By Mary Dansie, Curator of Animal Collections, and Kate Olsen, Assistant Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Conservation

SO… WHAT IS AZA, AN SSP, AND A STUDBOOK KEEPER?

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we help ensure Elmwood Park Zoo meets the highest standards for animal care, conservation, education, and research. AZA is an accrediting body that holds its 240 member institutions to strict guidelines and requires multi-day inspections every five years to maintain accreditation.

Within AZA, there are many Species Survival Programs (SSPs). These programs allow accredited facilities to work cooperatively to manage breeding and conservation for a variety of species in human care. Through SSPs, zoos and aquariums maintain genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations that serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. Today, zoos rarely take animals from the wild, except in cases where a breeding and reintroduction program is needed to help prevent extinction. (Be sure to check out the Black-Footed Ferret recovery story in the Welcome Center next time you visit!)

Within each SSP, there is a designated Program Leader. That person works at an AZA facility and helps maintain the species population by developing breeding recommendations and serving as a resource for other institutions. Every couple of years, the SSP Coordinator works with a population biologist to create a Breeding and Transfer Plan. You can think of us as animal matchmakers — the plan ensures genetically diverse pairs are created and helps determine where animals are placed once they mature out of their family groups.

A studbook keeper is responsible for maintaining an accurate record of every individual within that species. Often the SSP Coordinator and studbook keeper are the same person, though sometimes those roles are split.

Recently, we’ve been fortunate enough to take on new leadership roles. Mary is now the SSP Program Leader and Studbook Keeper for the North American Porcupine (NAP), and Kate has officially been named the White-faced Saki monkey SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper after serving as vice coordinator for the past two years.

Elmwood Park Zoo has long played an important role in the NAP population. Our Director of Animal Care, Dr. Michele Goodman, serves as the Veterinary Advisor for the NAP SSP. If any of the 240 AZA zoos has a medical question regarding a porcupine, they contact Dr. Goodman. As SSP Coordinator, Mary now makes recommendations regarding porcupine transfers. There are currently 140 North American porcupines in AZA facilities across the U.S. and Canada. If a facility wants to add a porcupine, all transactions must be suggested or approved by Mary to help maintain a stable population.

Our zoo has housed White-faced saki monkeys for nearly 20 years. We are one of 43 AZA-accredited facilities that care for this species, with approximately 121 individuals in the population. Kate participated in the most recent breeding and transfer plan last April, and Koetari, our newest female saki monkey, was placed here as a result of that plan.

We’re thrilled to be more directly involved in population management and planning. Be sure to say hello and ask us questions next time you see us around the zoo!

MARY’S PERSPECTIVE: Leading the North American Porcupine SSP

Being an SSP Program Leader and Studbook Keeper is both an honor and a lot of work. It involves coordinating with institutions across the U.S. and Canada on all things related to North American Porcupines. Right now, there is high demand for this species, as they make excellent ambassador animals and exhibit species.

North American porcupines are typically housed alone, with males and females only coming together to breed. If successful, about seven months later a single porcupette is born. Because of the long gestation and small litter size, the “wants” list is often longer than availability. Part of my job is tracking which zoos and aquariums are hoping to acquire a porcupine and determining where animals should be placed.

There are many factors to consider: whether a facility is willing to breed, their experience with the species, how long they’ve been on the waitlist, and genetics. Genetics is especially important. If an animal has produced multiple offspring, they may become overrepresented in the population. In those cases, we often recommend placement at a non-breeding facility.

About every two years, I send a survey to Institutional Representatives (IRs) at AZA facilities that either house or want porcupines. They complete the survey and return it to me. I then compile the information and work with a population biologist specializing in genetics to develop a Breeding and Transfer Plan. The proposed plan is sent back out to all IRs for review, and they can accept or decline the recommendations. Interim recommendations can also happen throughout the year, usually when an infant is old enough to leave its dam or a facility needs to relocate an animal.

KATE’S PERSPECTIVE: Leading the White-faced Saki SSP

I’ve worked with White-faced saki monkeys for 14 years and have cared for seven different individuals. As mentioned, we’re one of 43 AZA-accredited facilities that house this species, with about 121 individuals in the population.

When I first started at the zoo, I never expected to fall in love with primates — but they’re so curious and intelligent, I couldn’t resist. Sakis are also a very laid-back primate species, which makes them great candidates for mixed-species exhibits. Over the years, our sakis have lived with howler monkeys, iguanas, tortoises, golden lion tamarins, marmosets, sloth, tamandua, Patagonian mara, and even muntjac! They’re incredibly adaptable and typically don’t mind sharing space — as long as their neighbors are respectful.

I’ve learned so much about husbandry, breeding, and training through my time with this species. The babies, in particular, are incredibly inquisitive. They’ll sometimes try to groom a keeper’s hair or play with our tools while we’re cleaning. It’s also been fun to be involved in training. All of our sakis are trained in a variety of behaviors, including going into a crate on cue. This is especially helpful for our veterinary team, as they will calmly crate themselves for exams and transport.

In 2024, AZA created a “vice coordinator” role to provide support and backup leadership for SSP Program Leaders. When the Saki SSP leader sent out an email seeking applicants, I was excited to apply. Having worked with several individuals and navigated social dynamics, I felt I could contribute in a meaningful way. All Institutional Representatives for the species voted on the applicants, and I was selected in September 2024.

Since then, I’ve gained even more insight into population management and helped participate in the most recent breeding and transfer plan last April — which is how Koetari came to Elmwood.

Recently, the long-serving SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper retired after about 10 years in the role. I formally applied and was selected in early January. I’m excited to be more directly involved in planning and population management, and I love sharing my experience with other facilities interested in the species.

I may be a little biased — but I truly think white-faced saki monkeys are the absolute best!