Research is an important part of conservation and preservation of wildlife and their habitat. Through research studies, scientists, biologist, veterinarians and animal keepers can learn more about animal behavior, reproduction, diet, life-span, diseases and habitat requirements. Northwest Trek is currently involved in several important research projects ranging from actually raising endangered species to collecting scat for researchers training dogs to help map wild animals.

Oregon Spotted Frog Project
On Sept. 12, 2008, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists came to Northwest Trek to measure and count Oregon Spotted Frogs raised from eggs at Northwest Trek. A total of 536 individuals were prepared for their release into the wild. You can see photos of the frogs' progress and learn more about the project here. The frogs went to their new home on Fort Lewis on Sept. 22, 2008.

Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Program
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is working in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to help the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) a state endangered species and the smallest rabbit in North America. An off exhibit facility has been constructed at Trek to study and reproduce the species. The ultimate goal of the project is to return captive bred animals to their natural habitat in Eastern Washington as a major part of the effort to recover the species in the wild.

GnRH Bison Study
Trek animal managers in partnership with scientists at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center in Ft. Collins, CO are testing a contraceptive drug, which temporarily blocks the production of GnRH (an endocrine hormone essential for reproduction) in bison and other mammals. If the research at Trek helps prove this drug effective, it may be used to save thousands of wild bison in Yellowstone National Park by helping prevent over-population and by reducing the concern for the spread of a bacterial disease known as brucellosis. Click here for more information on bison.

Trumpeter Swan Repopulation
Six offspring from the nesting pair of trumpeter swans at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park left in June 2007 to help repopulate Midwestern flyways where the species was extinct for 125 years. Between 1993 and 2006, Northwest Trek has contributed 25 swan cygnets to the Iowa-based project through the Trumpeter Swan Society. These six will bring that total to 31.

The Trumpeter Swan Society gathers cygnets for placement in Iowa's Department of Natural Resource's trumpeter swan restoration program. While Trumpeter Swans are not on the endangered list in Washington, the species disappeared from the Midwest due to market hunting and habitat loss in the 1800s. For more than 125 years no trumpeters were seen in that part of the country. They are now making a recovery in Iowa and throughout the Midwest.

How can you help?
If you would like to help fund Trek's conservation programs, the funds you contribute for research will be allocated by Trek's Animal Management Team to support on or off site conservation projects focused on the enhancement and/or recovery of rare, threatened or endangered North American wildlife. For more information from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife on species of concern or endangered species, go to the department's Web site. For federal listings, check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information on how to give to these projects, contact Keriann Cockrell, development manager, at 360-832-7182 or keriann.cockrell@nwtrek.org