Research Interests

Dr. Moehrenschlager joined the Calgary Zoo in 1999, following his PhD work at Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. His work focused on coyotes, red foxes, and Canada's most endangered carnivore, the Swift Fox.   He is a member of World Conservation Union (IUCN) Canid and Reintroduction Specialist Groups, co-chair of the Canadian Swift Fox recovery team, and numerous conservation committees. Dr. Moehrenschlager is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the University of Calgary's Ecology Division and a Senior Research Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Department of Zoology. Previous field research on wood bison, wolves, red squirrels and peregrine falcons founded his strong interest in restoration ecology, which is reflected in all of the Centre's projects today.

The Centre for Conservation Research currently focuses its research on the reintroduction of endangered species. Fundamental research is conducted on the captive-breeding, translocation, habitat use, or population viability of species to yield conservation applications in breeding facilities and in the wild. Through a combination of graduate students, post-docs and staff, the Centre is currently studying imperilled species such as the swift fox, whooping crane, Vancouver island marmot, northern leopard frog, and burrowing owl. In addition to reintroduction initiatives, studies on health-behaviour linkages in mountain bluebirds and raptor rehabilitation combine veterinary and zoological expertise within a Conservation Medicine portfolio.

Selected publications

• Boitani, L., C. Asa, and A. Moehrenschlager. 2004.   Canid conservation tools. In D.W. Macdonald and C. Sillero-Zubiri (eds.) Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
• Moehrenschlager, A., B. Cypher, K. Ralls, M.A. Sovada, and R. List. 2004. Comparative ecology and conservation priorities of swift and kit foxes. In D.W. Macdonald and C. Sillero-Zubiri (eds.) Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
• Moehrenschlager, A. and M. Somers. 2004. Canid reintroductions and metapopulation management. In C. Sillero-Zubiri, M. Hoffmann, and D.W. Macdonald (eds.) Canids: foxes, wolves, jackals, and dogs. Status surevy and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
• Moehrenschlager, A. and M. A. Sovada. 2004. Swift fox (Vulpes velox). In C. Sillero-Zubiri, M. Hoffmann, and D. W. Macdonald (eds.) Canids: foxes, wolves, jackals, and dogs. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
• Moehrenschlager, A. and D.W. Macdonald. 2003.   Movement and survival parameters of translocated and resident swift foxes (Vulpes velox) .   Animal Conservation 6(3):   199-206.
• Moehrenschlager, A., D.W. Macdonald, and C. Moehrenschlager. 2003. Reducing capture-related injuries and radio-collaring effects on swift foxes. In M.A. Sovada and L.N. Carbyn (eds.)   The Swift Fox: Ecology and Conservation in a Changing World.   Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Tannerfeldt, M., Moehrenschlager, A., and A. Angerbjörn. 2003.   Den ecology of swift, kit and arctic foxes. In M.A. Sovada and L.N. Carbyn (eds.) The Swift Fox: Ecology and Conservation in a Changing World.   Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Moehrenschlager, A. 2001. The Coyote. In D.W. Macdonald (ed.) The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
• Moehrenschlager, A. and C. Moehrenschlager. 2001. Census of swift fox (Vulpes velox) in Canada and Northern Montana: 2000 - 2001. Alberta Sustainable Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division. Alberta Species at Risk Report #24. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.