Lorenzo von Fersen is an Argentinian biologist and curator for research and conservation at Nuremberg Zoo, Germany. Since more than 30 years, Lorenzo has conducted and supervised research projects on pigeons, dolphins, and many other species. His research focuses on behavior, cognitive capabilities and the development of tools and methods to assess animal welfare of zoo animals.
In 1992, Lorenzo founded YAQU PACHA, an organization for the conservation of Latin American aquatic mammals. As chair of YAQU PACHA he was involved, supported, and coordinated numerous species conservation projects over the last 30 years. One main project that YAQU PACHA is working on for more than two decades is related to the research and conservation of the Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Further long-term projects that are supported by the YAQU PACHA are the Bottlenose Dolphin Project Lagoa dos Patos in Southern Brazil, the Chilean Dolphin Project in Chiloe, Chile, or the Sea Otter Project in Peru.
Lorenzo is also the chair of the Conservation Committee of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) and the Studbook keeper and Coordinator of the EAZA Ex-situ programme (EEP) for Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) as well as a member of the Integrated Conservation Planning for Cetacean Group of the IUCN (ICPC).
PUBLICATIONS
Hüttner, T., von Fersen, L., Miersch, L., Czech, N. U., & Dehnhardt, G. (2022). Behavioral and anatomical evidence for electroreception in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The Anatomical Record, 305(3), 592–608. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24773
Zuerl, M., Stoll, P., Brehm, I., Raab, R., Zanca, D., Kabri, S., Happold, J., Nille, H., Prechtel, K., Wuensch, S., Krause, M., Seegerer, S., von Fersen, L., & Eskofier, B. (2022). Automated video-based analysis framework for behavior monitoring of individual animals in zoos using deep learning—A study on polar bears. Animals, 12(6), 692. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12060692
Briceño, Y., Sánchez, L., Trujillo, F., von Fersen, L., & Ramírez, S. (2021). aquatic wildmeat consumption of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Lake Maracaibo system, Venezuela. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, Article 625801. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.625801
Haase, G.; Baumgartner, K.; von Fersen, L.; Merle, R.; Wiegard, M.; Will, H.; Reese, L.; Tallo-Parra, O.; Carbajal, A.; Lopez-Bejar, M.; Thöne-Reineke, C. (2021). Feather corticosterone measurements and behavioral observations in the great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) living under different flight restraint conditions in German zoos. Animals, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092522
Hein, A., Baumgartner, K., von Fersen, L., Bechshoft, T., Woelfing, B., Kirschbaum, C., Mastromonaco, G., Greenwood, A. D., & Siebert, U. (2021). Analysis of hair steroid hormones in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: Comparison with two immunoassays and application for longitudinal monitoring in zoos. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 310, 113837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113837
Huettner, T., Dollhaeupl, S., Simon, R., Baumgartner, K., & von Fersen, L. (2021). Activity Budget comparisons using long-term observations of a group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under human care: Implications for animal welfare. Animals, 11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072107
Schaffer, A., Caicoya, A. L., Colell, M., Holland, R., von Fersen, L., Widdig, A., & Amici, F. (2021). Neophobia in 10 ungulate species-a comparative approach. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 75(7), 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-03041-0
Taylor, B., Abel, G., Bader, D., Barlow, J., Braulik, G., Cipriano, F., Collins, T., DeMaster, D., von Fersen, L., Gomez, F., Hao, Y., Miller, P., Minton, G., Reeves, R., Rojas-Bracho, L., Secchi, E., Smith, C., Suydam, R., Wang, D., Wells, R., Zerbini, A. (2021). An introduction to integrated conservation planning for cetaceans, including areas of potential collaboration with IWC to advance small cetacean conservation (Report No. SC/68C/SM/03). International Whaling Commission
