Project Updates

Update Conservation Dogs project

By Monique Paris | December 22, 2022

Author: Mariska Snelleman Already underway for several months and what a progress we have made! The detection dogs were initially trained with one dung sample … Read more “Update Conservation Dogs project”

Calming Scents: Validating perception of a novel appeasing pheromone for use in African wild dog management

By Pia Riddell | December 21, 2022

A male pack member of the Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve pack resting Photo credit: Pia Riddell Earlier this year our valuable collaborators at … Read more “Calming Scents: Validating perception of a novel appeasing pheromone for use in African wild dog management”

Expedition in Tai forest to collect pygmy hippo pooh samples for gender analyis by conservation detection dogs: will the smell give us the answers?

By karimouatarra | May 16, 2022

Preparation and challenges of this mission The preparation of the field data collection mission started with the purchase of field equipment, the refilling of nitrogen … Read more “Expedition in Tai forest to collect pygmy hippo pooh samples for gender analyis by conservation detection dogs: will the smell give us the answers?”

African Wild Dog Research Update – Lab work in Australia at James Cook University

By Pia Riddell | April 25, 2022

The last year has not been what we all expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and much of our original plan for the AWD project … Read more “African Wild Dog Research Update – Lab work in Australia at James Cook University”

Detection Dogs Assisting Conservation Management of the Endangered Pygmy Hippo by their Smell

By Monique Paris | April 9, 2021

My name is Mariska Snelleman and I am delighted to join the team of IBREAM. I am very excited at the prospect of supporting IBREAM’s … Read more “Detection Dogs Assisting Conservation Management of the Endangered Pygmy Hippo by their Smell”

The image is credited with "© Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)"

Meet Estefania, IBREAM’s newest Pygmy Hippo PhD student: Estefania plans to unravel several secrets of the pygmy hippopotamus

By Monique Paris | December 15, 2020

Hello readers of the IBREAM website, I like to introduce myself. I am Estefania Erazo-Mera, another fan of Pygmy hippos in the IBREAM family. I … Read more “Meet Estefania, IBREAM’s newest Pygmy Hippo PhD student: Estefania plans to unravel several secrets of the pygmy hippopotamus”

African Wild Dog Research Update – Lab work in Australia at James Cook University

By Pia Riddell | December 10, 2020

As the year of 2020 draws to a close I have moved away from the very important research design component of my PhD project and have … Read more “African Wild Dog Research Update – Lab work in Australia at James Cook University”

Can the use of appeasing pheromones from African wild dogs improve pack bonding and survival?

By Pia Riddell | August 9, 2020

African wild dogs live in highly social and hierarchical groups. However, intra-pack aggression, injuries and even mortalities may occur during temporary separation of individuals from … Read more “Can the use of appeasing pheromones from African wild dogs improve pack bonding and survival?”

Pygmy Hippo Awareness Activities (2018) 

By karimouatarra | July 27, 2019

On Tuesday, May 29th, 2018, the 2018 edition of the Hippo day was organized in the village of Ponan, located at 4 km south of … Read more “Pygmy Hippo Awareness Activities (2018) “

Being top dog doesn’t guarantee better sperm in African wild dogs

By Monique Paris | March 9, 2019

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 … Read more “Being top dog doesn’t guarantee better sperm in African wild dogs”

Pygmy Hippos in Taï Forest 2017/2018: update and first impressions

By Alba Hendier | December 1, 2018

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 … Read more “Pygmy Hippos in Taï Forest 2017/2018: update and first impressions”

The Use of Dog Appeasing Pheromone to Aid Pack Reintroduction

By femkevandenberghe | July 13, 2018

African wild dogs have a complex hierarchical social structure that can lead to aggression, injuries and even mortality after temporary separation of individuals from the … Read more “The Use of Dog Appeasing Pheromone to Aid Pack Reintroduction”

Improved Sperm Freezing in the African Wild Dog

By femkevandenberghe | July 12, 2018

The development of sperm freezing can significantly help conservation and management of the endangered African wild dog. With the development of a good freezing protocol, … Read more “Improved Sperm Freezing in the African Wild Dog”

The End: An Exciting Beginning!

By Monique Paris | July 12, 2018

Every project needs to end, including Annemieke’s involvement in our IBREAM rhino project, but the submission and subsequent acceptance of Annemieke’s Ph.D. thesis by the … Read more “The End: An Exciting Beginning!”

