i n v a s i v e s p e c i e s
As ocean temperature increases due to climate change, species such as jellyfish who thrive in warmer waters move to habitats they are not traditionally found in. This shifts the ecosystem and sometimes creates more competition for certain species in the vulnerable ecosystems.
Over the last several decades, the known biodiversity worldwide has been in steep decline. It is likely that the need for well-run and coordinated captive breeding programs (CBPs) in zoos and aquariums will increase. Although CBPs are not a perfect nor complete solution to helping wild populations of threatened and endangered animals, many conservation organizations agree that in order to compete with invasive species, such programs will be necessary in addition to conservation programs in the animals’ natural habitat if the species is to survive.
An emerging role of zoos to conserve biodiversity. Conde et al. 2011.
Photo by Ellie Jones