Scientific Wildlife Management and Breeding Workflows
Conservation operations integrate scientific research with practical wildlife management. Wildlife sighting documentation with expert verification, population census operations supporting species management decisions, and conservation breeding programmes protecting endangered species through systematic genetic management and international cooperation.
These workflows emphasise data quality, research rigour, and conservation outcomes while maintaining operational efficiency. Unlike production farming workflows, conservation workflows prioritise biodiversity preservation, population sustainability, and scientific documentation meeting peer-review standards.
Three conservation workflows:
- Wildlife Sighting Workflow - Field observation documentation and expert verification
- Population Census Workflow - Systematic population monitoring and analysis
- Breeding Coordination Workflow - Conservation breeding programme management
Workflow 1: Wildlife Sighting Documentation
Overview
Wildlife sighting documentation captures opportunistic and planned wildlife observations with scientific rigour. GPS coordinates, species identification, behaviour notes, habitat context, and photographic evidence verified by expert reviewers support conservation research, population monitoring, and biodiversity assessment.
When to use:
- Field surveys and wildlife monitoring patrols
- Opportunistic wildlife encounters during operations
- Citizen science contributions
- Research projects requiring systematic observation data
- Conservation area monitoring
Timeline: 5-15 minutes per sighting; expert verification within 24-72 hours
Key stakeholders: Field observers (rangers, researchers, volunteers), expert verifiers (scientists, senior rangers), conservation managers
Process
1. Field Observation & Recording (Mobile):
- GPS-tagged sighting with automatic timestamp
- Species identification (common name, scientific name, confidence level)
- Individual count or population estimate
- Age/sex demographics if observable
- Behaviour observations (feeding, breeding, social interactions)
- Habitat context (vegetation type, proximity to water, elevation)
- Photos/videos for verification
- Observer identification
2. Data Quality Checks (Automatic):
- GPS coordinates within expected species range?
- Species identification plausible for location?
- Count estimates reasonable?
- Photo quality adequate for verification?
3. Expert Verification (Desktop - within 24-72 hours):
- Senior ranger or scientist reviews sighting
- Verifies species identification using photos, habitat, behaviour notes
- Assesses data quality
- Confirms or corrects identification
- Flags significant sightings (rare species, unusual behaviour, conservation concern)
- Status: Verified / Needs Revision / Rejected
4. Integration with Conservation Database:
- Verified sightings contribute to population monitoring
- Rare species sightings trigger conservation alerts
- Spatial data mapping (species distribution)
- Temporal trends (population increasing/declining)
Example: Ranger conducts dawn patrol in wildlife reserve. Observes endangered African wild dog pack (12 individuals). Records GPS coordinates, photos, pack composition (3 adults, 6 juveniles, 3 pups). Expert verifies species ID and assesses breeding success. Data contributes to regional wild dog population monitoring.
Workflow 2: Population Census Operations
Overview
Population census operations systematically count and assess wildlife populations to inform conservation management. Planned survey routes, standardised counting protocols, demographic data collection, and statistical analysis support population trend assessment and management decisions.
When to use:
- Annual population monitoring (track trends)
- Post-breeding season surveys (assess reproductive success)
- Pre/post-intervention assessment (measure conservation impact)
- Regulatory reporting (endangered species status)
- Research studies (population ecology investigations)
Timeline: 1-7 days field operations; 1-2 weeks data analysis and reporting
Key stakeholders: Survey teams (trained observers), conservation scientists (data analysis), managers (decision-making), regulatory authorities (reporting)
Process
1. Census Planning (Desktop - 2-4 weeks before):
- Define census objectives
- Select survey method (transect counts, camera traps, aerial surveys, capture-mark-recapture)
- Design survey coverage (areas, replicates)
- Schedule census (timing critical for breeding season, migration, weather)
- Assign survey teams
- Prepare data collection protocols
2. Pre-Census Preparation:
- Survey team training (species identification, counting protocols)
- Equipment preparation (GPS units, binoculars, cameras, data sheets)
- Create survey tasks in Kora (specific teams, routes, dates)
3. Field Census Operations (Mobile):
- Teams follow assigned GPS-tracked routes
- Record observations following standardised protocol:
- Species sighted, count (individuals/groups), age/sex demographics
- Location (GPS coordinates), habitat type
- Environmental conditions (weather, time, visibility)
- Observer effort (time spent, distance travelled)
- Photos for verification
- Complete daily survey tasks in Kora
4. Data Review and Quality Control (Desktop - daily):
- Survey coordinator reviews daily data
- Identifies data quality issues (GPS errors, implausible counts, missing data)
- Provides feedback to teams
- Adjusts survey coverage if needed
5. Data Analysis (Desktop - post-census):
- Compile all sightings from census period
- Calculate population estimates (statistical methods appropriate to survey design)
- Assess demographics (age/sex ratios, juvenile recruitment)
- Compare to previous census (population trend)
- Spatial analysis (population concentrations)
- Habitat association analysis (which habitats support highest densities)
6. Census Report Generation:
- Kora generates census summary report:
- Population estimate with confidence intervals
- Demographic breakdown
- Comparison to previous years
- Spatial distribution maps
- Recommendations for management
7. Management Decision Support:
- Population increasing → Habitat expansion possible, translocation source population
- Population stable → Current management effective
- Population declining → Investigate causes, implement interventions (predator control, habitat restoration, supplementation)
Example: Annual elephant census in national park. 15 survey teams conduct synchronised counts across park using standardised transects. 2,450 elephants counted (±150 confidence interval), 18% juveniles (good recruitment). Compare to last year (2,380 elephants). Population stable with healthy reproduction. Recommendation: Continue current anti-poaching efforts, monitor human-elephant conflict at park boundaries.
