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Karen Lewis, Conservation Research Associate
Karen Lewis has been a member of the Oregon Zoo staff since 2001. Lewis manages the database for and contributes to the publication of the North American Regional Asian Elephant Studbook. In 2006, Lewis conducted the AZA’s elephant foot-care survey, in which critical data were collected from 78 elephant-holding institutions. The important scientific survey reviewed the institutions’ elephant facilities, husbandry and foot-care practices, and overall elephant health. Lewis presented her technical findings from the survey at the AZA’s annual conference in 2007. A paper summarizing the results is under review for publication. In addition to her elephant studies, Lewis’ duties include the design, implementation, and administration of conservation and animal behavioral studies, as well as data analysis. Prior to her work at Oregon Zoo, Lewis spent 10 years as an interviewer and research assistant in human-services studies at Rutgers and Portland State universities. Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon a master’s in biology from Portland State.
Sharon Glaeser, Research Associate
Research Associate Sharon Glaeser has been studying acoustic communication in captive Asian elephants since 2005, while working toward a master’s degree in biology at Portland State University. Her research provides a basis for comparisons between wild and captive Asian elephants and between Asian and African elephants. Knowledge regarding communication is also important for understanding the social needs of elephants in zoos. In addition, Glaeser is collaborating on research aimed at characterizing female Asian elephant estrous cycles by monitoring longitudinal serum progestagen. While working on both projects, her duties include performing radioimmunoassays of the zoo’s elephants and interpreting results for reproductive monitoring; assisting in behavioral observations; volunteering in the elephant barn; and collecting acoustic and behavioral data on the zoo’s elephants.
Keeper Staff
Five trained keepers work with the six elephants at the Oregon Zoo. Combined, they have more than 43 years of experience. The keepers work in overlapping shifts, providing personal attention to each elephant. Keepers are responsible for feeding, cleaning, training and exercising their animals. They closely monitor the elephants’ behavior and watch for any possible health problems. There is also an important social element to being an elephant keeper. Elephants are highly social animals, and at the zoo their keepers form part of their extended family. For this reason, all new keepers must go through a trial period — usually three to six months — to see how the elephants respond to them. If necessary, additional training is provided until the keeper and pachyderms form a bond.
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