Ellington

As a member institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Chattanooga Zoo is committed to saving endangered animals through conservation programs, education and breeding efforts. One such program is the Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP program is administered throughout the United States and Canada by accredited zoos and aquariums.

The program was developed to manage and conserve threatened or endangered species. SSP animals are often “flagship species” that are well known and arouse strong feelings in the zoo-going public for their preservation and protection. There are currently more than 115 individual SSP programs, each of which is responsible for developing a Master Plan that identifies population management goals and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied population.

The Chattanooga Zoo currently participates in seven different SSP programs that include Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, Chimpanzees, Jaguars, Cotton-top Tamarins, Spider Monkeys, and Bali Mynahs. Each time you visit the Chattanooga Zoo, or any other AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, you are helping to protect endangered animals throughout the world.