RapportFondation_2026_V03 Pages LIGHT EN - Flipbook - Page 48
Supporting scienti昀椀c research
2025 REPORT
BELGIUM
Better understanding animals
through hormone science
AMOUNT COMMITED TO DATE: WE CONTRIBUTE THROUGH THE TIME AND COMMITMENT OF OUR TEAMS.
2025 > PRESENT
To strengthen animal welfare and support the conservation of endangered species, Pairi Daiza launched an ambitious
project in 2025: the creation of an in-house wildlife endocrinology laboratory.
This laboratory analyses animal hormones, helping researchers gain a deeper understanding of their biology and
needs using mainly non-invasive methods. The project focuses on four key areas: monitoring reproductive cycles in
elephants and improving birth prediction in elephants, supporting the reproduction of Giant pandas, and developing
tools to assess reproductive status in giraffes.
One of the most striking examples is the hormonal monitoring of pregnant elephants during the final stage of gestation.
By measuring specific hormonal markers in the blood, teams can better predict when birth is likely to occur. Pairi
Daiza is currently developing a rapid on-site analysis method that is being validated in collaboration with a human
hospital laboratory. This approach has already supported several elephant births at the Park, including those of Siam
and Maximus.
Through this project, Pairi Daiza contributes to the development of innovative scientific tools in support of animal
care, while also strengthening its internal expertise. The programme clearly demonstrates how scientific research can
enhance animal welfare and contribute to the conservation of endangered species.
48
