158 • Technologies To Maintain Biological Diversity 



diversity. Likewise, a knowledge of the repro- 

 ductive biology of the species is required to en- 

 sure efficient propagation of the animals in cap- 

 tivity. The need for expertise in these areas has 

 increased dramatically as offsite programs have 

 become more common and more complex. Ef- 

 ficient use of animals for genetic purposes re- 

 quires extensive movement of germplasm 

 among institutions. These efforts are likely to 

 increasingly rely on transfer of semen or em- 

 bryos, especially at the international level, plac- 

 ing a premium on scientific expertise. 



To date, development of expertise in the ap- 

 plication of reproductive biology and quantita- 

 tive genetics management has largely occurred 

 through the initiatives of individual students 

 within traditional reproductive physiology or 

 quantitative genetics programs. In reproduc- 

 tive physiology, programs are usually directed 

 primarily toward domestic animals; efforts to 

 obtain skills applicable to wild species may be 

 met at best with tolerance or at worst with ac- 

 tive discouragement. Still, substantial interest 

 in the reproductive biology of wild animals has 

 been noted, and students of this field are in- 

 creasingly tolerated. In quantitative genetics, 

 training programs tend to emphasize either the 

 theoretical aspects of quantitative genetics in 

 natural populations or the applied aspects of 

 breeding domestic animals. More opportuni- 

 ties to tailor courses to study of wild popula- 

 tions exist in this area than in reproductive 

 physiology, however. 



Fellowships and traineeships in areas that 

 support maintenance of wild animal genetic 

 diversity could be provided on a competitive 

 basis to students in reproductive biology, cryo- 

 biology, population genetics, and animal be- 

 havior for studies applicable to the genetic and 

 reproductive management of captive popula- 

 tions of wild animals. The program could be 

 administered by the National Science Founda- 

 tion (NSF). Emphasis would be placed on ap- 

 plying knowledge and theory to managed pop- 

 ulations. One advantage of such a program 

 would be sensitization of faculty members to 

 the needs and opportunities in this area. 



A grants program to allow selected educa- 

 tional institutions to expand their expertise in 



supporting maintenance of genetic diversity 

 could be initiated. Grants could be awarded on 

 a competitive basis and could support exten- 

 sion of applied programs to captive wild spe- 

 cies. Such a program would be relatively expen- 

 sive, however, and would tend to concentrate 

 expertise instead of encouraging broad access 

 to needed training. 



Facilities for Offsite Maintenance 



In recent years, zoo administrators and others 

 have become aware of the need for well- 

 planned breeding programs to ensure mainte- 

 nance of genetic diversity within captive pop- 

 ulations. Substantial theoretical work has gone 

 into developing plans for existing or likely fu- 

 ture facilities. The results suggest that today's 

 facilities will not be sufficient to maintain 

 desired levels of diversity. However, zoo per- 

 sonnel appear to have developed mechanisms 

 to make choices (albeit not unanimous choices) 

 among competing possibilities. Still, without 

 additional facilities, losses of diversity appear 

 likely. 



Development of captive maintenance and 

 breeding facilities could benefit from additional 

 funding. Such a program would enhance ca- 

 pabilities to preserve biological diversity off- 

 site. Modest levels of funding could have a con- 

 siderable impact, although substantial funds 

 would be required to address the total problem. 

 Funds could be channeled through the National 

 Zoo in Washington, DC, or through competi- 

 tive grants to nonprofit zoological parks. Em- 

 phasis could be given to species that have 

 limited captive facilities. 



Repreductive Biology and 

 Cryopreservation 



The reproductive processes of most wild ani- 

 mals are not sufficiently understood to allow 

 optimum rates of reproduction under captive 

 management. This lack of information becomes 

 especially acute in light of increasing interest 

 in artificial insemination and embryo transfer 

 because these technologies require much greater 

 control of the reproductive process. Although 

 the critical elements that control reproduction 

 and cryopreservation in wild species are anal- 



