11. Preventing Extinctions

A species may be threatened by a combination of many factors, all of which must be addressed in a comprehensive conservation plan that considers its natural history. For instance, new populations of threatened species can be established in the wild using either captive-raised or wild-caught individuals. However, animals used in translocation projects sometimes require special care and behavioural training before release as well as care and monitoring after release. Maintaining and facilitating movement dynamics is very important for protecting wildlife in their natural ecosystems. To do this, connectivity must be preserved by ensuring that habitat linkages such as wildlife corridors and stepping stone habitats that are intact, functional, and free from human-made obstacles. Preventing biodiversity losses under climate change requires ecosystem preservation, maintaining and restoring climate corridors and refugia, and assisted colonisation for species unable to adapt their ranges quick enough. Some species that are in danger of going extinct in the wild can be maintained in zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and seed banks, a strategy known as ex situ conservation. This contributes to field conservation through research, skills development, public outreach, conservation education, fundraising, captive breeding, and head-starting.

Duke Scholars

Author John Wilson Environmental Sciences and Policy