ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a brief overview of some of the main concepts of conservation genomics and population viability. These concepts underpin the evolutionary justification behind the common conservation management strategies employed in zoological collections. The aim of this chapter is to foster an appreciation of the importance of evolutionary thinking in understanding how and why species exhibit certain traits, behavioural or otherwise. Moreover, this chapter focuses on the importance of evolutionary potential and the long-term sustainability of populations. It draws from a wide range of examples to highlight how leveraging technology and evolutionary biology is a prerequisite to successful evidence-based management.
