The Frozen Zoo

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

The Frozen Zoo UCSD and the San Diego Zoo/ Wild Animal Park What is a frozen zoo? • A frozen zoo is a storage facility in which genetic materials taken from animals are gathered and thereafter stored at very low temperatures in tanks of liquid nitrogen waiting to be reprogrammed into stem cells for optimal preservation over a long period of time. This will depend on new scientific advances. Founder: Kurt Benirschke • German-born American pathologist, geneticist • Received his M.D. degree from the University of Hamburg • Became a UCSD Professor of Medicine • Established a genetics laboratory and ran the autopsy service at UCSD • Established at the Zoo a collection of frozen cells and reproductive material in 1976 • This effort was subsequently taken over and expanded by Professor Oliver Ryder, UCSD graduate. Why so important? • Sixth mass extinction: • We are losing species at 10,000 times or more the background rate. • 99 percent of currently threatened species are at risk from human activities. • It may be possible to use stem cells to restore genetic variation lost from critically small populations of endangered species. • We need a “Plan B” since the human population is ignoring the need for preventative action. Currently stored cells: • 19,000 egg, sperm and tissue samples from 1,200 animals representing 310 species. References: • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_zoo • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Benirschke • http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/01/us/frozen-zoo-endangered-species-georgia/ • http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodive rsity/extinction_crisis/ • http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-exotic-animals-20150122- story.html .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Vision Document for the EAZA Biobank Towards EAZA-Wide DNA Biobanking for Population Management
Vision document for the EAZA Biobank Towards EAZA-wide DNA biobanking for population management Vision The EAZA membership will establish dedicated biobanking facilities for the European zoo community. This biobank aims to be a primary resource for genetically supporting population management and conservation research. Introduction The success of EAZA ex situ programmes relies on intensive demographic and genetic management of animal populations. Currently, the majority of genetic management in zoos is individual, pedigree- based management. This often causes problems because for many populations pedigree records are incomplete and relatedness of founders is built on assumptions. Furthermore, many species still have taxonomic uncertainties and for others, their natural history does not lend itself to individual pedigree based management (e.g. group living species). DNA-analysis is a key tool to improve knowledge of a population’s genetic make-up and furthermore ensure that, as far as possible, captive populations represent the genetic diversity of the wild counterparts. Thus, DNA-analysis holds great impact on animal health and welfare. In recent years, molecular genetic techniques and tools have become readily available to the zoo and the conservation communities alike. The ongoing technological advances coupled with decreasing prices will create additional opportunities in the near future. But only if genetic samples are available can we make use of these opportunities and open up for a huge range of possibilities for the use of molecular genetics to help improve future management of EAZA ex situ programmes. Adding a genetic layer to a studbook will provide information such as origin and relatedness of founders, which was previously built on assumptions, and help resolve paternity issues.
[Show full text]
Winter/Spring 2018
Winter/Spring 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: Our Mission: EWC Helps Save a Maned Wolf Pup To preserve and protect Mexican wolves, Page 6 red wolves and other wild canid species, EWC Awarded Multiple Recognitions Page 8 with purpose and passion, through EWC Mexican Wolf Makes World History carefully managed breeding, reintroduction Page 10 and inspiring education programs. Arkansas State University and EWC Team Up Page 12 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 2018 Events Dear Friends of the Endangered Wolf Center Feb. 23 Trivia Collaboration, collaboration, and more collaboration. April 15 This has been the mantra for the Endangered Wolf Center this Volunteer Appreciation past year. Collaboration and partnership are not new to the Dinner Center’s mission, but have risen to the top as a more productive Aug. 25 way to achieve stronger conservation. Polo And our successes are rising as a result. Oct. 20 Over the last five years, I’ve been energized to see many large Wolf Fest non-profit organizations highlight their partnerships and Nov. 17 collaboration with each other. I firmly believe that unity in an Members' Day effort, especially environmental efforts, brings a larger voice to Nov. 24 the issue, and a greater likelihood for success with many working toward one goal. I’d like to Holiday Boutique share with you some of the successes your contributions have helped make possible this year. • Our partners: Our collaboration goes deep with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), For the latest on events, Arkansas State University, Emerson, Wildlife Rescue Center, zoological facilities near and far, visit our website calendar at schools in the St.
