Introduction
The Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) serves 50+ accredited zoos across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to help guide the management of orangutan populations in human care in North America. The SSP also serves two AZA-accredited zoos in South Korea. Orangutans in human care worldwide are managed as two genetically separate breeding populations, based on the three species of orangutan that exist in the wild – the Sumatran, Bornean and newly discovered Tapanuli. A fourth, non-breeding population is made up of hybrid orangutans, which are crosses between the Bornean and Sumatran species.
The primary goals of an SSP are to treat an entire population of animals as a single unit (“gene pool”) in order to maximize retention of genetic diversity, and to promote cooperation among holding institutions to ensure the long-term survival of the species in human care. A minority of SSP populations support wild populations through reintroduction programs, but most SSP programs exist to manage a sustainable captive population to advance the mission of zoos for many years to come. Holistic SSP programs extend beyond management in human care to encompass scientific research, conservation, and education programs that support populations in zoos and in the wild.
The IUCN Red List lists all species and subspecies of orangutans as Critically Endangered. The remaining wild populations are seriously threatened by logging (legal as well as illegal), wholesale conversion of forest for oil palm plantations, widespread fires, and habitat fragmentation by road construction. Orangutans are also illegally captured for the pet trade and killed as agricultural pests when they raid fruit crops abutting forests. Fewer than 15,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild, the Bornean species numbers under 50,000 and the Tapanuli are fewer than 800 in the wild. All species continue to experience steep population declines and unrelenting pressures, underscoring the importance of zoos in educating visitors about the essential role of wildlife in maintaining the health of the planet, the plight of wild animals and nearby human populations, and what we here in the western world can do to help reverse current trends toward extinction. Read more about orangutan conservation here.
The Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) serves 50+ accredited zoos across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to help guide the management of orangutan populations in human care in North America. The SSP also serves two AZA-accredited zoos in South Korea. Orangutans in human care worldwide are managed as two genetically separate breeding populations, based on the three species of orangutan that exist in the wild – the Sumatran, Bornean and newly discovered Tapanuli. A fourth, non-breeding population is made up of hybrid orangutans, which are crosses between the Bornean and Sumatran species.
The primary goals of an SSP are to treat an entire population of animals as a single unit (“gene pool”) in order to maximize retention of genetic diversity, and to promote cooperation among holding institutions to ensure the long-term survival of the species in human care. A minority of SSP populations support wild populations through reintroduction programs, but most SSP programs exist to manage a sustainable captive population to advance the mission of zoos for many years to come. Holistic SSP programs extend beyond management in human care to encompass scientific research, conservation, and education programs that support populations in zoos and in the wild.
The IUCN Red List lists all species and subspecies of orangutans as Critically Endangered. The remaining wild populations are seriously threatened by logging (legal as well as illegal), wholesale conversion of forest for oil palm plantations, widespread fires, and habitat fragmentation by road construction. Orangutans are also illegally captured for the pet trade and killed as agricultural pests when they raid fruit crops abutting forests. Fewer than 15,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild, the Bornean species numbers under 50,000 and the Tapanuli are fewer than 800 in the wild. All species continue to experience steep population declines and unrelenting pressures, underscoring the importance of zoos in educating visitors about the essential role of wildlife in maintaining the health of the planet, the plight of wild animals and nearby human populations, and what we here in the western world can do to help reverse current trends toward extinction. Read more about orangutan conservation here.
Photo by Steve VanDerKool
Program Goals
Research: Science guides many of the management practices of the SSP. Find out more about how research is supported by the SSP.
Education: Public outreach is vital to increasing awareness about the status of orangutans in zoos and in the wild. Learn more about the educational activities of the Orangutan SSP.
Advocacy: Great apes face a myriad of challenges in today’s world. The Orangutan SSP is committed to taking a stand on the critical issues facing the taxon.
Conservation: Critically endangered in their native Southeast Asia, orangutan populations are perilously low due to several factors including habitat conversion, deforestation, disease and the pet trade. The SSP supports in situ activities that address these issues.
Husbandry: The people that look after orangutans in accredited zoos have some of the most rewarding yet challenging jobs around. The SSP serves these institutions by providing up-to-date information about the proper care and management of orangutans in a variety of settings.
Research: Science guides many of the management practices of the SSP. Find out more about how research is supported by the SSP.
Education: Public outreach is vital to increasing awareness about the status of orangutans in zoos and in the wild. Learn more about the educational activities of the Orangutan SSP.
Advocacy: Great apes face a myriad of challenges in today’s world. The Orangutan SSP is committed to taking a stand on the critical issues facing the taxon.
Conservation: Critically endangered in their native Southeast Asia, orangutan populations are perilously low due to several factors including habitat conversion, deforestation, disease and the pet trade. The SSP supports in situ activities that address these issues.
Husbandry: The people that look after orangutans in accredited zoos have some of the most rewarding yet challenging jobs around. The SSP serves these institutions by providing up-to-date information about the proper care and management of orangutans in a variety of settings.
People
Formed in 1980's, the Orangutan SSP is a group of dedicated professionals that works to advance the care of orangutans in human care, to educate the public about critical issues facing orangutans, and to partner with other organizations that seek to improve the lives of wild and orangutans in human care. Find out more about the people behind the SSP here.
Fundraising
The Orangutan SSP is a completely volunteer group run by people who care about orangutans. Although programmatically supported by the AZA and our member zoos, any funding for our efforts is from independent granting programs, donations, or fund-raising activities undertaken by the program and its supporters. The major source of SSP funds is auction events held at SSP workshops. Funds are maintained by Zoo Atlanta on behalf of the Orangutan SSP, and are managed according to AZA policy.
Disbursement of these funds is in accordance with the goals and objectives of the program. Both in situ and ex situ projects, facilities, and activities are equally eligible for disbursement of SSP funds. All disbursements must be reviewed by the elected Steering Committee members and agreed upon by a vote of at least 75% of the elected Steering Committee members. Please contact us with questions about SSP funds or to make a donation to the program.
Our Partners
AZA: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, our governing body.
Ape TAG: The Taxon Advisory Group for apes in AZA zoos.
Chimpanzee SSP: The Species Survival Plan for chimpanzees in AZA zoos.
Chimpanzee SAFE: AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
Bonobo SSP: The Species Survival Plan for bonobos in AZA zoos.
Gorilla SSP: The Species Survival Plan for gorillas in AZA zoos.
Gibbon SSP: The Species Survival Plan for gibbons in AZA zoos.
Orangutan SAFE: AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
Formed in 1980's, the Orangutan SSP is a group of dedicated professionals that works to advance the care of orangutans in human care, to educate the public about critical issues facing orangutans, and to partner with other organizations that seek to improve the lives of wild and orangutans in human care. Find out more about the people behind the SSP here.
Fundraising
The Orangutan SSP is a completely volunteer group run by people who care about orangutans. Although programmatically supported by the AZA and our member zoos, any funding for our efforts is from independent granting programs, donations, or fund-raising activities undertaken by the program and its supporters. The major source of SSP funds is auction events held at SSP workshops. Funds are maintained by Zoo Atlanta on behalf of the Orangutan SSP, and are managed according to AZA policy.
Disbursement of these funds is in accordance with the goals and objectives of the program. Both in situ and ex situ projects, facilities, and activities are equally eligible for disbursement of SSP funds. All disbursements must be reviewed by the elected Steering Committee members and agreed upon by a vote of at least 75% of the elected Steering Committee members. Please contact us with questions about SSP funds or to make a donation to the program.
Our Partners
AZA: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, our governing body.
Ape TAG: The Taxon Advisory Group for apes in AZA zoos.
Chimpanzee SSP: The Species Survival Plan for chimpanzees in AZA zoos.
Chimpanzee SAFE: AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
Bonobo SSP: The Species Survival Plan for bonobos in AZA zoos.
Gorilla SSP: The Species Survival Plan for gorillas in AZA zoos.
Gibbon SSP: The Species Survival Plan for gibbons in AZA zoos.
Orangutan SAFE: AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
Photo by Bridget Wright