The Science Supporting Breeding and Transfer Plans

Cooperative breeding programs are an important tool used by the zoo and aquarium community to manage the long-term viability and sustained survival of hundreds of collection species. Population management decisions, including animal breeding and transfer recommendations, are informed by the application of the scientific principles from the field of Population Biology. As the number of cooperative breeding programs managed by zoos and aquariums continues to grow, it is increasingly important that staff understand how recommendations for these programs support a population's long-term demographic and genetic viability. This course will provide participants with a broad understanding of why and how animal breeding and transfer recommendations are made for cooperative breeding programs.