Brandie Smith

Advisors: Dr. James M. Dietz & Dr. Jonathan Ballou

Research Interests:
I am interested in the genetic and demographic issues particular to small populations. Specifically, my research focuses on how management can slow loss of genetic diversity in a population over time. The management strategy currently used to preserve genetic diversity relies on a knowledge of a population's pedigree and the ability to control pairings between individuals. This strategy is practical for many species in captivity, but is unrealistic for species for which there is insufficient information or over which we have less control (e.g., wild animals or captive animals that occur in herds or tanks). Populations such as these, where detailed pedigree information is unknown and/or specific pairings cannot reliably be made, are generally referred to as "groups". I am evaluating different management strategies and the impact they have on maintaining genetic diversity in various type of groups.

Location of Research:
Silver Spring, MD

Awards:
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Conservation Endowment Fund Award

Publications:
Hutchins, M., B.R. Smith. 2003. Characteristics of a world class zoo or aquarium in the twenty-first century. International Zoo Yearbook 38:130-141.

Hutchins, M. B. Smith, R. Allard. 2003. In defense of zoos and aquariums: the ethical basis for keeping wild animals in captivity. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 223 (7):958-966.

Ciofi, C., B.R. Smith, & Hutchins, M. 2002. Conservation: in-situ and ex-situ contributions. In Komodo Dragons Biology and Conservation, ed. J.B. Murphy, C. Ciofi, C. de La Panouse, and T. Walsh. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.

Smith, B.R., M. Hutchins, R.A. Allard, D. Warmolts. 2002. Regional collection planning for speciose taxonomic groups. Zoo Biology 21:1-9.

Hutchins, M., B. Smith, R. Fulk, L. Perkins, G. Reinartz, D. Wharton. 2001. Welfare or rights? A response to the Great Ape Project. In Great Apes and Humans: The Ethics of Coexistence, ed. B. Beck, T. Stoinski, M. Hutchins, T.L. Maple, E.F. Stevens, and B. Norton. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.

Odum, R.A., B.R. Smith. 2001. The effects of prorating risk in the development of life-tables. Zoo Biology 20(4): 279-292.

Smith, B.R. 2001. Species Survival Plans: membership has its privileges. AZA 2000 Annual Conference Proceedings. Silver Spring, MD.

Smith, B.R., M. Hutchins. 2001. Species Survival Plans. Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos. C. Bell, Ed. Chicago, IL: Fitzroy Dearborn Press.

Smith, B.R., R.A. Allard. 1999. Regional collection plan: lifeboat or dinghy. AZA 1999 Annual Conference Proceedings. Silver Spring, MD.

Smith, B.R., M. Hutchins. 1999. The value of captive breeding programmes to field conservation: elephants as an example. Pachyderm 26:101-109.

Smith, B.R., M. Hutchins. 1999. AZA elephant planning initiative. Journal of the Elephant Managers Association 10(2): 150-151.

Fitzgerald, L., J. Piazza, C. Elam, B. Smith. 1997. Management of a rhinoceros medical problem without behavioral conditioning and the subsequent development of a conditioning program. 1997 AAZK National Conference Proceedings.

Piazza, J., B. Smith, L. Fitzgerald, C. Elam. 1997. Reintroduction of an infant southern black rhinoceros 68 hours postpartum. 1997 AAZK National Conference Proceedings.

Smith, B., D. Tonkyn, E. Stevens, D. Heckel. 1997. A comparison of breeding strategies for maintaining genetic diversity in captive populations. AZA Annual Conference Proceedings 1997.