Image: City of Wels
As a zoo, the Welser Tiergarten is also involved in international species protection and research projects. At the beginning of February, three scientists from Vienna came to see the Kea parrots in Wels Zoo: Amelia Wein-Schwing, Raoul Schwing and Larissa Reiter work at the Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna.
The three researchers examine the hormone residues that can be found in the faeces of the parrots. This material can be obtained without having to catch the birds. However, it takes patience to collect enough samples of each individual kea. Interesting are the residues of reproductive hormones in the young compared to the sexually mature birds, but also residues of stress hormones.
If the method is successful, a valuable tool is available to better assess how housing conditions affect the animals and to improve breeding success for the animals threatened with extinction. In any case, the Wels breeding pair reproduced successfully. Environment Councilor Thomas Rammerstorfer: “The Welser Tiergarten is not only a leisure paradise, here you also do great, internationally recognized work in the field of science.”
Source: Nachrichten
