To answer questions relevant to free-ranging populations, scientists
rely on collaborative investigations that examine and account for multiple
factors affecting a system simultaneously.
The CWCR helps establish working relationships among researchers with
different areas of expertise to address problems in the fields of wildlife
medicine and conservation biology. Such
cross-disciplinary, cooperative efforts also benefit studies in captivity where
basic research can be conducted in controlled environments and techniques for
application in the wild can be developed.
Some Current Research Projects
Oregon State University and the Oregon Zoo are coordinating a
multi-institutional pharmacokinetic research project. Musculoskeletal disorder
occur commonly in captive elephants, and, if not treated effectively, may
eliminate potentially valuable animals from the captive breeding population.
Without knowledge of safe and effective doses of anti-inflammatory drugs, it is
difficult to manage either chronic or acute inflammatory conditions in captive
elephants. The investigators are determining appropriate dosage regimens for two
anti-inflammatory drugs frequently used to treat elephants in captivity.
Morris Animal Foundation is funding this research.
The Oregon Zoo is heading a multi-institutional one-year study entitled "Polar bear Stereotypic Behavior and Stress". The project involves 22 zoos housing 58 polar bears. The primary aim is to determine the relationship between stress and the performance of stereotypic behavior. Participating zoos contribute bi-weekly video samples of behavior as well as fecal samples for quantification of cortisol concentrations. The results of this study will be used to improve the housing and management of polar bears in zoos. Funding is provided by Polar Bears Alive.
Pygmy Rabbits
In late 2000, the Oregon Zoo received five Idaho pygmy rabbits with the aim of developing husbandry protocols for maintaining and breeding these rabbits in captivity. This information is being used by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) to develop a captive breeding and re-introduction program for the Washington pygmy rabbit. The wild population of the Washington pygmy rabbit (a subspecies of the Idaho pygmy rabbit) is currently in steep decline. All remaining individuals are now being trapped with the aim of establishing a captive population for re-introduction to the former range. Washington State University, Oregon State University, the Oregon Zoo, and Portland State University are all contributing to the project being headed by the WDFW. Some project support is coming from the Foley-Frischkorn Foundation. Click here for more information.
The parenting behavior of Eidolon bats is being determined through cooperative research at the Oregon Zoo with Portland State University. To learn more about bats and their conservation, visit Bat Conservation International's site.
Brown bears
Oregon State University, the Laboratory of Experimental Atherosclerosis – NIH, and Washington State University are conducting a comparative study to explore the etiology of atherosclerosis. Bears do not develop this disease. Research utilizing in vitro monocyte-macrophage cell cultures will explore the mechanism of the initiation of cholesterol deposition. Funding is provided by the NW Health Foundation.
Oregon
silverspotted butterflies
The Oregon Zoo, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Nature Conservancy,
Lewis & Clark College, and the Wildlife Safari are cooperating to supplement
local populations of this endangered species of butterfly at Cascade Head
Reserve.
Oregon State University, Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife, and USGS
are cooperating on a preliminary study to investigate potential differences in
physiologic levels of selenium and vitamin E in elk. The potential impact of such differences on reproductive
performance will then be explored.
The Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife, and the Oregon Zoo are conducting studies to re-populate areas in the state of Washington where turtles have nearly disappeared due to predation by non-native bullfrogs. Click here for more information.
Studies with Oregon spotted frogs are being conducted as a cooperative effort involving the Oregon Zoo, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife. The aim is to restore populations in the Willamette Valley. Click here for more information.
The University of Botswana, Conservation International - Botswana, and the CWCR are currently collaborating on several research initiatives in the northern Botswana-Zimbabwe-Zambia region. Research efforts with hippos focus on increasing our understanding of the biology and ecology of this species. A team of more than 20 scientists will be working with hippos over a 5-year time period to develop reliable census and tracking techniques to monitor population dynamics, and learn about hippo geomorphologic-hydrologic environmental impact, social behavior, nutritional requirements, reproductive biology, and biophysical ecology (e.g., thermoregulation and energetics). Wise management of wetland ecosystems should be based on an understanding of the ecological impacts and needs of key species (like hippos), and requires implementation through international cooperation. Research results will be directly applied to management initiatives in the region.
Conservation International - Botswana, Oregon State University, and the SW Fisheries Science Center are cooperating on a project to develop and apply field techniques to monitor environmental stress in African elephants in the northern Botswana-Zambia-Zimbabwe region. With recent estimates in excess of 120,000 animals, the elephants in northern Botswana comprise the largest contiguous population remaining on the African continent. Many disease outbreaks appear to be facilitated by increased environmental stress due to changing conditions triggered by climate variability and human activities. Development of novel health-monitoring tools that could guide the management of ecosystems and facilitate the conservation of key species is important. This technology has already been applied to evaluate the effects of coastal pollution on the beluga whales in the St. Lawrence River.
