The Species Survival Program

The Moonridge Animal Park is a  supporter of the "Species Survival Plan" (SSP). In 1980 the American Zoo Association made species conservation its highest priority. The SSP was initiated to cooperatively manage and insure the survival of captive populations on endangered and threatened species lists for future reintroduction to stable habitats. The SSP works to produce a captive population capable of strong genetic diversity for a projected 200 years. Its mission is to ensure the survival of selected wildlife species through:

• Scientifically-managed captive breeding programs for selected wildlife as a hedge against extinction.
• Cooperation with other institutions and agencies to ensure integrated conservation strategies.
• Increased public awareness of wildlife conservation issues, including development and implementation of education strategies at its member institutions and in the field.
• Conducting basic and applied research to contribute to our knowledge of various species.
• Training wildlife and zoo professionals.
• Developing and testing various technologies relevant to field conservation.
• Reintroducing captive-bred wildlife into restored or secure habitat.

Two snow leopards, born in 1999, arrived in the fall of 2001 at the Moonridge Animal Park. Named Genghis and Kali, the pair are brother and sister and are being housed in Big Bear until they are old enough to participate in the SSP breeding program. The snow leopard is a strikingly beautiful black and white cat about the size of a cougar. However, the snow leopard is a severely endangered species with a captive population of about 500 animals. Here is an animal disappearing before our eyes. The Moonridge Animal Park will act as a temporary holding institution for "Apso", which is ideal because the environment is much like her natural habitat.

Snow leopards are found mainly in the highest ranges of the Himalayas in central Asia at heights of 6,000 to 18,000 feet living in coniferous scrub. This temporary holding period is to provide room for the SSP to breed an under represented genetic line, because it is very important to the survival of the captive population to maintain genetic diversity.