IBREAM team members (including researchers from JCU’s state-of-the-art Gamete and Embryology (GAME) Laboratory) have a plan to help low-ranked African wild dogs become part of the breeding cycle and help ensure the endangered species survive. The species (Lycaon pictus) is highly endangered, with a complex pack hierarchy in which subordinate animals usually do not breed … Read more “Being top dog doesn’t guarantee better sperm in African wild dogs”

Since I started to study for my first degree in biology, I heard a lot about Taï National Park (TNP) in Ivory Coast. Indeed, this is the biggest primary rainforest of West Africa and different endemic species live there as the Jentink’s duiker (Cephalophus Jentinki), the white-breasted guineafowl (Agelastes meleagrides) and 8 monkey species as … Read more “Pygmy Hippos in Taï Forest 2017/2018: update and first impressions”

The pygmy hippopotamus is endangered in the wild and has been exhibited in zoological collections since the early 1900s; however, it remains one of the most little known and poorly understood large mammal species in the world. Studies of its biology, physiology and ecology have been limited, both by the often inhospitable nature of its … Read more “Pygmy Hippo PhD 2017 Summary”

James Cook University researchers have helped develop a new way to save endangered African wild dogs. IBREAM team members have successfully developed a sperm freezing technique for the species (Lycaon pictus). The highly efficient pack hunters have disappeared from most of their original range across sub-Saharan Africa due to habitat destruction, human persecution and canine … Read more “Freezing breakthrough offers hope for African wild dogs”

The Ethiopian Wolf is one of the most endangered animals in the world and found only in Ethiopia. Because of different endangering factors prevailing in the wolf habitat, this animal has attracted the interests of conservation groups around the world.   Workshops and training The tangible jointly taken step by the College of Veterinary Medicine … Read more “Ethiopian Wolf Semen Banking Expedition 2014-2017”

Back in April of 2014, I travelled to 12 zoos around the USA to meet their pygmy hippos and initiate sample collection for a year-long hormone study using dung samples. The last year flew by, and April 2015 came a lot faster than expected! Now it was finally time to gather all my samples and … Read more “Pygmy Hippopotamus Labwork in Florida at SEZARC”

My 6 month long USA fieldwork ended in September 2014 and I must say, it was quite an adventure! My plane landed in the cold Chicago on the 28th of April. First item on the program was attending the African Painted Dog conference in Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, where I had the pleasure of meeting numerous … Read more “African wild dog research update USA: May – September 2014”

One of the rhinos that IBREAM monitored intensively in South Africa, Mohlaki (meaning “explorer, discoverer”) died unexpectedly. We are all very sad about this news, and hope that she didn’t’ suffer too long. It took a long time to find her carcass in the extremely rough terrain where she liked to live. The search is … Read more “Very sad news… One of our beloved Rhinos is no longer with us now”