Training in zoo biology, captive breeding, and conservation

Waugh, David R.

doi:10.1002/zoo.1430070309

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…This survey fostered interactions between American scientists and their counterparts in Latin America, initially involving hands-on, short-term training that, in some cases, evolved into more extensive training and collaborations (especially in Mexico and Brazil) . The rewards attained by training zoo staff in husbandry and captive breeding have long been recognized [Waugh, 1988;Wemmer et al, 1990]. However, the findings of the current study, and the significance of certain husbandry factors on reproductive success in felids support the notion that even more zoo-biology training programs are warranted throughout Latin America.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation

et al. 2003

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Reproductive evaluations were conducted on 185 male cats representing eight endemic Latin American species that were maintained in 44 zoos and private facilities in 12 Latin American countries. Reproductive assessments (testicular measures, ejaculate quality, and blood testosterone/cortisol concentration) were used to establish normative values for large-and small-sized cats in Latin American collections. Data also were analyzed using multiple regression to study the impact of proven breeder status, diet, and various animal housing combinations. Most felids (495%) in the survey were of wild-born origin, and o20% had produced offspring in captivity. Larger felids had bigger testes and produced more semen, but tended to produce low-sperm-density ejaculates. The ejaculates of small felids were more sperm-concentrated, but contained fewer total spermatozoa. Sperm motility was unrelated to species size, and certain species (puma, margay, tigrina, and jaguarundi) consistently produced few (o40%) normal sperm forms. Across species, 450% of males had low sperm counts (o1 million total sperm per ejaculate). Among large cats (jaguars and pumas), proven breeders had larger (Po0.05) testes, greater semen volume, and more normal sperm than nonbreeders. Males on adequate diets had higher (Po0.05) circulating cortisol. Among small-sized felids, proven breeders had higher (Po0.05) testosterone, and males housed alone or paired with a conspecific female had more (Po0.05) total sperm per ejaculate and greater (Po0.05) seminal and testicular volumes. Fifty-nine ejaculates (potentially representing B100 artificial insemination (AI) or 26,000 in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures) were cryopreserved for a felid genome resource bank. In conclusion, breeding success and reproductive traits for many endemic felids in Latin American zoos appear to be suboptimal, and likely would benefit from improvements in diet and exhibitry. Technology transfer and continued training of zoo staff and scientists in Latin American countries are essential if these zoos are to achieve their tremendous conservation potential for felids and other threatened endemic species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation

et al. 2003

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“…To be effective, zoos must keep healthy and self‐sustaining populations; threatened species that bred eventually or present high inbreeding rates are not ideal for conservation purposes [Lafferty and Gerber, 2002; Waugh, 2005; Leberg and Firmin, 2008]. Thus, the cooperation between institutions would lead to a general improvement of the animal collections and in the global role of the zoos in species conservation [IUDZG, 1993; Diebold et al, 1999].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Brazilian zoos in ex situ bird conservation: from 1981 to 2005

2010

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Zoos may play an important role in conservation when they maintain and breed large numbers of animals that are threatened with extinction. Bird conservation is in a privileged situation owing to the extensive biological information available about this class. Annual inventories produced by the "Sociedade de Zoológicos do Brasil" in the years 1981, 1990, 2000, and 2005 were analyzed. Variables, such as the number of zoos per geographic region; number of birds held; number of bird species in each IUCN threat category; number of exotic and native bird species; number of potentially breeding bird species; number of bird species in each order; and number of threatened bird species breeding, were analyzed. Brazilian zoos kept more than 350 bird species. The number of bird species and specimens held by the Brazilian Zoos increased from 1981 to 2000, but decreased in 2005. The same pattern was observed for the number of species in each IUCN threat category. Results showed that the potential of the Brazilian zoos in bird conservation needs to be enhanced because they maintain threatened species but do not implement systematic genetic, reproductive, or behavioral management protocols for most species.

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“…The importance of capacity building (i.e. the provision of necessary skills to enable self‐sufficiency in that field) for conservation has been widely recognized within the zoo industry and many zoos have become involved with initiatives to increase capacity for in situ conservation through provision of materials and workshops (Waugh, 1988; Wemmer et al ., 1990, 1993). Building capacity is considered especially important in raising animal‐welfare standards, as there seems to be a consensus that adopting international standards or translocating regimes designed for developed countries into developing countries encounter many difficulties (Karesh, 1995; Rahman, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capacity building for better animal welfare

Melfi

Hosey²

2011

International Zoo Yearbook

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All zoos and aquariums aim to maintain animals with good welfare. Empirical evidence has demonstrated that various activities, described collectively as behavioural husbandry (BH), are associated with good animal welfare, so a lot of zoos now integrate BH into many of their captive animal management regimes. The widespread implementation of BH seems ubiquitous; however, some zoos do not have access to the resources, knowledge and skills that underpin BH. Building capacity within these zoos, so they have the information necessary to enhance the welfare of their animals, should be a high priority. In this case study, a workshop successfully provided 16 delegates with this information. Evaluation of the workshop demonstrated it effectively increased knowledge. More importantly, it proved to be a catalyst for a number of BH initiatives in a variety of zoos worldwide, which occurred after the workshop. Information was also promulgated further by delegates to colleagues within their institutions and also further afield within their region.

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Training in zoo biology, captive breeding, and conservation

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation

Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation

Role of Brazilian zoos in ex situ bird conservation: from 1981 to 2005

Capacity building for better animal welfare

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