The Effect of Diet on Growth and Reproduction of Western Swamp Tortoises (Pseudemydura umbrina) at Perth Zoo.
My research project involves analysing husbandry data from ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) as well as zoo section records, to identify whether there is a difference between the growth and reproduction of the captive population on different diets. The current efficiency of Perth Zoo’s captive-breeding-for-release program is unknown and will be assessed within my project to provide husbandry recommendations. As the rarest reptile in Australia, the species’ wild populations currently only exist within protected habitats with captive-bred individuals released into these habitats. Assessing the efficiency of the program and improving it is essential for the species' survival.