How zoo breeding programs manage genetics to maintain healthy captive populations, and the welfare implications of managed breeding.
Managed breeding programs in zoos require careful balancing of genetic, demographic, and welfare considerations. Genetically motivated transfers between institutions can disrupt established social bonds and cause significant stress in socially complex species. Breeding recommendations that pair animals that are not socially compatible raise welfare concerns. At the same time, genetic management is essential for the long-term viability of captive populations: inbred animals suffer from reduced immune function, reproductive problems, and developmental abnormalities. Best-practice programs integrate welfare assessment into genetic management decisions rather than treating genetics and welfare as separate concerns.