Curriculum Vitae
Frank Princée was born in Vught on 15 October 1957. He studied biology at the University of Utrecht and obtained his "doctorandus" (Master) degree in February 1984. During a Master degree study on cytogenetics of reptile species at the Biological Department of the Royal Rotterdam Zoological and Botanical Gardens (Rotterdam Zoo) the author became fascinated by the broad potentials of zoological gardens which could contribute to conservation of biological diversity. Consequently, further studies for the master degree were related to this subject. These studies involved a survey on the possibilities to combine academic research with practical problems in zoological gardens and an isozyme study in capuchin monkeys. within the context of subspecies determination, paternity tests and genetic variation. The author was also involved in organizing the subject "Adaptation" of the exhibition "Evolution, 100 years after Darwin" at the Rotterdam Zoo in 1982 (with Angela Glatston and Bert de Boer).
In 1984 the author founded Zooresearch Consultants (with veterinarian Jan Bos) which consulted zoological gardens on various aspects related to husbandry and population management. Projects involved, for example, first editions of EEP studbooks for lesser Malayan chevrotains (Amsterdam Zoo) and crowned pigeons (Rotterdam Zoo) and various projects for the Dutch Federation of Zoos. During his time at Zooresearch Consultants the author developed the first version of the Zooresearch Studbook Management software - which was later adopted as standard studbook software by European zoos - and the genetic simulation model GENEFLOW.
The author joined in August 1988 the newly established National Foundation for Research in Zoological Gardens (NFRZG) in Amsterdam. Since 1992 this foundation also acts as the executive office of the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). His major tasks at the NFRZG include support and training of EEP coordinators in population management, developement of studbook software (including various biological analyses) and development of population management strategies. The author is member of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and also genetic advisor of the International Red Panda Management Group and the Global Management Group for Przewalski's horses. Since December 1996 the author is also active in the field of public relations and marketing for Foundation Zoos Help - the nature conservation fund of the Dutch Federation of Zoos.