Genetic diversity in captive and wild Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) from Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, based on mtDNA control region sequences
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20222.abs The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) population is at a critical point for assessing long-term viability. This population, established from 19 genetically uncharacterized D. matschiei, has endured a founder effect because only four individuals contributed the majority of offspring. The highly variable mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region […]
Use of novel nest boxes by carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) in captivity
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20118.abs Carmine bee-eaters make attractive additions to zoo aviaries but breeding programs have had challenges and limited success. The objectives of this study were to document nesting behavior of Carmine bee-eaters in a captive setting and compare reproductive success between a novel nest box (plastic, 17 × 30 × 22 cm) and a PVC pipe […]
Evaluation of the genetic management of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10089.abs Empirical support for the genetic management strategies employed by captive breeding and reintroduction programs is scarce. We evaluated the genetic management plan for the highly endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) developed by the American Zoo and Aquarium Associations (AZA) as a part of the species survival plan (SSP). We contrasted data collected from […]
Influence of group size and neonatal handling on growth rates, survival, and tameness of juvenile houbara bustards
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1040.abs The influence of group size, sex, year, and environmental enrichment on growth of a large sample of captive-bred houbara bustards was examined, as well as the influence of regular handling on survival. Growth rates of chicks kept in groups of eight were depressed compared with chicks in groups of five. Differences in growth […]
Development of restoration techniques for Hawaiian thrushes: Collection of wild eggs, artificial incubation, hand-rearing, captive-breeding, and re-introduction to the wild
Abstract 10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:43.3.CO;2-7 From 1995 to 1999, two species of endemic Hawaiian thrushes, `Oma`o (Myadestes obscurus) and Puaiohi (M. palmeri), were captive-reared and re-introduced into their historic range in Hawai`i by The Peregrine Fund, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey–Biological Resources Division (BRD) and the Hawai`i State Department of Land and Natural Resources. This paper […]
Reproductive biology and ecology of white-winged trumpeters (Psophia leucoptera) and recommendations for the breeding of captive trumpeters
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(2000)19:13.3.CO;2-R The reproductive biology and ecology of a wild population of white-winged trumpeters (Psophia leucoptera) were studied in southeastern Peru from 1983 to 1987. Because little information is available about any of the trumpeter species and because trumpeters have proven difficult to breed in captivity, information relevant to breeding and management of captive trumpeters […]
Behavioral differences as predictors of breeding status in captive cheetahs
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:43.3.CO;2-O Individual behavioral variation of 44 adult captive-born cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus, was assessed using observer and keeper ratings on a variety of behavioral attributes. Inter-rater consensus was high for most questionnaire items, several of which were significantly correlated with direct behavioral measures recorded in a mirror-image experiment. Principal component analysis was applied to identify […]
Taming parent-reared orange-winged Amazon parrots by neonatal handling
Tameness in parrots is often achieved by artificial rearing, in which chicks are typically removed from parents, fed a liquified or semi-liquified diet by oral gavage and maintained in thermally controlled brooders until they are grown. As an alternate means of rearing birds, we tested whether occasional neonatal human handling of parent-reared chicks might produce […]
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in U.S. zoos: I. individual behavior profiles and their relationship to breeding success
Abstract This is the first part of a multi-zoo study to analyze the effects of captive environments on black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) behavior, breeding success, and well-being. We estimated the reliability and validity of a standardized method of cross-institutional assessment of the behavior of individual rhinoceros. In 1994 and 1995, we asked zookeepers at 19 […]
Approaches to the reintroduction of the Bali mynah
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:43.3.CO;2-3 The Bali mynah (Leucopsar rothschildi) is an endangered bird endemic to the island of Bali, Indonesia. The wild population of approximately 17 birds is confined to West Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat). The species was intensively collected for the bird trade in the 1960s and 1970s, and poaching for the internal […]