current studies
In 2008, Morris Animal Foundation will fund about 120 new and continuing studies for dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, and wildlife as well as 30 veterinary student projects.
We also have numerous studies nearing completion. You can search our current study database by species and/or disease to learn more about the studies we are funding in the areas you care most about. The results will also show you whether a study is available for sponsorship.
INSTRUCTIONS - Select a division from the left column, a disease or disorder from the middle column, and a study ID number from the right column.
D07ZO-636: “The Effect of Population Density on African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Endoparasite Burden: A Study of Three South African National Parks”
principal investigator: Laura Waring, Veterinary Student Scholar, Royal Veterinary College, London
needs sponsorship
year: 1 of 1: $5,000.00
Many South African game reserves currently have a problem with elephant overpopulation, and there is much debate about how to deal with this. Little has been done to look at the effect that overpopulation may be having on elephants. This project will examine the possible link between population density and the health of the elephants in regard to parasite burden. The student will look at the internal parasite levels of elephants living in three South African game reserves, each with different population densities. By examining fecal samples microscopically, she will determine which parasites and how many eggs are present. She can use this information to draw comparisons between elephants in the different the game reserves and determine if overpopulation is associated with higher levels of parasites in elephants.
