Zoological Collections - Identification of Zoo Species

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Identification of Zoo Species

An essential part of managing collections is being able to identify individuals and what has happened to them during their lives. It also gives us a knowledge of ancestry for captive management programmes. Not being able to accurately identify individuals can lead to not recognising changes which might reflect their health or welfare status.

  • temporary measure of identification can sometimes last for the animal's entire lifetime
  • zoos must choose what method to use based on multiple factors:
    • the degree of handling necessary
      • all methods of artificial animal identification require the animal to be caught and handled for the feature to be applied
    • the potential for pain that may be experienced when applying the identifying feature
      • can vary from slight discomfort when applying leg rings to certain pain involved in applying ear tags
    • the longevity of the feature
      • how long it will be before the process needs to be replaced
      • longer lasting methods means the animal needs to be caught and handled less
    • impact the identifier has on the life of the animal
      • e.g., will the identifier affect the animal behaviourally or physically during its everyday life?
        • in one case study, captive zebra finches became attracted to multi-coloured leg rings. Males preferred black rings on females and females preffered red rings on males.
          • only happened when UV light was available in laboratory conditions
        • thought ear transmitters (with batteries) caused a lower chance of survival in wild moose calves
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Physical Characteristics

  • Naturally occurring characteristics used in identification of individuals include colour or patterns in coat, feathers or skin; facial and bodily characteristics and features, including deformities such as twisted legs or scars; size and behaviour.
  • Visible characteristics are an obvious and practical method of identifying individuals on a daily basis, but is reliant on the skills of the observer
  • Many animal keepers are able to identify their animals just by using physical characteristics, but their ability to do this depends on their experience and familiarity with the animals
  • Sometimes binoculars are used by keepers when enclosures enable animals to distance themselves from the keepers
  • Using the stripe patterns on a certain area of the body can be used to identify zebra species and Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)
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Transponders

  • The term ‘transponders’ may refer to devices with or without battery supply
  • Transponders with battery supply are able to broadcast information whilst ones without battery supply require a device to read the information directly
  • Within the zoo industry, ‘transponders’ and ‘microchips’ refer to transponders without battery supplies
  • Not visible, but can migrate within the animal’s body and may no longer be able to be read
    • Can be groomed out by a conspecific
    • They are therefore not considered permanent
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Rings

  • often to reffered to as 'bands' in the USA
  • Rings, collars, necklaces are thought to be the most benign of the types of artificial identification
  • closed rings are slipped over the foot of a young bird with the intention that they will be permanent and never be removed
    • care to make sure the ring is big enough and does not become restrictive once the bird is an adult
    • can be difficult to remove if the bird injures itself and the leg becomes swollen
    • the ring may get caught in the bird's enclosure
  • split rings are flexible
    • can be put on the animal's legs at any age
    • not necessarily secure
    • may be bitten or fall off 
    • reduced longevity
    • may need multiple applications if the ring falls off
  • metal rings
    • secured in place with pinchers (ringing pliers)
    • the BTO states that 'placing a lightweight, uniquely numbered, metal ring around a bird's leg provides a reliable and harmelss method of identifying birds as individuals'
    • application requires a skilled professional, because the animal's limb could be damaged
    • usually used in long-lived species
    • metal can be worn and wear and tear could lead to the metal becoming sharp
  • new materials are being used to make rings. A team from Bristol Zoo and the University of Bristol have created new silicone rings specifically designed for ease of application, and can stretch onto the penguin's flipper or bird's wing.
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Ear Tags

  • requires the animal's skin to be perforated so that the identifying feature is fixed to the body
  • best practice requires antiseptic
  • used mostly on ungulates, but also on birds
  • mammals are usually tagged young, sometimes at just one or two days old
  • if tagging young care needs to be taken regarding potential aggression from the mother and the effects of restraint
  • probably a painful event for the animal
  • can be torn from the animal's ear
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Mutilation

  • Thought to include identification cuts, branding and tattooing
  • All permanent methods of identification
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Tattooing

  • Works by embedding ink under the surface of the skin via injection
  • Patterns of tattoo dots are used as a visible means of identification, whereby the position and number of dots identifies the animal
  • Using secluded sites that have low pigmentation which mean the tattoo stands out more
  • Can fade over time
  • Tattoos can be hard to read when the skin becomes wrinkled or loose, which is common in older animals
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