Research
Research is a vital part of our work here and helps us to understand more about specific species, their environment, and the best ways to help with conservation. Please read on to find out more about some of the recent projects we have been involved with.
Enhancing Giraffe Well-being
We recently embarked on an extraordinary journey with researchers from the University of Glasgow to craft the world’s first interactive audio enrichment system for the gentlest of giants, our lovely giraffes.
Our collaborative team set out to investigate whether giraffes would enjoy triggering audio of giraffes humming, thus potentially enriching their experience. Two prototype systems were designed, one playing sounds when giraffes interacted with a hanging toy and the other triggering audio when they stood next to a sensor.
Heating technology gives Chimps power over their environment
Providing animals with the ability to make choices over their habitat has been proven to positively impact their overall well-being.
In collaboration with Glasgow University, our lucky chimps now have the option to trigger a blast of hot air if they step on a projection on the floor of their indoor habitat.
Interactive enrichment technology may provide insight into lemur behaviour
It’s not just us humans who love our streaming services. In a cutting-edge project, researchers at the University of Glasgow and Aalto University in Finland set out to discover how a group of white-faced saki monkeys at a zoo in Helsinki would respond to being able to trigger audio or visual stimuli on demand. The monkeys were found to trigger audio stimuli twice as much as visual stimuli.
The project (led by Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, of the University of Glasgow’s school of computing science) entered its next phase of study in the Lemur Land section of the park in October 2022.
Blair Drummond Safari Park contributes to turtle and tortoise study challenging evolutionary theories of aging
It may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but in a recent study by Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, scientists may have uncovered the secret to eternal youth! And who has helped make this amazing discovery? None other than our 37-year-old Sulcata Tortoises, Monty and Mali.
Research Proposals
We have close links with many Scottish universities and welcome research proposals. Please read the attached document for information on how to apply for approval for conducting research at Blair Drummond Safari Park.