here and Remember the very first “good” Fox, which began the experiment. For her restless family then took a small house, and still it is called here the house of Fluff. But, unfortunately, the Daleks of the 1960s were not only the building: the entire infrastructure of the nursery – starting from cells and ending with system of preparation and feeding – is hopelessly outdated.
the Fur farms of the Novosibirsk Institute as one of a kind large scale experiment on domestication of foxes, known throughout the world. Thanks to the amazing results the data on the progress of Siberian geneticists appear regularly in international scientific journals. Foxes here are leaving in the educational centers of Europe and the United States, but most often just in good hands as Pets. Before he left the farm cubs undergo compulsory sterilization – Novosibirsk scientists retain the exclusive rights to a unique gene pool of wards.
But leaving the farm unit, and always live and participate in an experiment about seven hundred individuals. It is not only hundreds of domesticated foxes, but also those who are at the genetic level maintains a careful neutrality in relation to man, as well as a third population – these animals are with people who don’t stand on ceremony and are extremely aggressive. Such differences in behavior allow to study the influence of genetics on the formation of attachment to the person.
in Addition to foxes on fur farms contain holes, which are also involved in scientific experiments, including domestication (domestication). Through strict artificial selection, the animals are literally torn from the cells in the form of a man so strong is their love and affection to people. It is necessary to open the cage, and the Fox, ready to become your best friend, jumps into the arms of even stranger. For some half a century with these small animals have gone the way of thousands of years of the evolution of today’s dogs. Only, unlike them, foxes are forced to live in cramped cages.
At the Institute believe that if nothing is done now, sooner or later, a unique research facility can be charged with violation of the requirements of the animals. After all, throughout the world similar rules are constantly being tightened. Under Russian law, the nursery is now considered an agricultural farm, that is, the genetics of domesticated foxes are equal to farm animals which are bred for their valuable fur. According to the letter of the law, the scientific nursery today meets all current regulations. But for how long?
in 2018 by the Council under RF President on development of civil society and human rights in the Federal Ministry of science was given the recommendation to consider a target allocation of funds for the renovation of the farm Institutemulberries of Cytology and genetics SB RAS. And it, seemingly, moved off dead center. Last spring, Siberian Institute made the estimate on performance of works, but, according to experts of the FTC, the documents seemed to get lost in the science of Russia and money, nursery still not received.
– In the small cages the animal spends all of its life. But we breed a Fox, not in order to sell their skins, we study their behavior, says Junior researcher of the laboratory of evolutionary genetics, ICG SB RAS, Daria Shepeleva. – Need to have animals was a good emotional, physical condition. It is necessary to provide them with the opportunity to live inside the cell as it occurs in nature, need more room to run, jump, dig, play.
specialists of the Institute worked out the project cages with all the necessary technological development. In General, nothing complicated: a pair of special valves, shelves for games, the possibility of contactless supply of food and permanent water supply Yes, even some tricks for greater comfort of the inhabitants. While the means of the Institute managed to build only two meet modern standards cells, more on the way to seven Grand. But we need hundreds of cells, and a new normocapnia and other infrastructure. In total it will cost several hundred million rubles.
the Need for a new animal welfare dictates and a new round of studies, which this year are genetics. In particular, scientists are interested in neurogenesis (the process of creating new brain cells) in animals with hand and aggressive behavior.
– it is important for Us to know how hard a new born neurons tame foxes compared to the remains indomitable, how these processes affect their behavior – emphasizes senior researcher of the laboratory of Yury herbeck. – We already know that metabolic network in the body starts from vitamin A, and apparently, she is affected by selection on manual behavior. We intend to study the interrelation between the system of production of this vitamin and of oxytocin, which is called the “love hormone”, although it is very simplistic.
According to the scientist, her research on animal genetics associated with investigating the mechanisms of aggressive behavior. Because these processes affect antisocial behavior, including propensity to commit crimes, cause disturbances in the psyche. In the long term study of aggression in foxes may give rise to a better understanding of human behavior. Of course, and domesticated population of animals is contributing to science.
– If earlier we put questions about stress, about the reduction of aggression, now to talk about it is not necessary – none of these Fox no aggression, – said Yuri gerbec. – You need to go ahead and to consider the factors of increasing friendly behavior. Aggressive human behavior is studied for a long time, primarily because it is unacceptable in society. But no one will be sent to a psychiatrist who is too kind man.
Examples of bias, though very poorly, but still described in science. Thus, excessive talkativeness and kindness inherent in people with Williams syndrome. According to Yuri gerbec, recent studies show that in the evolution of pet dogs were close genetic changes, however, are not associated with dementia. The same study of the formation of friendly behavior in foxes, which evolved in the eyes of the scientists, in turn, can shed light not only on the “neurogenesis of kindness”, but also on the evolution of the whole person.
In the first place, for geneticists, of course, science, but still affectionate, playful foxes from fur farms itsig so ran often buy as Pets. It allows you to adjust in the nursery the number of individuals of a particular gender to continue to produce offspring. The staff of the Institute are tracking the fate of their former charges and the conditions in which they live. Contain the Fox in the apartment of the scientists is not recommended, for it will fit a small enclosure next to a private house. Though humans domesticated Fox is very close to the dog, but more freedom, and its behavior can be quite unpredictable.
Leaving Pets and abroad, for example, in the United States – where Novosibirsk foxes even became the heroes of one of the environmental centers. I must say, the ocean requirements for the content of Lis is much tougher than in Russia, in some States, they are generally banned to have as Pets. The staff of the animal farm we have examples of Americans who bought Fox had to move to another state. Cost Fox for the Russians – fifty thousand rubles, and foreigners will have to pay the sum of three thousand dollars.
