The value of zoos for species and society: The need for a new model

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 279, P. 109925 - 109925

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Zoos and aquaria were founded in a world fundamentally different from today, yet, the need for such conservation organisations could not be stronger. We are currently climate biodiversity crisis, with unprecedented species loss, exacerbated by human actions. The mission of many zoos is to prevent extinctions through integrated role has historically been categorised as fitting within four pillars conservation, education, research, recreation. These 'pillars' no longer align present day which provide vast spectrum services society. However, absence new model, value underestimated under-supported. propose model assessment framework viewing zoos, zoo at centre web societal activities. acknowledge zoos' potential hubs able advice skills communities policy makers. also reflect on criticisms challenges faced may them fulfilling their full how these might impact future role.

Language: Английский

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Maximizing the potential for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities

Zoo Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 42(6), P. 697 - 708

Published: June 7, 2023

Although cryobanking represents a powerful conservation tool, lack of standardized information on the species represented in global cryobanks, and inconsistent prioritization for future sampling, hinder potential cryobanking, resulting missed opportunities. We analyze representation amphibian, bird, mammal, reptile within San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Frozen Zoo® living cell collection (as April 2019) implement qualitative framework sampling. use assessment schemes (including International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List Threatened Species™, Convention Trade Endangered Species Wild Fauna Flora (CITES), Zero Extinction, EDGE Existence, Climate Change Vulnerability), opportunities sample acquisition from zoo aquarium community, to identify priority cryobanking. show that 965 species, including 5% all IUCN "Threatened" amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles, were sampling existing collections could increase 16.6% (by an additional 707 species). High-priority efforts include whooping crane (Grus americana), crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), Siberian (Leucogeranus leucogeranus). Each these are listed under every scheme have ex situ populations available also provide prioritizations based subsets together with community. highlight difficulties obtaining samples, encourage formation database establishment new cryobanks biodiversity-rich regions.

Language: Английский

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Conservation of teleost fishes: Application of reproductive technologies

Theriogenology Wild, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4, P. 100078 - 100078

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Fishes are by far the most species-rich group of vertebrates, with 36,105 species currently recognised, approximately same number as that all non-fish vertebrates combined. Recent decades have witnessed dramatic population declines for many fish species, together a loss in overall biodiversity. Globally, biodiversity is being threatened multitude anthropogenic impacts including overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, aquaculture, river connectivity, climate change and impact alien species. Nowhere world's crisis more acute than freshwater ecosystems. While rivers, lakes wetlands cover less 1% planet's total surface, they home to over half world´s One third fishes now extinction, 80 already extinct. This review covers main drivers declining biodiversity, details remedial strategies aimed at conserving both marine The preservation genetic resources through cryobanking reproductive cells tissues, collectively known germplasm, will be valuable tool conservation With help range emerging technologies, frozen germplasm play key role future situ ex initiatives. ability establish cryo-banks full sperm, oocytes, embryos germ represents powerful use rapid advance next-generation sequencing proliferation such fully sequenced genomes expected result expansion application genomics management populations, instrumental formulating mitigations directed

Language: Английский

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Advances in Managing Chytridiomycosis for Australian Frogs: Gradarius Firmus Victoria

Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 113 - 133

Published: Feb. 15, 2024

Extensive knowledge gains from research worldwide over the 25 years since discovery of chytridiomycosis can be used for improved management. Strategies that have saved populations in short term and/or enabled recovery include captive breeding, translocation into disease refugia, resistant populations, disease-free exclosures, and preservation refuges with connectivity to previous habitat, while antifungal treatments reduced mortality rates wild. Increasing host resistance is goal many strategies under development, including vaccination targeted genetic interventions. Pathogen-directed may more challenging but would broad applicability. While search silver bullet solution continues, we should value local interventions stop extinction buy time evolution or development novel solutions. As most invasive species infectious diseases, need accept ongoing management necessary. For continuing decline, proactive deployment assessment promising are valid than a hands-off, do-no-harm approach will likely allow further extinctions.

