Toronto Zoo’s Senior Director of Wildlife Science Nominated for Prestigious Indianapolis Prize for Animal Conservation
Your Toronto Zoo is thrilled to announce that Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Senior Director of Wildlife Science and a world-renowned reproductive scientist, has been nominated for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for animal conservation.” This recognition is a testament to Dr. Mastromonaco’s groundbreaking contributions to wildlife conservation through her leadership of Canada’s most diverse living cell bank.
Biennially, the Indianapolis Zoological Society awards substantial monetary awards to conservationists working on high-impact conservation program fields and projects. The Indianapolis Prize awards $250,000 to an animal conservationist who has achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. This award was established to bring the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented, and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species.
Dr. Mastromonaco’s pioneering work in reproductive science has been critical in preserving endangered species, not only within Canada but across the globe. Under her leadership, your Toronto Zoo’s biobank has become a vital resource in safeguarding genetic diversity and ensuring the survival of countless species facing extinction. Her innovative techniques in assisted reproduction and her dedication to scientific excellence have placed her among the world’s foremost leaders in wildlife conservation. This nomination highlights her tireless commitment and expertise to ensuring a future for the planet’s most vulnerable and endangered animals.
“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Mastromonaco nominated for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize, one of the highest honors in the field of wildlife conservation” said Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo CEO. “Her unwavering dedication to protecting endangered species and advancing conservation science has not only made a significant impact here at your Toronto Zoo but also around the world. This nomination is a testament to her groundbreaking work, and we are thrilled to see her contributions recognized on such an international stage.”
Conservation Impact
What does conservation impact look like? Here at your Toronto Zoo, there are many ways we strive for impact every day through breeding and release programs, guest engagement, educational opportunities, in-situ conservation support, environmental and sustainability programs, and much more.
Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo’s Senior Director of Wildlife Science, has achieved great success in conservation impact. Mastromonaco, who has been with Toronto Zoo since 2007, has led the Zoo’s reproductive sciences team to many world firsts, such as the birth of wood bison calves from sperm frozen for 35 years. She also oversees Canada’s most diverse living cell bank for wildlife species, located in the Zoo’s Wildlife Health Centre (WHC). In 2021, she led another conservation science first when her team worked with researchers from the University of Saskatchewan. The team partnered with Sexing Technologies to use highly sensitive equipment capable of sorting X- from Y-bearing sperm in hopes of producing predominantly female calves, an important step forward for the long-term sustainability of bison conservation herds. Mastromonaco has also made valuable contributions to species recovery programs, AZA Species Survival Plans, and government and non-governmental conservation organizations with a focus on Canadian species at risk. As a leader in STEM, Mastromonaco has built a strong national and international profile within the zoological and academic communities, based on sound practices and scientific integrity, and is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.
With over 110 scientific publications, Dr. Mastromonaco is one of the few reproductive scientists around the globe who have dedicated their careers to wildlife reproductive sciences. As the only zoo-based reproductive scientist in Canada, she is a ground-breaking pioneer and mentor, as well as an inspiration to female scientists around the world. Her exceptional contributions in her field have afforded her a well-deserved nomination this year for the Indianapolis Prize.
To learn more about Dr. Mastromonaco and the Toronto Zoo wildlife and science impact please click here.
To support this critical conservation work, find out how you can donate to Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, fundraising partner of the Toronto Zoo in the fight against extinction HERE. With incredible donors’ help, the Conservancy secures financial resources for the essential wildlife conservation work being done by your Toronto Zoo in preserving endangered species, breeding, and reintroducing endangered animals into the wild, and creating opportunities to reconnect people with nature, including the important conservation science work of Dr. Mastromonaco and her team.
