Captive Breeding and Conservation When effective alternatives
are unavailable or unsuccessful, captive-breeding can play a
crucial role in the recovery of critically endangered species.
The popularity of incorporating captive-breeding programs in
species recovery plans has increased over the years. With
constantly improving techniques, this can make the difference
between survival and extinction for many species. Successful
examples include the California Condor (Gymnogyps
californianus), the Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus), the
black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and the Guam rail (Rallus
owstoni). The goal of establishing a captive breeding program
for an endangered species may be to establish stable and
genetically healthy captive populations to reintroduce animals
back into the wild where they can boost population numbers or to
introduce new populations in additionally suitable habitat
areas. There are many limitations to captive-breeding as a
recovery strategy and when employed, should always be c