CREW Cart
Interpreter Resources
2013 Season
042613 version Take Home Message for Zoo Visitors
What are CREW and the Cincinnati Zoo doing to conserve wildlife species around the world? CREW is one of ONLY eight* zoo-based reproductive biology programs in the U.S. CREW is unique because we work with both animals and plants. Our full time staff of 10 represents a group of world renowned scientists working on Signature Projects. CREW scientists take a focused approach to wildlife conservation by developing our Signature Projects in which CREW’s impact can be most significant. In addition, CREW scientists take on other projects as needed e.g., polar bears, otters and waterdogs.
What are the CREW Signature Projects? These are large scale, comprehensive conservation projects. CREW scientists play an integral, leadership role in conserving these species and are world renowned for their work. The Signature Projects are small cats, rhinos and endangered plants. Each project is comprised of five components: o Research o Propagation o In situ protection o Education o CZBG presence (housing/exhibits at the Zoo)
Why is CREW focused on “Saving Species with Science”? There is a global conservation crisis caused by human population growth (7 billion humans) and consumption of the earth’s natural resources also needed by wildlife. There are also a host of other challenges including environmental factors such as climate change, habitat loss, pollution and poaching. We are working to keep endangered species alive and genetically healthy until they can thrive in the wild once again. In captive populations, not all animals are compatible (or physically capable of breeding). Scientists use their knowledge and technologies to produce offspring from genetically valuable parents while reducing risks sometimes associated with natural breeding. Use three legged ocelot that Bill AI’ed as an example Sometimes science and technology are even needed for natural breeding (Sumatran rhino example).
How do our efforts link the work with captive populations to saving species in the wild? CREW scientists develop the technology and tools to collect and freeze genetic materials from wild populations and subsequently produce offspring within captive populations. This allows us to establish genetic flow between wild and captive populations without removing any additional animals from the dwindling number in the wild and/or without moving live animals internationally which can be stressful, expensive and logistically difficult. By developing global management programs, we are connecting the various regional zoo populations to form one larger meta population that maximizes genetic viability. Use the Small Cat Signature project to illustrate
What else does CREW do? CREW scientists provide training to international collaborators and colleagues to build scientific and conservation capacity and help establish a network of skilled researchers in the U.S. and internationally. Few training opportunities are available to provide scientists with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to work with endangered wildlife. Use post doc program and small cat/rhino projects as examples
We are Saving Species with Science right here in Cincinnati!
* Cincinnati Zoo - San Diego Zoo - St Louis Zoo - National Zoo – SeaWorld - Audubon Zoo - Omaha Zoo – Memphis Zoo History of CREW – A Snapshot Across the Decades
CREW was first established in 1981 as the Cincinnati Wildlife Research Federation
In 1991, the state-of-the-art Lindner Center for Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) opened on the grounds of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden becoming the first facility of its kind dedicated to both plant and animals conservation
As it grew and became more established, CREW’s impact became broader then just reproduction and to reflect this growth its name was changed to the Lindner Center for Research and Conservation of Endangered Wildlife
By 2011, CREW was known worldwide for its three Signature Projects: Small cats, Rhinos and Endangered Plants
Goal
CREW’s mission is:
Saving Species with Science®
CREW achieves its mission by using cutting edge technology guided by a heavy dose of common sense and driven by the heartfelt passion of the staff.
Channeling the strengths and expertise of the scientific staff, CREW takes a focused approach to wildlife conservation by identifying a few projects (see Signature Projects) where the scientists believe their impact can be significant.
CREW Cart Inter-actives
FIVE SMALL CAT PHOTO COLLAGE Description: Laminated photo of the Fishing cat, Pallas’ cat, Black Footed cat, Ocelot, and Sand cat (point out to the visitor that all five species are in the Night Hunters exhibit). Suggestion: Discuss that the small cat is a Signature Project of CREW. Choose either the Pallas’ cat or the Ocelot to illustrate the work that is being done by CREW (see material in note book).
OCELOT PELT Description: Full body pelt of an Ocelot Suggestion: Use when discussing the Ocelot work CREW is doing with the Small Cat Signature Project. NOTE: The ocelot pelt is the skin of a Brazilian ocelot named Blue who was imported to the Cincinnati Zoo in 1999 from a zoo in Brazil. Blue sired four litters of kittens at the Cincinnati Zoo. Unfortunately, Blue developed a chronic degenerative eye condition in 2006 and had to be put to sleep by our vets.
SUMATRAN RHINO HAIR, RHINO PHOTOS AND RHINO COMPARISION CHART Description: Card with Sumatran Rhino hair, photos of Indian and Sumatran rhinos and a comparison size chart of the five rhino species Suggestion: Discuss the Rhino Signature Project (see Rhino Signature information) CREW is working on with these two Asian rhinos. Point out that both rhinos are on exhibit at the Zoo and suggest they go to the Canyon during their visit to see the Sumatran rhino which is the rarest in the world and to see Nikki – the only Indian rhino in the world to produce a calf following artificial insemination.
TEST TUBE PLANTS DISPLAY/LEAF PUNCH Description: Plastic display of the various stages of test tube plant growth, artificial leaves, hole punch, tweezers and small Petri dish. Suggestion: Explain in vitro collection (used for plants for which traditional propagation and preservation methods are not adequate) and laboratory plant growth. HOW CAN A LEAF PUNCH SAVE AN ENDANGERED PLANT? • Show or let the visitor use the hole punch to take what would be plant tissue from the artificial plant leaf and then the punch should be placed in the small Petri dish. Explain that the Petri dish has a culture medium. • The leaf punch will go through a series of steps that will produce a test tube plant. The display shows the various steps of growth -- the medium in the test tubes contains salts, sugar, hormones (which tell the plant to grow shoots and roots) and a gelling agent. • The plant will be removed from the test tube, planted in soil and will produce an identical (cloned) plant from which the leaf disc was taken.
May,2012
CryoBioBank TANK Description: A field tank used by scientists to cryopreserve genetic material. In the Tank is a sample cane and straws. Suggestion: Explain cryopreservation (see CryoBioBank sheet) and that this technique is used by both the scientists in the animal and plant divisions. • The CryoBioBank is a treasure chest of wildlife for the future • Briefly go through the steps used by a scientist when they store the genetic material in the tank (use the straws and the cane and stress that the material is place in liquid nitrogen which is -320 degrees F)
POLAR BEAR PELT • Polar Bear skin is black on live Polar Bears. In the tanning process to preserve the hide the color changes. Suggestion -- ask why their skin is black? • Polar Bear fur is clear. It may appear to have some transparent and semitransparent as well as white hair -- these characteristics of the fur area result from the way Polar Bear fur reflects and absorbs light. • The fur does not channel sunlight to keep the Polar bear warm.
POLAR BEAR CLAW REPLICA • The feet of a Polar Bear (a foot is as large as a 12” dinner plate) are as good as any pair of snowshoes or insulated boots • The broad, flat foot spreads their weight over a large surface and makes it possible for them to walk across the ice without breaking through the ice. • The fur between their toes helps with insulation and adds to the traction ability. • The claws contribute to the traction as they walk on ice and snow • Claws can help the bear latch on and hold on to a seal while the powerful jaw is used to eat the seal • The claws are used for digging dens
REPLICA OF A POLAR BEAR CUB AT BIRTH • The cub is 12” to 14” long and weighs about a pound at birth. • They are blind and toothless at birth. Their body is covered with a short, soft fur.
May,2012 Animal Conservation Division Notes
If we can understand the problems with animal reproduction in captivity, then our chances of overcoming those problems and improving endangered wildlife reproduction, in general, will be that much better.
Our scientists conduct research to determine the best ways to improve conditions for reproduction of animals in captivity, including how to create an environment for endangered wildlife to reproduce naturally.
The biotechnology involved in assisted reproduction is a key element in the research conducted at CREW. There is a strong push to develop assisted reproduction as a way of controlling or managing genetic diversity more efficiently and effectively. It’s easier to transport gametes (sperm or eggs) and embryos than to move animals from zoo to zoo to reproduce.
Zoos around the country are very organized in the management of animals. We jointly support Species Survival Plans (SSP) that is designed to help manage many species in captivity. An SSP aims to maintain as high a level of genetic diversity as is possible within the captive population of each animal species.
An SSP serves rather as an animal dating service for conservation of endangered wildlife. The Plan determines which animals should be brought together for breeding purposes. This determination usually means that one animal has to be transferred from one zoo to another.
Moving animals from one zoo to another for breeding purposes is not ideal for many reasons (e.g., an animal's popularity at its home zoo. disruption of social hierarchies, expense, trauma for the animal and possible behavioral incompatibility). Assisted reproduction could provide an alternative to moving animals between zoos and is a very important part of CREW's research.
Through assisted reproduction and genetic banking, we can also transfer genes from the wild into captive populations without removing additional wild animals from their natural habitats. This linkage between captive and wild populations will be essential for the future conservation and genetic diversity of endangered animals.
Plant Conservation Division Notes
In Vitro Collection Procedure
In vitro collection refers to starting plant tissue culture in the field rather than in the lab.
CREW scientists take culture media into the field in small vials that are already pre-sterilized and ready to use.
Small bits of plant tissue are collected from the plants in the field. The tissues might be leaf tissues, buds, stem tissue and/or flower parts.
The tissues taken off the plant are sterilized, or cleaned, by swabbing them with 70% ethanol. For example, the scientists take a whole leaf and swab it; then a hole punch is used to punch disks of leaf tissue. (You can demonstrate this to visitors using materials in the CREW bag)
These little bits of tissue are then placed on the media in the vials, and the vials are transported back to the lab.
In the lab, the tissue is examined to make sure it is clean; if not, it is discarded
Other tissue may be used as well. Often the shoot tip, or bud, is taken (by cutting or pinching off the plant), sterilized with alcohol and put into medium. Occasionally flower buds or tissues might be used, or young seeds.
CREW’s Signature Projects
• CREW coined the term “Signature Projects” in 2001 during strategic planning sessions
• Signature Projects are large scale, comprehensive conservation efforts in which CREW play an integral, leadership role
• Targeted Species under the CREW Signature Projects:
1) Rhinos 2) Small Cats 3) Exceptional Plants 4) Polar Bears
• Signature Projects comprise five components: 1) education, 2) research, 3) propagation, 4) in situ protection, and 5) Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden presence
Small Cat Signature Project
Situation • Of the 37 wild cat species in the world, 28 are small, weighing less than 50 pounds. • Many of these cats are threatened with extinction in the wild but have received little conservation attention compared to the larger cats. • The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has established breeding management programs of small cat species including the ocelot, fishing cat, Pallas’ cat, black-footed cat and sand cat. • As a global leader in cat conservation, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden maintains the most diverse felid population of any North American zoo, including all five SSP small cat species.
Goal • Concerted, collaborative efforts of zoos and other conservation organizations will be necessary if the small cats are to survive and thrive in both the wild and captivity. • CREW’s goal is to ensure that zoos become more effective in breeding small cats in captivity, educate the public about these amazing animals (CZGB Night Hunters) and support research and conservation efforts with wild populations.
Progress • CREW scientists study the reproductive biology of all five small cat species to optimize captive propagation and develop assisted reproductive technologies for population management. • CREW uses tools such as fecal hormone analysis and semen collection to characterize basal reproductive traits in small cats and improve breeding success. • This basic reproductive knowledge also is applied in developing other techniques to produce viable off-spring in ocelots, Pallas’ cats and sand cats. • CREW also works to conserve small cat populations found in Mongolia (Pallas’ Cats), Thailand (fishing cats), South Africa (black-footed cat) and Brazil (ocelots).
May, 2012
Future • Conservation efforts for small cats must be collaborative and international in scope for long term success. • One key for the future will be developing a global management program, connecting the various regional zoo populations to form one larger metapopulation to maximize genetic viability. • CREW’s ongoing research to improve both natural and assisted reproduction of small cats and its international network of dedicated collaborators are invaluable assets linking captive populations with one another and with small cats surviving in the wild.
Note -- there are Fact Sheets on each of the small cats.
May, 2012
OCELOT Southern Brazilian
OTHER NAMES:
LATIN NAME: Leopardus paradalis mitis
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Medium-sized, compact cat has strong spotted and striped coat that provides good camouflage, blending with patches of sunlight breaking through forest canopy. The short, thick pelage is ocher-yellow to orange-yellow in forested areas, grayer in arid scrubland. When the cat crouches, its white underside is hidden. This agile leaper and climber, camouflaged by dappled coat, has a ringed tail and brownish eyes. The hair between the shoulder blades curls while that on the upper neck lies forward.
Head and Body Weight Length Other Male 24.25-35.2 lbs. 25.6-38 in. Tail—10.6-15.7 in. Female 20.00-20.7 lbs. Offspring At Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: South Central Brazil
HABITAT: Forests, steppes
DIET: Wild: Small mammals. birds, and reptiles
Zoo: Nebraska Premium Beef Diet, chicks, beef heart, beef shank
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 15 mos. 8-12 wks 7-10 yrs. Up to 25 yrs. Female 78-82 days 18 mos. 8-12 wks 1-3 7-10 yrs. Up to 25 yrs. Avg. 1
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: Lone female rears kittens in home range of one to four sq. mi. She spends most of time in den after delivering litter—leaves only to drink or hunt nearby. Kittens open eyes at 15-18 days. When litter is one month old, female spends 17 hours daily hunting to find enough prey to feed kittens and self. Many kittens die if food is scarce. The birth interval is two years.
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team INTERESTING FACTS: Neighboring females occupy small home ranges (one to four square miles) that do not overlap while males have ranges (two to seven square miles) overlapping with one or more female ranges. The very strong smell for which ocelots are known marks their territories; ocelots mark range with urine, scrapes, and feces. Usually solitary, they have frequent contact which leads to recognition by sight and smell. An association may last one to two days. During courtship, vocalizations include mewing and yowling. The terrestrial hunt (“hunt-walk”) consists of moving very slowly while watching and listening for prey. As soon as prey is heard, the cat stops, then stalks the prey until it can pounce on its meal. It bites and shakes the prey. Opportunistic hunters in trees, on land, and in water, they also sit and wait for prey to come by. Ocelots will sit 30 minutes to one hour. If no prey appears, the cats move on, traveling two to three times faster than the “hunt-walk.” When cats capture prey, their facial whiskers all point forward like a net, to detect location of prey. Both nocturnal and diurnal, it sleeps in hollow trees or thick vegetation, or on tree branches. It can climb, jump, and swim well. The cat can open its forward-facing eyes three times wider than humans, allowing them to see six times better in the dark. A layer of tissue in the eyes (tapetum lucidum) bounces light back through retina a second time, providing more light for the cat to see by. It is the “eyeshine” seen as a red or green glow in the eyes at night. As the keystone species in the rainforest ecosystems, the ocelot’s control of rodents allows plant life to remain healthy. Importing ocelot pelts was banned in the US in 1972. Ocelot is derived from an Aztec word, tlalocelot, meaning “field tiger.” The Belizean name for ocelot is the same for as the margay. It means “tiger cat.”
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Ocelots in general are listed as Velnerable, IUCN Red List; Southern Brazilian ocelots are endangered in their native habitat.
Perils (that are not the natural order): Persecution by farmers for raids on chickens; deforestation in South and Central America; hunting (Up to 35 pelts are needed for a coat.)
What is CZBG doing? Since CZBG’s focus is on the Southern Brazilian ocelot, it participates in Ocelot Species Survival Plan. The Zoo spearheads the Brazilian Ocelot Consortium (BOC) of ten U.S. zoos and a Brazilian conservation organization. The BOC works to provide professional training to Brazilian colleagues, improve captive breeding of Brazilian ocelots, educate the local populace about ocelots, and restore degraded ocelot habitat adjacent to a large nature reserve. CREW is researching assisted reproductive techniques, and produced the first endangered ocelot from a frozen- thawed embryo transfer in 2000 at CZBG. Four additional pregnancies from frozen embryo transfer were produced in Brazil.
Sources: Carnivore Keepers, CZBG Walker’s Mammals of the World, Ed. by Ronald M. Nowak. 5th ed. (1991) Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. by David Macdonald. 2nd ed. (2006)
Web sites: www.cptigers.org www.sciencedaily.com
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Ocelot Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
Aug. 16, 2000 Birth of “Sihil,” the first ocelot kitten produced by embryo transfer, and the first endangered cat produced from the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos.
2001 Species Survival Plans are established for 5 small cat species by the AZA.
2000-01 CREW scientists collected oocytes from ocelots using laparoscopy, and produced ocelot embryos via in vitro fertilization. These embryos were frozen for later transfer.
May 2002 CZBG spearheads the Brazilian Ocelot Consortium (BOC) of ten U.S. zoos and a Brazilian conservation organization. The BOC works to provide professional training to Brazilian colleagues, to improve captive breeding of Brazilian ocelots, to educate the local populace about ocelots, and to restore degraded ocelot habitat adjacent to a large nature reserve.
Jan. 8, 2003 CZBG’s breeding pair of Brazilian ocelots gave birth to a male kitten, their third kitten in the past year.
2003 Reforestation efforts in Brazil begin with nearly 50,000 native trees planted in the Brazilian Ocelot Consortium habitat restoration area.
2005 Embryos have been produced and cryopreserved for future embryo transfer to generate Brazilian Ocelot kittens. Still awaiting export permit from Brazil.
Aug. 2006 Four Brazilian ocelots are flown from Sao Paulo to zoos in Cleveland and Oklahoma City. They represent new genetic founders for the US population of ocelots.
Sept. 2007 Since it seemed impossible to get permits to export frozen embryos from Brazil to the US, Drs. Bill Swanson and Valeria Conforti went to Brazil. They transferred 24 frozen-thawed embryos into the oviducts of 8 synchronized recipients.
Dec. 2007 Three Brazilian ocelots were born from the September embryo transfers.
Oct. 2008 Healthy male kitten born at Beardsley Zoo. In August CREW scientists performed an AI involving Kuma, a 3-legged female incapable of natural breeding, and a behaviorally aggressive male.
May 2009 CREW Research Associate, Helen Bateman, traveled to Brazil to train two colleagues at Associacao Mata Ciliar (AMC) in enzyme imuno-assay techniques, while establishing a fully functional endocrine laboratory on site.
Jan. 22, 2011 Healthy female kitten born at Beardsley Zoo of the same parents. However, the AI technique was new – laparoscopic oviductal artificial insemination (LO-AI). Instead of injecting the semen into the uterus, the semen was deposited directly into the oviducts. In studies with domestic cats, this more direct approach greatly improved fertility.
2012 After a study using the domestic cat as a model, CREW began freezing sperm in a vegan animal- free, soy lecithin based medium resulting in greater fertility following AI 2012 CREW demonstrated that oviductal AI could be used to produce healthy kittens in ocelots exhibiting physical handicaps (such as the three-legged female in Beardsley Zoo) o r the behavioral incompatibilities (such as the female at the CZBG).
Jan 2013 The female kitten named Revy was born in CZBG on New Year’s Eve as a result of LO-AI procedure. This female kitten represents the 5th pregnancy produced by AI in ocelots and the 2nd resulting from this new LO-AI method.
PALLAS’ CAT
COMMON NAME: Pallas’ Cat; Manul
LATIN NAME: Felis manul; Octocolobus manul
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS:
Coat: long orange-gray with black and white head markings; white guard hairs give it a frosted appearance; belly is light gray; ears are small and rounded. The long tail is black tipped, with a series of five to seven black rings running down its length. Pale gray coat blends with surrounding rocks; flat head and low ears allow it to peek over rocks and bushes without exposing much of itself to prey.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 4.5–11 lbs. 9–11 in. 1.5–2 ft. Female Offspring 0.6 lbs. 5 in. at Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Central Asia from western Iran to western China. Mongolia has largest number.
HABITAT: Mountain regions; desert or dunes. It lives on rocky steppes and stony outcroppings only, and has rarely been seen in the lowland areas. It has been found at altitudes up to 2.9 miles but only in areas where deep snow does not accumulate.
DIET:
Wild: Pikas, hares, and small rodents, such as gerbils, voles and young marmots
Zoo: These cats are fed no raw meat. Chicks, chicken heads, Maximum Calorie Diet
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 68-72 days 8-12 wks 11–12 yrs. Female 68-72 days about 11 mos. 8-12 wks 3 to 6
4/08 COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: Sexually mature before one year of age (determined in captivity and may be related to good nutrition, unsure if this is true in the wild). Pallas’ cats are highly seasonal with breeding season approximately January through March, giving birth mainly in April/May.
Litters generally range from three to six kittens in size; occasionally as many as eight. Like many other felines, the kittens are blind and helpless when borne. The kittens molt around the age of two months and have been observed hunting by the age of three to four months.
INTERESTING FACTS: Solitary nocturnal animal, although it can be active at dusk and early in the morning. During the day it sleeps in rock fissures and small caves. They often den in burrows of other small animals such as marmots, foxes and badgers. Very poor runner; seeks refuge on boulders or in small crevasses when chased. Generally inclined to be aggressive and fearless of humans. Does not typically spit or hiss when approached, but when excited has been observed to yelp and growl. The sound has been described more like the yelp of a small dog rather than the meow of a domestic cat. They have also been observed to purr, similar to a domestic cat.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Lower Risk/Near Threatened, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List
Perils (that are not the natural order): The first basic behavior and ecology studies on the Pallas’ cat are currently under way yet it is already clear that they are facing some serious threats to their survival in the wild. At one time the Pallas’ cat was widely hunted in Mongolia and China for its fur, but hunting it is now prohibited. People are wiping out populations of pika, which is viewed as a pest and a competitor with livestock for grazing. Poisoning kills pikas and reduces their availability to Pallas’ cats; it also affects the health of cats that eat poisoned prey.
