Telemetry research on elusive wildlife: A synthesis of studies on giant pandas

Telemetry studies that track animals through space and time can lead to advances in scientific understanding that are vital in conservation efforts. For example, telemetry studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have shed light on many aspects of panda biology, but small sample sizes in each separate study make it difficult to draw broad conclusions. To overcome this problem we conducted the first synthesis of all 5 panda telemetry studies conducted to date. Using these data we investigated patterns in 6 main topics: home range, space–use interactions, core areas, movement patterns, seasonal migration and natal dispersal. We found that panda home range sizes do not vary between 2 main mountain ranges (Qionglai and Qinling), as was previously believed. Our results also suggest that female pandas increase their movement in the mating season: a behavior typically attributed only to males. We found and summarized telemetry and genetic evidence for female natal dispersal in the giant panda. Our synthesis highlights the need for additional research relating panda behavior to human disturbance factors, and can aid future studies on giant pandas as well as other species.     

The introduction of expert systems in animal husbandry

The intensive nature of modern animal husbandry has changed the environmental conditions, so that protection against diseases, especially those caused by secondary pathogenic organisms, becomes an increasing concern. Production inefficiencies become more and more important. Because of their complex nature, many associated problems cannot be solved by farmers alone. With the introduction of information technology in the form of expert systems, new possibilities emerge for maximal productivity and animal health. Expert systems are a new type of computer programmes which are able to handle problems in limited domains at an expert level, using expert knowledge and reasoning processes, within strictly defined problem limits. Expert systems as they presently exist have the following components: a knowledge base (rule- and data-base), inference engine (deductive mechanism), user-interface (explanatory facilities, etc.). The application of knowledge engineering in animal husbandry may result in improvements in the general health and productivity of the herd and the financial returns of the farm, derived from the improved managerial control. At the same time the use of knowledge engineering may lead to greater understanding of the various epidemiological factors that influence farm results, either positively or negatively.     

Of Grouse and Golden Eggs: Can Ecosystems Be Managed Within a Species-Based Regulatory Framework?

Declining greater sage-grouse populations are causing concern for the future of this species across the western United States. Major ecosystem issues, including exotic annual grass invasion and conifer encroachment, threaten vast acreages of sagebrush rangeland and are primary threats to sage-grouse. We discuss types of problems facing sage-grouse habitat and argue that complex ecosystem problems may be difficult to address under the Endangered Species Act as currently applied. Some problems, such as anthropogenic development, can be effectively regulated to produce a desired outcome. Other problems that are complex and involve disruption of ecosystem processes cannot be effectively regulated and require ongoing commitment to adaptive management. We believe that historical inertia of the regulatory paradigm is sufficient to skew management toward regulatory mechanisms, even though complex ecosystem problems impact large portions of the sage-grouse range. To overcome this situation, we suggest that the regulatory approach embodied in the Endangered Species Act be expanded to include promoting management trajectories needed to address complex ecosystem problems. This process should begin with state-and-transition models as the basis for a conceptual framework that outlines potential plant communities, their value as sage-grouse habitat, and their ecological status. Desired management trajectories are defined by maintenance of an ecologically resilient state that is of value as sage-grouse habitat, or movement from a less desired to a more desired state. Addressing complex ecosystem problems will involve shifting conservation roles. Under the regulatory approach, programmatic scales define regulatory policies, and local scales focus on implementing those policies. With complex ecosystem problems, programmatic scales empower local conservationists to make decisions necessary to adaptively manage problems. Putting ecosystem management on par with traditional regulatory actions honors obligations to provide regulatory protections while maintaining the capacity of the ecosystem to produce habitat and greatly expands the diversity of stakeholders willing to participate in sage-grouse conservation.     

Oral biology and disorders of lagomorphs.

Rabbit medicine, and dentistry in particular, is still at an early stage of development. With an understanding of the underlying oral physiology it is possible to devise an appropriate treatment regime for most dental problems after the nature and extent of disease has been assessed. Although many of the dental problems that are seen in practice cannot be cured, most can be controlled or managed to allow the affected rabbit to maintain a good quality of life. The continuously growing nature of the teeth makes recurrence and progression of problems the norm, so owner education and ongoing monitoring of animals is essential. By assessing the effects, beneficial or otherwise, of out treatments and communicating this to others, we will develop our knowledge and skills. Several treatments that are suggested in this article must be considered as "experimental" because they have not been assessed in large numbers of animals. If they work for you, or more importantly, if you find unexpected complications with a treatment method (as has happened with the use of calcium hydroxide paste treatment of abscess cavities) then please publicize the fact so that others can avoid the problem. Until the message on prevention can be reliably transmitted to owners, we will continue to have oral and dental problems to manage. After confidence and experience has been gained in anesthetizing rabbits it is possible to refine one's dental skills to be able to rapidly perform a thorough examination and basic treatments. Major and complex treatments require careful consideration because they may add to the animal's problems, rather than improving the situation. The best method for learning rabbit dentistry is to routinely perform postmortem examinations following euthanasia of affected animals, and spend an hour or two practicing handling the instruments and performing procedures on a cadaver. If you are not confident in your ability or do not have the best equipment for the job, the client should be informed and offered the opportunity to be referral to a "specialist."     

