RESEARCH ACTIVITY OF

THE ZOOS OF THE

FORMER USSR

Sergei Popov

Moscow Zoo
There
information
were 39 about
zoos69and
regional
aquaria
in
zoos
the and
territory
aquaria
of former
is nowUSSR
avalable.
in 1991
40 from these institutions
are joined in EARAZA
- EARAZA member
 Research Survey (April - June 2006)
44 questionnaire lists 18 answers

11 large zoos 3 middle-size zoos 4 small zoos

(staff more than 100) (staff 50 to 100) (staff less than 50)
Askaniya-Nova (Ukrine) Perm’ (Russia) Zelenogorsk (Russia)
Ekaterinburg (Russia) Sachalin (Russia) Sevastopol (Ukrine)
Kazan’ (Russia) Tula (Russia) Habarovsk (Russia)
Kaunas (Lithuania) Yakutsk (Russia)
Nikolaev (Ukrine)
Novosibirsk (Russia)
Rostov-Don (Russia)
St.Peterburg (Russia)
Tallinn (Estonia)
Khar’kov (Ukrine)
Moscow (Russia)
 Research publishing activities
The base for analyses
Scientific Research in Zoological Gardens, Moscow, NN 12-20

Scientific Research in Zoological Gardens, Kharkov, NN 3-4.

Birds of Prey and Owls in Captivity, Moscow, NN 9-15

352 articles from 2000 to 2006 in total

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
 Survey results
9 Zoos (8 large and one small) have Research Departments.

They are:
Askania-Nova Zoo (Ukrine) Kazan Zoo (Russia)
Kharkov Zoo (Ukrine) Leningrad Zoo (Russia)
Moscow Zoo (Russia) Nikolaev Zoo (Ukrine)
Novosibirsk Zoo (Russia) Rostov-Don Zoo (Russia)
Yakutsk Zoo (Russia)
 61% of surveyed zoos have formal and 89% have informal relationships with universities
or other research/scientific institutions
Relative contribution to scientific activity of different researchers types.
60

50

40
Large Zoo
30 Middle Zoo
%

20 Small Zoo

10

0
Research staff Other staff Other Students Others
researchers
external
qualified
specialists
in
12%
cooperation
1 with other
research
0,8 institutions
12%
0,6
0,4
0,2 zoos staff
only
0 76%
zoos staff only external qualified specialists

Questionnaire resalts Publications

The rate of cooperation in scientific publications
 Declared benefits of Zoos’ research activity.

1
0,9
0,8
0,7
0,6 Large Zoo
Rate

0,5 Middle Zoo

0,4
Small Zoo
0,3
0,2
0,1
0
Improved Produces Necessary for our Raises our profile Other
management information for zoo license as a worthwhile
education institution
programme
Priority themes of zoos’ articles
education zoo
taxonomic
research architecture
1%
monitoring of projects 1% animals'
phisiology 2% nutrition research in
2% review 5% the wild
methods & 4% 6%
methodology
2%
concervation
genetics projects
1% 5%

morphology veterinary
2% research
9%

reproductive
husbandry biology
38% 11%
behaviour
11%
 The research priorities of 14/18 zoos from former USSR

1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0
Husbandry/animal Animal behaviour Reproductiv Vet Research Conservation Education Others
welfare research Biology

Large Zoo Middle Zoo Small Zoo

The rank comparison of formal research priorities and article’s themes

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Husbandry/anim al Anim al Reproductiv Vet Research Conservation Education Others
w elfare research behaviour Biology

Zoos' research prioritets The ranks of articles' themes

 The forms of contribution to research.

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Making animal Making biological Allowing Teaching at Funding research
records available samples available researchers to university that is carried out
carry out their by third parties
research

Less than once per annum 1-5 per annum

6-20 per annum More than 20 per annum
 Publication of zoo research results

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Peer-review ed Peer-review ed Non peer- Articles in non- Oral Poster
articles in articles in review ed scientific non- presentations presentations
international national articles in professional at professional at professional
scientific scientific national m agazines conferences conferences
journals journals scientific zoo
issues

Less than once per annum 1-5 per annum

6-20 per annum More than 20 per annum
The subjects of zoos research

Fishes
Invertebrates 9%
1% Amphibians
3%

Mammals
Reptiles
35%
27%

Birds
25%
 Moscow Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities
• Captive animal behaviuor (including social
interactions, acoustics and environment enrichment)
• Breeding biology (amphibians, reptiles and small
mammals)
• Noninvasive monitoring of physiology
• Diseases of snakes and lizards and veterinary
techniques for reptiles
• Researches for conservation projects
 Kharkov Zoo

