Conservation physiology is a rapidly expanding, multi-disciplinary field that utilises physiological tools, knowledge, and concepts to understand and solve conservation problems.

In a broad sense, conservation physiology is the study of how species respond to changes in their environment - particularly human-driven ecological change - for instance, studying alterations to their breeding patterns, diets and health. By understanding this, the conservation community can put mitigation measures in place.

More specifically, at Chester Zoo, we use conservation physiology methodologies to monitor the health of animals in human care and in the wild. For instance, we apply endocrinological science to monitor the stress levels of animals translocated into new wild territories by running hormone assays on dung samples.

Through similar, mostly non-invasive approaches, we can also determine fundamental reproductive information that can be used to guide animal management and lay the foundation for reproductive management.

Scientists at our International Centre for Zoo Science support conservation breeding programmes both ex situ and in situ to improve the viability of ex situ populations, both at Chester Zoo and across Europe.

Case Study: helping create a viable insurance population of Endangered lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis)

The Problem:

Anoa numbers have dropped dramatically in the wild over the last century. There are roughly 2,500 still in their native Indonesian habitats, and they face habitat loss, poaching and the danger of diseases passed on by domestic cattle.

An insurance population in human care would protect vital genetic diversity in the species.

There are currently about 35 anoa within European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) zoos, and birth rates are low, with fewer than three calves born in a typical year.

The Solution:

We want to understand how we can detect pregnancy earlier to ensure we have the best information to look after the anoa, and to understand why they aren’t getting pregnant in the first place.

Our scientists have developed a non-invasive way to more accurately gauge breeding cycles and pregnancy in anoa, and are applying them to faecal samples collected in European zoos over a 12 month period.

Once the study results are out, the information should help institutions across Europe boost anoa numbers.

For the lowland anoa project, esearchers are looking at three different hormones: progesterone and an oestrogen metabolite (a molecule that emerges when the hormone is metabolised by the cow), and testosterone in males. So far, the lab has received approximately 1,500 samples shipped from Germany, France and other UK institutions.

Samples are freeze dried to remove water content, and the resulting dry powder is sifted to make the samples uniform.

The scientists then draw the hormones out using an alcohol solution and perform assays – tests to measure the presence of amino acids - on the resulting sample.

They have been able to see oestrus cycles within the species and have been able to detect pregnancy non-invasively earlier than anticipated, which is positive.

This information will allow conservationists within the zoo community make more informed breeding management decisions, which in turn should help expand the lowland anoa insurance population.

Beyond this case study, Chester Zoo supports multiple EAZA Ex situ Programmes through the skills and resources afforded through the International Centre for Zoo Science.