City of Topeka | Conservation Programs

Conservation Programs
Topeka Zoo is involved in a number of conservation management programs and our staff serves on a variety of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) animal management groups. Check them out below!

Species Survival Plans (SSPs)
SSPs are a cooperative population management and conservation program administered by the AZA. The program focuses on select species within Zoos and Aquariums that are typically classified as threatened or endangered. Topeka Zoological Park participates in 13 SSPs including: Asian small clawed otters, crowned pigeons, bail mynahs, Dumerils’s ground boa, gorillas, Ruffed lemurs, orangutans, giraffes, elephants, Sumatran tigers, Golden lion tamarins, lions, pallas cats.

Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs)
TAGs manage the conservation needs of entire taxa, or groups of related species. Example taxonomic groups include: amphibians, penguins and marine fish. Zoo staff members serve on several TAG groups: Insectivore/Rodent, Small Carnivore(otters), Peccary/Hippo(hippos), PAX (armadillos, anteaters, slothes), New World Primate, Raptor(eagles, vultures, hawks, owls).

Population Management Programs (PMPs)
PMPs provide recommendations on basic population management decisions for Zoo and Aquarium species that are not managed through SSPs. These animals typically require less intensive management and conservation efforts. Several members of the Topeka Zoo staff are institutional representatives on PMP’s including: Angolan python, hippos, Chilean flamingos, Red crested cardinals, Nene geese, Large Malayan chevortains, Prehensile-tailed skinks, Mexican beaded lizards, Blue crowned motmots,North American porcupines, Crested porcupines, South American prehensile-tailed porcupines, Palawan Peacock pheasants, Nicobar pigeons, Trumpeter swans,Hammerkop stork, Lesser hedgehog tenrecs, Crested wood partridges, Roseate spoonbills, Hoffmans two toed sloth, Lesser tamamdua, Two toed sloth, Mexican red kneed tarantula, Scarlet ibis

Captive Breeding Specialist Group (CBSGs)
Topeka Zoo's has been a member of the CBSG. The CBSG is a global network of conservation professionals dedicated to saving threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide.

North American Conservation Programs
Topeka Zoo has two release/introduction programs: American golden eagles, Trumpeter swans. Topeka Zoo has actively involved in placing captive hatched golden eagles from the Topeka Zoo and other North American facilities back into the wild. The Zoo works in partnership with Ted Turner Enterprises, USFWS, KS Wildlife and Parks, Westar Energy on this long term project.

Trumpeter swans have been produced at the Zoo. All cygnets raised at the Zoo are transferred to a release project site in Minnesota with in cooperation with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources(DNR) and the Minnesota State Zoo.