Although the importance of evaluating effectiveness conservation education programs cannot be underestimated, few evaluations these and their resulting impact on environment have been conducted. A partnership between scientists, educators, local administrators an evaluation program has developed to evaluate a model that includes short- long-term (1) knowledge attitude change, (2) behavior (3) positive biological impact. Previous work shown short-term retention from this program. In current...

Research indicates that computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) can improve clinical performance and patient outcomes, yet CDSSs are not in widespread use. Physician guidelines, general, face barriers implementation. Guidelines a format overcome some of the to conventional text-form guidelines; however, programs have novel aspects be considered, such as technical problems/support user interface issues act barriers. Though literature points out human, organizational, implementation...

Abstract Adolescence, the period lasting from onset of puberty to emergence physical and sexual maturity, is a social change for many species including chimpanzees. Several reports have implicitly linked physiological changes that occur during male chimpanzee adolescence significant disruption in group, which turn may result serious agonism wounding. To assess association between adolescent males wounding rates, 38 institutions housing 399 chimpanzees among 59 groups, recorded all wounds...

Extra-pair copulations (EPCs) leading to extra-pair fertilization (EPF) are common in avian mating systems, despite the prevalence of observed social monogamy many species. Colonially breeding birds interesting species investigate EPCs and EPF because they show nesting habits including close proximity nest sites sexual partners, which proposed promote alternative reproductive tactics. Endemic Africa, colonial marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) is one most commonly held North American...

Abstract Until recently, little attention has been focused on the influence of social interactions and presence conspecifics stereotypic pacing in captive carnivores. This study examined effect adding a visual barrier between two tiger ( Panthera tigris ) exhibits behaviour. Continuous sampling was used to record duration time tigers spent total number bouts. The results show significant decrease for group six female after obstruction view neighbouring tigers. These suggest that opportunity...

While there are many conservation programs in east Africa, relatively little is invested environmental education or capacity building within the community. With this mind, National Forest Authority of Uganda, Ugandan Ministry Education and Sports, Disney's Animal Kingdom™, Jane Goodall Institute—Uganda entered into a partnership to produce an curriculum for Kalinzu Reserve. This program was designed with outside educators/researchers as consultants content driven by local stakeholders. Here...

With the growing trend in zoos to build complex, naturalistic exhibits comes potential for be so densely vegetated or complex that animals are not easily seen by zoo visitors. This can negatively impact visitor's visiting experience and zoo's ability communicate conservation education messages. Over past 9 years, Disney's Animal Kingdom has developed a process monitoring improving visibility of on display public. animal utilizes data collection system whereby systematic observations...

Abstract Zoological institutions provide naturalistic exhibits for their animals in order to offer a more appealing look visitors and give the animal opportunity engage natural behaviors. Examining space use of exhibit may aid management these inform future design. The hippopotamus is an amphibious ungulate that spends much its days wild water but be found along banks rivers basking sun. Our objective was determine how captive female hippos utilize by examining whether selected certain areas...

Differences in reported testosterone concentrations male sea turtle blood samples are common the veterinary literature, but may be accounted for by differences sample handling and processing prior to assay. Therefore, our study was performed determine best practices analysis turtles ( Caretta caretta Chelonia mydas). Blood were collected into 5 collection tube types, assay validation measured compared across different storage (fresh, refrigerated 1 week, or frozen), extraction (unextracted...

Abstract Spatial selection refers to an animal's frequent use of certain areas its enclosure or range. Through differential habitat, individual can limit the amount time spent in close proximity other group members. The four adult female chimpanzees at Tulsa Zoo were studied determine if they used their differently from one another, each had selected it occupied most frequently, and individual's preferred area was by Pairwise comparisons showed that females island habitat another with...

Abstract Despite large investments of funding into great ape conservation in Africa, wild populations gorillas ( Gorilla ssp), chimpanzees Pan troglodytes ssp) and bonobos paniscus ) continue to decline. Causes for this decline fall three broad categories: habitat loss, illegal hunting, disease. Contributing factors all these causes are linked pressure from the expanding human population competing forest resources. We have moved beyond time debating pros cons including engagement activities...

To reduce male–male aggression in collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris) at Disney's Animal Kingdom®, a clinical trial of leuprolide acetate (Depo-Lupron®) injections through one breeding season (24 wk), followed by surgical castration after the was implemented. Daily behavioral observations to record occurrences were conducted before and during injection period, as well castration. Fecal sample collection began 2 wk first continued throughout determine testosterone metabolite concentration....

Abstract Partnerships are essential for the success of conservation organizations as they strive to achieve ultimate goal restoring and preserving biodiversity. Now is a particularly crucial time develop partnerships owing increasing financial constraints on all urgent need species recovery habitat preservation. This study identified characteristics successful between Association Zoos Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions related facilities, US international governmental agencies,...

Incorporating technology with research is becoming increasingly important to enhance animal welfare in zoological settings. Video used the management of avian populations facilitate efficient information collection on aspects reproduction that are impractical or impossible obtain through direct observation. Disney's Animal Kingdom® maintains a successful breeding colony Northern carmine bee-eaters. This African species cavity nester, making their nesting behavior difficult study and manage...

Although there are many conservation education projects working in Uganda, is currently little evaluation of educational initiatives the communities. A survey was developed to better understand environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors people 2 districts Uganda. The main problem listed by respondents both sites human–wildlife conflict. communities suggested that it responsibility government solve their problems. This study demonstrated a need address local perceptions about conflict...

Carmine bee-eaters make attractive additions to zoo aviaries but breeding programs have had challenges and limited success. The objectives of this study were document nesting behavior in a captive setting compare reproductive success between novel nest box (plastic, 17 x 30 22 cm) PVC pipe model used previously (30 cm long, 8 diameter). Three bee-eater pairs given access seven chambers (six boxes, one model). Behavioral observations occurred during 15-min period the morning or afternoon...

Abstract The genital swelling patterns and birth records of female mandrills housed at the Tulsa Zoo between 1979 1992 were examined to determine various reproductive parameters. Mean age first adolescent was 2.7 years (sd = .55), adult 3.7 .64), conception 5.1 1.30). Genital cycle duration averaged 39.6 days (n 33 cycles), with phase averaging 19.5 51 cycles). There no interindividual difference in length (F 1.26, P .31) or 0.65, .58), nor there a 0.47, .50) 1.27, .27) before after...

Abstract The current paradigm of conservation initiatives promotes activities that benefit wildlife while at the same time improving welfare humans living near habitats. This dual focus has resulted in an increase engage local communities. past decade seen a shift how practitioners define role education. While once limited to on increasing knowledge and influencing attitudes behavior communities, today term is used encompass range from traditional education training people alternative...

Abstract Human communities living near nonhuman primate habitats often depend on wood from forests for their energy needs. Improving the efficiency of local cook stoves is a potential “win‐win” solution that commonly promoted to protect and improve human health development. Despite popularity improved stove projects in conservation, few outcomes have been formally published. As result, it currently unclear whether this approach wise investment limited conservation funds. This paper describes...