In 1998, the Memphis Zoo created the Conservation Action Network (C.A.N.), the grants division for supporting local, national and international conservation projects for endangered species and their habitats. We firmly believe that every zoo C.A.N. make a difference for the continued survival of the animals and plants we hold in public trust. Since its inception, the zoo has awarded more than $300,000 to zoo staff and our research associates for conducting projects in the U.S., Brazil, China, Latin America, Caribbean, Russia and Africa. The application process is by invite only and has allowed the Memphis Zoo to focus on its core mission for select species and habitats while supporting the professional development and experience of our employees and partner institutions. Each spring the zoo awards $25,000-$40,000 in grant funds to projects that are peer-reviewed by our external scientific advisory committee (SAC). Once these evaluations are completed the CAN board members review the comments and make funding decisions in late April.
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The Memphis Zoo raises conservation dollars through several venues
including operational support, wishing well fountains throughout the
zoo, Individual donors, conservation fund check-off on zoo membership,
donation boxes, and our annual fundraiser Wild World of Wines and Beer.
The success of our projects has been the result of a grass-roots effort
and we thank the Memphis community for all their support throughout the
years. Your continued support of C.A.N. is greatly appreciated – if you
would like to make a donation to C.A.N. and help save our remaining
wildlife please click here to find out how. We would like to Thank our
Scientific Advisory Committee and C.A.N. board for all their time and
resources they devote to making the Memphis Zoo a world-renowned
conservation organization.
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Conservation
Board: |
Dr. Judy Cole –
University of Memphis
Dr. Karyl Buddington – University of Memphis
Dr.
Rosanna Capelatto – Rhodes College
Dr. Mary Ogilvie – Christian Brothers
University
Dr. Ashli Brown – Mississippi State University
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Dr. Joe DeWane – committee chair
Gene Holcomb
Dorothy Kirsch
Steve Priddy
Irvin
Serenco
Brooke Sparks
John Stokes, Jr.
Diana Hull
Steven Underwood
Roger
Knox
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Conservation Action Network Projects Awarded for 2009-2010
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1.
Development of reproductive monitoring techniques for captive
management of endangered Amur and snow leopards
The Amur leopard is a
critically endangered subspecies of the leopard and is in immediate
danger of extinction. A reintroduction plan using offspring from
captive animals has been proposed to restore the Amur leopards’ range
in the Russian Far East and supplement the existing population.
Similarly, the population of the endangered snow leopard is declining
and captive breeding programs are not optimized to their full
potential. Little is known about the reproductive biology of either
Amur or snow leopards. Therefore, the goal of this study is to use a
non-invasive technique to characterize and monitor reproductive steroid
hormones in these leopards to increase the success of captive breeding
programs. The specific objectives are to 1) characterize seasonal
fecal testosterone levels in pubertal and adult male leopards; and to
2) characterize seasonal fecal estrogens and progestins throughout the
estrous cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy in pubertal and adult female
leopards. Fecal steroid hormone concentrations will be analyzed via
enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in both breeding pairs and singletons. Fecal
samples will be collected every other day for 60 days out of each
season. Results from this study will help define differences among
steroid profiles of pubertal and adult animals, determine type of
ovulation, more closely define seasonal changes in reproductive
activity, and assist with pregnancy diagnosis. Knowledge of basic
reproductive factors will enhance the ability of captive breeding
programs to increase pregnancy and birth rates among Amur and snow
leopards, and will aid the in preparation of a reintroduction program
for Amur leopards.
