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Phillips BE, Gradil C, Baitchman E. INDUCTION OF PARTURITION IN A PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS ( CHOEROPSIS LIBERIENSIS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:843-847. [PMID: 39255230 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A 27-yr-old female pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) had two consecutive stillbirths with no overt signs of labor, suggestive of uterine inertia. After a third pregnancy was confirmed, an induction protocol was developed. Cloprostenol and betamethasone were administered on d 200 of gestation (time 0 h). Additional doses of cloprostenol were administered at 24 and 48 h and oxytocin at 30, 31, and 48 h. Each injection resulted in preparturient behavior without overt evidence of contractions. Fetal membranes presented at the vulva at 54.5 h after initial cloprostenol and betamethasone administration with no progression of labor. Transvaginal palpation and manual delivery of a live calf followed. Despite confirmed nursing, the serum glutaraldehyde coagulation test was negative. Failure of passive transfer may have been secondary to the induction protocol. The calf was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents due to diarrhea, and clinical signs resolved. This clinical brief details the first known induction of parturition in a pygmy hippopotamus, which can serve as the basis for further development of the technique.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Gradil
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA
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Hutchinson JR, Pringle EV. Footfall patterns and stride parameters of Common hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius) on land. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17675. [PMID: 38974416 PMCID: PMC11227274 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Common hippopotamuses (hippos) are among the largest extant land mammals. They thus offer potential further insight into how giant body size on land influences locomotor patterns and abilities. Furthermore, as they have semi-aquatic habits and unusual morphology, they prompt important questions about how locomotion evolved in Hippopotamidae. However, basic information about how hippos move is limited and sometimes contradictory. We aimed to test if hippos trot at all speeds and if they ever use an aerial (suspended) phase, and to quantify how their locomotor patterns (footfalls and stride parameters) change with approximate speed. We surveyed videos available online and collected new video data from two zoo hippos in order to calculate the data needed to achieve our aims; gathering a sample of 169 strides from 32 hippos. No hippos studied used other than trotting (or near-trotting) footfall patterns, but at the fastest relative speeds hippos used brief aerial phases, apparently a new discovery. Hippos exhibit relatively greater athletic capacity than elephants in several ways, but perhaps not greater than rhinoceroses. Our data help form a baseline for assessing if other hippos use normal locomotion; relevant to clinical veterinary assessments of lameness; and for reconstructing the evolutionary biomechanics of hippo lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Hutchinson
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Structure and Motion Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Emily V. Pringle
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Structure and Motion Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
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Price EC, Roberts A, Bennett L, Glendewar G, Wormell D. Weight as an indicator of enclosure suitability in Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii). Zoo Biol 2024; 43:295-305. [PMID: 38529876 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is common in zoo animals, and both dietary management and the provision of adequate opportunities for exercise are needed to tackle it. We used 30 years of records from Jersey Zoo to compare the weight and forearm length of wild and captive-born Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii), and to assess the impact on weight of enclosure space. The mean capture weight of wild-caught male Livingstone's bats was 657 g, significantly higher than that of females (544 g). In both wild and captive-born bats, males had significantly longer forearms than females, but there was no effect of birth location. Males weighed more in the mating season than at other times of year. Both sexes gained more weight during development if born in enclosures that restricted flight rather than a large aviary; this was particularly noticeable in females. After reaching maturity at 3 years, weights of bats born in restricted enclosures continued to increase, reached a peak of over 1000 g at 8-10 years, and then declined in both sexes. The weight of bats born in the aviary remained more stable after the age of three. Like wild bats, adult females born in the aviary weighed less than males. However, females born in restricted enclosures weighed more than males born in the same enclosures. Enclosure designs that maximize opportunities for flight can limit excessive weight gain in captive fruit bats and may therefore improve fitness and health, essential in planning for future reintroduction programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Roberts
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey
| | - Laura Bennett
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey
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Flacke GL, Penfold LM, Schwarzenberger F, Martin GB, Rosales-Nieto CA, C J Paris M. Non-invasive Assessment of Fecal Glucocorticoid and Androgen Metabolites in the Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023:114338. [PMID: 37348682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is an endangered species endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem in West Africa. We have limited information concerning the species' reproduction and well-being under managed care. We therefore developed non-invasive methods for characterizing gonadal androgen and adrenal hormone profiles in pygmy hippos using fecal samples collected from 12 males and 12 females housed in North American zoological institutions. We aimed to: 1) identify and validate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for measuring metabolites of corticosteroids and testosterone in feces; and 2) test whether gonadal activity is correlated with previous breeding history, season or type of housing. For glucocorticoids, several EIAs for measuring metabolites were investigated. A group-specific EIA exhibiting cross-reactivity with 11,17-dioxoandrostane (DOA) metabolites of cortisol most clearly reflected adrenocortical activity in response to ACTH1 challenge in both males and females. However, day-to-day concentrations of this metabolite in the feces of pygmy hippos that did not undergo ACTH challenge were near the detection limits of the assay, making this EIA impractical for assessing glucocorticoid activity in this species. Another group-specific EIA, exhibiting cross-reactivity with 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one, produced biologically relevant data and evidence of an appropriate response to pharmacological challenge