YOUR TORONTO ZOO CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE ANNOUNCING DR. GABRIELA MASTROMONACO AS INCOMING DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION SCIENCE

TORONTO, ON, Thursday, February 11, 2021: In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science your Toronto Zoo is excited to announce that Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo’s Manager of Reproductive Sciences, has been named our incoming Director of Conservation Science.

Dr. Mastromonaco’s dedicated leadership of your Toronto Zoo’s Reproductive Sciences team has resulted in many world firsts including wood bison calves born from sperm frozen for 35 years and from an in vitro fertilization and frozen-thawed embryo. She also oversees the only biobank in Canada for wildlife species, which is located in the Zoo’s Wildlife Health Centre. Canada is a signatory of the Convention for Biological Diversity, which supports the use and banking of genetic resources for current and future conservation priorities.

“Dr. Mastromonaco has also made valuable contributions to species recovery programs, Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plans, government and non-governmental conservation organizations with a focus on Canadian species at risk,” Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “Your Toronto Zoo is excited to have Dr. Mastromonaco apply her knowledge and expertise to lead our team in on-going and future initiatives for conservation science and research at the Zoo,” he added.

“As the natural world undergoes rapid and drastic changes, your Toronto Zoo’s commitment to advancing conservation science continues to grow. Our focus on strengthening the connections between diverse scientific disciplines is a necessary step towards improving the future for all living things,” says Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Incoming Director of Conservation Science, Toronto Zoo.

Through the use of cryogenic technologies, zoos and other conservation organizations have been able to establish long-term storage of living cells, such as sperm and embryos, from genetically rare and endangered species, including plants. When frozen correctly, these cells will remain alive in a static-state for the unforeseen future and can be reintroduced to help support the population when needed.Your Toronto Zoo is a leader in reproductive research and assisted reproduction for wild species, and is committed to being the steward of valuable genetic resources not only for Canadians, but for the world, including holding specimens on behalf of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Dr. Andrew Lentini, Senior Director of Wildlife and Science, will be retiring from the Toronto Zoo in June after devoting 35 years to conservation science. Dr. Mastromonaco brings to the new role more than 20 years of academic and corporate experience in biomedical sciences, most of them affiliated with the University of Guelph and the last 14 years here with your Toronto Zoo. She has an impressive track record of original research and applied reproductive science, veterinary medicine, conservation biology, and evolutionary ecology. As a leader in STEM, she 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.

Media Contact Information:

Amanda Chambers
Supervisor of Strategic Communications
[email protected]

For general information visit torontozoo.com

The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction and our vision is a world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive.

An iconic tourist attraction and Conservation organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day including December 25 and attracts approximately 1.2 million guests each year.

Toronto Zoo is accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Zoo has also achieved the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Certificate of Good Animal Practice® and is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave, Toronto ON, M1B 5K7

To unsubscribe, please send your request to [email protected].

View Toronto Zoo’s Privacy Statement