Sustaining the Ark: the challenges faced by zoos in maintaining viable populations

In the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, the world’s leading zoos commit to focusing their efforts on conserving wildlife. Such a commitment is made as human activities are driving many species of wildlife towards extinction. The world’s leading zoos aim to act as a counterbalance to activities that undermine the sustainability of wild populations of threatened species. However, to date, this same group of zoos has largely failed to manage its own populations of wildlife sustainably despite distinguished calls to action over the past 25 years, significant scientific input and much organizational effort. This paper explores the efforts of the global zoo community to bring sustainability and conservation value to its animal populations. It looks at where we have come from, where we are now and where we need to go from here.