Ill. Selected Articles from the Annual Report of the 
American Breeders’ Association, 1908* 
OBJECTS OF BREEDING WILD MAMMALS 
| Serene pasa in breeding wild mammals need not necessarily 
be for their domestication. They may be bred in inclosures givy- 
ing sufficient range and a habitat as nearly natural as circumstances 
will permit and the problem of ultimate domestication left for future 
determination. The chief objects to be sought by experiments in breed- 
ing wild animals are: (1) preserving species; (2) use in agriculture 
or transportation; (3) use for hides and fur; and (4) use as food. 
Perpetuating Species.—Extinction of species is a process of nature, 
and from an economic point of view is not necessarily a misfortune to 
the world. But when the rapacity of man is tuned against a useful 
species until it is threatened with extermination, there is good 1eason 
for the intervention of o1 ganizations of men for its preservation. The 
imminence of extinction for the American bison, the African elephant, 
the eland, the walrus, the sea otter, and other species is not imaginary. 
Within recent times a considerable number of birds have been lost to 
the woild. Of mammals, the quagga and the blaaubok (Hippotragus 
leucophaeus), the latte: a small relative of the roan antelope, have been 
exterminated from the South Afiican fauna. Foresight might have pre- 
served them; and foresight accompanied by governmental intervention 
will be needed to prevent the loss of many of the large game mammals 
of the world. The preservation of the best of them is a sufficient reason 
for advocating the expenditure of money in experiments in breeding 
them. 
Agriculture and Transportation.—Our second object in breeding 
wild animals seems to be less important. The horse will never be sur- 
passed in general usefulness and the other animals used in agriculture 
and transportation are excellent in their places. Two animals, how- 
“The Committee on Breeding Wild Mammals of the American Breeders’ Associa. 
tion is composed of the following members:— 
Dr. E. Lantz, Washington, D.C., Chairman. 
M. M. Boyd, Bobcaygeon, Ont. W. M. Irwin, Washington, D.C. 
R. H. Harris, Clarksville, Tex. C. J. Jones, Topeka, Kan. 
Emory, E. Hoge, Baltimore,{Md. C. D. Richardson, Worcester, Mass. 
Object: To sineatiattend report on the methods and technique of improving 
wild mammals; and to devise and suggest methods and plans of introducing pro- 
ducing and improving such wild animals as may be useful for the production of food, 
skins, etc., or as aids to agriculture. 
