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The establishment of a strong and viable captive population is considered to be an invaluable tool in the future existence of many species. This has been proven true with Bison, California Condor, Pere David Deer, Black-footed Ferrets, and Arabian Onyx. All of these species had been extirpated in the wild and have been reintroduced using captive stock. To ensure against extinction, the Species Enhancement Strategy strives to promote sound management practices to aid holders of captive specimens in husbandry issues and genetic management as well as promoting conservation efforts in the wild. American Zoo and Aquarium Association facilities has necessitated that the animal species held by AZA zoos be managed in a collective manner to maximize the ability for certain species to be assured adequate captive habitat space. This has led to the hard decisions of which species to propogate and which species to eliminate. There are numerous zoological species being phased out of zoological collections that are currently held in sufficient numbers in the private sector to form the basis of a sustained long-term captive population. For instance, in the felid taxon, jungle cats, European lynx, Siberian lynx, Geoffroys' cats, bobcat and cougar are plentiful and genetically diverse enough in the private sector to warrant a management plan. Reasons for phasing out species vary, but some wild animal species are not reproductively successful in zoological exhibition situations and fair much better under peace and quiet of privately owned facilities.
The increasing need to protect species from extinction and the limited amount of captive habitat available in accredited
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Several concerned breeders and owners of Geoffroy's Cats have joined together to formulate a Geoffroy's Cat Species Enhancement Strategy (SES). The mission will be to develop a long-range captive management plan for the North American population of Oncifelis geoffroyi, to assist holders of this species in management issues, track and record genetic information to maintain the strongest possible population, encourage and aid both in situ and ex situ research projects, and aid in establishing new holders and additional captive holding space. ZooARC@worldnet.att.net by e-mail so he can forward you a copy of the SES document for your review. An open invitation is extended to join the Geoffroy's Cat list, set up in part, to allow the Management Advisory Committee to discuss and form the SES as well as communicate on husbandry issues. If you are interested in joining this group, it is located in Yahoo Groups.
Perhaps you only have a single Geoffroy's Cat. Or perhaps you no longer keep this species. Or perhaps you have an unrelated pair that produces offspring. You may ask why do I need to get involved in this? The answer is that we can all benefit from each other's experience and knowledge and the increased collection and dissemination of husbandry data that will be possible by forming a Management Advisory Committee for the species.
If this sounds interesting to you, please respond to the Geoffroy's Cat Management Advisory Committee secreteary, Kevin Chambers, at
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