Thinking of proposing a SAFE species program? Read more!

To be eligible for SAFE, species and the teams proposing them must:

• Be threatened with extinction
  • Threatened (VU, or EN, or CR or, EW) according to IUCN’s Red List; or
  • Equivalent threat level according to relevant government agencies (e.g., U.S. or non-U.S. federal/state/provincial, etc.); or
  • Listed as protected under CITES I or II; or
  • Demonstrates science-based evidence that the species population is under extreme distress and has not yet been listed under recognized threat levels.
• Have an established conservation plan(s) (e.g. recovery plan, biodiversity management plan, PHVA action plan, etc.) in place.
  • The SAFE species program can be either holistic or can be more targeted (e.g., regional, focused on one sub-species, etc.) as long as the program is clearly tied to a larger conservation plan.
• Have appropriate stakeholders identified and/or engaged (e.g., USFWS recovery teams, IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, range state wildlife offices, other NGOs, researchers)
• Include two or more AZA-accredited zoos or aquariums or certified related facilities that have an established commitment to conducting/supporting active conservation of the species for a minimum of 2 years

Program Leaders

The program leader is critical to the success of AZA SAFE species programs and works closely with partners to create the program plan. Programs leaders will be individual members of AZA and paid employees at an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium or certified related facility. Program leaders should submit Statements of Individual Commitment and Institutional Support with the program proposal and be able to commit to the three-year position duration. 

What do you do once your proposal has been accepted?

Are you ready to save species?

Send your proposal via email to safe@aza.org!

More questions? Review the SAFE FAQs.

If accepted, the program team agrees to:

• Develop a 3-year program plan within 6 months of approval that aligns with and advances the actions from an identified recovery plan
• Develop communication objectives to increase awareness of SAFE programs for targeted audiences which include the program stakeholders, general public, media, and other audiences as appropriate
• Increase member involvement in the conservation of the species to at least 5 facilities
• Follow the SAFE species processes, protocols and deadlines 

Was your proposal already accepted?

Send your program plan to safe@aza.org and congratulations on completing it!

Find information about eligibility, stakeholders, developing a SAFE program plan, and more in the SAFE Program Handbook.