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King SR, Schoenecker KA, Cole MJ. Effect of adult male sterilization on the behavior and social associations of the horse: a feral polygynous ungulate. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Lyman CC, Baldrighi JM, Anderson CO, Germaine SS, Kane AJ, Holyoak GR. Modification of O-ring intrauterine devices (IUDs) in mares: Contraception without estrus suppression. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 234:106864. [PMID: 34634604 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A significant welfare concern for those within the horse industry is that of the overpopulation in free-roaming horses in the western US. The goal of the present study was to identify a humane and inexpensive means of providing contraception and reducing pregnancy rates in a way that could be applied to free-roaming horses on the western U.S. open range lands. A series of studies was conducted utilizing the previously-described silastic O-ring intrauterine devices (IUDs). Throughout these studies pregnancy was successfully prevented in mares with an O-ring IUD, but collective retention rates failed to exceed 50% regardless of size or durometer (material hardness/malleability). When the O-ring IUDs were compared to the recently-described Y-design IUDs (Holyoak et al., 2021) the Y-design IUDs had a markedly greater rate of retention; therefore, the Y-design IUDs would be most appropriate for potential use in free-roaming horses. Assessment of mare records revealed that the vast majority of mares continued to have ovulations and mating continued to occur while the IUDs were in place. A few mares had multiple small ovarian follicles when the IUD was in utero. Findings indicate that utilizing an IUD with the expectation of estrus suppression in mares would fail to be fruitful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace C Lyman
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Julia M Baldrighi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Cory O Anderson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | | | - Albert J Kane
- USD.A. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - G Reed Holyoak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Gedir JV, Cain JW, Lubow BC, Karish T, Delaney DK, Roemer GW. Estimating Abundance and Simulating Fertility Control in a Feral Burro Population. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay V. Gedir
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
| | - James W. Cain
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
| | | | - Talesha Karish
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
| | - David K. Delaney
- U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory Champaign IL 61826 USA
| | - Gary W. Roemer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
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Sekar N, Shiller D. Animal welfare science aids conservation—Response. Science 2020; 370:181. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abe5111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Sekar
- Wildlife and Habitats Division, WWF-India, New Delhi, India
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Jones MM, Proops L, Nuñez CM. Rising up to the challenge of their rivals: Mare infidelity intensifies stallion response to playback of aggressive conspecific vocalizations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.104949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Scasta JD, Adams M, Gibbs R, Fleury B. Free-ranging horse management in Australia, New Zealand and the United States: socio-ecological dimensions of a protracted environmental conflict. RANGELAND JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/rj19019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Management of free-ranging horses (Equus ferus caballus) is a complex socio-ecological issue in Australia (AU), New Zealand (NZ), and the United States (US). In these countries, horses are the results of colonial introductions and occupy very harsh rangeland environments exerting a grazing disturbance that has generated ecological concerns. Although many social and ecological concerns are similar, each country also has nuances. In 2018, we conducted a field-based comparison of AU, NZ, and US using an inductive approach to identify similarities, differences, and emerging themes through conversations with >100 individuals from New South Wales Australia, the North Island of New Zealand, and the western US. Additional data sources included field observations and archival documents. Consistent emergent themes identified included: strong public emotion, politicization of management, population growth concerns, negative ecological impact concerns, agreement that horses should be treated humanely, disagreement as to what practices were the most humane, interest and scepticism about fertility control, the need for transparency, compromise to accommodating horses and acknowledgement of social values, and recognition that collaboration is the only means to achieve both healthy rangelands and healthy horses. Unique themes identified included: NZ empowering advocate groups to become part of the solution, conflict between horses and livestock is a mostly US conflict, equids originated in the US, concern about the sustainability of adoption programs, different expectations/options for management on private lands, cultural history such as brumby running in AU, permanent branding of horses in the US, litigation as a uniquely US strategy (although a judgement on recent AU litigation is pending), government data accepted to guide removals in NZ but not always in AU or US, and complex heterogeneous land surface ownership patterns makes management difficult in the US. The difficulty of horse management in these countries is attributed to social intricacies rather than biological/ecological gaps of knowledge.
