Under a population-management system of reduced breeding and unconditional survival (Upper Row), individual zoo animal longevity is maximized, but at a cost to animal welfare and population sustainability. Such a system pushes animal mortality into the margins of public discourse, often hindering conservation strategies. With death as a management option (Lower Row), animal welfare is improved, and population structures are more robust. Zoos can educate about the role of death in natural processes, animal population management, and conservation, encouraging responsible duty of care and respect for nature. Global giraffe zoo population data from ref. 8 highlight rapid changes in metapopulation age structure following international debate surrounding the culling of giraffe Marius in 2014.
Opinion piece: While it may be a taboo prospect for many, #zoos should consider embracing respectful animal culling in the interest of #education and #conservation. In PNAS Front Matter: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#zoo #AnimalWelfare #PopulationManagement