[Show full text]
FUTURE of ZOOS SYMPOSIUM, 10-11 February 2012 Canisius College, Buffalo, New York
Design and Architecture: Third Generation Conservation, Post- Immersion and Beyond FUTURE OF ZOOS SYMPOSIUM, 10-11 February 2012 Canisius College, Buffalo, New York Jon Coe, Jon Coe Design <[email protected]> Introduction Will zoos in the next fifty or one hundred years be as different from those today as today’s zoos are from those a century and half century ago? Yes and no. Yes, some zoos will evolve so far as to no longer be considered zoos at all. Early examples of these transcended “unzoos” exist around us today, largely unregarded by the zoo profession. Much heralded personal virtual zoos and Jurassic Park-like theme parks for NeoGen chimeras will also be popular. No, some zoos in less developed regions of the globe will remain much as zoos were in the early 1900’s with simple rows of pens and cages. William Conway, David Hancocks and I, along with several other speakers today, remember zoo facilities of fifty years ago very well indeed, having both experienced them and played our parts in helping to transform them. Some older zoos have relics of their hundred year old past. So looking forward 50 and 100 years isn’t too daunting. In fact science fiction writers have been describing believable future wildlife encounters for us. Examples include Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt” in the Illustrated Man1 and David Brin’s Uplift Series2 which will figure into my predictions later. While aquariums will also undergo dramatic change, especially in response to energy conservation, I have reluctantly left them out of this paper in order to focus on land- based developments.
[Show full text]
2009 Conservation Impact Report
2009 Conservation Impact Report Introduction AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums serve as conservation centers that are concerned about ecosystem health, take responsibility for species survival, contribute to research, conservation, and education, and provide society the opportunity to develop personal connections with the animals in their care. Whether breeding and re-introducing endangered species, rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured animals, maintaining far-reaching educational and outreach programs or supporting and conducting in-situ and ex-situ research and field conservation projects, zoos and aquariums play a vital role in maintaining our planet’s diverse wildlife and natural habitats while engaging the public to appreciate and participate in conservation. In 2009, 127 of AZA’s 238 accredited institutions and certified-related facilities contributed data for the 2009 Conservation Impact Report. A summary of the 1,762 conservation efforts these institutions participated in within ~60 countries is provided. In addition, a list of individual projects is broken out by state and zoological institution. This report was compiled by Shelly Grow (AZA Conservation Biologist) as well as Jamie Shockley and Katherine Zdilla (AZA Volunteer Interns). This report, along with those from previous years, is available on the AZA Web site at: http://www.aza.org/annual-report-on-conservation-and-science/. 2009 AZA Conservation Projects Grevy's Zebra Trust ARGENTINA National/International Conservation Support CANADA Temaiken Foundation Health
[Show full text]
Naturalism, Animal Welfare, and the Evolution of Zoo Design By
Enclosing Nature: Naturalism, Animal Welfare, and the Evolution of Zoo Design by Kristen E. Boyle A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Approved September 2017 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Ben A. Minteer, Chair Karin Ellison Stan Cunningham ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY December 2017 ©2017 Kristen E. Boyle All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Zoos are a unique collection-based institution with deep roots in the social structure of modern society. From their beginnings as elite menageries to display power or wealth, they have evolved into public institutions committed to providing exemplary animal care, and recreational and educational opportunities for visitors. More recently, zoos have developed a series of significant conservation programs and partnerships around the globe, efforts that have proved vital to saving endangered species such as the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), among other species. Intrinsic to the development of modern zoo designs are the interwoven concerns of naturalism and animal welfare. Animal welfare, in particular, has become the paramount responsibility for professionally run zoological institutions as they seek to become centers of conservation and education without compromising animal wellbeing. Animal welfare and naturalism (understood as a design feature in zoo exhibits) are typically harmonious objectives, but these goals have occasionally clashed in implementation. While animal welfare and naturalism are defined in various (and not always consistent) ways in the literature, in-depth interviews of leading professionals and scholars in the zoo community and multi-dimensional case studies of exemplary, accredited institutions (including the Phoenix Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) provide unique insight into the shifting meaning of these terms and how welfare and naturalism have and continue to shape the development of modern zoo enclosures.
[Show full text]
Conservation in Captivity
CAREERS EMPLOYMENT Graduate-degree holders MEDICINE Survey finds high levels of NATUREJOBS For the latest career have higher pay and more jobs p.263 burnout among oncologists p.263 listings and advice www.naturejobs.com facility’s Frozen Zoo, one of the world’s first major collections of cryopreserved cells from zoo animals. In 1980, she initiated the Germ- plasm Repository — a collection of frozen reproductive cells from endangered species that capture genetic diversity, allowing it to be reintroduced into gene pools. In so doing, she DEBRA HUGHES/SHUTTERSTOCK helped to launch the field of gamete research. After her postdoc ended later that year, the zoo offered Durrant a permanent research posi- tion. Now director of reproductive physiology at San Diego Zoo Global, the conservation organization that runs the zoo, Durrant heads a team that designs reproductive-research programmes for rare and endangered spe- cies including giant pandas, rhinoceroses and Przewalski’s horses. “The greater scien- tific community is coming to understand the importance of genetic diversity,” says Durrant. “And zoos harbour the greatest genetic diver- sity anywhere outside of the natural world.” In the past few decades, zoos and aquariums around the globe have transformed themselves. No longer just family destinations and collec- tions of rare, threatened and endangered ani- mals, they are also research institutions with conservation and science at the core of their mission. Zoos are well positioned to manage populations of animals whose numbers are rap- idly dwindling in their natural habitat, and, in some cases, to reintroduce them into the wild. And although they have tended to empha- size captive-breeding programmes, zoos are becoming increasingly focused on field-based ECOLOGY research and on saving species in the wild.
