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CAPTIVE BREEDING IN

Destructive Programs in Need of Change

BY DR. JOHN W. GRANDY

n recent years, The HSUS has strongly that the ultimate goal of these pro­ of maintaining wild in . become increasingly concerned with grams must always be the release of Professionally managed captive-breeding the practice of of resulting animals into their natural . programs do not exist at most . Indeed, animals by zoos. At first glance, it We question whether this is truly a goal for the majority of zoos only breed animals seems that captive breeding would be most zoos or merely a carefully constructed because managers fail to control breeding, a productive program, if animals are rationalization that is little more than a or to provide income, or so there will be to be kept in zoos. If animals are go­ public-relations ploy. baby animals born each year. The births are ing to be kept in zoos, they should not It is important to realize that, while the often planned as a so that be taken from wild, unacclimated AAZPA's SSPs are designed to be profes­ visitors can see young animals in nurs­ populations but rather from captive, sionally managed breeding programs, there eries and being hand-raised by humans. self-sustaining populations. Captive­ are probably more than 1,000 different Young animals that are pulled from their breeding programs, however, create their in the 139 zoos accredited mothers and hand-raised create another ma­ own set of problems-unwanted zoo animals by the AAZPA-with only about 50 differ­ jor problem. Such animals have no oppor­ and animal auctions that dispose of surplus ent species involved in these SSP programs. tunity to learn parenting from their own zoo stock, among them. To evaluate the Examples of species involved in SSPs are species and are, therefore, not fit candidates seriousness of such problems, The HSUS, the golden tamarin, , for release programs. Unfortunately, most some time back, began a comprehensive white rhino, scimitar-homed oryx, and bali animals bred in captivity cannot and will evaluation of captive-breeding programs in mynah. Of the 50 species, only about 6 never be released into the wild. roadside zoos, zoological parks, and similar (depending on who is counting) have had Most of the breeding taking place at the institutions. any individuals released into their native approximately 1,400* so-called zoos in the First, it should be noted that there is a habitats. If you include all the animals main­ is the result of animals simply tremendous difference between professional tained and bred in the more than 1,400 being housed together. These are unplanned captive-breeding programs, with a written , zoos, and zoological parks, the births which offer nothing to conservation policy or goal of stipulating eventual release small percentage of animals that are in­ of wildlife. After animals grow out of the of animals into the wild, and the in­ volved in the SSPs is even further dimin­ "cute" stage, they are cast off indiscrim­ discriminate breeding that occurs at most ished. The HSUS does not question the inately by large, small, and even accredited zoos in the United States. There is, as well, captive-breeding efforts used to save these AAZPA zoos. These castoffs become can­ a difference between managed breeding of species. However, we are deeply concerned didates for disposal as surplus or for and the production of about the often indiscriminate production of euthanasia. surplus animals, either incidentally or for surplus exotics hidden behind the legitimate Frequently, those indiscriminately bred ommercial purposes. breeding of endangered species. surplus zoo animals end up in horrendous The goal of the American Association of Captive breeding is a two-edged sword. situations. They may change hands at an Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZ­ A few zoos are doing it right and for the exotic-animal auction where they endure P.-\f s (SSP) for right reasons. Most zoos, however, whether transport to and from the auction site in 2Teeding specific species in captivity with roadside, municipal, or other, use the ex­ of introducing them into the wild, istence of some captive breeding of endan­ * The 1,411 licensed and registered animal exhibitors -::-- HSCS believes, is admirable. We be­ gered or other species in a very misleading include the 139 AAZPA facilities, roadside zoos, uch professionally managed menageries, petting zoos, aquaria, and traveling animal way: breeding is used to justifY the existence shows such as , etc. Numerous otber unlicensed _ ~ ::-:...... · ~ programs certainly have a of zoos to a public that is increas­ facilities exist as well. Virtually all, to one degree or - -' em zoos. However, we feel ingly concerned with the ethics and propriety anotber, are involved in captive breeding.

