Caged and safe or wild and free . What is captive breeding program?what is the advantage of this program
Answers
CAGED AND SAFE OR WILD AND FREE? The funding crisis at many zoos has reopened the debate over the value of zoos and whether they should be allowed to exist at all.People who are in favour of zoos argue that they perform an essential role in conserving rare animal species.Conservationists estimate that today at least 1000 species of animals are threatened.Over the past 20 years zoos have developed programs designed to help preserve endangered species. This involves reintroducing them into their natural habitats to replenish the number living in the wild. Zoos cooperate with each other in order to ensure the success of their breeding programs. Animals are passed from one zoo to another to prevent inbreeding-breeding from closely-related animals.If animals that are closely related to one another mate, there is a danger that they will produce deformed offspring. Supporters of zoos argue that they have an important role in educating children, millions of whom visit zoos every year. Television- viewing is no substitute for encountering real animals, they argue. Zoos also carry out important research, for example, on the best conditions for rare species to reproduce. If zoos were forced to close, it would be disastrous for world conservation, zoo supporters say. And most animals in captivity would have to be killed."It does not take much imagination to realize that the closure of all zoos would mean the deliberate destruction of wild life on a scale never before witnessed," The National Federation of Zoos Says. Opponents of zoos accept that some species have been saved from extinction by "captive breeding programmes",but they argue that this offers no solution to the worldwide conservation crisis. The number of animals protected by zoos is tiny compared with the overall problem. It cost millions to save the Arabian oryx from dying out; but could that amount be found for every species that is endangered? The value of zoo-breeding programmes is also questioned as some species, such as the African elephant, do not reproduce well in captivity. When children visit zoos where animals are acting in neurotic and abnormal ways, they are not being educated. Instead, opponents say, they are being given an inaccurate picture of animal behaviour. A more precise and informative impression is available to children every day-through wildlife programmes on television.
Answer:
The funding crisis at many zoos has reopened the debate over the
values of zoos and whether they should be allowed to exist at all.
People who are in favor of zoos argue that they perform an essential
role in conserving rare animal species. Conservationists estimate that
today at least 1000 species of animals are threatened. Over the past
20 years zoos have developed programs designed to help preserved
endangered species. This involves breeding animals in captivity in
‘captive breeding programs’- and then reintroducing them into natural
habitats to replenish the number living in the wild.
Zoos cooperate with each other in order to ensure the success of their
breeding programs. Animals are passed from one zoo to another in order
to prevent inbreeding- breeding from closely related animals. If
animals that are closely related to one another mate, there is a
danger that they will produce deformed offspring.
Supporters of zoos argue that they have an important role in educating
children, millions of whom visit zoos every year. If zoos were forced
to close it would be disastrous for world conservation, zoo supporters
say. And most animals in captivity would have to be killed, “It does
not take much imagination to realize that the closure of all zoos
would mean deliberate destruction” the National federation of zoos
says.
Opponents of zoos accept that some species have been saved from
extinction by “captive breeding programs”, but they argue that this
offers no solution to the world wide conservation crisis.
The number of animals protected by zoos is tiny compared with the
overall problem. It cost million to save the Arabian Oryx form dying
out; but could that amount be found for every species that is
endangered? The value of zoo-breeding programs is also questioned as
some species, such as the African elephant, do not produce well in
captivity.
Captive animals are often kept in poor and inhumane conditions,
opponent says. In the worst zoos, animals are still displayed for the
entertainment of the public. Where animals are placed poverished and
unsuitable surroundings, they often behave in abnormal and neurotic
ways.
When children visit zoos where animals are behaving in a neurotic and
abnormal ways, they are not being educated. Instead opponent says,
they are being given an inaccurate picture of animal behavior. A more
precise way and informative impression is available to children every
day, through a wildlife programs on television.