Experts see a huge challenge in reintroducing dozens of endangered species that are now only found in zoos. “Despite heroic efforts, failure is just as common as success,” says scientist Donal Smith of the London Institute of Zoology (ZSL).
Smith and colleagues published an inventory in the journal Science of the 84 animal and plant species that will be considered extinct in the wild by 2022 on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and only found in zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. prevent gardens or seed banks.
“Without the conservation efforts of these dedicated organizations, we would have already lost species such as the sable antelope, several Polynesian tree snails and the yellow-flowered toromiro,” Smith said of species that are no longer in the wild. Cases such as that of the European bison even show that species once confined to a small population under human care can spread back into the wild thanks to appropriate projects.
Significantly strengthen species protection
While there are still a few thousand animals or plants of some of the recorded species living only in human captivity, only a handful remain for others. According to the researchers, the species are less monitored and often overlooked because the focus is often more on endangered species that still exist in the wild. This is also evidenced by the fact that since 1950 eleven species have become extinct under human care. Only twelve would have regained wild animal or plant status. Smith and his colleagues are calling for significant strengthening of species protection in this area.
According to their own statements, this comprehensive inventory is the first of its kind. The researchers found that some of the 40 animal and 44 plant species listed as extinct in the wild on the Red List had been misclassified in several respects, leading to the number varied somewhat reduced. In general, however, they come to a clear conclusion. There are many ways to prevent extinction in the wild or bring back species that have gone out there, “and we need to grab them”.
“Re-introducing all species that have gone extinct in the wild is a mammoth task, which is the ultimate goal of every zoo, aquarium, botanical garden and seed bank worldwide,” said co-author Axel Moehrenschlager of the International Union for Conservation of Naturally. (IUCN). Given the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity, these facilities will become even more important in the future.
Source: Krone
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