Gabby Drake (Chester Zoo & Nature’s SAFE) presented a talk at the British Deer Veterinary Association meeting held on 26 November 2022, on developing methods to support the breeding of the Balabac mouse deer (Tragulus nigricans). This species of mouse deer is listed by the IUCN as endangered and there is a small, and mainly female, population managed in European zoos. Mouse deer, also called chevrotains, were an early branch of the evolutionary group ruminatia, and as well as sharing features with their cousins the cervids, share some features with the suids too, making then unchartered territory for assisted reproduction. The presentation included techniques for post mortem semen collection and storage, artificial insemination and monitoring of reproductive hormone cycles and pregnancy diagnosis using non-invasive faecal samples. Clinical techniques are challenging in these tiny animals and the reported Artificial Insemination attempt represents a first for this species, and a step towards developing assisted reproductive technologies to further their conservation.
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International conservation charity ZSL partners with living biobank Nature’s SAFE to preserve planet’s most threatened species
Penh, a Cambodian binturong beloved by keepers and visitor alike, has sadly passed this week at Drusillas Zoo Park. But Penh’s legacy will live on - as his passing brings a new partnership between Nature’s SAFE and Drusillas Zoo Park. Through our new partnership, we were able to preserve Penh’s genetic material, ensuring that his unique genetic heritage can contribute to the survival of his species in the future.
Nature’s SAFE is now home to biological tissue samples of 100 of the planet’s most endangered species – providing a vital insurance policy for threatened wildlife, so it can be protected for generations to come.
Pygmy marmoset
Total Population: Unknown
Little egret
Total Population: 660,000 to 3,150,000 in the wild
Common Hippo
Total Population: Less than 150,000 in the wild
Clouded Leopard
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Red river hog
Total Population: Unknown
African Lion
Total Population: 20,000 - 25,000 in the wild
Black howler monkey
Total Population: Less than 5,000 in the wild
Caribbean flamingo
Total Population: 150,000 to 205,000 in the wild
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Mandrill
Total Population: Unknown
Collared peccary
Total Population: More than 2,000,000 in the wild
Scimitar-horned oryx
Total Population: Around 400 in the wild
Senegal galago
Total Population: Unknown
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Komodo dragon
Total Population: Around 3,500 in the wild
Arctic wolf
Total Population: Around 200,000 in the wild
Black Hornbill
Total Population: Unknown
Mandarin duck
Total Population: Around 65,000 in the wild
Sacred ibis
Total Population: 200,000 to 450,000 in the wild
Brandt’s vole
Total Population: Unknown
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
Bolivian squirrel monkey
Total Population: Unknown
