Lincoln Park Zoo

About the Davee Center
With a generous gift from the Davee Foundation, the Center for Veterinary Epidemiology was created in 2001 to bridge the gap between population biology and veterinary medicine through the study of epidemiology. Further generosity enabled the center to expand in 2005 to incorporate endocrinology research, making it the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology.

The zoo’s epidemiology research focuses on studying health in captive and wild animal populations. “Health” is defined as the dynamic balance between a host and its environment. A major role for epidemiology is the identification of factors leading to an imbalance in the relationship between host and environment.

Wildlife epidemiology seeks to understand these relationships within wildlife communities and between wildlife and other communities (ie., agricultural and human populations) at the ecosystem level. The zoo’s epidemiology research focuses on improving evidence-based decision making about the health of wild and captive populations by:

  • Designing and implementing rigorous surveillance programs in both captive and free-range wildlife
  • Investigating wildlife disease outbreaks
  • Analyzing health-associated risks to wildlife populations or ecosystems
  • Developing partnerships to enhance infrastructure in the areas above (including knowledge, skills and abilities of those in a position to have the most impact) for the benefit of conservation and ecosystem health 

The zoo’s endocrinology research focuses on studying the effects of hormones on animal behavior and well-being, focusing on stress and reproduction. Using fecal and urine samples for noninvasive hormone analysis, the zoo's endocrinologist collaborates with other researchers to form a fuller picture of animal health.

Researchers in epidemiology and endocrinology at the zoo are Eric Lonsdorf and Rachel Santymire.

Recent epidemiology and endocrinology projects include Gombe National Park Ecosystem Health Project and West Nile Virus Monitoring.


Publications

Lembo, T., Hampson, K., Kaare, M.T., Ernest, E., Knobel, D. Kazwala, R.R., Haydon, D.T., and Cleaveland, S.  2010.  The Feasibility of Canine Rabies Elimination in Africa: Dispelling Doubts with Data.  PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4(2): e626.  

Lembo, T., Hampson, K., Kaare, M.T., Ernest, E., Knobel, D., Kazwala, R.R., Haydon, D.T., and Cleaveland, S.  2010.  The Feasibility of Canine Rabies Elimination in Africa: Dispelling Doubts with Data.  PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4(2).  

Murray, C.M., Heintz, M.R., Santymire, R.M., Lipende, I., and Lonsdorf, E.V.  2010.  Stress and Maternal Behavior in Wild Chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania.  Proceedings of the International Primatology Society.  

Armstrong, D. and Santymire, R.  2009.  Validating fecal hormone analysis in the pied bare faced tamarin (Saguinus bicolor bicolor) at Lincoln Park Zoo.  Proceedings of American Society of Primatology, San Diego, California, p. 110.  

Armstrong, D., and Santymire, R.   2009.  Comparison of glucocorticoid levels and behavioral analysis in pied tamarins housed in different conditions.  Proceedings of Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 13th Annual Meeting, East Lansing, Michigan, p. 94.  

Chosy, J., Travis, D., and Nadler, Y.  2009.  Zoos as disease sentinels: Piloting an avian influenza surveillance system in zoological institutions.  Journal of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, 3(1):184.   

Murray, C.M., Lonsdorf, E.V., Santymire, R.M., and Heintz, M.  2009.  The Influence of Maternal Stress on Offspring Health and Development among the Chimpanzees of Gombe National Park, Tanzania.  Proceedings of the Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute: Wildlife Conference.  

Rafacz, M., Margulis, S., and Santymire, R.  2009.  Comparing the role of androgens in paternal care between gibbon species.  Gibbon Journal 5: 74-80.  

Rafacz, M., Santymire, R., and Margulis, S.  2009.  Comparison of peri-partum testosterone between three species of Hylobatid species.  Proceedings of Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 13th Annual Meeting, East Lansing, Michigan, p.69.  

Ruskell, A., Meiers, S., Santymire, R., and Jenkins, S.  2009.  Effects of bungee-carcass enrichment on behavior and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites of zoo-housed felids.  Proceedings of Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 13th Annual Meeting, East Lansing, Michigan, p.88.  

Santymire, R., Foster, C., Mulkerin, D., and Pawlik, C.  2009.  Using noninvasive hormonal and behavioral analyses to characterize the gonadal and adrenocortical activity of the prehensile-tailed skink.  Proceedings of Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 13th Annual Meeting, East Lansing, Michigan, p.172-173.  

