Where does the zoo get its animals?
The zoo does not generally capture its animals from wild habitats. Many of the animals we have on exhibit have been captive born here or at another zoo. Zoos trade animals and also have breeding loan agreements with each other. (The animal(s) are loaned to one institution and the offspring are divided among the two institutions.) We sell, buy, and trade with reputable animal dealers also.
Taking animals from the wild can only be justified if doing so creates a viable gene pool for founder stock in zoos for endangered species. Sometimes there are so few left in the wild, capture is the only hope for the survival of the species, as in the case of the red wolf. Native species that are plentiful (such as snakes) may also be taken from the wild for temporary or permanent display.
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