Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session III
The usual outcome of small populations is extinction
Extinction - Zoo Exhibit
• The story of extinction is one of
the most powerful to be told
• It is close to our hearts
• It is a process - like our own death
- which is inevitable
Extinction -
Getting the right perspective
• 99% of all the species that ever
lived are extinct
• More species alive now than at any
time in the past
• Most terrestrial species last an
average of 1m years
• Marine species last 10m years
• Often dynastic – with one species
giving rise to many
Supervolcano -
Deccan Traps
• Released 2,000 km³ of
magma
• Covering 1.5 million km²
• Non violent eruption
Extinction
• Combination of asteroid
and super volcano
changed weather patterns
causing prolonged
volcanic winter
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Javan rhino
Spix’s macaw
• Lead to decline of dinosaurs
• After a great implosion nature recovers biodiversity
• Takes millions of years (10m)