Behind matchmaking at the zoo

I think that selective breeding (matchmaker) is a good way to ensure the reproduction of the zoo species because many of the species that are located in zoos are at risk for extinction, for example the black and white rhinos, or are not able to survive in the wild on their own. By helping them mate with others of the same species that are located in a different location for example in other cities can bring forth a possibility for future generation of the species and prevent the extinction of the species.

I think that selective breeding (matchmaking) is important for the reproduction of certain species because some animals that can be found in zoos are endangered, like the black and white rhinos, or cannot survive in the wild on their own. Matchmaking help species to reproduce with other animals from the same species and avoids inbreeding. Like the seal that was taken to breed with another seal from another city which ensured the future generations of seals as well as prevented inbreeding. Thus selective breeding helps to prevent the extinction of species and that is why I thaink that selective breeding is important.

i think the matchmaking is a great way to ensure that endangered species are still being bred and it being done specifically to prevent inbreeding as well. It is a very complicated system but it is definitely for the benefit of the animals.
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Matchmaking in animals should be practised more often , because it also improve variety which is an important factor . When doing matchmaking animals with superior characteristics must be matched with so that the offspring produced will be of more superior, or even superior with inferior just for improvement but not the ones with inferior characteristics matched together together
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Breeding programmes play an especially vital role when it comes to animals such as the Giant Panda, which are considered to be poor breeders as the time period for conception is very short. They are listed in the World Conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Species, so selective breeding is needed to prevent the extinction of these beautiful animals.

Match making will generally be be difficult given the fact that a lot of animal are one the brink of extinction therefore they can they need to be mixed with other animals of the same species in order to save that particular animal. i personally think it should be practiced more in order to familiarize animals with such a process and to save animals.

It is interesting that there is a whole process behind breeding in zoos. It may be good because inbreeding can easily occur in zoos, especially if one zoo does not have many animals of one species. Matchmaking of different animals in different zoos also helps to spread genes across the globe and this is especially important, as said in the video, for endangered species.
u15090494

It is important to remember that the natural instincts of these animals are to reproduce. Ideally these animals are ment to create healthy future generations in there natural habitat. I once saw a frustrated turtle trying to mate with all the rocks in its enclosure. The zookeepers then had to search for a possible mate. I would like to see more animals in captivity that recieve special mates, but ideally animals in captivity should be rehabilitated and left to reproduce in their natural habitat.
15000983

When it comes to preserving endangered species, matchmaking is indeed a long shot. During the past December I have had the honor of meeting a man who works at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, California which owns, Nola, one of the five Northern White Rhinos left in the world. They have had a male rhino, Angalifu, who sadly passed away due to old age conditions. Thus, only one male still exists on earth and is protected by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
Nola, for starters is not fertile. Apparently non of the animals in captivity has reproduced so far. Semen and testicular tissue have been stored with the hope of recovering these magnificent creatures in future. Unfortunately, attempts to inseminate female rhinos at the Dvůr Králové Zoo with Angalifu's semen were unsuccessful. It is just obvious what a difficult task it is to get these animals to produce fertile offspring that would save the species.
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I agree Cherise. These animals should not be kept in cages for our own entertainment!

Remember that these animals are in the zoo's for a reason. They were most likely unable to survive in their natural habitat due to some sort of traumatic event or illness. These animals are given a second chance. Yes, this may not be their ideal living conditions but now they can help save their own species from extinction.

I was in awe by this. I really support this proses. Like you all said this reduces inbreeding. This is also a great way of ensuring that endangered animals are looked after and would still be here even after our children. I don't usually support the concept of zoo because I hate it to see animals in captivity, but at the end of the day they give endangered animals hope for the future. Thank you for this amazing video and all your comments.
15076874

I hear what you all are saying about a zoo not being a good place, but think about it, the zoo is the only place where we get to see the magnificence of some of the rare animals, like tigers. For me personally the zoo was the starting ground for the love for animals I have today. On the other hand what I do not like about the zoo is seeing animals alone in an enclosure. One of the main reason for living is ensuring that the species is able to live on, animals have to reproduce. Matchmaking is great because it enables people to have a say in the next generation. The genes of both parents should be looked at to make sure that there are no genes that could be transferred from parent to offspring that could possibly weaken the offspring. In nature the animal can choose for himself which mate it wants, but now it is a humans job, it should be done with care. Natural selection is no longer in play.

