The EEP is a European Endangered species breeding Programme. A lot of zoological parks take part in the EEP. The EEPs are managed by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA).
The aim of EEPs is to maintain genetically viable populations of endangered species, with the hope, for some species, of a subsequent reintroduction into their natural habitat. So, it is essential for the different zoos to cooperate because it brings the chances of reproduction to a maximum.

The Safari de Peaugres participates in 24 EEPs :

Prior to the setting up of an EEP, a study is carried out in order to determine the species population count, its degree of endangerment and the potential for its reintroduction. All the captive specimens are registered in a studbook with their individual characteristics (date of birth, sex, origin, identification...), and all the data undergoes a yearly update.

The EEP coordinator uses the studbook to analyse the population and make management recommendations. He must help solve surplus problems such as, where to place the offspring? The coordinator must place the animals in other parks, taking into consideration the species' population genetics in order to prevent inbreeding.

To obtain EEP animals, a zoo must fulfil the high standards laid out by the EEP regarding the accommodation, well-being, feeding and care of the animals.

If the park 's application is accepted, it will receive the animals on the basis of a breeding loan; there is no commercial transaction involved, the animals still belong to their zoo of origin. The animals cannot be transferred elsewhere without the consent of the EEP coordinator and the owner of the animals. However, even when a zoo' s application is accepted, this does not mean that the animals will be sent immediately! The Safari had to wait 3 years before receiving the pair of red pandas as there were no genetically unrelated animals available beforehand.

When a zoo receives EEP animals, it commits itself to participating in research programmes. With the red pandas for example, the program required that the Safari should vaccinate and then take serum from the pandas placed in its care. This serum was then sent to a research centre in Rotterdam where tests were carried out to determine the efficiency of the vaccines on this species which remains unknown.

Other programs exist in the rest of the world, which work on the same principles as EEPs.