EAZA Ex-Situ Programmes update

Something I have just noticed on the EAZA Facebook page is that the Reptile TAG has now done the Regional Collection Plan for snakes. One thing the TAG will be doing is providing more husbandry support to zoos wishing to keep venomous snakes.

However, only six species of snake have been recommended to have a new-style EEP. Currently, there are six species of snake managed under the older type of EEP, of which at least three will be upgraded - the Jamaican boa, Madagascar tree boa and Mangshan pit viper.
It is possible that the Cuban boa may also be upgraded, as there is a photo of this species on the cover of the Ophidia Regional Collection Plan in the Facebook post.

The cover shows another two species, which could be the other subjects of new-style EEPs - the Ethiopian mountain adder and green tree python. If these are the six species, then the Savu Island python and San Francisco garter snake will no longer be managed in a breeding programme.
 
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Quite unexpected that it has been given to a collection that does not and has never held the species mind you!

Given the low numbers remaining in Europe I think that creating an entire EEP to oversee the phasing out of basically a single group at one zoo, and an ageing singleton at another, is a bit of a waste of time and money :p
I think that assertion is likely highly speculative and I really do wonder where the rumours have come from. I really do not know at this moment know what is happening AZA wise with the species (either), as the last update dates back to 2021. There is a substantial Meso-American population too (not included in the AZA program).

In 2021, the AZA/SSP had 15 collections as partipants of the SSP with around 30 individuals. In additon, there are 2 European zoos also currently holders of the species (Cottbus: 2.2 and Wuppertal: 0.1). I assume these will be part of the AZA/SSP and the Olomouc Zoo will liaise with AZA.
 
The April 2024 update to the EAZA breeding programmes list has come online today, with quite a few updates. These are the additions or changes I have noticed:

Elasmobranch TAG
  • Two new-style EEPs have been created - one for the short-tailed nurse shark, overseen by Artis Zoo, and a combined EEP for common and flapper skates, overseen by Rotterdam Zoo.
  • The blacktip reef shark ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Chessington.
Marine Teleost TAG
  • The new-style EEP for the long-snouted seahorse now exists, and is also being overseen by Chessington.
Freshwater Teleost TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the gouramis has been created, overseen by Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Amphibian TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the fire salamander has been created, overseen by Parc Zoologique d'Amiens.
Waterfowl and Pelecaniformes TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the blue-winged goose has been created, overseen by Dvur Kralove.
Raptor TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the hooded vulture has been created, overseen by the Hawk Conservancy Trust.
  • The secretary bird and imperial eagle ESBs have both been upgraded to new-style EEPs, both being overseen by the same holders as before.
Charadriiformes TAG
  • A new-style multi-species EEP for lapwings has been created, and is being overseen by Birdland Park.
  • The Inca tern ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, going from being vacant to being overseen by Bioparc de Doué la Fontaine.
Pigeon and Dove TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the Nicobar pigeon, overseen by Dortmund Zoo.
Parrot TAG
  • The hyacinth macaw EEP has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, with the coordinator moving from Pairi Daiza to Zurich
  • The golden parakeet ESB has also been upgraded to a new-style EEP, going from being vacant to coordinated by Dortmund Zoo.
Songbird TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the yellow cardinal, overseen by Newquay Zoo.
Small Carnivore TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the smooth-coated otter, overseen by Colchester Zoo.
  • The giant otter, Owston's civet and fossa EEPs have been upgraded to new-style EEPs; while the otter and fossa have retained their original coordinators, the civet EEP has moved from Paignton Zoo to Shaldon Wildlife Trust.
Felid TAG
  • The Eurasian lynx ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Tierpark Bern.
Tapir and Suiform TAG
  • The Visayan warty pig EEP has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Wroclaw.
Antelope and Giraffid TAG
  • The new-style EEP for the black wildebeest has been created, and is being overseen by ZooSafari de Thoiry.
The full list of programmes can be found here:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/CCC/Other/April-2024.pdf
 
The April 2024 update to the EAZA breeding programmes list has come online today, with quite a few updates. These are the additions or changes I have noticed:

