These members all share a common interest, the conservation of bears. This committee will assist in the selection of appropriate species for AZA conservation programs, and provide a resource for discussing husbandry, veterinary, and other issues relating to a taxa. A TAG develops priorities for management, research and conservation, designates qualified personnel to achieve these tasks and develops plans for fund raising to meet these goals. The most important job the TAG does is to examine captive management practices for this taxon and assist SSP coordinators in developing animal care, husbandry and health guidelines. A tremendous opportunity exists to utilize captive bears as conservation ambassadors for their free-ranging counterparts.
Bears are large charismatic animals recognized worldwide.
When properly exhibited, there is an excellent potential for captive bears to generate public support and interest for conservation programs. The main objective is to support conservation education as the primary benefit for conservation programs and is beginning to raise financial support for a bear conservation education packet for zoo educators. For zoos exhibiting native species of bears, the BAG has recommended an interactive educational exchange with counterparts dealing with free-ranging bear conservation such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or state wildlife agencies. To enhance the educational component of bears, exhibits must be designed and enriched to allow bears to display natural behaviors. Provide linkage for in situ bear conservation programs in the countries of origin.