Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Research in zoos: a growth area in conservation

  • Papers
  • Published:
Biodiversity & Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite early menageries being the source of much useful biological information on anatomy and taxonomy, it is only more recently that the potential for research in zoos has been recongnized. Collections of captive animals are unique and irreplaceable resources for conservation; but without research in zoological parks, progress in conservation science would diminish. There is a flow of information from zoo researchers to field scientists that assists in providing new insights into species biology. Reciprocally, data collected in the field enhance efforts in captive breeding. This paper summarizes the new research initiatives undertaken in zoos, e.g., in the fields of reproductive and genetic technologies, and highlights their significance for conservation and management of threatened species. It is evident that zoo research has a vital role in linking in situ and ex situ conservation. This role needs to be expanded and developed to meet the challenge posed by expanding human and declining wildlife populations and ecosystems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amato G.D., Ashley M. and Gatesy J. (1993) Molecular evolution in living species of rhinoceros, implications for conservation. In Proceedings, International conference on rhinoceros conservation and biology (O.A.Ryder, ed.) pp. 114–23. San Diego: Zoological Society of San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benirschke K. and Kumamoto A.T. (1987) Challenges of artiodactyl cytogenetics. Kromosoma 45, 1468–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • CBSG (1992) Genome resource banking for wild species conservation. Minnesota: CBSG (SSC/IUCN).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway W. (1989) The prospects for sustaining species and their evolution. In Conservation for the twenty-first century (D.Western and M.Pearl, eds) pp. 199–363. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig J.L. (1994) Meta-populations: is management as flexible as nature? In Creative conservation, interactive management of wild and captive animals (P.J.S.Olney, G.M.Mace and A.T.C.Feistner, eds) pp. 50–66. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon A.M. (1994) Legalities and logistics of meta-population management. In Creative conservation, interactive management of wild and captive animals (P.J.S.Olney, G.M.Mace and A.T.C.Feistner, eds) pp. 201–6. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dresser B.L., Reece R.W. and Marusuka E.J. (1988) Proceedings, 5th World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity. Cincinnati: Cincinnati Zoo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistner A.T.C. (1992) Research at the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust. Dodo, J. Wildl. Preserv. Trusts 28, 153–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistner, A.T.C. and Sterling, E.S. (eds) (1994) The aye-aye: Madagascar's most puzzling primate. Folia Primatol. 62.

  • Field, D., Chemnick, L., Schobert, L., Cox, C., Garner, K. and Ryder, O. (submitted) Paternity determination in gorillas and orang utans by microsatellite analysis.

  • Foose T. (1988) Globalization of species survival plan programs — the world as megazoo. In Proceedings, 5th World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity (B.L.Dresser, R.W.Reece and E.J.Marusuka, eds) pp 383–91. Cincinnati: Cincinatti Zoo.

    Google Scholar 

  • George M., Chemnick L.G., Cisova D., Gabrisova E., Stratil A. and Ryder O.A. (1993) Genetic differentiation of white rhinoceros subspecies: diagnostic differences in mitochondrial DNA and serum proteins. In Proceedings, International conference on rhinoceros conservation and biology (O.A.Ryder, ed.) pp. 105–13. San Diego: Zoological Society of San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geyer C.J., Ryder O.A., Chemnick L.G. and Thompson E.A. (1993) Analysis of relatedness in the Californian condors, from DNA fingerprints. Mol. Biol. Evol. 10, 571–89.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harley E.H. and O'Ryan C. (1993) Molecular genetic studies of southern African rhinoceros. In Proceedings, International conference on rhinoceros conservation and biology (O.A.Ryder, ed.) pp. 101–4. San Diego: Zoological Society of San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holt W.V. (1994) Reproductive technologies. In Creative conservations, interactive management of wild and captive animals (P.J.S.Olney, G.M.Mace and A.T.C.Feistner, eds) pp. 144–66. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins M. (1988) On the design of zoo researcher programs. Int. Zoo. Yb 27, 9–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IUDZG/CBSG (IUCN/SSC) (1993) The World Zoo Conservation Strategy; The role of the zoos and aquaria of the World in global conservation. Chicago: Chicago Zoological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janczewski D., Golman D. and O'Brien S.J. (1990) Molecular divergence of orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus) subspecies based on isozyme and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. J. Hered. 81. 375–87.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman D.G. (1980) The sociobiology of captive propagation in mammals. In Conservation Biology (M.Soulé and B.Wilcox, eds) pp. 243–61. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman D.G. (1983) Ethology and reproduction of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Zeitschr. Tierpsychol. 62, 1–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman, D.G. (1985) Social and reproductive behavior of the giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Proceedings, international symposium on the giant panda, Berlin (H.G. Klos and H., Fradrich, eds) Bongo 10.