Elasmobranch TAG
  • Two new-style EEPs have been created - one for the short-tailed nurse shark, overseen by Artis Zoo, and a combined EEP for common and flapper skates, overseen by Rotterdam Zoo.
  • The blacktip reef shark ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Chessington.
Marine Teleost TAG
  • The new-style EEP for the long-snouted seahorse now exists, and is also being overseen by Chessington.
Freshwater Teleost TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the gouramis has been created, overseen by Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Amphibian TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the fire salamander has been created, overseen by Parc Zoologique d'Amiens.
Waterfowl and Pelecaniformes TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the blue-winged goose has been created, overseen by Dvur Kralove.
Raptor TAG
  • A new-style EEP for the hooded vulture has been created, overseen by the Hawk Conservancy Trust.
  • The secretary bird and imperial eagle ESBs have both been upgraded to new-style EEPs, both being overseen by the same holders as before.
Charadriiformes TAG
  • A new-style multi-species EEP for lapwings has been created, and is being overseen by Birdland Park.
  • The Inca tern ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, going from being vacant to being overseen by Bioparc de Doué la Fontaine.
Pigeon and Dove TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the Nicobar pigeon, overseen by Dortmund Zoo.
Parrot TAG
  • The hyacinth macaw EEP has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, with the coordinator moving from Pairi Daiza to Zurich
  • The golden parakeet ESB has also been upgraded to a new-style EEP, going from being vacant to coordinated by Dortmund Zoo.
Songbird TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the yellow cardinal, overseen by Newquay Zoo.
Small Carnivore TAG
  • A new-style EEP has been created for the smooth-coated otter, overseen by Colchester Zoo.
  • The giant otter, Owston's civet and fossa EEPs have been upgraded to new-style EEPs; while the otter and fossa have retained their original coordinators, the civet EEP has moved from Paignton Zoo to Shaldon Wildlife Trust.
Felid TAG
  • The Eurasian lynx ESB has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Tierpark Bern.
Tapir and Suiform TAG
  • The Visayan warty pig EEP has been upgraded to a new-style EEP, still overseen by Wroclaw.
Antelope and Giraffid TAG
  • The new-style EEP for the black wildebeest has been created, and is being overseen by ZooSafari de Thoiry.
The full list of programmes can be found here:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/CCC/Other/April-2024.pdf

One other difference that I have just noticed, on re-examining the list again:

Reptile TAG
  • As I guessed in the post three above this one, the programmes for both the Savu Island python and San Francisco garter snake have now been removed.
 
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Amazing to hear the EAZA have an ounce of interest towards my favorite ocean fish.

While it’s nice to hear that the meerkats numbers will be controlled I wonder what zoos that chose to keep them in themed areas switch them with? As far as I know, there aren’t too many rare small carnivores, especially of EAZA’s interest, that could easily replace meerkats.

I was just browsing around looking for any former plans of the EAZA for small carnivores, and did find that, back in 2015 before new-style EEPs really became a thing, there was a plan to create an ESB specifically for the cusimanse.
That could be one of the African mongooses they are trying to encourage keeping of instead of meerkats - they are probably the best West African small carnivore that is reasonably available for zoos to source.
 
The EAZA Facebook page have announced that the Small Mammal TAG have completed their Regional Collection Plan for Xenarthra and Pangolins.

The proposal is for five new-style EEPs, four of which will oversee the management of multiple species (this subgroup currently has an old-style EEP for the giant anteater, and three ESBs for the tamandua and both species of two-toed sloth).
The cover of the Regional Collection Plan, shown on the Facebook post, has pictures of a Linne's two-toed sloth, a giant anteater, a Southern three-banded armadillo and a Chinese pangolin, so I imagine they will all be at least part of the planned EEPs.
 
