There is no evidence that diminished seasonal cues or seasonal asynchrony between the sexes is responsible for low reproductive success in zoos. Until recently, collecting blood from polar bears has been considered an invasive procedure, as it commonly requires anesthesia; however, advances in animal training techniques are now permitting animal care staff to collect serum samples from polar bears, voluntarily and regularly. Reproductive Physiologist Specific proteins may exhibit altered profiles in the feces of pregnant bears, but predicting appropriate candidate proteins to investigate is speculative at best. Furthermore, CREW scientists were among the first to collect and cryopreserve polar bear sperm and to perform an AI in this species. Of the 2705 different compounds identified, none was unique to pregnant bears or present in significantly higher concentrations in the pregnant versus pseudo-pregnant bears. To better understand polar bear physiology and to pinpoint the cause of reproductive failure, CREW scientists are studying polar bears in zoos to characterize the reproductive physiology of this species. Seasonal variation in fecal testosterone metabolite concentrations in male polar bears in zoos (Ursus maritimus). Polar bears live in remote areas making them difficult and expensive to study. Curry E, Stoops MA, Roth TL (2019). The reproductive research performed at CREW is contributing to the effort of saving polar bears with science. Ovulation induction and artificial insemination of a polar bear in zoos (Ursus maritimus) using fresh semen. We have demonstrated successful ovulation induction in a polar bear using exogenous hormones; however, the results have been variable among individuals, so the precise hormones, dosages, and timing of administration relative to AI warrants further examination. “Saying goodbye is always hard, and it was especially hard with Little One. Fecal samples were collected once per week year round, frozen, and shipped to CREW for analysis. Anchorage, AK (June 12th-16th). Zoo population. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s male polar bear “Little One”, 31, was humanely euthanized Saturday, March 27, due to renal failure and a rapid decline in his health and quality of life. New Orleans, LA (January 20th-January 23rd). Stoops MA, MacKinnon KM, and Roth TL (2012). The Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a global leader in research and conservation efforts with endangered wildlife species to achieve CREW’s mission to Save Species with Science®. With so few cubs born each year, it’s important that every sexual mature individual be paired for breeding to increase the chances of pregnancies and births. (2014). Top 5 Polar Bear Exhibits As an Arctic Ambassador Center, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to helping polar bears in the wild and in human care. Monitoring the long-term effects of contraceptives on the fertility of polar bears in zoos (Ursus maritimus). Polar bears live in remote areas making them difficult and expensive to study. In an effort to determine the source of low reproductive success in polar bears in zoos, an important objective of CREW’s polar bear project was to characterize testosterone concentrations in males in zoos to verify that they are experiencing increases in testosterone during the breeding season. Curry E, Roth TL, MacKinnon KM, and Stoops MA. (2009). 24th International Conference on Bear Research and Management. Posted March 27, 2021. AMH is produced by the ovary and is used to assess fertility in other species, including humans. Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. (2014). Its scientists have established methodologies for semen collection and cryopreservation and performed the world’s first polar bear artificial insemination (AI) in 2012. (2020). Results indicated that fecal steroid metabolites may be used to indicate ovulation has occurred, but cannot be used to distinguish pregnancy from pseudo-pregnancy. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan has recommended a new match for female polar bear Anana. Little One was born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo … Factors influencing annual fecal testosterone metabolite profiles in male polar bears in zoos (Ursus maritimus). Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's male polar bear Little One celebrated his 30th birthday on Dec. 13. Poster presentation. Halifax, Nova Scotia (October 22nd-27th).  