San Diego Zoo gets two Chinese alligators in preservation effort (LA Times)
Kudos. Though I'm generally uncomfortable seeing wild animals in captivity, zoos' role in preservation is indisputable.
~ pinto
San Diego Zoo gets two Chinese alligators in preservation effort
The reptiles arrive from Florida as part of a long-term strategy to keep the species, listed as critically endangered, from going extinct in the wild.
Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times
July 4, 2012
—— SAN DIEGO On her first full day in her new home, Xiao was tentative Tuesday, but the sun finally lured her out of the pool onto the sand. Xidi was less adventuresome, preferring the water.
The pair of Chinese alligators had just arrived at the San Diego Zoo from the St. Augustine (Fla.) Alligator Farm Zoological Park as part of a long-term strategy to keep the species from going extinct in the wild.
The alligators are among the smallest and most endangered members of the crocodilian family. Unlike their American cousin — the world's only other alligator species — they are armored top and bottom. Their tapered snouts turn up slightly at the end, and their blunt teeth are good for crushing clams and snails.
For eons, Chinese alligators were found in much of eastern China. They were called "muddy dragons" and lived along the wetlands of the Yangtze River.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gators-20120704,0,6257902.story
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