| Autor: |
Wittwer, Anita, Roller, Marco, Müller, Dennis W. H., Bertelsen, Mads F., Lackey, Laurie Bingaman, Steck, Beatrice, Biddle, Rebecca, Versteege, Lars, Clauss, Marcus |
| Zdroj: |
Zoo Biology; Nov2023, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p797-810, 14p |
| Abstrakt: |
Zoo animal husbandry is a skill that should be developing constantly. In theory, this should lead to an improvement of zoo animal survivorship over time. Additionally, it has been suggested that species that are at a comparatively higher risk of extinction in their natural habitats (in situ) might also be more difficult to keep under zoo conditions (ex situ). Here, we assessed these questions for three zoo‐managed rhinoceros species with different extinction risk status allocated by the IUCN: the "critically endangered" black rhino (Diceros bicornis), the "vulnerable" greater one‐horned (GOH) rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), and the "near threatened" white rhino (Ceratotherium simum). Comparing zoo animals ≥1 year of age, the black rhino had the lowest and the white rhino the highest survivorship, in congruence with their extinction risk status. Historically, the survivorship of both black and white rhino in zoos improved significantly over time, whereas that of GOH rhino stagnated. Juvenile mortality was generally low and decreased even further in black and white rhinos over time. Together with the development of population pyramids, this shows increasing competence of the global zoo community to sustain all three species. Compared to the continuously expanding zoo population of GOH and white rhinos, the zoo‐managed black rhino population has stagnated in numbers in recent years. Zoos do not only contribute to conservation by propagating ex situ populations, but also by increasing species‐specific husbandry skills. We recommend detailed research to understand specific factors responsible for the stagnation but also the general improvement of survivorship of zoo‐managed rhinos. Research highlights: Survivorship has historically increased in two out of three rhino species kept in zoos worldwide; rhino husbandry is improving.Zoo survivorship is higher in the species with the lower IUCN red list extinction risk status, and lower in the species with the higher extinction status.The findings support the theory that susceptibility to extinction and ease of managed care might share a common background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
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