Captive Breeding
As extinction rates accelerates, biologists seek methods for preserving endangered species. Captive breeding is one such method. Captive breeding focuses on the reproduction of rare animals in captivity. In order to increase the world population of certain species, captive breeding removes the threats to that species breeding in the wild.
Captive breeding and later re-introduction of a endangered species is an important and in a number of cases very successful device for species conservation. Critics point to the need to conserve and restore habitat, list examples of failures, criticize the cost, and argue that we should rescue species before they are on the edge of oblivion (Primack, 1996). Captive breeding saved the bison, Wolves now roam Yellowstone and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Peregrine Falcon is off the endangered species list, golden-lion tamarins thrive in the Brazilian forests, whooping cranes perform their mating dances along river banks in the west, and many more species might similarly be rescued.
In order to reintroduce a species successfully into an environment a few factors must be considered. First of all, there must be a self sustaining captive population. That is there must be enough breeding stock to provide a surplus. For big animals, this requires a lot of space. Second, a required and suitable amount of adequate and protected habitat. For this it might be necessary to conduct field
studies to determine the amount and type of habitat required by new population. Third, an effective techniques to prepare animals for reintroduction. This could include training re-introduces prior to release. The last rule to follow is monitoring and evaluation. Constant monitoring provides opportunity to evaluate and modify the program. Some successful examples of re-introduction are the whooping crane, bison, American condor, perigrine falcon, golden lion tamarin, wolves, and many more.
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