Long-term trends in wild-capture and population dynamics point to an uncertain future for captive elephants.

ABSTRACT: Maintaining sustainable populations in captivity without supplementation through wild-capture is a major challenge in conservation that zoos and aquaria are working towards. However, the capture of wild animals continues for many purposes where conservation is not the primary focus. Wild-capture hinders long-term conservation goals by reducing remaining wild populations, but the direct and long-term indirect consequences of wild-capture for captive population viability are rarely addressed using longitudinal data. We explored the implications of changes in wild-capture on population dynamics in captivity over 54 years using a multi-generational studbook of working Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus) from Myanmar, the largest remaining captive elephant population. Here we show that populatio

SUBMITTER: Jackson J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6452069 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature