Captive Breeding
Definition and Purpose
Captive breeding involves breeding wild species in controlled environments, often as a last-resort strategy when wild populations are critically low.
When It Is Used
- When wild populations decline drastically
- When habitat quality is poor or fragmented
- To enable genetic mixing and prevent inbreeding
- When behavioral traps limit natural dispersal
- When scientific knowledge of the species is lacking
Benefits of Captive Breeding
- Boosts population numbers in critical conditions
- Supports reintroduction into suitable habitats
- Enables study of species biology and behavior
- Facilitates genetic conservation and research-based planning
Examples in India
- Lion-tailed macaque breeding programs at:
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai
- Mysore Zoo
