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Research Collaborations

Since 2001, Perth Zoo has been offering opportunities for and actively encouraging research projects to be conducted on its premises. These include undergraduate, post-graduate and post-doctoral research projects.

The numbers of projects have grown steadily from 6 in 2001 to over 20 in 2004. These projects have ranged from behavioural studies, nutrition, genetics, metabolic studies, reproductive biology, assisted reproduction, through disease epidemiology, parasitology to visitor behaviour.

Since 2004, Perth Zoo has also been offering generic animal behavioural projects for students of Curtin University Human Biology and Environmental Biology units.

A selection of some of the projects and collaborations undertaken at Perth Zoo since 2005.

Nutrition
Captive diet nutritional review of the Black and White Ruffed Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs held at Perth Zoo Staff
The examination and improvement of the nutritional guidelines for squirrel monkeys at  Perth Zoo Hons
Fulfilling nutritional requirements of lions, tigers and cheetahs in captivity: a multi-perspective investigation Hons
Nutritional analysis of the wild and captive diets of Western Australian cockatoos Hons
   
Reproductive Biology
Studies on the culture, cryopreservation and assessment of function or porcine sperm Staff
Short-beaked echidna – reproduction study Staff
Sperm release in male anurans during amplexus PhD
Development of assisted reproductive technologies for the conservation of anuran amphibians PhD
Parasites of the African painted dog (Lycaon pictus) in wild and captive populations: potential conservation implications PhD
Reproductive biology of the female bilby Hons
Faecal steroid analysis for a female Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) at Perth Zoo to monitor endocrine profiles during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy Staff
Induction of ovulation in Litoria moorei and Litoria adelaidensis using exogenous hormones Hons
Use of faeces and radioimmunoassy to determine sex hormones and steroid levels in orangutans Hons
   
Health and Disease
Epidemiological study – Gilbert’s potoroo PhD
Characterisation of blastocystis in primates and other animals in Perth Zoo PhD
A treatment trial for balanoposthitis in Long-nosed potoroos, an analogue for the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo PhD
Disease and Parasitology in captive big cats in Australia M.Sc
Life history and clinical presentations as prognostic indicators for the successful rehabilitation of Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.) M.Phil
Ecology of water borne pathogens in the Zoo environment Hons
   
Captive Management
The representational capacities of gibbons (Hylobatidae) and other primates Post doc
A study of the social interactions and individual behaviours of the African Painted Dogs at Perth Zoo in relation to feeding regime Hons
Behavioural study of a pair of Sun bears (Ursus malayanus) at Perth Zoo Hons
Behavioural study of a pair of male Asian elephant at Perth Zoo 3rd yr
Behavioural study of four Black-capped capuchins at Perth Zoo 3rd yr
The effect of diet upon the growth and development of Litoria moorei tadpoles Staff
Behavioural observations of captive great apes in Australasia  
Thermoregulation of male Galapagos tortoises at Perth Zoo Staff
Social cohesion and stability in the Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) group at Perth Zoo 3rd yr
Comparative behavioural study of immature gibbons at Perth Zoo Hons
Little Penguin behaviour in captivity: A comparison between the captive and wild behaviours and an investigation into the differences between parent reared and hand reared captive penguins Hons
Captive Mammal enrichment survey  
A behavioural study of captive groups of gibbons (Hylobates moloch and Hylobates leucongenys) at Perth Zoo Hons
Analysis of wild versus captive activity patterns in the echidna Hons
   
Wildlife Management and Conservation
Captive breeding and biology investigation of the Sandhill Dunnart Staff
Determining the captive husbandry and natural breeding of several species of WA frogs Staff
Fertility control of the possum at Perth Zoo M.Sc
Microhabitat selection and temperature regulation of Western Swamp tortoises (Pseudemydura umbrina) at Ellen Brook Nature Reserve and Perth Zoo Hons
Movements of terrestrial snails at Perth Zoo  
Gait parameters in Australian marsupials 3rd yr
Thermoregulation, metabolism and respiration in the Chuditch  
   
Education and Communication
A stratigraphic instrument for visual discrimination, identification and recognition of visual information within the natural world. PhD
Attitudes towards, and representations of, Cane Toads in Western Australia: an audio visual exploration  
Determine the factors that influence how visitors respond to various interpretation techniques at Perth Zoo  
Perth Zoo conservation outcomes achieved through interpretation  


Page last updated 01 August 2008
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