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2. Habitat characteristics of Chinese giant
salamanders in nature and captivity
The Chinese giant salamander
(Andrias davidianus) is classified as critically endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, a
Class II state major protected species in China, and is included in
Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Giant salamanders are in peril because
of habitat loss, their relatively slow growth to sexual maturity (6
years), and poaching for human consumption and medicinal use. Chinese
giant salamander breeding centers and nature reserves have existed for
decades, yet captive breeding has remained difficult and nature
reserves are failing to protect remaining populations. To augment
efforts of breeding centers, we propose a bipartite in-situ (in nature)
and ex-situ (in captivity) study of the habitat requirements of Chinese
giant salamanders in the Foping National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi
Province, China. We will study salamanders in situ to identify local
populations and specific microhabitat use and to quantify vital habitat
characteristics including stream morphology, chemistry, and
temperature, and adjacent vegetation community and canopy cover. We
will study simulated giant salamander habitat ex situ at existing
breeding centers to quantify the same habitat characteristics. We will
analyze data in the laboratory at the Memphis Zoo to identify
differences between in situ and ex situ habitats and define critical
habitat components. This information will then be used in collaboration
with breeding center managers to develop a strategy to incorporate key
habitat features in ex situ breeding centers. |
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3. Evaluation of Human
Serological Tests and Seroprevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis in
Non-Human Primates
Infection with Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon
roundworm, has recently been recognized as an emerging helminthic
disease of both animals and humans. The risk of infection is thought
to be much greater than currently recognized, and the CDC has even
considered the disease a possible agent of bioterrorism. B. procyonis
has a widespread geographic distribution with infection rates in
raccoons as high as 100% and eggs that are extremely resistant,
persisting in the environment for years. Larvae have been found in
more than 120 species of wild and domestic mammals and birds, and have
caused fatal outbreaks on farms and in zoos where raccoon colonies
cannot be controlled. When ingested by a potential intermediate host,
the larvae undergo aggressive somatic migration leading to visceral,
ocular, and neural larva migrans (NLM) – all potentially severe, if not
fatal, and of which there is currently no effective treatment. NLM is
particularly devastating even with only 5% of the larvae invading the
brain. Primates appear to be very susceptible to NLM, and there have
been at least 4 suspected cases at the Memphis Zoo in the last 5
years. Antemortem diagnosis is difficult, often limited to linking
neurological signs with a positive serologic test. However, serology
tests for non-human primates have not been validated. This study hopes
to determine the prevalence and incidence of B. procyonis in zoo
primates and help determine if current reagents and cutoff values for
serologic tests in humans could also apply to non-human primates. If
they do, then current testing could be used as a noninvasive diagnostic
tool for non-human primates.
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4. Mariana Avifauna Conservation Program
Phase V Translocation of Threatened Species
The primary goal of Phase V
of the Mariana Avifauna Conservation Program (MAC) will be the
translocation of the golden white-eye (Cleptornis marcheii). The
golden white-eye is only found on the islands of Saipan and Aguigan.
The introduced brown treesnake (bts) poses a threat to all species
found on Saipan. The biologists for the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands (CNMI) Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) working
with biologists from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service
(USFW) are evaluating factors that will influence the precise details
of the translocation. The destination site chosen by CNMI biologists is
Sarigan, a snake free, human free managed reserve island. The number of
birds translocated will likely be 50 based on data from other
successful translocations. I have included the bio-profiles for golden
white-eyes from the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Captive husbandry
information has been added by Anne Tieber, species manager from the St.
Louis Zoo. Part of the strategy for both species is translocation and
captive management. The secondary goal will be to collect additional
specimens of species designated for captive breeding programs. How many
and of which species will be based on an evaluation of existing
populations currently being managed. It is probable that additional
golden white-eyes, Tinian monarchs (Monarcha takatsukasae) and rufous
fantails (Rhipidura rufifrons) will be collected.
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5. A Behavioral
Observation Study on the Group Dynamics of Subadult/Adult Captive
Francois’ Langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi): A Coming of Age
Story-Part II
Social relationships are a part of all primate
groupings. As means of understanding how these social roles are
expressed in captivity, this observational study will incorporate the
Francois’ langur population currently residing at the Memphis Zoo.
Emphasis will be placed on the factors contributing to social status as
individuals of the group transcend from infant to juvenile to adult
status and take a more active role in the social dynamics of the troop.
The Memphis Zoo Francois’ langur population currently consists of 2
adult females, one adult male, and currently 3 juveniles, (two male and
one female). The study will continue to primarily concentrate on the
interactions of the subadults within the group and towards each other.
In late spring/early summer of 2009, the group is going to be adjusting
to the birth of another infant into the group. This unique social
interaction was not present during the previous part of the study and
will provide further insights into the group dynamics with the addition
of another member. Behavioral observations will emphasize how juveniles
of both sexes will participate in the rearing of the infant.
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6. A novel
approach to chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) detection
and prevention in amphibians
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a
zoosporic fungus that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians. The rapid
global spread of chytridiomycosis has decimated amphibian populations
and threatens the Memphis Zoo’s amphibian collection as well. Detection
of Bd is labor-intensive and traditionally confirmed histologically or
using quantitative polymerase-chain reaction (qPCR) assays to confirm
presence of fungal DNA. We propose the development of a rapid, cost
effective and noninvasive Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS)
screening for Bd to prevent widespread infection of amphibians in the
Memphis Zoo’s collections and build foundations for Bd detection using
the Zoo’s collections to generate discriminative NIRS spectral
libraries for healthy verses Bd infected amphibians across multiple
species. We will calibrate NIRS spectra against qPCR Bd diagnoses to
conduct immediate Bd screening of new additions to the Zoo’s amphibian
collection and research colony. We will study 20 amphibian species
currently housed at the Herpetarium, as well as and the research colony
and local wild populations of Fowler’s toads, Anaxyrus woodhousei
fowleri. |
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