Santymire, R., Marinari P., and Kreeger, J.  2009.  Determining the relationship among serum vitamin E and A levels and seminal quality in male black-footed ferrets.  The Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference, September 20-24, 2009 in Monterey, California.  

Santymire, R.M., and Armstrong, D.  2009.  Development of a field-friendly technique for fecal steroid extraction and storage using the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus).   Zoo Biology, 28, 1-14.  

Loeding, E., Santymire, R., Bernier, D., and Thomas, J.  2008.  Using hormones to determine the impact of an introduction of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Chicago Zoological Society Animal Welfare Symposium. Brookfield Zoo. May 28- 30, 2008.  

Santymire, R.M., and Armstrong, D.  2008.  Designing an effective fecal hormone extraction method for field work.  Proceedings: Society for Conservation Biology 22nd Annual Meeting, Chattanooga, Tennessee, p. 45 (abstract #137).  

Santymire, R.M., P.E. Marinari, P.E., Kreeger, J.S., Wildt, D.E., and Howard, J.G.  2008.  Increased sensitivity to sperm cryopreservation in the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) compared to the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).  Proceedings: Society for the Study of Reproduction, Biology of, Reproduction p. 63 (abstract 19).  

Travis, D., Lonsdorf, E.V., Mlengeya, T., Raphael, J.   2008.  A science-based approach to managing disease risks for ape conservation.  American Journal of Primatology, 70: 766-777.  

Wisely, S.M., Howard, J.G., Williams, S.A., Bain, O., Santymire, R.M., Bardsley, K.D., and Williams, E.S.  2008.  An unidentified filarial species and its impact on fitness in wild populations of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Journal of Wildlife Diseases 44(1):53-64.  

Barbiers, R.B.  2007.  Disease Risk Communication and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.  Animal Keepers’ Forum, 34: 459-470.   

Harju, S., Santymire, R.M., and Etchberger, R.  2007.  Population density and stress hormones: Are prairie dogs subject to Allee effects?  Proceedings of the Wildlife Society. 14th Annual Conference, Tucson, Arizona.  

Lacasse, C., Terio, K., Kinsel, M.J., Farina, L.L., Travis, D.A., Greenwald, R., Lyashchenko, K.P., Miller, M. and Gamble, K.C.  2007.  Two cases of atypical mycobacteriosis caused by associated with mortality in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana).  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 38(1): 101-107.  

O'Donnell, C.R. and Travis, D.  2007.  West Nile Virus.  International Zoo Yearbook, 41: 75-84.  

Santymire, R.M., Lonsdorf, E., Lynch, C., Marinari, P., Kreeger, J., Wildt, D.E., and Howard, J.G.  2007.  Increasing inbreeding results in declining seminal quality, pregnancy success and litter size in the endangered black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes.  Proceedings: Society for Conservation Biology 21st Annual Meeting, South Africa, p. 127 (abstract#227).  

Santymire, R.M., P.E. Marinari, J.S. Kreeger, D.E. Wildt and J.G. Howard.  2007.  Slow Cooling Prevents Cold-Induced Damage to Sperm Motility and Acrosomal Integrity in the Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19:652-663.  

Cranfield, M., Gaffikin, L., Minnis, R., Nutter, F., Rwego, I., Travis, D. and Whittier, C.  2006.  Clinical Response to Decision Tree for the Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringeii) as a Model for Great Apes.  American Journal of Primatology: Special Topics Issue, 68: 909-927.  

Engel, G., Hungerford, L.L., Jones-Engle, L., Travis, D.A., Eberle, R., Fuentes, A., Grant, R., Kyes, R., Schillaci, M., and the Macaque Risk Analysis Workshop Group.  2006.  Risk Assessment: A Model for Predicting Cross-Species Transmission of Simian Foamy Virus from Macaques (M. fascicularis) to Humans at a Monkey Temple in Bali, Indonesia.  American Journal of Primatology: Special Topics Issue, 68: 934-948.  

Howard, J.G., Moreland, R.B., Marinari, P.E. and Wildt, D.E.  2006.  Use of reproductive technology for black-footed ferret recovery.  Symposium on the Status of the Black-Footed Ferret and its Habitat, Fort Collins, Colorado. In press.  

