What is a Species Survival Plan (SSP)?
The Species Survival Plan® program, or SSP, was created in 1981 by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) 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. SSPs also participate in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities, such as research, public education, reintroduction of species and field projects. Woodland Park Zoo currently is active in 35 cooperative breeding programs that help breed endangered species as a hedge against extinction.

For more information about SSPs and the work accomplished by them, visit the Species Survival Plan® Fact Sheet on AZA's Web site.