1. Your logo here! ConservationFIT: Invitation to participate for
AZA Jaguar Species Survival Plan
Karin Schwartz, PhD, ConservationFIT Scientific Coordinator for Ex-Situ Partners
AZA Mid-Year
Meeting
Jaguar SSP
Albuquerque, NM
28.Mar.2017
Your logo
here!

2. Footprint Identification Technique (FIT)
One new solution….
A new conservation monitoring tool called:
Footprint Identification Technique (FIT)
What is Footprint Identification Technique (FIT)?
It uses morphometrics from digital images of footprints to identify individual animals of endangered species for population, community, and distribution monitoring
Advantages of Conservation FIT:
Simple Accurate Noninvasive Cost-effective

4. AZA Cheetah SSP
AZA Jaguar SSP
AZA Snow Leopard SSP

5. Digital image of footprint Left hind footprint
Algorithm development, testing and practical application for
Individual ID
Sex ID
Age Class
Littermate ID
Species ID
Generating >100 angles, distances & areas
Geometric profile in JMP

6. Benefits for AZA Facilities
AZA institutions commitment to in situ conservation
Submission of footprint images of the endangered species in their care will make a direct contribution to non-invasive carnivore monitoring processes that will impact conservation planning and action.
Media
Zoos’ involvement in the FIT project will offer huge media potential to
Attract visitors and funders from collection of footprints: analytics media to field implementation
Strong message that zoo animals will be directly helping conserve their wild counterparts is one of the most powerful that zoos can employ to gain support

7. There are two main categories of collection protocol: 1
There are two main categories of collection protocol: 1. Collecting from animals maintained in a zoological institution. 2. Collecting from free-ranging animals.

8. Conservation FIT in 2 Steps
Step 1: Collect Baseline Footprints from AZA Facilities
> Captive animals provide footprints and metamorphic data:
Age, Sex, Weight, Health
> Low Cost Equipment: 1 pen, 2 rulers, 1 camera (3MP+), rake, watering can, sand
>Footprints are processed by creating algorithms: The Crux of Conservation FIT!
AZA facility animals will directly benefit their wild counterparts

9. Footprints for FIT in 2 Steps
Step 2: Connect AZA Facility with In-Situ Conservation Efforts
> Validated by field projects and implement
> We provide field-training & software
WildTrack, Conservation FIT partners, and JMP: we can provide the software for non-profit end-users free of charge
>Algorithms used for long-term field monitoring of endangered species!

12. Launch of conservationfit
Launch of conservationfit.org International Day for Biological Diversity Monday, 22.May.2017 Will you join us?