The Mill Mountain Zoo, as a member of AZA,( The Association of Zoos and Aquariums), participates in many cooperative breeding and management programs, the goal of which is to maintain a high level of genetic diversity within a species’ captive population. It is hoped that this close attention to detail within a species’ population will allow zoos to become banks or reservoirs of genetic information, so if needed, we can explore future release programs for these species.
Number of Species: Mammals: 16 Birds : 36 Reptiles : 12 Amphibians: 7 Invertebrates: 3
An SSP species is one that is intensively managed by an elected management committee in order to maintain a genetically viable and demographically stable population for long-term conservation purposes.
Mill Mountain Zoo’s SSP species include: Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Japanese Macaque, Fishing Cat, White-naped Crane, Red Wolf, Eurasian Black Vulture, Andean Condor
A PMP is a managed program for a species that needs genetic and demographic management, but not as intensely as an SSP. Species in this category may be upgraded to an SSP at a future date if circumstances or needs change.
Species in Mill Mountain Zoo’s PMP include: Western Tufted Deer, Wolverine, Crested Porcupine, Wrinkled Hornbill, Hooded Crane, Dart Frog, Burmese Mountain Tortoise, Parma Wallaby, Sichuan Takin, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove, New Guinea Masked Lapwing, Scarlet Ibis, White-crested Laughing Jay Thrush, Crested Wood Partridge, Palawan Peacock Pheasant, Collard Finchbill , Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Cougar, Blue-crowned Motmot, Blue-bellied Roller, Yellow-breasted Ground Dove, Prehensile-tail Skink
Future additions include: Canadian Lynx PMP Asian Small Clawed Otter SSP Pallas Cat SSP All SSP and PMP animals are part of captive breeding programs.