Toronto Zoo Research Plans: The Toronto Zoo will co-operate with other zoos that have giant pandas to expand the numbers needed for scientific research and collaboration efforts. This will involve studies in animal behavior, enrichment, nutrition, veterinary science, and reproduction.  The Toronto Zoo has an extensive Behavioral Enrichment Program. Giant panda behavioral enrichment studies will be designed and conducted. The Toronto Zoo's Wildlife Nutrition Centre will coordinate studies in giant panda physiology and nutrition as well as bamboo propagation. The Toronto Zoo offers a three year Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) post graduate program with the University of Guelph. There will be an opportunity for studies related to the giant panda program. Breeding of giant pandas in captivity has been difficult for a variety of reasons, however giant pandas are one of the few species where assisted reproductive technologies have been instrumental in improving reproductive success. Use of urinary hormone monitoring techniques for estrus detection and artificial insemination techniques with fresh and frozen-thawed sperm has resulted in many successful births over the past 10 years at various zoos and breeding facilities around the world. Despite these successes, further research is still necessary to ensure the long-term preservation of giant pandas in captivity and in the wild. The Toronto Zoo's reproductive physiology program has the equipment and technical expertise to play a major role in contributing to the preservation of this species.http://www.torontozoo.com/pandas/?pg=About