Research priorities Moscow

MoscowZoo, 114
Zoo, 114
• Husbandry and breeding techniques for
various animal taxa
• Environment enrichment for mammals
• Animals’ nutrition and development of new rations
• Developing of educational methods for zoo visitors
and young biologists

Kharkov
KharkovZoo,
Zoo,43
43
 Tula Exotarium

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities
• Reptiles reproductive biology
• The taxonomy of snakes
• Husbandry and breeding of various reptiles species

Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Leningrad Zoo (St.Peterburg)

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities Leningrad Zoo; 21

• Animal behaviour
• Breeding biology & ontogenesis Kharkov Zoo, 43
• Education methods
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Ekaterinburg Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities
• Husbandry and breeding techniques for
various animal taxa
• Veterinarian research

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium;35
 Kazan Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities
• Breeding biology and
behaviour of bears Kazan Zoo; 12
• Husbandry of falcons

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Tula Exotarium; 35 Kharkov Zoo, 43

 Askaniya-Nova Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities
• Genetics
Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
• Adaptations of ungulates to
seminatural conditions
Kazan Zoo; 12
• Behavior of antelopes and
ostriches Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21
Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Kaliningrad Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Research priorities Kaliningrad Zoo; 8

• Husbandry/animal welfare
• Conservation Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
• Breeding biology
Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Samara Zoo

Moscow Zoo, 114

Samara Zoo; 8
Research priorities
• Conservation Kaliningrad Zoo; 8
• Biotechnology Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Perm Zoo

Perm Zoo; 7 Moscow Zoo, 114

Samara Zoo; 8
Research priorities
• Husbandry/animal welfare Kaliningrad Zoo; 8
Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Tula Exotarium; 35 Kharkov Zoo, 43

 Almaty Zoo

Almaty Zoo; 5 Moscow Zoo, 114

Perm Zoo; 7
Samara Zoo; 8
Research priorities
• Husbandry/animal welfare Kaliningrad Zoo; 8
• Morphology Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
• Conservation
Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21

Kharkov Zoo, 43
Tula Exotarium; 35
 Novosibirsk Zoo

Novosibirsk Zoo; 5
Almaty Zoo; 5 Moscow Zoo, 114
Perm Zoo; 7
Samara Zoo; 8
Research priorities Kaliningrad Zoo; 8
• Conservation
• Breeding biology Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9
• Behaviour
Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21
Kharkov Zoo, 43

Tula Exotarium; 35
 other 13 zoos; 33

Novosibirsk Zoo; 5
Almaty Zoo; 5 Moscow Zoo, 114
Perm Zoo; 7
Samara Zoo; 8
Kaliningrad Zoo; 8
Askaniya-Nova Zoo; 9

Kazan Zoo; 12

Ekaterinburg Zoo; 14

Leningrad Zoo; 21
Kharkov Zoo, 43

Tula Exotarium; 35
Сurrent EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia Kiev Zoo, Moscow Zoo, Novosibirsk Zoo, Penza Zoo,
Alma-Ata Zoo, Tashkent Zoo, Bustards Breeding
Stations in Saratov and Kharkov.
Сurrent EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia Moscow Zoo, Novosibirsk Zoo, Tallinn Zoo,
Erevan Zoo, Tashkent Zoo, Alma-Ata Zoo,
Askania-Nova Zoo&Reservation, Praha Zoo,
Breeding Station “Plavecki Petr”(Slovac
Rep.), Institution of Systematic and Ecology
Academy Science.
Current EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia
• The Steller’s Sea Eagle Moscow Zoo, Moscow State Univercity, Alma-Ata
Zoo, Leningrad Zoo, Novosibirsk Zoo, Rostov-na-
Donu Zoo, Tallinn Zoo, Kazan Zoo, Brno Zoo,
Homutov Zoo, Nicolaev Zoo, Kishenev Zoo, Minsk
Zoo, The Institute of Nature Conservation
(Russia)
Current EARAZA conservation programs:
• Conservation of Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia
• The Steller’s Sea Eagle
• The Siberian Spruce Grouse Novosibirsk Zoo, Moscow Zoo, Institution of
Systematic and Ecology Academy Science,
local Zoo “Orto-Doidu” Sacha Republic.
Current EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia
• The Steller’s Sea Eagle
• The Siberian Spruce Grouse
• Rare and Endangered Geese of Eurasia Moscow Zoo, Leningrad Zoo,
Novosibirsk Zoo, Rostov-na-Donu
Zoo, Tallinn Zoo, The Institute of
Nature Conservation (Russia),
Moscow State University
Current EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia
• The Steller’s Sea Eagle
• The Siberian Spruce Grouse
• Rare and Endangered Geese of Eurasia
• Dahly’s Gerbil Moscow & Erevan Zoos
Current EARAZA conservation programs:
• Bustards in Eurasia
• Mountain Ungulates of Eurasia
• The Steller’s Sea Eagle
• The Siberian Spruce Grouse
• Rare and Endangered Geese of Eurasia
• Dahly’s Gerbil
• Crane Conservation in Eurasia