Language: Английский

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The ethical assessment of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in wildlife conservation

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 290, P. 110423 - 110423

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Magnetic‐Assisted Control of Eggs and Embryos via Zona Pellucida‐Linked Nanoparticles

Advanced Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(18)

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Eggs and embryo manipulation is an important biotechnological challenge to enable positioning, entrapment, selection of reproductive cells advance into a new era nature‐like assisted technologies. Oviductin (OVGP1) abundant protein in the oviduct that binds reversibly zona pellucida, extracellular matrix surrounds eggs embryos. Here, study reports method coupling OVGP1 magnetic nanoparticles (NP) forming complex (NPOv). NPOv specifically embryos reversible manner. Eggs/embryos bound can be moved or retained when subjected force, interestingly only mature‐competent are attracted. This procedure compatible with normal development following gametes function, vitro fertilization, resulting birth healthy offspring. The results provide proof‐of‐concept precisely guided absence physical contact by use magnets.

Language: Английский

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Advancing stem cell technologies for conservation of wildlife biodiversity

Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 151(20)

Published: Oct. 9, 2024

ABSTRACT Wildlife biodiversity is essential for healthy, resilient and sustainable ecosystems. For biologists, this diversity also represents a treasure trove of genetic, molecular developmental mechanisms that deepen our understanding the origins rules life. However, rapid decline in reported recently foreshadows potentially catastrophic collapse many important ecosystems associated irreversible loss forms life on planet. Immediate action by conservationists all stripes required to avert disaster. In Spotlight, we draw together insights proposals discussed at recent workshop hosted Revive & Restore, which gathered experts discuss how stem cell technologies can support traditional conservation techniques help protect animal biodiversity. We reprogramming, vitro gametogenesis, disease modelling embryo modelling, highlight prospects leveraging beyond mammalian species.

Language: Английский

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The Increasing Role of Short-Term Sperm Storage and Cryopreservation in Conserving Threatened Amphibian Species

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(13), P. 2094 - 2094

Published: June 24, 2023

Multidisciplinary approaches to conserve threatened species are required curb biodiversity loss. Globally, amphibians facing the most severe declines of any vertebrate class. In response, conservation breeding programs have been established in a growing number amphibian as safeguard against further extinction. One main challenges long-term success is maintenance genetic diversity, which, if lost, poses threats viability and adaptive potential at-risk populations. Integrating reproductive technologies into can greatly assist management facilitate exchange between captive wild populations, well reinvigorate diversity from expired genotypes. The generation offspring produced via assisted fertilisation using frozen–thawed sperm has achieved small but poised be valuable tool for many more globally. This review discusses role storage conservation, presents state current short-term cold cryopreservation sperm, cryo-derived offspring.

Language: Английский

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The mammalian preimplantation embryo: Its role in the environmental programming of postnatal health and performance

Animal Reproduction Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 256, P. 107321 - 107321

Published: Aug. 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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Cloning for the Twenty-First Century and Its Place in Endangered Species Conservation

Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 91 - 112

Published: Nov. 21, 2023

Cloning as it relates to the animal kingdom generally refers production of genetically identical individuals. Because cloning is increasingly subject renewed attention a tool for rescuing endangered or extinct species, seems timely dissect role numerous reproductive techniques encompassed by this term in species conservation. Although typically associated with somatic cell nuclear transfer, recent advent additional that allow genome replication without genetic recombination demands use induced pluripotent stem cells generate gametes embryos, well older methods such embryo splitting, all be included discussion. Additionally, phenomenon natural (e.g., subset fish, birds, invertebrates, and reptilian reproduce via parthenogenesis) must also pointed out. Beyond biology these are practical considerations ethics using procedures species. All examined concert determine whether has place Therefore, we synthesize progress ethical aspects they pertain

Language: Английский

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