Articles tagged with Zoos
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A review published in the Journal Birds suggests that studying birds in their natural habitats can improve zoo management and conservation efforts. By analyzing the ecological role of bird species, zoos can design enclosures that support reproduction and develop conservation actions.
Research reveals captive Asian elephants carry less body fat than average humans, with females averaging 2-25% body fat and males carrying slightly less. The study suggests that activity levels may be key to maintaining elephant health, contradicting traditional notions of obesity.
The Critically Endangered shorttail nurse shark has been found in Mozambique, expanding its range southward from Tanzania and westward from Madagascar. The species benefits from some degree of protection within large coastal marine protected areas but is under threat due to overexploitation by coastal fisheries.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research have successfully produced in-vitro embryos from vitrified African lion oocytes, demonstrating a promising method for genetic resource banking. The study showed that half of the vitrified oocytes matured, with seven early embryos developing, providing hope for the conse...
The San Diego Zoo Global biobanking project sequenced 131 new placental mammal genomes, bringing the worldwide total to over 250. This project catalogs and characterizes whole branches of Earth's biodiversity spanning 110 million years of mammal evolution.
A new UC Riverside study finds that climate change will significantly decrease good weather days in the Palm Springs area, impacting tourism and outdoor attractions. The number of suitable snowbird days is projected to increase by up to 150% by the end of the century.
Scientists have gained significant knowledge of rhinoceros parturition, enabling better birth management and obstetrics in zoological gardens. The study reveals the average duration of parturition is 7 hours and 38 minutes, with most births occurring head-first, resulting in a rapid final expulsion.
Researchers recommend a decentralized disease surveillance system to monitor pathogens in wildlife and humans, expanding beyond human disease outbreaks to encompass broader understanding of pathogens. The network aims to provide early warnings of spillover potential and assist in containment and development of therapeutic treatments.
A new study found widespread use of products made from vulnerable species like sun bears, Asiatic bears, and serows in northern Laos. The demand for these products poses a significant threat to their populations, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to reduce unsustainable harvests.
A study found that pregnant women and new mothers in Cambodia use bear products to treat pregnancy and post-partum related ailments. This practice poses a significant threat to bear populations, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to reduce demand pressures.
A recent literature review in Biological Reviews reveals significant knowledge gaps about crocodilians' ecological role, emphasizing the need for future research on population dynamics, feeding and nutrition, and decline impact. The study also highlights San Diego Zoo Global's conservation efforts for crocodilians.
The BioRescue consortium successfully extracted oocytes from a southern white rhino female and created four viable embryos through advanced assisted reproduction technologies. This breakthrough procedure has nourished hope for the survival of the northern white rhino species in the near future.
A new study provides valuable insights into the importance of reducing genetic load in conservation breeding programs, particularly for endangered species like the Pacific pocket mouse. The research suggests that introducing genes from healthier populations can increase fitness and prevent inbreeding.
Researchers from Germany and Vietnam discover two new species and one subspecies of crocodile newts in northern Vietnam, bringing the total of crocodile newt taxa known from the country to seven. The discovery highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts due to habitat loss and overcollection.
A recent study found that 42% of zoo animals were infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, posing a conservation risk to certain endangered species. The study suggests that zoos take preventative measures to limit the spread of the parasite.
Polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea are abandoning their traditional summer habitats due to shrinking sea ice. As a result, they must expend more energy to find food and access whale carcasses, potentially contributing to population declines.
A recent study highlights the urgent need for reforestation and conservation efforts to protect Madagascar's unique lemur species, with over 95% threatened with extinction. Habitat fragmentation has been found to negatively impact lemur populations, particularly folivores, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground conservation action.
A pilot study by the University of South Australia has successfully recorded heart and breathing signals from nine species of Adelaide Zoo's animals using high-resolution digital cameras. The technique allows for remote monitoring of wild animals, potentially leading to earlier detection of illness and reduced vet visits.
Researchers found that elephants display a generalized interest in their dead, with common behaviors including touching, approaching, and investigating carcasses. This suggests that elephants may be experiencing some form of emotional response to death, potentially related to grief or memory.
A new study finds that zoos with large, iconic animals like rhinos and tigers tend to have higher attendance and contribute more to conservation funding. However, the research also suggests that zoos can increase conservation impact by diversifying their species collections.
