Conservation under human care — Zoological institutions and biodiversity

Zoological institutions play an important role in the conservation and study of many animal species around the world.

These observations highlight species kept under human care which are targeted by a conservation program, ex-situ (captive breeding) or in-situ (in the wild).

Some of these species are critically endangered, and their survival partly (sometimes entirely) depends on conservation programs under human care.

   Sumatran striped rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri)

   Bornean bay cat (Catopuma badia)

   Vietnamese crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata)

   Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus)

   Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis blandini)

   Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis)

   Mangarahara cichlid (Ptychochromis insolitus)

   Santa Cruz ground dove (Pampusana sanctaecrucis)

   Golden gecko (Gekko badenii)

   Azraq toothcarp (Aphaniops sirhani)

Why this matters

Amongst the species selected for this theme, some of them are very close to extinction in the wild and would likely be completely gone without conservation breeding programs created by zoos.

Zoos can support conservation in many other ways. They raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, around the world, to fund in-situ conservation programs, rehabilitation centers and protection of fragile ecosystems.

Zoos also help raising awareness by displaying animals to the public, triggering emotions that can lead to a call for action, to help preserve endangered species. With their education programs on nature and its conservation, modern zoos are playing a key role in making the world a better place for humans and animals.

 

Other species targeted by conservation programs can be found by
browsing my Education resources.

 

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