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Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group (SCTAG)

The Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) is a committee of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).  The overall objective of the Small Carnivore TAG is to assist and promote the conservation of all species under our umbrella through educational programs, research, appropriate exhibits and scientific captive breeding of threatened and endangered species.

The Small Carnivore TAG is comprised of several taxa:  Mustelidae (39 species), Vivveridae (44 species), Procyonidae (20 species), Herpestidae (39 species), and Ailuridae (1 species).  The species under the TAG umbrella are particularly diverse within a variety of social, taxonomic and behavioral characteristics.

Currently, the TAG is recommending three species for Species Survival Plans (SSP), nine species for Population Management Plans (PMP), and twelve species for Display, Education, and Research Populations (DERP). SSP populations are managed intensely in zoos, PMP populations require moderate management, and DERP populations do not require long-term genetic/demographic management.  Other species of small carnivores have been recommended by the TAG for phase-out or not recommended for keeping in participating zoological collections, in order to properly manage and maintain healthy populations of the focal species.

Information on Small Carnivore Species:

SSPs

PMPs

DERPs

OTHERS

 
  Black-Footed Ferret Ringtail Raccoon Tayra Servaline Genet
Banded Mongoose Owston's Palm Civet
Oriental Small-Clawed Otter Southern Coati Giant Otter Ermine Spotted-necked Otter
African Civet Small Indian Civet
Red Panda Northern Coati    Banded Linsang Zorilla Long-tailed Weasel
American Mink Mountain Weasel
  Kinkajou African Clawless Otter Small Spotted Genet Tres Marias Raccoon
Least Weasel Marbled Polecat
  Dwarf Mongoose Fossa Honey Badger Columbian Weasel
Eurasian Badger Cozumel Island Coati
  Meerkat Cusimanse Olingo Crested Genet
Egyptian Mongoose Sea Otter
  Wolverine Polecat Grison Beech Marten
Common Palm Civet Marsh Mongoose
  North American Otter Fisher  Large-spotted genet Slender Mongoose
Yellow-throated marten Otter Civet
  Binturong American Marten Steppe polecat Cozumel Island Raccoon
Hooded skunk Pine Marten
    American Badger European otter Pygmy Skunk
Crab-eating raccoon Southern Otter
    Striped Skunk Falanouc Yellow Bellied Weasel
Salano Ring-tailed Mongoose
    Eastern Spotted Skunk Sable Smooth Coated Otter
Hog-nosed skunk Hog-Badger
      Hairy-nosed otter African Palm Civet
      Yellow Mongoose Chinese Ferret Badger
      Little Coatimundi Congo Water Civet
      Stink Badger Congo Clawless Otter
      Narrow Striped Mongoose Central American Cacomistle
      Spotted Linsang Malaysian Civet
      Malagasey Civet Indian Grey Mongoose
      Masked Palm Civet  

***NEW!*** Zoo Standards for Keeping Otters in Captivity (in Microsoft Word)

For further information, comments, or suggestions, email me at Small Carnivore TAG -- Education Liaison