Most pets are killed when returned to the wild

One study has shown that most captive carnivores will die if we release them to natural habitats.

According to a group of scientists at the University of Exeter, England, the survival rate of tigers and wolves when released is 1: 3 . This study evaluates 45 programs that bring carnivores to nature and explore the role of zoos and captivity programs in conservation efforts.

According to Kristen Jule, team leader and animal behavior researcher: ' captive animals often do not have the necessary skills to survive in nature . The lack of hunting skills and fear of humans are the biggest obstacles. We suspected that captive animals could not manage as well as wild animals. This has finally been tested and this issue has seriousness. '

The team investigated the survival rate of 17 species of mammals brought back into the wild including tigers, wolves, wild cats, cheetah, brown bears and otters. More than half of all deaths are caused by humans, such as traffic accidents or intentional hunting. Captive carnivores have a higher rate of starvation than their counterparts in nature and are also more susceptible to disease.

Especially dangerous

African hounds are one of the most endangered natural returns to humans. Many were shot, poisoned, trapped and killed. Jule added that African hounds were released into South and East Africa, often attacked by lions.

Images of three African male jaguars are observing their new habitat at the National Zoo in Washington DC on May 31, 2007. A new study for large carnivores like newspapers and tigers and bears have a survival rate of 1: 3 in nature.Scientists explain that these species lack natural skills such as competing with rivals to survive in wild conditions.(Photo: Gerald Herbert / AP)

Jule explained that captive pets often lack the instinctive fear of large carnivores. This study also shows that zoo-hunting predators often have difficulty communicating in nature. Male otter and a North American fox are often difficult to find mates and mating probably because they lack communication skills and cannot compete with their wild rivals. Males also often cannot establish and maintain territory.

The research is published in the latest edition of the Biological Conservation journal .

Measures to improve

The study's findings suggest that conservation programs for wild-caught mammals are often more successful than those raised in captivity. However, Jule said captive carnivores still play an important role 'because of the declining number of wild animals we can put into conservation programs.'

Environmental remedies need to be improved to make conservation programs more effective.

Scientists are debating the training program for them before being released to the wild, helping captive predators to improve their ability to hunt and adapt to social communication activities of the breed. species. And the selection criteria for animals to drop also need to be improved. For example, research shows that 'more daring animals especially for humans are more likely to die.'

Similarly, species that are not afraid to adventure outside the released area also face higher risks. A higher survival rate is also important from the point of view of animal welfare. Jule said: 'It is not a good thing for animals to starve to death. If we can train them with better survival skills , their benefits are enhanced and a project is also more successful. '

Plan carefully

Sarah Christie, director of the London Zoological Community's carnivore conservation program, agrees that wild animal release programs should be carefully designed. The strategies mentioned in the new work may have been overlooked in the past, but according to Christie 'visionary people may have thought of these ideas.'

Christie is currently involved in the early stages of a long-term project to bring the Amur leopards that are currently in danger back to Russia. These animals are raised in European zoos.'The number of these species in nature is very small, so we cannot risk catching these animals from nature. We do not expect to bring a pet in a zoo surrounded by humans to nature. '

Instead, Christie said she plans to bring this Amur leopard into larger areas similar to their natural habitat.'We will take care of them without letting people get close, while giving them the termites. Young children will grow up in conditions of isolation from people and create conditions for them to hunt; then we will release these animals, not adults. '