Zoos attempt to brace against the threat of species extinction

In the world of the old Hollywood movie “Hatari!” when zoos wanted exotic animals, they simply placed their orders and adventurers went out to scoop them up. The savannahs and the jungles teemed with animals that had been around for ages. But a half century later, instead of collecting new specimens, zoos try hard to keep the populations they have alive and reproducing. The goal for species survival in captivity is just 100 years. That’s the hope. For most endangered species, even that’s iffy. As the Kansas City Zoo prepares to open a new $6 million exhibit for its orangutans, conservationists are trying to build up genetic reservoirs for hundreds of animal species that are fast approaching...