The Morris animal foundation and its zoo and wildlife division
1
Klein: Problems in Conservation of Mammals in the North References GEIST,V. (1971). Is big game harassment harmful ? Oilweek, 22(17), pp. 12-13. JONKEL, C. J. (1970). Some comments on Polar Bear management. Biological Conservation, 2(2), pp. 115-9, 5 figs. KLEIN, D. R. (1971). Reaction of Reindeer to obstructions and disturbances. Science, 173, pp. 393-8, 4 figs. LENT, Peter C. (1971). Muskox management controversies in North America. Biological Conservation, 3(4), pp. 255-63, 2 figs. 101 OSHANIN, S. (1971). What will happen to the Wolf? Soviet Life, 172(1), pp. 52-5, 5 figs. REED, John C. (1970). Effects of oil development in Arctic America. Biological Conservation, 2(4), pp. 273-7, map. WEEDEN, R. B. & KLEIN, D. R. (1971). Wildlife and oil: a survey of critical issues in Alaska. Polar Recorde, 15(97), pp. 479-94. ZHIGUNOV, P. S. (Ed.) (1968). Reindeer Husbandry. Israel Programme for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem: 348 pp., illustr. The Morris Animal Foundation and its Zoo and Wildlife Division Individuals and organizations devoted to preserva- tion of the species that are fast disappearing from the Earth may find unexpected obstacles in their path if the experience of the Morris Animal Foundation is typical. The Foundation was set up in 1948 by a far-sighted American veterinarian, Mark L. Morris. The original aim of the Foundation was to sponsor research that might lead to the prevention and cure of diseases of Man's companion mammals--the Dog, the Cat, and the Horse. Since the funding of the first proposal in 1954, the Foundation has sponsored more than 200 research projects at veterinary schools in the United States and Canada. About four years ago, in recognition of, and agree- ment with, a strong public sentiment to prevent the extinction of any more animals, the Foundation created a division for zoo and wild animals. The action was taken in the belief that research into the role which disease plays in extinction would be helpful. But even more important was the conviction that research could give significant information on the breeding in captivity of animals that are in danger of extinction. Roger Caras, well-known American natur- alist and writer, became Chairman of the new Zoo and Wildlife Division, and began to spearhead develop- ment of these goals. In attempting to implement the new aims, several obstacles presented themselves. Zoos, the very establishments most interested in the propagation of endangered species, are often ill-equipped and poorly staffed for the technical type of research that is neces- sary. On the other hand, veterinary schools do not have the facilities for handling such non-domestic animals as are involved; nor do they have the required interest in their problems. Another difficulty has been soliciting funds for this rather crucial work. With animals such as the Dog, Cat, and Horse, the breeders and owners are nicely organized into national and regional bodies and have built-in interests in the benefits of research. However, the people who are interested in saving the wild animals of the world are not so easily categorized. This makes it hard to reach them and to get them working together. Indicative of the problem is the fact that the Foundation has been able to fund only one zoo and wildlife research project so far. What is more, only 15 proposals have been submitted in the four-year history of the Division. Ideas for research projects would be welcome from any source. Each idea must be submitted as a formal proposal and will be reviewed by a committee of scientists who will 'grade' its worthiness. The Founda- tion provides leaflets on request which outline the procedure for submitting a proposal. The Morris Foundation hopes to iron out some of the problems it has encountered in such research efforts at a proposed international convocation of the world's zoo and wildlife specialists. Delegates from all over the world would be invited to the conference to discuss the mechanisms of extinction and outline the role research could play in halting them. Any person with ideas on how to solicit worthy research proposals, where to look for the researchers with the skills and facilities for carrying out the programmes, and how to reach a large segment of the public interested in supporting such work, should write to the Morris Animal Foundation. CLAUDE RAMSEY, Executive Director, Morris Animal Foundation, 531 Guaranty Bank Building, Denver, Colorado 80202, USA,
-
Upload
claude-ramsey -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
2
Transcript of The Morris animal foundation and its zoo and wildlife division
Klein: Problems in Conservation of Mammals in the North
References
GEIST, V. (1971). Is big game harassment harmful ? Oilweek, 22(17), pp. 12-13.