Pukazhenthi, B., R. Santymire, A. Crosier, J.G. Howard, D. E. Wildt.  2006.  Challenges in cryopreserving endangered mammal spermatozoa: morphology and the value of acrosomal integrity as markers of cryo-survival.  Spermatology. Soc Reprod Fertil Suppl, Nottingham: Nottingham Press, 65:433–446.  

Santymire, R.M., Marinari, P.E., Kreeger, J.S., Wildt, D.E., and Howard, J.G.  2006.  Determining semen osmolality and effect of medium osmolality on sperm viability in the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Cryobiology 54:37-50.  

Santymire, R.M., Marinari, P.E., Kreeger, J.S., Wolf, K.N., Wildt, D.E. and Howard, J.G.  2006.  Reproductive deficiency and asynchrony in yearling male black-footed ferrets.  Symposium on the Status of the Black-Footed Ferret and its Habitat. January 28 29, 2004, Fort Collins, Colorado. In press.  

Schmidt, D.A., Travis, D.A. and Williams, J.  2006.  Guidelines for creating a food safety HACCP program in zoos or aquaria.  Zoo Biology, 25(2): 125-135.  

Travis, D.A. and Barbiers, R.B.  2006.  Impact of emerging and zoonotic disease on mammal management.  Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, Illinois. In press.  

Travis, D.A., Hungerford, L., Engel, G.A., and Jones-Engel, L.  2006.  Disease Risk Analysis: A Tool for Primate Conservation Planning and Decision Making.  American Journal of Primatology: Special Topics Issue, 68: 855-867.  

Blasier, M. W., Travis, D. A. and Barbiers, R.  2005.  Retrospective evaluation of measles antibody titers in vaccinated captive gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 36(2): 198203.  

Polasky, S., Nelson, E., Lonsdorf, E.V., Fackler, P. and Starfield, T.  2005.  Conserving species in a working landscape: efficient land use with biological and economic objectives.  Ecological Applications, 15: 13871401.  

Pukazhenthi, B., Howard, J.G., Aitken-Palmer, C., Crosier, A., Santymire, R. and Wildt, D.E.  2005.  Challenges in cryopreserving endangered mammal spermatozoa: the value of acrosomal integrity.  Proceedings: Society for Cryobiology, Cryobiology. In press.  

Santymire, R.M., Marinari, P.E., Kreeger, J.S., Wildt, D.E. and Howard, J.G.  2005.  Cooling rate influences sperm motility and acrosomal integrity in the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Proceedings: Society for Cryobiology, Cryobiology. In press.  

Travis, D.A., Gamble, K., Ross, M. and Barbiers, R.  2005.  Development of a tool for assessing and managing the risk of avian mycobacteriosis during avian translocation.  Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. In press.  

Wisely, S.M., Santymire, R.M., Livieri, T.M., Marinari, P.E., Kreeger, J.S., Wildt, D.E. and Howard, J.G.  2005.  Environment influences morphology and development for in situ and ex situ populations of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).  Animal Conservation, 8: 321-328.  

Ziccardi, M.H., Deem, S.L., Mazet, J.A.K. and Travis, D.A  2005.  The value of epidemiology in zoo and wildlife medicine.  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. In press.  

Brown, J.L., Goritz, F., Pratt-Hawkes, N. Hermes, R., Galloway, M., Graham, L.H., Gray, C., Walker, S.L., Gomez, A., Moreland, R., Murray, S., Schmitt, D.L., Howard, J.G., Lehnhardt, J., Beck, B., Bellem, A., Montali, R. and Hildebrandt, T.B.  2004.  Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park.  Zoo Biology, 23: 45-63.  

Engel, G.A., Jones-Engel, L.E., Schillaci, M.A., Heidrich, J., Lee, B., Chalise, M.K., Keyes, R.C. and Travis, D.  2004.  Considering human to primate transmission of measles virus through the prism of risk analysis.  Proceedings of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy.  

Engel, G.A., Jones-Engel, L.E., Schillaci, M.A., Rompis, A., Putra, A., Wandia, I., Suaryana, K.G., Fuentes, A., Keyes, R.C. and Travis, D.  2004.  Wound care among monkey forest workers in Bali, Indonesia: analyzing the risk of simian foamy virus transmission.  Proceedings of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy.  

Howard, J.G., Wisely, S.M., Santymire, R.M., Livieri, T.M., Kreeger, J.S., Marinari, P.E., Wildt, D.E. and Williams, E.S.  2004.  Biomedical survey of wild black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes).  Proceedings: Defenders of Wildlife Carnivores-Expanding Partnerships in Carnivore Conservation, 58.  