Workflow 3: Conservation Breeding Coordination
Overview
Conservation breeding coordination manages endangered species breeding programmes across multiple institutions. Genetic diversity tracking, breeding recommendations based on pedigree analysis, coordination with international studbooks, CITES compliance for transfers, and reproductive management support species survival.
When to use:
- Zoo-based conservation breeding (endangered species captive populations)
- Wildlife breeding centres (pre-release breeding for reintroduction)
- Domestic breed conservation (rare livestock breed preservation)
- Multi-institutional breeding programmes (regional/international cooperation)
Timeline: Year-round ongoing coordination; breeding season intensifies activity
Key stakeholders: Breeding programme coordinators, participating institutions (zoos, breeding centres), studbook keepers, geneticists, regulatory authorities (CITES)
Process
1. Breeding Programme Registration (Initial Setup):
- Register programme in Kora (species, conservation goals, participating institutions)
- Link to international studbook (ISIS/ZIMS for zoos)
- Define genetic management goals (maintain 90% genetic diversity over 100 years)
- Establish breeding protocols
2. Individual Animal Assessment (Annual):
- Review all breeding-age animals in programme
- Genetic value assessment (how genetically valuable for breeding?)
- Founders (wild-caught) = highest value
- Under-represented lineages = high value
- Over-represented lineages = lower value
- Reproductive status assessment (capable of breeding? Previous breeding success?)
- Health status (fit for breeding?)
- Age considerations (optimal breeding age vs approaching reproductive senescence)
3. Breeding Recommendations (Annual - before breeding season):
- Kora analyzes genetic database:
- Calculates relatedness between all potential pairs (avoid inbreeding)
- Identifies optimal pairings (maximise genetic diversity, minimise inbreeding)
- Prioritises breeding for under-represented lineages
- Generate breeding recommendations:
- "Pair Male #142 with Female #267 - minimal relatedness, both founders, high genetic value"
- "Do not breed Male #89 - over-represented lineage, genetic contribution adequate"
- Coordinator reviews and approves recommendations
4. Inter-Institutional Breeding Loans: If optimal pairing requires moving animals between institutions:
- Institution A has genetically valuable male
- Institution B has compatible female
- Breeding loan arranged: Male transferred to Institution B for breeding
- CITES permits obtained (if endangered species)
- Health certificates obtained (Workflow 28.3)
- Transport coordinated
- Kora tracks breeding loan (expected return date, breeding outcomes)
5. Breeding Season Monitoring:
- Document breeding attempts:
- Pair introduced (date, behaviour observations)
- Copulation observed/confirmed
- Pregnancy confirmed (if applicable)
- Reproductive success tracked:
- Birth/hatching date, offspring count, survival to independence
6. Offspring Registration:
- New offspring registered in Kora and international studbook
- Parentage documented (genetic lineage traced)
- Sex determination (if possible)
- Genetic value calculated (contributes new genetic diversity?)
7. Population Analysis and Goal Assessment:
- Quarterly population assessment:
- Total population size across all institutions
- Genetic diversity metrics (heterozygosity, effective population size)
- Demographic structure (age/sex distribution)
- Reproductive performance (births, deaths, recruitment)
- Progress toward goals:
- Are we maintaining 90% genetic diversity?
- Is population sustainable? (Growth rate acceptable? Carrying capacity concerns?)
8. Coordination with Wild Populations:
- If reintroduction programme exists:
- Select genetically suitable animals for release
- Pre-release quarantine and health screening
- Release logistics (transport, release site selection)
- Post-release monitoring (survival, reproduction, integration)
- New founders from wild (if ethical and legal):
- Permits obtained (CITES, national regulations)
- Genetic testing (confirm genetic value)
- Integration into breeding programme
Example: International breeding programme for Sumatran tigers (critically endangered, ~400 wild). 75 institutions participate. Studbook maintained by international coordinator. Genetic analysis identifies optimal pairing: Male at San Diego Zoo (founder lineage) + Female at Singapore Zoo (under-represented lineage). Breeding loan arranged. CITES permits obtained. Male transferred to Singapore. Successful breeding produces 2 cubs. Cubs registered in studbook. Genetic diversity contribution assessed. Programme maintains 85% genetic diversity (goal: 90%, improvement needed). Recommendation: Acquire new founder from responsible wild source to boost diversity.