Over the last two centuries Man’s activities have multiplied the natural rate of extinction by 50. According to palaeontologists, Man is destroying anywhere between 1000 to 10,000 more animal and plant species than Nature is creating. In order to change these statistics we must curb the destructive mechanisms. However, at present we are trying to conserve species in their natural habitat and when the state of the environment does not allow this, we are obliged to organise conservation programmes outside of the species natural habitat, in zoological parks. Zoos have had to become breeding and information centres for endangered species.
Nearly 400 European zoos, all wishing to participate actively to conserve species threatened with extinction, have joined the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums: EAZA. EVOLUTION OF ENCLOSURES: CREATING A HABITAT AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE...

Of all the animal species present in zoos, the most endangered are part of an European Breeding Program: EBP. These species are managed by an elected specialist who compiles a register of all the individuals of the specie and their respective ancestry in a genealogical “studbook”. These registers allow us to organise optimum genetic encounters across Europe and, if necessary, other continents. The whole point of these EBPs is to safeguard as much of the genetic potential as possible so that eventual re-introductions, environmental conditions permitting, are envisagable.The Espace Zoologique is currently participating in 16 EBPs. We support the work of associations such as HELP International, GORILLA and the CEPA (Preservation of species and animal populations). HELP International 26, rue du capitaine Ferber 75020 Paris www.help-primates.org GORILLA B.P 131 26702 Pierrelatte Cedex www.gorilla.asso.fr CEPA (Preservation of species and animal populations) Parc des Oiseaux 01330 Villars les Dombes www.association-cepa.org