HISTORY AND STATUS OF SCIENCE PROGRAMS AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 'S CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH CENTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 The Evolution of Science at NZP----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 THE BEGINNING : 1965-1974--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Staffing and Organization ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Science Programs-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Comparative Mammalian Ethology ---------------------------------------------- 6 Golden Lion Tamarin Project----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Research on Zoo Exhibit Animals ---------------------------------------------------------- 7 Veterinary Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Field Studies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 The Ceylon Biological Program--------------------------------------------------- 9 Ecology of Edentates----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 The Venezuela Biological Program ---------------------------------------------- 11 Avian Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Research Syntheses----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 ADVENT OF CONSERVATION : 1975-1984 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Staffing and Organization --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 CRC--Facilities development and staffing------------------------------------------------ 13 The Emergence of Scientific Curators----------------------------------------------------- 14 Science Programs-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Small Population Biology ----------------------------------------------------------- 14 Bioenergetics --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Animal Nutrition------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 Lactation Strategies------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Veterinary Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Field Studies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 SI-Nepal Tiger Ecology Project---------------------------------------------------- 15 Marine Mammal Studies ------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Golden Lion Tamarin (GLT) Reintroduction----------------------------------- 17 Avian communications, mating systems, and ecological plasticity -- 17 White-tailed Deer Ecology ---------------------------------------------------------- 17 Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation, and International Policy ------------ 18 Conservation & Research Center ----------------------------------------------------------- 18 Research on Captive Collections------------------------------------------------- 18 Research on Native Wildlife-------------------------------------------------------- 18 International Training Programs------------------------------------------------------------- 19 The Wildlife Conservation and Management Training Program (WCMTP) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Reproductive Sciences ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Research Syntheses----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 THE RISE OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : 1985-1994 ---------------------------------------------------- 23 Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Staffing and Organization---------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Science Programs-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 i Small population biology and management of captive populations ------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center---------------------------------------------- 25 Landscape Ecology ------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Black-footed ferret--------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Reptile Nutrition ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27 Nutrition and lactation --------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Veterinary Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Field Studies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Marine mammals----------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Desert Tortoise project -------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation, and International ---------------------- 29 Kit Foxes---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 White-tailed deer ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Golden Lion Tamarin ---------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Asian Elephant ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Reproductive Science--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Research Syntheses ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 EDUCATION AND COOPERATION : 1995-2001-------------------------------------------------------------- 35 Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 Staffing and Organization --------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 Science Programs-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 Small population biology and management of captive populations--------------------------------------------------------------- 36 Lactation Studies ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Veterinary Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Field Studies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 White-tailed deer ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Marine Mammals ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Kit Fox Project -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38 Desert Tortoise Program ------------------------------------------------------------ 38 Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation, and International----------------------- 39 Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program ------------------------------- 39 Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program (MAB) ----------- 39 Thamin Ecology Project ------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Asian Elephant ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Reproductive Sciences ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Translating Science for Public Audiences ----------------------------------------------- 43 Research Synthesis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 REFERENCES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 Appendix 1 – Animal Collections ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 55 Appendix 2 – CRC Budget and Finances------------------------------------------------------------ 69 Appendix 3 – List of Acronyms used in Review Document ----------------------------------- 73 ii HISTORY AND STATUS OF SCIENCE PROGRAMS AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 'S CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH CENTER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 1965,Theodore Reed, Director, hired John F. Eisenberg as Resident Scientist, and began a major program in scientific research at the National Zoo. In its modest beginning the program’s research concentrated on the comparative ethology of mammals, and relied heavily on an extensive research collection, as well as the zoo’s exhibit collection. Under Eisenberg’s leadership the program quickly grew in taxonomic breadth to include birds and reptiles. Disciplinary scope also expanded through collaboration within and beyond the Smithsonian and through graduate students, first at the University of Maryland, and later at other academic institutions. Eisenberg and his growing staff initiated a series of long-term field studies that were instrumental in advancing biological exploration in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. These field studies also opened the doors to collaboration with scientists at the National Museum of Natural History, who undertook their own independent studies. At the beginning