The Humane Society News • Summer 1989 irths for popular species, includ­ Bing the hippo- potamus, are often planned by zoos as tourist attractions so that visitors can see baby animals in dis­ play , such as this one, or in zoo nurseries.

The Humane Society News • Summer 1989 9 substantial and well beyond that which most zoos can offer. Neither of these breeding facilities is open to the general public. In order for animals to develop the natural behaviors leading to successful breeding, the rearing of young, and introduction of individuals in the wild, space and seclusion are mandatory. Space and seclusion are the very elements that most zoos can never hope to provide their animals. While we recognize that contributions to true conservation can be, and have been, made by the breeding of endangered species at places such as St. Catherine's Survival Center and the Conservation and Research Center, we question the overall feasibility of these programs in most other places. Even if space were not a limiting factor, monetary resources would be, because a successful professional program requires space and money to implement short- and long-term goals. In most cases, the camel tied to a livestock trailer awaits sale at the exotic-animal auc­ resources spent on captive breeding would tion in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Zoo cast offs that find their way to be better spent on other, more achievable A such auctions often face grim futures. programs, such as improvement of captive animal care or conservation education. cages that can cause injuries. They are then professional care for surplus exotic animals. The truth is that most zoos are commer­ sold to the highest bidder with no regard to It is irresponsible and unfair for entrepre­ cial ventures and are not concerned with the quality of care they will receive. For in­ neurs, breeders, or others to try to shift the maintaining large breeding areas not open stance, it has been estimated that between responsibility for maintaining surplus zoo to the general public. They cannot make 50-80 percent of all large animals found in animals onto charitable organizations, money from such facilities . Therefore, most roadside menageries originated in the breed­ which have many other demands upon their zoos are not involved with, or interested in, ing programs of major zoos. They may be resources. operating them. sold to game ranches where they are hunted Even large zoos often claim that the most as trophies. (Surplus from a United important benefit derived from keeping States zoo recently ended up at a Texas game animals in captivity is the breeding of en­ ranch where hunters paid $3,500 to kill each dangered, threatened, protected, and of these animals and then take them home diminishing animal species. Zoos proudly as trophies.) They may end up in roadside claim that they are the "arks" of the future. zoos, where they are neglected or abused and They mention the reintroduction of Pere maintained in wretched conditions. They also David's deer and a few other species as may end up with private individuals who evidence of their role in species preserva­ have no experience in keeping exotic animals. tion. Such successes are not widespread. Frequently, these animals die or go from one Based on the numbers of animals needed miserable situation to another; from circuses to maintain the of a species to performing animal acts to shopping-center and the amount of space needed to breed photo exhibits. Recently, a well-respected these animals, the potential for success of major zoo sold to a pet dealer, such "arks" is extremely limited. At least who bred some and sold others to a travel­ two American zoo directors have admitted ing . Animals may even end up in that zoos should be honest with the public research institutions, utilized for as to the potential for release of zoo and experimentation. aquarium specimens back into the wild. At Finally, private owners, zoos, or other best, relatively few species can ever be institutions may offer these unwanted rehabilitated through captive breeding. animals to local or national animal­ There are very few places in the United protection groups. Humane societies and States where successful professional SPCAs have neither the monetary resources breeding of endangered species can occur. nor the facilities for exotic animals. These The St. Catherine's Survival Center, the animals are not the responsibility of humane New York 's breeding ieries, SPCAs, or the concerned facility on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, -;: · li - they are the responsibility of those and the National Zoological Park's Conser­ -_ n o m them or those responsible for vation and Research Center in Front Royal, -::.· g t:hem into the world. We must de- Virginia, conduct professional programs, parties provide humane and but the amount of space they occupy is

