Biology Field Lab at Jardim Zoologico in Lisbon, Portugal

The Jardim Zoologico, known as the Lisbon Zoo, is a lush, green gem tucked amongst the red-tiled rooftops of Lisbon proper. Opened in 1884, dating it as the fourth oldest zoo in Europe, the Lisbon Zoo houses 2,000 animals of 332 different species, including many rare animals. The zoo is one of 300 in the European Endangered Species Program, whose members focus on breeding to reintroduce species back into the wild. Lisbon Zoo has reintroduced four species back into the wild from their breeding program: the Black Rhino in South Africa, the Arabian Oryx in Qatar, the Addax in Tunisia and the Persian Leopard in Sochi, Russia.

This progressive zoo was the ideal setting for a Field Lab for Dr. Emilie Rissman’s Hormones and Health biology class. Students toured the animal enclosures and the veterinary clinic, before settling in to observe and take notes on the primates’ habits to discuss in a follow-up class.

Dr. Rissman and her class watch a video detailing aspects of the zoo's history and their role in the European Association of Zoos and Aquariaums (EAZA) which is based with three missions: conservation, research and education. — Dr. Rissman and her class watch a video about the zoo’s history and its role in the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), which is tasked with three missions: conservation, research and education.

In many zoos, peacocks are allowed to roam freely. It is no different here as this male shows his feathery display from a rooftop near the primates. — In many zoos, peacocks are allowed to roam freely. It is no different here as this male show his feathery display from a rooftop near the primates’ home.

Giraffes nibble on some of the local flora surrounding their enclosure while soaking up the Lisbon sun. At right, student Jillian Nichols of Marquette University leans over the lion exhibit. Students were admiring the pride of lions, of which one lioness is pregnant. — Giraffes nibble on some of the local flora surrounding their enclosure while soaking up the Lisbon sun. At right, student Jillian Nichols of Marquette University leans over the lion exhibit. She and her classmates were admiring the pride of lions, of which one lioness is pregnant.

Binoculars came in handy while students took notes on primate habits. However, viewing many species in this zoo was quite easy as the Lisbon zoo uses waterways that the animals will not cross instead of fences to separate many of the primate exhibits. Lemurs, featured at right, have netting around their entire habitat due to their amazing leaping ability. — Binoculars came in handy while students took notes on primate habits. However, viewing many species was quite easy, as the Lisbon zoo uses waterways that the animals will not cross instead of fences to separate many of the primate exhibits. Lemurs, featured at right, have netting around their entire habitat due to their amazing leaping ability.

One of the younger chimps nibbles an orange in a brief break from swinging across their jungle gym. — One of the younger chimps nibbles an orange during a brief break from swinging across the jungle gym.

In an examination room in the veterinary clinic located inside the zoo, Dr. Teresa Fernandez, one of the zoo's three veterinarians, answers student questions about the facility. The class was shown the entire clinic, including the operating rooms. Since 2008, Lisbon Zoo has been recognized by EAZA as the best veterinary hospital in Europe. — In a veterinary clinic examination room, Dr. Teresa Fernandez, one of the zoo’s three veterinarians, answers student questions about the facility. The class toured the entire clinic, including the operating rooms. Since 2008, Lisbon Zoo has been recognized by EAZA as the best veterinary hospital in Europe.

Student _____________ looks over the towering shelves of animal medication in the veterinary clinic. Some are familiar, such as human birth control that is used in certain species of primates. — Students got the chance to look over the towering shelves of animal medication in the veterinary clinic. Some were familiar, such as human birth control that is used in certain species of primates.

The male silverback gorilla showed as much interest in examining the students as they did him. At right, Rachel Willen of Carnegie Mellon University takes note of the spider monkey behaviors as they use their amazing tails for balance and agility. — The male silverback gorilla showed as much interest in examining the students as they did him. At right, Rachel Willen of Carnegie Mellon University takes note of the spider monkey behaviors as they use their versatile tails for balance and agility.

Patrick __________ and ____________ are distracted from their notes for a moment as the wandering peacock hops up on the wall of the only remaining — Patrick Corbett and Sarah Quattrocki, both from University of Virginia, are distracted from their notes for a moment as the wandering peacock hops up on the wall of the only remaining walled in primate exhibit.

The Lisbon Zoo houses Siberian tigers, which have been hunted into near extinction for their beautiful white coats and blue eyes. The zoo is proud to be responsible for the first artificial insemination of a Siberian tiger female in Europe and the three cubs that are now helping the population slowly recover. Dr. Rissman chose for her students to take notes on the more active primates... the big cats, including this one tend to take some serious cat naps. — The Lisbon Zoo houses Siberian tigers, which have been hunted into near extinction for their beautiful white coats and blue eyes. The zoo is responsible for the first artificial insemination of a female Siberian tiger in Europe and the three cubs that are now helping the population slowly recover. Dr. Rissman had her students observed and took notes on the more active primates, since the big cats, including this one, tend to take some serious cat naps.

Biology Field Lab at Jardim Zoologico in Lisbon, Portugal

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