Breeding echidnas in captivity (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of Melbourne) (2017-2021)
Abstract
There has not been a sustainable breeding program for echidnas in any zoo world-wide. This project aims to provide novel insights into the cryptic and secretive mode of their reproduction, and enable development of reliable methods for breeding echidnas in captivity. This is needed because most studies on echidnas have all been field based, and so not open to manipulation to answer key questions relevant to their conservation and survival. Our novel scientific results on the short-beaked echidna will establish our industry partner as the world leader of monotreme conservation, research and education and the undisputed organisation of choice for the captive breeding of the critically endangered long-beaked echidna.
