Species Survival Plan
After the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, Zoos were no longer allowed to take animals out of the wild for breeding purposes only. They had to borrow a healthy mate from another zoo. The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981. The purpose of a SSP is to help zoos find healthy breeding stock for their animals.
Before a SSP is written for an animal it must meet certain requirements:
1) Species are endangered.
2) Have qualified people who want to save the species.
3) Must be a well-known animal that zoo goers want to help protect.