I think it should. think about the arabian oryx. and it looks like the scimitar horned oryx will be having a similar chance
Functionally Extinct Species in Captivity
- Thread starter JVM
- Start date
I think it should. think about the arabian oryx. and it looks like the scimitar horned oryx will be having a similar chance
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
They were never functionally extinct.
well it almost was
This isn't the thread for "Almost functionally extinct species in captivity" though 
that does make a good point Dave
This isn't the thread for "Almost functionally extinct species in captivity" though
Or for 'functionally almost extinct species' come to that
Alan
Whether it is right or wrong to keep functionally extinct species in captivity, the animals are there anyway so they are being kept and they might as well try to breed them or even breed them with a related species to maintain some of the species' genes. No one is going to suggest shooting all the remaining northern white rhinos because they are going to die eventually
Whether it is right or wrong to keep functionally extinct species in captivity, the animals are there anyway so they are being kept and they might as well try to breed them or even breed them with a related species to maintain some of the species' genes. No one is going to suggest shooting all the remaining northern white rhinos because they are going to die eventually
We have to move away from the notion that zoos are Arks that may look after species that are extinct in the wild, and need to learn how to manage species at liberty. It is important to have free-ranging populations that are still under some form of natural selection and fulfilling ecological roles but can be cared fore using captive management type techniques. Species maintained long-term in captivity over multi-generations will show genetic change that compromises their fitness for reintroduction. The most important conservation role for zoos is to develop the interface between wild and captive populations.
can you please give an example, Carl
There are now several species that are being maintained in the wild with management. In the US the classic example is the California Condor with feeding, veterinary care and nest-site management. There are the Pink Pigeons that are being maintained in the wild with supplemental feeding and predator control and the Echo Parakeet, from Mauritius, which is fed and provided with nest-boxes. There are many species that are being maintained with supplemental feeding including cranes in Japan and various vultures supported by vulture restaurants. In South Africa a range of game animals are being managed in game parks with feeding, predator control and veterinary care. Many primates have habituated populations that are carefully cared for with vet. care and in some cases feeding also.
This type of genetic drift is relatively slow relative to the biological changes driving the processes causing extinctions. How many generations would it take say, for a rhinos phenotype to change in ex situ game reserves if they weren't culled for things like temperament? If animals have good conformation & pedigree should they be given some opportunity to select their own mate, who knows what animals see in each other & what drives their own selection? There is a lot more that can be done to encourage game reserves, but the process is hobbled by leftist ideologies about ownership of wildlife. Look at a CITIES 1 listing for example, sure it appears to offer some protection but it makes rhinos valuable to poachers & almost impossible to own & worthless to breed legally.
A new paradigm for conservation rather than just protectionist ideologies needs to be encouraged.
Khakibob
Yes we really do need to come up with new approaches and I am a great believer the we need to take zoo type management techniques into the wild to manage critically endangered species.
'Vulture restaurants'. I like that term...
The outstanding Primate example being the Mountain Gorillas of course.