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Non‐Passerine Birds in Zoos: A Global Approach on Distribution Patterns of Threatened Birds in Zoological Institutions

Anna Wahle,Clara Graßmann,Emily Zell,Laura Leiss,Bernd Marcordes,Theo Pagel,Thomas Ziegler

Published 2025 in Integrative Conservation

ABSTRACT

For population management of threatened species according to the One Plan Approach to Conservation by the IUCN's CPSG, not only knowledge about in situ but also about ex situ populations is required. To enhance the conservation of threatened birds and improve zoos participation in the One Plan Approach we analyzed non‐passerine bird data from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS): their individual numbers, breeding success, and the number of holding institutions. We categorized species as threatened, non‐threatened, or not evaluated based on IUCN Red List assessments. Only 1541 (34.2%) of 4503 recognized non‐passerine bird species are held in ZIMS institutions worldwide, mostly in Europe, North America, and Asia. Approximately ~83% of the species kept globally are classified as non‐threatened, and ~16% (246 species) as threatened. About 49% of the species kept have successfully bred in the last year, 31% in only one zoo each. Of the threatened species, 146 species reproduced. About ~15% of threatened species are kept in only one zoo. About one‐third of the non‐passerine bird species kept are represented by less than 10 individuals. To improve the conservation of threatened non‐passerine birds, a shift toward keeping threatened species should be considered within ex situ management programs, thus extending conservation breeding networks. Cooperative projects with institutions and stations in species richness hotspots could greatly benefit the conservation of passerine birds by supporting future reintroductions and are thus in full agreement with the One Plan Approach to conservation.

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