Conservation & Science
CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE
Scientific study or research is at the heart of all conservation initiatives. Over the years that animals have been kept in zoos and aquariums much has been learned, however there are still many things about them that are still unknown or unclear.Canadian Endangered Species Plan (CESP) 2011 Report
The Canadian Endangered Species Plan (CESP) involves only Canadian Endangered Species. Its goal is to participate in in-situ conservation either through captive breeding or with educational displays and activities. Originally, the goal was to have at least 5 Canadian Endangered Species Management Plans. To date we have achieved that goal. The Major accomplishments for this year were:
CAZA members were actively participating in and working on the following species:
Whooping Crane: Robert Peel and Dr. Sandy Black (Calgary Zoo) are members of this recovery plan. This year, 2 birds from Calgary have joined the birds from Patuxent Wildlife Research and International Crane Foundation for release. Seventeen (17) captive born chicks are scheduled for release in Louisiana and 18 chicks are headed for Wisconsin.Red Side Dace: Cindy Lee of the Toronto Zoo (TZ) was the CAZA CCP representative for the redside dace (RSD) project. Last year, the Redsided dace work expanded into “Great Lakes conservation” and therefore is no longer a CESP program.
Black-footed Ferret: The Black-footed ferret was extirpated in Canada and has been recently re-introduced. Thirty four ferrets were released into the Grassland National Park in October of 2009. Presently 12 (34%) are still surviving and two of them have produced kits. Marie Franke of the Toronto Zoo is the CAZA CESP representative for this species initiative. Other partners are the Calgary Zoo and Parks Canada.
Burrowing Owl: John Carnio, (CAZA) is the studbook keeper for the burrowing owl captive recovery population. The studbook has been updated and analyzed and breeding recommendations for next year have been made.
Vancouver Island Marmot: John Carnio (CAZA, MRF) has updated and analyzed the VIM studbook for this year and has made recommendations for next year’s breeding and release animals.
Loggerhead Shrike: John Carnio (CAZA) is the studbook keeper for the Loggerhead shrike Captive recovery population. The studbook update is done at least three times per year and the studbook analysis was done in September with the recommendations being sent out prior to the pairing season (March/April).
Spotted Owl: John Carnio (CAZA) is the studbook keeper for the Spotted owl Captive recovery population. There has been no change to this captive population for this year.
Oregon Spotted Frog: This is a new CESP with Dennis Thoney PhD of the Vancouver Aquarium as the CAZA representative on this recovery program. An assurance captive population of the Oregon Spotted Frog has been set up at the Vancouver Aquarium and at the Toronto Zoo.
Download a Power Point presentation of this years CESP report. CAZA members conduct active and collaborative research programs to better understand how to care for the animals in their facilities and also how to better conserve them in the wild. Research programs address areas as diverse as animal husbandry, reproduction, nutrition, behaviour and veterinary care. This knowledge is necessary to feed, house, and care for the animals, to stimulate their reproduction and to keep them healthy. New branches of science, such as genetics, population biology, conservation biology, biotechnology and others, have been added to the long list of areas that serve as necessary foundations for zoo practices.
Research is conducted not only by the institutions themselves but often in partnership with external researchers representing other zoos or aquariums, universities, wildlife agencies and recovery teams. The publications that result from the research share the knowledge gained with people around the world. This combination of research and publication enhances the educational contribution that zoos and aquariums make to their communities and to the world.
CAZA members with research departments have rigourous methods of screening all proposals prior to approval. Several members have made their forms available for information and use as needed. They are available for downloading in Word format:
Photo Credits
Burrowing Owl, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo
Orang-Utans, Toronto Zoo, Ken Ardill
