We examine a conservation problem in which the recovery of an endangered species depends on a captive breeding and reintroduction program. The model is applied to the case of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), an endangered species in North America reliant on captive breeding for survival. The timing of reintroduction is an important concern in these programs as there is a tradeoff bet...

The present study was motivated by a recent anomalous finding between individual competitive performance and reproductive output in brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). White et al. (2002c) found that adult males who were housed with juveniles outcompeted adults who were housed with other adults when they were brought together to compete for mating opportunities. Although the males in groups...

Intraspecific social systems vary considerably as a function of environmental parameters (Lott 1984, Behaviour, 88, 266–325). For example, nonmonogamous species may engage in facultative partner preferences and parenting to offset the costs associated with harsher breeding conditions. Because no field or laboratory research has examined nonmonogamous meadow voles under suboptimal conditions (e....

Male cowbirds, juveniles and adults, were maintained in one of four condi­ tions: (a) visual and auditory deprivation from males, (b) visual but not audi­ tory deprivation, (c) social isolation, and (d) full contact with males. Their songs in the breeding season were tested with captive female cowbirds. The females responded with copulation postures most often to the songs of the males reared i...

Zoo and aquarium breeding programs rely on accurate pedigrees to manage the genetics and demographics of captive populations. Breeding recommendations are often encumbered, however, by unknown parentage. If an individual has any amount of unknown ancestry, the relationships between that individual and all other individuals in a population are ambiguous, and breeding recommendations cannot be ta...

The island of Madagascar is one of the planet's foremost biodiversity hotspots and it is threatened with large-scale destruction by unsustainable human activities. The ruffed lemur, like all other lemurs, is endemic to Madagascar and inhabits the eastern rainforests of the island. A captive breeding project for this species has been underway since the Sixties and lead to a relatively great popu...

From studies of both wild and captive animals, gibbons are thought to reach sexual maturity at about 6 to 8 years of age, and the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) at about 8 to 9 years. However, a review of the literature reveals that in most cases the exact age of the maturing animals was not known and had to be estimated. This study presents seven case reports on captive gibbons of known age. ...

There is growing concern that the traditional "protectionist" approach to conservation is expensive and fails to deliver the desired environmental outcomes. Encouraged by economists, “supply side” policies to conserve endangered species have drawn support. By generating supplies from captive–bred animals, wildlife commodity prices are expected to fall, thereby lowering the incentive to poach sp...

Title of Dissertation: GENETIC MANAGEMENT OF GROUPS Brandie Rachel Smith, Ph.D., 2010 Dissertation directed by: Professor James Dietz, Chair, Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Biology Dr. Jon Ballou, Co-Chair, Adjunct Faculty Genetic diversity is essential for the longand short-term survival of populations and individuals. Some of the most intense genetic management ...

Management intervention to avoid inbreeding in captive breeding programs is essential to maintain maximum genetic diversity. Vasectomy was enlisted in drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) to achieve this purpose without altering the social dynamics of the groups. All the vasectomies were carried out at the Drill Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, Cross River State, Nigeria. Vasectomy in dril...