Our zoos becoming climate sanctuaries

[Simon Hampel]

AdelaideNow... Our zoos becoming climate sanctuaries

ADELAIDE'S zoos are becoming "field hospitals in a war zone" as they try to save species threatened by climate change.

The warning has come from Dr Chris West, chief executive of the Adelaide and Monarto zoos, ahead of an international zoo conference in Adelaide next week.

Dr West said zoos would play an increasing role in protecting species from extinction by giving "climate refugees" a home.

He said the effects of climate change would destroy habitat to create environments similar to a war zone for some species.

"We've watched for too long critical species being overcome by habitat destruction, over-exploitation from logging, fishing, hunting, invasive species, pollution and emergent diseases," he said.

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[Chlidonias]

Zoos becoming 'refugee camps for animals' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Zoos becoming 'refugee camps for animals'

An international conference in Adelaide will hear how the world's zoos are becoming refugee camps for critically endangered animals threatened by climate change.

More than 300 wildlife, zoo and conservation leaders from 42 nations will attend the conference.

The chief executive of the Adelaide and Monarto zoos, Chris West, says the zoos are having to salvage species that face threats from rising temperatures.

He says the trend is happening a lot faster than experts had once predicted.

"The sort of projections that said that by mid-century we may have lost a third of the existing animals and plants on the planet, that looks begins to look if anything optimistic," he said.

Mr West says it is important governments recognise the conservation roles that zoos are adopting.