| The AGSRCA is dedicated to saving animals and preserving
our natural biodiversity for future generations. Australia is home
to unique beautiful animals, birds, fish, and amphibia. These creatures
enrich the Australian environment and are important in the functioning
of our ecosystems
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The Animal Gene Storage Resource Centre of Australia (AGSRCA)
is a venture between the Institute of Reproduction & Development
(MIRD) Monash University Melbourne, and the Zoological Parks Board
of NSW (Taronga & the Western Plains Zoos, NSW).
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The AGSRCA is a member of the MIRD’s Norwood Animal Conservation
Group which is sponsored by the Melbourne biotechnology company
Norwood Abbey Limited.
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The AGSRCA contributes to animal conservation of endangered
species by using new reproductive techniques made in embryology,
cryobiology, and molecular cellular biology.
Scientific innovations are also offered to traditional reproductive
programs.
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The AGSRCA has associates and links throughout Australia and
has the expertise and facilities to assist national and international
conservation programs.
What happens to save genetic material when
a native animal dies in a zoo or a reserve?
The AGSRCA offers advice and services to organisations, communities
and individuals:
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on methods for collecting and transporting samples to the Gene
Bank
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the processing, freezing and storage of samples
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scientific and technical assistance in the use of these samples
in assisted reproduction procedures for ongoing breeding programs
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Non-invasive assessment of reproductive steroids in the Eastern
Quoll.
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Creation of the Whatman DNA Wildlife Library, a partenership
between Whatman Bioscience, Crown Scientific and NACG
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Inclusion of the NACG in Grey Nurse Shark research with the
Oceanis aquariums
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Securing Ron Clarke as the NACG’s new patron -
The establishment of
the Animal Gene Bank
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Design and production
of a multi-purpose computer database – GeneSearch
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The Black Rhinoceros
Recovery Program
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Preservation of the
Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
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Assisted reproduction
technology in the dog
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The Banksia
Environmental Foundation Award in 1997 for the Centre's vision and
role in the conservation of Australia's endangered wildlife
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The reproductive cycle
of the threatened Greater Bilby
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Investigation of
reproductive biology of the Macropod (Red and Grey Kangaroos).
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Re-introduction of
protected native animals to regenerated reserves around WMC mine
site at Roxby Downs in South Australia.
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Re-introducing the
endangered European Hare to Europe
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Saving the world's
large cats. Clouded Leopards, Snow Leopards, and Siberian Tigers.
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Interspecies
surrogates. Saving endangered species through the use of closely
related common species.
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