Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

Captive breeding is the only choice for species that are extinct or nearly extinct in the wild. Nearly one-fourth of mammals, 12% of birds, and almost one-third of amphibians are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list of threatened species. The need for captive breeding will undoubtedly increase as loss and degradation of wildlife habitat continue as a consequence of human population growth. However, captive breeding and reintroduction programs can play only a minor conservation role in comparison to protecting and improving habitat. Owing to limited space, staff, and funds, zoos will not be able to preserve populations of all animal species likely to become extinct in the wild.