The Zoo’s Research Program
The core of the mission of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is about saving wildlife and protecting wild places. The Zoo’s research efforts advance science to improve our knowledge of species we care for, contribute to animal health and wellbeing, and protect wildlife and the ecosystems they rely on.
The Maryland Zoo’s Research Program, part of the Conservation Department, strives to strengthen and advance science at the Zoo in order to:
- Improve upon the health, husbandry, and ultimately the wellbeing of animals in human care
- Use the Zoo as a living laboratory so that the animals in our care can further our knowledge about their species at the zoo as well as their wild counterparts
- Support collaboration among zoological parks, academic institutions, conservation organizations, government agencies, and the Maryland Zoo
- Empower and encourage staff to lead and take part in scientific projects
Recent Scientific Project Carried Out By Zoo Staff
African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are a species of penguin commonly seen in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums across North America. This critically endangered species is one of the few species of penguin from a warm climate in the southern hemisphere, living along the coast of South Africa and Namibia. One of the biggest challenges for North American zoos and aquariums that house these birds in outdoor habitats is their exposure to avian malaria, which can be fatal to these penguins.
Avian malaria is a protozoal infection of the genus Plasmodium, which is a related but different disease than human malaria. Mosquitoes are the vector that carry the parasite. African penguins do not have natural immunity to the infection as their native habitat is too arid and windy to support a large mosquito population. Malarial infection is typically confirmed by examining a blood smear. Early detection of the disease can prevent serious illness, so preventative treatment or weekly screening is necessary throughout the mosquito season to maintain the health of zoo-housed penguins.
A drug called Primaquine, which is also used in humans for the prevention and treatment of malaria, is used widely by zoos and aquariums to prevent and treat avian malaria in penguins. However, the dosing regimens utilized vary since they are based on human medicine or anecdotal evidence in birds. Additionally, this drug can have side effects, so determining the correct dosage in these birds is vital.
The Maryland Zoo Veterinary and Animal Departments teamed up to complete a first of its kind pharmacokinetic study (a study of how the body interacts with a drug over time) in the African penguin to help establish evidence-based dosing recommendations for this species.
A single oral dose of primaquine was administered in a herring fish to 15 healthy penguins from our colony. Blood samples were collected prior to administration and then at predetermined timepoints for 144 hr after administration. Plasma was analyzed for drug concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.
While more research is needed, the initial results revealed that previously used doses were likely too low but and that a dosing interval of every 1-3 days is likely ideal for the prevention and treatment of avian malaria in penguins.Further studies of avian malaria in African penguins are ongoing at Maryland Zoo to continue to continually optimize the health of this species in zoos and aquariums, and also provide information for their care in rehabilitation centers in their native range.
Paper Citation: Pharmacokinetics of Primaquine Phosphate After a Single Oral Administration to African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Carag, J. H., Sander, S. J., Kottyan, J., Phillips, J., Brubaker, J., Cruz-Espindola, C., Boothe, D., Bronson, E. Journal of Wildlife Medicine. 52 (1): 75-80. 2021.
If you are a professional researcher interested in a research collaboration, email us at conservation@marylandzoo.org.