The Role of Zoos in Conservation

Conservation staff have consistently sought to avoid the extinction of species in the wild, often by eliminating potential threats such as invasive species, habitat degradation, and poaching. In many instances, however, field conservation measures may be inadequate and not all species can be effectively conserved in their native habitats. This then necessitates more extreme forms of intervention, such as captive breeding by zoos, aquariums, or botanical gardens to increase the likelihood of species survival.

The participation of zoos and aquariums in these breeding programmes is often a cooperative worldwide and regional captive breeding operation. For each species a programme is maintained that captures all the details of individual’s parentage, and factors such as breeding, health etc. A computer programme is also used to determine the best breeding partners that will ensure the genetic diversity of the population is maintained. The animals in these cooperative breeding programmes do not belong to any organisation and at any time we expect to get advice to move and swap some of our animals in support of these programmes.

Across our region, both for Australia and New Zealand a wide variety of native species are directly involved in breed for release or population insurance conservation programmes, which involve zoos and conservation departments and we are part of a number of these programmes. Additionally, numerous exotic species, which are often part of a global programme, are managed by our regional zoos including ourselves.

Each year Australasian zoos and aquariums connect 22 million people with wildlife, fostering a love for our world’s species and educating people about positive actions to help save them. The regional zoos and aquaria members participate in 629 conservation programs for threatened species worldwide. In 2017, for example, they funded a total of $21 million to conservation as well as a further $3 million of in-kind support.

A few examples of Australasian native species conservation breeding programmes:

Australia

• Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby
• Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby
• Orange-bellied Parrot
• Spotted-tailed Quoll
• Lister’s geckos
• Blue-tailed Skinks
• Numbats
• Coroboree Frogs
• Helmeted and Regent Honeyeaters

New Zealand

• Kiwi
• Campell Island Teal
• Brown Teal
• Tuatara
• Giant Weta
• Kaka parrot
• Shore Plover
• Archey’s Frogs
• Yellow-crowned Kakariki