JoGayle Dillon Howard (May 20, 1951 – March 5, 2011) was an American zoologist and theriogenologist specializing in the captive breeding of endangered species such as pandas, clouded leopards, and black-footed ferrets.

In 1980, she began working at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. She oversaw the black-footed ferret breeding program at The National Zoo.

This study helped identify the causes of poor reproduction, which led to a rise in the population of giant pandas in breeding centers and zoos over the next ten years.

“But it’s pretty cool when you realize you’re putting these animals back where they should be.”[7] Howard oversaw the project to artificially inseminate the National Zoo’s female panda, Mei Xiang, and produced the first surviving cub, Tai Shan, in 2005.

[3] She died from cancer on March 5, 2011, in Washington D.C.[8] JoGayle Howard (1952-2011) was a pioneering reproductive physiologist known for her groundbreaking work in the conservation of endangered species.

She focused on using artificial insemination and other reproductive technologies to breed endangered species, adapting techniques initially developed for human infertility treatments.

Dr. Howard's expertise was also pivotal in the birth of Tai Shan, the first surviving giant panda cub born at the National Zoo.

Dr. Howard's work remains highly influential, highlighting the critical role of scientific innovation in preserving endangered species and maintaining ecological balance.