Pygmy Hippo PhD 2017 Summary

By Gabriella Flacke | July 12, 2018

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 … Read more “Pygmy Hippo PhD 2017 Summary”

Freezing breakthrough offers hope for African wild dogs

By damien.paris | April 10, 2018

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 … Read more “Freezing breakthrough offers hope for African wild dogs”

Ethiopian Wolf Semen Banking Expedition 2014-2017

By wenche.farstad | October 20, 2017

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 … Read more “Ethiopian Wolf Semen Banking Expedition 2014-2017”

Pygmy Hippopotamus Labwork in Florida at SEZARC

By Gabriella Flacke | June 29, 2015

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 … Read more “Pygmy Hippopotamus Labwork in Florida at SEZARC”

Pygmy Hippo project interview

By Monique Paris | February 1, 2015

PhD student Dr Gabriella Flacke was interviewed by Techly Australia to explain her project with the pigmy hippos. Read the article The Aussie vet doing … Read more “Pygmy Hippo project interview”

African wild dog research update USA: May – September 2014

By femkevandenberghe | November 27, 2014

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 … Read more “African wild dog research update USA: May – September 2014”

Pygmy Hippo USA Fieldwork Update May & June 2014

By Monique Paris | June 17, 2014

 In the last six weeks, I have driven over 4500 miles (7000km) through 14 of the 50 states in the USA, all in the … Read more “Pygmy Hippo USA Fieldwork Update May & June 2014”

Very sad news… One of our beloved Rhinos is no longer with us now

By Monique Paris | May 9, 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, … Read more “Very sad news… One of our beloved Rhinos is no longer with us now”

Pygmy Hippo The First Month of “Fieldwork” in the USA

By Monique Paris | April 23, 2014

I left Perth on March 21st, the spring/fall equinox (depending on your hemisphere of choice) to start my second season of “fieldwork” for my PhD … Read more “Pygmy Hippo The First Month of “Fieldwork” in the USA”

Pygmy Hippo Research Update – 2013 in Review

By Monique Paris | February 14, 2014

Well, 2013 was certainly an eventful year in the world of pygmy hippo PhD research! During the first three months preparations were continually underway for … Read more “Pygmy Hippo Research Update – 2013 in Review”

White Rhino Research Update – Dec 2013

By Monique Paris | December 19, 2013

Rhino poaching in South Africa is increasing dramatically. The newly emerged belief amongst the people in several Asian countries that rhino horn can cure cancer … Read more “White Rhino Research Update – Dec 2013”

Article about our rhino project in UWA NEWS

By Monique Paris | July 16, 2013

IBREAM Rhino project in UWA news

Pygmy Hippo Fieldwork begins

By Monique Paris | February 12, 2013

In 2013, funding was secured to move on with additional aspects of The Taï Hippo Project, which is a collaborative endeavor between IBREAM and the … Read more “Pygmy Hippo Fieldwork begins”

A Local Team of Ethiopian Vets Ready to Establish the Ethiopian Wolf Semen Bank

By Monique Paris | August 9, 2012

In August 2011, a first expedition to Ethiopia was carried out by IBREAM members to make a start with capacity building with a training workshop … Read more “A Local Team of Ethiopian Vets Ready to Establish the Ethiopian Wolf Semen Bank”

Join Freya on a day in the field with the Ethiopian wolves: Wonderful Video Footage

By Monique Paris | May 28, 2012

During her fieldwork, Freya van Kersteren was followed by a film crew who has managed to capture some unique footage of her activities in Bale … Read more “Join Freya on a day in the field with the Ethiopian wolves: Wonderful Video Footage”

Conservation update San Diego Zoo – Spring 2012

By Monique Paris | April 27, 2012

One step closer to solving a rhino reproductive mystery: Zoo diets for southern white rhinos may activate their estrogen receptors, so Dr. Christopher Tubbs at … Read more “Conservation update San Diego Zoo – Spring 2012”

White Rhino Research Update – March 2012

By Monique Paris | March 29, 2012

The first six months of collecting rhino data in the field are behind me and it has been a period full of challenges, adventures and … Read more “White Rhino Research Update – March 2012”

Pygmy hippo awareness activities in Tai Forest: the awareness campaign and local support programme

By Monique Paris | March 21, 2012

So far, various tools have been developed for raising awareness with the aim to impact the maximum number of target groups: school children, peasants, women, … Read more “Pygmy hippo awareness activities in Tai Forest: the awareness campaign and local support programme”

White Rhino Research Update – Nov 2011

By Monique Paris | November 30, 2011

The fieldwork for the rhino project has begun. I am collecting samples from various females that range freely in a nature reserve in South Africa. … Read more “White Rhino Research Update – Nov 2011”

Reproductive Knowledge of Ethiopian Wolf Will Pave Way to Reproductive Conservation: Freya’s Conclusions

By robertmillar | October 11, 2011

Ethiopian wolves are medium-sized, territorial canids, endemic to the Ethiopian highlands. They live in family packs of up to 20 individuals, and within a pack … Read more “Reproductive Knowledge of Ethiopian Wolf Will Pave Way to Reproductive Conservation: Freya’s Conclusions”

