What is the primary goal of ex situ conservation?

The primary goal of ex situ conservation is to protect species outside their natural habitats. This approach involves the preservation of species in controlled environments such as zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks. By doing so, ex situ conservation aims to safeguard endangered species from threats such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change, while also providing opportunities for research, education, and potential reintroduction into the wild.

This method of conservation allows for the careful management of genetic variability and the breeding of species in a secure environment, which can help boost population numbers. Should the natural habitats be irreversibly impacted, these species maintained ex situ can serve as a backup for future reestablishment in their original ecosystems.