What is Cincinnati Zoo doing? Research at the Center for Research for Endangered Wildlife (CREW) and the National Zoological Park established that Pallas’ cats have a pronounced reproductive seasonality controlled by light exposure and that newborns are extremely susceptible to infection with the parasite Toxoplasma. Improved reproductive and disease management based on these findings has enabled the captive population to grow. Studies with wild Pallas’ cats in Mongolia showed that Pallas’ cats are rarely exposed to Toxoplasma in the wild and lack strong immunity to this parasite. In 2007 Pallas’ cat kittens born at the Cincinnati Zoo were reared by a domestic cat who passed on her immunity to the parasite to the kittens. In 2011 CREW produced the first Pallas’ cats by artificial insemination.
An ongoing study in Mongolia is using radiotelemetry to measure range sizes of wild Pallas’ cats.
Sources: Carnivore Keepers, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden The Encyclopedia of Mammals by David Macdonald
Web sites: animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu www.cincinnatizoo.org 4/08
Pallas’ Cat Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2001 Species Survival Plans are established for 5 small cat species by the AZA.
Fall 2002 A breeding facility for Pallas’ cats is established at CREW to investigate their reproductive biology and produce kittens in a disease-free environment. (Pallas’ cats are extremely susceptible to disease.) The colony consists of 4 juvenile Pallas’ cats (2 male-female pairs). Fecal hormone analysis and periodic semen collection were used to monitor reproductive activity throughout the winter of 2002. One female became pregnant and gave birth to 6 kittens.
2003 CREW continues to support field studies in Mongolia exploring the natural history of the wild Pallas’ cat population, including disease exposure. One surprising finding is that the natural ranges of Pallas’ cats are much larger than for other small cats, suggesting the existence of fewer wild Pallas’ cats than predicted by body size alone.
Oct. 2005 CREW scientists, working in collaboration with field biologists in Mongolia, are investigating the reproductive status of wild male Pallas’ cats, including semen collection, analysis and freezing.
Feb. 2007 Dr. Swanson, along with other collaborating scientists, returned to Mongolia. Radio collars had been placed on 16 wild Pallas’ cat males. Using radio telemetry, the field research team relocated the cats for capture, anesthesia, and blood and semen collection. Semen was collected from 6 cats and 85 semen straws were frozen for importation to the U.S.
Fall 2007 Pallas’ cat kittens are highly susceptible to a common feline parasite (Toxoplasma), and if infected during fetal development or from their mother’s milk, often die soon after birth. When one of our Pallas’ cats became pregnant, she was treated with two anti-parasitic drugs. After her five kittens were born, they were fostered onto a domestic cat at CREW who had just given birth herself. All ten kittens doing well.
Spring 2008 Frozen semen collected in 2007 (see above) was used for in vitro fertilization of Pallas’ cat oocytes at the Cinti Zoo. Half of the oocytes cleaved, producing 28 embryos that were transferred into five females at the Erie Zoo and Hogle Zoo.
2008 As in 2007, the same anti-parasitic treatment regimen was used again with two pregnant Pallas’ cats. Each gave birth to three kittens. One litter was hand-raised in the nursery; the other litter was fostered to a domestic cat female. Five of the six kittens survived and are doing well.
June 2009 CREW researchers obtained blood samples from domestic sheep and goats and wild rodents in Mongolia, as well humans there. Not a single sample tested positive for antibodies against Toxoplasma, indicating that Mongolia is similar to island nations such as Madagascar and Australia, where a historical absence of cats prevented Toxoplasma from ever becoming established. Pallas’ cats as well as other creatures never developed innate immunity to the parasite.
June 2011 One of our Pallas’ cats, Sophia, gave birth to three kittens – the first produced by AI. Our success with this new technique – laparoscopic oviductal (LO) AI – in four cat species is changing our assisted reproduction strategy for small wild cats. By depositing semen deep into the oviducts, high pregnancy percentages can be obtained using only a few million spermatozoa, especially important with small cat males that do not produce large sperm numbers. Also, this AI approach may allow us to use frozen semen more effectively.
2012 Subsequent AI attempts using frozen Mongolian semen have yet to result in any pregnancies, but efforts are continuing.
2012 A global population management program between North America and European zoos is under development.
SAND CAT
COMMON NAMES: Sand cat; Sand Dune cat
LATIN NAME: Felis margarita
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS:
The short-legged sand cat’s tan coat blends with the sand. The fur is soft and dense. Its footpads are covered with hair, which insulates the feet from the hot sand. Its large wide- set ears radiate heat. The long black-tipped tail ends with two to six dark bars. These bars are also found on the legs.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 4.4-5.5 lbs. 10 in. 1.3-1.9 ft. Tail—11-13 in. Female Offspring at Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: North Africa, probably to sandy interior of the Sahara, and the deserts of Southwest Asia (northern Iran, southern Afghanistan and Baluchistan) and west of the Caspian Sea, and Arabia
HABITAT: Both sandy and stony deserts. In southern parts of their range, daytime temperatures range from 30 to 135˚F. In the northern parts of their range, it snows in the winter and temperatures can drop to -15˚F.
DIET:
Wild: Primarily small rodents, particularly gerbils, and reptiles. They are particularly adept at catching poisonous snakes such as horned sand vipers
Zoo: Nebraska Premium Beef Diet, mice
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR
Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 8-12 wks to 15 yrs. Female 59-63 d. 6-8 mos. 8-12 wks 2-3
4/08 COURTSHIP AND YOUNG:
In the Sahara, births are reported from January - April, in Turkmenistan during April, and in Pakistan, from September to October. They are not seasonal breeders in captivity. Female sand cats give birth in burrows they may have dug for themselves. The kittens weigh about one ounce at birth, and they are approximately five inches long, with two to three-inch long tails. They first able to walk at 21 days, and they leave their mothers when they are about two thirds to three quarters adult size.
INTERESTING FACTS:
Traveling several miles each night, the sand cat hunts small animals, such as gerbils, lizards and sand grouse, listening for sounds of prey with its large, satellite ears. The ears are set low on its head, allowing the cat to flatten itself to the ground, and sneak up on prey. It often goes after subterranean rodents and its digging skills come in handy with the excavation. During extreme heat, the sand cat cools off in a burrow. Burrows are used interchangeably by different cats and the cats do not change burrows during the day. Sand cats are very sensitive to humidity and have only been observed outside their burrows in the daytime after several days of rain. The sand cat does not drink often as it gets enough moisture from its prey.
CONSERVATION:
Status in the Wild: Lower Risk/Near Threatened, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. Living a nocturnal lifestyle in such a harsh environment, the sand cat is difficult to study in the wild and little is known about its current status.
Perils (that are not the natural order): As the human population increases, more and more of its desert habitat is cultivated and over-grazed by livestock. Illegal hunting for the pet trade may also affect sand cat populations.
What is Cincinnati Zoo doing? The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Night Hunter’s maintains and breeds some of the most genetically valuable small cats in the world. The zoo’s priority is to breed these cats for the Species Survival Plan (SSP) while learning more about the basic reproductive biology of this little studied species. The Center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Wildlife (CREW) scientists employ investigative techniques, such as, fecal hormone analysis, semen collection and evaluation, and sperm freezing. CREW is working with the Al Ain Wildlife Park (AWPR) in the UAE on sand cat reproduction. In 2010, CREW produced the first sand cats by IVF and embryo transfer at AWPR.
Sources: Carnivore Keepers, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Nutritionist, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Web sites: http://members.aol.com/cattrust/wildcats.htm www.cincinnatizoo.org www.felidtag.org 4/08
Sand Cat Time Line Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2001 Species Survival Plans are established for 5 small cat species by the AZA.
2004 The Living Desert zoo in California, where the Sand Cat SSP is based, arranged for the importation of eight sand cats (4 males & 4 females) born in captivity in Qatar. One young breeding pair was sent to the Cinti Zoo. The goal is to breed these cats for the SSP and begin characterizing their basic reproductive biology. A 2-year grant to CREW from the Morris Animal Foundation will fund studies in sand cats to investigate the use of fecal hormone analysis, semen collection and evaluation, and sperm freezing.
Aug. 25, 2005 Birth of two sand cat kittens, produced by natural breeding, increasing the total SSP population to 29 individuals.
Fall 2006 CZBG provides partial financial support to Maartin Strauss of the National Wildlife Research Center of Saudi Arabia where he uses radio telemetry to study the effect of habitat degradation on the ecology of wild sand cats. The ultimate goal is to use frozen spermatozoa to create gene flow between free-living sand cats in Saudi Arabia and captive sand cats in U.S. zoos, without removing additional cats from the wild.
Aug. 2008 Semen was collected from four male sand cats at the Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates, then frozen and imported to the U.S.
Oct. 2009 CREW scientists return to the UAE to use in vitro fertilization to produce 50 sand cat embryos; 21 of these embryos were transferred into four females at the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (AWPR). One female subsequently gave birth to two healthy kittens, the first ever produced by embryo transfer in this species. The remaining embryos were frozen for importation to the U.S. The plan is to transfer these frozen embryos into several sand cat females in U.S. zoos to produce kittens that will represent new bloodlines for the SSP population. (Scientists from the University of Illinois also collaborate.)
June 2010 Additional IVF embryos were transferred into 3 female sand cats at AWPR. Two of the females became pregnant but later lost their fetuses.
CAT Fishing
OTHER NAMES:
LATIN NAME: Felis viverrinus; Prionailurus viverrinus
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Stocky, powerfully built cat with short legs, broad head with six to eight lines from forehead over crown, and short, thick, muscular tail, ringed with black. Short, coarse, gray/brown coat with rows of parallel solid black spots, often forming line along spine. Short, round ears with black backs and white spots in middle. Claws not completely sheathed when retracted. Toes on front feet partially webbed.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 12.12-17 lbs. 22.44-33.4 in. Tail—7.8-12.5 in. Female 12.12-17 lbs 22.44-33.4 in Tail—7.8-12.5 in. Offspring at Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Java and Sumatra to South China and India
HABITAT: Forests, swamps, marshy areas
DIET: Wild: Fish, small mammals, birds, insects, crustacea
Zoo: Nebraska Premium Beef Diet, National Balance Zoological Carnivore Diet, smelt, capelin, beef heart, beef shank
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 15 mos. 8-12 wks 10-12 yrs. Female 63 days 10+ mos. 8-12 wks 1-4 10-12 yrs.
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: Details are scarce. Believed solitary except to breed. Captive animals tolerate one another.
