LOCAL FAMILY FUN
Local and global effects The information these two local museums help glean makes a positive impact on animals’ care at our Zoo and in their natural habitats. For example, when an Asian elephant died, the Zoo’s team could not determine a cause of death. In preparing the specimen’s skeleton for display and research, the Museum of Osteology made an important discovery. “We found out a severely impacted molar had been infected,” said D’Agostino. “It’s impossi- ble to x-ray an elephant and when an elephant opens their mouth, you can’t see much. We use a plumber camera to look at their teeth, and because of what we saw, we increased the frequency of how often we do that.” When an Indian rhino had an infected tooth and needed surgery, the Zoo’s veterinary team was able to examine a similar skull in the Museum of Osteology’s collection to prepare for what was a successful surgery. Conservation efforts between the Zoo and Sam Noble Museum include studying and supporting diminishing species, like the Texas horned lizard. As the lizard’s habitat has decreased around the metro, the Zoo and Sam Noble Museum established a “head start” program to revitalize the population. Eggs are collected from a wild habitat at Tinker Air Force Base, incubated at the Zoo and the resulting hatchlings are raised through their most vulnerable stage of life. Then, they are released back to the wild habitat to augment the population. “It’s a species beloved by Oklahomans and
AN ASIAN ELEPHANT FROM THE OKC ZOO PASSED AWAY FROM UNKNOWN CAUSES. AFTER THE MUSEUM OF OSTEOLOGY PREPARED THE SPECIMEN AS A SKELETON AND FOUND AFFECTED AND DEFORMED MOLARS, THAT DIAGNOSIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. THE
ZOO NOW USES NEW DENTAL MONITORING TECHNIQUES ON ITS ELEPHANTS BECAUSE OF THIS INTERACTION WITH THE MUSEUM. PHOTO BY DR. JENNIFER D’AGOSTINO. giraffes,” said Alexander Mann, marketing and PR officer at Sam Noble Museum. “We are able to give samples they can use for research into how genetic diversity is distributed and how we can direct conservation efforts to conserve those populations.” Perhaps most valuable to local families, the opportunity to connect with animals in concrete ways enhances the value of conservation for kids. “For kids, being able to touch things is import- ant,” said Dr. Hayley Lanier, assistant curator of mammals at Sam Noble. “When they come here and can touch an elephant tooth, they become interested in what elephants eat and what they are doing in the world.”
an important part of our ecosystem,” said Dr. Rebecca Snyder, OKC Zoo’s director of conservation and science, “so we want to make sure the animals have healthy populations in the wild. We need biodiversity to help people and wildlife thrive.” Beyond the metro, these partnerships inform scientific research at large. Conservation and research groups often compare specimens at the OKC Zoo with those available for study at the Museum of Osteology. The Sam Noble Museum receives requests from researchers around the world, for whom specimens donated by the Zoo are invaluable. “People may contact us wanting to study genetic diversity in elephants or gorillas or
Did You Know? If you see a plant, animal or insect you don’t recognize, snap a photo and email the Sam Noble Museum. Their specialists will identify and provide information about the species. Submit your findings or questions at samnoblemuseum. ou.edu/curator-contact-form .
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DR. REBECCA SNYDER (CENTER) AND TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE OKC ZOO WEIGH A TEXAS HORNED LIZARD AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE AS PART OF THEIR “HEAD START” PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SAM NOBLE MUSEUM. PHOTO COURTESY OF OKC ZOO.
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