Rhino Captive Programs
The IRF believes that development of viable captive populations is vital to the success of rhino conservation. Protection in the wild is by far the optimal and preferred method for conserving rhinos. However, in situ conservation is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty. Hence, captive populations and programs are an insurance policy that should and can be part of a diversified strategy for rhino conservation that maximizes options and minimizes regrets.
Rhino Taxon Advisory Group
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Contact: Steve Shurter, Chair
White Oak Conservation Center
581705 White Oak Road
Yulee, FL, USA 32097
Contact: Steve Shurter, Chair
White Oak Conservation Center
581705 White Oak Road
Yulee, FL, USA 32097
The AZA Rhino Taxon Advisory Group (or Rhino TAG) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a committee comprising the species coordinators, studbook keepers, and other rhino experts who manage the captive populations and programs for rhinos in North American zoos. The Rhino TAG develops a masterplan for managing and breeding rhinos which provides recommendations on which rhinos should be mated to produce the healthiest populations (in genetic, demographic, nutritional and veterinary terms). The TAG also produces a husbandry manual to guide zoos in achieving optimal conditions for rhinos, which are notoriously challenging for zoos. The TAG also tries to provide support for conservation in the wild through its research, education, and fundraising efforts. For more information about the Rhino TAG, please contact Steve Shurter, Rhino TAG Chair.
| AZA Rhino Taxon Advisory Group Steve Shurter, Chair |
|
| Steve Shurter | White Oak Conservation Center AZA Rhino TAG Chair |
| Randy Rieches |
San Diego Wild Animal Park |
| Ann Petric | Brookfield Zoo Black Rhino SSP Coordinator |
| Joseph Christman | Disney's Animal Kingdom, Rhino Studbooks Keeper |
| Martha Fischer | St. Louis Zoo |
| Michael Dee | Los Angeles Zoo |
| Michael Fouraker | Fort Worth Zoo |
| John Lukas | White Oak Conservation Center |
| Appointed members | |
| Lance Aubery | San Diego Wild Animal Park Keeper Advisor |
| Ellen Dierenfeld | St. Louis Zoo Nutrition Advisor |
| Adam Eyres | Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Keeper Advisor |
| Peter de Groot, Ph.D | Queens Univ., Ontario Genetics Advisor |
| David Jenike | Cincinnati Zoo Education Advisor |
| Eric Miller | St. Louis Zoo Veterinary Advisor |
| Terri Roth | Cincinnati Zoo / C.R.E.W Chair of Research Council and Reproduction Advisor |
| Ron Swaisgood | San Diego Zoo / C.R.E.S. Behavioral Advisor |
AZA Rhinoceros Advisory Group 5-Year Plan 2002
- Conduct and Support Health and Husbandry Research on Black, Sumatran, White and Indian Rhino.
- Epidemiology Study for all rhino taxa in captivity.
- Research projects to test the hypotheses about causes and to formulate remedies for health problems of black (and perhaps Sumatran) rhino in captivity, e.g. iron overload, phosphate depletion, etc.
- Investigation of causes of and remedies for Indian rhino foot problems in captivity.
- Reproductive Research on all Rhino Species:
- Apply the technology that has been developed (e.g. feces/urine/saliva hormone tests and ultrasound examinations for estrus, pregnancy, reproductive status) to manage captive populations better.
- Development of methodologies, instrumentation, etc. for assisted reproduction (AI and ET) and gene banking.
- Development of methods for in utero (intrauterine) sex determination of fetuses in all rhino taxa.
- Support Rhino Protection Units (RPUs = Anti-Poaching Teams), Intensive Protection Zones (IPZ) and In Situ Managed Breeding Centers for Sumatran and Javan Rhino.
- Support of Intensive Protection Zone Program for Northern White Rhino.
Europe
The European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) is the European counterpart of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) in North America.
Australasia
The Australasian Species Management Programme (ASMP) is the counterpart in Australian and New Zealand of the SSP in North America and EEP in Europe.
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