with exogenous ACTH. The testosterone metabolite assay C196 (Arbor Assays, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) also produced biologically coherent data: adult males exhibited the highest mean androgen metabolite concentrations (477 ng/g), followed by adult females (259 ng/g) and juvenile males (160 ng/g). Proven breeding males had higher, but not significantly different, mean concentrations (472 ng/g) to unproven males (352 ng/g; P = 0.400). Similarly, adult males housed outdoors year-round in subtropical climates exhibited higher, but not statistically different mean concentrations (554 ng/g) to males in temperate climates that were housed indoors at least part of the year (412 ng/g; P = 0.208). There were, however, significant differences in mean concentrations among seasons for adult males, with higher values in spring (546 ng/g) and summer (542 ng/g) than in autumn (426 ng/g) and winter (388 ng/g, P = 0.003). In conclusion, we identified EIAs for the measurement of fecal metabolites of androgens and glucocorticoids that can be used for further studies to monitor gonadal activity in male pygmy hippos and adrenocortical activity in both sexes. We also identified a seasonal trend in male gonadal activity in this species under managed care in North America. Finally, our findings highlight an important consideration when using non-invasive methods for evaluating fecal cortisol metabolites: ACTH used for pharmacological validation of an EIA does not necessarily equate to biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella L Flacke
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia; Department of Animal Health, Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152(nd) Street, Miami, Florida 33177, USA.
| | - Linda M Penfold
- South East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, FL 32097, USA.
| | - Franz Schwarzenberger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna), Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Graeme B Martin
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - César A Rosales-Nieto
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA.
| | - Monique C J Paris
- Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), Edinburgh EH3 6AT, United Kingdom; Mammal Research Institute and Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Pretoria 0084, South Africa; College of Public Health, Veterinary and Medical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.
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THREE CASES OF ACUTE BACTERIAL SEPSIS IN PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS ( CHOEROPSIS LIBERIENSIS) CALVE SIBLINGS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2021; 52:755-762. [PMID: 34130423 DOI: 10.1638/2020-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A multiparous pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) dam produced three consecutive calves that died acutely at 13-15 wk of age from bacterial sepsis, for which diagnostic and therapeutic intervention was not possible. Streptococcus iniae (Cases 1 and 3), Escherichia coli (Case 2), and an unidentified member of the family Pasteurellaceae (Case 1) were identified in postmortem tissues through bacterial culture followed by standard and molecular identification methods. After the loss of two calves, a series of vaccinations were administered to the dam during the third pregnancy to enhance transplacental and colostral transfer of antibodies to the calf. The third calf did not survive, and the source of the bacterial infection in these three calves was undetermined. Prior to and after the birth of the fourth calf, nutritional and nutraceutical supplements were provided to the dam and calf. Additionally, pest control around the barn was enhanced. The fourth calf survived. Pygmy hippopotamus calves at the age of 13-15 wk may have increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, possibly due to waning maternally derived immunity. The findings in these cases, combined with a previous association of S. iniae in pygmy hippopotamus deaths, suggest that this bacterium is an especially important pathogen of the endangered pygmy hippopotamus.
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Hendier A, Chatelain C, Du Pasquier P, Paris M, Ouattara K, Koné I, Croll D, Zuberbühler K. A new method to determine the diet of pygmy hippopotamus in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. Afr J Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Hendier
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) Abidjan Ivory Coast
| | - Cyrille Chatelain
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la ville de Genève Geneva Switzerland
| | | | - Monique Paris
- Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM) Edinburgh UK
- Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Karim Ouattara
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) Abidjan Ivory Coast
- Université Félix Houphouët‐Boigny Abidjan Ivory Coast
| | - Inza Koné
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) Abidjan Ivory Coast
| | - Daniel Croll
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) Abidjan Ivory Coast
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
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MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF TAKIN ( BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS FROM 1997 TO 2017. J Zoo Wildl Med 2021; 52:157-165. [PMID: 33827172 DOI: 10.1638/2020-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Takin (Budorcus taxicolor) are classified as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. Thus, ex situ conservation efforts provide assurance populations for future survival of this species. The objective of this study was to identify common causes of morbidity and mortality in takin populations in human care. Twenty North American institutions that housed takin from 1997 to 2017 completed a survey requesting medical and husbandry data. Data were examined broadly, by sex and age groups. There were 206 morbidity events (male = 133; female = 73) submitted across 102 takin (male = 62; female = 40). The most common causes of morbidity were infectious or inflammatory diseases (50%; 104/206), degenerative diseases (22%; 46/206), and traumatic events (17%; 34/206). Necropsy reports were provided for 42 takin that died during the study period. The most common causes of mortality were infectious or inflammatory diseases (26%; 11/42), traumatic events (24%; 10/42), and degenerative disease (12%; 5/42). Sixty-two percent of infectious or inflammatory diseases causing morbidity were associated with endoparasites (64/104). Degenerative joint diseases more commonly affected males (78%; 36/46) as well as forelimbs (48%; 22/46) when compared to hindlimbs (30%; 14/46) and unspecified limbs (22%; 10/46). The prevalence of trauma as a cause of morbidity and mortality was higher in neonate and juvenile takin groups combined (morbidity = 19%; mortality = 50%) as compared to adult and senior takin groups combined (morbidity = 15%; mortality = 11%). Older takin were euthanatized more often (57%; 16/28) than younger takin (29%; 4/14). Correlations between husbandry and health were difficult as a result of the inherent limitations of the survey. These data will inform takin-holding zoologic institutions and contribute to the successful management of takin in human care.
