Captive Breeding

Captive breeding of an endangered species may ensure their survival when wild populations are severely threatened. It guards against the extinction of a species and, in the case of amphibians, can be both cost-effective and achievable. Captive breeding should not be regarded as a last-resort conservation action – the IUCN (World Conservation Union, part of the United Nations) endorses captive breeding as a proactive conservation measure and recommends it as a vital conservation action for all Critically Endangered species. A captive breeding colony is maintained outside of its natural habitat, giving rise to individuals that are sheltered from problems associated with their wild situation. This can be located within the species’ range, or in a foreign country that has the facilities to support a captive breeding programme for that species. Individuals may subsequently be released into the wild when the factors threatening them have been mitigated.