Zoo puts its animals on birth control to avoid running out of space

Vets warn that quarantine restrictions imposed after TB outbreak could affect conservation of rare species

A ZOO has put its animals on birth control after an outbreak of TB that it fears could lead to overcrowding.

Paignton Zoo was forced to cull 11 antelopes last year after TB was discovered in one of the animals. Now government restrictions imposed on the Devonshire sanctuary prevent it from moving any of its mammals until the end of the year at the earliest.

Vets fear the zoo could suffer from overcrowding as the number of animals increases, so are taking steps to stop the animals mating.

The zoo’s vets said the measures could have worldwide repercussions for the conservation of rare species. Its breeding programme involves animals being sent to hundreds of zoos worldwide. Among those to receive a contraceptive implant is five-year-old Asiatic lioness Maliya, one half of the second most important breeding pair in Europe.

Ghislaine Sayers, Paignton Zoo’s head of veterinary services, said: “We must prevent overcrowding but we must still be in a position to take part in breeding programmes when the restrictions are lifted. So we need temporary solutions.

“Animal contraception is a relatively young science and presents us with many problems and worries. Some groups are single sex, which is one piece of good news. But we have many breeding groups here because that’s something we do – breed rare and special animals. What we do here could have consequences for international breeding programmes.”

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) automatically imposes movement restrictions on farms and centres if TB is discovered. The centre must test their animals again in six months before the APHA will consider lifting the restrictions.

The charity is to administer contraception to 60 mammal species with injections, tablets, implants and IUD coils. Its team of in-house vets have been working closely with experts across Europe to ensure the animals are not put at risk.

“We are still collecting data on contraception in different animals and how it might affect them,” Ms Sayers added.

“It isn’t an exact science. The length of time the contraceptive works may vary between individuals. Animals could get pregnant if the contraceptive wears off earlier than anticipated. If animals are contracepted too young it may permanently sterilise them.

“Contraceptive implants can be lost – I’ve known them to be groomed out by primates.”

The restrictions will be lifted when APHA are satisfied that TB has been eliminated from the zoo’s animals. It is believed the outbreak was caused by a badger.