Smithsonian spotlights endangered species

Amidst sound of canon fire from Civil War battle reenactments at the distance, the Smithsonian's National Zoo celebrated a different kind of conservation this weekend - species conservation.

The Zoo's annual Autumn Conservation Festival opened the doors for one weekend to its Conservation and Research Center, in Front Royal, Va.

A behind-the-scenes look at research and scientific projects at the center revealed a heavy focus on endangered species conservation and recovery. "We are trying to develop tools and technologies for genetic management for the long term," said Budhan Pukazhenthi, a cryobiologist in the Center for Species Survival.
   
Special viewings of some of the more popular animals - like two Clouded Leopard cubs - drew long lines and crowds in the usually shut-off Center. Although the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., attracts varying crowds on any day, the CRC is reputably closed to the public because of the research atmosphere.

"We are trying to minimize the impact of people coming in and out, a lot of the work we're doing requires a certain management style. This is actually an off-site breeding and research center for the National Zoo, and the beauty of this place is the space that we have, and also the specialized infrastructure for holding and managing animals," said Pukazhenthi.

The infrastructure allows the scientists to observe more natural behavior in the animals because there is space to host herds of species, rather than keep small groups in cages, a typical zoo style.

One of the center's Przewalski horse (wild Asian horse) named Minnesota, was transferred to the CRC because there was not enough space in his Minnesotan zoo.

He was even vasectomized at the zoo, in an effort to control breeding. "Veterinarians reversed the procedure upon the stallion's arrival to the CRC," said David Shiftlett, a hoofed species specialist at the center.

Based on recommendations by the Species Survival Plan committee, which oversees the mating partnerships for each species at the National Zoo, zookeepers may try to breed Minnesota.

"It's not about having numbers of animals, it's about genetic diversity, that's what we're trying to shoot for," Shiftlett said.

According to CRC volunteer Carla Castro, till last year only about 1500 of the animals existed, which were limited to zoos and private ownership.

"The conservation program here is trying to breed more of these horses and trying to maintain a pure gene pool because, until last year, they were completely extinct in the wild," she said.

As a result of CRC efforts, an as-yet-unnamed stallion was born about three months ago.Other species that have started to recover after the research center got involved include Golden Lion Tamarinds, Cheetahs and Coral.

"We've built a very sound program, not just focusing on endangered animals. It's really spread out," Pukazhenthi said.

The bison which were near extinction in the past, they have since recovered in numbers. They were moved to the research center for renovations to their exhibit at the D.C. zoo, but didn't return because their exhibit was given to a different species.

Indeed, the CRC currently serves as home to several bison, the first animals ever acquired by the National Zoo, said Shiftlett

"We are a federal facility, and so I think we see it as a duty for us...to accommodate," Pukazhenthi said.

As part of the Federal Smithsonian system, transparency and public support for the research are important.

"So now what we’re doing is, basically, giving the public a great opportunity to see what we do and learn about more of the science that we do. And we are also hoping that we will get both parents and kids to get excited about wildlife conservation and why wildlife conservation is important and how they can help us achieve the goals," Pukazhenthi said.