Approach to Ex-situ Conservation by Zoos and Aquariums

In the face of escalation of biodiversity loss, ex-situ conservation challenges by zoos and aquariums are becoming more important. Since the available resources of zoos and aquariums such as facilities, human resources and financial resources are limited, collection plan which prioritize the target species based on the objectives or feasibility has been developed. And ex-situ conservation measures are carried out in accordance with the captive population management programs that have been set up for prioritized species to maintain proper genetic and demographic conditions of the populations. Furthermore, recently animal welfare practice must be considered to proceed with the conservation programs. What it comes down to is that zoos and aquariums are required to set up the captive populations consisting of physically and psychologically healthy individuals and maintain them for long periods of time with preserving their genetic diversities by implementing all these conservation approaches. To increase effectiveness of ex-situ conservation approaches, several supportive measures such as husbandry guidelines and accreditation systems for zoos and aquariums have been introduced. Public awareness activities and research studies have also been gaining recognition as the important components of conservation challenges by zoos and aquariums. As described, conservation challenges by zoos and aquariums are becoming diversified and complicated. Though these challenges are positioned as the supplementary measures for in-situ conservation, it is quite certain that they will become more important in the future.