• Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Login
    Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Enter your search query in the field below. Click the X to close.
AZA logo
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
Join Login Calendar Search the site
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
Connect logo
1 2 3
Connect logo
feature

Species Survival Plan Highlight

By C. Drew Foster and Steve Reichling
09/02/2020
min read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Louisiana Pine Snake SSP®: Ex-Situ Sustainability and In-Situ Conservation

The Louisiana pine snake is a large, non-venomous constrictor endemic to longleaf pine forests of Louisiana and Texas, habitat which has long been decimated by excessive logging and subsequent forest management. Resulting habitat loss and fragmentation along with fire suppression and vehicle-caused mortality have caused drastic population declines, making the Louisiana pine snake one of the rarest snake species in North America. In 2018, the species was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

The Louisiana pine snake has been part of a managed breeding program in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1984 and a Species Survival Plan-managed species since 2000. The goal of this SSP is to sustainably manage an ex situ population while simultaneously supporting in situ conservation of the species through a release program.

Through coordination with the PMC, a portion of each year’s hatchlings are carefully selected on the basis of pedigree for release into suitable protected habitat in a collaborative project with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Louisiana Deptartment of Wildlife and Fisheries. We aim to establish a fully sustainable wild population at the selected field site, and then expand our efforts to other suitable areas.

Maintaining both a stable managed assurance colony and an effective reintroduction program creates difficult challenges for the Louisiana Pine Snake SSP. Our strong partnership with the U.S. Forest Service has been critical to helping overcome these challenges. The Catahoula District of Kisatchie National Forest has entered into a stewardship agreement with the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tenn., to support the operation of dedicated breeding facilities and the costs associated with releasing snakes into their natural habitat.

Four core breeding centers were established at Memphis, Audubon, Fort Worth, and Ellen Trout Zoos, all selected due to their historical success in working with the species. Having four centers protects the population from a potential catastrophic event that might occur at any one location. Consolidation of the population from 23 zoos to these breeding centers was determined to be the best strategy for maximizing reproductive output and began in 2016, leaving only a small number of animals, already consistently breeding, at Jacksonville Zoo in Jacksonville, Fla., and Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Ariz.

In the years since consolidation, we have seen a significant increase in breeding success. Five years before consolidating the population, there were 107 snakes at 21 facilities. Between 2011 and 2015, total hatches averaged only 23 snakes per year. This was not sufficient to meet either our zoo-managed sustainability goal or our conservation goal.

Today, however, only four years after consolidation began, the population has increased to 306 individuals at the four breeding centers and two satellite facilities, a result of improved breeding success from an average of only 15 percent of paired females reproducing prior to consolidation to 50-75 percent after consolidation. In the three years since fully consolidating the population (2017, 2018, and 2019), hatches have averaged over 100 animals per year.

Because of the increased reproductive success, both the zoo-managed population and the number of annual releases have grown to strong and effective levels. In June 2020, 55 zoo-hatched snakes were released, bringing the total number of releases since 2010 to 178. In 2019, we trapped the first offspring from our releases, marking a critical milestone of success. AZA facilities are now sustainably managing and securing Louisiana pine snakes in zoos while simultaneously contributing to in situ conservation by creating a fully sustainable wild population in protected habitat.

C. Drew Foster is an Animal Curator at Arizona Center for Nature Conservation’s Phoenix Zoo.

Steve Reichling is Director of Conservation & Research at the Memphis Zoo.


Back to All Stories
    Related Stories
  • Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild »
  • SAFE Under the Sea »
  • SAFE Gorilla »
  • About
  • Accreditation
  • Animal Management
  • Conservation
  • AZA Services
Zoo & Aquarium Finder Join Contact AZA
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • My AZA
  • Calendar
  • Login
Contact AZA
8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314
Phone: 301-562-0777
Tax ID: 68-0480736
EIN: 55-0526930
  • Corporate Partnerships
  • Advertise
  • Photo Credits
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 1997 - 2023 AZA • All Rights Reserved
Memphis Web Design by Speak
I Accept

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website and you agree to our Privacy Policy.

loading