A study by Trinity College Dublin reveals that zoos with diverse animal collections, especially mammals, and large animals like elephants and tigers, attract more visitors. Higher attendance leads to increased conservation contributions in the wild.
A new study by Russian and American scientists reveals that female tigers face significant challenges balancing work and family life. After giving birth to their cubs, tiger mothers must reduce their home range size, spend less time moving, but move faster when needed to keep their young safe from predators.
The article suggests that large carnivores and zoos can catalyze public engagement with nature and pro-environmental behavior, fostering an emotional appreciation for diverse species. By exploring connections between people, large carnivores, and zoos, this approach provides a rich multifaceted framework for biodiversity conservation.
A new study by OIST researchers reveals that giant land tortoises have impressive powers of long-term recall, demonstrating their ability to recognize individual keepers and learn complex tasks. The study also found that tortoises trained in groups learned faster than those trained alone.
A new national analysis in Japan highlights the potential of entertainment-conservation partnerships to increase public interest in wildlife. The research found that animated shows with animal characters can boost donations to zoo conservation programs, with Kemono Friends being a notable example of its positive impact on public interest.
Conservationists have rediscovered the silver-backed chevrotain, a small deer-like mammal with a silver sheen, in southern Vietnam. Camera trap surveys revealed 275 photos and 1,881 photographs of the species over five months.
Research on zoo animals reveals a bias towards 'popular' mammal species, such as chimpanzees, with globally more fish and birds in zoos. The study suggests that zoos offer unique opportunities to study underrepresented species, contributing valuable insights into animal health, conservation, and welfare.
Leipzig researchers have initiated a global primate study project, ManyPrimes, to address fundamental evolutionary questions. The first study focused on short-term memory in primates, with almost 180 animals from 12 species participating across 11 research stations.
Scientists at UMass Amherst and Perth Zoo have created the world's first accurate, publicly available 3D model of the endangered Southern white rhino. The model will be used for conservation efforts and educational purposes, providing a powerful tool to assess an animal's body condition in the field.
A team of scientists has successfully fertilized seven out of ten northern white rhino eggs using ICSI and frozen sperm from two bulls. The eggs were matured at Avantea in Italy, marking a critical milestone in the BioRescue program aimed at saving the species from extinction.
Research reveals inbreeding depression significantly impacts Helmeted Honeyeater population, with the most inbred birds producing fewer offspring. Gene pool mixing is proposed as a solution to reduce harm caused by inbreeding.
A new study documents the impacts of selective logging on Congo's intact forest landscapes, highlighting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Researchers found that logged habitats have lower tree densities and reduced ape resources, while IFLs retain higher tree densities and more abundant ape populations.
A recent study has found a link between cardiac disease in captive gorillas and male obesity, revealing that thickening of the heart due to scarring interferes with normal heart function. Female gorillas also develop heart disease but less frequently than males, despite living longer.
A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation highlights the importance of incorporating animal social structure into conservation plans. By analyzing individual animal social interactions before, during, and after human intervention, wildlife managers can increase post-translocation success rates.
Researchers discovered six distinct color morphs of the Asiatic golden cat in Northeast India, showcasing unique adaptations to varying habitats and prey. The phenomenon may provide insights into the species' resilience to climate change and habitat degradation.
A new study reveals no significant correlation between galaxy bulge size and spiral arm winding, contradicting a key assumption in Hubble's model. The findings suggest that most spirals may not be static density waves after all.
A new study reveals that female sand tiger sharks exhibit site fidelity to shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast, using them as rest stops or potential mates. The finding suggests that the wrecks are crucial habitats for this endangered shark species, which experienced significant population drops in the last century.
A study published in PNAS confirms that zoos and aquariums hold critical information about more than 98% of known species, including fertility and survival rates. By analyzing data from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), researchers were able to fill large gaps in demographic knowledge for these species.
A new study reveals that petting zoos can harbor highly virulent, drug-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to visitors, mostly children. The study found that animals in petting zoos are a potential source of shedding these pathogens, which can cause serious illnesses.
The study identifies four major problems with the United Nation's Aichi Target 11, including perverse outcomes and ineffective conservation efforts. The authors argue that outcome-based targets for protected areas are needed to achieve biodiversity goals.
