Dr. Ann-Kathrin Oerke
Present position: Head of the “European Elephant Service” = service for monitoring reproductive status in captive Asian and African elephants via non-invasive methods (hormone analyses in urine and fecal samples) Present address: Department of Reproductive Biology German Primate Center Kellnerweg 4 D-37077 Göttingen Tel. 0049-551-3851-141 Fax 0049-551-3851-288 Year of birth: 1960 Marital status: single Nationality: German Academic career: 1966-1979 school in Bisperode and Hameln, qualification: matriculation 1982-1990 study of agriculture in Göttingen, qualification: diploma 1987-1990 diploma thesis in Göttingen on “Histology of testis in boar” 1991-1994 doctor thesis in Göttingen on “Use of ultrasonography in common marmosets” 1994 post doc in Göttingen on “Ultrasonography of cycle in marmoset monkeys” 1997 post doc in Zürich on “Ultrasonography of pregnancy in Callimico” 1998 post doc in Göttingen on “Ultrasonography in cotton-top tamarins” 1999 post doc in Antwerpen on “Ultrasonography in golden lion-tamarins” 2003 project on “Ultrasonography in lesser mouse lemurs”, University of Hannover Professional work: 1980-1982 professional training in Verden/Aller, qualification: veterinary assistant 1985-1990 work as veterinary assistant in Göttingen 1995-1997 management of marmoset colony at German Primate Center, Göttingen Training practice: 1979-1980 training of horse keeping & riding in Verden/Aller 1984-1985 training on dairy farm in Bördel, keeping & breeding of milk cattle 1986-1990 work in horse breeding & training in Göttingen 1995-2002 work at horse riding stable in Bösinghausen 1996 field training at Kirindy Research Camp on Madagascar, tracking of lemurs Elephant related activities: since 1994 coordinator of the European Elephant Service 1995 field training at Amboseli Elephant Research Camp, monitoring of population since 2000 appointed advisory member of the EEP Asian and African Elephant TAG since 2001 head of European Elephant Service, all work including laboratory 2002 field research: Samburu Elephant Research Camp, monitoring of bulls Scientific projects: 1. since 1996: “Analysis of reproductive potential of the European Elephant population” Total number of monitored animals = 204 (97 Asian elephants cows in 27 facilities in 12 European countries and 107 African elephants in 28 facilities in 12 European countries) 2. since 2000: in collaboration with 12 European zoos and safari parks “Onset of reproductive function in young female captive African elephants” 3. since 2000: in collaboration with 3 zoos (Rome, Basel, Beekse Bergen) “The CALIMERO project: effects of the transfer of an African elephant bull into different social situations” 4. since 2001: in collaboration with Leipzig Zoo: “Correlation of signs of musth in an Asian elephant bull with female reproductive status” 5. since 2001: in collaboration with SAVE THE ELEPHANTS, Samburu, Kenya “Onset of reproductive function in young free-ranging African elephant cows” 6. since 2001: in collaboration with University of Berkley, USA “Monitoring female reproductive status on a population of free-ranging elephant cows in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, Kenya” |
