Captive breeding programs for populations with a small number of founders

K Ralls; J Ballou

doi:10.1016/0169-5347(86)90062-5

Captive breeding programs for populations with a small number of founders

Trends Ecol Evol. 1986 Jul;1(1):19-22. doi: 10.1016/0169-5347(86)90062-5.

Authors

K Ralls¹, J Ballou

Affiliation

¹ Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park, Washington DC 20008, USA.

PMID: 21227773
DOI: 10.1016/0169-5347(86)90062-5

Abstract

Small captive populations are likely to become extinct. Detailed breeding plans based on the principles of population genetics and demography can greatly increase their chances of long-term survival. Zoos have now begun to implement such plans but lack the resources to extend them to the many species that are likely to become extinct in the wild in the near future.