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Native Wildlife Zoo and the AZA Species Survival Program by Andrea DeMuth, Vice-President and Curator of Zoo Collections When you think of endangered or threatened animal species, you may not think that any of the inhabitants of Brookgreen’s Native Wildlife Zoo would be in that category, but the North American River Otter population is under stress from habitat loss, water pollution, and trapping. Brookgreen’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) is one way we are helping to preserve these playful animals for the future. Th is platform is a database of information shared by AZA members that tracks animals’ care, exhibit design, genetics, and health. It enables zoos to easily fi nd the best genetic pairs for breeding to increase the sustainability of the species. Recently, Brookgreen sent one of our male otters to the Cincinnati Zoo as part of this breeding program. He will be “in residence” there for several years. One of the challenges of transporting otters is their ability to chew through any wooden or plastic cage or crate. As the time to ship our male otter to Cincinnati came closer, Andrea DeMuth, our Vice-President and Curator of Zoo Collections, identifi ed an “otter-proof ” travel crate that was approved for air travel. To cover the cost and engage more folks in learning about the zoo collections at Brookgreen, Marketing worked with the zoo to launch a GoFundMe™ campaign, which successfully raised the $3,500 needed to purchase the crate. Commenting on the travel crate, DeMuth said, “Th e new crate will be escape-proof and comfortable for shipping otters. Any time we have had to ship one on an airline we get nervous and worry until we get word it arrived at its destination. I think we will breathe easy with our next shipment, a female coming to us from a zoo in Green Bay, WI.” Brookgreen’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) is one way we are helping to preserve these playful animals for the future. Above: Brookgreen's new crate for transporting otters and other small animals. ~ 11 ~


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