For Elephants

For Elephants will conduct research on the underlying causes of reproductive failure amongst the managed elephant population, specifically male African elephants. A team of expert scientists and veterinarians will carry out activities including providing training in reproductive fluid collection, quality analysis of collected samples, and development of a cryopreservation bank for storing reproductive material for use by all elephant holding facilities. A doctoral student will be contracted to oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting. The project will be assessed through regular team meetings, completion of monthly checklists, and pre- and post- study surveys. The project will result in new understandings of the factors that positively or negatively influence male African elephant reproductive abilities.