Give zoos a chance

Ross Minett's criticism of the captive breeding programme (Letters, 16 December) reveals all of the pie-in-the sky unreality and intolerance that we expect from single-issue pressure groups. Of course it would be preferable if habitat destruction were to cease, but it's not going to happen in the foreseeable future, so something has to be done now.

Mr Minett should forget his anti-zoo prejudice and give some respect to the zoos, without whose efforts his protected habitats, should he ever achieve them, might prove to be animal-free zones.

GRAHAM M McLEOD

The Muirs

Kinross