Science

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado are the co-founders of the giraffe plasma bank and, along with several other collaborating zoos, work to consistently collect large volumes of plasma from giraffes to send to animals in need of a transfusion. These plasma transfusions have been responsible for assisting in saving the lives of young giraffes across the country as the vital antibodies and critical proteins in the plasma help provide a life-saving boost to calves’ immune systems. Collection of the plasma is the result of the hard work and dedication of the Animal Care and Animal Health teams, who have trained members of the giraffe herd to participate in these large volume blood collections completely awake and voluntarily.

Great apes with progressive heart disease are benefiting from procedures done right here at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In collaboration with the Great Ape Heart Project and with the assistance of local medical specialists, our Animal Care and Animal Health teams implanted cardiac monitors in two gorillas, two orangutans and--for the first time anywhere--two bonobos. The monitors provide real time data and critical knowledge to advance veterinary care and help these animals live longer and healthier lives.

The Columbus Zoo joins the ranks of only several zoos in the U.S. with an onsite DNA testing lab that can help provide an early warning of an active viral infectious disease in elephants. Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is found in both African and Asian elephants in their native ranges and human care. Currently, it is unknown as to why the virus affects some elephants and not others, but scientists, researchers and elephant care experts are working to learn more about this virus, and its treatment and prevention. While the virus can also be asymptomatic and not cause illness, it can rapidly become fatal, particularly for younger elephants. Regular blood and trunk wash samples can alert veterinarians to an active virus early, allowing time to aggressively treat the elephant and protect its herdmates, but a confirmed diagnosis requires a special DNA test. The lab allows our team to perform PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which quickly and accurately diagnose infectious diseases and provide genetic information.

Thanks to this lab, our team tests blood samples on our higher-risk elephants twice a week and monitors trunk washes weekly on the entire herd. In partnership with the Smithsonian, which worked closely with the Zoo during the lab’s creation, and the national North American EEHV Advisory Group, we hope that data collected will not only help elephants in their care and at facilities across the U.S., but also help in the creation of an EEHV vaccine.

Due to the success of the Columbus Zoo polar bear program, the Zoo often participates in ground-breaking science initiatives designed to make a positive difference for this vulnerable species.

This includes:

• Working with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) to help perform an artificial insemination (AI) procedure that has only been attempted approximately 20 times worldwide
• Providing data to our conservation partner, Polar Bears International (PBI), about our cubs’ growth and development to assist with maternal den studies
• Working with PBI and 3M to test prototype devices as part of the “Burr on Fur” program to help find a minimally invasive way to track wild bears to learn about their movement patterns and habitat use

The Columbus Zoo’s Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center is the first facility in the state and among only a few in the nation to propagate freshwater mussels in vitro (in a petri dish). Why is this so important? Several mussel species are considered to be endangered at local, state, and national levels, and they play a critical role in maintaining healthy rivers. One benefit of in vitro propagation is that thousands of mussels could be produced and reared. This would be more efficient to repopulating the species compared to only a couple hundred growing into their juvenile stage within the same timeframe by the traditional methods of attaching to a host fish, which also leads to other risks.

Many of our team members also make a positive impact by working directly in species’ native ranges. From conducting health research projects evaluating the effects of habitat loss in lemur populations in Madagascar, helping to care for animals impacted by natural disasters, and providing veterinary care to endangered southern mountain caribou in British Columbia, Canada, our wildlife experts are participating—and leading the charge—in saving wildlife around the world.