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Contributions of private keepers in conservation..
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by SwampY on January 7, 2010
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OK, I'm trying to compile a list of species that have been saved or helped by private keepers.
I know that pere david's deer were extinct in the wild but saved by private keepers and are now being reintroduced. Barbary Lions were thought to be extinct until a few were discovered in a private menagerie. One species of wood duck was completely wiped out, and only one clutch of eggs existed. Gerald Durrell collected the eggs and now every individual of that species alive today is descended from that one clutch of eggs.
Can you add any examples where a species has benefitted from private keepers?
Can you give examples of non-professional private keepers who have benefitted a species? (an example of this being Laurence Klauber)
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RE: Contributions of private keepers in conservati
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by Cro on January 7, 2010
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Chad,
Go to http://www.heritagefoodsusa.com/
There you will find numerous examples of rare breeds of pigs, turkey, ducks, chickens, geese, cows, sheep, goats, etc., that have been saved from extinction by farmers who raise them for food, but keep the genetics going by raising them.
By creating a market for them, as part of the "slow food movement," they are actually saving them from becoming extinct, and being replaced by the big-agra genetic clone animals.
Not to mention,that the animals they sell for food are far more healthy to eat, and far more tasty to eat.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Contributions of private keepers in conservati
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by FSB on January 10, 2010
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I wish we could somehow convey to the greater public [as well as the legislature] that a large proportion [I would like to think, majority, but that might be too optimistic] of people who keep reptiles and amphibians have a genuine scientific interest in these animals that goes far beyond the mere keeping of unusual pets. Many of us have also spent a lot of time observing herps in the field, and reading books and research papers [as a glance over the threads here will attest]. Like astronomy, the field of herpetology has always been accessible to, and has gained much from the efforts of dedicated amateurs, a good example being Klauber, whom you mentioned, or Bill Haast who helped pioneer the further study of snake venom for medical applications. Grace Wiley was the first to breed rattlesnakes in captivity, and author Karl Kauffeld had no formal training or title either. Compared to mammals and birds, or even fish, reptiles and amphibians can be simple to maintain and, being largely secretive in habits, lend themselves well to captive study, where many of their rarely-seen behaviors can be observed. While it's certainly great to read everything you can, no amount of reading can replace firsthand experience with an animal, whether in the field or in a captive collection. I can't think of an example offhand of any reptile that has been saved from extinction by captive breeding [yet], but I certainly think it's true that captive breeding has helped reduce some of the pressure on wild populations. Good question, Chad.
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