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This is a very good proses and is very interesting to know all this!

Matchmaking is indeed an incredible way of insuring that endangered species breed and produce more offspring. Yes it does prevent inbreeding in zoos which can lead to speciation but doesn't the transportation of these animals from place to another stress them or worse injure them? Is there no other way to other way to ensure the preservation of these species that doesn't pose a threat to these animals something like artificial insemination. Can AI be another alternative?

Matchmaking is indeed an incredible way of insuring that endangered species breed and produce more offspring. Yes it does prevent inbreeding in zoos which can lead to speciation but doesn’t the transportation of these animals from place to another stress them or worse injure them? Is there no other way to other way to ensure the preservation of these species that doesn’t pose a threat to these animals something like artificial insemination. Can AI be another alternative?
u15139264

Yemurai, I totally agree with you. The flights can be very dangerous and stressful for the animals. I think that this can indirectly also increase extinction. If I am wrong please correct me, but doesn't to much stress cause animals to become infertile?
u15081517

Matchmaking with Animale is a really tricky thing. Not only are you trying to prevent inbreeding of the animals, but like humans, animals won't just mate with another companion of a different sex. They too look for the best partners to mate with. I also think that breeding programmes and zoos that have realistic habitats for animals are good for the environment by providing a safe and protected place for all the endangered and special animals. 15019838

Matchmaking is definitely a great way to stop endangered species from becoming extinct. Because there are only a few animals left and most of them are found in captivity, it is definitely a good thing that people interfere a bit. Animals don't breed as easily when in captivity, helping the process along a bit certainly won't do any harm. But matchmaking might also be a bad thing when used too often, especially in animals with a low chance of becoming extinct. It interferes too much with the natural process and some of the genes might be lost out of the gene pools, especially wild varieties.
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We also need to remember that the animals that is kept in the zoo is not always capable to live on their own. If it wasn't for the zoo they wouldn't be alive

The video above is very informative and interesting. I would just like to know what happens when they match two animals, ships or flies one of them off to the other (which can be a very traumatic event for the animal) and the two animals don’t except each other or even worse fight and hurt their chosen mate? In general I think that selective breeding is a positive gesture made by the zoo employees. This is especially beneficial for endangered species due to the fact that they can reproduce in a safe and controlled environment. There will always be animals in captivity because there will always be zoos for the amusement of people, therefore I believe that it is better for an animal to be born in captivity rather than to take one out of the wild and put it in captivity. An animal born in captivity does not know the wild and does not know what it’s missing and will adapt better to the lifestyle than a wild animal taken out of the wild.
Esmarie van der Merwe 11084244

The article above is very informative and interesting. I would just like to know what happens when they match two animals, ships or flies one of them off to the other (which can be a very traumatic event for the animal) and the two animals don’t except each other or even worse fight and hurt their chosen mate? In general I think that selective breeding is a positive gesture made by the zoo employees. This is especially beneficial for endangered species due to the fact that they can reproduce in a safe and controlled environment. There will always be animals in captivity because there will always be zoos for the amusement of people, therefore I believe that it is better for an animal to be born in captivity rather than to take one out of the wild and put it in captivity. An animal born in captivity does not know the wild and does not know what it’s missing and will adapt better to the lifestyle than a wild animal taken out of the wild.
Esmarie van der Merwe 11084244

I think that matchmaking is a very important part in zoo animals that are at risk of becoming extinct. This gives humans a way to monitor the offspring. In contrast to this idea I feel that it is wrong to barge in with mother nature. Animals need to follow the cycle of life, without humans intervening

Matchmaking definitely has an important role in ensuring that threatened animals doesn't becoming extinct, because humans can observe and regulate the offspring, but for me it feels wrong to intervene so much with mother nature
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