Articles tagged with Zoos
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research propose targeted captive breeding programmes to supplement wild animal protection. The study reveals that up to 25% of endangered mammal species and 20-25% of bird species are kept in zoos, with specialist zoos showing greater breeding success.
Eleven Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) member facilities are facing increased demand for chimpanzee care, with a projected 56 new arrivals annually. The study provides a roadmap for resource, infrastructure, and financial planning to support their growth and ensure long-term sustainability.
San Diego Zoo Global takes management responsibility for Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The station is home to over 1,000 bird species, rare mammals, and indigenous communities.
A WSU researcher designed an instructional process to train over 300 employees from diverse countries in custodial duties at the Dubai Mall. The project resulted in a high success rate and has been recognized as a model for efficient, cross-cultural instructional design.
A recent study published in Biology Letters indicates that giant pandas are associated with old-growth forests more than any other ecological variable besides bamboo. This finding suggests that conserving both bamboo and old-growth forests is crucial to protect this critically endangered bear species.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrate species, including humans. The project will focus on 101 species, chosen for their phylogenetic diversity and scientific interest, and will be sequenced within the next two years.
A study found that 75% of Spanish zoos have insecure animal housing, putting invasive species and the environment at risk. Birds are most likely to escape from these areas, emphasizing the need for improved zoo security measures.
Non-human animals, including gorillas and chimpanzees, exhibit knowledge about what they have seen in experiments. The apes reduce checking before choosing when provided with auditory information about the food's location, suggesting metacognitive abilities.
A new study has found that monkey populations in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains are more susceptible to decline than previously thought, highlighting the importance of protecting larger forest areas. The research suggests intervening earlier to preserve habitats and promote corridors between forest fragments.
A University of Florida project, 'Call the Wild,' aims to educate zoo visitors about science through mobile technology. Researchers will test different audio calls, texts, and smartphone applications to determine their effectiveness in engaging visitors in learning about scientific processes.
Galaxy Zoo Mergers allows citizen scientists to compare real images of colliding galaxies with millions of simulated images. This project aims to understand why the universe contains its mix of galaxies, including spiral arms and compact star balls.
Astronomers discover rare 'Green Pea' galaxies through Galaxy Zoo project, finding compact galaxies forming stars at high rates. The galaxies, 10 times smaller than Milky Way and 100 times less massive, are surprisingly active in star formation.
Researchers discovered that infected chimpanzees had lower survival rates and were more likely to die from disease. The study found a significant link between SIV infection and CD4+ T-cell decline, similar to HIV-1 in humans.
Sarah Keenan Jacobi, a Lincoln Park Zoo researcher, has been awarded the prestigious Smith Fellowship to develop a framework for efficiently allocating resources for conservation. The fellowship program will support her research on managing habitat and controlling invasive species such as reed canary grass.
The new protected area covers 187,800 acres of pristine tropical forest in Papua New Guinea's northern coast to interior mountains. The YUS Conservation Area preserves critical habitat for Matschie's tree kangaroos and stores huge amounts of carbon, preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers will analyze stress levels and maternal behavior in wild chimpanzees to shed light on human infant development and health. The five-year study aims to identify stressors of female chimpanzees and their impact on offspring stress, health, and development.
The Urban Wildlife Institute aims to mitigate wildlife and human conflicts in Chicago through holistic ecosystem health research. The institute will utilize sound science to create pragmatic solutions for zoonotic disease threats and urban habitat preservation.
Researchers sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from museum specimens of the thylacine, a marsupial that was declared extinct in 1936. The study found little genetic variation between the two specimens, indicating the species was on the brink of extinction when it became extinct.
Researchers have documented a primate mimicking a sound from another species without specific training, shedding light on the evolution of speech and learning in orangutans. The study's findings suggest that orangutans can learn new sounds and use them voluntarily, opening up new avenues for studying human speech evolution.
Researchers successfully inseminated a female rhinoceros with frozen and thawed semen, resulting in the first live birth of this kind. The achievement holds great promise for preserving endangered species populations.