Kittens are born April-June in wild, year round in captivity. Kittens open eyes at 16 days. They eat meat at day 53. Reaching adult size at eight to nine months, they are independent at ten months.
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team INTERESTING FACTS: When swimming, uses short, flattened tail like rudder to control direction in water Tongue, covered with rows of rough bumps (papillae), is rough and holds water when cat drinks. Strip of leathery skin crosses top of nose (just above wet tip) of small cats. Good swimmer Can detect movement within visual field of 280 degrees without moving head Usually crouches on rock or stands back to ambush fish. Swim and dive after fish; use paws to scoop fish out of water. May play with fish in water. Males in captivity have been observed helping females care for and rear the young. It is unclear whether fishing cats repeat this behavior in the wild. In captivity, fishing cats have been observed taking beef to the water and dropping it in, retrieving it, and then eating it. This same washing behavior was mimicked when fishing cats were offered live quail. The fishing cat has also been observed to tap the surface of the water lightly as it searches for prey, perhaps to mimic insects and attract fish. They appear to scoop their prey from the depths of the water and have also been observed playing with fish in shallow water. Fishing cats do not have any documented predators other than man.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Endangered, IUCN Red List (2008)
Perils (that are not the natural order): Wetland destruction including settlement, draining for agriculture, pollution, woodcutting, excessive hunting, fishing, retaliation for raids on poultry and fishponds on farms, pesticides
What is CZBG doing? CZBG participates in the Fishing Cat SSP and helps Thai zoos with captive breeding and genetic management. In 2004, the Fishing Cat SSP and the CZBG funded a field survey by Thai biologists to locate fishing cats in prime wetland areas in southern Thailand. Four months of camera trapping failed to find any sign of fishing cats despite confirmed presence of numerous other wildlife species. This apparent scarcity of Thai fishing cats in the wild provides added emphasis for our companion ex situ project to improve captive breeding and genetic management of the fishing cats housed in the Thai zoos. Subsequent research identified wild fishing cats in two prorected areas, but this species is declining due to habitat loss.
What can people do to help save the fishing cat and its habitat? Shrimp farming in SE Asia in destroying fishing cat habitat. Don’t buy farmed shrimp from Asia!
Sources: Animal. Smithsonian Institution. (2001) Web sites: Carnivore Keepers, CZBG animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed by David Macdonald. 2nd ed. (2006) bigcatrescue.org Great Cats. Ed. by Dr. John Seidensticker and Dr. Susan Lumpkin. (1991) www.cincinnatizoo.org Nutritionist, CZBG Walker’s Mammals of the World. Ed. by Ronald M. Nowak. 5th ed. (1991) Wild Cats of the World by Mel and Fiona Sunquist. (2002)
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Fishing Cat Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2001 Species Survival Plans are established for 5 small cat species by the AZA.
March 2003 Two fishing cat kittens born at the Khao Keow Zoo in Thailand, a result of the Fishing Cat Species Survival Plan (SSP), an international partnership with Thailand, in collaboration with the National Zoo and Nashville Zoo. Through the importation of captive-born fishing cats and frozen fishing cat spermatozoa from Thailand, the Fishing Cat SSP and CREW plan to introduce new founder genes into U.S. zoos and revitalize the genetic variability of our captive fishing cat population.
2004 The Fishing Cat SSP and the Cinti Zoo fund a field survey by Thai biologists to locate fishing cats in prime wetland areas in southern Thailand. Four months of camera trapping failed to find any sign of fishing cats.
2005 Investigation of frozen sperm for in vitro fertilization. Collaborative studies in Thailand may allow importation of new genetic material as frozen sperm rather than living cats.
2007 One individual observed at camera trap – the first in 4 years. Field work being done by Thai field ecologist Namfon Cutter.
2009 Namfon expanded her survey area using 10 new camera traps provided by CREW. Over a 4- month period, she obtained photos of 15 individual fishing cats. Six were captured for placement of radio collars.
June 2009 Three fishing cat kittens born in Cinti Zoo Cat House, the first since 1993. The kittens’ father and mother are descended from wild Thai and Cambodian fishing cats, respectively.
2011 Report by Namfon Cutter indicated that a total of 17 fishing cats were collared since the project began. Five remain and their home ranges tracked. In a total of 541 trap nights, there were 31 individual fishing cats identified.
2012 P&G OSU vet student studied captive fishing cat diets in conjunction with bladder cancer occurrences. The result was that the SSP now recommends captive fishing cat diets contain 75% fish.
2012 Thai biologist Namfon Cutter received her MS degree from the University of Minnesota for her study of wild fishing cats in Thailand
CAT Black-footed
OTHER NAMES:
LATIN NAME: Felis nigripes
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: One of the smallest cats, the size of a small domestic cat. Light brown with dark spots on back and bold stripes, which thicken on the legs and become all black on undersides and pads of the feet. On a broad skull, their large rounded ears are often flatten in an “aggressive” posture.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 3.3-5.3 lbs. 14-16 in. Tail—14.25-17.75 in. Female 2.2-3.5 lbs. Tail—14.25-17.75 in. Offspring At Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Southern Africa (Botswana and Namibia)
HABITAT: Steppe and savanna
DIET: Wild: Rodents, insects (from termites to locusts), spiders, and small lizards
Zoo: Nebraska Premium Beef Diet, chick, mice, beef heart, beef shank
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male Up to 13 yrs. Female 63 – 68 days 8-12 mos. 2-3
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: The black-footed cat is solitary. Opposite sexes come together only for 5-10 hours for breeding. Its loud “meow” may help the sexes find one another.
After giving birth, the female moves her kittens frequently. She has a special alarm call to warn her young to scatter and hide when danger threatens.
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team INTERESTING FACTS: The rarest cat in Africa Has extremely shy and evasive nature Due to the black-footed cat’s habit of sleeping in hollowed-out termite mounds, the Afrikaans name for this cat, miershooptier, means "anthill tiger", The black-footed cat, even as a tiny kitten, has a well-established reputation for being fierce. One observer watched a 3.3-lb. female black-footed cat spend half an hour carefully stalking a 176-lb. male ostrich sitting on a nest. As the cat was about to pounce, the bird stood up (revealing feet that were longer than the cat’s body) and then bolted in a cloud of dust. Like the sand cat, the black-footed cat gets sufficient moisture simply from eating its prey. During the day, the black-footed cat rests under bushes or in an aardvark or porcupine’s old burrow. It emerges at night, stalking prey stealthily under the cover of darkness. In one method of hunting, when prey is spotted, the cat flattens its body against the ground and creeps in closer. Once within striking range, it leaps—up to 4.5 feet high and 6.5 feet across—to capture the prey.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Vulnerable, IUCN Red List (2008). Little is known about the black- footed cat’s status in the wild.
Perils (that are not the natural order): Habitat loss due to over-grazing by livestock, feeding on poisoned foods such as locusts and carcasses set out to target “pesky” jackals
What is CZBG doing? CREW scientists are studying the reproductive biology of the black- footed cat. Since virtually nothing was known about reproduction in these species, they started from scratch using techniques that have proven useful in other cat species. They measure hormone levels in fecal samples to learn about the female’s reproductive cycle. They collect sperm samples from males in captivity to characterize reproductive traits in this species and make sure that males are paired with fertile females. The sperm samples are also used to test different methods for sperm cryopreservation (freezing). The sperm are used for in vitro fertilization. These methods are helping the zoo use sperm collected and frozen in South Africa to produce offspring here, introducing valuable genetics from the wild population into the captive population without removing a male from the wild.
CZBG participates in the black-footed cat SSP.
Sources: Animal, Smithsonian Institution (2001) Carnivore Keepers, CZBG Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. by David Macdonald. 2nd ed. (2006) Nutritionist, CZBG
Web sites: www.animalinfo.org www.cincinnatizoo.org
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Black-Footed Cat Time Line Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2001 Species Survival Plans are established for 5 small cats species by the AZA.
2004 CREW receives a 2-year grant from the Morris Animal Foundation to study the basic reproductive biology of black-footed cats (also sand cats), and develop techniques for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer that will help SSPs better manage these 2 species in zoos. CREW collaborates with San Diego Zoo and the McGregor Museum in South Africa on a project involving the wild population of black-footed cats in South Africa. So far one male has been captured, allowing 15 semen straws to be cryopreserved – enough for in vitro fertilization of hundreds of eggs.
2006 Project continues to investigate the reproductive status of wild black-footed cats, including semen collection, analysis and freezing.
2007 Project studies diseases the cats carry and which diseases are carried by other carnivores in the area that could be passed to the cats. For example, yellow mongoose has been trapped for study.
2007 Researchers spent 5 nights spot-lighting for black-footed cats on two large farms in an arid region at the heart of the cat’s natural range. None were seen. Possibly, they are being poisoned by farmers.
2012 LO-AI procedures conducted with three black-footed cats at CZBG and San Diego Safari Park using frozen founder semen from South Africa. Spontaneous ovulation may confound ovarian synchronization procedures , so fecal hormone monitoring is used to assess luteal status. No pregnancies have been produced yet. AI attempts are continuing and CREW is optimistic that oviductal AI will be successful.
2012 A global population management program between North America and European zoos is under development. Fecal progesterone analysis suggested that one CZBG female was pregnant – but no kittens born Pregnancy results for female BFC at San Diego still pending
Sumatran and Indian Rhinos -- CREW Signature Project
Situation • Although most people think Africa when they hear rhinoceros, the three Asian rhino species (Javan, Indian,and Sumatran) are more endangered than the two African species ( White rhino and Black rhino). • A two pronged approach involving both captive breeding and protection in the wild was established to help ensure the long-term survival of the Sumatran rhinos.
Goal • After unraveling the mysteries of the species reproductive process, CREW scientists now have the information to assist the natural breeding effort and to develop artificial insemination. • Ultimately, the goal is to be able to transfer sperm between wild and captive populations on a global scale to ensure genetic diversity of the Sumatran and Indian rhino while maximizing the number of rhinos successfully reproducing.
Progress • CREW’s scientific breakthroughs led to the birth of the first Sumatran rhino calf breed in captivity in 112 years. • The subsequent birth of two additional calves at the Cincinnati Zoo demonstrated the repeatability of the scientific methods employed. • The same methodologies are now being used by CREW’s Indonesian colleagues in Sumatra. • CREW’s scientific achievements have led to the first and second pregnancy in the Indian rhino by artificial insemination. • The Indian rhino pregnancies were both produced with sperm that had been collected and stored in CREW’s CryoBioBank (see CryoBioBank sheet). • CREW’s viable rhino sperm bank, the genetic life of the founder animals can be prolonged and the genetic potential of the male rhinos that may otherwise never contribute to the captive population can be preserved
Future • By empowering others, CREW scientists believe their work will have an even greater impact on the Sumatran rhino’s struggle against extinction. • Crew scientists are now empowering international colleagues and organizations with information and technologies developed by CREW in an effort to more effectively manage captive and wild populations of Indian and Sumatran rhinos worldwide.
