Acknowledgements


The official start of the research for this dissertation dates back some six years ago, when Wilke van Delden and Piet Stam agreed to be promotores. However, it is more realistic to claim that this dissertation is the product of a period of almost fifteen years. It is the result of ideas which have evolved during my profession as population biologist in the zoo world. Therefore, I would like to thank all zoo colleagues, from zoo-keeper to biologist, who have contributed in various ways to have this dissertation realized.

I highly appreciate that Wilke van Delden and Piet Stam accepted the challenge to be promotores of a promovendus who is by heart interested in a holistic approach in tackling practical problems and, moreover, frequently travels outside The Netherlands. Despite these 'handicaps' they guided me more than perfectly. I would like to thank Wilke and Piet for their advise, critical evaluation of the manuscript, discussions and also preventing me to get "lost" in the broad field of conservation biology.

Bert de Boer is acknowledged for introducing me when I was a Master student into the "new" field of zoo genetics back in the early 1980's. Later, during his period as director of the National Foundation of Research in Zoological Gardens (NFRZG) in Amsterdam, he stimulated and supported me to compile my ideas on genetic management into a dissertation.

Angela Glatston critically evaluated the use of the English (British) language in this dissertation (except for this section). I also acknowledge her cooperation and discussions with respect to analyses of the red panda zoo population. This species has become a 'red line' throughout my studies for more than a decade.

Genetic management of endangered species is relatively new and subject to various fundamental scientific questions. The National Foundation for Research in Zoological Gardens provided an unique opportunity as a "breeding" ground for combining applied and fundamental biological science. I wish to thank my colleagues at the NFRZG, Simone Smits, Koen Brouwer, Frank Rietkerk, Mick Kurtz en Corinne Bos, for their support during the endeavour to realize this dissertation next to a full-time job.

Ideas and thoughts to manage small populations have been discussed in extent with colleagues in the international "zoo community" over the last ten years. In this, I especially wish to thank Jon Ballou, Bob Lacy, Tom Foose, Nate Flesness and Ulie Seal. I appreciate the cooperation with the International Species Information System (ISIS) in developing software tools for population management. The project 'POPLIB' created a sound basis for developing the simulation model ChromoFlow.

Waltraut Zimmerman and Lydia Kolter are acknowledged for providing the computerized studbook data on Przewalski's horses, and the various discussions on practical implications of genetic management of this species.

The Dr. J.L. Dobberke Stichting voor Vergelijkende Psychologie, Natura Artis Magistra (Amsterdam) is acknowledged for providing a grant to make it possible to widely distribute this dissertation among coordinators of European Endangered Species Programmes and others who are involved in population management of endangered (animal) species.

Last but not least: I especially wish to thank my parents as they have always stimulated and supported me to start a career as biologist. Pa en ma: van harte BEDANKT!

October 1998, Amsterdam
Frank P.G. Princée