Zoo Arks

You said: Breed as many tigers as possible to increase their numbers

That's an admirable goal, but it would make overall conservation efforts more difficult. Why? Because today, many zoos are like Noah's ark. Animal species around the world are threatened not by a flood of water but one of habitat destruction. Zoo arks build genetic reservoirs of endangered species to insure against their extinction.

Noah saved the animals two by two. Zoos need to save hundreds or thousands of each species to ensure a healthy population. But "zoo arks" are limited in size and resources, so space is at a premium. So zoos must aim for quality over quantity when breeding animals. The goal is to maintain genetic diversity--the richest and purest genetic pool for each species.

Genetic diversity helps tigers survive in many ways. It keeps animals strong and healthy. Their cubs are also healthier and more likely to survive. And genetic diversity helps tigers adapt to changes in their environment.

Zoos must also balance the needs of all species, not just tigers. More exhibits for tigers mean fewer for jaguars or clouded leopards. Zoos must work together in order to efficiently manage as many endangered species as possible. To this end, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has developed the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Similar programs have been developed by zoo associations in Europe, Asia and other regions.

To preserve genetically healthy captive populations, zoos must work together to manage all of the individuals of a particular species as one large interbreeding population within their county or region of the world. The "Zoo Ark" includes the entire world of zoos, not just zoos in one country or region.

As zoos become more successful at captive breeding, the focus has turned from taking animals from the wild to the possibility of returning captive animals--or their genes--to the wild.

Back to the Captive Management Introduction