A Dutch school teacher, Hanny van Arkel, discovered a mysterious gaseous object with a hole in the center while classifying galaxy images on the Galaxy Zoo project. Scientists are now investigating this phenomenon, known as 'Hanny's Voorwerp,' which they believe could be a new class of astronomical object, possibly a quasar.
A recent assessment by the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups suggests that bison can thrive again in large areas from Alaska to Mexico within the next 100 years. The study identified prime locations across Canada and the US, as well as parts of Mexico, where ecological restoration could take place.
The Avian Reintroduction & Translocation Database (ARTD) centralizes information on 128 bird species, 405 release sites and 1,207 events. It provides a valuable tool for wildlife managers to design future programs based on lessons learned from past projects.
Western lowland gorillas have been observed mating in a unique face-to-face position for the first time in the wild. This behavior is rare among primates, with only bonobos frequently employing ventro-ventral copulation.
A new study is working to save the endangered splendid leaf frog by understanding its development and behavior in relation to diet and environment. The researchers are conducting field studies and experiments at Chester Zoo to provide a better idea of the species' nutritional requirements.
A satellite tracking study by The University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service found that saltwater crocodiles can swim long distances for days on end. Three relocated crocodiles were tracked swimming between 10 and 30 km per day.
Female spotted hyenas prefer to mate with 'new arrivals' and males that have built friendly relationships, driving males to choose groups with high numbers of young females. This leads to a dispersal of males due to the higher availability of receptive females elsewhere.
A recent study found that nearly all petting zoos have hand hygiene facilities, but compliance is often low. Food and drinks are commonly allowed in petting zoos, posing a risk to infants and children. Implementing simple measures such as signage and running water can increase hand hygiene compliance.
A Humboldt penguin was found in Alaskan waters, and researchers believe it was brought there by being kept as a pet on a fishing boat. The penguins were probably kept by the crews of the vessels, which would have traveled far north from their native southern waters.
New research at Georgia Tech and Zoo Atlanta shows that giant pandas can discriminate between colors and various shades of gray. The study found that both pandas were able to choose the correct colored pipe in tests, indicating they have some sort of color vision.
A study of zoo lions across the US found that cold temperatures contribute significantly to mane length and density, with up to half of the variation attributed to temperature. The research suggests that lion manes may not be as genetically determined as previously thought.
Researchers found that feeding animals, touching them, and failing to wash hands after visiting petting zoos are strongly linked to E. coli O157:H7 infections. Simple handwashing was shown to be an effective preventive measure against infection.
A collaboration between Princeton University and the Saint Louis Zoo is bringing effective conservation of Grevy's zebras within reach for Samburu pastoral cooperatives, led by Dr. Daniel Rubenstein.
A study at Bristol Zoo Garden and Paignton Zoo Environmental Park found that zoos can inspire children to engage with animals through non-traditional forms of education. However, the research also revealed challenges in conveying scientific and environmental messages, highlighting the need for zoos to adapt their approaches.
A study found that 23% of zoo workers handling primates showed reactivity to the SV40 virus, but most reactions were likely due to cross-reactivity with other polyomaviruses. The study suggests occupational exposure to SV40 among those working closely with nonhuman primates.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is using high-tech satellite maps to count and track endangered species, including elephants and giraffes. The project aims to help conserve wildlife populations living in hard-to-reach locations, such as the Serengeti and South America.
The Apes: Challenges for the 21st Century conference addresses pressing issues affecting gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gibbons, and siamangs in both their natural habitats and zoos. The event brings together leading researchers to develop action plans on conservation, husbandry, and other key topics.
A new form of herpesvirus has been identified as the cause of nearly a dozen young North American zoo elephant deaths. The virus, found to be latent in most African elephants, can spread to Asian species through transmission from infected African elephants in zoos. Early detection and treatment with antiviral drugs can save lives.
A first-ever restocking project will release up to 20 captive-bred black and white ruffed lemurs into the ancestral island nation's rain forests. The project aims to help the animals adjust to their new environment through a 'soft release' approach, while also stimulating conservation-mindedness in local citizens.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta created a virtual reality gorilla exhibit to simulate ape social interaction. The program allows students to become part of a gorilla family, learning realistic behaviors such as submissive postures and interactions with dominant males.