Research & conservation department

Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park has one of the most active research programmes in the Italian zoo community. In October 2008 Parco Natura Viva organized the 1st national conference on zoo based research. All research at Parco Natura Viva is co-ordinated by the Research and Conservation Department in close collaboration with the animal and veterinary staff.

Parco Natura Viva's Research Department conducts research to improve animal management and wildlife conservation. In order to improve animal management and wildlife conservation researchers conduct applied scientific research with direct application in the management and conservation of zoo and wild populations. Furthermore this park conducts and supports field conservation efforts on behalf of wild populations and implements and advises population management programmes.


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RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUETED, GRADUETED, DOCTORAL STUDENT
The zoo's Research Internship program provides unique opportunities for students to gain research experience about animals in a captive setting by being a part of the zoo's team. Students have the opportunity to conduct research projects under the guidance of the staff of the Research and Conservation Department in one or more of the following areas: social relationship, animal behaviour, animal cognition, social learning, mother-infant relationship, socialization, lateralization, husbandry, management, welfare of captive animals and conservation. Student projects have appeared in published papers, scientific presentations, theses and Ph.D. dissertations.