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The ASMP Species Management Categories provide a framework for organising species management and planning at a regional level. All taxa held in or planned for the regional collection are assigned a category.
Some of the species held are managed particularly closely, under the direction of a single, regional coordinator, who ensures that the regional population remains genetically healthy and demographically stable.
There are four main reasons for applying this level of regional management:
to control loss of gene diversity, rate of inbreeding and reproductive output in the captive population, as an aid to species conservation.
to improve the ability of captive populations to sustain themselves, therefore reducing the number of animals that need to be collected from the wild or be imported from outside the region.
zoo research projects may require regional management of the target taxon.
to track, and manage at the level required, those taxa of particular concern to government wildlife protection agencies (e.g. because they are the subject of illegal trade or have high pest potential).
For priority species, individual programs are established, each managed by an ASMP appointed coordinator. The coordinator is responsible for gathering information from all zoos and/or aquaria holding the species, and compiling this into a studbook.
In addition to managing the breeding of a captive population to maintain genetic health and demographic stability, some species programs have additional aims. The term "Conservation Program" is applied where the captive program is managed to assist in the recovery of a threatened taxon. The taxon may be globally, nationally or locally threatened. These programs aim to support populations of the species in the wild.
Most species held in ARAZPA zoos are there primarily for the purpose of educational display. Population management can improve the ability of the captive population to sustain itself, thereby reducing the number of animals that need to be collected from the wild or imported over the period of the program.
For many species held in zoos, husbandry is not well known and does not produce consistent results. This needs to be addressed before persistence of the species in captivity can be assured, and certainly before any level of regional population management can be considered. Establishing and documenting husbandry and management techniques is necessarily a major focus for some Taxon Advisory Groups.
"Phasing out" one taxon is accompanied by "phasing in" one more valuable to regional goals. A single coordinator is usually assigned to oversee the replacement process. In some cases this may take many years; specimens of the preferred taxon may be difficult to locate, acquire or manage. Taxa categorised as "Phase Out" may therefore require ongoing management, to ensure that exhibits do not sit empty while a healthy population of the replacement taxon is being developed.
This indicates that the relevant TAG has evaluated this taxon and sees no need for regional management or resourcing. Within and between institution management may occur, but this is not coordinated or monitored through the ASMP.
This indicates that the TAG has not yet assessed the regional role and management needs (if any) of this taxon.
This indicates that the TAG recommends against acquisition of this taxon.
 ASMP Positions
Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS)
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