[Netherrealmer]

Whenever I see pictures of zoo animals on social media, there are always people who comment that these animals should be set free with their fellow species. However, most zoo animals are inbred, the product of multiple generations of inbreeding. Releasing them into the wild could negatively affect wild populations, as their inbred genes could compromise the genetic health of the wild bloodline. Additionally, zoo animals do not have the same immunity as wild animals, and many may die earlier than their natural lifespan because they are not resistant to diseases found in the wild.

[Fergal]

I would also expect that released zoo animals are not adept at evading predators or at finding food for themselves in the wild. They would probably also find themselves alone and unable to join an existing pack or group of the same species.

[germainebull]

I think one of the solutions to this issue would involve targeted breeding of zoo animals to ensure that they have traits that would help them to ward off diseases and infections when they are eventually released into the wild.

[Netherrealmer]

It's not gonna happen because zoo animals are inbred, and zoos have stopped resourcing from the wild. They use captured population which are mostly inbred.If you are a lion and your parents are siblings or cousins, you're going to risk the wild population if you got released.

[ptrikha21]

That is quite important from a point of view of decisions to release animals from zoo to the wild.
Yet inbreeding is not good for health.
So the question is : "Is keeping in zoos" always good
or do we need some new way to keep animals safe as well as maintain their natural traits.

[germainebull]

It's not gonna happen because zoo animals are inbred, and zoos have stopped resourcing from the wild. They use captured population which are mostly inbred.If you are a lion and your parents are siblings or cousins, you're going to risk the wild population if you got released.

Releasing zoo animals into the wild is not as easy as it sounds. Many of them were born in captivity, and are often inbred—meaning their parents are blood relatives. This causes health and genetic problems, and if released into the wild, it can destroy the natural offspring. They also lack the skills to survive in the wild—they don’t know how to hunt, defend themselves, or survive without humans. Zoos themselves don’t bring animals back from the wild, so the existing offspring are not safe to reintroduce. There must be a professional plan before releasing them. It’s not just opening the gate.

[Netherrealmer]

They cannot be released at all because they are inbred

[germainebull]

That is quite important from a point of view of decisions to release animals from zoo to the wild.
Yet inbreeding is not good for health.
So the question is : "Is keeping in zoos" always good
or do we need some new way to keep animals safe as well as maintain their natural traits.

Your question raises a very important debate. Zoo animals are protected, but sometimes they lose their natural characteristics and are affected by inbreeding.

Perhaps the solution is to create safe natural environments, where they can live freely while being protected. Innovation and research can help a lot.

[Angie10]

Yes, animals that have only known a life inside a zoo would be vulnerable to attacks. They wouldn't know how to survive in the wild. What I'd like to see is an end to zoos, however. I strongly feel first worlld countries should simply stop breeding more to continue this cycle. Wild animals should be left in their natural habitat where they are free to roam as nature intended. If I want to see a tiger, I'll visit India.

[eldavis]

I would also expect that released zoo animals are not adept at evading predators or at finding food for themselves in the wild. They would probably also find themselves alone and unable to join an existing pack or group of the same species.

True, this is one of the reasons they would die earlier than others of their kind. They won't be able to fend and defend.

[germainebull]

Why Releasing Zoo Animals into the Wild Isn’t as Simple as It Seems
by eldavis » Yesterday, 13:40

Fergal wrote:
I would also expect that released zoo animals are not adept at evading predators or at finding food for themselves in the wild. They would probably also find themselves alone and unable to join an existing pack or group of the same species.



True, this is one of the reasons they would die earlier than others of their kind. They won't be able to fend and defend.

It is true that releasing zoo animals into the wild is not as easy as it sounds. Many do not have the skills to defend themselves, find food, or join wild groups. This increases the risk of early death. We need step-by-step planning, training to adapt to the natural environment, and close monitoring. Animal conservation is important, but their safety requires great attention.