Orangutan SSP
  • Home
  • About the SSP
    • Who We Are
    • Member Zoos
    • Husbandry
    • Research
    • Grant Funding
    • Education
  • Orangutan Facts
    • Conservation
    • Taxonomy
    • Orang vs. Orang Utan
    • Non-Human Faces
    • Stories About Orangutans >
      • OCW 2020 - Nineteen Stories About Orangutans
      • OCW 2021 - Thirteen Stories about Orangutans
      • OCW 2022 - Twelve Stories about Orangutans
  • Issues
    • How You Can Help
    • Habitat Loss >
      • Palm Oil
    • Entertainment Industry
    • Pet Trade
    • Social Media
  • Professional Resources
    • Great Ape Heart Project
    • Members Only
  • Workshops
    • 2023 Workshop
    • 2024 Workshop
  • Contact
Who We Are
The mission of an AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered, species populations within AZA-accredited institutions. 

There are currently more than 500 SSP Programs. Each is responsible for developing a comprehensive population Studbook and a Breeding and Transfer Plan that identifies population management goals and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically stable population. Members of the SSP Steering Committee are elected by representatives from each institution that houses the species. 

The Steering Committee

SSPs are allowed to create their own, most appropriate management structure. The core of the SSP is made up of Institutional Representatives (IRs) from each zoo holding orangutans. These IRs report the status of their orangutans to an elected steering committee made up of a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and several other elected members. The Steering Committee members are elected for a three year term from among the IRs through a publicly disclosed, democratic process allowing one vote from each participating institution.  This team meets at least once a year, with input from all SSP zoos, to develop a management plan every 1-2 years.  We are tasked with husbandry and behavioral assistance, birth management planning, exhibit design, research, and advocacy for orangutans year-round.


The current Orangutan SSP Steering Committee elected membership is: 
(visit the links to see SC members' profiles!)
Picture



Chair:​ Beth Schaefer, Los Angeles Zoo



Picture



Vice Chair: Vacant

​

Picture




Treasurer: Erin Jones, Utah's Hogle Zoo

Picture



Secretary: Lynn Yakubinis, Zoo Atlanta

Picture


​Megan Fox
, Los Angeles Zoo

Picture



​


Lyn Heller, Zoo Miami

Picture


​

​ Scott Jackson, Oregon Zoo

Picture


​

Jane LeFave,
Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

Picture




Rob Shumaker, Indianapolis Zoo


Advisors

SSPs may appoint any number of non-voting advisory members to support the work of the SSP. 


The Orangutan SSP’s current advisors are:
Picture


Behavior Consultant:
 Carol Sodaro

Picture


​Education:  Brian Kutsch

Picture


Genetics
:
​Oliver Ryder, San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research

Picture


Husbandry: Cindy Cossaboon, Denver Zoo

Picture





International Studbook Keeper: Megan Elder, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Picture


Nutrition
:  
​Debra Schmidt
Saint Louis Zoo

Picture
Pathology:

​Linda Lowenstine, University of California/Davis 

Picture



​​Rita McManamon, University of Georgia

Picture


Sushan 
Han,
Colorado State University

​

Picture



Population Management: Jennifer Mickelberg, Zoo Atlanta

Picture



​Research: Meredith Bastian, ​National Academy of Sciences

Picture




​ Social Media: Angie Selzer, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

Picture


Veterinary
:
Nancy Lung, VMD

Picture



Joe Smith, DVM
​The WILDS


Picture
Photo copyright Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(C) Copyright Orangutan SSP 2019-2024
  • Home
  • About the SSP
    • Who We Are
    • Member Zoos
    • Husbandry
    • Research
    • Grant Funding
    • Education
  • Orangutan Facts
    • Conservation
    • Taxonomy
    • Orang vs. Orang Utan
    • Non-Human Faces
    • Stories About Orangutans >
      • OCW 2020 - Nineteen Stories About Orangutans
      • OCW 2021 - Thirteen Stories about Orangutans
      • OCW 2022 - Twelve Stories about Orangutans
  • Issues
    • How You Can Help
    • Habitat Loss >
      • Palm Oil
    • Entertainment Industry
    • Pet Trade
    • Social Media
  • Professional Resources
    • Great Ape Heart Project
    • Members Only
  • Workshops
    • 2023 Workshop
    • 2024 Workshop
  • Contact