Rest in peace Little One. When: Sunday, December 10 from 10:30am-1pm Where: Peacock Pavilion, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Development of a non-invasive, fecal protein pregnancy test for polar bears. Traditional extenders rely on ingredients whose composition may vary and that require special handling (i.e. He was a geriatric bear with chronic medical conditions that were being managed by his animal care and veterinary teams. Evaluating the use of a detection dog and volatile organic compound analysis for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring for evaluating polar bear (Ursus maritimus) reproductive activity. Curry E, Skogen M, Roth TL. Furthermore, because bears in zoos generally live at lower latitudes and warmer climates relative to their wild cousins, they may provide insight into the ability of wild bears to adapt to a changing environment. DeLorenzo C, Lynch B, Roth T, Petren K, Curry E. (2016). Scientists at CREW successfully validated an assay to measure AMH in polar bears and then quantified the hormone in previously banked blood samples. As such, CREW and the Zoo are committed to: 1) providing information about climate change to the local community on Zoo grounds, on the website and through special programs, 2) actively reducing our own carbon emissions and 3) maintaining our polar bears in an exhibit that meets all AZA standards. Bourque J, Desforges JPW, Levin M, Atwood TC, Sonne C, Dietz R, Jensen TH, Curry E, McKinney MA. . Ascona, Switzerland (June 2nd-6th). Whistler, BC (July 26th-29th). CINCINNATI (March 27, 2021) – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s male polar bear “Little One”, was humanely euthanized earlier today due to renal failure and a rapid decline in his health and quality of life.  At 31 years old, he was the second oldest male in the U.S. Poster presentation. Many polar bears in zoos were administered contraceptives in the early part of the 21st century due to lack of exhibit space and decreased need for additional zoo-born cubs. Thessaloniki, Greece (Oct 5th-11th). Analyzing Hormone Patterns of Male Polar Bears In Human Care Under Different Social Conditions (Canadian Polar Bear Habitat and York University). Additionally, they are pioneering assisted reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination (AI) and semen collection, to preserve valuable genetic material and to complement natural breeding efforts. Climate-associated drivers of plasma cytokines and contaminant concentrations in Beaufort Sea polar bears. Proceeds benefit Polar Bear Challenge – a goal to raise $70,000 by December 31st for CREW’s Signature Polar Bear Conservation Project, which is working to create a more stable future for the world’s threatened polar bears! Share on: Many people admire this large white bear that inhabits the Arctic, but did you know there is an entire day dedicated to … A number of factors probably contribute to poor fertility, such as advanced maternal age and whether or not individuals had produced cubs prior to treatment, but it does appear that certain hormonal contraceptives have had unintended long term deleterious effects on the fertility of this species. Vote for elected officials who will work to take action on climate change. Curry E, Easley JS, Wojtusik J, Roth TL. Platform presentation. We suspect that he has either memorized the scent signatures of the pregnancies on which he was trained and has not generalized his recognition to novel pregnancies or that the scent signature of the samples changes with time, impacting his analysis. Factors such as season, age, latitude, and the presence of females were evaluated to ascertain their effects on testosterone concentrations. Even males that did not breed or were not housed with females experienced seasonal testosterone increases, albeit lower concentrations than breeding males. Little One’s longevity can be attributed to the excellent care he received.  The bear team provided daily enrichment, a nutritious diet specifically designed for a geriatric bear, and a comfortable environment inside and out. Contraceptive treatments were discontinued and nearly all females of reproductive age were paired for breeding; however, very few cubs are produced each year. Curry E, Stoops MA, DeLorenzo CJ, MacKinnon KM, Roth TL. Roth TL, MacKinnon KM, and Stoops MA. Oral presentation. Monitoring sexual maturation in polar bears. The most recent IUCN report estimates that there are 26,000 polar bears left in the wild and lists it as a vulnerable species, citing loss of Arctic sea ice due to climate change as its most serious threat. This new approach has resulted in an impressive success rate and, for the first time, the creation of a polar bear sperm bank to store these valuable genetics is possible. Although it is unknown as to where, exactly, the pregnancy process is failing, CREW scientists are examining ways to overcome infertility to give these females a chance at motherhood. New Orleans, LA (July 10th-13th). Dried fecal samples from pregnant and non-pregnant bears are scanned using a spectrometer and measurements of reflectance are recorded over the visible and near infrared ranges. 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management. Although the females that had been contracepted resumed normal breeding behaviors following treatment, only two (18%) gave birth. With CREW’s expanding involvement in polar bear research, conservation and education and the Zoo’s progress in going green, it was a natural next-step to formally name the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden one of Polar Bears International’s official Arctic Ambassador Centers.

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