| JoGayle Dillon Howard | |
| Birth Date: | May 20, 1951 |
| Birth Place: | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Date: | March 5, 2011 (aged 59) |
| Death Place: | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Fields: | Veterinary science, zoology, reproductive biology |
| Workplaces: | Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute |
| Alma Mater: | Sunset High School, Dallas, TX. Class of 1969 Texas A&M University, Veterinary Science, 1980 University of Maryland, doctorate, 1989 |
| Known For: | Successfully bred critically endangered black-footed ferret; survey of giant pandas in China from 1998 through 2000. |
| Awards: | 2010 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service "Recovery Champion" |
JoGayle Dillon Howard (May 20, 1951 – March 5, 2011) was an American zoologist and theriogenologist specializing in the captive breeding of endangered species such as pandas, clouded leopards, and black-footed ferrets.
Howard was born on May 20, 1951, in Dallas, Texas.[1] She graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M in 1980. She earned a PhD in reproductive physiology from University of Maryland in 1989. Dr. Howard received her D.V.M. from Texas A&M University in 1980, and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1989.
Originally a veterinarian, Howard later became an expert in animal breeding, receiving the nickname "Sperm Queen".[2] ” She used common human infertility treatments, like artificial insemination and In vitro fertilisation, and was a pioneer in electroejaculation techniques.
In 1980, she began working at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. She oversaw the black-footed ferret breeding program at The National Zoo.[3] With her aid more than 500 kits were born and 150 artificial inseminations were performed.
In 1992, alongside the Nashville Zoo President Rick Schwartz, she conducted the first successful clouded leopard artificial insemination.[4] "If we lose this species," Howard says of the clouded leopards, "that means we probably lose other species in the forest. We may lose the forest all together. It may affect the human race eventually. I think most people want to just see these animals and want their future generations to see these animals. They are unique and nothing's going to replace a clouded leopard."[5] "
From 1998 to 2000, Howard surveyed giant pandas in China. This study helped identify the causes of poor reproduction, which led to a rise in the population of giant pandas in breeding centers and zoos over the next ten years.[6] “I’m not an emotional person,” she once told a reporter. “But it’s pretty cool when you realize you’re putting these animals back where they should be.”[7]
Howard oversaw the project to artificially inseminate the National Zoo’s female panda, Mei Xiang, and produced the first surviving cub, Tai Shan, in 2005.
She died from cancer on March 5, 2011, in Washington D.C.[8]
JoGayle Howard (1952-2011) was a pioneering reproductive physiologist known for her groundbreaking work in the conservation of endangered species. As a researcher at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, she adapted human infertility treatments to help breed endangered animals, making significant contributions to the field of theriogenology—the study of animal reproduction.
Dr. Howard was born in 1952 and developed an early interest in biology and animal science. She pursued higher education in the United States, earning her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her academic and research pursuits set the stage for a career dedicated to animal conservation and reproductive science.
Dr. Howard began her career at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, where she quickly became a leading figure in the zoo's reproductive physiology program. She focused on using artificial insemination and other reproductive technologies to breed endangered species, adapting techniques initially developed for human infertility treatments.
One of Dr. Howard's most notable achievements was the first successful artificial insemination of a clouded leopard in 1992. This milestone was crucial for the conservation of this endangered species, showcasing the potential of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation.
In addition to her work with clouded leopards, Dr. Howard was instrumental in the black-footed ferret breeding program at the National Zoo. During the 1980s, the black-footed ferret population had dwindled to just 18 individuals. Under her supervision, over 500 ferret kits were born, significantly contributing to the recovery of the species from the brink of extinction.
Dr. Howard's expertise was also pivotal in the birth of Tai Shan, the first surviving giant panda cub born at the National Zoo. In 2005, she performed the artificial insemination of the panda Mei Xiang, leading to this significant achievement in panda conservation.
The techniques and protocols developed by Dr. Howard have had a profound and lasting impact on wildlife conservation. Her work has helped increase the populations of several endangered species and has provided a foundation for future conservation efforts. The methodologies she pioneered continue to be used in breeding programs worldwide, demonstrating the enduring value of her contributions.
Dr. Howard's influence extends beyond her immediate achievements. She was a mentor and inspiration to many in the field of reproductive physiology, training the next generation of scientists who continue to advance conservation science. Her pioneering spirit and dedication to preserving biodiversity have left a lasting legacy.
Despite her significant contributions to animal conservation, Dr. JoGayle Howard's work is not widely recognized. She died in 2011 from melanoma, but her legacy lives on through the ongoing efforts of the scientists and conservationists she inspired. Dr. Howard's work remains highly influential, highlighting the critical role of scientific innovation in preserving endangered species and maintaining ecological balance.