Amphibian Keeper Conservation Breeding Programs

Nearly 200 amphibian species are in immediate need of conservation breeding programs (CBPs) to prevent their extinction, with up to another 950 species in need in the foreseeable future. In general official amphibian CBPs exclude private keepers from participating with their collections because an assumed inability for keepers to provide sufficient quarantine. Official amphibian CBPs must also have an exit strategy of eventual release thus neglecting the many species that suffer from irretrievable habitat loss. Because of their high cost and other restraints, official amphibian CBPs are mainly supported by zoos, aquaria, and other conservation institutions, and can only currently provide for about 50 species. Private KCBPs could fill the widening gap between the number of currently official CBPs and the number of species critically in need. To elucidate the potential of KCBPs we conducted a global internet survey with responses compared between nations, regions, and these pooled between western and other polities. Keepers showed the expertise and commitment needed to conduct CBPs and overwhelmingly supported KCBPs responsibly managed through their societies. Respondents overall wanted official recognition of KCBPs, and their inclusion in policy development, with a particularly strong feeling of dis-empowerment in other polities. There were also demographic differences in the age of first interest in amphibians, social interactions, information sources, and academic activities. A canvassing of keepers collections in western polities showed that they currently keep and breed a wide range of exotic species. We could find no conclusive evidence that keepers CBPs were more a quarantine security risk than many official CBPs. Therefore, KCBPs can provide a haven for the many species that are neglected by official CBPs, and where official CBPs could focus on their regional species, or in range institutional facilities for exotic species. All CBPs should provide high levels of public engagement.

Keywords: amphibian, threatened species, conservation breeding programs, policy, polities.