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.