Dr. Silvina Botta from ECOMEGA FURG, our partners in Brazil, is currently visiting the endocrinology lab at the Toronto Zoo for a training program on hormone analysis in marine mammals sponsored by YAQU PACHA. Stress-associated hormones such as cortisol are being analyzed in samples of Lahille's porpoises from ECOMEGA FURG and PROJETO BOTOS. The samples were obtained from tooth dentin using the automated MicroMill drilling system at ECOMEGA FURG. The main objective is to link stress hormone levels to environmental factors such as changes in prey availability or deteriorated habitat conditions.