  • Kleiman D.G. (1992) Behavior research in zoos: past, present, and future. Zoo Biol. 11, 301–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman D.G., Beck B.B., Dietz J.M., Dietz L.A., Ballou J.D. and Coimbra-Filho, A.F. (1986) Conservation program for the golden lion tamarin: captive research and management. ecological studies, educational strategies, and reintroduction. In Primates — the road to self-sustaining populations (K.Benirschke, ed.) pp. 959–79. New York: Spinger-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin R.D. (ed.) (1975) Breeding endangered species in captivity. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacy R.C. (1994) VORTEX (software): a stochastic simulation of the extinction process. Chicago and Minnesota: Chicago Zoological Society and CBSG (SSC/IUCN).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindburg D.G. and Fitch-Snyder H. (1994) Use of behavior to evaluate reproductive problems in captive mammals. Zoo Biol. 13, 433–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindburg D.G., Millard S. and Lasley B. (1985) Induced estrus in the cheetah. In Proceedings, American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Annual Conference. Wheeling: AAZPA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loskutoff N.M., Ott J.E. and Lasley B.L. (1981) Strategies for assessing ovarian function in exotic species. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 14, 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loskutoff N.M., Ott J.E. and Lasley B.L. (1982) Urinary steriod evaluations to monitor ovarian function in exotic ungulates 1. Pregnanediol-3-glucuronide immunoreactivity in the okapi (Okapia johnstoni). Zoo Biol., 1, 45–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien S.J. Rolke M.E. and Yukhi N. (1990) Genetic introgression within the Florida panther Felis concolor cryi. Natl. Geo. Res. 6, 485–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olney P.J.S. (ed.) (1977) International Zoo Yearbook volume 17. London: Zoological Society of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olney P.J.S. (ed.) (1980) International Zoo Yearbook volume 20. London: Zoological Society of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olney P.J.S. (ed.) (1986) International Zoo Yearbook volume 24/25. London: Zoological Society of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olney P.J.S., Mace G.M. and Feistner A.T.C. (eds) (1994) Creative conservation, interactive management of wild and captive animals. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • OTA (1987) Technologies to maintain biological diversity. Washington DC: US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer C., Gilbert D.A., Pusey A.E. and O'Brien S.J. (1991) A molecular genetic analysis of kinship and cooperation in African lions. Nature 351, 562–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paine F.L., Miller J.D., Crawshaw G., Johnson R., Lacy R., Smith C.F. and Tolson P.J. (1989) Status of the Puerto Rican crested toad Peltophyryne lemur. Int. Zoo Yb. 28, 53–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabb G.B. (1994) The changing roles of zoological parks in conserving biological diversity. Am. Zool. 34, 159–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder O.A. (1986) Species conservation and systematics: the dilemma of subspecies. Trends Ecol. Evol. 1, 9–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder O.A. (1993) Przewalskis horse: prospects for reintroduction into the wild. Conserv. Biol. 7, 13–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder O.A. and Chemnick L.G. (1990) Chromosomal and molecular evolution in Asiatic wild assess. Genetica 83, 67–72.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder O.A. and Chemnick L.G. (1993) Chromosomal and mitochondrial variation in orang utans. J. Hered. 84, 405–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schaaf C.D. (1984) Animal behavior and the captive management of wild mammals: a personal view. Zoo Biol. 3, 373–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaller G.B. (1993) The last panda. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seal U.S., Ballou J.D. and Padua C.V. (1990) Leontopithecus: Population Viability Analysis workshop report. Minnesota: CBSG (SSC/IUCN).

    Google Scholar 

  • Snowdon C. (1990) Significance of animal behavior research. Ann. Behav. Soc. Newsl. 35, 8–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley Price M. (1986) The reintroduction of the Arabian oryx into Oman. Int. Zoo Yb 24, 179–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soulé M., Gilpin M. Conway W.G. and Foose T.J. (1986) The millenium ark: How long a voyage, How many staterooms, how many passengers? Zoo Biol. 5, 101–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toone W.D. and Wallace M.P. (1994) The extinction in the wild and reintroduction of the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). In Creative conservation, interactive management of wild and captive animals (P.J.S.Olney, G.M.Mace and A.T.C.Feistner, eds) pp. 411–19. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wayne R.K., Bruford M.W., Girman D., Rebholz W.E.R., Sunnucks P. and Taylor, A.C. (1994) Molecular genetics of endangered species. In Creative conservation, interactive management of wild and captive animals (P.J.S.Olney, G.M.Mace and A.T.C.Feistner, eds) pp. 92–117. London: Chapman & Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiese R. and Hutchins M. (1993) The role of captive breeding and reintroduction in wildlife conservation. In Proceedings, American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Regional Conferences. Wheeling: AAZPA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildt D. (1989) Reproductive research in conservation biology: priorities and avenues for support. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 20, 391–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildt D. (1992) Genetic resource banks for conserving wildlife species: justification, examples and becoming organized on a global basis. Anim. Repro. Sci. 28, 247–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, PO Box 551, 92112, San Diego, CA, USA

    Oliver A. Ryder

  2. Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, British Isles

    Anna T. C. Feistner

Authors
  1. Oliver A. Ryder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anna T. C. Feistner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ryder, O.A., Feistner, A.T.C. Research in zoos: a growth area in conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 4, 671–677 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222522

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222522

Keywords

Search

Navigation