Con Bio Lec 14: Ohio Zoo Releases

Which Ohio zoos are specifically discussed in the release handout?

Columbus Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Where does the Plains garter snake occur in Ohio?

Marion and Wyandot Counties near Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area.

What habitat contains the Ohio Plains garter snake populations?

Remnants of Ohio's wet prairie.

When was the Plains garter snake designated state endangered in Ohio?

1974.

Why was the Plains garter snake designated state endangered?

Its small population and restricted Ohio range.

What animals were brought to the Columbus Zoo in 1999 and 2000?

Several pregnant Plains garter snakes.

Why were pregnant Plains garter snakes brought to the zoo?

To establish a breeding group.

Which two zoos have bred Plains garter snakes almost every year in the handout?

Columbus and Cleveland.

How long are newborn Plains garter snakes raised before release?

About one year.

Why are young Plains garter snakes raised for their first year?

They are especially vulnerable to predation during that period.

What is the goal of head-starting Plains garter snakes?

Increase the wild population within its natural range.

How are released Plains garter snakes individually identified?

A tiny glass-encapsulated microchip is placed under the skin.

When is the identification microchip implanted?

Before release.

What range is given for the eastern hellbender?

New York to Tennessee.

What population trend is described across the eastern hellbender's range?

Decline.

What decline is given for Ohio hellbender populations over recent decades?

80%.

What decline is given for West Virginia hellbender populations?

40%.

What does eDNA stand for?

Environmental DNA.

Why is eDNA surveillance used for hellbenders?

To determine where populations remain.

How are hellbenders detected using eDNA?

By testing water collected from their streams for genetic evidence.

What is the source of eggs used in the described hellbender raising program?

Eggs collected in the wild.

How does raising hellbenders from eggs assist conservation?

It improves larval survival and supplies animals for reintroduction.

Where can raised hellbenders be reintroduced?

Areas where they have been extirpated.

When are captive-raised hellbenders returned to the wild?

When they reach sufficient size to succeed on their own.

What equipment helps monitor released hellbenders?

Tracking devices.

What do researchers monitor in released hellbenders?

Success and movement.

Which endangered freshwater mussel is reintroduced from Pennsylvania into Ohio?

The northern riffleshell.

Why are juvenile freshwater mussels grown at the facility?

To mitigate losses, including those caused by major chemical spills.

How is isotope research used in freshwater mussel conservation?

Tracking isotopes through the food chain helps determine exactly what mussels eat.

How many eastern U.S. states once contained the American burying beetle?

35.

What happened to most of the American burying beetle's original range?

The species disappeared from it during the past century.

What important listing event is given for the American burying beetle in 1989?

It became the first insect listed as a federally protected endangered species, according to the handout.

When and where was the last confirmed Ohio American burying beetle sighting given in the notes?

Hocking County in 1974.

What food source does the American burying beetle use for its developing young?

Carcasses of small animals.

What facility built a dedicated American burying beetle propagation building?

The Wilds.

Since what year have captive-bred American burying beetles been released in Ohio in the handout?

2011.

Where in Ohio have American burying beetles been released?

Habitat throughout Ohio, including the Wilds.

Which zoo's program is discussed for Andean condors?

Cincinnati Zoo.

What two linked threats to Andean condors are listed?

Shrinking habitat and declining food or prey availability.

Since what year has Cincinnati Zoo participated in the described Andean condor partnership?

1989.

What organization partners with Cincinnati Zoo in the Andean condor program?

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

What does SSP stand for in the condor program?

Species Survival Plan.

What is the goal of the Andean condor SSP described?

Bolster South American populations through zoo breeding and reintroduction.

What two roles does Cincinnati Zoo's off-site facility play for condors?

Producing chicks and staging birds before release.

What birds can be staged at the Cincinnati off-site facility?

Young condors hatched in North American zoos and breeding pairs.

Which country receives the condors in the described program?

Colombia.

How many Andean condors had been released through the program in the handout?

More than 80.

For which species is Cincinnati Zoo the North American Regional Studbook Keeper?

Red panda.

Which zoo breeds Puerto Rican crested toads in the handout?

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

What habitat is given for the Puerto Rican crested toad?

Rocky, arid evergreen forests.

What geographic distribution is given for the Puerto Rican crested toad?

North and south coasts of Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.

At what life stage are the zoo-bred crested toads reintroduced?

Tadpoles.

Where are the zoo-bred crested toad tadpoles released?

Puerto Rico.

Where were Blanding's turtles historically found in Ohio?

Nearly all counties bordering Lake Erie.

What former wetland region was especially important for Blanding's turtles?

The Great Black Swamp near Toledo and Sandusky.

What Ohio designation is given for Blanding's turtle?

Species of Concern.

What conservation method is used for young Blanding's turtles at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo?

Head-starting.

What is the purpose of head-starting Blanding's turtles?

Provide larger individuals for reintroduction.

What turtle size is given as having better survival?

4–6 inches across.

Why do larger head-started turtles survive better?

They are less susceptible to predation.

Which program should you associate with Plains garter snakes?

Columbus and Cleveland zoo breeding and head-starting.

Which program should you associate with eastern hellbenders?

Columbus Zoo, eDNA surveillance, captive raising, and monitored release.

Which program should you associate with freshwater mussels?

Columbus Zoo's conservation work, including northern riffleshell reintroduction.

Which facility should you associate with American burying beetles?

The Wilds.

Which zoo should you associate with Andean condors and the red panda studbook?

Cincinnati Zoo.

Which zoo should you associate with Puerto Rican crested toads and Blanding's turtles?

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.