Apes- bonobos, chimpanzees, gibbons/siamangs, gorillas,
and orangutans- are found in 120 Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions.
The primary mission of the AZA's Ape Taxon Advisory Group
(Ape TAG) is to coordinate the management of these five
taxa within AZA zoos.
Specifically,
the Ape TAG works with the individual ape Species Survival
Plan (SSP®) programs to ensure that ape populations
in accredited zoos are properly managed to secure their
long-term future and physical and psychological health.
Additionally,
the Ape TAG makes recommendations for how ex situ populations
of apes may most effectively serve as ambassadors to educate
zoo visitors and contribute to the conservation of their
wild counterparts.