[Show full text]
The San Diego Zoo After 100 Years
The San Diego Zoo After 100 Years Sarah Matteson Defying the Odds The nucleus that evolved into the San Diego Zoo lay in the display of animals at the Panama-California Exposition held in 1915- 1916. So popular did the Exposition become, it carried on for a second year, added the word international, and included an array of animals for viewing along “the Isthmus”— the fair’s fun zone. Thirty-two cages placed © along what is today Park Boulevard, opposite the exposition’s Painted Desert attraction, housed the original assortment of animals—kangaroos, bears, buffalos, lions, leopards, hyenas, wolves, baboons, monkeys, parrots, and cockatoos, to name a few.1 Some of these animals were on loan from Wonderland Amusement Park, but other animal collections dotted the park.2 By the time the Exposition closed on December 31, 1916, Wonderland had closed and the animals were in need of a new home and caretaker. The spark that set into motion the San Diego Zoo as a separate entity has become an almost mythical origin story. In short, it is said that the San Diego Zoo “began with a roar”—a local doctor and his brother were driving past the animal cages when they heard a lion roar. The man, Dr. Harry Wegeforth, thought to Sarah Matteson, a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles with BAs in History and Political Science, is the Education Coordinator at the San Diego History Center where she develops programming for varied audiences. She helped develop interactive elements and provided interpretation for the History Center’s exhibit for the San Diego Zoo centennial “The Lore Behind the Roar.” 105 The Journal of San Diego History himself that San Diego ought to keep these animals for a zoo.
[Show full text]
The Future Is Now: Rests with 12 Precious Cell Lines Preserved Saving the Northern White Rhinoceros in the Frozen Zoo® and New Assisted Reproduction Methods
VOL.1 | 2016 T H E SCIENCE O F SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH With only three remaining in the world, the last, best hope for northern white rhinos now The Future Is Now: rests with 12 precious cell lines preserved Saving the Northern White Rhinoceros in the Frozen Zoo® and new assisted reproduction methods. It’s a wonderful time to be a geneticist. The development of new tools in the fields of genetics is rapidly expanding opportunities for addressing conservation problems. In the interests of the future, we should carefully pursue approaches that can offer an alternative to extinction—and we should not delay. “ –Oliver A. Ryder, Ph.D. Welcome to The Science of Saving Species newsletter! San Diego Zoo Global’s new vision to end extinction inspired us to create a dynamic redesign of Conservation Update. We’ve added more pages and given our scientists more room to share their passion—and explain the science—behind the new technologies and protocols they use every day to ensure a sustainable future for endangered species. For more stories about wildlife conservation breakthroughs from our hardworking team at the Institute for Conservation Research, visit us at institute.sandiegozoo.org. ” How You Can Help Our field research teams all over the world rely on the generosity of donors like you to help achieve San Diego Zoo Global’s vision to lead the fight against extinction. To learn ways you can help, please call Maggie Aleksic at 760-747-8702, option 2, ext. 5762, or email [email protected]. ON THE COVER: Southern white rhinos at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, one of San Diego Zoo Global’s partners.
