AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Regional Collection Plan Sixth Edition FINAL 1 November 2014 Compiled by AZA Antelope and Giraffe Taxon Advisory Group Steering Committee, Advisors and Program Leaders Table of Contents Acknowledgements 3 Introduction 4 Mission Statement and TAG Goals 6 TAG Structure 6 TAG Definition 8 Table 1. Genera Under Purview of AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG 8 TAG Conservation Status 9 TAG Species Selection 9 Table 2. General Guidelines for Assigning Program Management Level Using Ranking 10 Table 3. Exceptions to General Program Management Level Guidelines 10 AZA Animal Program Management 11 Table 4. AZA Animal Program Management Categories 11 TAG Regional Collection Plan Development 12 Table 5. Comparison of Projected Maximum Space From All Editions of RCP 13 TAG Program Goals and Objectives 14 TAG Action Plan 2014-2019 15 TAG Program Resources 16 Collection Planning Resources for Institutions 17 Table 6. Antelope and Giraffe TAG Species Suggestions 19 2014 Antelope and Giraffe TAG Program Recommendations 20 Table 7. Program Recommendations Summary of All Six Editions of RCP 21 Table 8. AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Program Recommendations, 2014 22 Individual Species Sheets & in situ Focus Species for each TAG subgroup Forest/Woodland Antelope Subgroup 28 Small Antelope Subgroup 56 Hartebeest Subgroup 78 Waterbuck Subgroup 87 Aridland Antelope, Gazelle and Pronghorn Subgroup 95 Giraffe and Okapi Subgroup 127 Appendix 1 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Leadership, Advisors & Program Leaders, 2014 135 Appendix 2 Antelope and Giraffe TAG Conservation Status 139 Appendix 3 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Species Selection Criteria 142 Appendix 4 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Species Evaluation Summary, 2014 144 Appendix 5 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Space Survey Results, 2013 146 Appendix 6 AZA Facilities with IRs – No Response to Space Survey 149 Appendix 7 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Action Plan 2014-2019 150 Appendix 8 AZA Wildlife Contraception Center 156 Appendix 9 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Program Recommendations Updates from 2009 RCP 157 Appendix 10 Antelope & Giraffe TAG Program Status Table 163 AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Regional Collection Plan, 6th Edition, 2014 2 Acknowledgments This Regional Collection Plan has been developed through the collaborative effort of many, including the TAG's Vice Chairs, Steering Committee, Advisors, Program Leaders and Institutional Representatives. Everyone's help is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Lily Civili and Amy Niedbalski for their help in developing and analyzing the space survey. This document would not have been possible without the support of the Saint Louis Zoo. To all, thank you! Photo courtesy of Robin Winkelmann, Saint Louis Zoo Regional Collection Plan edited by Martha Fischer, Saint Louis Zoo Dan Beetem, The Wilds Adam Eyres, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Jeff Holland, Los Angeles Zoo Sharon Joseph, Houston Zoo Randy Rieches, San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Regional Collection Plan, 6th Edition, 2014 3 Introduction This document represents the Sixth Edition of the Regional Collection Plan (RCP) for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Antelope and Giraffe Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). The intent of this work is to serve as a guide and a tool for AZA institutions and animal managers concerned with antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi conservation. According to the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, an alarming 62% of the world’s 91 antelope species are experiencing decreasing population trends. Giraffe and okapi populations are also facing serious declines. AZA zoos have an obligation as stewards of a part of the world’s natural heritage to ensure the survival of these species for future generations by providing both ex situ and in situ conservation support. By providing safety net assurance populations and in situ conservation support zoos can do their part to make sure these unique and beautiful species do not vanish from our zoos and from our planet. Of the species managed under the AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG’s umbrella, only one AZA population can be sustained long-term according to AZA’s current guidelines – the Reticulated/Rothschild’s giraffe. Sustainability of ungulate populations in AZA is of real concern. If current trends continue, AZA institutions will have significantly fewer ungulate species to fill their habitats in the future. According to the RCPs of the six AZA Ungulate TAGs, 68% of the ungulate species currently managed in AZA are either recommended to be phased out of collections or are not eligible for formal management at this time. Even if all of today’s ungulate SSP® and Studbook programs are successfully maintained, the number of ungulate species in our collections in the future is destined to be cut nearly in half. The AZA Ungulate TAGs are collaborating on many fronts to conserve ungulates for the long- term and they need your help. • Marketing and awareness campaigns to promote ungulates have always been a priority for the Ungulate TAGs. Zoo professionals can be of assistance in marketing ungulates by serving as passionate, vocal advocates for ungulates with visitors and colleagues. • Zoo leaders are encouraged to increase exhibit and behind-the-scenes space for ungulates. Managers and keepers are encouraged to seek creative solutions to space issues they face. • Alternative and flexible population management strategies need to be explored. • As appropriate, in accordance with AZA’s non-member participation guidelines, program leaders and institutional representatives are encouraged to collaborate with Sustainability Partners and other conservation organizations committed to the conservation of ungulates in a combined effort to build and maintain sustainable populations in North America and conserve these species in the wild. • TAG leaders are actively working with USDA to address the challenges of ruminant animal and semen importation. • As an additional hedge against extinction, zoos are urged to increase support for in situ conservation and habitat restoration initiatives that benefit ungulates. • And finally, collection managers are encouraged to select species according to conservation need and as prioritized by the TAGs, not solely on how appealing they may be or how easy they are to manage. Institutions are strongly encouraged to commit to TAG-recommended programs, stick with them long-term and follow the breeding and transfer recommendations provided by program leaders. AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Regional Collection Plan, 6th Edition, 2014 4 Included in this edition of the RCP are recommendations regarding the antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi programs currently managed in AZA, including conservation, education, research, veterinary/health and marketing priorities. These recommendations are based on a series of evaluations, space surveys, current population genetic and demographic analyses, studbook and/or ZIMS data, and information provided by the IUCN SSC Specialist Groups regarding wild antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi population trends. In some cases, threatened species not currently found in AZA collections were also included as priorities for conservation actions. This version of the RCP is intended to serve as a conduit linking AZA programs with efforts to conserve wild antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi populations. The goal of managing our populations in AZA - to ensure sustainable programs for zoo animals which will contribute strongly to the conservation and awareness efforts for their wild counterparts - is of the highest priority. Thank you for all you do for antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi in human care and in the wild. The Steering Committee and Program Leaders look forward to partnering with all of you and your institutions to achieve the goals of this RCP. Photo courtesy of Robin Winkelmann, Saint Louis Zoo AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Regional Collection Plan, 6th Edition, 2014 5 AZA Antelope and Giraffe Taxon Advisory Group Mission Statement To provide leadership and guidance to AZA institutions regarding the management and care of antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi and to facilitate activities and programs that support their conservation in the wild Goals of the AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG The following goals are priorities for the AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG: • To continue to support AZA antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi populations in cooperation with our partners nationally and internationally in the effort to develop and/or maintain sustainable ex situ populations. • To continue to develop and expand education programs which promote in situ and ex situ antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi awareness and conservation. • To continue to support in situ research and conservation efforts that enhance and protect wild antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi populations and their habitats, and to link these efforts to our ex situ programs as possible. • To continue to advance the management and husbandry of AZA antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi populations through scientific investigation. • To provide support and, when needed, animals for global reintroduction efforts. AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG Structure The AZA Antelope and Giraffe TAG was initiated in 1992. This TAG serves as an advisory group to AZA facilities on matters related to zoo and field conservation of antelope, pronghorn, giraffe and okapi. Officers The 15-member Antelope and Giraffe TAG leadership group consists of a Chair (selected by AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee),