Conservation Success

Although many animal species have become extinct, there have been some conservation success stories. One achievement has been the establishment of national parks and reserves. Protection is also given to animals in their natural environments.

Conservation measures have succeeded in increasing the numbers of two northern mammals: the Alaskan, or northern, fur seal and the once rare saiga antelope of the Asian steppes.

The scimitar-horned oryx was in danger of the same fate as its Arabian cousins until, like them, it was bred in captivity.

Chinese animals saved from extinction in Britain, the Pere David’s deer introduced into zoos and animal parks throughout the world, were all bred from a small group that had survived on the grounds of an English country home.

Captive breeding programs are also successful in ensuring the survival of a variety of rhinoceroses, including the white rhinoceros of Uganda.

Kruger Park in South Africa harbours zorils that were once close to extinction.

National parks now safeguard such animals as the otter and beaver.

In Asian Soviet Union, the kiang (a wild ass), as well as the saiga, has been rescued from extinction.

The Ussuri tiger and Himilayan bear are also preserved on Russian reserves.

European national parks and wilderness guarantee the conservation of several varieties of eagles and owls, the peregrine falcon and other birds.

The Camargue, a swampy wilderness in France, is one of many wetlands that has preserved a great number of the 150 species of migrating water birds.

In Africa, similar sanctuaries have conserved the secretary bird, ostrich, marabou stork, pelican, and many small birds that migrate the length of the continent.

There are many examples of species of endangered animals whose complete extinction has been averted yet that cannot be described as successfully conserved in the full sense. From a small beginning, it is hoped that such successes will eventually lead to species being taken off the endangered list.