Population Management Plans (PMPs)

Basic population management is necessary if zoos and aquariums are to maintain stable, self-sustaining populations for their display and conservation purposes. In 1994, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums'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 Population Management Plan?

PMPs provide basic population management recommendations for zoo and aquarium species. Proper population management can ensure the long-term survival of the captive population and the health of individual animals.

A PMP is directed by a population manager, who is often the approved studbook keeper. The population manager is responsible for monitoring the captive population and drawing attention to management options that will increase the genetic and demographic health of the population. Population managers use the same genetic and demographic protocols and software used for SSPs. They are also required to contact an advisor from the Small Population Management Advisory Group (SPMAG) to assist with compiling breeding recommendations.

Although population managers use the same tools as SSP coordinators, PMP recommendations are often supplemented with "rules of thumb" not appropriate for the more intensively managed SSPs. Because PMP participation is completely voluntary, these general guidelines provide participating institutions with options on how to best manage their animal populations.

Who can be a species manager?

The studbook keeper for a species is often the population manager, however, some Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) encourage individuals with an interest in population management to guide several PMPs. New AZA studbooks are not approved unless they are associated with either an SSP or a PMP. Existing studbook keepers can become species managers simply by filling out a form and sending it to the relevant TAG and to the AZA Conservation and Science Offices.

Learning How

Although there is no required training for population managers, the AZA Professional Training Program provide professional development and training on a variety of topics targeted for zoo and aquarium professionals. The curriculum includes a population management course. This week-long session is devoted to teaching the basics of demography, genetics, and husbandry, and how to integrate them to make breeding recommendations. In the Program Leaders Handbook you'll find all of the administrative information needed to manage a PMP.

Current Population Management Plans

Search the Conservation Programs Database for information on all of AZA;s conservation programs. Members may log in to the Members Only database to access contact information for program leaders as well as all program documents.

Additional Population Management Information

Group Population Management: A Summary

Population Management Center at Lincoln Park Zoo

List of Population Management Software