The Humane Society News • Summer 1989 e feel that zoos, which entertain Assuming a generous placement rate of 50 recognition of the problems caused by • -;;ill ions of visitors a year, would be better percent each month, this figure translates tive breeding of wildlife and its surplus o­ .... cl if they concentrated on high-quality into 8,400 surplus animals annually from animals. The AAZPA, or a similar in tiru­ education programs for their visitors. Most AAZPA accredited zoos alone. tion, should undertake to monitor and coor­ zoo spend relatively little, if any, time and This figure is only the tip of the iceberg. dinate captive breeding of animals in all ;:;)()ney on education, and all menageries The surplus animals of many of the best member institutions. This should be done ;niseducate the public. It is evident from our zoos never reach the surplus list because not just for captive breeding of endangered. many years of zoo inspections that those they are already "placed" through in­ threatened, or rare species, but for all ;nenageries and zoos not AAZPA recog­ dividual arrangements among the zoos species that have been or are becoming nized are adding nothing to desirable themselves. If the miscellaneous other zoos problems. The AAZPA should maintain a tive-propagation and release programs or are included in this traffic, the number of registry for each species or subspecies and to education. In fact, they miseducate the surplus animals and their suffering is record details of genetic characteristics, public about wild animals and the impor­ overwhelming. studs, and other useful information related tant roles these animals play in their native Because the AAZPA publication limits to breeding. The AAZPA should tabulate habitats. By exhibiting their animals in small the number of animals that can be listed to requests for certain animals and facilitate cramped cages, and, as a consequence, cre­ a total of 20 a month (for both surplus and contact between institutions with suitable ating psychotic animals that demonstrate wanted) and because animals are not all mates. Production should be limited to that stereotypical, stress-related behaviors such placed within a month, a number of animals which is necessary to fulfill a legitimate, as pacing, self-mutilation, and head swing­ must wait weeks for placement. What hap­ justifiable need. Member institutions ing, these menageries squander the oppor­ pens to animals that are designated "sur­ should agree to limit their captive breeding tunity to educate the public about conser­ plus" while they are waiting to be sold? to programs coordinated through and ap­ vation and wildlife appreciation. Often, they are relegated to living behind proved by the AAZPA. Such a system The number of animals that are unneces­ the scenes. A zoo that has decided that an would not only ensure an adequate, but sarily bred and then disposed of is always animal has to be sold will not want to waste limited, supply of animals, but it would also hidden from the general public by zoos. The an important exhibit on it and will, systematically ensure desirable genetic in­ HSUS and other watchdog entities are therefore, keep it in a smaller, often poorly terchange and would virtually eliminate denied access to the AAZPA's monthly maintained, off-exhibit cage. An animal's removal of species from the wild. Some listing of surplus animals, Animal Exchange. life in such a grossly abusive cage can drag elements of this system are already in place However, when The HSUS received a out indefinitely. for endangered species, but the pressing purloined copy of Animal Exchange, we What can be done to clean up captive need is to expand the system in scope and found that, in one month, approximately breeding and to ensure the welfare of zoo detail for all species involved in captive 1,400 surplus animals were offered for sale animals? breeding. Finally, in an effort to increase from approximately 53 accredited zoos. First, there must be open discussion and animal protection and the welfure of animals in zoos, the AAZPA and the better zoos should unite with The HSUS and our newborn moun­ counterparts in Canada to demand strict tain tapir and standards for care of animals in zoos and A its mother re­ the abolition of roadside menageries so ceived publicity from common in the United States. the , There is light at the end of the tun­ the only wo in the nel. The AAZPA and The HSUS are work­ United States to exhibit ing actively together to find ways to this rare species at the upgrade the requirements for maintaining animals in captivity. If requirements are time. The HSUS does strengthened, then roadside menageries will not question captive either have to improve or close down. We breeding to save en­ are also working with the Chicago dangered species, but it Zoological Park () and in­ is concerned about the novative research scientists to find ways to indiscriminate produc­ limit reproduction in captive wildlife. This tion of exotics. holds great promise for reducing produc­ tion of surplus animals. Still, much more needs to be done. Our members can help by maintaining contact with local zoos and demanding responsible breeding programs. If a local zoo is publicly or municipally supported, encourage the local governing body to direct that captive breeding be strictly limited. Through such efforts, the horrors of roadside zoos and animal auctions can be diminished. •

John W. Grandy is vice president of wild­ life and environment for The HSUS.

The Humane Society News • Summer 1989 11