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Science and Conservation Center News
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Science and Conservation Center News |
ZooMontana’s Science and Conservation Center Partners With the Milwaukee Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Research Efforts
ZooMontana’s Science and Conservation Center has been involved for the past two years in cooperative research projects with the Milwaukee County Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park (SDWAP). At the Milwaukee Zoo, the project involves the study of a contraceptive vaccine, produced at the SCC, and the duration of contraceptive effects in ovids and caprids (sheep and goats). In most species, the vaccine, known as PZP, lasts for about a year at a time, however, in these two taxon groups, the effects seems to last much longer. Four Dall sheep, native to Alaska and Canada, and five pygmy goats were inoculated in 2006 and blood samples will be analyzed at the SCC for antibody titers (concentrations of antibodies) over the next several years. It may be that one inoculation lasts for up to four years in these and related species. At the SDWAP 14 different species are being treated, including Defassa waterbuck, Altai wapiti, Lowland wisent (bison), Malayan sambar deer, Himalayan tahr, Javan banteng, and mouflon sheep. The SDWAP uses the immunocontraceptive provided by the SCC to manage their herds there and prevent unwanted births., while the SCC is studying the duration of contraceptive effects through antibody studies. Preliminary results were given as an oral paper to the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians annual meeting last September, in Tampa, FL, and additional data will be presented by the SCC’s Kim Frank, at the Sixth International Symposium on Wildlife Contraception, in York, UK, in September.
The issue of population control in zoos is one of the largest current problems zoos face. At present the SCC provides contraceptive vaccine to more than 100 zoos worldwide and has treated more than 100 different species, and partners with the Contraceptive Advisory Group of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
By Jay Kirkpatrick, Director ZooMontana Science and Conservation Center
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