| |
The AZA Tiger SSP supports the mission of the IUCN/SSC CBSG
Tiger Global Conservation Strategy (formerly called the Tiger
Global Animal Survival Plan), a strategy for the management
of tigers at the international level that links in situ
and ex situ conservation activities for the recovery and
long-term maintenance of wild and captive populations. A primary
focus of the CBSG Tiger GCS by necessity is on captive management
programs that can serve as genetic and demographic reservoirs
to support the survival or the recovery of wild populations in
the future, but it is not limited to captive programs only. In
fact, an increased emphasis on supporting wild populations is
necessary if we want to become true stewards of tigers, both captive
and wild. Another focus is to identify where and how the transfer
of captive management information and technology can assist the
survival or recovery of wild populations. A third is to develop
priorities for limited financial support for in situ conservation
programs.
The CBSG Tiger GCS has been recognized as a strategic
document by the world zoo community managing tigers. With the
unanimous consensus of recognition for this document from all
involved regional programs - Australasian Regional Association
of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (ARAZPA), Perhimpunan Kebun
Binatang se Indonesia (PKBSI), Southeast Asian Zoo Association
(SEAZA), Indian Zoo Association, Chinese Association of Zoological
Gardens (CAZG), Japanese Association of Zoological Gardens and
Aquariums (JAZGA), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),
National Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and
Ireland, and European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) -
the CBSG Tiger GCS, with the assistance of the AZA Tiger SSP,
is working to secure the future for wild tigers.
Dr. Ron Tilson, Conservation Director at the Minnesota Zoo serves
as Chair of this committee. Kathy Traylor-Holzer, Minnesota Zoo
Population Analyst serves as Population Management Advisor to
this committee as well.
|