So, captive breeding programs are bad?
- Absolutely not. Just like all procedures, captive breeding has its pros and cons, this website simply aimed to bring those cons, which are normally avoided, into the light. Captive breeding, when done correctly, has the ability to bring species back from the brink of destruction; just take a look at the California condor, who underwent captive breeding and reintroduction to go from 22 birds in 1987 to 410 in September of 2012.
How can captive breeding be improved?
- Through enrichment, natural habitat simulation, and limited human interaction animals can remain similar to their wild counterparts. However, animals in captivity will show some change, that's inevitable for any animal out of its natural habitat. To really improve these programs more research must be done to identify exactly what causes the changes, and to eliminate it. In addition to these programs, habitat protection, public education, and bans on hunting and poaching should be the first defense for animals so that captive breeding doesn't even need to be an option.
After a captive breeding program, the animals are no longer threatened.
- Not true. Even though captive breeding can help to boost the population numbers of a species, it can't stop that species from becoming threatened once more. If habitat destruction was the reason the animals started dying off, then habitat protection must but put into place. If hunting or poaching reduced population numbers, then measures to eliminate these must be enforced. Captive breeding acts as a temporary bandage that is used as a last resort when animals are going extinct. If we really want to save animals, then we need to stop taking away their homes, and stop being a threat to them.
Will captive animals always be at a disadvantage if reintroduced?
- Not necessarily. However, researchers don't know everything when it comes to the genetic changes seen in captive animals, just like they don't know foolproof ways to stop the changes. More research must be done to develop new ways to improve captive breeding and reintroduction programs. Just like all good scientific processes, captive breeding is a dynamic method, always changing and improving.
I can't do anything, I'm just one person.
- That couldn't be farther from the truth. It only takes one person standing up to make a change. Even if you can't directly change things, there are always organizations that could use your support. Sometimes many voices together are more influential than one alone, which is why environmental organizations plead for support from people like you, those who care. In addition, you can always contact your government representative and ask them to support environmental protection legislation. It's their job to represent you, but they can't do that if they don't hear your voice.
Why should I listen to anything the website even says?
- That's a good point, considering this was a website designed for a first year college English class, and it's always a good idea to check the credibility of your sources. However, this website draws from a number of scholarly research papers and a few popular sources to form trends and to make claims. Just like you're doing now, I did my research.