Why is captive animal release so hard?

Answer 1

Reintroduction usually involves species that are endangered or extinct in the wild. Survival techniques, which are normally passed from parents to offspring, are lost. The genetics of the species is saved, but the memetics of the species is not

Answer 2

* It focuses on a few, charasmatic endangered species * genetic diversity may have sunk too low to be regenerated * costly, diverts resources from much more cost-effective ecosystem and habitat conservation measures * gives false sense that battle against extinction is being won * what if the habitat no longer exists, or cannot be expected with any confidence to exist in 200 years time. What point then ? * NRE 220 students often react negatively to the degree of handling/intervention associated with captive breeding, and apparently would prefer to see species go extinct. Really?

Answer 3

I saw this question and its the best one I've seen all day!

Ok so a major problem is that if they don't do it when the animal is young, its already adapted to people giving it its necessities and when it goes into the wild, they have to start taking care of themselves which will eventually lead to death. Once an animal is in captivity long enough there is no hope for that creature but that when they will release it, hope that it finds a mate who will take care of it (extreamly rare but still possible) so that they can continue on a chain.

I don't know if you had this in mind but on topic of endangered animals that only live in captivity now, they will never be able to adapt to the wild again because over time their natural instincts will dull from being constantly taken care of.

I also love the fact that its non biased and gives me a lot to work with.

Answer 4

Because a lot of animals are teritorial and if released into the teritory of a similar animal may find its self chalenged in making a living.

Answer 5

Animals may become used to people, which can make it harder to reintroduce animals to the wild. Animals may become dependent on the zoo keepers and may not be able to function in the wild.