In-situ conservation.

Z

zooman

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Who has first hand experience of this???

Many zoos support In-situ conservation.
How are these selected what criteria is used?
What checks are in place?
Is it fair to say most In-situ conservation programs are in third world countries?

All thoughts would be appreciated.I have recently visited one such program. Supported collectively by at least 50 zoo's. Yet they actually receive very little actual $$ from the promoted zoo's. That have very attractive signs promoting there contribution.....
 
zooman said:
Is it fair to say most In-situ conservation programs are in third world countries?
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As the greatest biodiversity occurs in the tropics (particularly in tropical rainforests), and the majority of those countries are "third world", and these countries greatly outnumber developed nations, it would be fair to say that the majority of endangered species occur in third world countries. It therefore stands to reason that the majority of in situ conservation projects are likely to occur in third world countries, especially programs aimed at habitat preservation/restoration as those projects contribute to the conservation of whole ecosystems.

That is not to say, however, that developed nations do not have in situ conservation projects running. Australia and New Zealand have plenty. In fact, as funding for conservation projects in third world countries is usually non-existent, and developed nations are concerned about their own biota (and have more money), it's probable there are a lot more in situ projects in developed nations than most people realise.

:p

Hix
 
Hix said:
As the greatest biodiversity occurs in the tropics (particularly in tropical rainforests), and the majority of those countries are "third world", and these countries greatly outnumber developed nations, it would be fair to say that the majority of endangered species occur in third world countries.
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That would be it. Had not thought it through on thoose lines.

My experiance is that third world countries have the highest level of goverment corruption.

So how are zoos deciding where to direct there support? Is it working or are there better ways to spend the money? EG buying land?
 
With In-situ Conservation, most funds are sent to NGOs (non governmental organizations) and their programs (research, education, community development, security, etc.) or often to the researchers themselves.
 
okapikpr said:
or often to the researchers themselves.
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This l am sure would be best practice.

I would asume that all supporting zoos would aim for this.
 
zooman said:
This l am sure would be best practice.

I would asume that all supporting zoos would aim for this.
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Not quite, while research can be an important part of in-situ conservation...it is best to support the local communities in some form (usually through NGOs) near and inside reserves, national parks, and/or the animals' range. You cannot truly do conservation without involving the local peoples.
 
okapikpr said:
You cannot truly do conservation without involving the local peoples.
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Okay so this is where it would start. Makes sense although obviously deforestation is a HUGE problem. While educating the locals is a solution if the prob is not large scale logging.Supported by the government!!

So any examples of where this has worked? Educating the locals. Not involving eco tourism.
 
Thanks matey, appreciate that. I will have a good look at them shortly.

Obviously there is some very good work being done.
 
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