Zoos: A Historical
Perspective from Smithsonian Institution Libraries
The
National Zoological Park is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
David M. Powell, Ph.D., Research Associate, Department of Conservation Biology Coordinator, Giant Panda Behavior Studies Program
Giant Panda Conservation & Science
Education
B.S. Biology, University of Miami, 1993
Ph.D., Zoology, University of Maryland, 2000
Professional History and Interests
David Powell joined the Department of Conservation Biology as a graduate student with Dr. Devra Kleiman (NZP Research Associate) in 1994.
As part of his dissertation research, he studied the social behavior and reproductive physiology of the feral horses living on Assateague Island off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Specifically he was interested in the role of social dominance among mares living in harem bands and identifying the reproductive strategies of mares with differing social ranks. In addition, he conducted a behavioral and physiological evaluation of the effects of porcine zona pellucida immunocontraception on the horses.
Prior to coming to the Zoo, David Powell conducted research at various zoos on a number of topics. He studied the foraging patterns in a semi-free ranging colony of long-tailed macaques, display behavior in Caribbean flamingos, the effects of environmental enrichment on lions, the effect of indoor vs. outdoor housing on the behavior of gorillas, nocturnal activity patterns in elephants, and behavior of free-ranging golden lion tamarins. He has also worked as an animal keeper, animal diet technician, and research intern at Zoo Atlanta.
Currently,
David oversees the operation of the giant panda behavior studies
program at the Zoo. David has studied giant pandas since the
fall of 2000, when he traveled to China to begin studies of
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the pandas now living at the Zoo. His
research focuses on panda preferences for exhibit features,
social contact, and bamboo as well as the development of socio-sexual
behavior. He also conducts research on applied aspects of
giant panda reintroduction. In China, he conducted a study
of exhibit, husbandry, and management variables affecting
the performance of normal socio-sexual behavior in giant pandas.
David assists animal care staff in other projects around zoo. Currently he is working with Bird House staff on studies of activity patterns, space use, and the impact of visitors on kori bustards. He is also consulting on studies of enrichment for small mammals and octopus and cognitive/foraging skills of spectacled bears.
In the future David plans to continue his work with the Assateague horses to study the impact of biting flies on horse behavior and ecology. In addition, he and other Zoo scientists are planning studies of takin, a large goat-like antelope, in China.
Powell's photo of a takin taken during
his work at the Beijing Zoo in China
Five selected publications:
Powell, D.M. (in press) Pigs (Suidae). In: Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd edition, Volumes 12-16, Mammals I-IV, M. Hutchins, D. Kleiman, & V. Geist, editors. Gale Group, Farmington Hills, MI.
Powell, D.M., Tarou, L.R., & Kleiman, D.G. 2002. Circadian rhythms and activity patterns in a pair of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Advances in Ethology 37, p. 66.
Powell, D.M., Hong, L., Kleiman, D.G., Zhang, H., Zhang, G., Zhang, Z., Yu, J., Zhang, J., Yanping, L., & Snyder, R. 2002.Factors associated with normal breeding behavior in male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Chinese breeding centers. Advances in Ethology 37, p. 185.
Powell, D.M. & Monfort, S.L. 2001. Assessment: Effects of porcine zona pellucida immunocontraception on estrous cyclicity in feral horses. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 4:271-284.
Powell, D.M. 1999. Preliminary evaluation of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception for behavioral effects in feral horses (Equus caballus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2:321-335.
