Preliminary negotiations were held during a visit by Kazan Zoo employees on 28th February.

The planned cooperation will involve KFU Biobank and Gene and Cell Technologies Lab.

Lab Head Albert Rizvanov shared that the parties had discussed biobank preservation of sperm, egg cells, and tissue samples of endangered species, includes snow leopards and polar bears. The latter’s population is receding rapidly, and American zoologists have estimated that polar bears may become extinct in the Arctic by 2025. Russian Geographical Society has established a special program to preserve and restore populations of polar bears. Researchers gather information about their habitats, seasonal movements, and populations, study negative influences the main of which is the pollution in the Arctic.

Deputy Director of Kazan Zoo Alexander Malyov said that the Zoo has studied polar bears since 1981. In 2014, Dr. Malyov was a participant of an expedition to Bely Island.

Reproductive technologies may be used as well. Further creation of a joint biobank and reproductive technology lab was talked over. Regenerative veterinary medicine and genetic profiling of rare species are also in the plans.