Reintroduction of Species
It’s the right thing to do
“and you know this, Man!”-Smokey
SEE-U 2001, Biosphere 2
Center, AZ
Professor Tim Kittel,
TA Erika Geiger
Mei Ying Lai
Lily Liew
Adam Nix
Eli Pristoop
No species is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a confused condor with a fragmented habitat be washed away by
the sea,
The world is less.
As well as if a Grey wolf were
As well as if a member of the con group
Or of their friends were,
Each species’ death diminishes me,
For I am involved in the living world.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
(Paraphrased from “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by John Donne)
BIODIVERSITY
ECOSYSTEM STABILITY
ETHICS
OTHER REASONS
Biodiversity
•Diversity leads to stability
•Resilience to diseases
•Genetic resources
Ecosystem Stability
> As a human-controlled experiment. This time, we are
reintroducing the species without human interference. We
can explore other variables that may cause their extirpation.
We need this knowledge in order to preserve other species,
including ourselves
> Preservation of species diversity
> Enhancement of an existing population to maintain the
ecosystem’s balance (food chain)
Ethics
•Morally obligated because they were already there
•Mankind interfered with their ways of life; it is our responsibility to
restore their once-thriving population; only humans are capable of
this reintroduction
Mankind’s Assault on Animal Way of Life
Introduction of Disease
Over-hunting
Over-collection
Pollution
Poisoning
Predation or Competition Introduced Species
Habitat Loss
Competition With Domestic Livestock
Other reasons
•Improving quality of human life; species may have medicinal,
entertainment, or aspiration purposes (where would Monet be w/o water
lilies??)
•Seeing Canis Lupis in the wild: Priceless
•Religion tells us that God created it, so we have no right to destroy it
•Economic benefit-If the species population is brought to a controlled
level, than using this specie as a resource becomes possible. People will
pay money to see, and eat rare species
GRAY WOLF
Canis Lupus
( a case study)
• 14 wolves released into Yellow Stone National Park
• Principle aim of reintroduction should be:
•To establish a viable, free-ranging population in the wild
•To enhance the long-term survival of the species
•To reestablish keystone species in an ecosystem
•Maintain and restore natural biodiversity
•Provide long-term economical benefits to the local and/or
national economy
Since the wolves kill elk (they kill one elk every one to five
days, on average), the grizzly bears, foxes, bald eagles, and
golden eagles can scavenge the elk meat that the wolves leave
behind. The proliferation of available elk meat, and the
reduction in the coyote population, has also meant that there
are significantly more rodents for other predators to feed on.
A study of genetic variation within and between populations
of Grey Wolf and related taxa can also be helpful.
America
Needs
Reintroduction
of Species
It’s Time
To Bring
Them Back!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1)
Conserving Species, Populations, and Genetic Diversity
http://www.igc.apc.org/wri/biodiv/gbs-ix.html
2)
Species reintroduction targeted
http://www.bouldernews.com/news/statewest/05aleg.html
3)
3)
4)
Captive Breeding and Reintroduction of Endangered Species: A Resource Site http://www.ags.uci.edu/~mbarrows/
Did Lynx Reintroduction Fail?
http://archive.abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/lynx990311.html
5)
IUCN/SSC Guidelines For Re-Introductions
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/pubs/policy/reinte.htm
6)
7)
6)
Extinction: http://nitro.biosci.arizona.edu/courses/EEB105/lectures/extinction/extinction.html
IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group
http://www.unife.it/biologia/conservazione/Re-introduzioni%20Documento%20IUCN.htm
8)
IUCN/SSC Guidelines For Re-Introductions
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/pubs/policy/reinte.htm
9)
CONSERVATION PART 4: Reintroduction: Should We, or Shouldn't We?
http://www.geocities.com/~marylois/archiv52.html
10)
Biodiversity: Should we try to prevent species from becoming extinct?
http://www.publicdebate.com.au/is/723/f2.html
11)
Requirements for Captive Propagation
http://www.africaonline.co.ke/AfricaOnline/rsg/oct/propagation.html
12)
Requirements for Captive Propagation
http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/wildlife/wol_rndp.htm
13)
Yellowstone's Wolf Reintroduction
http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/bearman/wolves.html