Dr. Cheryl Frederick

A woman with long, light brown hair smiling and wearing a blue and gray winter jacket, kneeling on snow-covered grass and pebbles near a body of water with dried grass and patches of snow behind her.

Animal Behaviorist, Center for Wildlife Studies

Research Liaison, American Zoological Association’s Bear Taxon Advisory Group

Ph.D. Animal Behavior, University of Washington

M.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Email: cfrederick@centerforwildlifestudies.org

For over 20 years, Cheryl worked at institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). As an animal caretaker, she worked with a wide range of taxa in a variety of situations from pastures to aviaries, giving her a broad base of experience in most aspects of animal husbandry. During her zoo career, she served as a staff resource for training; was a founding member of the American Association of Zookeepers’ (AAZK) Enrichment Committee; a recipient of the AAZK award for habitat design; published welfare-oriented research on the effects of lighting, naturalized exhibits, and social partners on behavioral repertoire in a nocturnal prosimian primate, as well as social and environmental influences on the reproductive biology and behavior of sun bears.

Her research with sun bears was an extension of her role as Chair of a Species Survival Plan. As chair, she helped to promote both ex situ and in situ conservation efforts. As she worked to enhance breeding efforts of sun bears in US zoos, she also developed noninvasive monitoring techniques that could readily be used at any captive facility. When Cheryl became an academic, she blended her holistic background in the animal care field with course content and best practices. From a conscientious and welfare-centric perspective, she designed and taught a variety of animal training, behavior, health, and husbandry related college courses. Currently her research interests focus on the welfare implications of husbandry practices for ursids residing in zoos, parks, and other care facilities; the habitat use of Wood Turtles; and the Amphibian Health Project, which investigates associated the model species, the Green Frog, in local wetlands to examine variables with pathogen resistance.

Teaching

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Featured

    • Scotson L., Frederick C., Officer K., and Wong W-M. Chapter 8. Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Bears of the World: Ecology, Conservation and Management Vincenzo Penteriani & Mario Melletti (Editors). In prep.

    • Hopkins, J.B. III, J. Ferguson, C. Frederick, & K. Jerina. Measuring the impact of corn on mammalian omnivores. Journal of Mammalogy (in review).

    • C. Frederick et al. AZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group. 2019. Sun & Sloth Bear Care Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

    • McGovern C., Frederick C., Clarke J. 2018. Comparing Responsiveness of Nocturnal and Diurnal Primates to Different Sensory Enrichment Conditions. Animal Keeper's Forum 45(5): 139-145.

    • Frederick C., and Volpe K. 2014. Training Degus (Octodon degus) for better management: an account of successes and failures. Animal Keeper’s Forum 41(10): 288–290.

    • Frederick C., Hunt K., Kyes R., Collins D., Durrant B., Ha J & Wasser S. 2013. Social influences on the estrous cycle of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus). Zoo Biology 32: 581–591.

    • Frederick C., Hunt K., Kyes R.,Collins D., & Wasser S. 2012. Reproductive timing and aseasonality in the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus). Journal of Mammalogy 93(2):522–531.

    • Frederick C., Kyes R., Hunt K., Collins D., Durrant B., & Wasser S. 2010. Methods of Estrus Detection and Correlates of the Reproductive Cycle in the Sun Bear (Ursus malayanus) Theriogenology 74:1121 – 1135.

    • Frederick C. 2002. Highly Recommended Elements for Sun Bear Exhibits. In: Frederick C. and Shrake, D. 2002 North American Regional Studbook for the Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus). Woodland Park Zoological Society

    • Frederick C. 1997. Sun Bear Training Promotes Well-Being. Shape of Enrichment 6 (4)

    • Frederick C. & Fernandes D. 1996. Behavioral Changes in Pottos (Perodicticus potto): Effects of Naturalizing an Exhibit. International Journal of Primatology. Vol. 17, No. 3.