Unnatural selection and survival of the fittest

Abstract

Extract

It is significant that only 13 of nearly 400 delegates Who attended World Conference III on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity listed themselves as having veterinary qualifications. For many people, a representation of just over 3 percent would seem to be par for the course when it comes to veterinary involvement with wildlife, for it is well-known that the majority of the profession have been trained to tend domestic animals and, whilst expressing a concern for wildlife, freely admit their incompetence to deal with it. Yet it is interesting to find that many of the world's leading zoo directors and curators have a veterinary background, and have been accepted by their zoologist counterparts as being at least their equals, if not their betters. Consequently, whilst veterinarians represent only a small proportion of the work force in zoos and wildlife parks, their influence is considerable.