JONKEL, C. J. (1970). Some comments on Polar Bear management. Biological Conservation, 2(2), pp. 115-9, 5 figs.
KLEIN, D. R. (1971). Reaction of Reindeer to obstructions and disturbances. Science, 173, pp. 393-8, 4 figs.
LENT, Peter C. (1971). Muskox management controversies in North America. Biological Conservation, 3(4), pp. 255-63, 2 figs.
101
OSHANIN, S. (1971). What will happen to the Wolf? Soviet Life, 172(1), pp. 52-5, 5 figs.
REED, John C. (1970). Effects of oil development in Arctic America. Biological Conservation, 2(4), pp. 273-7, map.
WEEDEN, R. B. & KLEIN, D. R. (1971). Wildlife and oil: a survey of critical issues in Alaska. Polar Recorde, 15(97), pp. 479-94.
ZHIGUNOV, P. S. (Ed.) (1968). Reindeer Husbandry. Israel Programme for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem: 348 pp., illustr.
The Morris Animal Foundation and its Zoo and Wildlife Division
Individuals and organizations devoted to preserva- tion of the species that are fast disappearing from the Earth may find unexpected obstacles in their path if the experience of the Morris Animal Foundation is typical.
The Foundation was set up in 1948 by a far-sighted American veterinarian, Mark L. Morris. The original aim of the Foundation was to sponsor research that might lead to the prevention and cure of diseases of Man's companion mammals--the Dog, the Cat, and the Horse. Since the funding of the first proposal in 1954, the Foundation has sponsored more than 200 research projects at veterinary schools in the United States and Canada.
About four years ago, in recognition of, and agree- ment with, a strong public sentiment to prevent the extinction of any more animals, the Foundation created a division for zoo and wild animals. The action was taken in the belief that research into the role which disease plays in extinction would be helpful. But even more important was the conviction that research could give significant information on the breeding in captivity of animals that are in danger of extinction. Roger Caras, well-known American natur- alist and writer, became Chairman of the new Zoo and Wildlife Division, and began to spearhead develop- ment of these goals.
In attempting to implement the new aims, several obstacles presented themselves. Zoos, the very establishments most interested in the propagation of endangered species, are often ill-equipped and poorly staffed for the technical type of research that is neces- sary. On the other hand, veterinary schools do not have the facilities for handling such non-domestic animals as are involved; nor do they have the required interest in their problems.
Another difficulty has been soliciting funds for this
rather crucial work. With animals such as the Dog, Cat, and Horse, the breeders and owners are nicely organized into national and regional bodies and have built-in interests in the benefits of research. However, the people who are interested in saving the wild animals of the world are not so easily categorized. This makes it hard to reach them and to get them working together. Indicative of the problem is the fact that the Foundation has been able to fund only one zoo and wildlife research project so far. What is more, only 15 proposals have been submitted in the four-year history of the Division.
Ideas for research projects would be welcome from any source. Each idea must be submitted as a formal proposal and will be reviewed by a committee of scientists who will 'grade' its worthiness. The Founda- tion provides leaflets on request which outline the procedure for submitting a proposal.
The Morris Foundation hopes to iron out some of the problems it has encountered in such research efforts at a proposed international convocation of the world's zoo and wildlife specialists. Delegates from all over the world would be invited to the conference to discuss the mechanisms of extinction and outline the role research could play in halting them.
Any person with ideas on how to solicit worthy research proposals, where to look for the researchers with the skills and facilities for carrying out the programmes, and how to reach a large segment of the public interested in supporting such work, should write to the Morris Animal Foundation.
CLAUDE RAMSEY, Executive Director, Morris Animal Foundation, 531 Guaranty Bank Building, Denver, Colorado 80202, USA,
