Captive Breeding & Care – working with AZA

Keeper Diaries Blog | Husdandry Care Publications

It has been estimated that twenty percent or more of the world's biological diversity may be lost within the next few decades. This extinction crisis is a result of massive habitat destruction and alteration around the globe. In an effort to help reverse this trend, members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) have made it their highest priority to help conserve wildlife through public education, scientific research, captive breeding for reintroduction, and fund-raising to support field conservation.

AZA began a Species Survival Plan (SSP) program in 1981 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. The AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) program plays a crucial role in the demographic and genetic management of small populations of threatened and endangered species.

Lubee Bat Conservancy is an accredited AZA member, and is working closely with AZA in two captive breeding projects and in the provision of expertise to the Bat Taxon Advisory Group.

Rodrigue’s Fruit Bat SSP

Fruit Bat Conservation The first project is with the Rodrigues fruit bat Species Survival Plan (SSP). In the late 1970’s, research had shown that there were less than 100 Rodrigues fruit bats or golden bats (Pteropus rodricensis) left in the world, and that it was one of the most endangered bat species on our planet. This species is native to the island of Rodrigues, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and belongs to the government of Mauritius. Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (Jersey Isle, UK) initiated a captive breeding program with twenty-seven bats as a hedge against extinction. The North American population of Rodrigues fruit bats is derived from descendents of the original captive animals in the Jersey and Mauritius colonies. The current population size is 260 bats in North America with 13 participating institutions. Lubee has produced approximately 25 pups towards this population. Lubee is actively supporting education and population monitoring field projects with partners Philadephia Zoo and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

Straw Colored fruit bat PMP

Lubee is also working with the AZA Straw-colored fruit bat regional studbook. Straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are not endangered, but are considered common across their range in Africa. This species is being managed through a population management plan to conserve the genetic diversity of the captive population which had a small founder population.

Lubee managed breeding programs

Fruit Bat breeding programs Lubee is the only facility in North American with breeding colonies of the following species: the Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus), the little golden-mantled flying fox (Pteropus pumilus), and the dog-faced fruit bat (Cynopteris brachyotis). Lubee has bred all of these species successfully, and surplus animals are loaned to AZA accredited zoos for exhibition and education. The living collection at Lubee offers researchers like Dr. Thomas Kunz of Boston University, the opportunity to study reproduction and maternal investment with Pteropodids, and to increase our knowledge about these unique species. The captive-breeding program at Lubee has led to a few astounding records. In 1992, Lubee recorded the first birth of the Giant (Malayan) flying fox (June 1992 Communique) and in 1995 the first ever birth record of twins for the Giant (Malaysan) flying fox (Animal Keepers Forum Vol.22. No 9 1995). In the future, we look forward to working with the AZA reproductive specialist group to gain further insight into the reproduction of flying foxes.

AZA Bat Taxon Advisory Group (TAG)

Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG’s) examine the conservation needs of entire taxa eg bats. Each group consists of representatives from AZA-member institutions, as well as individuals with special expertise. Through consensus, the bat TAG assists in the selection of appropriate bat species for AZA conservation programs and provides a forum for discussing bat husbandry, veterinary, ethical and other issues that apply to bats. Through regional collection planning, they recommend species for new AZA studbooks, SSPs and other zoo- and aquarium-based programs; and establish priorities for management, research and conservation. In addition, TAGs examine animal management techniques based on scientific studies and assist in developing animal care and husbandry guidelines.

Dr Allyson Walsh, Lubee’s Director, is a member of the AZA Bat TAG Steering Committee. Lubee is currently the lead partner in updating a Fruit Bat Husbandry Manual, which will provide up to date, detailed information about the care and management of fruit bats in captivity. Lubee supports the TAG through hosting the mid –year TAG meeting at our Field Center each year.