A Message From The SSP Coordinator, Don LindburgDavid M. Powell, Ph.D.
Research Associate, Department of Conservation Biology, National Zoological Park
and Department of Mammalogy, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo
Education:
B.S. Biology, University of Miami, 1993
Ph.D., Zoology, University of Maryland, 2000
My research interests lie in studies of the role of dominance and subordinance in animal societies. What are the causes, correlates, and consequences of being dominant or subordinate, and what are the social and reproductive strategies of animals of different rank? As a zoo biologist, I am interested in application of behavioral knowledge to management of animals in captivity with the goal of promoting captive breeding, preparing animals for reintroduction, and ensuring optimal animal welfare. I have studied a variety of species both in captivity and in the field. These include feral horses, gorillas, flamingos, lions, golden lion tamarins, kori bustards, octopus, small carnivores, and giant pandas.
Currently, I coordinate the giant panda behavior studies program at the National Zoo with Lisa Stevens, the curator of pandas and primates at the National Zoo. I am also part of the curatorial staff in the mammal department at the Bronx Zoo. I have studied giant pandas since the fall of 2000, when I traveled to China to begin studies of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the pandas now living at SNZP. My research focuses on panda preferences for exhibit features, social contact, and bamboo as well as the development of socio-sexual behavior. I also conduct research on applied aspects of giant panda reintroduction. In China, I conducted a study of exhibit, husbandry, and management variables affecting the performance of normal socio-sexual behavior in giant pandas.
I am also collaborating on projects involving genetic management of feral horse populations, welfare of captive kori bustards, environmental enrichment for octopus, and studies of camera trap efficacy for surveying mammals in China.
Six selected publications:
Tarou, L.; Williams, J.; Powell, D.; Tabet, R. & Allen M. (in press). Bamboo preferences in a pair of captive giant pandas. Zoo Biology
Powell, D.M. (2004) Pigs (Suidae). In: Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd edition, Volumes 12-16, Mammals I-IV, M. Hutchins, D. Kleiman, & V. Geist, editors. Gale Group, Farmington Hills, MI.
Powell, D.M., Tarou, L.R., & Kleiman, D.G. 2002. Circadian rhythms and activity patterns in a pair of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Advances in Ethology 37, p. 66.
Powell, D.M., Hong, L., Kleiman, D.G., Zhang, H., Zhang, G., Zhang, Z., Yu, J., Zhang, J., Yanping, L., & Snyder, R. 2002. Factors associated with normal breeding behavior in male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Chinese breeding centers. Advances in Ethology 37, p. 185.
Powell, D.M. & Monfort, S.L. 2001. Assessment: Effects of porcine zona pellucida immunocontraception on estrous cyclicity in feral horses. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 4:271-284.
Powell, D.M. 1999. Preliminary evaluation of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception for behavioral effects in feral horses (Equus caballus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2:321-335.
View some online articles here:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/SpotlightOnScience/powelldavid20041020.cfm
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/NewsEvents/Biorythms.cfm
