Scientific cooperation with the Wrocław Zoo

As part of the international project “Trophodynamics of pollutants in captive penguins through the analysis of feathers, feces, and eggs”, a scientific collaboration was established with the Wrocław Zoo through its Research Coordinator, Paweł Borecki.

To date, the zoo has transferred more than 130 biological and environmental samples to AMU, including eggs, feathers, feces, fish used in the penguins’ diet, and water samples from the pools where the penguins are housed.

As mentioned previously, the integrated analysis of these different matrices will allow the investigation of contaminant transfer through the diet, their absorption by the organisms, and their subsequent excretion or accumulation in different biological matrices. The study will include both inorganic and organic contaminants, contributing to a better understanding of penguins’ exposure to environmental pollution.

The diversity and large number of samples provided by the Wrocław Zoo represent a key contribution to the project, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of contaminant exposure pathways and strengthening the scientific quality of the results obtained.