It is false to claim that captive breeding protects endangered species
Talking of campaigns by our charity to phase out the keeping of animals in captivity, Dartmoor zoo owner Ben Mee says: "Actually, I can see their point; I don't particularly like looking at animals behind wire either" (Battle for survival, 31 August). He then adds the usual caveat: "But, as a zoo director, I understand that it is absolutely essential that we keep them there."
Are zoos really essential? Ben talks about them "protecting as many endangered species as possible". Yet of the 51 mammal and bird species at his zoo only seven are classed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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