowing Owl   X R Victoria Crowned Pigeon X   I Nicobar Pigeon   X R Roseate Spoonbill   X R Emerald Starling   X R Hamerkop   X R White Stork   X R Trumpeter Swan   X R Blue Grey Tanager   X R Temmicks Tragopan   X R Crested Wood Partridge   X R           Other Conservation Status Terms:   USFWS: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) decides which species need protection, and lists them as either "endangered" or "threatened".  The Endangered Species Act makes it illegal to kill an endangered species or to harm it in any way.  It is also illegal to sell an endangered species or its parts (such as fur or feathers).   Endangered:  Endangered species are in danger of extinction.  They are completely protected under the Endangered Species Act.   Threatened:  Threatened species are not endangered yet, but they are likely to become endangered in the near future.  They are usually protected too, but there can be exceptions.   CITES: CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.  It is an international law that more than 100 nations have signed, agreeing to help protect endangered species.  CITES puts species into three groups, or Appendices.  There are different trade restrictions for each Appendix.   Appendix 1:  Species listed here are endangered, and any trade could make them become extinct.  Commercial trade is not allowed, except under very special circumstances.   Appendix 2:  Many threatened species are listed here.  They are not endangered yet, but they might be unless trade is controlled carefully.  Sometimes animals that look like endangered species are listed here too.   Appendix 3:  Species listed here are not globally threatened, but might be rare in some countries.  Trade is controlled to help any member countries that want to protect their populations.