Helping the world’s most endangered wolf species: Ethiopian Wolf

By Monique Paris | October 11, 2011

High up in the Bale Mountains at the altitude of 4300m a small population of Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) seek out their existence alongside an … Read more “Helping the world’s most endangered wolf species: Ethiopian Wolf”

African Wild Dog Project Update – August 2011

By Leanne Van der Weyde | August 22, 2011

Well the last of the field work ended earlier this month, coinciding with the last of the females giving birth a few weeks earlier. Breeding … Read more “African Wild Dog Project Update – August 2011”

African Wild Dog Project Update – May 2011

By Monique Paris | May 24, 2011

In late January 2011, a second field season of monitoring free-ranging populations of wild dogs commenced. The field work is taking place in the same … Read more “African Wild Dog Project Update – May 2011”

African Wild Dog Project Update – September 2010

By Monique Paris | September 13, 2010

The project based at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa, wrapped up the field work at the end of July for the year. The past couple … Read more “African Wild Dog Project Update – September 2010”

African Wild Dog Project Update – May 2010

By Monique Paris | June 16, 2010

The African wild dog project has continued steadily on over the past few weeks as the breeding season continues here in South Africa. Some clear … Read more “African Wild Dog Project Update – May 2010”

Pygmy Hippos Photographed in the Wild

By Monique Paris | June 3, 2010

As part of our efforts to gain the knowledge needed to help save the Pygmy hippo, we are studying their behavior in our field project … Read more “Pygmy Hippos Photographed in the Wild”

Rhino Ear Notching Video

By Monique Paris | April 27, 2010

This excellent video shows how ear notching, a procedure that helps identify individuals, is performed on Rhinos. This video and more can be found on … Read more “Rhino Ear Notching Video”

White Rhino Research Update – March 2011

By Monique Paris | April 27, 2010

We have been analysing the reproductive biology of the Southern White Rhino in the wild at a nature reserve in South Africa to obtain vital … Read more “White Rhino Research Update – March 2011”

Home Sweet Home

By Monique Paris | April 8, 2010

Not all scientific research takes place in hi-tech laboratories. In the Bale mountains in Ethiopia, our researcher, Freya van Kesteren is living in a home-made … Read more “Home Sweet Home”

Who’s Poo is Who’s?

By Monique Paris | April 5, 2010

In European Zoos, African Wild Dogs are group-housed and are fed with carcasses to mimic the natural situation as closely as possible. This is great … Read more “Who’s Poo is Who’s?”

African Wild Dog Field Report

By Monique Paris | April 4, 2010

The following is a field report from our African Wild Dog researcher, Leeane van der Weyde at Hluhluwe-imfolozi Park Well the first 6 weeks of … Read more “African Wild Dog Field Report”

Dog Appeasement Hormone Research Update

By Monique Paris | March 29, 2010

One of the main problems seen in captive held African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) is inter-pack aggression. Methods that have been applied to prevent or … Read more “Dog Appeasement Hormone Research Update”

No More Poo? A New Way to Get Hormone Samples from Pygmy Hippos

By Monique Paris | March 3, 2010

One of our primary project goals on our Pygmy Hippo project is to gain an understanding of their reproductive biology to enable us to optimize … Read more “No More Poo? A New Way to Get Hormone Samples from Pygmy Hippos”

Video Footage: Pygmy Hippos in the Wild!

By Monique Paris | March 2, 2010

Since they are solitary, nocturnal and live in dense forest, Pygmy Hippos notoriously difficult to find in the wild so this video footage of a … Read more “Video Footage: Pygmy Hippos in the Wild!”

Pygmy Hippo Photo Montage

By Monique Paris | February 25, 2010

One thing’s for sure about Pygmy Hippos; they are definitely photogenic! Below are some of our favourite Pygmy Hippo photos taken in our partner zoos. … Read more “Pygmy Hippo Photo Montage”

It’s Dirty Work! How We Study Reproductive Hormones in Pygmy Hippos

By Monique Paris | February 25, 2010

Studying the reproductive hormones in Pygmy Hippos is a dirty job, because the easiest way for us to do it us by analysing their faeces.  … Read more “It’s Dirty Work! How We Study Reproductive Hormones in Pygmy Hippos”

Rabies Outbreak in the Ethiopian Highlands

By Monique Paris | December 1, 2009

Our field researcher in the Bale Mountains, Freya van Kesteren, has alerted the Ethiopian authorities to a fresh outbreak of Rabies, which has resulted in … Read more “Rabies Outbreak in the Ethiopian Highlands”

Breakthrough in African Wild Dog Project

By Monique Paris | December 1, 2008

Aggression between African Wild Dogs is a major problem in zoos and can often have fatal consequences. This problem is a major hurdle that must … Read more “Breakthrough in African Wild Dog Project”