Dr. Moehrenschlager joined the Calgary Zoo in 1999, following his PhD work at Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. His work focused on coyotes, red foxes, and Canada's most endangered carnivore, the Swift Fox. He is a member of World Conservation Union (IUCN) Canid and Reintroduction Specialist Groups, co-chair of the Canadian Swift Fox recovery team, and numerous conservation committees. Dr. Moehrenschlager is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the University of Calgary's Ecology Division and a Senior Research Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Department of Zoology. Previous field research on wood bison, wolves, red squirrels and peregrine falcons founded his strong interest in restoration ecology, which is reflected in all of the Centre's projects today.
The Centre for Conservation Research currently focuses its research on the reintroduction of endangered species. Fundamental research is conducted on the captive-breeding, translocation, habitat use, or population viability of species to yield conservation applications in breeding facilities and in the wild. Through a combination of graduate students, post-docs and staff, the Centre is currently studying imperilled species such as the swift fox, whooping crane, Vancouver island marmot, northern leopard frog, and burrowing owl. In addition to reintroduction initiatives, studies on health-behaviour linkages in mountain bluebirds and raptor rehabilitation combine veterinary and zoological expertise within a Conservation Medicine portfolio.