Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Vulnerable species

Conservation of Endangered Species is done by Captive breeding Captive breeding is the process of breeding rare or endangered species in human controlled environments with restricted settings, such as wildlife preserves, zoos and other conservation facilities. Captive breeding is meant to save species from extinction and so stabilize the population of the species that it will not disappear.  Additionally, if the captive breeding population is too small, then inbreeding may occur due to a reduced gene pool and reduce immunity. In 1981, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) created a Species Survival Plan (SSP) in order to help preserve specific endangered and threatened species through captive breeding and Private farming. Where poaching substantially reduces endangered animal populations, legal, for-profit, private farming does the opposite. It has substantially increased the populations of the southern black rhinoceros and southern white rhinoceros. Recovery Plans In the United States and many other countries, recovery plans are often developed to aid in the recovery of the species. These recovery programs can be in situ (take place in the natural range of the species) or ex situ (in areas outside their natural range) and can involve.