Rick
Well-Known Member
Back in the 80's when I was a herp supervisor, I developed a simple "production" index.
Purchases + Mortalities vs. Births/Hatches + Emigrants (sales or gifts).
(strictly as individuals, no $).
I did this to:
1) Assess the CITES argument that zoos were net consumers of wildlife.
2) Justify time and expenses for better cultural methods and materials.
3) Control the rate of new aquisitions by upper management.
When I first started this measure we were about 5:1 (bad), when I left we were <1:1 (good). And we didn't cheat by mass producing fire bellied toads.
Given that orchid growing is a hobby for me, I only mentally ballpark this index to let me know how the collection is going.
Is anyone else out there (especially with a large stable collection) concious of
their "culture" index?
Purchases + Mortalities vs. Births/Hatches + Emigrants (sales or gifts).
(strictly as individuals, no $).
I did this to:
1) Assess the CITES argument that zoos were net consumers of wildlife.
2) Justify time and expenses for better cultural methods and materials.
3) Control the rate of new aquisitions by upper management.
When I first started this measure we were about 5:1 (bad), when I left we were <1:1 (good). And we didn't cheat by mass producing fire bellied toads.
Given that orchid growing is a hobby for me, I only mentally ballpark this index to let me know how the collection is going.
Is anyone else out there (especially with a large stable collection) concious of
their "culture" index?