Moscow zoo, Alma-Ata Zoo,

Novosibirsk Zoo, Rostov-na-Donu
Zoo, Tallinn Zoo, Perm Zoo, Riga
Zoo, Okskij State Reserve, Hingan
State Reserve
 Publishing activities
-Scientific special periodicals which publish scientific papers
Scientific Research in Zoological Gardens, Moscow, from 1990, NN 1-20
Birds of Prey and Owls in Captivity, Moscow, from 1992, NN 1-15
Scientific Research in Zoological Gardens, Kharkov, Ukraine, from 1992, NN 1- 4.
-Non-scientific special periodicals, which sometimes publish scientific papers
Annual Zoo Reports - zoos from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk
(Russia), Kharkov (Ukraine), Tallinn (Estonia).
EARAZA Informational Issue on the Regional Collections, Moscow, from 1982, NN 1- 25
EARAZA ZIC News, Moscow, from 2002 NN 1- 5
-Non-periodic scientific issues
All papers are in Russian (usually with short English summary) and all of them are not peer-
reviewed. EARAZA members distributes its issues among all EARAZA-zoos; many of such
materials are available at zoo sites, especially at site of Moscow Zoo – www.MoscowZOO.ru
 Methodological activities
MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS

An International Workshop on Carnivores and Sea Mammals in Zoos and Breeding Stations
2005
An International Workshop on Zoo Animal Nutrition
2005
An International Workshop on Ungulates in Zoos and Breeding Stations, their Husbandry,
2004 Veterinary Care, and Behavioral Studies
2004 The second International EARAZA Workshop on Invertebrates in Zoological Collections

2004 XII International Moscow Veterinary Congress

2004 International Exhibition Forum “ Zoorus”

2003 International Workshop on Veterinary Herpetology

2003 An educational seminar “Applied Primatology Issues”.

2003 Annual Symposium on Veterinary Medicine of Small Domestic Animals

2002 The Workshop for Curators of Ornithology

2002 Education Workshop

2001 Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity

2001 Invertebrates in Zoo Collections

2001 The International Zoo Veterinary Conference

 Methodological activities
SOME SPECIAL METHODICAL ISSUES WERE PUBLISHED.

1990 - “Handbook for Captive Animals Behaviour Research” – the only

one book of such kind in Russian. Research Department of
Moscow
Zoo. Now we are preparing the revised second edition of this book.
1997 – “Manuals on the work with poison snakes in the Zoo”. Reptiles
Department of Moscow zoo.

2002 – “Education in Zoos (Methodological recommendations)”. Education

Department of Moscow Zoo.

2005 – “The reference source for standards and law provision of Russian
Zoos and Breeding Stations” (prepared by EARAZA ZIC).
 Methodological activities
TRANSLATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION FROM FOREIGN SOURCES.

Recently the staff of the Moscow Zoo translated the following documents:
• Amur Leopard Conservation Campaign information package
• Manuals on the husbandry of several rare species
• Summaries of articles published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
• Monthly issues of the ISIS News;
• all WAZA statutory information and the World Zoo and Aquarium
Conservation Strategy.
The Kiev Zoo provided translations of two useful publications.
• A reference book on ideas for behavioral enrichment for zoo animals,
Ed.by Chris Peters.
• Zoo Animal Nutrition. Tables and Guidelines. by Dr. Walter L. Jansen and
BSc Joeke Nijboer
 Conclusion: problems and perspectives
• The lack of any research activity and research staff in many local zoos,
especially in non-EARAZA members. Thought to be due to of the lack of
money and specialists.
• Disconnection of most analyzed zoos from the world zoo community
(through language barrier and lack of money for the trips abroad).
• Poor results of the cooperation with Universities and Academic Institutions.
• Necessity to increase the quality of the research in many zoos.
Research is a sort of additional obligation besides animal keeping and breeding.

More close cooperation and coordination of the researchers and keepers.

Development of interzoo connections and cooperation with research institutions.
Thank you for your patience !