Question

[Rebecca]

Ok the thread with the cute panthers got me thinking. I want to get into breeding rare/endangered animals. The thing is I have no idea how to get into something like that. I know it costs ALOT of money and that's a HUGE roadblock. Is there a thing where a person could take the courses get the tickets and then get sponsored by a company? Also whsat courses would a person have to take??

[Kathy]

I would guess you would have to take courses in zoology and vetrinary stuff, its a major setback as you can never go away, you cant just leave the animals at your house and have the kid next door come in and feed them, and its not likely that a kennel would keep them for you. Plus the fact that they require a lot of room and real meat, I wouldnt want to have to feed a 200lb (or larger) cat every day. In my oppinion the breeding programs should be handled by a zoo where the animals get to live somewhat normal lives, not sitting on a couch watching TV.

[Youkai]

Even if you could get sponsored by someone, I wouldn't do it unless I had money to fall back on if things don't go well somehow.
Also consider that this might take up all your time, it wouldn't just be a hobby...

[Rebecca]

I know it will take up my life but they do anyway, animals I mean. So I figure I should do something I really love. As for space they won't be "pets" they would be bred to be re-introduced into the wild. I have tons of land my grandmother would sell or give to me, so they'd have tons of room. I would never have them live in the house. As for money I agree with the fallback thing, but I plan on also breeding some easy non-endangered animals to help out. I mean something like dogs that do not need THAT much money. Don't get me wrong it cost to have them but it's cheaper to raise them on the side for a profit then say horses, or some thing like that. I do have a lot of planning to do yet. I don't think this would become reality for me for at least another 5-10 years or so. Depends on funds and schooling.

[katev17]

There's a big problem with breeding animals and simply re-introducing them to the wild. If you're breeding animals that live in , say Africa, but you live in BC, by reintroducing them back into Africa they will not have the proper instincts to survive, which would consequently end in their death. They won't know how to hunt for themselves and how to fend for themselves. This is why most breeding programs or attempts are situated in a zoo setting, and animals very rarely get reintroduced to the wild. Most animals that ARE reintroduced are animals that have been removed from the wild in the first place and already have some notion of the instincts, such as an injured animal. I think it's really cool of you to want to do this, but you've gotta realize that it's an EXTREMELY hard task... Now if you're just going to breed them and raise them on the land your grandmother will give/sell you, it might be a more realistic and rewarding experience. (well it would still be extremely hard, but you know) The reintroducing part is what the major problem is! Well I still wish you good luck and hope you find a way to work with animals for your living.

Kate

PS - PM me & I'll tell you what my plan is to do my part in helping animals

[Nanashi04]

Well, I can't enlighten you any, but I do agree with most everyone else.
Best of luck, either way. ^^

[andrea]

one thing you can do is see if you have a zoo around and if they have a volunteer program. my cousin in arizona used to volunteer at the zoo and she got to feed the bats and play with the baby tigers and stuff. she was out of school, like around 21, and her school was nothing to do with the animals. i think that is a great way to start.

[josefg]

Like andrea said, it will be a good idea to start by helping at a local zoo. I beleive that it would not be impossible for you to accomplish your animal reintroduction program. In fact I am trying to start a reintroduction program of Elaphe situla (Leopard Rat Snake) over here, if I ever manage to find at least a pair. However, like katev17 mentioned, I will be working with local animals not animals from the other side of the globe.

Here is what may be a starting point for you:
http://www.wildlifedecisionsupport.com/

Good luck and I hope this helped :)

[Rebecca]

I plan on re-introducing animals from around here. Or if I get the opportunity (sp?) I'd love to go to another country and work there with the animals there. I thank all of you for wishing me good luck. I'm actually starting to think I might actually make it. I had my doubts if anything like this would work for me. Thanks agian I'll keep you guy updated on how it's going!!