ZAA Launches New Aardwolf Animal Management Program

The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) is proud to announce the addition of the Aardwolf (Proteles cristata) to its Animal Management Program (AMP) portfolio. Native to eastern and southern Africa, this elusive insectivorous hyenid plays a vital ecological role in maintaining biodiversity by consuming vast quantities of termites each night. Despite its importance, the aardwolf remains one of the least represented carnivores in zoological settings, and little is known about its specialized diet, reproduction, and behavior under managed care.

The Aardwolf AMP is led by Sheri Sublett of Twin Pine Farm & Exotics Conservation Foundation (TPFECF), who serves as the AMP’s Studbook Keeper and Species Manager. The program focuses on developing sustainable populations, expanding husbandry knowledge, and supporting collaborative research that benefits both ex situ and in situ conservation efforts.

The AMP has already gained interest and participation from multiple ZAA-accredited facilities. Early milestones include the first successful aardwolf birth in over forty years, the hand-rearing of the first known captive-bred and born ambassador aardwolf in the U.S., ongoing development of a species-specific diet and milk formula in collaboration with researchers, and continued genetic profiling to support future pairings and long-term population management.

To learn more about the aardwolf and the work being done under this new AMP, check out the recent feature in the June 2025 ZAA Magazine.