Swift Fox Symposium
Zoo-based Conservation Initiatives for The Swift Fox
Tarren Wagener1 and Michael Fouraker2. 1Conservation Science Manager, Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110. 2Director of Animal Collections, Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110.
Annual attendance to zoological parks in the United States is greater that to all major professional sports events. Furthermore, North American zoos are no longer independent organizations; they operate within a global network and work to conserve endangered and threatened species worldwide. Through species Survival Plan © (SSP) programs, zoo biologists have formed cooperative captive population management programs that: 1)increase public awareness of species-specific conservation issues through education; 2) promote and cooperate with field conservation efforts; 3) conduct basic and applied research; and 4) develop and test technologies relevant to field conservation. Endorsed by the Canid, Hyena and Aardwolf Taxon Advisory Group, the Fort Worth Zoo is spearheading the development of a Swift Fox SSP. Current efforts included producing conservation awareness and identification posters/pamphlets, developing a scientifically managed captive population, pursuing funds for field research and integrating swift fox field efforts into zoo-based conservation education programs.
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