Species Survival Plans (SSP)
Tracy Aviary is currently focusing its conservation efforts for two endangered species through Species Survival Plans (SSP), the Andean condor and the Mauritius pink pigeon. The purpose of SSP is to "manage and conserve a select and typically threatened or endangered, ex situ species population." (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
Andean Condor
Vultur gryphus
The Andean condor holds the record for the largest wing area of any bird in the world and is also the national symbol of six South American countries. How could a record-breaking, symbolic bird be a threatened species then? Although locals of South America are also in awe of the condor's incredible size and mystique, it is for that reason condors are threatened. Traditional Andean medicine believes that bones and organs of an Andean condor have medicinal powers to cure and heal. However, there are also many misguided notions among farmers regarding the condor's ecological niche. Some South American farmers will poison and shoot Andean condors in fear that the condors will kill and eat their livestock, even though condors will only eat meat that is already dead, or carrion.
Andean condors were first put on the endangered species list by the United States of America in 1970, where it still remains today. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ranks Andean condors as a near threatened species with their population declining.
The SSP for Andean condors was put into effect by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help the condor population stop declining. Tracy Aviary's Andean condor, lovingly named Andy, is part of AZA's SSP program. Currently, Tracy Aviary is about to launch a Condor Conservation Campaign in order to purchase a telemetry system for one of Andy's captive-bred relatives before it is released into the wild. Telemetry systems placed on Andean condors help researchers discover how we can better help condors and how the captive-bred condors are faring after being released into the wild. Since 1990, 65 Andean condors raised in zoos and aviaries have been released into the wilds of Venezuela and Columbia. The AZA hopes that the reintroduction of Andean condors back into the wild will increase species populations and natural breeding will continue.
To see an impressive Andean condor up-close, stop by Tracy Aviary and visit Andy, the Aviary's Andean Condor!
Resources
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/144772/0
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-andean_condor.html
http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B03Y
Mauritius Pink Pigeon
Columba mayeri
Mauritius pink pigeons are similar in shape and size to the common rock pigeons that can be found in many urban environments, but this pigeon has several distinguishing differences. Mauritius pink pigeons are indigenous to Mauritius, an island off the eastern coast of Madagascar, and are listed as an endangered species.
With the introduction of several exotic species of plants and animals to the island as well as habitat destruction, Mauritius pink pigeon populations began to decline. In 1990, there were only 10 individuals left on the island. Intensive species management, including their participation in the SSP, has increased their population to 380 individuals in 2007.
The survival plan for this species was first introduced on the Mauritius pink pigeon's native island at the Black River aviaries. An SSP was later organized in 1992. At Tracy Aviary, the Mauritius pink pigeon SSP has been successful in rearing several chicks. The picture to the left shows a ring-necked dove dutifully incubating a Mauritius pink pigeon egg. This is because Mauritius pink pigeons are known for having trouble incubating and raising their own chicks, so birds, like the ring-necked dove, are used as surrogate parents to raise the Mauritius pink pigeon's young. Incubation is 2 weeks from the time the egg is laid to a chick hatching, so luckily the patient waiting time for the ring-necked dove is short.
Come visit Tracy Aviary's magnificent Mauritius pink pigeons in our pheasantry section!
Resources
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/143491/0
