Science and Research at the Oregon Zoo

The Need to Learn More
Our zoo has in its care some of the world's rarest species, and one of our most important functions is to assure their long term survival. As human encroachment, disease and habitat changes continue to cause the demise of wild populations, it is increasingly important that zoos contribute to the knowledge about, and reproduction of animals.

The Oregon Zoo has been a leader for many years in such scientific research studies. Zoo staffers often carry out their own work, or are part of national or international projects involving specific endangered animals that reside at their local zoo.

Current Research
The Zoo presently is engaged in nearly two dozen different scientific studies affecting its inhabitants. Most of them focus on determining how an animal's captive environment will lead to its optimal well-being and successful reproduction.

Black rhinos
Correlation of progesterone levels and reproductive status determined from weekly blood samples of a female black rhino. Dave Hess, Ph.D., Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Anna Michel and Michael Illig, Oregon Zoo. Studies of behavioral changes and other indicators of estrus in black rhinos. Knowing such information has allowed zoos to know the optimum time for breeding. Part of the work also involves training the rhinos to permit keepers to take blood samples from them.

Asian elephants
Elephant anti-inflammatory pharmacokinetic research: pharmacokinetic studies to determine proper dosages of ibuprofen and phenylbutazone in Asian elephants. Ursula Bechert, DVM, Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine, J. Mark Christensen, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, and Mitch Finnegan, DVM, Oregon Zoo

Delineation of the preovulatory pheromone of the Asian elephant. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Detection of musth by female elephants: can female elephants distinguish between musth and non-musth urine through chemical signals. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute, Bruce Schulte, Ph.D., Brown University.

Chemocommunication among male Asian elephants via urinary chemical signals. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D. and Nancy Scott, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Molecular studies of a mammalian pheromone: (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate in the Asian elephant. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute

Systematic assessment of relevant chemical signals during environmental enrichment for Asian elephants using olfactory-based materials. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Elucidating the chemical signals involved with female detection of estrus by urinary chemical signals: studies of female responses throughout the responder's estrous cycle to urine of other, familiar females throughout their estrous cycle. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Exhaled chemosignals in musth and non-musth Asian elephants. L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D. and Nancy Scott, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Influence of sexual selection on chemosignal design and function in a social mammal (Elephas maximus). L. E. L. Rasmussen, Ph.D. and Nancy Scott, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute.

Cryopreservation of Asian elephant semen: investigation of semen quality and accessory gland secretions in semen collected by different methods; seasonal differences in quantity and quality of semen; interactions between semen and cryoprotective compounds. Drs. Steffen Blottner and Robert Hermes, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, Berlin, and Dr. Ursula Bechert, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University. Summer 1999.

Polar Bears
An investigation into the spatial and temporal characteristics of stereotypic behavior in polar bears. Karen Lewis, Department of Biology, Portland State University.

Bats
Paternity of Eidolon bats determined using microsatellite techniques. Zinck, Jan. Department of Biology, Portland State University.

Enrichment
Methods of Behavioral Assessment. David Shepherdson, Ph.D., Oregon Zoo and Kathy Carlstead, Ph.D., National Zoological Park.

ZooScope Stations
ZooScope stations, where visitors actually assist in the collection of research data for our scientific studies are now in their third year of operation. The series of stations promote learning about the animals as well as about the scientific process.