Introduction: Conservation of Small Carnivores

There are around 172 species of small carnivores and although only 23% of these have been given the most threatened categories in the IUCN Red List, most wild populations are declining because of habitat loss and fragmentation, and human exploitation. The articles in this volume describe the conservation status of a number of small carnivores at the time of writing, and research studies and surveys that have been carried out. Such work will not only increase our knowledge and expertise for caring for these species in zoos and aquariums, but the information will also facilitate conservation activities with wild populations and habitats. (Photo: Asian small-clawed otters Aonyx cinereus. Nicole Duplaix).