Should the private breeding and export of NZ's wildlife be allowed?

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Stop the poachers?

I doubt if private breeding of NZ wildlife would stop poaching. Breeding stock would have to come from somewhere. Poaching would still be very profitable. The reason I voted Yes is that animals that are commercially valuable alive do not become extinct. The fact that they have monetary value means that providing them with food, veterinary care and the work that has to occur before care can be successful: research into their unique diseases and their response to drugs, into improving their chances of successful breeding, and optimal diet. Small populations and populations in concentration in small areas are vulnerable to natural disaster and communicable disease. By spreading the animals around NZ - around the planet - we have an insurance scheme. We have the potential to recover from fire or flood or epidemics or food source scarcity in their natural habitat. We hedge our bets.