Voit, M., Baumgartner, K., von Fersen, L., Merle, R., Reese, L., Wiegard, M., Will, H., Tallo-Parra, O., Carbajal, A., Lopez-Bejar, M., & Thöne-Reineke, C. (2021). Comparison of two different feather sampling methods to measure corticosterone in wild greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Animals, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102796
Walb, R., von Fersen, L., Meijer, T., & Hammerschmidt, K. (2021). Individual differences in the vocal communication of Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) considering familiarity and relatedness. Animals, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041026
Dehnhardt, G., Miersch, L., Marshall, C. D., von Fersen, L., & Hüttner, T. (2020). Passive electroreception in mammals. In B. Fritzsch (Ed.), The senses: A comprehensive reference (2nd ed., pp. 385–392). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.24158-8
Hein, A., Palme, R., Baumgartner, K., von Fersen, L., Woelfing, B., Greenwood, A. D., Bechshoft, T., & Siebert, U. (2020). Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a measure of adrenocortical activity in polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Conservation Physiology, 8(1), coaa012. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coaa012
Reese, L., Baumgartner, K., von Fersen, L., Merle, R., Ladwig-Wiegard, M., Will, H., Haase, G., Tallo-Parra, O., Carbajal, A., Lopez-Bejar, M., & Thöne-Reineke, C. (2020). Feather Corticosterone Measurements of Greater Flamingos Living under Different Forms of Flight Restraint. Animals, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040605
Taylor, B. L., Abel, G., Miller, P., Gomez, F., von Fersen, L., DeMaster, D., Reeves, R. R., Rojas-Bracho, L., Wang, D., Hao, Y., & Cipriano, F. (2020). Ex situ options for cetacean conservation: report of the 2018 workshop, Nuremberg, Germany. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.SSC-OP.66.en
Voit, M., Merle, R., Baumgartner, K., von Fersen, L., Reese, L., Ladwig-Wiegard, M., Will, H., Tallo-Parra, O., Carbajal, A., Lopez-Bejar, M., & Thöne-Reineke, C. (2020). Validation of an alternative feather sampling method to measure corticosterone. Animals, 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112054
Zheng, T., Ellinghaus, D., Juzenas, S., Cossais, F., Burmeister, G., Mayr, G., Jørgensen, I. F., Teder-Laving, M., Skogholt, A. H., Banasik, K., Becker, T., Bokelmann, F., Brunak, S., Buch, S., Clausnizer, H., Datz, C., Degenhardt, F., Doniec, M., Erikstrup, C., . . . von Fersen, L. . . . Franke, A. (2020). Genome-wide analysis of 944,133 individuals provides insights into the etiology of hemorrhoidal disease. MedRxiv, 2020.12.03.20242776. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.03.20242776
Dell’Anna, F., Llorente, M., Weiß, B. M., von Fersen, L., & Amici, F. (2020). The effect of individual and food characteristics on food retrieval and food sharing in captive Guinea baboons (Papio papio). American Journal of Primatology, 82(1), e23078. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23078
Reese, L., Ladwig-Wiegard, M., von Fersen, L., Haase, G., Will, H., Merle, R., Encke, D., Maegdefrau, H., Baumgartner, K., & Thöne-Reineke, C. (2020). Deflighting zoo birds and its welfare considerations. Animal Welfare, 29(1), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.29.1.069
Klećkowska-Nawrot, J., Goździewska-Harłajczuk, K., Barszcz, K., Dzimira S., Janeczek, M., Paszta, W., Zagórski, K., & von Fersen, L. (2019). Fibro-purulent bronchopneumonia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus L. 1758). Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 39(01), 124–127. https://doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.101
von Fersen, L., Encke, D., Hüttner, T., & Baumgartner, K. (2018). Establishment and implementation of an animal welfare decision tree to evaluate the welfare of zoo animals. Aquatic Mammals, 44(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.44.2.2018.211
von Streit, C., Ganslosser, U., & von Fersen, L. (2013). Behavioral development of two captive mother-calf dyads of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the calves’ first year. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 26(3).
