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Scoop on Poop continued
A big part of his focus included expanding the role of the
endocrinology lab. The research team grew to include three
postdoctoral researchers—including Molly Staley, the Society’s husbandry management practices to ensure optimal welfare.
first endocrinology postdoctoral researcher—and quickly
became involved in more large-scale projects.
“Soon after Lance’s arrival, it went from being
routine to being very active and busy,” Bryant said.
Some of the studies the lab currently conducts involve
learning more about the animals who make their home at
our zoo. For example, Brookfield Zoo is home to 12 white-
bellied pangolins. These scaled, cat-sized mammals are the
most illegally trafficked animal in the world, sought after
for food in the illegal bushmeat trade, for their use in Asian Putting It All Together
medicines, and for their scales, which are made into jewelry.
We are the lead institution in a consortium of zoos,
created by Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal
programs, that have begun housing this fascinating species.
24 GATEWAYS | ENDOCRINOLOGY LAB
Relatively little is known about how to best support
these animals in institutions, and the Society is leading
the efforts to learn more. Gathering and studying as much
information as possible is important to determine best
Bryant and the team are among those helping to shape
those practices. The endocrinology lab has six months’ worth
of fecal samples from the first eight pangolins that arrived
here. Bryant is testing them all for their adrenal activity to
determine how they are acclimating to their new habitats.
In combination with evaluations from the veterinary team
and animal care specialists, this information can be used
to make necessary tweaks to the pangolins’ diets and
habitats to ensure the best level of care and welfare.
Traditionally, endocrinology labs that focused around animals
have primarily tested for negative indicators of animal welfare
(such as cortisol, a hormone monitoring adrenal function).
Left above: Fecal samples
Below: Society staff collect a fur sample from a snow
leopard. Fur samples are a potential long-term indicator
of animal welfare.