Refreshing the Gene Pool
Captive Breeding

The benefits of biological diversity, and what we will lose as a result of species extinction are well documented – more than this it is a widely accepted belief by tribal people and corporate executives alike. While championing the conservation of bio-diversity is easy — the actual application and work it takes to accomplish it is complex and requires great dedication.

Captive breeding is an important tool for species conservation. This highly focused and labor intensive endeavor is being accomplished by a system of world wide organizations that are participating in cooperation with one another to provide the best possible circumstances for keeping gene pools alive.

Captive breeding is far from ideal – but it is rapidly improving and provides the time to develop strategies that will lead to long-term survival. There are roughly 500,000 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in captivity in zoos throughout the world. [See Rhino Story] The International Species Inventory System keeps genealogical information on individual animals of 2,500 species of mammals and birds that are located in Europe and North American zoos making it possible to arrange matings by computer and thereby minimizing problems caused by inbreeding.

Zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria have found new purpose and direction, providing a safety net when other protective measures have failed. At WHWF we have consistently supported such programs and created our own when the need arose [See Bongo Story]. Our closest ally has of course always been the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (formerly Mount Kenya Game Ranch) and we continue to sustain each other’s efforts on a daily basis. Our students at the Center find the Animal Orphanage a valuable practical experience as well as a joy. Conservation is often very specific and personal when an animal born in the wild is suddenly left without a mother to care for it. By keeping a vigilant eye out for these vulnerable creatures, we are doing our part – sometimes one animal at a time.