Certified zoo consultant Benson Kho has more than 15 years of experience in exotic wildlife. He recently shared his thoughts and opinions on the captive breeding method in order to save certain species from extinction.
Working towards maintaining a healthy ecosystem
Conservation of wildlife is vital as it helps the preservation of each living organism. Creating awareness through his social media accounts and the works he dedicated himself to, certified zoo consultant Benson Kho believes that captive breeding can play an important part in conservation works.
At the same time, he also believes that there should be an understanding and balance between having exotic pets, and not harming the natural biodiversity.
“As an animal lover and a pet store owner, I have to find the balance between meeting the demands of customers and conservation. Meaning to say, keep only exotic animals that were captive-bred and never take those from the wild.”
With more than 15 years of experience with wildlife, Benson advised against releasing foreign species into the wild as it will have a negative impact on the ecosystem. “Invasive species can endanger our local biodiversity. This is why creating awareness is very important.”
Why is conservation important?
As a little boy, Benson had always an interest in wildlife. Today, he manifested that interest in protecting wildlife and biodiversity. He hopes that the future generation can enjoy what he experienced during his childhood.
“It saddens me that many species have gone extinct today due to deforestation, illegal hunting, and poaching.” Referring to the Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) as an example, Benson revealed that the species is on the brink of extinction due to illegal poaching. “However, it is not too late to protect other remaining endangered species such as the clouded leopard, hornbills, and our local Asian forest tortoise (Manouria emys).”
He also added that “All wildlife serves a specific purpose in nature. If they go extinct, our ecosystem might not function the same, and that will spell disaster. This is why it is important to preserve and maintain our unique biodiversity.”
Should animals stay in the wild?
While Benson believed in conservation via captive breeding, many still see animals belonging in the wild. Some even believes good karma will come to those who release a life form as an act of kindness or mercy.
“We have to realise that the world we live in today is ever-changing and evolving. Deforestation due to development is happening rapidly and wildlife have less and less space to call their home. The wild elephants of Borneo resorted to finding food in people’s farms because of this, and it creates a whole new conflict.” He added that it is actually humans who are encroaching on wildlife’s territory.
He further said that, in today’s day and age, believing that animals belong in the wild is no longer feasible. “They are not even safe in the wild. A good example is the African rhinoceros. Heavily armed rangers are hired to escort these wild rhinoceros just so they can go about their daily lives and not get killed by poachers.
Benson’s captive-bred Bearded Dragons and its eggs. 
Borneo Orange Fringed Tarantula taken in-situ.
“But how many can the rangers protect? And for how long? What about other endangered species? It certainly made me wonder if the forests are safe for them today?” he questioned.
Taking the Australian central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) as a prime example of captive breeding, Benson said that the species was exported out to America in the 1970s for the pet industry. Even though Australia has since then banned the export of the species, bearded dragons today can be found throughout the world due to captive breeding.
As an exotic pet breeder since 2007, he shared that he bred the species here too. “Today, bearded dragons are available in many colours, much different from their cousins in the wild. No bearded dragons in the pet trade came from the wild today. They have become domesticated, very much like cats and dogs.”
So how does this benefit the species?
Benson opined that “It benefits them because there is no longer a need to hunt them down from their own homes. This species is not in any danger from poaching.” Furthermore, Benson explained that captive breeding will also prevent the species from extinction if their habitats were ever in danger.
“Observing the recent Australian bushfire in 2020, the disaster killed millions of animals and displaced three billion more from their habitat. Just imagine if their cousins in the wild were wiped out by the fire. At least we have the captive ones alive, for our future generations.
“Not as preserved specimens in the museum, but alive. This I believe is conservation via captive breeding where I can play a small role as part of my work. This concept can be applied to other species as well,” he added.
Elaborating on the belief that good karma to those who released the wild, Benson opined that releasing a species into the wild can be detrimental to the local ecosystem. “Some practiced releasing catfish, or American bullfrogs in large quantities into our local river. This is bad because these are invasive species which will only end up harming our local ecosystem.”
Benson saw a new species of forest cockroach during one of his expeditions in 2018. 
As animal lovers, Benson and his wife regularly go on expeditions to search for exotic animals and take photos of them.
The zoo consultant said that such practices are also cruel as certain invasive species cannot survive the local environment. “And that leads them to an inevitable death.” On the other hand, certain invasive species not only able to survive but thrive in the local environment. “In simple terms, these invasive species will often compete or even kill local species, and it becomes worst if local species doesn’t stand a chance against them.”
Hence, this is why Benson hopes he can create awareness by educating the people. Operating a pet accessories store at Jalan Tabuan, Benson and his wife would often host students at their shop. “I never miss the chance to educate them. I believe everyone can do their part. For me and my wife, this is what we can do to educate the younger generations.”
The duo also worked hard towards educating people with the correct exotic pet husbandry. As Benson provides zoo consultancy, he trains people on the proper way to handle exotic animals. “What’s most important to me is to know the basics of the animal first. When you know the species of animals you’re working with, you would know what they need and how to properly take care of them,” he said.
Why do we need to protect the forest?
Besides conservation, there are other ways to protect wildlife as well. Benson said to do so, we must first understand the following questions — “Why it is important to protect the forest and wildlife? What roles do wildlife play? How do they benefit us?”
Answering the first question, he said that the rainforest also houses herbs and plants, apart from trees. “Many species are still waiting to be discovered. Some of these can be used for medical purposes, as well as others.”
Explaining the roles of wildlife, he added that everything exists for a reason. “Birds, bats, bees, and also fly help in pollination. A good example is our Rafflesia tuan-mudae found here in Sarawak. The Rafflesia, as you know, is the world’s largest flower and it smells like rotten meat.”
According to researchers, pollination of the plant happens with the help of flies and ants. “Flies and ants, attracted to the rotten meat smell, will frequent the flowers. When these flies or ants go from flower to flower, they help pollinate.” And since the Rafflesia is a parasitic flower, it requires a host. “The vines of Tetrastigma genus is the only host of the Rafflesia.”
Through the explanation, he emphasised each species’ vital roles in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. “Sharing of knowledge and awareness are the most important things in order to create understandings. The young generations are future leaders. Some of them may one day sit in high places, and can make a bigger difference,” he added.
