Mammals

Bear Hug: Mother-Infant Bonding in Ursidae

Understanding the mother-infant relationship in bears, including how much mothers invest in offspring, the possible costs of this investment, and why some mothers may provide inadequate care or abandon or even kill cubs.

Nine Lives of Black-footed Cats

This project is part of a larger conservation initiative to better understand the ecology, genetics, health, and reproductive biology of the black-footed cat in southern Africa.

Rescue and Reproduction of Rare Rabbits

Not all species of rabbits reproduce like, uh, rabbits. Two species in particular - pygmy rabbits and volcano rabbits - are highly endangered and San Diego Conservation Research scientists need more than carrots to help these animals survive.

Lend an Ear to our Elephant Research Programs

A wide variety of elephant research programs are underway at the zoo with the goal of improving captive management techniques.

Koala Management, Education, and Conservation

Our Koala Education & Conservation Program reaches a global public through exhibition, education, and research and generates significant funds to support field conservation and research, including contraception investigations, vegetation mapping, planned community development, and studies designed to better describe koala behavior and ecology.

Living Large: Elephant Conservation in Southern Africa

San Diego Zoo’s Conservation Research has active projects in over 35 countries across the globe, including projects supporting wild elephant conservation. Dr. Michael Chase established Elephants Without Borders (EWB) in 2004, a research-based nonprofit organization in Botswana.

Giant Panda Ecology

Studying mating strategies using behavioral, ecological, endocrine, and genetic approaches, we can better understand risks to the genetic health of giant panda populations and determine the best management approaches.

Let’s Flow: Gorilla Conservation Genetics

Researchers in our Genetics Division were the first to perform genetic studies on wild populations of gorillas and to demonstrate the genetic distinctiveness of regional gorilla populations. We continue to build on this foundation by utilizing the extensive array of gorilla samples stored in the Frozen Zoo® to help us assign gorillas living in zoos today to their historical wild populations. 

Dynamic Science in the Somali Wild Ass

The goal of this project is to provide a scientific framework for understanding factors influencing differential reproductive success among individuals of Somali wild ass by conducting a detailed study of social behavior and hormone concentrations. 

Enhancing Reproduction in White Rhinos

The objective of this collaborative research project is to determine the root causes of failed reproduction of white rhinos and to make recommendations for improved management of the captive population.

Do You Hear What I Hear: Conservation Bioacoustics in Cheetahs

This research project is investigating the role of bioacoustics in the reproduction of cheetahs.

Spotting Solutions for Feline Herpes Infection in Cheetahs

Feline herpesvirus (FHV), a viral infection endemic to North American captive cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus, and causes upper-respiratory disease and debilitating cutaneous ulcers, thus putting captive breeding efforts at risk. San Diego Zoo Conservation Research scientists are working to arrest this problem.

Research and Outreach for Polar Bears

This program addresses specific aspects of polar bear biology deemed important for conservation management in the wild and zoos including sensory ecology research and the Arctic Ambassador program.

Exciting Ecology of Koalas: Can You Hear Me Now?

Koalas have always been charismatic ambassadors for conservation. The San Diego Zoo maintains the largest breeding colony of koalas outside Australia and has long been a leader in their captive management.

Finding Digs for Endangered Small Mammals in Southern California

This project uses the study of behavioral ecology theory to drive conservation of small mammals in Southern California.

Polar Bear Partnership

The plight of the polar bear is becoming critical. Climate change is taking a toll on polar bears and their habitat, endangering their long-term survival. We need to share the polar bears’ challenges and educate people on this growing conservation crisis. Here is our first step.

The Thrill of Drill Research in Cameroon

Drills are among the most endangered primate species in Africa and probably the largest monkey species in the world. They are naturally geographically restricted and human impacts further imperil this elusive primate. We are utilizing genetic tools for studying their ecology to make better conservation assessments.

Panda Conservation: Not Always Black and White

This program involves a very close collaboration between the Giant Panda Conservation (GPC) unit of San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research and the San Diego Zoo and extensive collaborations in China, especially with our principle collaborating institution, the Wolong Breeding Center.

Snub or Hug? Social Dynamics of Snub-nosed Monkeys

Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys are commonly referred to as golden monkeys. They are found in central and southwestern China in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei provinces. In some areas, these monkeys are sympatric with giant pandas.

Behavior and Biology of Asian Leaf-eating Monkeys

Threatened by hunting and habitat loss, over 50 percent of Asian leaf-eating monkeys are currently at risk, yet little is known about the behavior and ecology of these primates

Bare it all: Conservation of the Andean Bear

The Andean bear is a species at high risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat degradation and fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.

Shedding Light on the Mysterious Lives of Gorillas

Scientists at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research performed the first genetic studies on populations of wild mountain gorillas and discovered that even regionally, these animals are genetically distinct. Subsequently, investigators have found significant genetic differentiation within western lowland gorilla populations among what has been considered a single subspecies.

Comparative Studies of Great Apes and Other Primates

It has long been know that significant disease risks are associated with quality and type of diet. In the genomics era, it has become clear that risk for specific diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, as well as certain types of cancer, are associated with genetic risk factors and the environmental effect of diet.

Check back regularly for additional conservation projects!