I was wondering if wild-caught animals ever end up in zoos these days? I have heard conflicting information about this issue. Many thanks
A lot of the new pairs of aardvarks that have suddenly appeared on the international zoo scene, seem to be wild caught animals from Tanzania.
It depends upon the group of animals in question. Ex-situ projects for re-release should aim to be founded by animals of known wild origin. Perhaps though my view is clouded as a Herper. I don't see mammals or birds being bred in zoos for re-release, in the case of these animals, these kinds of projects can't particularly hope for much success outside of the country of origin. In the case of Herps, there is a huge potential for these kinds of projects, working with animals that are hardwired by comparison, wild caught founder animals can be brought into bio-secure captive facilities and bred for their offspring to be released to the wild very successfully. Other than for active conservation or new species breeding projects to establish a captive population in the first place, I can't see the need for animals to be harvested from the wild to be exhibited in zoos far from home. Customs confiscations are of course, just one of those things ): That Zoos take these animals in can only be a good thing. Lotte***
as alsready mentioned the aardwolves at RSCC caused quite a stir on these forums, A number of orangutans and chimps at Monkey world are illegally wild caught pets. I think the sun bears at RSCC are also wild rescued individuals (I stress the "I think").
In my home zoo (bioparc ) in Valencia, at least 4 species are wild-caught animals, the northern & southern talapoins and the 3 mona monkeys rescued from illegal pet traffic,and 6 young elephant females imported from a Namibian ranch.
A wild caught eastern massasauga rattlesnake was recently moved to Lincoln Park Zoo to start a breeding program: WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Zoo snake gives birth, doubles local population
Yes, but what are the ethics of all this? Obviously, zoos can have a clear conscience if they are providing a home for animals rescued from smugglers etc. (in fact the sun bears in zoos in the Australian region have been rescued from illegal restaurant consumption in South-East Asia.) But what if a zoo population of any species is badly inbred and a zoo wishes to obtain fresh blood, so to speak, by taking an animal from the wild? Are they justified in doing that?
Zoos can't just go out and collect from the wild. The good, large zoos usually have an ethics/welfare committee that would have to approve collection first, then you need a suite of permits from various government departments (and in Australia at least, those aren't handed out willy-nilly - look at the effort it took to get the elephants). If they are not justified in taking from the wild, then they will probably be thwarted every step of the way. Hix Note: Smaller zoos in developing nations probably can collect from the wild as their own governments may not place a value on wildlife. My comments do not relate to these establishments.
CITES regulations, which most countries abide by (at least theoretically), make capturing animals for zoos very difficult and most mainstream zoos would not do it anyway, as previously mentioned. Of course there are exceptions. My zoo's small animal info booklet (for docents only) states that our two spot-necked otters are both wild caught, although I do not know the circumstances. In fact, I was quite surprised to read that.
Micke Grove does have some wild caught animals. We have 2 Bald eagles that were both shot by hunters and unable to be released, a turkey vulture and pintail duck that suffered the same injuries, 2 spider monkeys that were confiscated illegal pets, 2 gibbons rescued from a research facility, and a mountain lion that was also a rescue. However, no zoo that I know of gets any animals from the wild. Cheryl Gilman
Again, I see no problem with Zoos getting Wild-Caught/Wild-Born animals, as long certain rules are followed. There were a few articles talking about getting male WC/WB animals for youngster who were in bad situation in the wild (mother died, on the end of hierchy) and they stated that caughting this animal was not disturbing to the natural-harmony of the place and, as those animal would most likelly die, there were no etical questions. And it's a good point, as I see it ...
There are plenty of wild caught animals in zoos these days. Usually they are confiscated animals or "problem" animals in some way or form.
As I've already said, Wild Caught founder animals of known origin are and will always be essential to some types of conservation programmes. There is no necessity to frown upon wild caught animals for the sake of it, but certainly where animals are harvested "to order" for nothing more than being placed in a box in captivity, with no greater purpose, no intent to be bred, no intention to allow the animal to make a contribution to it's species in terms of knowledge or pushing husbandry boundaries.
Blackduiker In the early 1980s, all the remaining California Condors in the wild were captured, for the very successful breeding program started at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and Los Angeles Zoo. Considered the last resort for that species then on the verge of extinction. I'm sure this will continue to be necessary with other endangered species. And as mentioned, there are always confiscations from the illegal exotic pet trade resulting in wild caught zoo specimans. The two male Black Bears at the Los Angeles Zoo were both rescues from the wild as young orphans.
These are complicated issues. Certainly, a rescued animal is fortunate to find a home in a reputable zoo. The more animals which can be rescued from abusive conditions and brought to respectable zoos the better.
Just a small point - CITES only applies to the international trade in endangered species (specifically, the species on its appendices). So if you wanted to capture and import aardvarks from Africa, CITES would not be an issue. If a zoo in the USA wantedto capture Pronghorns, again CITES would not be an issue (but I imagine the States has other legislation that would need to be complied with). Hix
A common trick for laundering animals is to export it from origin to some corrupt country , have it intentionally intercepted by a "friendly" customs official, and from there , have a "friendly" zoo accept the confiscated animal out of "a sense of responsibility".The fact that it is a customs service which hands over the animal effectively legalizes it and gives it provenance.Once the animal is legally held by one zoo , it can be legally re-exported to any other.This process happens thousands of times every day.Until the day comes (never) when there is no such thing as a corrupt customs official anywhere, this will always be the case.By the way , I have a nice wall in my living room , and out of a sense of responsibility I would be prepared to accept any old masters paintings which may happen to be conficated by customs in coming months.
