Many Zoos Participate in Species Survival Plans in Which Members

question 39

Multiple Choice

Many zoos participate in species survival plans in which members of a particular endangered species are transferred from zoo to zoo to mate with other members of that species. Why is this mating technique important for the continuation of the species?

• A) Oftentimes zoos will only have one sex of the endangered animal, so to mate those individuals, they must be moved to another zoo with members of the opposite sex.
• B) This reduces the genetic diversity of the population as a whole and increases the likelihood that the species will survive and thrive in the wild.
• C) This technique allows captive animals to experience different environments, since they are unlikely to ever be released back into the wild.
• D) This technique increases the genetic diversity of the next generation of the species, which makes them more suited to weather any disturbances in their natural habitats upon release.
• E) There are only a few zoos that are certified to house and rear young, so mating and birth must take place at these facilities.

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The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms to convert food to energy, maintain cellular structure, and eliminate waste products.