Reintroduction of Species It’s the right thing to do “and you know this, Man!”-- Smokey SEE-U 2001, Biosphere 2 Center, AZ Professor Tim Kittel, TA Erika Geiger Mei Ying Lai Lily Liew Adam Nix Eli Pristoop

No species is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a confused condor with a fragmented habitat be washed away by the sea, The world is less. As well as if a Grey wolf were As well as if a member of the con group Or of their friends were, Each species’ death diminishes me, For I am involved in the living world. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. (Paraphrased from “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by John Donne)

BIODIVERSITY ECOSYSTEM STABILITY ETHICS OTHER REASONS

Biodiversity Diversity leads to stability Resilience to diseases Genetic resources

Ecosystem Stability > As a human-controlled experiment. This time, we are reintroducing the species without human interference. We can explore other variables that may cause their extirpation. We need this knowledge in order to preserve other species, including ourselves > Preservation of species diversity > Enhancement of an existing population to maintain the ecosystem’s balance (food chain)

Ethics Morally obligated because they were already there Mankind interfered with their ways of life; it is our responsibility to restore their once-thriving population; only humans are capable of this reintroduction

Mankind’s Assault on Animal Way of Life Introduction of Disease Over-hunting Over-collection Pollution Poisoning Predation or Competition Introduced Species Habitat Loss Competition With Domestic Livestock

Other reasons Improving quality of human life; species may have medicinal, entertainment, or aspiration purposes (where would Monet be w/o water lilies??) Seeing Canis Lupis in the wild: Priceless Religion tells us that God created it, so we have no right to destroy it Economic benefit-If the species population is brought to a controlled level, than using this specie as a resource becomes possible. People will pay money to see, and eat rare species

GRAY WOLF Canis Lupus ( a case study) 14 wolves released into Yellow Stone National Park Principle aim of reintroduction should be: To establish a viable, free-ranging population in the wild To enhance the long-term survival of the species To reestablish keystone species in an ecosystem Maintain and restore natural biodiversity Provide long-term economical benefits to the local and/or national economy

Since the wolves kill elk (they kill one elk every one to five days, on average), the grizzly bears, foxes, bald eagles, and golden eagles can scavenge the elk meat that the wolves leave behind. The proliferation of available elk meat, and the reduction in the coyote population, has also meant that there are significantly more rodents for other predators to feed on. A study of genetic variation within and between populations of Grey Wolf and related taxa can also be helpful.

America Needs Reintroduction of Species

It’s Time To Bring Them Back!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1) Conserving Species, Populations, and Genetic Diversity 2)Species reintroduction targeted 3) 3) Captive Breeding and Reintroduction of Endangered Species: A Resource Site 4)Did Lynx Reintroduction Fail? 5)IUCN/SSC Guidelines For Re-Introductions 6) 6) Extinction: 7) IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group 8)IUCN/SSC Guidelines For Re-Introductions 9)CONSERVATION PART 4: Reintroduction: Should We, or Shouldn't We? 10)Biodiversity: Should we try to prevent species from becoming extinct? 11)Requirements for Captive Propagation 12)Requirements for Captive Propagation 13)Yellowstone's Wolf Reintroduction