PAIGNTON ZOO CREATES GLOBAL DATABASE FOR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT IN ZOOS
Devon zoo’s six-year study catalogues over 1,000 scientific investigations to revolutionise care of endangered species worldwide.
A ground-breaking research partnership led by Paignton Zoo has produced the world’s first comprehensive scientific database for zoo animal management.
The six-year collaboration with Conservation Evidence, based at the University of Cambridge, and a host of zoo experts represents one of the most ambitious undertakings in modern zoo research, analysing more than 27,000 academic articles to start a process that could transform how species are cared for in zoos and aquariums across the globe.
With at least 35 species now existing only in human care after becoming extinct in the wild, the timing of this research could not be more critical. Yet until now, many animal care decisions are made without ready access to the available scientific evidence, a gap this project aims to bridge using the methods and platforms developed for the wider field of nature conservation by Conservation Evidence.
Dr Andrew Bowkett, Conservation Projects Manager for Wild Planet Trust at Paignton Zoo, conceived the project during discussions with Professor William Sutherland at Cambridge.
“As our planet faces what scientists call a ‘sixth mass extinction,’ zoos may become the last hope for many animals,” Bowkett explained. “This database will allow animal managers to base critical decisions on current scientific knowledge.”
The scale of the undertaking is staggering. Researchers scanned 27,705 articles across 45 academic journals, analysing over 1,000 scientific investigations covering 637 different animal species across 516 institutions in 69 countries. The resulting database catalogues evidence for 424 specific management interventions, supported by an international advisory board of 26 zoo science experts.
The findings reveal both progress and persistent gaps in zoo science. While at least some scientific testing exists for 90% of identified zoo practices, many interventions have only minimal research supporting them – highlighting areas where further investigation is desperately needed.
This evidence-based approach represents a paradigm shift for an industry that has often operated on institutional knowledge passed down through generations of keepers. By creating a comprehensive catalogue of what has been scientifically tested and what hasn’t, the project provides a roadmap for evidence-based zoo animal management. Zoos can then apply findings for successful interventions, which will help them to provide optimal husbandry and environmental conditions, and ultimately improve animal welfare.
The research was initially led by Dr Anaëlle Lemasson as Zoo Evidence Officer, with Dr Tom Martin taking over in 2022 to ensure continuity throughout the extensive process. Dr Martin is now at Operation Wallacea. Other researchers involved are based at universities of Cambridge, Plymouth, Birmingham, Hartpury, Bangor, Nottingham Trent and Kyoto. Their work has been published in the Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, with the database made freely available through the JZAR website.
The next steps would be to summarise and assess the evidence for each action in an open access e-book and individually on the Conservation Evidence website. The project was funded by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which Paignton Zoo is a member, and the partners are seeking further funding to summarise and evaluate the evidence for particular groups of species.
For Paignton Zoo, which operates under the Wild Planet Trust charity, the project represents a significant contribution to global conservation research. The database will be accessible to practitioners in zoos and aquariums worldwide, ensuring that the best available knowledge reaches those working on the frontlines of species conservation.
Click here to read the full paper published on JZAR. To find out more about how you can support this project, please email Andrew.Bowkett@wildplanettrust.org.uk
