31 



The Education Program Coordinator of the Hawaiian Humane Society com- 

 plimented another marine Ufe park on its contributions to seminars for local edu- 

 cators on "Animal Education Programs." 



These comments are typical of the positive public response to the programs of- 

 fered by AAZPA and Alliance members. 



B. Research 



Research is also an essential element of the program at zoos and marine mammal 

 parks and aquariums. Much of what is known about marine mammal biology, physi- 

 ology, reproduction and behavior results from scientific research conducted by public 

 display facilities. 



Generally, research by Alliance and AAZPA members falls into two categories — 

 onsite projects and field research. 



On-site projects are often aimed at improving animal husbandry knowledge in- 

 cluding health information, diet and reproductive biology. This type of research con- 

 tinues to assure that our marine mammals are housed m the best-designed habitats. 



Captive breeding programs are also implemented at AAZPA and Alliance facilities 

 as part of a more holistic effort to preserve species in their natural habitats. Con- 

 servation of the world's wildlife and its habitat is the highest priority of AAZPA. 

 The association's conservation activities were initiated with the development of the 

 Species Survival Plan (SSP) in 1981. The SSP now manages cooperative breeding 

 programs for 69 species. The Marine Mammal Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) was re- 

 cently formed to prioritize marine mammal species for captive propagation and rec- 

 ommend species for which new studbooks and SSPs should be developed. 



The Marine Mammal TAG is composed of a diverse group of experts including 

 representatives from other conservation organizations, field biologists and zoological 

 professionals. This insures that the best informed recommendations on captive prop- 

 agation management will be made. The designation of priority species for captive 

 breeding is based on captive population size, available space for propagation, breed- 

 ing success, status in the wild, genetic viability of the captive population, and ulti- 

 mately, the long range outlook for enhancing or reestablishing native populations 

 in the wild. 



The second category of research is field research. Findings are presented at pro- 

 fessional meetings and then published in scientific journals. In this way, our re- 

 search benefits government, environmental and conservation groups throughout the 

 world. 



In the last five years. Alliance and AAZPA members have spent over $20 million 

 on marine mammal research. Over the past 25 years, our members have published 

 over 1,600 research studies and presented the results to professional organizations 

 and conferences. 



Research projects undertaken by Alliance and AAZPA members have achieved 

 breakthroughs which benefit all marine mammals, including wild populations. For 

 example: 



• The marine mammal community has developed specialized vitamin and nursing 

 formulas for young animals bom in zoological environments that have been used to 

 increase the survival of young abandoned hy their mothers in the wild. 



• Fuel oil is no longer added to off-shore oil drilling fluids because the Edgerton 

 Research Laboratory, an integral part of the New England Aquarium, identified 

 number 2 fuel oil as the most toxic component in oil drilling fluid mixtures. 



• Studies of the food intake rate ana reproductive biology of the northern fur seal 

 have contributed to the overall knowledge of this species, now designated as de- 

 pleted. 



• Researchers tested a satellite-linked radio transmitter allowing scientists to 

 learn more about the ranging patterns of dolphins in the open waters of the Gulf 

 of Mexico. 



• The Long Marine Laboratory is currently training California sea lions to swim 

 with gray whales and tape whale behavior with video cameras. By studying gray 

 whale behavior, researchers hope to acquire information that will protect the whales 

 in their natural environment as well as protect the habitat they require. This re- 

 search is being underwritten, in part, by the National Geographic Society. 



• Collaborative efforts between the University of Hawaii and a marine mammal 

 facility have resulted in a test to identify concentrations of the deadly ciguatoxin 

 in the blood of humans and animals. Early detection and treatment is now possible 

 for people and marine mammals that have ingested fish tainted with toxin. 



• Scientists have worked with the Air Force to study the effects of aircraft noise 

 on birds and marine mammals. 



• A study was done with the National Institutes of Health and others to deter- 

 mine how harbor seals may avoid heart disease even though their all-seafood diet 