The cover of the Regional Collection Plan, shown on the Facebook post, has pictures of a Linne's two-toed sloth, a giant anteater, a Southern three-banded armadillo and a Chinese pangolin, so I imagine they will all be at least part of the planned EEPs.
According to this instagram post about pangolins, there are three species of pangolins in EAZA institutions: Chinese, Sunda, and white-bellied/tree. While I am aware of Chinese and Sunda being kept in member zoos, the mention of white-bellied/tree pangolin is surprising. Are they kept in a breeding center near or in the field?
 
(this subgroup currently has an old-style EEP for the giant anteater, and three ESBs for the tamandua and both species of two-toed sloth)
Not all to knowledgeable on how EEPs work, but what is meant by 'old-style' and why does it mean that an update is urgent?
 
Not all to knowledgeable on how EEPs work, but what is meant by 'old-style' and why does it mean that an update is urgent?

The old-style EEPs are simply EEPs that have not yet been updated to what are officially known as the new-style EEPs, which are simply a more comprehensive conservation plan that combines both ex- and in-situ conservation.
 
According to this instagram post about pangolins, there are three species of pangolins in EAZA institutions: Chinese, Sunda, and white-bellied/tree. While I am aware of Chinese and Sunda being kept in member zoos, the mention of white-bellied/tree pangolin is surprising. Are they kept in a breeding center near or in the field?

That is very interesting. I had a look at the members map on the EAZA website, and there doesn't seem to be anything at all based in Africa - no zoo, aquarium or associate member from the continent at all.
 
That is very interesting. I had a look at the members map on the EAZA website, and there doesn't seem to be anything at all based in Africa - no zoo, aquarium or associate member from the continent at all.
I believe it might be like the the pygmy hog program Durell has.
 
Maybe EAZA wants to obtain breeding animals from NA?
For instance I know Brookfield has 6 pairs and Gladys Porter has at least 2 and Columbus has a single specimen, if breeding was managed in a good way there could be some basis for an ex-situ population
 
The EAZA Facebook page have announced that the Parrot TAG have published their new Regional Collection Plan, although it is currently only available to members.

However, they have stated that the RCP has recommended that the Parrot TAG will contain 32 new-style EEPs - currently, there are 19 breeding programmes altogether. One of the species pictured with the announcement, which I imagine will get a new breeding programme, is the sun parakeet.
 
I wonder if we’ll get EEPs for extinct parrots like the Carolina parrot or Norfolk kaka?
 
The EAZA's Facebook page has now posted about an update to the Regional Collection Plan for the Felid TAG. A slight change to the previous recommendations - there will be 28 new-style EEPs, rather than the 30 originally mentioned. One thing that is mentioned is that the RCP has specifically identified the small cats as priority species.

The latest issue of Zooquaria came out earlier this afternoon. Although it has an article about the updates to the Felid TAG, it does not mention any specific programmes. The one thing that is news is that, of the 28 new-style EEPs planned, one will be a multi-taxa EEP and two will be phase-outs.

The article is on page 16 in this document:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Zooquaria/ZQIssues/2024/ZQ122-web.pdf
 
The latest issue of Zooquaria came out earlier this afternoon. Although it has an article about the updates to the Felid TAG, it does not mention any specific programmes. The one thing that is news is that, of the 28 new-style EEPs planned, one will be a multi-taxa EEP and two will be phase-outs.

The article is on page 16 in this document:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Zooquaria/ZQIssues/2024/ZQ122-web.pdf
annoyed that we cannot see which two species ...
 
annoyed that we cannot see which two species ...
I understand that this might come off as speculation but since the article mentioned recessive animals/ color morphs, I believe white+generic tigers, and lions are probably going to be the intended animals for a phase out. Sort of like the IAS species EEP.
 
I saw this post shared by the Antelope Conservation (formerly Derbianus Conservation) on instagram back at May. The first picture features a slide featuring a list of non-linked EEPs (I don’t know the definition of non-linked with regard to EEPs). From what I can make out of the blurry text, the list predominantly features antelopes already on EAZA’s ex-situ programme spreadsheet such as Beisa oryx, Nile lechwe, and black wildebeest. However what caught my eye was the second point on the list. It does look like as if it spells out Speke’s gazelle.

upload_2024-8-9_12-5-34.png
 

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