Zoos can benefit wildlife conservation
Zoos undertake very important and urgent work for species conservation, and it’s not just the ”charismatic megafauna’ that is the focus of these nature projects.
Zoos Victoria are working to research and then breed the critically endangered corroboree frog….
Major threats
The main threat to the Southern Corroboree Frog is the disease Chytridiomycosis, caused by infection with Amphibian Chytrid Fungus. This is a big cause of frog deaths worldwide. Another issue is climate change, which is having an effect on the frog’s alpine home environment.
The plan for fighting extinction
Zoos Victoria has developed successful captive breeding techniques for the Southern Corroboree Frog. There is also a system for reintroducing the eggs and tadpoles we’ve bred into the wild populations.
Auckland Zoo, in New Zealand, through its Conservation Fund ….. ‘we invest hundreds of thousands of dollars back into our local Wild Work projects, or overseas to fund projects contributing to the conservation of wildlife and wild places.’
”New Zealand’s national icon is notoriously endangered and in need of help. Here at the Zoo, our eggs-perts have hatched and released 410 kiwi to the wild (and counting). Emerging from their enormous eggs, these birds ‘take flight’ to predator-free island kiwi creches, thanks to their human wingmen at the Zoo and Operation Nest Egg. Once they’re old enough to defend themselves from introduced predators, they’re released into their forest of origin.
It can be argued, and there six a strong case for this, that certain consecration funds that are gathered at the Zoo gate, alongside the expertise of zoo staff and extensive research and breeding facilities, that only Zoos can provide.
WILDLIFE in the wild ?
Whilst many animals can be great and important ambassadors for their wild cousins, and a well-constructed and well-organised zoological park can give its visitors front-row seats to meeting these creatures , learning more about them and how we can conserve these amazing wild animals now.
Elephants Need Space – and realistically, zoos simply can’t provide it.
African elephants are one of my personal favourite species, and I have been fortunate to have seen them first-hand on safari in East Africa. However, many feel that that is where they shield remain. – and not in some zoo or ‘safari park’ .
Kate on Conservation put it this way: Elephants are magnificent animals, the world’s largest land animal and a truly iconic species. Their complex social and family structures, and their deep levels of emotional intelligence are fascinating. Some of us are fortunate enough to have had the joy of seeing these animals in the wild, roaming across open plains, foraging, and acting as one of the great ecosystem engineers – creating pathways, fertilising land, dropping seeds and maintaining biodiversity wherever they wander. But many will have only seen elephants in zoos, or so-called safari parks, likely confused by the joy being brought by seeing them up close, and the reality of the lack of space and enrichment they have in captivity.
The topic of zoos and their important roles was coveed in a Lumberton of posts – for example here
close to my heart – as I am active with two zoos/wildlife sanctuaries in Queensland, Australia…… Lone Pine Sanctuary and Currumbin Sanctuary
