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peter lindsay

Physics Teacher,

TEDCRED 30+

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Why do we put so much effort into saving so few endangered animals?

It seems that millions of dollars are spent on breeding programs for Pandas and Tigers etc while thousands of other species become extinct each year. Are we just trying to save the ones we like? Could the money and effort put into saving the Panda be used to save several other less attractive species. Or could it save many other species that aren't as critically endangered?

Topics: breeding programs conservation extinction
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    Matthieu Miossec 100+

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    TED TranslatorAssociate
    Mar 16 2012: I wonder if charities like the wwf openly support the conservation of prolific animals (where I live, there's a wwf snow leopard patrol walking up and down the streets) to get the donations flowing while diverting some of the money to the much less glamourous but much more endangered ecosystems. I would hope that is what they do.
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      peter lindsay 30+

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      Mar 16 2012: I think you have just touched on a very valid concept. Since the vast majority of endangered species are endangered due to loss of habitat, maybe we should concentrate on conserving endangered ecosystems. By protecting an area of land or water, based on the ecosystem occupying it, you could protect a hundred endangered species at the same time.
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    peter lindsay 30+

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    Mar 15 2012: There are of course breeding programs for many less impressive species. Although I can't think of one that isn't a vertebrate. You do struggle to get any interest from the general public unless its big, cute or both.
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    Scott Armstrong 50+

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    Mar 15 2012: Charismatic megavertebrates..
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