The detection and characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus from cases of ovine footrot in England and Wales

Footrot, caused by the strictly anaerobic bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus, is the most common cause of lameness in sheep in Great Britain but problems exist in association with its diagnosis and control. The fastidious nature of D. nodosus means that complex media and several weeks are required for characterisation. An alternative method to simplify and enhance the detection of D. nodosus in clinical samples is therefore highly desirable. In terms of control, anecdotal evidence from the farming community suggests that the commercially available vaccine, based on Australian isolates of D. nodosus, is not widely employed in this country due to its perceived inefficacy. Seven hundred and six isolates, collected from outbreaks in England and Wales, were therefore used to investigate these issues. A 16S rRNA PCR was adapted to detect D. nodosus in clinical material within 1 day of sampling; a 15% increase in detection compared with culture and less than 1% false negatives were achieved. This represents a major advance in the rapid diagnosis of footrot and will be of great value to practitioners and diagnostic laboratories. Bacterial virulence was tested using protease thermostability and zymogram assays, whilst serogrouping was performed by slide agglutination. All isolates demonstrated virulence patterns previously recorded in Australia and all nine serogroups of D. nodosus (A-I) were represented. Serogroup H was predominant. There was, therefore, no evidence for the presence of novel strains of D. nodosus compared with Australia suggesting the need for further investigation into farmers' views on the use of the commercial vaccine in Great Britain.     

From a philosopher's perspective, how should animal scientists meet the challenge of contentious issues?

This article reviews how professional ethics can be useful in helping animal scientists meet new responsibilities. The transition to a postindustrial period in animal production signals a shift in the nature of contentious issues that animal producers face. Whereas farm income was once the most controversial issue in animal production, producers and animal scientists now face complex risk issues that have overlapping constituencies. Animal scientists need to develop a professional ethic that will stress open and active debate on these issues. Discussion of these issues must take place in the animal science classroom. The new professional ethic should be based on core values required for scientific research. However, departments and professional societies must develop institutions that will permit the values and methods of rationality and truth seeking to be applied in areas where measurement and experimental method are unlikely to resolve disputes, (i.e., to controversial issues that require public discussion and debate). Several specific proposals for such institution building are discussed.     

Wildlife reservoirs for bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in Canada: strategies for management and research

In Canada, there are two known regional foci where wildlife populations are infected with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) and considered to be disease reservoirs. Free-ranging populations of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in and around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) and wapiti (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) in and around Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) are infected with bovine tuberculosis. In this paper, we provide an overview of these diseased wild ungulate populations and the complexities of attempting to manage issues relating to bovine tuberculosis in and around protected areas. We do not describe the quantitative science and epidemiological data in detail from these case histories, but instead compare and contrast these two cases from a broader perspective. This is achieved by reviewing the context and process by which a diverse group of stakeholders engage and develop strategies to address the controversial problems that diseased wildlife populations often present. We suggest that understanding the factors that drive the strategic-level management processes is equally important for addressing a wildlife disease problem as the tactical-level issues, such as design and implementation of technically sound field research and management programs. Understanding the experiences within the WBNP and RMNP areas, particularly the strategies that have failed or succeeded, may prove useful to understanding and improving management approaches when wildlife are infected with M. bovis. Applying this understanding is consistent with the principles of adaptive management in which we learn from previous experiences to develop better strategies for the future.     

The introduction of expert systems in animal husbandry

Summary

The intensive nature of modern animal husbandry has changed the environmental conditions, so that protection against diseases, especially those caused by secondary pathogenic organisms, becomes an increasing concern. Production inefficiencies become more and more important. Because of their complex nature, many associated problems cannot be solved by farmers alone. With the introduction of information technology in the form of expert systems, new possibilities emerge for maximal productivity and animal health.

Expert systems are a new type of computer programmes which are able to handle problems in limited domains at an expert level, using expert knowledge and reasoning processes, within strictly defined problem limits. Expert systems as they presently exist have the following components: a knowledge base (rule‐ and data‐base), inference engine (deductive mechanism), user‐interface (explanatory facilities, etc.).

The application of knowledge engineering in animal husbandry may result in improvements in the general health and productivity of the herd and the financial returns of the farm, derived from the improved managerial control. At the same time the use of knowledge engineering may lead to greater understanding of the various epidemiological factors that influence farm results, either positively or negatively.     