Miller, M., Travis, D., Barbiers, R., Murphy, H. and Ramer, J.  2004.  Overview of the Occupational Primate Disease Safety Guidelines for Zoological Institutions.  Proceedings of American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.  

Santymire, R.M., Howard, J.G., Wisely, S.M., Livieri, T.M., Kreeger, J.S., Marinari, P.E. and Wildt, D.E.  2004.  Seminal characteristics of wild black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes).  Proceedings: Defenders of Wildlife Carnivores-Expanding Partnerships in Carnivore Conservation Conference, 200.  

Travis, D. and Jones-Engel, L.E.  2004.  Disease risk analysis a paradigm for using health-based data to affect primate conservation policy decision-making.  Proceedings of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy, August.  

Wisely, S.M., Livieri, T.M., Santymire, R.M. and Howard, J.G.  2004.  Reintroduction history affects genetic diversity and morphology of the black-footed ferret.  Proceedings: Defenders of Wildlife Carnivores-Expanding Partnerships in Carnivore Conservation, 82.  

Travis, D.A. and Miller, M.  2003.  A Review of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and recommendations for surveillance of chronic wasting disease in zoos.  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 34(2): 125-133.  

Travis, D.A., Barbiers, R.B. and Ziccardi, M.H.  2003.  An overview of the national zoological tuberculosis monitoring system for hoofstock.  Annual proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  

Travis, D.A., Blasier, M. and Barbiers, R.B.  2003.  Issues surrounding the use of the measles vaccine in captive western lowland gorillas at Lincoln Park Zoo.  Proceedings of the International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) Symposium, Vina del Mar, Chile.  

Travis, D.A., McNamara, T., Glaser, A., Campbell, G. and Gubler, D.  2003.  West Nile virus (U.S.) national zoo surveillance system: 2001-2003 results.  Proceedings of the International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) Symposium, Vina del Mar, Chile.  

Manharth, A.L. and Travis, D.A.  2002.  A medical review of 10 years of US Fish and Wildlife Service confiscations brought to Lincoln Park Zoo.  Annual Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

Terio, K.A., Brown, J.L., Moreland, R. and Munson, L.  2002.  Comparison of different drying and storage methods on quantifiable concentrations of fecal steroids in the cheetah.  Zoo Biology, 21: 215-222.  

Vicari, A.S., Hueston, W.D. and Travis, D.A.  2002.  Variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.  International Handbook of Food borne Pathogens, Marcel Dekker, New York.  

Moreland, R.B., Richardson, M.E., Lamberski, N. and Long, J.A.  2001.  Characterizing the reproductive physiology of the male southern black howler monkey, Alouatta caraya.  Journal of Andrology, 22(3): 395-403.  

Long, J.A., Byrd, M., Moreland, R.B., Chism, J. and Brown, J.L.  2000.  Successful Husbandry in the Black-Footed Cat (Felis nigripes).  Felid Taxon Advisory Group Action Plan, 73-74.  

Moreland, R.B. and Howard, J.G.  2000.  Characterization of reproductive cycles in male and female fishing cats and assessment of ovarian stimulation using fecal hormone analysis.  Felid Taxon Advisory Group Action Plan, 46-47.  

Cutraro, J. L., Ercelawn, A.Y.. Lebrun, E.G., Lonsdorf, E.W., Norton, H.A. and McKone, M.J.  1998.  Importance of pollen and nectar in flower choice by hummingbird flower mites, Proctolaelaps kirmsei (Mesostigmata: Ascidae).  International Journal of Acarology, 24: 345-351.  

Moreland, R.B., Richardson, M.E., Lamberski, N. and Long, J.A.  1998.  Effects of seasonality and age on male reproduction in the black howler monkey, Alouatta caraya.  American Society of Andrology, Journal of Andrology Supplement, 47.  

Moreland, R.B., Richardson, M.E., Lamberski, N. and Long, J.A.  1998.  The male reproductive biology of the southern black howler monkey, Alouatta caraya.  Riverbanks Zoo Conservation Research Consortium, 7: 11-16.  

Wisely, S.M., Santymire, R.M., Livieri, T.M., Mueting, S.A., Wildt, D.E., and Howard, J.G.  1997.  Genotypic and phenotypic consequences of reintroduction history: case study of the black-footed ferret.  Conservation Genetics 9(2):389-399.