Small Mammal Conservation & Science
Recovery of the
Black-footed Ferret
JoGayle Howard leads studies of the biology of the black-footed
ferret to enhance reproduction, maintain genetic diversity,
and provide animals for reintroduction to the western Great
Plains. 
Golden Lion Tamarin Project
National Zoo
scientists have led a long-term effort to save the golden
lion tamarin from extinction in the Atlantic
forest of Brazil.
San Joaquin Kit
Foxes in California
Katherine Ralls and her collaborators have been studying kit foxes since 1989.
Topics include kit fox population dynamics; interactions between kit foxes and
coyotes; and survey methods.
Fishing Cats and Rusty-spotted
Cats
Zoo scientist John Seidensticker is working with Sri Lankan
conservation biologists to study the Distribution and Ecology
of the Fishing Cat and the Rusty-spotted Cat (another
little-known small cat) in Suburban Habitats of Sri Lanka.
This will represent the first detailed study of these species
and the results will aid their conservation. It will also
raise awareness of the conservation needs of these charismatic
cats, which already have semi-flagship status in Sri Lanka.
The results will be used to develop a conservation strategy
for the cats and other medium-sized carnivores to be integrated
into urban development plans.
There are about 100 fishing cats in North American zoos, but the population lacks genetic diversity and is not self-sustaining. Assisted breeding techniques will enable us to import new genes (in the form of sperm or embryos) from fishing cats in the wild or in Southeast Asian zoos without transporting live animals or removing them from natural habitats. Led by David Wildt, Zoo scientists are developing artificial insemination and semen freezing techniques. They are studying reproductive cycles, sperm quality, semen cryopreservation, and artificial insemination so that assisted breeding results in consistent production of offspring. Their findings will be related to parallel studies of animal behavior, nutrition, and genetics.
Small Mammal Surveys in Gabon
National Zoo scientists Bill McShea and Melissa Songer and
their colleages are studying the small mammals of the Gamba
Forest Complex in Gabon, West
Africa, as part of the Gabon Biodiversity Project. Mammals
are important components of tropical ecosystems. Small mammals,
both terrestrial and flying, directly affect the distribution
of plant species in tropical forests through seed dispersion
and pollination. Bats, for example, are important agents
in re-seeding disturbed areas.
Terrestrial small mammals are also the main food source for many small- and medium-size carnivores; and as their abundance changes so may that of their predators.
Many small mammals are sensitive to structural changes in the forest brought about by development activities such as clearings for roads and oil wells and waterflow obstruction due to construction. It is expected that changes in small mammal populations will have pronounced effects on the composition of forests in the Gamba Complex.
