Research at Canadian zoos and botanical gardens

Abstract

Abstract Research is an important part of the work of botanical gardens and zoos in Canada, enriching their public programs and improving management of living collections. Most of these institutions participate in research activities to some extent. Approximately a half-dozen zoos and aquaria, and a similar number of botanical gardens, have large, on-going research programs and are important centres for the training of highly-qualified personnel. About half of Canadian botanical gardens and arboreta are based at universities, and many others are municipal not-for-profit organizations. In contrast, no Canadian zoos are based at universities, although several have formal links including cross-appointed staff and active graduate programs in many disciplines. A wide range of research is undertaken by, or at, these institutions that are actively involved in a broad spectrum of conservation programs, both in situ and ex situ. Projects and programs include veterinary science, husbandry or plant propagation, animal (and visitor) behaviour, ecology, habitat rehabilitation, taxonomy, systematics, physiology and phenology. Regardless of their size, these institutions make contributions to discoveries and innovations, and provide excellent collaborative opportunities for academia. Living collections also provide specimens and biological samples for a range of academic investigation, such as DNA analysis for comparative genetic purposes or reference, forensic evaluation, pathological reference, parasitology, studies in comparative anatomy or physiology, and genome banking.