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The role of private keepers in herp conservation?
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by CanadianSnakeMan on October 26, 2011
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According to the Amphibian Ark's statistics, approximately 500 amphibian species coule go extinct without ex-situ intervention, with more expecting to be critically threatened in coming years. Statistics are also starting to look bleak for some turtles and venomous snakes.
Also, according to the Amphibian Ark, if EVERY zoo worldwide pooled resources to save amphibians, only 50 species (10%) of currently threatened species coule be saved.
My question to those experienced with conservation is:
Given the very finite resources of institutions like zoos to stem the tide of extinction, what role (if any) could private keepers play in serious conservation efforts? Keeping in mind the preservation of genetic integrity of species, proper GPS documentation of locations of collected specimens, rigorous health checks for communicable diseases, procesures for outbreak/infection control, and record-keeping, could it be a reality that someone who doesn't have a PhD in biology and a massive facility could participate in a breeding program out of their home? Are there any models like this currently in use?
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RE: The role of private keepers in herp conservati
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by theemojohnm on October 28, 2011
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Man, we need you down here in Pennsylvania, Luke !
Yes, there is DEFINITELY a role that the private sector plays, in the preservation of several species, even just within the pet trade.
Without the pet trade, many animals wouldn't even be accessible to zoological institutions.
However, the issues with reintroducing captive produced offspring of a particular species, back into their native range, is highly dependent upon the very issues that you outlined. Obviously, the pet trade has no intentions of preserving the genetic integrity of various populations and blood lines, of ball pythons, or corn snakes, for example..
However, many of the more ‘serious herpers', like many of the members of this site, who breed locality-specific animals, like many of the southwestern rattlesnake guys, and Agkistrodon and Sistrurus fanatics, who are looking for additions to their breeding colonies that come from the same mountain, for instance, are already helping to preserve the genetic integrity of various populations of various ranges, to some degree.
The issues with reintegration into wild populations, occur in many of the areas that you mentioned, like pathogen control, and infection control on all levels. Although, the are many environmental factors that are also involved, mainly pollution, and habitat destruction, and the status of a given release location. If you are releasing threatened amphibian species, for example, into an area where the water table may be polluted or otherwise contaminated, your efforts probably aren't going to do much good. Likewise, if it takes you six years to establish a decent number of your offspring into an area, that is going to be developed for human habitation in the near future, your efforts are also in vain. For this reason, I think that location selection, and environmental monitoring, are equally important.
Due to the nature of our (The P.W.H.S.') work, minimal funding, and the fact that a large chunk of the time and effort put in, is essentially volunteer work (although the zoo folks usually have more readily available access to resources, in the way of funds, I'm sure many of the zoo guys can related!), a large portion of our captive propagation efforts occur in our own homes.
We do have a facility for many of our intake adoption animals, and to house several of these projects. And, honestly, I recently have been playing with the idea of converting a large portion of this space into public exhibits, for our educational programs, etc. However, although this would be nice, I think that the best use for the space is doing exactly what we are now, focusing on conservation, in every situation that it appears something can be done.
We use protocols, that are tailored to the project in question, which is especially important when working with reptiles and amphibians. These protocols are also specific, to meet the needs of the facility where the programs are housed. (Last few years I worked with a breeding colony of Bog Turtles out of the basement here at home, which were eventually reintroduced into a location that we monitor regularly, where we have confirmed that wild a population still exists. This year, we plan to continue to work with the Bog Turtles, and hopefully The Blanding’s Turtle, Wood Turtles, Rough Green Snakes, and The Eastern Massasauga, as well.)
Interesting that you mentioned the Amphibian Ark. I was quite happy to see the resources from FrogWatch Ontario, that I posted on the other thread, regarding S. c. catenatus conservation efforts, and a few amphibian resources. I believe that FrogWatch has resource material for interested private individuals, to propagate several native amphibian species at home, and that might be something worth looking into, for some ideas about setting up some of your own model at home, for similar projects. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with Canadian wildlife regulations, or how those types of programs are managed in Canada. But, I'm pretty sure that the division of FrogWatch, here in the US (FW USA), had some information about certain amphibian propagation programs, for interested individuals to setup at home, that actually included a small list of several recommended suppliers of frog eggs, if I recall correctly. Don't quote me on that, as it may not have been FrogWatch USA itself, but an affiliate organization, but I seem to remember something about FrogWatch USA's affiliation with that material.
I will see what I can find online for you, in that regard. I will also see if I can go through some of our project protocols, and possibly email some PDF's, or mail some information to you, to look over. Again, I'm not sure how things are done up there, and you would almost certainly have to tailor a model to your exact needs, and available resources, but I might have some material that may help to give you some ideas. The unfortunate thing, is that we have fairly specific disclosure policies, for the release of material pertinent to a particular program, while that program is currently still in operation. But, I will see if I can dig up some old material that might be of some use, in setting up a model of your own to go by.