Notes Sumatran Rhino Facts • Only less than 200 Sumatran rhinos exist worldwide. • The wild population has decreased 50% in the last 15 years. • In 2011, the captive population consisted of ten rhinos (three of which were produced at the Cincinnati Zoo) in three countries.
• The status of the Sumatran rhino is critically endangered (IUCN Redlist)
Indian Rhino Facts • Indian rhinos appear armor plated and possess a single horn • Indian rhinos love water. • Worldwide population is estimated at less than 3,000 • Status of the Indian Rhino is threatened (IUCN Redlist)
ANIMAL BIOGRAPHICAL DATA – 2013
SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS
BIRTH DATE IDENTIFYING NAME SEX AND PLACE ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND OTHER
1981 Ipuh M Wild caught near 10/25/1991 Died February 2013 Ipuh, Indonesia 1988 Died September 2009 F Wild caught in Emi Kerinici Seblat National Park 9/13/2001 Back in Indonesia for breeding Andalas M CZBG 7/30/2004 1 white leg Suci F CZBG 4/29/2007 Living at Los Angeles Zoo Harapan M CZBG M 6/23/2012 Living at the Sumatran Rhino Andatu Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Indonesia Sanctuary
Rev. 2/2013 Written by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretative Communications Team
Rev. 2/2013 Written by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretative Communications Team
RHINOCEROS Sumatran
OTHER NAMES: Hairy or Asian two-horned rhino
LATIN NAME: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Smallest and hairiest rhino. It has long reddish-brown hair. Tub- ular ears. Eyes on sides of head. Two small horns, the larger in front. Upper prehensile lip aids in browsing. Solitary, only getting together to mate. This rhino has two-inch long lower canine teeth that are sharp and can be used for slashing.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 1300-2000 lbs. 4-5 ft. 6.5 - 9.5 ft. Female 1300-2000 lbs. 4-5 ft. 6.5 – 9.5 ft. Offspring at Birth 70 – 90 lbs.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Sabah Province of Malaysia (pop. 15 - 30), Sumatra (pop. about 175)
HABITAT: Montane rain forests and mountain forests along streams and river systems
DIET: Wild: Browse (60-80 lbs. daily), leaves, bark, fruit, ginger, mangos, papaya
Zoo: Ficus browse, supplemented in summer with local mulberry, willow, wild grape browse. Also hay, apples, bananas, carrots.
Reproductive Statistics and Behavior Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 7-10 yrs. Unknown 35-40 yrs. Female 15-16 mos. 4-7 yrs. 1-1.5 yrs. 1 Unknown 35-40 yrs.
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG:
5/12 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Solitary, only getting together to mate, males find females in estrus. CREW scientists have determined that estrus occurs about every 21 days. Some aggression may occur before mating. Induced ovulation occurs after mating when the eggs are released from the ovary, fertilized and implanted into the uterus.
Calf stands in about ninety minutes and is nursing within four hours. Calves nurse every four hours day and night and gain about three pounds a day for the first three months, at which time they are eating some browse. At 24-30 months, they leave their mothers to strike off on their own.
INTERESTING FACTS: Smallest and hairiest and one of the most endangered of the five rhino species The only rhino species that has biologically induced ovulation (eggs released only after mating). In 2001, CZBG was first zoo in 112 years to produce a live Sumatran calf in captivity. Since 2001, three calves have been born in the CZBG: Andalas (ancient name for “Sumatra”), Suci (“blessed”), and Harapan or “Harry” (“hope”). Ten in captivity: three in Cincinnati, one in California (Harapan), and six in Indonesia and Malaysia Scientists have found 30 million year-old fossils of hairy rhinos, like Emi. Rhinoceros means “nose horn” in Greek. Horns, like fingernails and hooves, are made of keratin. The tubular ears swivel, providing the rhino with good hearing. Use smell to gain knowledge of surroundings; volume of olfactory passages in snout exceeds volume of entire brain. Poor vision—unable to detect motionless object at distance of 100+ feet. There may be fewer than 200 left in the wild.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Critically Endangered, IUCN Red List (2008); on the verge of extinction
Perils (that are not the natural order): Poached for horn, loss of habitat from logging and Agriculture (palm oil) and invasive species (non-native plants destroying food plants)
What is CZBG doing? CZBG is working in cooperation with the Asian Rhino Specialist Group, International Rhino Foundation, and the Indonesian Department of Forest Protection and Native Conservation to coordinate the continuing conservation programs in both the wild and captivity. In 2007, Andalas was returned to Sumatran reserve for breeding purposes.
Sources: Emi and the Rhino Scientist by Mary Kay Carson. (2007) Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. by David Macdonald. 2nd ed. (2006) Wildlife Explorer, Nov/Dec 2001
5/12 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Sumatran Rhino Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
1984 Efforts to protect Sumatran rhinos in the last remnants of its home range (Indonesia and Malaysia) have been underway since the late 1970s. However, the continued loss of animals in the wild led to the decision in 1984 to initiate a captive breeding program. Four U.S. zoos (Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Bronx and San Diego) have participated in this collaborative effort among Malaysians, Indonesians and Americans. The Asian Rhino Specialist Group (ARSG), International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and the Indonesian Department of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) are coordinating the continuing conservation programs in both the wild and captivity.
1990 Ipuh captured as an adult in Sumatra.
1991 Emi, approximately one year old, was found in a pit trap in Sumatra and was taken to the Los Angeles Zoo.
1995 Emi transferred to CZBG to breed with our Ipuh, the only male Sumatran rhino in the US.
Feb. 1997 CREW’s intensive Sumatran rhino research project is initiated.
Sept. 1997 First successful mating between Emi and Ipuh.
Oct. 16, 1997 Press conference held to announce the first pregnancy at day 29 of gestation.
1997-2000 The scientific discovery that the female rhino is an induced ovulator is key in establishing the safest possible breeding program for the pair, and Ipuh and Emi breed 22 times, producing 5 pregnancies that are all lost before the third month of gestation.
May 26, 2000 Emi and Ipuh breed for the 23rd time.
June 11, 2000 Sixth pregnancy confirmed, and Emi is started on a daily oral progesterone hormone supplement.
Jan. 30, 2001 At day 249 of gestation, Emi’s pregnancy is announced.
Sept. 3, 2001 Emi receives her last dose of the progesterone hormone supplement.
Sept. 13, 2001 Emi delivers a male calf, named Andalas. Gestation was 475 days. Ultrasound and endocrine monitoring likely contributed to the successful birth. Only one other Sumatran rhino was born and bred in captivity-- in India in 1889.
Summer 2003 Andalas moved to Los Angeles Zoo.
Summer 2003 CREW scientist continue to assist the rhino reserves in SE Asia. During a visit this summer, a fertility exam was performed on the male rhino in Indonesia, and an endocrine lab was set up in Malaysia to help ensure that a rhino’s estrus is not missed and/or an early pregnancy is detected.
Fall 2003 Emi’s pregnancy is announced.
July 30, 2004 Emi gives birth to 2nd calf, “Suci,” weighing 75 pounds. Gestation was 477 days. No hormone supplement had been given; she carried the pregnancy to term successfully on her own. ZVOs begin study of the calf’s behavioral development and mother/calf relationship.
March 2005 Dr. Terri Roth visits wild rhino “Rosa” in Sumatra.
Feb. 2007 Andalas moves from the LA Zoo to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia to reinforce the captive breeding program there. Dr. Stoops visits him and brings a portable ultrasound unit donated by Sonosite to study the reproductive cycles of 2 females there, “Rosa” and “Ratu.”
Spring 2007 Announcement of Emi’s pregnancy
Apr. 29, 2007 Emi gives birth to 86-pound male “Harapan.”
Oct. 2007 “Emi and the Rhino Scientist,” a book for young people about Dr. Roth and Emi is published.
2008 Dr. Terri Roth visits Andalas in Sumatra. He weighs about 1,700 lbs and shows interest in the female rhinos.
2008 Harapan moves to White Oak conservation Center in Florida.
Fall 2009 CREW teams up with collaborators at NIH to delineate the specific forms of estrogens produced by Sumatran rhinos. With that information, it should be possible to develop a method of monitoring estrogen metabolites in urine or feces to help with the timing of rhino pair introductions for natural breeding and AI procedures.
Sept. 5, 2009 Emi dies at the age of 21, from iron storage disease.
Feb. 2010 At the SRS, Andalas’ mate Ratu was pregnant, but lost the pregnancy in the second month.
Mar. 2011 Ratu pregnant again.
Apr. 2012 Representatives from the U.S., Malaysia and Indonesia signed a formal letter of intent to work collaboratively to manage the remaining captive Sumatran rhinos as a single global population. Included in this agreement is the intent to exchange biological resources (including sperm) among all countries to enhance reproductive opportunities and to ensure the best genetic matches are possible. Malaysia then verbally agreed to send sperm from their male rhino the CZBG so that CREW can use it to AI the Cincinnati female. A calf resulting from this effort would represent new founder genes for the tiny population.
June 23, 2012 Ratu gives birth to a male calf “Andatu” at Way Kambas National Park in Indonesia. Andalas is the father.
2012 Andalas sperm cryopreserved in Sumatra.
Feb. 2013 Ipuh was euthanized. The cause of death appeared to be old age since he was at least 33 years old-one of the oldest rhinos in captivity.
March, 2013 Andatu continuing to enjoy his life at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia!
ANIMAL BIOGRAPHICAL DATA – 2012
INDIAN RHINOCEROS
BIRTH DATE IDENTIFYING NAME SEX AND PLACE ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND OTHER
12/25/1991 Short horn Nikki F Toronto Zoo 4/05/2005 F 10/25/2005 12/16/2009 Long horn. Manjula The Wilds Long ear hair.
Rev. 5/2012 Written by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretative Communications Team
RHINOCEROS Indian
OTHER NAMES: Greater one-horned rhinoceros
LATIN NAME: Rhinoceros unicornis
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Largest of all rhino species. Brownish-gray, hairless, with folds of skin that resemble plates of armor with rivets. Has only one horn of 8- to 20-inches long. The upper lip is semi-prehensile, well adapted to grasping branches and vines.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 4000 lbs. 5.6-6 ft. 12.1-12.5 ft. Tail—28-31 in.; horn—18 in. Female 3200 lbs. 4.9-5.7 ft. 10.2-11.2 ft. Tail—28-31 in.; horn—18 in. Offspring at Birth: 143 lbs. 2 ft.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Northeastern India (Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal
HABITAT: Flood plain, grasslands
DIET: Wild: Grasses, bamboo shoots, browse, aquatic plants, seeds, fruit, cultivated crops
Zoo: Timothy hay (about one bale per day); fruits and vegetables, including, apples, carrots, and bananas for training and treats
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 7 - 8 yrs. Up to 45 yrs.? Up to 45 yrs. Female 16 mos. 4 – 6 yrs. 1 yr. 1 Up to 45 yrs.? Up to 45 yrs
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: Mating takes place throughout the year. Usually only one Indian rhino calf is born at a time. The female sometimes forages up to 2600 feet from her calf. The calf runs in front of the female when they travel.
