Saved from extinction
There are several species found at ISIS member sites that have been saved from extinction; the zoological community has saved the European Bison (Bison bonasus), Arbian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Przewalski’s Wild Horse (Equus przewalski). These are examples of species which were at one time extinct in the wild.
Reintroduced into the wild
ISIS support has coordinated captive conservation programs in several regions of the world. The last few California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) and Black-Footed Ferrets (Musteles nigripes) were taken entirely into captivity and reintroduced into the wild because the wild populations were unable to survive without intervention; the Scimitar-Horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) may be extinct in the wild, and a reintroduction program is under development.
In numerous other cases, like the Whooping Crane (Grus americana) captive propagation in zoos and other facilities is being used to augment threatened wild populations.
A wonderful place to learn
The efforts taken to protect threatened animal species make zoos and aquariums wonderful places to educate the public on the status and importance of all species – threatened or not.