Sometimes protecting a species in the wild is not enough to save it. Then one of the last things people can try is an assurance colony. That is a carefully managed group of animals kept in captivity, like a backup copy of the species. The goal is to keep the population alive and healthy. If the wild ever becomes safe again, the animals or their descendants can go back home. People have done this for species hurt by disease, habitat loss, collecting, and more. In the United States, zoos work together on nearly 300 Species Survival Plans. In each one, zoos share animals so that rare species keep breeding and their family trees stay healthy.
This lesson is part of Certified Junior Herpetologist. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 30 hours).
