Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Honors Thesis (Open Access)
Department
Colby College. Environmental Studies Program
Advisor(s)
Philip J. Nyhus
Second Advisor
Russell Cole
Abstract
This study examines the private ownership of exotic species, a topic very relevant to conservation that has long been ignored in the public sphere of policy and discussion. The private ownership of exotic species is a multifaceted issue that affects not only conservation, but also the domestic industry, world trade and education. The volume of trade in live animals is remarkably high and growing, making studies that investigate the implications of this trade on the endangered and threatened species even more pressing. This thesis investigates whether or not animal species held in captivity by private owners benefit conservation of their greater wild populations. A population of animals can also exist solely in captivity, allowing for its continued existence, but in this study I am not considering the existence of captive populations alone, without connection to the existence of the species in the wild, for example through reintroduction plans, as conservation initiatives.
Keywords
Animal ecology, Exotic animals -- Conservation, Exotic animal owners, Wild animals as pets
Recommended Citation
Beetz, Jessica L., "Role of private owners in the conservation of exotic species" (2005). Honors Theses. Paper 26.https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/honorstheses/26
Copyright
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