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Cooperative breeding
diversity wo we might have 500 species at the zoo but we work with
other facilities that have the same species and work to –frame as a positive that we
work collaboratively with these other zoos and aquariums to over breeding programs in order
to maintain genetic diversity and have a sustainable pop. Even tho one facility doesn’t have enough
room for all of them, we work with other zoos that together we have enough space to manage that species.i

Benefits of programs, moving animals between zoos to maintain genetic

Managing Flocks Cooperative
Most of the birds at Brookfield Zoo Chicago are social Management
species. In the wild, many birds are in groups for Cotton‑top tamarins, a species
protection, said Cody Hickman, associate director of Avian of small South American monkey,
Care and Conservation. “Most of our habitats are multi‑ live in small family groups led by
species habitats with big groups of birds.” They include a breeding pair that mates for life.
Tropic World, The Swamp, and the aviaries in Reptiles and When Sebastian, a cotton‑top tamarin
Birds and Feathers and Scales. in Tropic World: South America, lost
Before introducing new birds, particularly smaller birds, his mate, he wasn’t alone for too long.
into an aviary, Hickman and his team take a number of A new partner, Betty, arrived from
steps to ensure the birds will be successful in their new Houston Zoo after losing her mate.
setting. “We rarely ever put a bird into a new habitat by “Zoos will do that if there is a loss of
itself,” he said. “That one bird is not going to have the best a highly social animal,” said Daniels.
life by itself—that’s not their nature. We put them in as Animals are also moved between
pairs or in same‑sex groups.” institutions because of SSP breeding
These decisions are based on his experience working recommendations. As one of the 237
with birds, and the natural history of the species, said zoos and aquariums accredited by the
Hickman. For particular species, such as the turquoise Association of Zoos and Aquariums
tanager, multiple males are not added to the same aviary (AZA), Brookfield Zoo Chicago
at the same time. “The turquoise tanager is a beautiful little participates in their cooperative
bird, but the males don’t get along. If you put two males in animal management programs,
there together, they’re going to fight.” including the Species Survival Plan®
(SSP) programs. SSPs facilitate the
breeding and management of entire
populations of animals throughout
AZA‑accredited institutions.
An SSP is a cooperative population
management and conservation
program for select species in
KIRK'S accredited North American zoos
DIK-DIKS
and aquariums. Each plan manages
the breeding of a species to maintain
a healthy and self‑sustaining
population that is both genetically
diverse and demographically stable.

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