von Ozan am Mo 18. Sep. 2006 19::08
Hello Denny!
I don't agree with you concerning the statement that reptile-keepers are one of the main reasons for the declining number of some reptiles in nature. I would say that the main reason is the destruction of the habitats. Surely, the additional capture applies pressure on some species but the nations that have rare reptiles could handle this problem much smarter. They could sell some animals and the money they gain, they can spend for founding wildlife reserves or breeding stations. This also creates jobs, and so everyone has something of it. I would even say that breeders can protect species from dying out. Brachypelma smithi for example is protected because of the declining numbers in nature, but tarantula-keepers all over the world (especially in Germany) are breeding them in great quantities. I would guess, that now there are more individuals in captivity than in wildlife. Or Phelsuma guentheri for example. In 1976 I guess, there have been about 150-300 individuals in wildlife. The efforts of the breeding stations and private breeders who got some of those animals led to more than thousand geckos in captivity. In the same time, the wild living geckos recovered because of the protection of the habitats, so that perhaps it will not be necessary to bring the captive bred individuals back to nature.
Provided that the breeders organize breeding-groups in order to avoid inbreeding, we can be a good alternative for wildlife protection on-site.
greetings
Ozan