Male calves leave their mothers at an average age of 39 months compared with 34 months for female calves. The time between births can be as short as 22 months but usually is two to four years. A calf is driven away by its mother at least one week before the birth of the next calf.
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team INTERESTING FACTS: The Indian rhino wallows in lakes, rivers, and temporary pools. It is the most aquatic rhino, wading and swimming with ease. Active mostly at night, in early morning and in the late afternoon. The middle of the day is usually spent resting, either in the shade or in wallows. Solitary except for females with young The Indian rhino is not territorial. Females have home ranges covering 3.5 square miles. Ranges of breeding males vary from 0.8-3.1 square miles. The range can be temporarily enlarged when food and water supplies are low. The home ranges of dominant bulls overlap with one another, with ranges of weaker males that do not attempt to mate, and with ranges of females. Male rhinoceroses fight for dominance using their sharp lower teeth and not their horns. During these fights, their skin folds help protect sensitive areas. Many male Indian rhinos are aggressive when introduced to females for breeding. Thus, the gene pool for this population has been skewed, with the more aggressive males underrepresented. Charges have been clocked at 35 miles an hour. Despite their bulk, they are nimble and can jump or change direction quickly. The rhino’s horn is composed of keratin fibers, clumped together, sitting on the skull. It is not firmly connected to the bones of the skull. The retail price for rhino horn, after it has been shaved or powdered for sale, has, at times and in some East Asian markets, exceeded $25,000 per pound. Rhinoceroses have excellent hearing and smell but poor eyesight. Prehensile lip gathers tall grasses and shrubs. The rhino folds its tip to feed on short grasses.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Vulnerable, IUCN Red List (2008). The Indian rhino is one of the two greatest success stories in rhino conservation (the other one being the southern white rhino in South Africa). With strict protection from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, Indian rhino numbers have recovered from fewer than 200, earlier in the 20th century, to around 2,500. However, poaching pressure has remained high, leaving recovery precarious without increased and accelerated support for conservation efforts in India and Nepal. Also, more that 85% of these rhinos inhabit one protected area, exposing the population to the risk that a single catastrophe could lead to serious population decline again. Perils (that are not the natural order): Hunting; habitat loss to agriculture What is CZBG doing? A captive breeding program currently exists for the Indian rhino, with CREW scientists assisting institutions to time breeding between their pairs using urinary hormone analysis. Most notably, CREW scientists developed artificial insemination using frozen thawed sperm in the Indian rhino right here at CZBG. We house two female Indian rhinos. In addition, CZBG participates in the Indian Rhinoceros SSP.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. by David Macdonald. Web sites: 2nd ed. (2006) www.animalinfo.org/species/artiperi/rhinunic www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Greater_Indian_Rhinoceros www.cincinnatizoo.org www.rhinos-irf.org/indian/
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Indian Rhino Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2001 CREW initiates the Indian Rhino Conservation Program led by Dr. Monica Stoops. The objectives are: To characterize the follicular, endocrine and behavioral dynamics of the Indian rhinoceros estrous cycle; to develop successful semen collection and cryopreservation techniques; to develop intrauterine AI procedure.
2001-03 CZBG rhino keepers worked to condition female rhino “Chitwan” to accept necessary procedures such as ultrasound. Ultrasound exams were scheduled 3 times a week to monitor follicular growth patterns. Keeper staff also collected urine samples that were analyzed for hormone concentrations. After 2 years of study, the follicular and hormonal dynamics of Chitwan’s estrous cycles were comprehensively characterized. She is a prime candidate for AI in that she is 7 years of age, exhibits regular reproductive cyclicity, and appears free of any reproductive tract pathologies. . . . Meanwhile, a method for collecting and freezing Indian rhino sperm, using custom-made tools, was developed by working with males at the CZBG and the Wilds. Then sperm was collected from the most genetically valuable male Indian rhinos in North America (at CZBG, the Wilds, the Bronx Zoo, and White Oak Conservation Center.
July 2003 First AI attempt in Chitwan using frozen-thawed sperm from CZBG’s male rhino. Ultimately, after six AI attempts, she did not conceive.
2004 A genome resource bank is created specifically for male Indian rhinos. Using a reliable electroejaculation and semen cryopreservation protocol, the top five genetically valuable male Indian rhinos in North America have been targeted for semen collection, cryopreservation and storage. To date, CREW scientists have successfully collected and banked down semen from three of the five males.
2004-05 CREW scientists were enlisted by the Oklahoma City Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo to help in natural breeding efforts for their pairs of Indian rhinos. Both females presented management challenges because they showed minimal exhibition of estrus behaviors traditionally used to time introductions for mating. Regular urine samples were collected from the female rhinos and shipped to CREW for hormone analysis to predict estrus and to time breeding introductions. Also, each institution started daily exposure of the females to male rhino fecal samples during designated times of the estrous cycle to aid in stimulating estrus behavior. This collaborative effort resulted in the successful natural breeding of both females.
Spring 2005 “Nikki” joined the research program.
Dec. 2005 First AI attempt in Nikki.
2006 Both female Indian rhinos are now conditioned to allow AI to be performed without anesthetics.
Aug. 2006 Nikki pregnant after her fourth AI procedure. The semen utilized for this AI was collected two years prior from “Himal” located at the Wilds. This is the first successful pregnancy by artificial insemination in an Indian rhino and the first in any rhino species using frozen-thawed sperm.
Late 2006 Chitwan also pregnant. However, pregnancy was lost early on.
Jan. 5, 2008 Nikki’s calf is stillborn following a full-term pregnancy. Studbook records indicate that first-time Indian rhino moms over the age of ten, like Nikki, have a 50% chance of delivering a stillborn calf.
2008 Documented that for the female Indian rhinos at the Cincinnati Zoo, only 30% of estrous cycles were associated with successful ovulation. A hormone injection was incorporated into our protocol to ensure the females would ovulate each cycle. Both females responded to the deslorelin and successfully ovulated.
2009 Electroejaculation procedures were conducted on two males located at White Oak Conservation Center and The Wilds. These two males are ranked among the most genetically valuable animals in the North American population. The procedure conducted on the White Oak male resulted in a high volume semen sample with excellent motility. A total of 112 straws of semen were banked on this male. The procedure conducted on the Wilds male did not result in enough motile sperm to warrant semen cryopreservation and banking.
June 2009 Nikki pregnant by AI of frozen thawed sperm collected in 2005 from a male “Vinu” at the Bronx Zoo. He was born in 1971; his sperm was collected when he was 34 years old, and the sperm was cryopreserved for over 4 years.
Dec. 2009 New addition to our collection – “Manjula,” a 4 year old female. (Chitwan was moved to another facility in November.)
March 2010 Semen collection, analysis and freezing were conducted on two males at the Wilds.
2010 To increase the feasibility of performing AI procedures at institutions where long-term intensive monitoring of reproductive cycles is not possible, CREW scientists are developing a protocol for timed ovulation.
Oct. 26, 2010 Nikki gave birth to 117 lb male calf that lived 13 hours.
2011 A total of seven estrous cycles were documented in Nikki by urinary hormone analysis and ultrasound exams. In December she successfully ovulated without the use of exogenous hormones. So far no regular estrous cycles have been documented in “Manjula.”
2011 Investigation of the relationship between salivary and urinary hormones throughout the Indian rhino estrous cycle. Research confirmed that salivary hormones do provide similar time-point predictors of ovarian function.
2011 AI project expands to the Montgomery Zoo and the Wilds. The female rhinos at these institutions are proven breeders, but AI has been requested to overcome challenges due to age and/or behavior of the current bulls. Electroejaculation procedures were conducted on two males at the Wilds.
2012 Female Indian rhino at Montgomery Zoo now pregnant after 3rd AI procedure (due May 2013). Polar Bear Project
Situation
Climate change is making life hard for wild polar bears. Arctic ice is melting, (video footage of change in sea ice over the years from 1978-2008) and bears depend on the ice for hunting. The environment below and surrounding ice drifts attracts microorganisms, which attract fish, which attract ringed seals, which the polar bears eat. Polar bears are spending more time swimming and looking for ice and less time eating; they can’t store up enough fat for their long fasting periods. Some bears may drown from swimming too long in search of ice and many cubs can’t keep up with their mothers in the water for long swims.
Goal
To help develop a sustainable captive population, CREW scientists are studying the reproductive physiology of polar bears in an effort to increase the number of individuals in zoos. They recently finished a 3-years study in which they monitored both male and female polar bears at 18 different institutions in the US and Canada. Females were monitored to determine whether or not whey cycling and males were monitored to characterize reproductive seasonality. Their newest project includes trying to improve pregnancy rates by administering hormones to help females ovulate.
Results and Progress
They learned that, although most pairs are breeding, few cubs are produced. Most females appear to be cycling and males show increases in testosterone appropriate to the breeding season. There were no differences between bears living at high versus low latitudes.
Because of the growing interest in assisted reproductive techniques in polar bears, scientists at CREW are collecting sperm opportunistically and developing protocols to store the sperm in the CryoBioBank. CREW scientists were the first to collect polar bear sperm and were also the first to perform an artificial insemination of a female polar bear.
The reproductive research being done at CREW is contributing to the effort of saving polar bears with science.
Future
Polar bears exhibit delayed implantation (aka embryonic diapauses), in which the embryo stops growing and enters a state of dormancy for months, before implanting in the uterine wall and resuming growth at the end of the summer. CREW scientists are working to develop a test to determine the presence of an embryo diapauses.
Polar bears can also experience pseudopregnancy, in which the fecal steroid profile of a non pregnant female will look identical to that of a pregnant female. CREW scientists are looking for other markers in feces (like proteins) that might be useful in developing a pregnancy test for polar bears. CREW’s education outreach programs are inspiring teens to take action to help save Polar bears and their Arctic habitat. High school students attend Scientists for the Future overnights at CREW where they learn about research and conservation efforts. CREW partners with Polar Bears International, to engage teens in Leadership camps and national contests to raise public awareness of the plight of Polar bears and engage communities in energy saving and conservation action.
