universities, and most of the large zoos and botanical gardens are located in big
cities.
A relatively recent objective of the last five to six decades is to support species
conservation and to increase cultivated and captive populations of extremely rare
animal and plant species. The Jersey Zoo was established by Gerald Durrell
(1925–1995) in 1959. Durrell thought that zoos primarily should act as habitats
and regenerators of endangered species, and initiated spectacular projects to protect
extremely rare and critically endangered animals. For example, in 1976 only four
individuals of the Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) lived in the wild with one
female. At that time, the Mauritius Kestrel was the rarest bird in the world. Gerald
Durrell and a colleague removed eggs from the nests to breed the birds in captivity.
They supplemented the diet of the wild kestrel so the birds were able to lay new eggs.
Because some birds were bred in captivity and because the food of the birds in the
wild was supplemented, the number of birds slowly increased. In 1988, 21 birds
were reintroduced to the wild on Mauritius. Today the population of Mauritius
Kestrel is estimated as 170–200 birds (see the IUCN Red List on the internet),
unfortunately again with a declining population.
Today, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums worldwide cooperate by exchanging animals, plants and knowledge about the management of species conservation,
and about animal welfare and environmental conditions that allow plant populations
to increase. Networks such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or the
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) are working together with the
aim of protecting and supporting wildlife.
Since the beginning of species conservation programmes of zoos in the 1970s,
various animal species have been saved from extinction. Furthermore, a few species
have been reintroduced successfully into the wild (cf. IUCN Red List: iucnredlist.
org). These include: Arabian Oryx (Phoenix Zoo), Przewalski’s horse (div. zoos),
California Condor (San Diego Wild Animal Park and Los Angeles Zoo), Corroboree
Frog (Taronga Zoo in Sydney, together with other zoos), Bongo (div. zoos), Regent
Honeyeater (Australian zoos), Panamanian Golden Frog (div. zoos), Bellinger
Riverturtle (Taronga Zoo in Sydney), Golden Lion Tamarin (div. zoos), Amur
Leopard (div. zoos).
Most of the large botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos in the world are located
in cities. This means that many visitors can come in contact with species which only
few people have ever seen in their natural environment. Guided tours and exchange
of information might help to inform people and increase their interest. With money
paid by visitors, members and sponsors, related programmes might easily be
enhanced and expanded.
The following examples illustrate activities of different botanical gardens in the
world.
Already in the 1920s ‘educational gardens’ were established in the Netherlands.
They were later called ‘heemtuinen’ (wildlife gardens with native species from the
region). The aim was to familiarise people with the wild flora and its visitors such as
butterflies, bees and other insects (Thijsse 1941). A good example is found in
Amstelveen, a suburban part of the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. A huge number
436
J. Jansen and C. Hobohm
cities.
A relatively recent objective of the last five to six decades is to support species
conservation and to increase cultivated and captive populations of extremely rare
animal and plant species. The Jersey Zoo was established by Gerald Durrell
(1925–1995) in 1959. Durrell thought that zoos primarily should act as habitats
and regenerators of endangered species, and initiated spectacular projects to protect
extremely rare and critically endangered animals. For example, in 1976 only four
individuals of the Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) lived in the wild with one
female. At that time, the Mauritius Kestrel was the rarest bird in the world. Gerald
Durrell and a colleague removed eggs from the nests to breed the birds in captivity.
They supplemented the diet of the wild kestrel so the birds were able to lay new eggs.
Because some birds were bred in captivity and because the food of the birds in the
wild was supplemented, the number of birds slowly increased. In 1988, 21 birds
were reintroduced to the wild on Mauritius. Today the population of Mauritius
Kestrel is estimated as 170–200 birds (see the IUCN Red List on the internet),
unfortunately again with a declining population.
Today, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums worldwide cooperate by exchanging animals, plants and knowledge about the management of species conservation,
and about animal welfare and environmental conditions that allow plant populations
to increase. Networks such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or the
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) are working together with the
aim of protecting and supporting wildlife.
Since the beginning of species conservation programmes of zoos in the 1970s,
various animal species have been saved from extinction. Furthermore, a few species
have been reintroduced successfully into the wild (cf. IUCN Red List: iucnredlist.
org). These include: Arabian Oryx (Phoenix Zoo), Przewalski’s horse (div. zoos),
California Condor (San Diego Wild Animal Park and Los Angeles Zoo), Corroboree
Frog (Taronga Zoo in Sydney, together with other zoos), Bongo (div. zoos), Regent
Honeyeater (Australian zoos), Panamanian Golden Frog (div. zoos), Bellinger
Riverturtle (Taronga Zoo in Sydney), Golden Lion Tamarin (div. zoos), Amur
Leopard (div. zoos).
Most of the large botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos in the world are located
in cities. This means that many visitors can come in contact with species which only
few people have ever seen in their natural environment. Guided tours and exchange
of information might help to inform people and increase their interest. With money
paid by visitors, members and sponsors, related programmes might easily be
enhanced and expanded.
The following examples illustrate activities of different botanical gardens in the
world.
Already in the 1920s ‘educational gardens’ were established in the Netherlands.
They were later called ‘heemtuinen’ (wildlife gardens with native species from the
region). The aim was to familiarise people with the wild flora and its visitors such as
butterflies, bees and other insects (Thijsse 1941). A good example is found in
Amstelveen, a suburban part of the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. A huge number
436
J. Jansen and C. Hobohm