I do know that the Toronto Zoo heads and organizes a lot of those types of programs up there, and many organizations such as, and similar to FrogWatch Ontario, use the Toronto Zoo as a main outlet. I’m sure that they could probably provide some information in this area for you. And, if you contacted a director or curator directly, somebody like Bob Johnson (as recommended in the other thread), and introduced yourself, and what you hope to accomplish, they may be able to provide you some information regarding some of the model used by the zoo, and would probably know if there are any models organized by other organizations in the area, that are designed for private individuals to take part in. And, they would also know more about what is required, for private citizens to organize something of this nature, in Canada. It might not be a bad idea to contact organizations such as FrogWatch Ontario, or The Amphibian Ark, also, and ask them what resources they know of that are available to individuals.
Rob C. may also be a good person to get some general opinions from, and I’m sure he will post here, if he sees this thread. Although Rob’s conservation work is in a nature center / zoological institution setting, it is my understanding that Rob’s place isn’t an AZA facility, and isn’t as large as many zoos, yet Rob is involved in some great work, and can probably relate to some of the same things that I and my team go through, as far as making the most out of the resources available, so I think that his input would be useful, also. I’m also sure that folks like Rob, can probably relate to the fact that there is also a lot of personal investment and hard work, that isn’t ever really compensated for, even with donations and state funding. Though, the rewards of the work itself, are more than enough, for many of us. I know that Doug has also been involved with similar programs, and I hoping for his input on this thread as well.
In the meantime, I will see what I can dig up for you regarding the amphibian propagation program that I mentioned here, in the states, and will also see what I can dig up for you from some of our previous project protocols, for you to look over and maybe get an idea of how to setup a usable model of your own. If nothing else, I will try to email you a list of general protocols as far as the disease and parasite prevention, environmental monitoring, and population monitoring / genetic preservation information, that we personally use, here. I also have to convert your report to PDF, and get an idea of what edition of the newsletter it will go into. I will shoot you an email sometime this week, after I have a chance to wrap up some other things that are going on around here.
Wow, GREAT thread ! It is REALLY great to see these kinds of topics here, again, and it is especially nice to see somebody (especially in the private sector) that truly “gives a damn” these days ! I have no doubt that if you get in touch with a zoological institution in your area, or conservation organization, that they would probably be willing to offer you some assistance in doing what you want in this area, if possible.
Take Care,
-J. Mendrola
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RE: The role of private keepers in herp conservati
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by Cro on October 30, 2011
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There is no doubt that some select individuals could help in the conservation efforts of endangered amphibian, and reptile species.
Most often, this is going to be someone who was a zoo / university / teacher professional / biology background, and, perhaps is now a serious private keeper.
Some of those folks would give the endangered animals as much care, or, often more care, than a large institution ever would be able to.
That is because you would have one individual who was dedicated to working with those animals, and not doing round in a zoo, just trying to keep up on a daily basis with all of the animals in his care.
And, if they were provided with a bit of $$ to help assure that the animals were housed and fed properly, it could actually be a very good thing.
It would require some sort of system where the interested individuals would apply to be part of the projects, and would work closely with the professionals who were providing the animals.
Done right, it could surly help the endangered species, as it would spread them about more locations, so that the loss of one population would not effect the other populations, and could also help keep non related populations available for breeding with other non related populations of the same animals, thus helping protect diversity within the species.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: The role of private keepers in herp conservati
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by CHRIS on October 31, 2011
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I am a firm believer that everyone who wants to and is willing should help to preserve wildlife, and I am with you on the private sector in many cases are more qualified to the task. There are many institutions that support the private sector. But in many cases certain instituions feel that they are above others.I know people who were dedicated private collectors, than took jobs in the same field,at this point they became anti private sector. I have had the chance to work with great people on both sides it will take team work to make it work,not a private club of the chosen few.A deep desire to work ,and care for the animals is what counts. Remember a degree is only a title,and a proffesional position is only a paycheck.
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RE: The role of private keepers in herp conservati
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by theemojohnm on November 10, 2011
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Hey Luke,
Came across an old PDF in my archives regarding the assessment of conservation efforts of Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii, The "Desert Massasauga". This is one assessment that I don’t think a lot of people are familiar with, which is why I figured I would post the link..
While it isn't a captive propagation model, it does cover some of the environmental monitoring techniques and parameters, that I mentioned.
And, while S. c. catenatus is going to provide some unique and additional conservation concerns, throughout most of it's native range, all of the Massasauga's are somewhat similar in their complex "micro-seasonal-cycles", and complex microhabitats.
Thought this paper might be something that you might want to look over. I know it's not exactly the kind of model that you are looking for, but it is still relatively pertinent information to consider, when organizing any conservation effort for 'Saugas, in the area of environmental, habitat-monitoring..
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/massasauga.pdf
Take Care,
-J. Mendrola
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RE: The role of private keepers in herp conservati
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by theemojohnm on November 10, 2011
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Oops, sorry, wrong thread..
I meant to post this on the thread regarding Eastern Massasauga conservation efforts..
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