Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Conservation biologists have long faced the very challenging task of large carnivore conservation. Both their hunting habits and their very specific ecology make their conservation particularly difficult. Wolverines (Gulo g. gulo) are a good example of this. The population of wolverines is close to extinction due to human persecution and habitat loss. The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) introduced the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) for the Wolverine in 1994 but it experiences some irregular breeding. The aim of this study was to identify factors that could be connected to breeding success in these captive wolverines regarding the characteristics of the enclosures, the wolverine biology, the characteristics of the institutions and the influences of the human-animal interactions. To this end, an online survey was developed and sent to all holders of wolverines included in the EEP program. Overall, no main factor or group of factors investigated in this study seemed to be the clear explanation of the differences in breeding success between institutions participating in the Wolverine EEP Program, partly because of the small sample size. However, enclosure size and keeper effect could actually have had an effect on their breeding and further research on these topics is needed. Emphasis has been given to provide the best adequate environment for a wolverine and have good husbandry practices.