Descrizione del progetto
Verso pratiche di allevamento in cattività di successo per i primati in via di estinzione
Ci sono più di 500 specie di primati riconosciute in tutto il mondo. Quasi la metà è classificata come in pericolo o in pericolo critico di estinzione. Molte di queste sono protette in moderni zoo che fungono da luoghi di allevamento in cattività, essenziali per la conservazione dei primati. L’apalemure è uno dei 25 primati più in pericolo al mondo e attualmente mostra un basso tasso di successo nell’allevamento in cattività. Il progetto EnPrim, finanziato dall’UE, sta conducendo un sondaggio multi-zoo che mira a individuare e riprodurre la fertile firma chimica della femmina di apalemure e quindi testarne gli effetti sul successo degli accoppiamenti e sul benessere dei branchi in cattività. Il progetto mira a utilizzare metodi che integrano semiochimica all’avanguardia con osservazioni comportamentali consolidate ed endocrinologia fecale, nonché innovative analisi fecali del microbiota intestinale.
Obiettivo
Of 504 primate species currently recognized worldwide, almost half are classified as endangered or critically endangered. Captive breeding is vital for primate conservation, with modern zoos serving a crucial role as ambassadors of endangered species, breeders of populations acting as buffers against extinction, and educators of the general public. However, captive populations may experience welfare issues that also undermine their breeding success. Particularly, zoo management is challenging because of the mismatch between natural and captive environments. The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is the only surviving species of the Daubentoniidae, the oldest family of the living lemurs, one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world, and currently showing a low success rate in captive breeding. This multi-zoo project aims to identify and reproduce the female aye-aye’s fertile chemical signature and then test its effects on the breeding success and welfare of three captive troops. We will meet these goals using methods that integrate cutting-edge semiochemistry with established behavioural observations and faecal endocrinology as well as innovative faecal gut microbiota analysis. This novel project will provide findings which should also entail quantifiable impact, such as best practices adopted by target zoos and extended to other institutions through amendments in management policies released by the Studbook Keeper and the Taxon Advisory Group Coordinator for the study species. The complementary expertise of the Fellow and the supervisory team make this project feasible and highly multidisciplinary. The training provided by the supervisor and the host organisation will contribute significantly to the profile of the Fellow, adding new methodological and scientific competences as well as complementary skills which will be imperative for the Fellow’s future career as an independent researcher.
Campo scientifico
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
WV1 1LY Wolverhampton
Regno Unito