research vision

A world where the conservation and diversity of all plants and animals are assured.

research mission

To significantly contribute to the conservation of threatened species through applied scientific research.

Background

Increasingly, and in line with the World Zoo movement, Perth Zoo is no longer an ‘old-style’ traditional zoo but a conservation, research and education agency. This is a conscious strategic direction. The expertise of Zoo staff; the conservation and environmental imperatives facing our World; and the position of Perth Zoo as one of several important sites in the city of Perth, places it well to take a lead as a conservation, research and learning institution.

Perth Zoo has fostered research for many years. However the first formal research program was established in 1995 when Perth Zoo joined four Australian and one New Zealand organisation to form the Marsupial Co-operative Research Centre. As a result, from 1995 until 2003 Perth Zoo’s research focus was primarily native species (particularly marsupials).

This has given Perth Zoo a strong profile in breeding threatened and endangered Australian species for release into the wild. This was and still is undertaken in close consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). This program, called the Native Species Breeding Program (NSBP) (make a link) is now well established. Since the cessation of the Marsupial CRC, Perth Zoo has worked to broaden its research to include all areas of Zoo activity. Research, the Veterinary Department and NSBP now sit within the same Directorate of Animal Health Services and Research (AHS&R).

In 2005 a Perth Zoo Research Business Plan was adopted to set the basis of the Zoo’s development in the area of research for the next 20 years linking in with the Perth Zoo Master Plan and the World Zoo Conservation Strategy.

Perth Zoo Research Culture

The culture of Research at Perth Zoo is one of innovation and enterprise. Perth Zoo staff are accustomed to initiating innovative solutions to achieve their research goals.

Perth Zoo strives for scientific excellence, encourages diversity of thinking and fosters strategic collaborations to further our research goals.

Research endeavour is supported through an active Research Committee made up of internal and external members. The Research Committee reports to the Board of the Zoological Parks Authority which also supports and encourages research at Perth Zoo.

Zoo staff are recruited and trained in a research culture which fosters links to external research organisations and researchers on an ongoing basis.

As a consequence, Perth Zoo has a vibrant research culture which underpins all of our activities.

Research at Perth Zoo is organised into six inter-relating Research Programs.

Each program was developed in response to identified needs of Perth Zoo, the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA), the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and external stakeholders such as DEC, Western Australian Museum and local universities, through a process of consultative workshops and meetings.

PROGRAM 1 – NUTRITION

Objectives

The objectives of the Nutrition Program are to investigate the wild and captive diets of key Perth Zoo species and to investigate the quality of the browse and other dietary items fed to Perth Zoo collection animals in order to provide the best nutrition possible.

Program Leader

Dr Cree Monaghan
Director Animal Health Services and Research

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PROGRAM 2 – REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Objectives

The key objective of the Reproductive Biology Program is to investigate the nature of, and assist with where appropriate, the reproduction of key species in the Perth Zoo animal collection and the ARAZPA regional collection.

Program Leader

Dr Phillip Matson
Head, Reproductive Biology Unit

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PROGRAM 3 – HEALTH AND DISEASE

Objectives

The objectives of the Health and Disease Program are to promote the study of diseases and pathologies of Perth Zoo collection animals particularly those that relate to the success of threatened species conservation or management. Parasites, preventative medicine regimes and investigations into issues relating to quarantine and biosecurity are also a focus of this program.

Program Leader

Dr Simone Vitali
Senior Veterinarian

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PROGRAM 4 – CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Objectives

The objective of the Captive Management Program is to underpin decisions relating to the captive management of the diverse Perth Zoo animal collection with sound scientific knowledge.

Program Leader

Mr Colin Hyde
Director Life Sciences

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PROGRAM 5 – WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 

Objectives

The objectives of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Program are to underpin decisions and actions taken to conserve or manage a species with sound scientific knowledge. This underpinning research includes adding to the body of scientific knowledge concerning the reproductive biology, natural behaviours, ecology and threatening processes leading to a greater understanding of and/or improved conservation of, the earth’s biodiversity.

Program Leader

Dr Helen Robertson
Acting Director Animal Health Services and Research

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PROGRAM 6 – EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION 

Objectives

The objectives of the Education and Communication Program are to provide opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral research at Perth Zoo and to provide training courses relevant to the conservation objectives of Perth Zoo.

Program Leader

Dr Wen-Haur Cheng
Director, Community Engagement