Logan Anbinder, Amy Cordell, Gretchen Downey, Kelly Freudenberger, Shabaab Kamal, Nikko Khuc, Josh Lacey, Caitlin Moore, Emmarie Myers, Andrea Schmidt Mentor: Dr. Kaci Thompson

Research Questions How does enrichment implementation vary among zoological institutions? What is the impact of instituting a comprehensive enrichment schedule on endocrine measures of stress?

Why?  The primary purposes of zoos are education, conservation, and research. Captive animals are better representations of their wild counterparts when they exhibit natural behaviors.  Felids are especially susceptible to illness and reduced fecundity when subjected to high levels of stress.

Why?  There is variability among zoos in their financial and human resources, and therefore their enrichment programs. A zoo with less resources may not be able to give felids the most effective enrichments. Without enrichment, stress levels increase.

Prediction  We expect to see an initial difference between the patterns of fecal corticoid levels of the felids at a small zoo (Catoctin) vs. those at a zoo with more resources (the National Zoo).  Following implementation of the National Zoo’s enrichment at the Catoctin Zoo, we expect the patterns of fecal corticoids to be comparable between the felids of both zoos.

Methodology Overall comparison and global recommendation Analysis of Catoctin Zoo Implement enrichment at Catoctin Zoo Survey Zoos nationwide Compare hormone levels to enrichment schedules Collect and analyze National Zoo data

Summer 2010  Collected fecal samples from 3 lions and 2 tigers at the National Zoo  Obtained enrichment logs for the felids Type of enrichment Weekly schedule  Modified the methodology Focus on cross-institutional comparison Established contact with Catoctin Zoo

Current Status  Lyophilizing samples at the National Zoo which will be sent to and analyzed at the Smithsonian Biology Conservation Institute.  Drafting a survey to be sent to zoos nationwide regarding common enrichment techniques.

Future Plans  Fall 2010: send out survey by December 18  Spring 2011: - begin analyzing endocrine data - analyze results from the survey starting in March - determine enrichment(s) we will implement at the Catoctin Zoo

Future Plans  Summer 2011: - collect baseline data from the Catoctin felids - implement enrichment at the Catoctin Zoo and collect fecal samples - analyze fecal samples to determine patterns and effects of enrichments

Timeline

Goals  Receive feedback from 75% of survey recipients  Recommend easily implementable enrichment for small zoos  Publish findings in a zoological journal

Challenges  Collaboration with the zoo  Obtaining funding for fecal analysis

Team Roles  Zoo liaisons National Zoo – Logan Catoctin Zoo – Gretchen Front Royal – Caitlin  Financial liaison – Kelly  Team Liaison – Logan  Secretary – Amy  “Enforcer” – Josh  Technology coordinator – Shabaab

Committees  Literature Review Nikko, Andrea, Emmarie  Grants Caitlin, Gretchen, Josh  Editing Amy, Emmarie, Kelly  Survey Josh, Logan, Kelly, Nikko

Advice for Freshmen  Establish communication with collaborators early  Don’t become complacent – your project may change  Start applying for grants early  Be persistent- phone calls are better than s  Implement and enforce team structure

Conclusion  We are in the process of analyzing samples for fecal corticoid levels  We are creating a survey to distribute  We are finalizing our methodology with the Catoctin Zoo