ANIMAL BIOGRAPHICAL DATA – 2012
POLAR BEAR
BIRTH DATE IDENTIFYING NAME SEX AND PLACE ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND OTHER
12/13/1989 Large male; slight limp in left leg Little One M Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo 1/042007 12/28/1998 Smallest polar bear; slender head and Berit F Denver Zoological Gardens 6/30/2000 body
Rev. 5/2012 Written by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretative Communications Team
BEAR Polar
OTHER NAMES: Sea bear
LATIN NAME: Ursus maritimus
APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Compared to other bears the polar bear has a slender body, covered with thick yellowish white fur, and a small head set on a long neck. An outer coat of long guard hair that sticks together when wet, forming a waterproof barrier to keep the bear dry protects the dense, thick undercoat of fur. Even though polar bears look white; their hair is really made of clear hollow tubes filled with air. The hind legs are longer than the front ones, which causes their back to slope forward. They have small ears and sharp claws and teeth. The tail is three to five inches long.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Shoulder Head and Body Weight Height Length Other Male 880-1320 lbs. Up to 5.3 ft. 6.5-8.3 ft. Female 440-770 lbs. Up to 5.3 ft. 5.8-6.5 ft. Female is smaller than the male. Offspring 1.3 lbs. at Birth:
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Along the coasts and inland streams and lake of Alaska and Canada in North America, Greenland, Norway, and Russia
HABITAT: Arctic, tundra, and woodlands
DIET: Wild: Ringed seal. Walrus, beluga, narwhal, small mammals. Some bearded, harp, and hooded seals. Waterfowl and sea birds.
Zoo: Meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables
REPRODUCTIVE STATISTICS AND BEHAVIOR Sexual Weaning Number Lifespan in Lifespan in Gestation Maturity Age Offspring Wild Captivity Male 10-11 yrs. 18 mos. Early 20’s Mid to late 30’s Female 5-11 months 5-6 yrs. 18 mos. 1-4 Mid 20’- Mid to late 30’s Avg. 2 early 30’s
COURTSHIP AND YOUNG: Polar bears are solitary but come together for mating for a week or two. Breeding is typically observed in April or May, and the female mates once every three to five years. She is an induced ovulator and delays implantation until mid-September or mid-October. The pregnant female digs a maternity den in the fall. The den, no larger than a telephone booth, can be 40 degrees warmer in
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team than outside. A female polar bear can give birth and nurse her young while still in winter sleep. The young are born between November and January when the mother is in the den. The finely haired cubs are blind at birth and depend on their mother to keep them warm and fed. They weigh less than two pounds at birth and cannot regulate their own body temperature. Having 35% fat, polar bear milk, the richest milk of any bear species, helps the cubs grow quickly. By the time the cubs are two to three months old, they weigh about 22-26 pounds and are ready to leave the den, usually sometime in March or April. Cubs leave their mother at two and a half years.
INTERESTING FACTS: When the temperature outside drops, many bears stay warm by making a den and sleeping. Blubber (two to four inches thick) helps insulate the polar bear, acts as a nutritional reserve, makes them buoyant, helps maintain body temperature (98.6˚F) even when the outside temperature is -34˚F. Polar bears brumate (become lethargic). They do not hibernate. Their body functions slow down into a “winter sleep,” a term used because the bears can easily be awakened. Polar bears sleep seven to eight hours per day. They conserve energy by napping. Polar bears can see well under water. They can swim up to 60 miles without rest. Polar bear’s toes on large forefeet are partially webbed for efficient swimming. Their rear legs act like rudders to help the bear steer. Hairy soles of the feet aid as insulation and help them walk effectively on the ice. The hair on the feet also muffles the sound of their approaching when sneaking up on a sleeping seal. With a keen sense of smell, these bears can smell a seal on the ice 20 miles away. Polar bears are patient hunters; they will wait hours for a seal to emerge from a hole in the ice. Polar bears clean their fur by rolling in the snow. Built to stay warm in their cold habitat, polar bears sometimes have to cool off in chilly water. The yellow coat color, especially visible in the summer, is created by ultraviolet light.
CONSERVATION: Status in the Wild: Vulnerable, IUCN Red List (2008)
Perils (that are not the natural order): Hunting, habitat loss, global warming
What is CZBG doing? CZBG participates in the Polar Bear SSP, leads the reproductive research effort in zoos and works in conjunction with International Polar Bears International to help save polar bears.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. by David Macdonald. Web sites: 2nd. ed. (2006) animals.nationalgeographic.com Polar Bears (Zoobooks ) www.polarbearinternational.com www.sandiegozoo/animalbytes
3/09 Written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteer Interpretive Communications Team
Polar Bear Time Line
2008-2012 Conclusions of fecal steroid metabolite monitoring
detect ovarian activity identify non-pregnant individuals cannot discriminate pregnancy from pseudopregnancy
March 2012 First polar bear AI attempt in Seneca Park Zoo - challenges include:
Efficacy of hormones? Timing of insemination? “Fertile” semen? Older female, contraceptives
New projects…..
New semen collection method Ovulation induction study
AMPHIBIAN RESEARCH AND PROPAGATION INITIATIVE
Situation Amphibians are experiencing a global crisis. From loss of habitat to the emergence of deadly diseases, amphibians are facing extinction at higher rates than any other group of animals. Over a decade ago, CREW scientists responded to the crisis and initiated research to address captive breeding challenges in toads. Today, this research has expanded to include one of the most endangered salamander species in the United States, the black warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis).
Goal Recognizing that numbers of black warrior waterdogs have declined precipitously in the wild and the cool, flowing water required by the species has become exceedingly rare in extent and quality, CREW implemented a conservation strategy to safeguard their survival. Through long-term biological monitoring, establishing captive assurance populations and conducting zoo-based research, CREW aims to conserve this North American amphibian and the aquatic ecosystem in which they live.
Progress/Future By learning the necessary techniques of captive reproduction and long-term husbandry for black warrior waterdogs, CREW will both establish a safety net for a species that might otherwise go extinct and help conserve genetic diversity of the remaining wild population. Developing innovative hormone regimens and artificial fertilization techniques will further increase reproductive output and provide the assurance population needed to bolster wild stock.
Aquatic Salamanders Species: Black warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis) Status: Endangered (IUCN redlist) Waterdogs are fully aquatic salamanders that maintain bushy, red external gills throughout their lives. The waterdog employs the reproductive strategy of internal fertilization, a trait no commonly exhibited by amphibians. After laying up to 60 eggs on the underside of a rock, a female waterdog will guard her clutch until the eggs hatch. Waterdogs are carnivores, preying on small fish, mussels, crayfish, insects and insect larvae.
Waterdog Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
Fall 2008 Initiation of study to ensure the long-term survival of the Black Warrior waterdog, one of the most endangered salamander species in the U.S. This large, gilled, aquatic salamander lives in the Black Warrior River Basin of Alabama, but fewer than 1,000 of are left. Their habitat of less than 2,000 acres is severely fragmented, and its quality continues to decline. The CREW study will survey and collect biological data on reproduction, health and water quality of this species. These data will be critical for developing and promoting a conservation breeding program.
Nov. 2008 Dr. Monica Stoops and head amphibian keeper Erik Keyster examined 8 water sources in Alabama for the presence or absence of waterdogs. They verified that reproduction occurred during the 2008 breeding season. Water quality was examined and GPS recordings were made for adult, sub-adult and larval stage individuals.
Summer 2009 Our scientists use a mark-recapture technique to study waterdogs and determine population trends. When a waterdog is captured, a unique identifying set of marks is given using a visual implant that is administered subcutaneously. The marks fluoresce when seen under black light. If a marked waterdog is caught again later, data is compared.
Spring 2011 The Aquatic Salamander Lab is established at CREW with 3 species - Black Warrior (endangered), Gulf Coast and mudpuppies.
Fall 2011 Waterdogs are being tested for the presence of an infectious fungus that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide. And, while conducting the in situ surveys, a small DNA sample is obtained from captured waterdogs prior to their release. Early findings suggest that the gene flow among Black Warrior waterdog populations has been reduced due to its pronounced reproductive seasonality and narrow geographic range.
2012 Several male waterdogs released spermatophores. Their sperm is 900um in length or 18 times longer than a human sperm cell.
2012/2013 CREW’s captive population (all species) has successfully produced spermatophores and eggs during this breeding season.
Otter Time Line Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2003 Wild otter populations are in decline globally due to habitat loss, poaching, and water pollution, and most captive otter populations have had inconsistent breeding success. This year CREW scientists have been analyzing fecal hormone levels and seminal traits in two otter species, the Asian small-clawed and North American river otters. A total of 25 otters from 10 participating institutions are being studied to increase our knowledge of otter reproduction.
2004 Our endocrine research program went to Brazil which has most of the 60 giant otters in captivity. Studies typically require that fecal samples be collected from specific individuals of known sex, but giant otters use a common latrine making such practice virtually impossible. Fortunately, hormone levels in mixed latrine samples were sufficient to characterize one pregnancy and several pseudopregnancies.
2005 In North American river otters, fecal testosterone analysis has allowed us to document their reproductive seasonality to determine the optimal time for semen collection during the spring months. Semen also has been collected successfully from the Asian small-clawed otter for our sperm freezing studies. Initial results suggest that cryopreservation of otter sperm will be a challenge. Sperm cryopreservation protocols used successfully with other carnivores have proven to be detrimental to otter spermatozoa.
2011 Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest of all otter species and are very social, living in large family groups. However, zoological institutions often must house these otters in single-sex groups and unfortunately, aggression sometimes develops among them. It has been proposed that Deslorelin, typically used as a contraceptive, might help to reduce aggression. CREW scientist studied behavior and fecal hormone levels including cortisol as a possible indicator of stress, in seven single-sex otter groups. The results provide the first scientific evidence that Deslorelin can be effective as a contraceptive in this species, but also indicate there is a need to evaluate other non-hormonal factors that may be associated with aggression.
2012 CREW continues to monitor otters at CZBG and other institutions to predict parturition dates.
CryoBioBank®
The purpose of the tanks is to keep valuable genetic material cryopreserved, meaning frozen at very low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. In this manner, the material will remain viable for future use. Maybe 100 years from now the genetic material can be used to generate new offspring of valuable plants and animals. Cryopreservation is a very important part of what CREW scientists do on a day-to- day basis. The tanks hold thousands of specimens of animals and plants. Seventy-five (75) species of animals ranging from toads to elephants. Animal samples include embryos, sperm and oocytes (unfertilized eggs). Some samples date back as far as 1982. There are over 125 different plant species. The animal and plant samples are stored in small vials or straws and maintained frozen in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -320°C.
The CryoBioBank can serve many purposes in helping to propagate endangered wildlife and plants. For instance, CREW has produced ocelot offspring using frozen embryos and Indian rhino using frozen sperm. Plants grown from frozen seeds or tissues can be used to help restore wild populations.
CREW’s CryoBioBank will continue to serve as a resource of genetic diversity for endangered populations of plants and animals now and in the future.
