Colección de mamíferos vivos, BSM Parque Zoológico de Barcelona

Description

The collection of mammals of the Zoo of Barcelona was starded in 1892. This is international known by the great number of mammals threatened of extinction that integrated it. It is remarkable the large collection of primates, all in danger of extinction, with Snowflake (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) as star attraction. He is the only albino gorilla known to exist, and was found in 1966 in what was then Spanish Guinea. He has lived with a total of 4 females, all black, and they have had many offspring, 6 of which (2 males and 4 females) have survived. Nevertheless, the Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) are also important - a baby called Jawie was born in 1997 - as is the collection of titis, the world's smallest monkeys, and the small primate house, where there are the grey and collared mangabeys (Cercocebus sp.), whose reproduction in captivity is being monitored by our zoologists. Other important mammals are the group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which have been breeding continually for some years now, and give spectacular performances daily; the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus), a seriously threatened species here; the Zoo is responsible for coordinating its reproduction in captivity throughout Europe; big cats of endangered species and subspecies such as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), the Sri Lanka leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the cheetah (Acinox jubatus); endangered bovines, such as the bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros) and the anoa (Bubalus depressicornis); and species that are not common found in captivity such as the tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the babirusa (Babyrussa babyrussa) and the African hunting dog (Lycaon pictus). The database of the Zoo of Barcelonais gestioned by ISIS and ARKS intenational systems since 1986. The responsible of these databases is the Dr Joaquim Lacueva. Strength: 1. Ethological studies to guarantee the animal welfare, diagnostic, introduction of programs of enrichment, evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. Elaboration of handling manuals. Revision of diets. Studies on sanitary state: pathology, endocrinology, physiology of the stress. 2. Studies on dynamics of the social interactions, resocialization / new individuals' integration in groups. 3. To try to retain the maximum of genetic variability in captive populations. Studies about Physiology of the reproduction, controls of sexual cycles, behavioral indicators and hormonal controls. 4. Participation in the elaboration of the studbook that contain the history of the population of a species in captivity, registering the dates of birth and death and other data of interest for the handling. The Zoo of Barcelona participates in 10 european and 10 international books of registration of reproducers (studbook), moreover, it coordinates the studbook of the gray mangabey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus) (total: 21 studbooks).