Scientists, visiting volunteers and local community residents assist Dr. Rismiller when she is working in the field. A strong partnership with Earthwatch Institute also provides her with a steady stream of eager volunteers from around the world. Todd Sinander, thte Philadelphia Zoo's lead keeper in the Small Mammal House, first met Dr. Rismiller on a 1995 Earthwatch trip. Todd's keen interest in improving captive husbandry practices for short-beaked echidnas, coupled with a promising research affiliation with Dr. Rismiller, was the beginning of one of the Philadelphia Zoo's longest supported conservation projects. Todd spent more than a decade working with the Zoo's echidnas to determine when modifications to their exhibit and daily schedule are necessary to encourage mating, birth and parenting. His painstaking work is paying off. The Philadelphia Zoo's first parent-raised puggle (baby echidna) is now growing successfully into adulthood.

The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and its long-beaked counterpart (Zaglossus bruijni) are skilled survivors, but they are not invincible. Short-beaked echidnas are listed by the World Conservation Union as "near threatened." Long-beaked echidnas are endangered and now found only on Papua New Guinea. For the short-beaked echidna, we have the chance to minimize the risk of conflict with humans before it reaches disastrous proportions. Many Australians are doing their part to save the echidna.

There are things you can do to protect animals living in your own area that are also confronted by these kinds of issues. Visit the Take Action section to find out how you can help wildlife. And, to get a closer look at the Zoo's echidnas, sign up for Wildlife Matters Presents.