On the Family Relationship between Chinese Culture and Western Culture

People with different cultural background have different attitudes toward family relationship and will face many difficulties, obstacles,confusion, and depression while dealing with cultural shocks. This paper will mainly explore its nature of family relationship with examples between Chinese culture and Western culture including status, functions and social relationship of family.     

ASAS-NANP SYMPOSIUM: Review of systems thinking concepts and their potential value in animal science research

Worldwide, our collective research and policy institutions, including the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), are calling for more systems-based research and analysis of society’s most pressing and complex problems. However, the use of systems analysis within animal science remains limited and researchers may not have the tools to answer this call. This review thus introduces important concepts in systems thinking methodology, such as policy resistance, feedback processes, and dynamic complexity. An overall rationale for systems thinking and analysis is presented, along with examples of the application of these concepts in current animal science research. In order to contrast systems approaches to more frequently employed event-oriented research frameworks, both frameworks are then applied to the ASAS’ identified “Grand Challenge” problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in order to compare these two kinds of analyses. Systems thinking stresses the importance of underlying system structures that lead to persistent problem behaviors vs a focus on unidirectional cause-and-effect relationships. A potential systems framework for animal production decisions to use antimicrobials is shown that more explicitly accounts for AMR in a way that can lead to different animal production decisions than the event-oriented framework. Acknowledging and accounting for fundamental system structures that can explain persistent AMR will lead to different potential solutions to this problem than would be suggested from more linear approaches. The challenges and benefits of incorporating systems methods into animal science research are then discussed.     

Normal reproductive parameters in large "California-style" dairies

Reproductive parameters are important in evaluating modern dairy management performance. Successful dairying results from constant attention to daily events, requiring more sensitive and immediate measurements of performance. Definitions of formulas, numerators, denominators, and population included or excluded are essential for proper interpretation and comparison of results. Veterinarians understanding these statistics and indexes, and using stratification of data to investigate production losses, will serve their clients well. My advice is to approach a herd with a perceived reproductive problem by evaluating these parameters; they are the means of determining if a problem exists and, if so, where it is. Find out how the various parameters are calculated so your interpretation will be correct. Herds with average days in milk of less than 165, culling rates below 25 per cent, and a milking rate of 85 per cent or more do not have long-term reproductive problems. If management techniques fail to achieve these levels, first look at those areas involving people. Conception rates measure all the components that, when multiplied, equal fertility: insemination technique, semen quality, heat detection accuracy, and the cow factors involved. Poor conception rates require investigation into these areas individually. Heat detection intensity leading to prolonged days in milk at first service is another common finding. Comparison of inseminators and sires may identify a problem area. Cow factors require more intense investigation to determine their cause. Use the information outlined in the periparturient period to assist you. In most cases, a combination of failures in many of the independent factors creates the problems in reproduction that we encounter. A large data base including all the information discussed and additional information is necessary to define, correct, and monitor reproductive management performance. Since performance ultimately is determined by the quality of the labor force, ongoing monitoring for accountability and education is necessary for success.     

Rangeland Degradation,Poverty, and Conflict: How Can Rangeland Scientists Contribute to Effective Responses and Solutions?

In many developing countries where rangelands are a dominant land type and critically important in livelihoods of a significant portion of the population, severe rangeland degradation and/or conflicts over rangeland use can create significant social, economic, and environmental problems. In this paper, we review rangeland degradation in the developing world, its impacts and causes, discuss problems in applying rangeland science to improve rangeland conditions, discuss the role of rangeland scientists, and discuss our approach for enhancing rangeland science in international development. We suggest range scientists can provide valuable input and direction on issues of rangeland degradation (including state changes and impacts on ecosystem goods and services), provide guidance in methods and realistic opportunities for rangeland improvement to local users, government, and development organizations, and work to provide pastoralists with adaptive management in variable ecosystems. Conflict and poverty can create situations where a long-term goal of sustainable rangeland use is overwhelmed by short-term needs of safety and food security; however, providing science and training on sustainable management can make a difference where conflicts are not too severe and can help promote societal stability. Negative perceptions about aid are widespread, but the needs for improved conditions associated with multiple values of rangelands, and the needs of people utilizing these areas, are great. Conducting planning and projects with transparency and accountability will help promote more inclusive participation and successful projects. To be effective, a project needs to consider the needs of the people utilizing the project area but also provide to these communities information on values of the rangelands to other stakeholders (ecosystem services). Sustainable projects will require accountability and enhance self-reliance to allow community empowerment and adaptability to changes.     

