Open AccessSurvey to identify factors affecting breeding of Wolverines Gulo gulo within the EEP
Author(s) -
Loberg J. M.,
Slof Pacilio M.,
Lundin L.,
Andersson E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international zoo yearbook
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.464
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1748-1090
pISSN - 0074-9664
DOI - 10.1111/izy.12269
Subject(s) - endangered species , mustelidae , carnivore , habitat , ecology , geography , reproductive success , biology , zoology , predation , demography , population , sociology
Wolverines Gulo gulo are close to extinction as a result of human persecution and habitat loss. The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) introduced the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for the Wolverine in 1994 but only irregular breeding has been achieved. A survey of EEP institutions with Wolverines was carried out to identify factors that could be connected to breeding success, with a particular focus on the characteristics of enclosures, species biology, characteristics of the institutions and the influences of human–animal interactions. Overall, no main factor explained the differences in breeding success between institutions participating in the Wolverine EEP. However, a negative effect of small enclosures on breeding success was indicated by the results. Furthermore, zoos with non‐successful breeding tended to separate keepers and Wolverines during routine enclosure maintenance. Both these factors need further investigation. (Photo: Erik Edvardsson, Nordens Ark)