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Polar bears face many obstacles that affect their health, survival and reproductive success. Researchers will employ new methods to quantify and characterize hormones in banked polar bear blood that may provide insight into reproductive status and overall well-being of individual animals. This new information may help assess likelihood of cub production and well-being of female bears as part of the species protection program as well as how wild populations are coping (and thriving or not) in a changing Arctic environment. Findings will be used to develop new strategies to address reproductive challenges and the conservation of this threatened species.

Study ID
D21ZO-303
Study Status
Active
Start Date
11/01/2021
Grant amount awarded
$92,388
Grant recipient
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Study country
United States
Investigator
Jessye Wojtusik, PhD
Study category
Reproduction/Overpopulation