Saro
Well-Known Member
I believe one point has not been mentioned so far. Aside from a lack of interest to take offspring of certain rare species by other institutions and inbreeding problems being a factor in the disappearance of species from zoos, there is a big human factor.
Very often the successful establishment of a species in zoos depends on the effort that zoo management puts into them. Various species are only established today, because certain individuals took a keen interest in them and put a lot of effort into finding the right conditions for them. That is true for biologists and veterinarians but particularly for the keepers. Sometimes a species might disappear from zoos, despite all involved tried very hard, of course.
Sometimes although, people just didn't try hard enough or were even ignorant to the animals special needs.
There are numerous examples for both cases, but one rarely mentioned is the giant anteater. For decades, they did not do well in zoos and were considered difficult to keep and breed. Today, they are well established in European zoos and this is in large part due to the efforts of Dr. Wolf Bartmann and his staff at Dortmund Zoo. So far, Dortmund has bred more giant anteaters than all other European zoos combined and they also set the keeping standards that ensure the survival of the population until today.
What was the secret for success ? A LOT of tireless effort and decades of dedication and research !
Some other species might still be found in zoos today, if that much effort had gone into their husbandry!
Very often the successful establishment of a species in zoos depends on the effort that zoo management puts into them. Various species are only established today, because certain individuals took a keen interest in them and put a lot of effort into finding the right conditions for them. That is true for biologists and veterinarians but particularly for the keepers. Sometimes a species might disappear from zoos, despite all involved tried very hard, of course.
Sometimes although, people just didn't try hard enough or were even ignorant to the animals special needs.
There are numerous examples for both cases, but one rarely mentioned is the giant anteater. For decades, they did not do well in zoos and were considered difficult to keep and breed. Today, they are well established in European zoos and this is in large part due to the efforts of Dr. Wolf Bartmann and his staff at Dortmund Zoo. So far, Dortmund has bred more giant anteaters than all other European zoos combined and they also set the keeping standards that ensure the survival of the population until today.
What was the secret for success ? A LOT of tireless effort and decades of dedication and research !
Some other species might still be found in zoos today, if that much effort had gone into their husbandry!