[Show full text]
Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink
Toward a Sustainable 21st Century Conference Series: Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink Conference Agenda Register Here Conference Themes: • Framing the Magnitude of the Threats and Unmet Challenges • Solutions: Saving Them in the Wild • Solutions: Achieving 30 by 30 Targets • COVID-19 - Opportunities to Save Species • Ex-situ Conservation: The Role of Zoos and Reserves in Reducing Extinctions • Experimenting with Technology to Stop or Reverse Extinction • The Imperative for Action Day 1, February 9th 10am – 1:30pm PST 10:00am Welcome • Tom Udall, Former US Senator, New Mexico Framing the Magnitude of the Threats and Unmet Challenges 10:15am • Carl Safina, Founder and Executive Director, The Safina Center • Leda Huta, Executive Director, Endangered Species Coalition 10:50am Break Solutions: Saving them in the Wild - Part 1 • Chief Executive Officer, Endangered Habitats League 10:55am Dan Silver, • Karl Campbell, Regional Executive Director, Latin America, Island Conservation 11:35am Break Solutions: Achieving 30 by 30 • Brian O’Donnell, Director, Campaign for Nature 11:40am • Suzanne D. Case, Chairperson, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources • Jennifer Norris, California Deputy Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat 12:20pm Break COVID-19 Opportunities to Save Species - Part 1 • Chair of IUCN’s World Commission of Protected Areas 12:25pm Kathy MacKinnon, • Jean-Gael "JG" Collomb, Executive Director, Wildlife Conservation Network • Michael Sutton, Executive Director, The Goldman Environmental Prize 1:15pm Closing
[Show full text]
Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink
Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 7:00pm - 8:45pm Agenda Screening of the film, "Racing Extinction". Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 7:00pm - 8:45pm Crystal Cove Auditorium UCI Student Center 311 W Peltason Dr A, Irvine, CA 92697 Welcome: Margherita Long, East Asian Studies, School of Humanities, UC Irvine Austin Muckenthaler, Orange County Community Foundation Warne Grantees: Laguna Canyon Foundation Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Bolsa Chica Conservancy Screening: “Racing Extinction” WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE 6TH MASS EXTINCTION. In Racing Extinction, a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet. Two worlds drive extinction across the globe, potentially resulting in the loss of half of all species. The international wildlife trade creates bogus markets at the expense of creatures that have survived on this planet for millions of years. And the other surrounds us, hiding in plain sight — a world that the oil and gas companies don’t want the rest of us to see. Using covert tactics and state-of-the-art technology, the Racing Extinction team exposes these two worlds in an inspiring affirmation to preserve life as we know it. From the Academy Award® Winning Filmmakers of “The Cove”. https://racingextinction.com/film/ 1 Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink Friday, March 13, 2020 from 9:00 am- 5:30 pm Agenda Extinction: Solutions for Species on the Brink Conference Friday, March 13, 2020 from
[Show full text]
Frozen Zoo May Hold Hope for Saving the Northern White Rhino
Frozen Zoo may hold hope for saving the northern white rhino By TONY PERRY JANUARY 23, 2015, 7:07 PM | REPORTING FROM SAN DIEGO ola is eating her morning meal of apples and grain and appears ready to take her N antibiotic pills. After feeling poorly for a couple of weeks, she is moving around. This is welcome news to Nola's devoted keepers at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She is one of only five northern white rhinos left on Earth: three of the others are in a preserve in Kenya, and one is in a zoo in the Czech Republic. Nola's recent illness, coming just weeks after the unanticipated death of Angalifu, the park's male northern white rhino, was a pointed reminder of the fragility of her species. At 40, even with care, Nola is near the end of her expected life span, and breeding is no longer seen as an option. Efforts in Kenya to mate the male and the two females have been unsuccessful. But scientists working for the zoo's Institute for Conservation Research say hope may yet exist for the northern white rhino: futuristic technology that might allow it to make a comeback even after the remaining animals are gone. The strategy — a long shot, researchers acknowledge — involves frozen specimens of reproductive material and a surrogate rhino mother from a different subspecies. "You have to be optimistic, but you have to be willing to accept that you're going to fail sometimes," said Barbara Durrant, director of reproductive physiology at the institute.
[Show full text]
An Exploration of the Ethics of Captive Breeding Colleen Mcardle Depauw University
DePauw University Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University Student research Student Work 2015 Zoo Animals, Livestock, and Pets, Oh MY! An Exploration of the Ethics of Captive Breeding Colleen McArdle DePauw University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.depauw.edu/studentresearch Part of the Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation McArdle, Colleen, "Zoo Animals, Livestock, and Pets, Oh MY! An Exploration of the Ethics of Captive Breeding" (2015). Student research. Paper 26. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Work at Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student research by an authorized administrator of Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. McArdle 1 Zoo Animals, Livestock, and Pets, Oh MY! An Exploration of the Ethics of Captive Breeding Colleen McArdle 2015 Sponsor: Professor Vanessa Fox Committee: Professor Jennifer Everett, Professor Kevin Moore, & Professor Dana Dudle McArdle 2 Acknowledgements I first want to thank everyone in my thesis committee for helping me throughout this entire process. I also want to give a special thanks Professor Fox for inspiring my thesis topic, helping me narrow its focus, and spending countless hours editing my writing and advising me. I want to thank my whole family for making runs to the Allen County Public Library this summer when I was laid up from knee surgery, as that enabled me to do research. I wish to thank also my father, Bob McArdle, for helping me edit my entire thesis and giving me some stellar inspiration for some of the solutions I include.
[Show full text]