< Previous | Contents | Next >
♤ Captive breeding means that members of a wild species are captured, then bred and raised in a special facility under the care of wildlife biologists and other expert.
♤ Bringing an animal into captivity may represent the last chance to preserve a species in the wild in these situations:
♤ When a population drops dangerously, captive breeding can boost numbers. Captive-produced young can sometimes be released into the wild where populations have diminished or disappeared, yet where suitable habitat remains to support them.
♤ When all of the existing habitat is poor quality or other environmental problems occur, a captive population can be maintained until the problems can be solved or another appropriate habitat can be found for the animal in the wild.
♤ When the existing habitat is fragmented, captive breeding combined with management may provide the only hope for survival by providing opportunities for genetic mixing.
♤ When a group of birds stays in one area of degraded habitat because they are behaviorally trapped, captive breeding and release programs can help them to expand their range.
♤ By holding and breeding birds in captivity we acquire knowledge about them that may be difficult or
impossible to accomplish in the wild. Sometimes this scientific research provides some of the information necessary to save a species.
♤ If situation demands reintroduction or reestablishment in the natural habitat may also arise.
♤ E.g. captive breeding of lion tailed macaque in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai and in mysore zoo.