Posted July 13, 2011
 In June the Morris Animal Foundation announced the organization had awarded a total of $1.6 million in support of approximately 50 new and continuing wildlife health studies in 2011–2012.
The research is being conducted at veterinary colleges, zoologic institutions, and scientific research centers around the world and deals with a broad range of species.
For example, scientists at the University of Minnesota are assessing the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the reproduction of migratory birds. At the Smithsonian Institution, researchers are testing treatments that could increase fertility in captive African elephants; the U.S. African elephant population is not self-sustaining, partly as a result of abnormal ovarian cycles. A Boston University study is addressing white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than a million bats in eastern North America. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) may be the most likely bat species spreading WNS. Researchers will try predicting the bats' migration routes and identify other bat populations at risk.
The foundation is also funding other research involving amphibians, birds, rhinoceroses, sea lions and otters, primates, and turtles.
Learn more about Morris-supported research at www.morrisanimalfoundation.org. |