Both of these animals were critically endangered but with the help of zoos have since bounced back; however these two cases could be classed as the exception instead of the rule. Only two percent of the world's threatened or endangered species are registered in breeding programs” (mercyforanimals.org). ... role of zoos … Finally, in the 1970s, the zoo community decided it was time to take money out of the zoo … Because zoos were putting a price tag on animals, poachers and smugglers got in on the game. While SAFE does coordinate the placement of endangered animals within zoos, it also devotes resources to the field. Freedom for Animals exposed a UK zoo in 2009 that was a member of the trade body BIAZA (which supposedly upholds the highest standards) as having a breeding connection with a controversial animal circus. This fact should tell you that there are that many improvements needed to be made and that the defense used by zoos saying that they are helping breed endangered … Research by the Born Free Foundation has brought these facts into the public domain. Ring-tailed Lemurs are very common in zoos but critically endangered in the wild Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo Wed 8 Mar 2017 03.00 EST Last modified on Thu 1 Jun 2017 10.47 EDT Ninety-five percent of animals that are kept in zoos aren't endangered. But despite these shocking statistics, some endangered species are making a comeback thanks to the conservation work of zoos worldwide. 6. The WWF found that there’s been a 58 per cent decline in populations of vertebrates between 1970 and 2012. These lions were sent as cubs from West Midland Safari Park to a circus trainer. And it wasn’t just the people with the official zoo commissions who would trap wild animals. Zoos claim one of their main benefits is conservation. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a … Some well-meaning animal activists are uncomfortable with animals in zoos, calling for animals to be returned to their natural habitat. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums tout its SAFE program that leverages zoo audiences to raise awareness for endangered animals. The odds of animals such as tigers and wolves surviving freedom are only 33 percent, according to a team of researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. However, when studying this in detail it is easy to see this is a myth. Ninety-seven percent of these animals aren't part of the European Captive Breeding Programs, and less than 1 percent of endangered animals have been introduced back into the wild. 94 percent believe the people who care for the animals at marine life parks, aquariums and zoos are committed to the welfare of the animals. 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