Howard, JoGayle Dillon 

JoGayle Dillon Howard, Brilliant Scientist and Pioneer, Dies. 

Born and raised in Dallas, but destined as a gift to the world, Dr. JoGayle Dillon Howard dedicated her life and work to endangered species. As soon as she arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in 1980, a freshly graduated veterinarian from Texas A&M University, JoGayle's intense research on animal reproduction and her pioneering new techniques earned her the title of "Sperm Queen," a nickname she relished. Completing her doctorate at the University of Maryland in 1989, the National Institutes of Health awarded her the prestigious Special Emphasis Research Career Award Fellowship that helped support her work. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and international acclaim for her innovative research. JoGayle directly contributed to recovering the Native American black-footed ferret, a species down to its last 18 individuals in the 1980s. Under her watch, the National Zoo's breeding program flourished with the birth of more than 500 "kits," including 150 by artificial insemination at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Last year, JoGayle achieved a milestone when she produced black-footed ferret kits from sperm frozen more than 20 years ago from one of the original wild founders. In 2010, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bestowed upon her the prestigious award of "Recovery Champion" for her work with endangered species. JoGayle also played a leadership role in understanding the reproductive biology of the world's beloved giant panda. She was a key scientist on a multi-institutional team that conducted a biomedical survey of giant pandas in China from 1998 through 2000. Her studies, along with Chinese and American colleagues, helped identify the causes of poor reproduction in giant pandas living in breeding centers and zoos, which then helped contribute to a panda population explosion over the past decade. With Chinese colleagues, she developed new protocols for sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination. It was JoGayle who artificially inseminated the National Zoo's female panda, Mei Xiang, and produced the first surviving cub, Tai Shan, in 2005. But of the many species she studied, JoGayle was most interested in the secretive and beautiful clouded leopard of Southeast Asia. When the breeding program in North American zoos foundered, she established a research program in the range country of Thailand. She discovered the key to reproductive success was improved husbandry (including pairing animals at a young age), ensuring better nutrition, and providing more spacious enclosures. More than 50 cubs resulted, and JoGayle raised funds for the first-ever field studies of this elusive species. Although a Smithsonian research scientist, JoGayle had outstanding veterinary skills and constantly meshed her interest in reproduction with her knowledge of fostering physically and genetically healthy and disease free animals. She was tireless in her efforts to train the next generation of wildlife biomedical specialists. Hundreds of trainees throughout the USA and abroad, post-graduate and graduate fellows, veterinarians and interns, are her true progeny. Traveling extensively, collaborating with and advising zoos and breeding centers throughout the world, JoGayle's vast scientific record includes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and 20 book chapters. In addition, on March 13, the Smithsonian Channel will air a television special exclusively about her: Nature's Matchmaker. JoGayle died much too soon on March 5 in Washington, D.C at the age of 59. She courageously, and at times triumphantly, fought malignant melanoma. Her family in Dallas, Washington, D.C., and New York, along with deeply loved friends (human and animal) around the globe, mourn her loss. Her legacy is the survival of the species she studied, including black-footed ferrets, giant pandas, clouded leopards, cheetahs, fishing cats, Florida panthers and elephants. The funeral will be held at 3:30 on Saturday, March 19, at Laurel Land Funeral Home where her parents rest, awaiting her return to Dallas. For individuals wishing to honor JoGayle's memory, donations may be made to the: SCBI/JoGayle Howard Cat Conservation Fund Advancement Office Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park 1500 Remount Road Front Royal, VA 22630

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