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.
Don’t miss
Living Biobank Charity, Nature’s SAFE, will be saving rare UK wildlife thanks to Postcode Local Trust.
Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to visit two of our valued conservation partners – Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. These two institutions both exemplify the profound impact that dedication to wildlife preservation can have on protecting our planet's biodiversity.
Nature’s SAFE, Europe’s first living biobank for endangered animals dedicated to halting the catastrophic decline in global biodiversity, is pleased to announce that it is joining the Global Coalition #UnitedforBiodiversity, initiative of the European Commission.
Argentine black and white tegu
Total Population: Unknown
Sumatran laughing thrush
Total Population: 2,500 - 10,000 in the wild
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Bush dog
Total Population: Unknown
Guianan Squirrel Monkey
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Red Panda
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Okapi
Total Population: Less than 25,000 in the wild
Bactrian camel
Total Population: Less than 1,000 in the wild
Mandarin duck
Total Population: Around 65,000 in the wild
Asian short-clawed otter
Total Population: Unknown
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
African penguin
Total Population: Less than 40,000 in the wild
Komodo dragon
Total Population: Around 3,500 in the wild
Nile Lechwe
Total Population: 30,000 - 40,000 in the wild
Azara’s agouti
Total Population: Unknown
Sacred ibis
Total Population: 200,000 to 450,000 in the wild
Hamerkop
Total Population: Unknown
