About This Project
This project challenges how endangered species captive breeding has been conducted over the last 40 years. Though many managers know mate choice may be having a large impact on reproductive success, solid research that proves current methods are inferior to methods that may incorporate mate choice is lacking in the literature. This will be one of the first studies to show a direct correlation between mate choice and reproductive success.Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
This project aims to determine whether introducing mate choice into captive breeding programs increases reproductive success in captive giant pandas at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (Ya'An, China, Sichuan Province). We will introduce some females to one male (the current genetic-based management method for most endangered species), some females to two males and then track the reproductive success of animals given a choice between mates as compared to those mated with no choice.
What is the significance of this project?
In practice many captive-bred individuals fail to reproduce, even when presumably fully reproductive and healthy. Historically, captive breeding programs have focused primarily on pairing animals for breeding based on their pedigree and the future genetic health of the population, while largely ignoring the potential importance of mate choice and mate competition. Though genetics is an essential part of any captive breeding program, basing programs solely on genetic compatibility has been largely unsuccessful at maintaining and/or growing populations of rare mammals.
Our hypothesis is that these programs have been unsuccessful because they have eliminated mate choice which most mammal mating systems have in the wild. We feel strongly that introducing more "natural" mating methods into captive breeding programs through allowing mate choice between two-three genetically suitable partners will increase the reproductive success of captive breeding programs. Ultimately, this will allow them to fulfill their goal of replenishing endangered or threatened populations.
What are the goals of the project?
I'll be analyzing giant panda behavior and physiology by analyzing mating pairs of pandas at the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'An, China. As this is a non-invasive behavioral study we need up-to-date behavioral scoring programs and devices in order to score the panda behaviors by hand. We also need to round trip travel to China and room and board once we arrive. IACUC permits and memorandums of understanding have already been obtained.
Budget
Millions of dollars are funneled into captive breeding programs per year, but many are unsuccessful. This is the first Giant Panda study, where the results will be completely transparent to donors of the project! Funds will be used for travel and equipment to conduct behavioral research during the mating season. If we reach our goal, our next stretch goal is $5,500 to study the effects of pollution contaminants on pandas and their food source, bamboo.
Meet the Team
Affiliates
Team Bio
Meghan's dissertation work is the focus of the research on the Giant Panda in Sichuan, China. Meghan documents factors responsible for variation in reproductive success among animals. She works on incorporating a multidisciplinary perspective designed to contribute to improved management and conservation of animals and their habitats. She has been published in one of the top journals in her field, Conservation Biology, for a similar project researching mate choice in endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. Her work involves working closely with animal husbandry staff in formulating research questions and projects that benefit the species in the Oregon Zoo’s and San Diego Zoo's collection as well as the giant pandas at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'An, China.Meghan S. Martin
Meghan's dissertation work is the focus of the research on the Giant Panda in Sichuan, China. Meghan documents factors responsible for variation in reproductive success among animals. She works on incorporating a multidisciplinary perspective designed to contribute to improved management and conservation of animals and their habitats. She has been published in one of the top journals in her field, Conservation Biology, for a similar project researching mate choice in endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. Her work involves working closely with animal husbandry staff in formulating research questions and projects that benefit the species in the Oregon Zoo’s and San Diego Zoo's collection as well as the giant pandas at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'An, China.
Additional Information
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Project Backers
- 38Backers
- 17%Funded
- $1,496Total Donations
- $38.36Average Donation