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How scientists study rare animals in the wild is often limited by the bounds of practicality, the feasibility of obtaining permits from foreign governments, and the degree of potential disturbance to wild populations. However, there is one informative material that is fairly easy to collect: fecal samples.

Dr. Tom Jensen, a member of the Reproductive Physiology Division at the Zoo’s Conservation and Research for Endangered Species Division (CRES), is part of a project aimed at solving some of the reproductive mysteries of the endangered kiwi. From fecal samples collected in New Zealand, information that stands to benefit the species, both in captivity and in the wild, is being documented.

Hormone concentrations in these samples can be as revealing as the data that can be collected from drawn blood. For example, when a kiwi is carrying an egg, the approximate date that the egg will be laid can be determined from hormone levels in fecal samples. Analyzing DNA from the fecal samples allows researchers to monitor individual birds. These methods have the potential to be extremely useful for the conservation of the species and are helping researchers to learn a great deal about these unique birds.

“When information obtained from wild kiwis is combined with information from captive kiwis, everyone benefits,” says Dr. Jensen. Captive animals can be in environments better simulating circumstances in the wild and wild populations benefit from studies easily done on captive animals.

Jane - Conservation Team

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