Captive Breeding

Overview

Captive breeding is the practice of breeding and raising animals under human-controlled conditions, such as in zoos, aquariums, breeding centres, or reserves, typically to support conservation, research, or the reintroduction of species into the wild. It is used to maintain populations of threatened or endangered species, to preserve genetic diversity, and to supplement or restore wild populations that have declined. Effective captive-breeding programmes require careful management of pairing, genetics, behaviour, nutrition, and welfare so that animals retain the traits and behaviours needed to survive after release, and they are often paired with habitat protection and monitoring in the wild. Within ethology, the study of animal behaviour, captive breeding intersects with questions of reproductive behaviour, mate choice, parental care, and how captivity shapes behaviour relevant to survival. The International Journal of Ethology publishes peer-reviewed, open-access research on the behaviour, ecology, and conservation of animals, the broad scientific context within which captive breeding is studied and applied. This page gathers reference material and research relevant to captive breeding as a conservation and behavioural-science tool, including its goals of safeguarding species, sustaining genetic diversity, and informing reintroduction efforts.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.

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