Page 31 - April 2017 Life In Naplles Magazine

RESETTING THE DISCOVERY CLOCK

And while the team must wait two years to catch up
to where Alex left off, Tim’s arrival has already added
key data for the species: a three-year birth interval. That
indicates a slower population growth rate than once
hypothesized – meaning reversing their population decline
will take even longer. For perspective, an African elephant
with a 22-month gestation has an average birth interval
just over four years. This is the third baby the team has
documented with Isabelle. Being able to record events like
this demonstrates the importance of long-term projects
and provides ample evidence for the team receiving the
prestigious Whitley Award.
With cooperation between passionate field
conservationists and dedicated partners like these, South
America’s wildlife wonders may just have that chance at a
A giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) sniffs the air on his daily patrol to find insects in the Brazilian Pantanal. brighter future.
Photo Credit: © Jason Woolgar
Far from the simple menageries of the past, today’s nationally
accredited zoos are centers of learning and natural crossroads for
help develop a fundraising strategy, advice from zoo professionals is
biologists, educators, environmental scientists, and researchers -
very much appreciated and most often fundamental. This is certainly
as well as for students, conservationists, and all animal lovers.
something we use and abuse as much as we can. It is amazing how
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is an award-winning,
generous people working in zoos are with their time and expertise.”
private 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving wildlife and families here
Among those supporters is Naples Zoo who recently provided
and around the world. More information at www.napleszoo.org.
funding for the project’s head veterinarian through ZCOG, an
organization that provides logistical and fundraising support for New
World conservation efforts.
“The Naples Zoo has been a long term partner of the Giant
Armadillo Conservation Project for many years from providing funding
for harnesses to monitor giant anteaters to setting up and managing a
website to promote our work,” Desbiez said. “The new funding from the
Zoo to support the head veterinarian of the project Danilo Kluyber is a
real game changer for us. Knowing funding for this position is secure we
can better concentrate our efforts and time to our conservation work.”

A BABY ARMADILLO NAMED TIM

Perhaps nothing speaks of survival and hope like a new baby. The
team is thrilled to report a giant armadillo named Isabelle has given
birth. I was profoundly honored when the team named the baby
Tim after me. Isabelle and the Giant Armadillo Project made global
headlines in 2013 when they first documented the breeding of this
highly elusive species and began studying Isabelle’s male offspring,
Alex. Over the next two years, Isabelle slowly revealed giant armadillo
secrets from an updated gestation period of five months to providing
much more extensive maternal care than previously expected. Those
continuing discoveries ended when Alex died from injuries most likely
given by a puma. It was a devastating loss for the team – emotionally
and scientifically. The discovery of Tim and the video of mother and son Head Veterinarian Danilo Kluyber (left) and Dr. Arnaud Desbiez monitor a giant anteater
was great news for the project. (see http://napleszoo.org/conservation- returning to its home following a medical exam and placement of GPS harness as part of the
Anteaters & Highways research project to save this iconic species.
programs/giant-anteaters) Photo Credit: © Jason Woolgar

Life in Naples | April 2017 31