A pilot project aims to convert 15.5 ha of palm oil plantations back into rainforest, creating a wildlife corridor for endangered species. The project contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and climate goals by reforested 350 million ha of rainforest and renaturising degraded land by 2030.
A study at Flamingo Land zoo in the UK found that puppet theatre performances increased knowledge of animals and conservation among children and adults by 22% and 18%, respectively. The research suggests that conventional zoos can achieve similar levels of learning through entertainment-driven settings.
A new welfare tool has been developed to track the wellbeing of elephants in human care, using their behaviour and demeanour. The tool is being used by UK zoos and safari parks to assess the impact of changes in animal husbandry and develop facilities that enhance elephant welfare.
The San Diego Zoo's breeding program for endangered Hawaiian birds aims to strike a balance between animal welfare and conservation needs. Researchers studied the welfare of several species, including the 'alalā and 'akikiki, using guidelines from the 'Opportunity to Thrive' model.
Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that the human mutation rate is slower than in our closest primate relatives. This finding may impact conservation efforts and our understanding of species evolution. The study estimated a common ancestor for humans and chimpanzees to have lived around 6.6 million years ago.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that recycling old mobile phones can recover valuable metals, such as gold and coltan, used in their construction. This reduces the incentive to mine gorilla habitats for these minerals, helping to save the species from extinction.
A new study suggests that real-world learning experiences, such as summer camps, can boost key components of learning in children. Researchers found that 4- to 9-year-old kids knew more about how animals are classified after a four-day camp at a zoo.
Researchers found that areas with higher rat complaints had increased trap rates and more garbage, suggesting a correlation between waste and rodent abundance. The study also revealed neighborhoods with high rental units tended to have more rats, possibly due to increased trash and access points.
Researchers use camera-trapping to study the Annamite striped rabbit in Vietnam and Laos, revealing its limited range and vulnerability to extinction. The findings highlight the need for effective conservation efforts to protect this critically endangered species.
A study on elephant trunk behavior could lead to robot hand designs with flexible hands or grippers. Researchers found that elephants apply more force when picking up small particles due to the weakest link theory, allowing them to stabilize and grasp various-sized food items.
A new study reveals that giraffe babies pass on their unique spot patterns to their mothers, with larger spots and irregular shapes linked to increased survival. Researchers used modern imaging techniques to analyze coat patterns in wild Masai giraffes, confirming a 49-year-old hypothesis about heritability.
A University of Exeter study found captive flamingos engage in significant foraging and roam more widely at night compared to daytime hours. The birds tend to be more active at night, mirroring their natural behavior in the wild, suggesting an innate need to remain active.
A recent study by WCS and WWF suggests that the decline of Grevy's zebras may be linked to competitive displacement by livestock, rather than lion predation. The population of Grevy's zebras is stabilizing with recruitment tripling since 2004.
A study by Penn State researcher Derek E. Lee found that community-based conservation management in Tanzania increases wildlife densities and giraffe population growth. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of transferring wildlife management rights to local communities.
A large-scale study examines giant panda habitat use trends and changing threats to their survival, providing scientific evidence of conservation success. However, emerging new threats such as livestock and human disturbance are offsetting gains, highlighting the need for continued protections and adaptive management.
A new study provides a reliable map of Javan leopard distribution, highlighting priority landscapes and fragmented habitats. The predictive model reveals the importance of connectivity between protected areas and human-modified landscapes for the long-term survival of the species.
Researchers have identified nine Northern White Rhino (NWR) cryopreserved cell lines that could serve as a genetic rescue for the critically endangered species. The study found distinct genetic variation between NWR and Southern White Rhino (SWR), with potential for a tailored recovery program.
Researchers have identified valuable pools of genetic material from cryopreserved cell lines, which may help guide a tailored recovery program for the northern white rhinoceros. The study's findings suggest that advanced sequencing technologies and novel reproductive strategies could improve recovery efforts for other endangered species.
Researchers found that over 80% of carnivore species in zoos reproduce during the same time of year as their natural habitats. The study suggests that seasonality is an innate characteristic linked to daylight length and genetic adaptations. This discovery sheds light on evolutionary processes influencing reproductive behavior.
Researchers at zoos and aquariums have published a substantial number of papers on biodiversity conservation and other scientific topics. The study highlights the importance of age, size, and mission statements in determining research output.