Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs)
Fact Sheet

Successful conservation programs often require detailed knowledge of a species' ecology, reproductive biology, genetics, behavior, nutrition and diseases. Consequently, modern zoos and aquariums have invested extensively in scientific research to develop effective methods of managed propagation and animal care, as well as to help preserve threatened species and their habitats in nature.

The Scientific Advisory Groups of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) represent the commitment of AZA and its accredited member institutions to expanding their scientific programs, collaborating with the greater academic community, increasing the use of science in the management of captive populations and collectively contributing to the long-term conservation of biodiversity around the world.

Search the Conservation Programs Database for information on all of AZA;s conservation programs. Members may log in to the Members Only database to access contact information for program leaders as well as all program documents.

What are Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs)?

Because resources are limited, zoos and aquariums must work with each other and with other scientists to collaborate on the latest research and technologies. Recognizing this, in 1991 AZA established Scientific Advisory Groups to help facilitate, support, network and coordinate the relevant research activities of its member institutions.

Scientific Advisory Groups are made up of experts in a particular field of wildlife science, such as veterinary medicine or behavior. SAG members include veterinarians, researchers and zoo- and aquarium-based curators with appropriate scientific training, as well as university, government and other outside scientists with a commitment to sharing their particular expertise.

What do SAGs do?

From outlining priorities for future research to consulting at meetings focused on individual species or habitat conservation, Scientific Advisory Groups serve the AZA membership in a variety of ways. While the manner in which SAGs operate is flexible enough to allow for the differences between scientific disciplines, all SAGs are designed to:

Provide a network for zoo biologists and collaborating university scientists working on projects of interest to the zoo and aquarium community and the broader conservation community of which it is a part;
Advise the AZA Board, AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee, AZA Conservation and Science Department and various other committee chairs on technical issues related to their respective disciplines;
Provide technical support and advice to AZA Conservation Program committees (Species Survival Plans, Taxon Advisory Groups and Conservation Action Partnerships); and
Coordinate certain collaborative studies, especially those that involve several AZA institutions.

What do SAGs contribute to conservation?

Each Scientific Advisory Group works to advance the goals of the zoo and aquarium community, including providing support for conservation of wildlife and their habitats in nature. In fact, many techniques developed for management of zoo and aquarium populations are increasingly applicable to wild populations.

Moreover, current rates of habitat destruction and fragmentation will likely result in more "wild" populations needing to be actively managed in protected areas around the world. Therefore, zoo- and aquarium-based research is of increasing relevance to field conservation and has already made many unique contributions. For example:

Zoo biologists were responsible for documenting the link between extinction and inbreeding in animal populations - an extremely important insight for conservationists;
Detailed information was provided on species' courtship, mating, parental and aggressive behavior. Behavioral ontogeny derived from captive studies is critical for the propagation of endangered species and their eventual reintroduction;
Contraceptive research involving collaborators from the zoo and academic communities has the potential to offer alternative methods of reducing and eventually eliminating populations of ecologically destructive exotic species or for controlling overabundant populations of indigenous animals;
Various reintroduction, translocation and post-release monitoring techniques developed through zoo- and aquarium-based research have been invaluable to a variety of endangered species recovery efforts; and
Genetic and demographic management strategies developed for managed populations are increasingly applicable to management of isolated populations in parks and reserves.

The contributions of modern, professionally managed zoos and aquariums to wildlife science are substantial and growing. Scientific publications by AZA member zoo and aquarium employees and university affiliates have appeared in over 400 journals, books and conference proceedings over the past six years. AZA Scientific Advisory Groups provide the support, guidance and networking critical to the further advancement of conservation science at accredited zoos and aquariums throughout North America.

Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs) Fact Sheet

Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs)
Fact Sheet