CryoBioBank is a registered trademark of CREW C vs. F F = 1.8 (C) + 32 -320 degrees F = 1.8 (-196 degrees C) + 32 = - 320.8 degrees Temperatures on tanks show – 320 degrees F and – 196 degrees C
Autumn Buttercup Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
2005 Autumn buttercup is one of the rarest species native to the west U.S. Fewer than 20 plants existed by 1988 at one site in Utah. The Nature Conservancy purchased the site, now known as the Sevier Valley Preserve, and 200 more plants were found. Since then, the number has declined. CREW researchers produced plants from a small number of seeds, using tissue culture propagation. The plants were sent to The Arboretum at Flagstaff for acclimation to soil conditions and future planting in the preserve.
2007 In June 130 plants were ready to be returned to their home site in Utah. Half were planted near the remaining small population, and half 200 meters away in a slightly wetter location. Each plant was measured and tagged. They were watered once a week for the first month, and then they will be monitored yearly for the next five years for survival. More plants will be added, with the goal of returning at least 300 plants to the site. (This project represents a collaborative effort between CREW, the Nature Conservancy, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, and Utah Valley State College. Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.)
2010 Plants propagated through tissue culture at CREW and sent to Flagstaff in 2008 and early 2009, having been acclimatized to local conditions, had grown robust and healthy. A team from the collaborating institutions outplanted them in June, reserving a few at the Flagstaff Arboretum in order to begin an ex situ population there. A thick layer of thatch formed by a native rush had become dominant at the planting site. Later in the summer, the plants seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Voles might have been responsible – perhaps the vole population increased due to the thick layer of thatch. So emphasis will now be placed on building up the ex situ population at Flagstaff.
Endangered Plant CREW Signature Project
SITUATION • The exact number of endangered plant species is not known yet, but it has been estimated that from 10% to 30% of the flora is in danger of being lost worldwide. • The causes for this include habitat loss to agriculture and development, competition from invasive species, over-collecting of medicinal and other plants of special interest and climate change. • The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation is a worldwide effort to document and conserve the world’s plant diversity. • The Plant Division at CREW contributes to several of the strategy’s goals: 1) ex situ conservation (the preservation of plants, seeds and tissues in protected collections 2) the production of plants for recovery of species in the wild 3) the development of protocols for the above activities 4) the importance of educating students and visitors of plant conservation
GOAL CREW’s plant Division is contributing to the conservation of the world’s flora by developing and applying protocols of nontraditional methods of propagation and preservation of exceptional plant species ( those that produce few or no seeds in the wild; plants with short-lived seeds) that need them, and using these methods for the recovery of species in the wild.
May,2012
Endangered Plant Signature Project/Protocols
The Plant Division is concerned with the preservation of endangered plant species. The two primary goals are to: o Propagate endangered species, and o Preserve them for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen. It is important to preserve rare and endangered plant species because each plant species is unique and may hold unique benefits for humans. Each species also pays a unique role in the ecosystem. (Try to emphasize our interest in plant species as important in themselves rather than “plants as background in the ecosystem”). Many endangered plant species propagate well by seed or cutting but sometimes that is not the case. When plants do not propagate either by seed or cutting, we turn to in vitro methods of propagation.
In Vitro Collecting
CREW's Plant Division has been a pioneer in the use of the method of In Vitro Collecting. This is a technique for starting tissue cultures in the field. Small pieces of tissue are removed from the plant in the wild, sterilized and placed into small vials of sterile medium. There is minimal disturbance to the plant and the samples are very fresh when they are placed onto the medium. They can then be easily transported back to the lab where they are grown using tissue culture.
Pictures of In vitro collecting
How does plant tissue culture work? Seeds, cuttings or small pieces of tissue are obtained from stock plants or from plants in the wild and placed into containers of sterile medium consisting of mineral salts, sugar, plant hormones and a gelling agent. Tissues are grown in test tubes or other sterile containers, such as Petri dishes. All materials used must be free of contamination and work is done in a sterile work space, or Laminar flow hood. Plant hormones stimulate the growth of shoots and roots in order to regenerate whole plants from the tissue that was put into sterile culture. Plants in tissue culture are placed in an incubator room that is temperature, humidity and daylight controlled to simulate growing conditions in the natural habitat.
Pictures of test tube plants, Laminar flow hood, incubator room.
CREW’s Frozen Garden
The collection of plant samples within the CryoBioBank is called the Frozen Garden. There are over 125 different plant species represented in the Frozen Garden. Samples include shoot tips, pollen, seeds and spores. Avon Park Harebells Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
This endangered perennial herb exists in only three populations in the scrub habitat of central Florida. In collaboration with researchers at Archbold Biological Station (ABS), multiple shoot tips were collected from over 200 plants to initiate tissue culture lines.
2003 Procedures for propagating this species in vitro were developed, and plants were acclimated to soil and sent to ABS, as well as to collaborators at Historic Bok Sanctuary. One plant has been planted into a wild site at ABS and the project will eventually return several hundred plants back into the wild.
2010 CREW’s Plant Division has been collaborating with others to increase the number of plants of this species and return them to the Wild. CREW scientists first developed effective tissue culture and cryopreservation protocols. CREW is producing plants to augment the population at Carter Creek. In order to alleviate some of the shock of outplanting, portable camping showers are used to keep the soil moist when the plants are first put in the ground of their natural habitat.
2012 CREW propagated and sent over 100 plants to Bok Tower for incubation with controlled temperatures which closely resemble those in the field. In August, 87 of these plants were transferred to Archbold Biological Station to be outplanted at a protected site. All the plants died due to a scale outbreak.
2013 In March 2013, 25 of the plants resprouted and it is expected that more will progress.
In addition to producing young specimens for outplanting, CREW scientists are cryopreserving the many tissue culture lines maintained here. Each line has a unique genetic make-up, and before the tissue is banked in the CryoBioBank, the DNA is analyzed to provide a genetic “fingerprint” of the line. The Avon Park Harebells does not produce prolific seeds in the wild, making seed banking difficult and tissue banking necessary. Cumberland Sandwort Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
Cumberland Sandwort plants have been propagated using tissue culture, and these methods have been used to produce plants that have been outplanted in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. Tissues have also been banked in CREW’s Frozen Garden.
2005 In September, 77 acclimated plants representing seven genotypes of the Cumberland sandwort were sent to the U.S. Forest Service for an experimental out-planting in the National Forest. After one month, the survival rate was 68%. Ultimately, 36 plants survived the winter and were thriving.
2009 More plants added to the Daniel Boone NF site. Northern Wild Monkshood Time Line Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
The monkshood plant is also known in Europe as wolfs bane, which according to legend acts to prevent werewolves from being affected by the full moon. The endangered northern monkshood occurs at only two Ohio sites, Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve in Hocking County and Gorge Metro Park in Summit County, near Akron.
2003 Shoot tips collected from Crane Hollow, OH. Successfully established culture.
2004 Protocol used for Hocking Co. population was applied to the highly imperiled population in northeastern Ohio where runoff containing road salt was causing alarming declines.
2006 Plants cloned through tissue culture at CREW were planted in two locations in the Gorge Metro Park. The population in the park has rebounded from only 13 plants in 2000 to 190 plants, thanks to the diversion of salt runoff from above the gorge.
2007 The success of the salt diversion prompted ODOT to construct an improved salt diversion trench, and the park district received grant money to expand their efforts to restore the monkshood.
2010 CREW’s Plant Division has been growing this plant for several years, developing tissue culture propagation protocols and then working with collaborators from the Summit Metro Parks to produce plants to augment the small population there. However, after several attempts, none of the plants from CREW that were planted at the site survived. In the summer of 2010, in an attempt to make the plants tougher, several were planted the raised beds behind CREW. After dying back last fall, the plants reappeared in spring 2011, growing bigger and healthier and producing flowers.
2011 Several plants from the CREW beds were sent to Akron to see if they can survive winter there. Four-petal Pawpaw Time Line Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
The Four-petal Pawpaw is found only in southeastern Florida, in Martin and Palm Beach Counties. It is threatened by loss of habitat to the growing human population of the region. Its conservation is further complicated by the fact that the seeds cannot be stored using traditional seed banking procedures. CREW researchers in the Plant Research Division have developed methods for propagating this species through tissue culture and for cryopreserving shoot tips from the cultures in liquid nitrogen. They have used the method of in vitro collecting to initiate cultures from a wide variety of genotypes and these are being banked for long-term germplasm storage. Plants are also being prepared for outplanting.
2003 In order to identify genetically distinct individuals, CREW researchers screened the Four-petal pawpaw tissue culture lines using RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis.
2007 CREW continues to partner with other researchers, working with 20+ species of endangered plants from Florida. Using tissue culture to propagate and preserve some of Florida’s rarest species, the goal is to return these plants there to supplement the wild populations. Running Buffalo Clover Time Line
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
The only Federally endangered plant in Hamilton County. It is found in 5 states, from Missouri to West Virginia, but with fewer than 100 occurrences over that range. It is thought that this plant was once much more abundant, adapted to the disturbance created by the native herds of buffalo that once roamed this region.
Several years ago CREW initiated tissue cultures of running buffalo clover to provide plants for display in our Endangered Species Garden. Because of this, we were asked by the Kentucky office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to produce plants to outplant at sites in Kentucky. CREW is using tissue culture methods to produce plants of multiple genotypes for this project. By March 2012 over 300 plants were in soil, with several hundred more in culture that will soon be ready for outplanting in several locations in Kentucky.
Subsequently, 75 plants were outplanted at Eastern Kentucky University. In addition, over 300 plants have been over wintered and will be outplanted at a later date.
LOCAL FLORA PROJECT
Situation The Greater Cincinnati area has undergone immense changes over the past 200 years, including the species of plants that inhabit the region. Some natives remain, but their habitat has become more restricted, and they share space with non-native species. Scientists, past and present, have collected and preserved pressed specimens of plants from this region and have conducted inventories of natural areas, providing lists of plant species found in those locations.
Goal CREW is computerizing past and present records of plants and their locations in this region and making this information available for researchers and students.
Progress/Future A computerized database for plants in the Greater Cincinnati area has been created known as Flora Finder. The database currently contains over 30,000 entries, from herbarium records at the University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University, as well as from plant surveys of the region. Flora Finder is accessible online and can be used by students and teachers as the basis for a variety of educational, plant-related projects, in conjunction with resources (GPS units, plant presses, etc.) available at CREW. CREW researchers will continue to add to the database, providing a resource for the future.
Flora Finder Location: 50 mile radius of downtown Cincinnati Species status: All species, past and present, in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Originally, the Greater Cincinnati area was primarily woodland habitat, but today there is a metro area of over one million people with natural areas largely in parks and preserves. It is thought that the federally endangered running buffalo clover, a native species, is now endangered because it depended on bison for its habitat.
Many non-native species share space with native species, and some non-natives have become invasive, taking over habitat from native wildflowers and trees.
Scientists have been studying and collecting plant samples in this region for more than 150 years, providing a wealth of information on our native flora.
Flora Finder provides a way to access this information for a glimpse into the past and a resource for the future.