The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference this September in Salt Lake City, Utah will be lucky to have University of North Florida interns Kim Daly-Crews and Lizbeth Morilla! Both students worked with SEZARC on research projects during the last year, and this conference will be the culmination of their hard work! Kim will be presenting “Space-utilization of an innovative exhibit for tigers (Panthera tigris),” and Liz will be presenting “The relationship of fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations to environmental variables and reproductive success in zoo-housed giant river otters (Pteronura brasiliensis).” SEZARC’s Dr. Jen Wyffels also will be attending the AZA conference to give a talk entitled, “Development and dissemination of tools to advance the field of assisted reproduction in shark species.”
The International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology is hosting its conference in Berlin, Germany in October, and SEZARC will be there, too! Intern Kelly Hensley from the University of North Florida will be presenting her research with SEZARC, “Fecal progestagen monitoring to demonstrate the efficacy of melengestrol acetate (MGA) implants as a reversible contraceptive for primates,” and Cayman Adams (SEZARC “Lab Master”) will be presenting her project, “Techniques for determining hormone concentrations in southern stingray (Dasyatis americana) plasma using enzyme immunoassay.” Dr. Linda Penfold will be presenting “Serum testosterone and cortisol as they relate to behavior among group-housed bull African elephants (Loxodonta africana).”
