I raise the thread again and hoping for some further discourse with Kudu23 et al.
I do disagree on principle that pure-bred and generic giraffe do not compete for space. In actual fact they do all the time given a high conservation value for all giraffe of pure-bred descent.
However, I agree and tending to say there is a complex situation in the US/Canada with giraffe as an exhibit species (with some conservation educational value) are in high demand within the zoo community.
I continue to support a Global Species Concept whereby zoos invest in captive-to-wild (re-)introduction projects and reverse imports from wild - successfully and viable - stocks back to Captive-breeding facilities. I would particularly advocate this for the Masai giraffe in US zoos (with the added benefit of adding to the gene pool .... perhaps genetic issues in the current Masai population are at play .... that can be sorted that way too.
I would hope and support that each zoo region takes on 1 or 2 pure-bred stock giraffe species and a smaller program for generic/hybrid giraffe (allthough I am tempted to think the phase out policy of the latter is imperative to be able to really work wonders for giraffe conservation ex situ and in situ.
I do disagree on principle that pure-bred and generic giraffe do not compete for space. In actual fact they do all the time given a high conservation value for all giraffe of pure-bred descent.
However, I agree and tending to say there is a complex situation in the US/Canada with giraffe as an exhibit species (with some conservation educational value) are in high demand within the zoo community.
I continue to support a Global Species Concept whereby zoos invest in captive-to-wild (re-)introduction projects and reverse imports from wild - successfully and viable - stocks back to Captive-breeding facilities. I would particularly advocate this for the Masai giraffe in US zoos (with the added benefit of adding to the gene pool .... perhaps genetic issues in the current Masai population are at play .... that can be sorted that way too.
I would hope and support that each zoo region takes on 1 or 2 pure-bred stock giraffe species and a smaller program for generic/hybrid giraffe (allthough I am tempted to think the phase out policy of the latter is imperative to be able to really work wonders for giraffe conservation ex situ and in situ.