Observations and opinions concerning zoos, evolution, nature conservation and the way we treat/support the ecosystems which are supposed to serve us.

 

 

 

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202419Jul19:46

Future of ecosystems balance - out of our hands please

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published 19 July 2024 | modified 20 July 2024

For quite some time I have been thinking about the relevance to our Planet’s ecosystems by human beings. Are we, or perhaps I should use the overarching term humankind, a disturbance to the balance in ecosystems or are we able to maintain that balance or even reinstall that balance?

 

We know that our existence on Planet Earth relies on the services that these ecosystems provide, such as clean water, clean air and food (animals, plants). The ecosystems can only do this when they are healthy - in balance. Unbalanced ecosystems cannot sustain itself and as a consequence cannot deliver the services we rely on.

As far as I know all ecosystems consists of a diversity of living organisms, including supportive materials (dead matter) for some of these organisms to thrive, like stones to which organisms can attach. When speaking of organisms a full range of the Tree of Life is meant, from micro-organisms to apex predators like tigers. But does it include us, human beings. How and what do we contribute to the ecosystems that exist. Straightforward reasoning leads to the conclusion that nature conservation is part of our contribution. Although regarded as a positive impulse for ecosystems – I assume – it is not necessarily a...

202415Jul15:53

The role of the zoo in education and conservation

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published 15 July 2024 | modified 17 August 2024

After reading the blog of Cristina Russo on PLOS blogs I thought it deserved a broader audience than just those individuals interested in science. Therefore I publish Russo's blog in my personal blog and hope many more people appreciate what Ms Russo shares with us. Here's what she writes:

 

Can you worry about an animal you've never seen?
Tel Aviv zoo03"He had black fur and a horn on his head," my sister said. She came to DC for a few weeks and spent many afternoons visiting our local zoo. After one...

201817Jan17:12

No way that trophy hunting can prevent species’ extinction in a sustainable manner

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published 17 January 2018 | modified 17 January 2018

The conservation through hunting model has led to many, sometimes heated, debates. Personally, I cannot understand why a person should kill an animal when the animal isn't an immediate threat to that person or isn't an indispensable part of that person's diet. But when the conservation value is proven I am prepared to adopt the model in my thoughts.

When you search the internet you can find many articles that address the model and the accompanying debate, but some interesting thoughts I came...

Goal: 7000 tigers in the wild

Tiger range countries map

 

"Tiger map" (CC BY 2.5) by Sanderson et al., 2006.

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about zoos and their mission regarding breeding endangered species, nature conservation, biodiversity and education, while at the same time relates to the evolution of species.