Species conservation is a team effort led by EAZA, involving hundreds of institutions and thousands of experts. Our colleague Borbála Kocsis was recently elected Vice-Chair of EAZA’s parrot-focused expert group.
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) supports the protection of over 500 animal species through so-called EAZA Ex-situ Programs (EEP). These programs involve the protection of species outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos. The aim is to create genetically and demographically healthy, self-sustaining populations that can preserve the species even if it becomes extinct in the wild. This is achieved by breeding according to the European studbook of the species. Another important goal of the program is to ensure that the population can sustain itself without the need to capture new animals from the wild.
EAZA takes the conservation of endangered animals seriously. A species can only receive an official EEP program after thorough professional evaluation. This decision is made during the Regional Collection Planning (RCP) process. The fate of each species is decided by an expert group called the Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), which works intensively over several days.
The main criteria are:
How endangered is the species?
Are there enough individuals in zoos for sustainable breeding?
Can keeping the species in captivity effectively help its conservation?
Are the necessary financial and human resources available?
Experts also consider whether the program’s goals are achievable and what risks might be involved. Not every species receives an EEP program, but if it does, the program has clear objectives. The most important goal is to establish a genetically and demographically healthy population. Other parts of EEP programs may include educational activities, fundraising to protect the species’ natural habitats, research collaborations, and even reintroduction of the species into the wild.
The professional management of the programs is carried out by species coordinators. They ensure that the population size is balanced to avoid inbreeding, and they help zoos create suitable living conditions. One of their main tasks is to prepare the so-called Best Practice Guideline, a detailed guide on how to keep and breed the species.
They also create long-term, five-year plans (LTMP) to help the program reach its goals. Coordinators receive support from veterinarians, researchers, nutritionists, and TAG experts.
Our colleague Borbála Kocsis has led the Western Crowned Pigeon EEP program since 2019 and the King Parrot studbook since 2020. Since 2022, she has also managed the monitoring program of a lesser-known species, the Golden-shouldered Parrot.
Most recently, she received significant international recognition: she was elected Vice-Chair of the EAZA Parrot TAG. This group coordinates parrot species conservation, supports member zoos with professional advice, carries out regional collection planning that leads to EEP programs, oversees parrot breeding programs, supports research and education related to parrots, and works to protect these special, charismatic birds not only in zoos but also in their natural habitats.
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