How Science and Technology are used in Conservation

As the advances in technology and science grow, conservation efforts are greatly benefitting.  When I first thought of “science and technology”, I immediately jumped to the internet and computers.  The Internet and computers due allow education to be provided to the masses but science and technology are so much more than that.  Think of medical procedures, gps and tracking devices, and many more.  Medical procedures allow for additional research and in some cases my help to save the species from extinction.  Micropropagation comes to mind here.  In short, micropropagation is growing an organism in a test tube. For example, this process was used on an endangered plant, Dianthus superbus. The process included the use of sterile test tubes, fertilized seeds, and greenhouse conditions.  Some advantages included minimal space needed to increase specie numbers, no time restraint based on seasonal weather conditions, and only a small number of plants needed to begin the process. From an ethical stand point, this technology could possibly prevent a species from extinction. However, some researchers argue that this process should only be used as a last resort. But one must consider a worst case scenario, i.e., if initial specie numbers are too low, in vitro inbreeding can occur thus making breeding of test tube offspring genetically redundant. In addition to micropropagation, cryopreservation can be used to save reproductive cells for future in vitro fertilization.  Some other medical procedures include DNA testing to provide the most viable offspring, DNA testing to determine lineage or genetic makeups, and minor surgeries that would help the animal survive.

GPS and tracking are two controversial topics.  For instance, the data collected could be very beneficial to research and education for conservation however, there are some downfalls.  In order to track these individuals, the GPS tracker must be “installed” into the individual and may or may not be painful or cause injury.  In addition to the potential for injury, the device may be large or draw attention to the animal wearing it.  As you could imagine, this could cause issues if the animal were prey and trying to hide or predator and trying to hunt.  However, most tracking devices are very small and do not cause interference and the benefits greatly outweigh the downfalls.  Another consideration that we must take into account in regards to GPS tracking is the holder of the information.  If this important locating information happened to be in the hands of poachers, the unknowing animal could easily put an entire group at risk. 

One example of cryopreservation is the Cincinnati Zoo’s efforts through CREW (The Center for Conservation and Research/Reproduction for Endangered Wildlife) to increase species numbers for the Sumatran Rhino.  CREW holds the key to increasing rhino species numbers through the CyroBioBank which contains frozen semen samples from the Indian rhino in North America and the Sumatran rhino.  The cyrobank can hold the samples and rescue live sperm even after the rhino has died.  The link below is one example of how cryobanking is beneficial.
http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2012/02/10/rare-sumatran-rhino-pregnancy-at-indonesian-sanctuary/

While watching Saturday morning nature shows, I came across this commerical.