The Dr. Aharon Shulov Scholarship Fund, established in memory of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo’s founder, is intended for research on animals in captivity andannually offers research grants to research projects connected to the animalcollection or nature conservation activities at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo.
Photo:Keren Bentzian and archive
The research may relate to any of the zoo’s areas of interest:
Welfare of animals in captivity, returning animals to the wild, preservation andbreeding of animals in danger of extinction, the genetics of nature conservation, nutrition and medical care for wildlife in captivity, and others.Through the fund, researchers and students at academic institutions, as well as researchers and field professionals of non-academic institutions, may apply for a research grant. (Preference is given to students at the Hebrew University ofJerusalem)
The fund is a joint initiative of the Shulov family, the Friends of the Zoo Association, and the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo.
For more information, please contact Dr. Noam Werner, the Biblical Zoo’s Zoologist, by telephone at +972-2-675-0154, or by email at wernerny@jerusalemzoo.org.il.
Photo: Michal Erez Rotman
List of research projects and initiatives supported by the Professor Aharon Shulov Scholarship Fund, named after the Biblical Zoo’s founder:
2008
Dr.Amos Bouskila, Dr. Dan Mishmar, and Biblical Zoo (Dr. Nili Avni-Magen) –Speciation and nature conservation in chameleons
DafnaGotliev and Yael Zelka – Behavioral aspects of chameleons and their influenceon feasibility of return to the wild
Dr.Gila Kechila, Dr. Dani Golani, and the Biblical Zoo (Dr. Noam Werner) – Genetic differences in the Arabian toothcarp fish populations
AssafTzuar – Long term monitoring of microbat populations at the Biblical Zoo
2007
Dr.Amir Pearlberg – Participatory behavior of chimpanzees
Tal Peled, Assaf Tzuar, and Amit Dolev – Variety and abundance of bats within an urban environment
The Biblical Zoo (Dr. Noa Eshkol) – Hormones and behavior of cheetahs
The Biblical Zoo (in cooperation with Dr. Gila Kechila) - Genetic comparison between individuals in captivity and individuals in the wild of the Negev tortoise.
2006
The Biblical Zoo – Initiative of returning the sand cat to the desert
2005
Assa fTzuar and Amit Dolev – Monitoring microbat population at the zoo
Roi Tsidon – Telemetry observation of Fallow deer returned to the mountains ofJerusalem
The Biblical Zoo (in cooperation with Dr. Aryeh Shur) – Influence of the sleep arrangement on hormone level and behavior of the white rhinoceros at the Biblical Zoo.
2004
Boaz Shacham – Survey of situation assessment of the Negev tortoise population inthe western Negev
2003
The Biblical Zoo – initiative to return Fallow deer to the Judean mountains
2002
Aliza Roman –Establishment of infrastructure for a Negev tortoise breeding group
Adiv Gal – Restrictive factors in the successful nesting of Lesser kestrel birds and strategy for returning them to the wild
2001
Shirli Bar-David – Observing the breeding success of the Persian fallow deer in thewild and in captivity
AssafTzuar and Amit Dolev – assessing feasibility of providing sleep boxes for microbats at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Michal Sguli – joint care for offspring among Squirrel monkeys at the Biblical Zoo
2000
Sigal Yaniv – Parental care for Griffon vulture chicks in the wild and in captivity
Dr.Tamar Licht – Raising Lesser kestrel chicks in captivity
Ariela Gotliev – Breeding in captivity among the white rhinoceros
1999
Dr.Nili Avni Magen – Examining the periodic eruptions of eye infections in female Asian elephants at the Biblical Zoo
Dr.Hamoutal Mazriar – Determining the genetic differences and choosing a male formating among Persian fallow deer, aided by AFLP
Amalia Tores – Breeding and social structure of the Patagonian mara
Research,which the zoo has conducted, collaborated in editing, or funded in recent years (by topic)
Enrichmentand care of animals in captivity
1. Influences of distribution and concentration of food on the behavior of zebras and use ofenclosure area
2. Influences of sleeping arrangements on behavior and hormone level of the male rhinoceros
3. Enrichment for Siamang monkeys through playing recorded songs of foreign individuals
4. Mating differences in stereotypical behavior of feline predators
5. Cooperation between chimpanzees
Returning animals to the wild
1. First ecological survey of the Negev desert tortoise in the Western Negev
2. Comparison of mitochondrial DNA sequences of the Negev desert tortoise between individualsat the zoo and those in the wild
3. Spread among an area of Fallow deer which were returned to the wild in the Jerusalem mountains
4. Changes in levels of stress hormones among Fallow deer during their return to the wild
5. Changes in Fallow deer behavior between residing at the zoo and within acclimation pensin preparation for return to the wild
6. Changes in Fallow deer behavior after return to the wild
7. Seed distribution by Fallow deer which have been returned to the wild
8. Feasibility study of methods for continued long-term monitoring after spreading out,habitat preference, and behavioral patterns of Fallow deer which have returned to the wild
9. GIS analysis of potential areas for returning sand cats to the wild
10. Assessment of behavioral aspects among chameleons with respect to return to the wild
11. Speciation and nature conservation among chameleons
12. Genetic differences among Arabian toothcarp fish populations
Breeding
1. Cyclicalchanges in mating hormone levels of cheetahs
2. Mating hormone levels of female Asian elephants before, during, and after gestation
Veterinary
1. Characterization of changes over time of returning Keratitis in Asian elephants and the effects of treatment
2. Efficacy of long-acting treatment against fungal infection among Siamang moneys
3. Efficacy of antibiotic slow releasing implants among herbivores
4. Characterization of rabies antibody levels in vaccinated Asian elephants
5. Efficacy of insertion by arrow of an implant that secretes GnRH agonist Deslorelin as a prophylactic in giraffes
6. Levels of magnesium and calcium ions in Asian elephant blood and the effects of sampling and PH on them
7. Changes in behavioral and endocrine measures in relation to “mast” syndrome in mature Asian elephants
8. Examining carriers of Balantidium coli among primates at the Biblical Zoo
9. Examining carriers of salmonella among reptiles at the Biblical Zoo
10. Methods of assessing malaria in penguins, examination trials through development of unique PCR
11. Efficacy of insertion of an GnRH agonist-secretingimplant (Deslorelin) as a prophylactic in Mandrills at the zoo
12. Monitoring incubation of predatory birds – checking fertility, weight, incubation conditions, and identifying possible fetalmortality causes
13. Incidence of carriers of chlamydia in predatory birdsat the zoo and in the wild
Other topics
1. Asymmetry of Fallow deer horns
2. Variety and abundance of microbats who can be found at the Biblical Zoo
Additional articles published by the professional staff of the zoo
Immobilization of Captive Persian Fallow Deer, 2019
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