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Collect information about native diet, habitat, behaviors, mating structure
Determine how many sub-populations are still in existence, and popn size of each
Determine how genetic variation is distributed; be certain to sample from each population
with unique elements of variation; calculate Fst
Collect at least Ne of 50 from each subpopulation
Keep sub-populations separate
Check for diseases, avoid introducing diseases into captive populations
Avoid stressing remaining populations by removal of individuals (either by reducing wild
populations below critical level, or by stressful capture methods)
Keep sub-populations separate to maintain genetic diversity among populations (don’t
homogenize)
- Issue: this may require several enclosures, etc. – use separate zoos/facilities
Maintain effective population size, taking into account sex ratio, family size
- Issue: for harem-polygynous species such as lions, N may need to be quite large to
maintain Ne>500
- For plants, this may require hand-pollination
Maintain careful breeding records (sires, dams, offspring) to avoid inbreeding and
outbreeding
Ensure proper diet
Ensure correct habitat conditions
- Issues: this may require very large amount of space (e.g.. ungulates) – spread populations
among several facilities
Avoid behavioral domestication, such that animals can no longer be released safely
- May require behavioral modification to avoid imprinting, ‘taming’ of animals
Avoid domestication selection, such that genetic attributes of the population change in
captivity
- Minimize the number of generations in captivity
Continuously monitor genetic variability for signs of decrease
Continuously monitor health, pathogens, etc.
Issues:
 Limited resources to maintain separate subpopulations in captivity, or sufficient popn size for
large animals
 Social behaviors may affect sex ratio, ‘random’ breeding, domestication
 Limited space may limit natural behaviors such as hunting, migration