Sunday, January 23, 2011

AZA Felid Regional Collection Plan

For Mary Ann Howell (and other interested parties):

I found this information today regarding the American Zoo and Aquariums Association's management of feline species. In summary, the goals for tigers are to manage the Malayan, Sumatran and Siberian species and to phase out generic (Bengal) tigers. The target population is 173 Siberian, 71 Sumatran and 73 Malayan tigers. They state that "recent challenges with Sumatran sub-species may warrant management of only two sub-species (Amur and Malayan). When phasing out a generic population more spaces are needed. The Malayan program has had strong growth and demand remains high for this warm weather tiger. All generic tigers are managed under the purview of the Tiger SSP."

Information is also listed for other cat species, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, pumas and many more. It is interesting to note that breeding pumas is prohibited; only rescuing animals from the wild is allowed.

You can read the entire report at the following link, released by the National Zoo in 2009.

>> AZA Felid Taxon Advisory Group, North American Regional Collection Plan (RCP), 2nd Edition, 2009"

3 comments:

Steve said...

The report doesn't state what the "recent challenges" are concerning the Sumatran Tiger. Do you have any further information as to what they may be?

Also, I believe that the policy has now been changed with respect to Puma.

Mary Ann said...

Radar,

Thank you for posting this. I was aware of the position on managing generic tigers to extinction in AZA zoos, which of course includes white tigers. Fortunately, there are ZAA zoos still exhibiting and breeding white tigers, so that I can still get my thrill and my fix.

This is the first that I have heard of "recent challenges with Sumatran sub-species" and possible "management of only two sub-species (Amur and Malayan)".

This is also the first that I have heard that "breeding pumas is prohibited; only rescuing animals from the wild is allowed".

I also feel bad about the small cats being managed to extinction (I hate that term), such as the margay and the Geoffrey's cat. It certainly makes a great case for responsible private ownership.

Mary Ann

Ryan Easley said...

No Steve, I do not have any further information. Thank you for the update regarding the puma (panther, mountain lion, catamount, etc). Is there any other animal with as many names?

Mary Ann,
There is more discussion regarding this report at a great site called ZooChat.
http://www.zoochat.com/22/feline-tag-aza-200309/

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