SAM position re rhino breeding

[Guest guest]

No justification in captive-breeding of rhinos

 

S M Mohd Idris, President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia

3:32pm Fri Nov 28th, 2003

 

It is indeed tragic to learn that all five rhinos had

succumbed to death at the Rhino Conservation Centre.

Viewed in this light, the achievements of captive

breeding programmes is very destructive.

 

Proponents of captive breeding believe that they have

a genuinely important part to play in the battle to

stem the tide of extinction since rhinos are highly

endangered. And that the best course of action is to

remove them from their natural habitat to a sheltered

environment where they can breed without persecution

and slowly build up their numbers.

 

Later when numbers of this captive-bred animals are

gradually introduced into the wild and once these

animals have re-established themselves, the mission is

branded a success.

 

At a glance this seems credible and a splendid way of

saving species which has been successful elsewhere.

However, for such work to be regarded as a

contribution to conservation the rate at which species

are rescued through captive breeding would have to

match or come close to the rate the same species are

becoming extinct in the wild. This unfortunately is

not the case.

 

On the other hand, if captivity provides a safer

environment than the wild because of regular food,

elimination of parasites, availability of veterinary

care, then taking this in line it would not be

unreasonable to expect the survival rates to exceed

those in the wild. But this is not the case.

 

While the lack of breeding in captive rhinos may be a

cause for concern, breeding itself may not necessarily

mean that the animals are well-adjusted or that all is

well. Breeding programmes may also face problems

unless captives are acquired from the wild or other

facilities.

 

Captive breeding and subsequent re-introduction of a

threatened species is an important tool for species

conservation. At the same time we must address the

need to conserve/restore habitat. What is the point in

re-introduction if a habitat cannot be expected to

exist in 200 years time? For a successful habitat

restoration to allow successful reintroduction, a need

to conserve/restore habitats, a basis for continued

habitat protection and public education is required.

 

Nevertheless, there are many people who feel that if

the only objective of a captive-breeding programme is

to secure the animal's future in captivity, then it is

not a worthwhile exercise. If animal can never be free

in the wild, the animal is diminished. It is no longer

a creature of the wild but a captive pet.

 

Again it would be foolish not to consider the

fundamental uncertainties about the ability of

captives to survive in the wild and to integrate

themselves into a natural population.

 

Conservation through captive breeding is far too

expensive and inefficient to be of use in fighting

extinction. If an animal exists on earth, it is to

fill an ecological niche. If an animal's ecosystem is

destroyed, then it no longer has a niche and though it

can be kept alive through captive breeding in zoos,

there seems little point in doing so.

 

There is no justification in captive-breeding. Rhinos

are better off in their natural habitats with funding

directed towards better protection of the remaining

rhino population throughout its home range. A rhino

breeding programme similar to the success story of

Project Tiger in India should be initiated to try and

bring the rhino numbers back to safety.