Breeding collaborations

Breeding co-operation

The mission of zoos is to ensure that the animal populations in zoos have a high genetic diversity at all times to provide a healthy foundation for future generations. Genetic diversity is important when working with the reintroduction of animals into the wild. Without it, animals will not be able to adapt to changes in nature over time. The knowledge generated about the animals and how to preserve small populations can also benefit wild populations.

EEP - EAZA Ex Situ Programmes

Aalborg Zoo participates in the European breeding co-operation for endangered species (EEP - EAZA Ex Situ Programmes). EAZA is the European zoo and aquarium organisation that sets high standards for animal husbandry, participation in conservation projects, breeding of endangered species, education for the approximately 140 million visitors annually, and coordinated campaigns on conservation and sustainability.

Breeding is coordinated internationally by a breeding coordinator who, through his knowledge of the animals' ancestry, can put together breeding pairs where the male and female are as little related as possible and inbreeding is therefore avoided or minimised. When Aalborg Zoo participates in European breeding collaborations, we commit to following the breeding coordinators' advice and recommendations for the breeding of endangered species.

The breeding coordinator receives annual reports on births, deaths and movements of animals, allowing them to keep a status of the species and create a studbook. Based on the studbook, the breeding coordinator performs genetic and demographic assessments and recommends which animals should breed with each other.

EEP and ESB species

In addition to the coordinated breeding programmes (EEP), selected endangered species are only registered in a European StudBook (ESB). ESB species are sometimes upgraded to EEP species if the species' status in the wild changes to endangered.

By 2024, Aalborg Zoo will be part of 35 European breeding partnerships (EEP) and will also have 3 species that are pedigreed (ESB) and monitored within EAZA

EEP species

Bornean orangutan, Polar bear, Rothschild's giraffe, Dwarf hippo, Humboldt penguin, Cape baboons, Giant anteater, Goeldi's monkey, Golden lion tamarin, Grevy's zebra, Colombian black spider monkey, African wild dog, Sabeloryx antelope, Red panda, Emperor tamarin, Vicunja, South American lowland tapir, Katta lemur, Greater soldier macaw, Egyptian tortoise, Asiatic lion, Sumatran tiger, Californian sea lion, Asiatic pygmy goat, Madagascar teal, Madagascar duck, Black lemur, Meerkat, Antillean iguana, Two-toed sloth, European lynx, Eastern grey giant kangaroo, Three-banded armadillo, Greater kudu
 

ESB species

Emerald Varan, Warthog, Little Nandu,