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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As a growing charity, we are now looking to expand our scope beyond the UK by establishing global conservation hubs. Our vision is to work with local conservation services to preserve samples from native wildlife within their own country, enabling appropriate stewardship of these valuable resources.
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, 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.
Komodo dragon
Total Population: Around 3,500 in the wild
Inca Tern
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Patagonian Sea Lion
Total Population: 222,500 to 265,000 in the wild
Black tree monitor
Total Population: Unknown
Capybara
Total Population: Unknown
Little egret
Total Population: 660,000 to 3,150,000 in the wild
South American fur seal
Total Population: Around 200,000 in the wild
Asiatic Lion
Total Population: Around 650 in the wild
Red Panda
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
African penguin
Total Population: Less than 40,000 in the wild
Collared peccary
Total Population: More than 2,000,000 in the wild
Bush dog
Total Population: Unknown
Pygmy marmoset
Total Population: Unknown
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Spix’s night monkey
Total Population: Unknown
Bolivian squirrel monkey
Total Population: Unknown
Brandt’s vole
Total Population: Unknown
Mandarin duck
Total Population: Around 65,000 in the wild
African wild dog
Total Population: Around 6,600 in the wild
Smew
Total Population: Around 80,000 in the wild
