Working Toward Species Conservation - Zoos

Although some animal lovers object to caging wild species and keeping them in unnatural enclosures, zoos play one absolutely critical role—fostering interest in animal species, biodiversity, and conservation. In fact, the majority of zoo animals are not collected from the wild but bred in captivity. For example, among U.S. zoos, 90 percent of mammals and 74 percent of birds added to zoo collections since 1985 were born in captivity. Zoos have FIGURE 2.9
Calving locations of radio-collared female caribou during 1983–99 also contributed significantly to the survival of some highly endangered species through captive breeding efforts.

Captive Breeding

The majority of captive breeding efforts take place at zoos. Captive breeding has increased the number of many endangered species, and in several cases, saved them from certain extinction. Captive breeding has helped increase population sizes of species such as the California condor and the black-footed ferret. Both these species have thrived in captive breeding efforts, making reintroductions into wild habitat possible. Captive breeding offers the greatest hope for survival of additional species as well, including the highly endangered Florida panther. Although some species are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, including the giant panda, many species have been bred in captivity, including over 3,000 species of vertebrates—some 19 percent of mammal species and 10 percent of bird species. A small selection of the many ongoing captive breeding efforts and the institutions leading the efforts include: the giant panda (San Diego Zoo) in California; Guam rail (Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens) in Chicago, Illinois; white rhinoceros (Fort Worth Zoological Park) in Texas; Mexican gray wolf (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) in Tucson, Arizona; wattled crane (Franklin Park Zoo) in Boston, Massachusetts; and the Chinese alligator (Bronx Zoo) in New York. Species Survival Plans for captive breeding programs are organized by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

Captive breeding is not without its critics, however, who charge that it is costly, and that funds would be better used to conserve natural habitats. Critics also charge that captive breeding is able to focus only on a few charismatic species, and that it often gives the false impression that the battle against extinction is being won.

A New Role For Zoos

At one time, zoos kept animals tightly caged and in conditions that were unnatural and unhealthy. Today, however, many zoos have been redesigned to house animals in areas more similar to their natural habitats. For many people, a zoo is the only place to see wildlife, including endangered species. Many zoos have developed public education programs tying zoo exhibits to natural ecology. Some zoos have also evolved from being "menageries" for the pleasure of humans to living museums and ecological conservation centers for species.

Zoos and aquariums also constitute an extraordinary base of data for field conservation operations. The aim is to apply expertise on animal health, nutrition, handling, and reproduction to the needs of animals in the wild. The Bronx Zoo in New York is pioneering new efforts to extend its expertise into field study. With habitats for large animals becoming increasingly degraded, Bronx Zoo veterinarians are closely monitoring animal health in the field. Zoo resources are also being directed towards conservation. Bronx-based conservationists are working with national governments, local politicians, and international aid agencies to develop measures to preserve habitat and protect wildlife. One particular goal is to transfer technology and expertise to developing countries so that they can develop their own conservation efforts.