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Oliviero C, Lindh L, Peltoniemi O. BOARD INVITED REVIEW: Immunocontraception as a possible tool to reduce feral pig populations: recent and future perspectives. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:2283-2290. [PMID: 30753509 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The feral pig populations of many countries continue to increase. Scientific studies on population size are scarce, while the numbers of reported observations on presence of and damage caused by feral pigs are increasing. Feral pigs can carry and spread several diseases (including zoonotic), but African Swine Fever (ASF) is of most concern. It is a highly transmissible viral disease associated with an extremely high mortality rate. Since 2009 ASF has appeared in several European countries, with cases being identified first among local feral pigs and consequently in domestic pig production units, indicating a clear linkage with the movement of the feral pig population and the spread of the disease across national boundaries. Control of feral pig populations is currently under discussion. Because massive culling raises questions of animal welfare and ethics, fertility control could represent an important and effective means to control feral pig populations. Contraceptive vaccines have been used with some degree of success in many wild species because they are able to provide a long-term effect without any consequent health problems. However, extensive and efficacious use of vaccines to control feral pig populations is not simple. The aim of this article was to review the progress in immunocontraception use in feral pigs, providing an account of the current status and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Oliviero
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Paroninkuja Saarentaus, Finland
| | - Lena Lindh
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Paroninkuja Saarentaus, Finland
| | - Olli Peltoniemi
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Paroninkuja Saarentaus, Finland
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Jones MM, Nuñez CM. Decreased female fidelity alters male behavior in a feral horse population managed with immunocontraception. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Nolan MB, Bertschinger HJ, Roth R, Crampton M, Martins IS, Fosgate GT, Stout TA, Schulman ML. Ovarian function following immunocontraceptive vaccination of mares using native porcine and recombinant zona pellucida vaccines formulated with a non-Freund's adjuvant and anti-GnRH vaccines. Theriogenology 2018; 120:111-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Baker DL, Powers JG, Ransom JI, McCann BE, Oehler MW, Bruemmer JE, Galloway NL, Eckery DC, Nett TM. Reimmunization increases contraceptive effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-ranging horses (Equus caballus): Limitations and side effects. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201570. [PMID: 30063758 PMCID: PMC6067756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife and humans are increasingly competing for resources worldwide, and a diverse, innovative, and effective set of management tools is needed. Controlling abundance of wildlife species that are simultaneously protected, abundant, competitive for resources, and in conflict with some stakeholders but beloved by others, is a daunting challenge. Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) present such a conundrum and managers struggle for effective tools for regulating their abundance. Controlling reproduction of female horses presents a potential alternative. During 2009–2017, we determined the long-term effectiveness of GnRH vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) both as a single immunization and subsequent reimmunization on reproduction and side effects in free-ranging horses. At a scheduled management roundup in 2009, we randomly assigned 57 adult mares to either a GonaCon-Equine treatment group (n = 29) or a saline control group (n = 28). In a second roundup in 2013, we administered a booster vaccination to these same mares. We used annual ground observations to estimate foaling proportions, social behaviors, body condition, and injection site reactions. We found this vaccine to be safe for pregnant females and neonates, with no overt deleterious behavioral side effects during the breeding season. The proportion of treated mares that foaled following a single vaccination was lower than that for control mares for the second (P = 0.03) and third (P = 0.08) post-treatment foaling seasons but was similar (P = 0.67) to untreated mares for the fourth season, demonstrating reversibility of the primary vaccine treatment. After two vaccinations, however, the proportion of females giving birth was lower (P <0.001) than that for control mares for three consecutive years and ranged from 0.0–0.16. The only detectable adverse side effect of vaccination was intramuscular swelling at the vaccination site. Regardless of vaccine treatment (primary/secondary), approximately 62% (34/55) of immunized mares revealed a visible reaction at the vaccine injection site. However, none of these mares displayed any evidence of lameness, altered gait or abnormal range of movement throughout the 8 years they were observed in this study. Our research suggests that practical application of this vaccine in feral horses will require an initial inoculation that may provide only modest suppression of fertility followed by reimmunization that together could result in greater reduction in population growth rates over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan L. Baker
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jenny G. Powers
- Biological Resources Division, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jason I. Ransom
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Blake E. McCann
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, National Park Service, Medora, North Dakota, United States of America
| | - Michael W. Oehler
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, National Park Service, Medora, North Dakota, United States of America
| | - Jason E. Bruemmer
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nathan L. Galloway
- Biological Resources Division, National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Douglas C. Eckery
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Terry M. Nett
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Tomlinson S, Rummer JL, Hultine KR, Cooke SJ. Crossing boundaries in conservation physiology. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy015. [PMID: 29593872 PMCID: PMC5865528 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Tomlinson
- School of Molecular & Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley Western Australia 6102, Australia
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Kattij Place, Kings Park, Western Australia 6005, Australia
- Corresponding author: Tel: +61 894803923.
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Dr, Douglas Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
- Department of Biology, Fish Ecology and Q2 Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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Hobbs RJ, Hinds LA. Could current fertility control methods be effective for landscape-scale management of populations of wild horses (Equus caballus) in Australia? WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Fertility control is seen as an attractive alternative to lethal methods for control of population size and genetic diversity in managed animal populations. Immunocontraceptive vaccines have emerged as the most promising agents for inducing long-term infertility in individual animals. However, after over 20 years of scientific testing of immunocontraceptive vaccines in the horse, the scientific consensus is that their application as a sole management approach for reducing population size is not an effective strategy.
Aims
The purpose of this review is to evaluate currently available non-lethal fertility-control methods that have been tested for their contraceptive efficacy in Equidae, and to assess their suitability for effective management of wild (feral) horses in an Australian setting.
Key results
(1) Fertility-control agents, particularly injectable immunocontraceptive vaccines based on porcine zona pellucida (PZP) or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), can induce multi-year infertility (up to 3 years) in the horse. Some formulations require annual or biennial booster treatments. Remote dart delivery (on foot) to horses is possible, although the efficacy of this approach when applied to large numbers of animals is yet to be determined. (2) The proportion of females that must be treated with a fertility-control agent, as well as the frequency of treatment required to achieve defined management outcomes (i.e. halting population growth in the short term and reducing population size in the long term) is likely to be >50% per annum. In national parks, treatment of a large number of wild horses over such a broad area would be challenging and impractical. (3) Fertility control for wild horses could be beneficial, but only if employed in conjunction with other broad-scale population-control practices to achieve population reduction and to minimise environmental impacts.
Conclusions
In Australia, most populations of wild horses are large, dispersed over varied and difficult-to-access terrain, are timid to approach and open to immigration and introductions. These factors make accessing and effectively managing animals logistically difficult. If application of fertility control could be achieved in more than 50% of the females, it could be used to slow the rate of increase in a population to zero (2–5 years), but it will take more than 10–20 years before population size will begin to decline without further intervention. Thus, use of fertility control as the sole technique for halting population growth is not feasible in Australia.
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