Farm animals in zoos

[elefante]

This may be a stupid question, but does the AZA have breeding programs for certain domesticated animals in zoos? Are there target populations for those in the children's zoos or do the zoos themselves purchase the animals themselves?

 

[Zoovolunteer]

I doubt that the AZA, or its equivalents in other countries, have any direct programmes. There are though separate organizations for some of the non-regular or threatened breeds of farm animals. Here in the UK the Rare Breeds Suvival Trust looks after most livestock, with the Poultry Club maintaining a register of rarer breeds of poultry and domestic ducks. I am not sure what the equivalent would be in the US, but I am sure there are some. Some of these rare or heritage breeds are quite useful in conservation, especially for grazing in nature reserves.