Upcoming Events
PhD Dissertation Defense - Drew Arbogast - Environmental Science & Policy
Jun 3, 2026, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Exploratory Hall 3301
Virtual on Zoom - register for
meeting link: https://tinyurl.com/3y4682vn
PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Drew Arbogast
Defense Date and Time: June 3 2026 at 1:00pm
Defense Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301 and virtual on Zoom
Title: Investigation of three novel physiological biomarkers of rhinoceros wellbeing
Dissertation Director: Dr. Elizabeth Freeman
Committee: Dr. Lara Metrione, Dr. Kathleen Hunt, Dr. David Luther
ABSTRACT
The critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the near-threatened white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) are at risk of disappearing from the wild due to poaching and habitat loss. Conservation efforts in zoos and wildlife protected areas are crucial for saving these species. This dissertation aimed to investigate three biomarkers of wellbeing in zoo-housed rhinoceroses – oxytocin, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and the ratio of cortisol to dehydroepiandrosterone (cortisol:DHEA) – as they relate to a range of demographic, health, socio-environmental, and behavioral variables. Results provide novel insight into rhinoceros physiology that can help inform husbandry practices and enhance the wellbeing of rhinoceroses in managed settings.