Yaman, S., Kilian, A., von Fersen, L., & Güntürkün, O. (2012). Evidence for a numerosity category that is based on abstract qualities of „few“ vs. „many“ in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00473
von Streit, C., Ganslosser, U., & von Fersen, L. (2011). Ethogram of two captive mother-calf dyads of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Comparison with field ethograms. Aquatic Mammals, 37(2), 193–197. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.37.2.2011.193
Breitenbach, E., Stumpf, E., von Fersen, L., & Ebert, H. V. (2009). Dolphin-assisted therapy: changes in interaction and communication between children with severe disabilities and their caregivers. Anthrozoös, 22(3), 277–289. https://doi.org/10.2752/175303709X457612
Breitenbach, E., von Fersen, L., Stumpf, E., & Ebert, H. (2006). Delfintherapie für Kinder mit Behinderungen: Analyse und Erklärung der Wirksamkeit. Edition Bentheim
von Fersen, L. (2006). Moderne Zoos und die Bedeutung des Tier-Mensch-Kontaktes. Spektrum Freizeit, 30(2), 106–119. https://doi.org/10.25656/01:5281
Kilian, A., von Fersen, L., & Güntürkün, O. (2005). Left hemispheric advantage for numerical abilities in the bottlenose dolphin. Behavioural Processes, 68(2), 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2004.11.003
Breitenbach, E., Stumpf, E., von Fersen, L., & Ebert, H. (2004). Hoffnungsträger Delfin: mögliche Effekte und Wirkfaktoren tiergestützter Therapie bei Kindern mit Behinderung, aufgezeigt am Beispiel der Delfintherapie. Geistige Behinderung, 43, 339-357.
von Fersen, L. 2004. Sinnesleistungen und Intelligenz bei Delphinen. In Kirsten Kuhnert (Ed.), Delphintherapie – Beweis eines Wunders (pp. 161-183). Ariston Verlag
Kilian, A., Yaman, S., von Fersen, L., & Güntürkün, O. (2003). A bottlenose dolphin discriminates visual stimuli differing in numerosity. Animal Learning & Behavior, 31(2), 133–142. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195976
Secchi, E., & von Fersen, L. (2003). The Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei): A species at risk in South America. Cetacea, Anno XI, No 20, 58-65.
Yaman, S., von Fersen, L., Dehnhardt, G., & Güntürkün, O. (2003). Visual lateralization in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): Evidence for a population asymmetry? Behavioural Brain Research, 142(1-2), 109–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4328(02)00385-6
Kilian, A., von Fersen, L., & Güntürkün, O. (2000). Lateralization of visuospatial processing in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Behavioural Brain Research, 116(2), 211–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4328(00)00273-4
von Fersen, L., & Delius, J. D. (2000). Acquired equivalences between auditory stimuli in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Animal Cognition, 3(2), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100710000063
von Fersen, L., Kamminga, C. and Seidl, A. (2000) Estudios preliminares sobre el comportamiento de un ejemplar de franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) en Mundo Marino, Argentina. Report of the Third Workshop for Coordinated Research and Conservation of the Franciscana Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in the Southwestern Atlantic (pp. 30-33). CMS. https://pontoporia.org/pdfs/3o-Workshop-of-Franciscana_Argentina%201997.pdf
von Fersen, L., Schall, U., & Güntürkün, O. (2000). Visual lateralization of pattern discrimination in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Behavioural Brain Research, 107(1-2), 177–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4328(99)00142-4
Siemann, M., von Fersen, L., & Delius, J. D. (1998). Kognition bei Tieren. In E. Irle & H.J. Markowitsch (Eds.), Enzyklopädie der Psychologie, Vergleichende Psychobiologie (pp. 695-738). Hogrefe Verlag
Herman, L. M., von Fersen, L., & Solangi, M. (1996). The bufeo (Inia geoffrensis) in the Rio Lagarto Cocha of the Ecuadorian amazon. Marine Mammal Science, 12(1), 118–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1996.tb00309.x
Delius, J.D., & von Fersen, L. (1996). Gedächtnis bei Tieren. In D. Albert & K.-H. Stapf (Eds.), Enzyklopädie der Psychologie (pp. 490-539). Hogrefe Verlag
von Fersen, L. (1995). Funktionelle Konzepte bei Delphinen (Tursiops truncatus). In O. Güntürkün, R. Guski, C. Walter & A. Wohlschläger (Eds.), Experimentelle Psychologie: Beiträge zur 37. Tagung Experimentell Arbeitender Psychologen (pp. 414-416). S. Roderer Verlag.
