SUNY series in Endangered Species – serie

This book addresses theoretical and pragmatic issues concerning naturalistic environments in captivity for animals. The multidisciplinary orientation of the volume will help regulatory personnel, administrators, and researchers to understand each other's roles and responsibilities in the design, construction, and real-time operation of these facilities. The book also highlights the important value of naturalistic environments in captivity to the scientific study of animal behavior. The authors provide insights into identifying physical environmental features not in compliance with existing regulations, and that may have a negative impact on the physical health and psychological well-being of animals.

This book addresses theoretical and pragmatic issues concerning naturalistic environments in captivity for animals. The multidisciplinary orientation of the volume will help regulatory personnel, administrators, and researchers to understand each other's roles and responsibilities in the design, construction, and real-time operation of these facilities. The book also highlights the important value of naturalistic environments in captivity to the scientific study of animal behavior. The authors provide insights into identifying physical environmental features not in compliance with existing regulations, and that may have a negative impact on the physical health and psychological well-being of animals.

Przewalski's horse, the only true horse never to have been domesticated, is believed to be extinct in the wild. Experts from around the world come together in this book and offer a complete synthesis of knowledge about the species to date. Topics included are taxonomy, morphology, former geographic distribution, history in captivity, the studbook, genetics, population biology, nutrition, veterinary care, reproduction, and behavior. Implications for management are also included and are especially relevant in light of recent plans to attempt the reintroduction of Przewalski's horses into the wild. This book provides a valuable reference to those charged with managing this endangered species in captivity and implementing its reintroduction.

This multi-disciplinary approach to conservation of endangered species in captivity is organized taxonomically and by scientific discipline. The seven taxonomic groups included are invertebrates; fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds, marine mammals, primates, and other mammals. Within each taxonomic group, four scientific disciplines are explored: conservation, reproductive physiology, behavior, and captive design.Conservation chapters summarize the status of the taxonomic group both in the wild and in captivity. Reviewed in the reproductive physiology chapters are anatomy, endocrinology and physiology for females and males of the taxonomic group. In the section on behavior the functions of captive animal research, the methods used, and the problems encountered are discussed. And, in examining captive design the authors provide a general historical outline of the philosophies, trends, and scientific issues for the targeted taxonomic group.