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The American Zoo and Aquarium Association's (AZAA) Species
Survival Plan (SSP) program began in 1981 as a cooperative population
management and conservation program for selected species in
North American zoos and aquariums. SSP's were developed to manage
the breeding of zoological animal populations in order to maintain
healthy, self-sustaining populations that are both genetically
diverse and demographically stable. Since its inception the
SSP has evolved to achieve more comprehensive conservation goals
encompassing a wide variety of activities such as in situ and
ex situ research, public education, fund raising, field projects
and reintroduction.
The mission of the program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species into the future and provide a link between zoo and aquarium animals and the conservation of their wild counterparts.
Currently, the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Adventure Parks participate in more than 20 Species Survival Plans, from the Bornean orangutan and chimpanzee to the Asian small-clawed otter and Humboldt penguin.
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