Endangered Breeding

[sammy_kaye]

I have been looking through some old posts and struck some about breeding. Now I do not believe in breeding pets. However, what about breeding endangered species (in captivity) to ensure to continuation of that species?

I think this is important. In New Zealand we have some amazing animals that are or were near extinction. Many because of habitats disappearing due to city expansion or beause of introduced species. Because of these breeding programmes their species are on the way to becoming established in the wild again. Most of the animals are returned to the wild once they are a certain age. We have islands just offshore that have had introduce species such as rats and ferrits eradicated to make safe sanctuaries for such animals. Obviously these 'breeders' are not in it for profit, in fact often do it out of a love of animals with no or very little pay.

It is also illegal here to keep a native animal in captivity unless you have a permit from our department of conservation. Such permits are impossible to get for the average person.

Animals I am talking about are the kiwi, tuatara, black robin etc. I am just wondering if the opinion on this sort of breeding differs from pet breeders.

Kiwi:Home

The above is a website that shows the kiwi breeding programme.

I am assuming I have posted this in the right place. If not I am sure the mods will move it.

[MCR_Rox]

I think what all of the anti-breeding stuff on this website is about domesticated animals. I do not think all of the anti-breeding stuff is about restoring endangered species. I can be wrong, though, so if I am, please correct me.

[crazywiggy]

I'm all in favour of breeding for conservation, so long as it is done properly and is genuinely going to help.

Animals that have become endangered through habitat loss do concern me... unless their habitat is protected, and restored in many cases, there doesn't seem to be much point in captive breeding, as all you are doing is condmening more animals to life in captivity.

But I accept that circumstances can change. One thing I learned at college was about orang utans. Protecting these animals in their natural environment is very difficult and dangerous, because of civil war etc. It is therefore worthwhile to breed them, because once the fighting stops the other work can begin.

Of course, the most important part of conservation in any case is removing the CAUSE of the species becoming endangered. If captive breeding can also help then great - but on its own it would be pretty pointless...

[PixieStix]

I'm fine with breeding endangered animals, providing, like CrazyWiggy, it is done properly and knowledgeably, and the animals are provided with a (relatively) good environment and stimulation in captivity. Steps to protect loss of habitat is also vital, or else these animals will eventually only exist in captivity.

[sammy_kaye]

I am pleased to see this. In my inital post I stated that we have islands that have been dedicated to these animals. All pests have been removed and only Department of Conservation workers are able to land there. This ensures that habitats are not lost.

I do agree that such breeding needs to be done carefully and done as a big picture which includes habitat retention as well.