Wildlife Contraception Presentation — Kimberly Frank, Science and Conservation Center
The Science and Conservation Center (SCC) is located on the grounds of Zoo Montana, the zoo's original conservation biology arm. Became a separate 501(c)(3) in 2001 to manage grant money independently. Jay Kirkpatrick, former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Montana College (now MSUB), founded the Center and pioneered wildlife contraception research starting in 1988. Kimberly Frank joined as a volunteer in 1993, became a conservation biologist, and has been Executive Director since 2016.
The Need for Wildlife Population Control is due to several factors. Urbanization and agriculture have eliminated natural population controls (predation, starvation, disease) in many areas. Deer, turkeys, and domestic rabbits have moved into urban areas like Billings where hunting is not feasible. Public lands face competing demands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (multi-use: grazing, hunting, mining, oil, recreation, wild horses). The requirements of a wildlife contraceptive are that it is at least 90% effective, remotely administered (via dart projector), reversible, safe for pregnant animals; does not interfere with lactation, no significant health side effects, no passage through the food chain (hormonal drugs could transfer to predators/scavengers; PZP does not), minimal effects on individual and social behaviors, and low cost.
PZP = porcine zona pellucida is the contraceptive used. The zona pellucida is the glycoprotein surrounding all mammalian eggs. Pig ovaries are sourced from slaughter plants; approximately 3 pounds of ovaries yields about 150 doses. The glycoprotein is extracted, added to sterile water, and administered with an adjuvant that stimulates the immune system. The darted animal produces antibodies against the pig zona pellucida; because all mammalian zona pellucidas are closely related, the antibodies attach to the animal's own egg, blocking sperm from attaching. No hormonal disruption occurs — normal estrus cycling and social behaviors continue.
