III. Selected Articles from the Annual Report of 

 the American Breeders' Association, 1908* 



OBJECTS OF BREEDING WILD MAMMALS 



EXPEEIMENTS in breeding wild mammals need not necessarily 

 be for their domestication. They may be bred in inclosures giv- 

 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 necesisarily a misfortune to 

 the world. But when the rapacity of man is turned against a useful 

 species until it is threatened with extermination, there is good reason 

 for the intervention of organizations 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 world. Of mammals, the quagga and the blaaubok (Hippotragus 

 leucophaeus), the latter a small relative of the roan antelope, have been 

 exterminated from the South African 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' 

 Association is composed of the following members: — 



Dr. E. Lantz, Washington, D.C., Chainnan. 

 M. M. Boyd, Bobcaygeon, Ont. W. M. Irwin, Washington, D.C. 



R. H. Karris, Clarksville, Tex. C. J. Jones, Topeka, Kan. 



Emory E. Hoge, Baltimore, Md. C. D. Richardson, Worcester, Mass. 



Object: To investigate and report on the methods and technique of 

 improving wild mammals; and to devise and suggest methods and plans 

 of introducing, producing and improving such wild animals as may be 

 useful for the production of food, skins, etc-, or as aids to agriculture. 



