The Indianapolis Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and conservation programs of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), our national zoo membership organization. Multiple staff, from keepers to the curators, are involved in a range of activities, including serving as representatives to AZA steering committees for each species that the Zoo maintains for which an AZA conservation program has been initiated. These steering committees manage the captive populations of AZA member organizations, making decisions from husbandry programs to breeding designations. Steering committees are led by a Species Coordinator. The Indianapolis Zoo sponsors Forests and Deserts Curator Lynne Villers’ role as Species Coordinator of the ring-tailed lemur. In addition, the Zoo has committed the resources to maintain four North American regional studbooks – the African elephant, ring-tailed lemur, collared lemur and Guinea baboon.