Aquarium and Population Management Abstracts

​CUTTING SHRIMP AND COST

Becca Gangler,
Ripley's Aquarium, Myrtle Beach


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While we are always looking for ways to improve, in August 2010, the husbandry staff of Ripley's Aquarium, Myrtle Beach did an internal analysis of our fish food inventory to see if there were any ways to become more cost efficient. We had been noticing rising expenditures despite keeping a steady animal collection and knew that some changes should be made. Upon analysis, we discovered a few key areas that needed to be reviewed. In meeting our goal of cost reduction two standards were kept at the forefront of our decisions. First and foremost were the dietary requirements of the animals in our collection. It may be easy to look at an inventory and pick out the most expensive food items, but we must keep in mind that even though it may be a delicacy for a local restaurant that item also may be vital nutritionally to an aquatic animal. Also, something to keep in mind is the value of certain food items as an enrichment tool (i.e. live foods vs. frozen foods). Our second concern was the effect the changes would have on our husbandry staff. Ordering whole fish vs. filleted fish, or shell-on shrimp vs. PUD shrimp could mean extensive prep time in the kitchen leading us to determine whether the amount of man hours would be worth the initial savings, or should we go ahead and get those custom kitchen aprons we've all had our eyes on?

INTRO TO THE AZA POPULATION MANAGEMENT CENTER

Cara Groome Bryan,
​AZA Population Management Center


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Although the Population Management Center (PMC) has advised AZA programs for over ten years, there are many misconceptions about the PMC and the planning process. We hope to demystify the process of working with the PMC and clarify the roles program leaders and population biologists play in successful population management. We will discuss all stages of the planning process --meeting with the PMC, developing the breeding and transfer plan, and managing the population throughout the year. We will discuss the skills and characteristics that make a good Studbook Keeper or SSP Coordinator and illustrate the elements of a successful breeding and transfer plan. This session is intended for newer or prospective program leaders but will also be useful for existing program leaders to share stories of their problems and solutions.

POPULATION MANAGEMENT OF GROUP-LIVING SPECIES

Sarah Long,
AZA Population Management Center


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Just because parentage is tough to track in your group-living population, doesn't mean it can't be genetically managed! Genetic theory suggests several alternatives to the widely used mean kinship strategy of genetic management. The Population Management Center has worked with many AZA programs to apply genetic management theory to taxa with varying degrees of pedigree information. We will present case studies of different management strategies developed for several group-living birds, mammals, and amphibians held in zoos & aquaria. Genetic and demographic concepts and logistical factors behind these strategies will be presented to help program leaders become more active participants in managing their own populations.