Veterinary Procedures



Breeding management also involves excluding certain individuals from reproducing. Either because their genetics are overrepresented, their health does not allow further breeding or simply to avoid surplus animals or undesired behaviours.
Different methods, with varying advantages and disadvantages, are available:

  • Surgical castration/sterilisation (vasectomy)
  • Chemical contraception: through the use of hormones (oral, injections, implants)
  • Immuno- contraception: Through vaccination with the target protein, the body produces antibodies against the endogenous hormone (e.g. GnRH vaccines) or the outer oocyte layer (e.g. porcine zona pellucida (pZP)- vaccine)

Please contact us directly or visit, the EAZA Group on Zoo Animal Contraception.