Join Planet Forward Mystic Aquarium Fellows Cecilia Sécola & Dre Pedemonte on a walk through the aquarium as they explain the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (or AZA) Species Survival Plan – a collaborative conservation initiative that aims to protect and preserve endangered species through coordinated breeding, education, and field support. 

Mystic Aquarium participates in various Species Survival Plan programs, or SSP, including but not limited to those for California sea lions, sand tiger sharks, and African penguins. Learn how each SSP is carefully managed through studbooks, genetic testing, and long-term research to ensure healthy, sustainable populations — both in human care and in the wild.

The Species Survival Plan at the heart of Mystic

At the center of this tour are the African penguins, whose program Mystic has been supporting since its beginning in 1995. In addition to managing nesting and population health on site for a current colony of 34 penguins, the aquarium manages projects in South Africa to supervise the well-being of the wild populations by means of conservation and research efforts.

These efforts are strengthened through Mystic’s ongoing partnership with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), a registered nonprofit headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, which specializes in the rehabilitation and protection of coastal seabirds, including the endangered African penguin.

Collaboration is critical

This collaboration is especially crucial now. As of October 2024, African penguins are officially classified as “critically endangered,” with wild populations continuing to decline at an alarming rate. Primary threats to the species include overfishing, habitat degradation, oil spills, and climate change — all of which severely impact their ability to forage and breed successfully. Faced with such urgent and complex challenges, no single institution can protect this species alone. Conservation today depends on long-term, collective efforts across borders and organizations. 

Research-supported and cooperative efforts like the Species Survival Plan allow zoos and aquaria to play a critical role in safeguarding biodiversity of wildlife for generations to come.

If you’re interested in learning more about Species Survival Plans, please visit AZA’s webpage.

The Planet Forward Mystic Aquarium Fellowship program was made possible with support by Michael Lech, David Freeman, and the Berl Brechner Fund.