Скачать или смотреть USA: PEER DEER SUCCESSFULLY RETURNED TO CHINA

(16 Nov 1994) English/Nat

An American research centre has succeeded in re-introducing a rare deer to Asia and also provides a haven for other endangered species.

The centre has successfully returned the Peer deer to China where it is close to extinction.

Now the centre in Virginia is concentrating its resources on breeding other threatened animals.

For thousands of years the Peer Davit's deer roamed the forests of eastern Asia.

But by the beginning of this century, their numbers had dwindled to only 18 captive animals.

They and other species remain in reservations like The Endangered Species Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia, where scientists are trying to prevent the extinction of these animals.

The main concern of researchers in trying to preserve the species is to prevent in- breeding.

Amber Blaha is Programme Coordinator at The Endangered Species and Conservation and Research Centre.

SOUND BITE: 0.26"

The number of these animals is maybe 12 or 15 left in the wild and that is a severe genetic bottleneck. A lot of inbreeding can occur and studies have shown that in- breeding reduces a species viability, its adaptability, higher infant mortality rates occur when there is a lot of in-breeding and so a lot of the breeding here is carefully controlled in order to maximise the genetic diversity and preserve a more true bloodline of the animals.

CAPTION: Amber Blaha, Programme Coordinator

Many animals such as this deer have been raised by humans, since there are no natural parents to raise them in numbers.

SOUND BITE: 0.30"

I think certainly these places are very important for maintaining populations that are genetically sound and maintaining numbers. So I guess in one sense they are the last hope although I think most scientists here really feel that there needs to be a reintroduction and preservation of habitat in their native countries, that we can't keep these endangered animals in Virginia indefinitely and that should be the end goals.

CAPTION: Amber Blaha, Programme Coordinator

It is hoped the Peer Deer and other endangered species will thrive in the wild after re- introduction.

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