von Fersen, L. (1995). The study of cognition and its benefit for captive breeding programmes. In U. Gansloßer, J. Keith Hodges & W. Kaumanns (Eds.), Research and Captive Propagation (pp. 263-273), Filander Verlag.
von Streit, C., & von Fersen, L. (1995). Mutter-Kalb Verhalten und Verhaltens- entwicklung bei Delphinen (Tursiops truncatus). In O. Güntürkün, R. Guski, C. Walter & A. Wohlschläger (Eds.), Experimentelle Psychologie: Beiträge zur 37. Tagung Experimentell Arbeitender Psychologen (pp. 416-419). S. Roderer Verlag.
Roitblat, H. L., & von Fersen, L. (1992). Comparative cognition: Representations and processes in learning and memory. Annual Review of Psychology, 43, 671–710. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.43.020192.003323
von Fersen, L., & Delius, J. D. (1992). Schlussfolgerndes Denken bei Tauben. Spektrum der Wissenschaften, (7.92), 18-22.
von Fersen, L., Manos, C. S., Goldowsky, B., & Roitblat, H. L. (1992). Dolphin Detection and Conceptualization of Symmetry. In J. A. Thomas, R. A. Kastelein, & A. Y. Supin (Eds.), Marine Mammal Sensory Systems (pp. 753–762). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3406-8_47
Wynne, C. D., von Fersen, L., & Staddon, J. E. (1992). Pigeons‘ inferences are transitive and the outcome of elementary conditioning principles: A response. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 18(3), 313–315. https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.18.3.313
Wynne, C. D., von Fersen, L., & Staddon, J. E. (1992). Pigeons‘ inferences are transitive and the outcome of elementary conditioning principles: A response. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 18(3), 313–315. https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.18.3.313
von Fersen, L., Emmerton, J., & Delius, J. D. (1992). Unexpected discrimination strategy used by pigeons. Behavioural Processes, 27(2), 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-6357(92)90023-7
von Fersen, L., Wynne, C. D., Delius, J. D., & Staddon, J. E. (1991). Transitive inference formation in pigeons. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 17(3), 334–341. https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.17.3.334
von Fersen, L. (1990). Sprache und Denken: Privileg des Menschen? Therapiewoche, 40, 2665-2669.
von Fersen, L., & Güntürkün, O. (1990). Visual memory lateralization in pigeons. Neuropsychologia, 28(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-3932(90)90081-X
von Fersen, L., & Lea, S. E. (1990). Category discrimination by pigeons using five polymorphous features. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 54(2), 69–84. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1990.54-69
von Fersen, L., Wynne, C. D., Delius, J. D., & Staddon, J. E. (1990). Deductive reasoning in pigeons. Naturwissenschaften, 77(11), 548–549. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01139271
von Fersen, L. (1989). Kognitive Prozesse bei Tauben (Columba livia). [Doctoral dissertation, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany]. Centaurus Verlag.
von Fersen, L., & Delius, J. D. (1989). Long-term Retention of Many Visual Patterns by Pigeons. Ethology, 82(2), 141–155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1989.tb00495.x
von Fersen, L. (1988). Inferencia transitiva: un mecanismo del razonamiento deductivo presente en palomas (Columba livia). Anales de la Primera Reunión Nacional de la Asociación Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento-Tomo II.
von Fersen, L., and Emmerton, J. (1987). Valorización direccional de estímulos por palomas en una discriminación condicional. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 13(3), 273-285.
CONTACT
e-mail: lorenzo@vonfersen.org