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Skotarczak E, Szwaczkowski T, Ćwiertnia P. Effects of inbreeding, sex and geographical region on survival in an American bison ( Bison bison) population under a captive breeding program. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1797194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E. Skotarczak
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland
| | - T. Szwaczkowski
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland
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Krol L, Moore RP, Mutlow AG, Brady SM, Dorsa D. A retrospective analysis of mortality in captive Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in the United States, 2008-2018. Zoo Biol 2020; 39:405-410. [PMID: 33220009 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Mortality data for Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) housed in zoos and aquariums in the United States has not previously been published. Necropsy and histopathology records were examined for Magellanic penguins housed at 12 Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions from 2008 through 2018. If birds lived through the first year, the mean longevity was found to be 18.9 years of age (standard deviation: 7.9). Prefledge chicks and geriatric penguins experienced the highest mortality rates. Aspergillosis was a major cause of death in this species. There was no significant difference in mortality between males and females. Based on these data, recommendations for the husbandry and veterinary care of captive Magellanic penguins can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Krol
- San Francisco Zoological Society, San Francisco, California
| | | | | | - Sean M Brady
- Wildlife Health Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Dominick Dorsa
- San Francisco Zoological Society, San Francisco, California
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Grueber CE, Gray LJ, Morris KM, Simpson SJ, Senior AM. Intergenerational effects of nutrition on immunity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:1108-1124. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Grueber
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences; NSW 2006 Australia
- San Diego Zoo Global; PO Box 120551, San Diego CA 92112 U.S.A
| | - Lindsey J. Gray
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences; NSW 2006 Australia
- The University of Sydney; Charles Perkins Centre; NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Katrina M. Morris
- The Roslin Institute; The University of Edinburgh; Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG U.K
| | - Stephen J. Simpson
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences; NSW 2006 Australia
- The University of Sydney; Charles Perkins Centre; NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Alistair M. Senior
- The University of Sydney; Charles Perkins Centre; NSW 2006 Australia
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science; School of Mathematics and Statistics; NSW 2006 Australia
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Flacke GL, Tomkins JL, Black R, Steck B. Demographics of polycystic kidney disease and captive population viability in pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Zoo Biol 2017; 36:136-151. [PMID: 28198143 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was previously diagnosed at necropsy in several pygmy hippopotami (Choeropsis liberiensis) from the Smithsonian National Zoo and Zoo Basel, suggesting a threat to the long-term viability of the captive population. We determined the incidence and demographics of PKD in the captive population historically; we tested if the condition is linked to pedigree; we investigated mode of inheritance; we examined effects of PKD on longevity; we conducted survival analysis; and we examined long-term population viability. Thirty-seven percent of 149 necropsied adult pygmy hippos were affected by PKD, and it was more common in females, controlling for the overall female-biased sex-ratio. Prevalence increased significantly with age, but most hippos were beyond their reproductive prime before developing clinical signs; thus fecundity was likely unaffected. PKD was linked to pedigree and may exhibit X-linked dominance, but further research is needed to definitively establish the mode of inheritance. PKD did not affect longevity, overall or within any age class. There was no significant correlation between inbreeding coefficient (F) and PKD, and the prevalence in wild-caught and captive-born animals was similar. Longevity for both captive-born and inbred hippos (F > 0) was significantly shorter than longevity for their wild-caught and non-inbred counterparts. Demographic projections indicated the extant population will likely experience a slow increase over time, provided there are no space constraints. We conclude that although PKD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pygmy hippos, the condition is not a primary concern for overall viability of the captive population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella L Flacke
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Joseph L Tomkins
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.,Center for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Robert Black
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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