The Elusive Promise of Social-Ecological Approaches to Rangeland Management

Resilience-based frameworks for social-ecological systems (SES) are prominent in contemporary scientific literatures, but critics suggest these approaches may promise more than they deliver. A fundamental premise underlying the SES approach is that, because of the scope of human activities worldwide, we cannot separate ecological and human elements of nature when tackling our biggest challenges. Proponents argue that managers should not seek optimal solutions, but instead build capacity to adapt and transform systems to thrive within unpredicted or novel ecological states. If the range profession is to take advantage of resilience ideas, we need better tools and concepts for understanding interconnected systems. SES research and management strategies will pose practical difficulties, most notably finding ways to bridge differences between the methods of social and natural sciences. Also needed are institutions that involve scientists, managers, and stakeholders in analysis and informed governance, thereby addressing a key tenet of “resilience thinking” while accounting for the “wicked” nature of problems that, like many facing rangeland managers today, do not have a single best solution but only more or less feasible responses. In hopes of guiding managers toward more feasible options, I offer a model of rangeland social-ecological systems describing how management choices are influenced by, and may affect, human and natural systems at local and regional-to-global scales through both top-down and bottom-up processes.     

Veterinary education in the world—changing attitudes

SUMMARY Veterinary educators all over the world are concerned about the explosion in knowledge and about the way veterinary science is taught at present. How can we produce veterinarians who will provide the sort of care that will be expected in the year 2000 and beyond? In the recent past many schools have increased the information presented in their courses without removing any material. Student stress has increased, and undergraduates do not retain what they are taught. The type of assessment that is currently used often requires regurgitation of ‘facts’ rather than the solution of problems. This paper considers some of the issues that are pertinent to the future of veterinary education and suggests ways in which the situation may be improved. There is a need for increased activity by the Australian Veterinary Association to convince government that present funding is inadequate and that increased funding is urgently needed if we are to produce veterinarians of the quality the country will need in the next century.     

Feline ureteral obstructions Part 2: surgical management

Feline obstructive ureteral disease will likely remain a common and frustrating cause of critical illness in cats for the foreseeable future. Since many cats are uraemic and cardiovascularly unstable secondary to obstructive nephropathy, prompt recognition using clinical intuition, blood work and diagnostic imaging is essential to make a timely diagnosis and decision about timing for intervention, if indicated. Multiple surgical and interventional procedures exist for the management of feline ureteral obstructions but there is no ideal technique and all currently available procedures carry risk of infection, re‐obstruction, urine leakage and the need for additional procedures in the future. Therefore, until clear, evidence‐based guideline exist, the decision about which ureteral procedure to perform in cats should be guided by nature of the obstruction, location, concurrent urolithiasis, infection and surgeon preference. In all likelihood, ureteral surgery, stents and ureteral bypass devices will continue to remain viable options and the decision about which procedure to use will be made on a case‐by‐case basis.     

Turtle care and husbandry.

Chelonians (turtles, tortoises, and terrapins) are not as well represented in private reptile collections as are snakes and lizards. Thismay be due in part to the fact that they often require more space and time for proper care. Nonetheless, they are still popular pets.Unfortunately, many people are not aware of what constitutes proper care for these animals. This article will discuss basic captive husbandry and nutrition issues of common chelonians, as well as recognizing illness, capture and restraint, sample collection, medication administration, and preventive care.     

CLARIFYING SOME ASPECTS OF DIAGNOSTIC-ACCURACY RESEARCH

Evidence-based medicine is an approach to improved patient care that integrates clinical experience with basic science and clinical research in diagnostic accuracy, prognostic indicators, efficacy, and safety of treatments. Both clinical experience and methodical research assessments are essential components in this type of medical practice and underscore the importance of providing residents the opportunity to gain clinical experience as well as training them in how to perform, apply, and interpret clinical research in diagnostic imaging. The challenge for researchers is to design a study so that the data are valid and may be generalized to clinical situations where the test will be used. When assisting residents in the design of a research project for accuracy assessment of an imaging test, we consistently have observed three problem areas that if uncorrected would preclude the study results from being generalized to clinical situations where the test will be used: (1) understanding what is being measured, (2) appropriate selection of the sample population, and (3) the impact of the variability of the decision criterion. In this paper, we review these issues and suggest some solutions.     

Competition model for international comparisons of livestock

Interbull has been responsible for comparing dairy bulls across countries since the mid‐1980s. The current methodology is called MACE (multiple across country evaluations) which has been in use since 1995. Now that genomic data are being utilized in many countries, this has led to two serious problems. The first is that of preselection of young bulls such that the young animals are no longer a random sample of progeny from a sire by dam mating pair. Secondly, some countries are becoming less willing to share genomic data with Interbull. Both issues raise concern over the future of Interbull and international comparisons. This paper suggests a competition model as a potential replacement for MACE. The competition model makes pairwise comparisons between all pairs of bulls within a country and combines these differences across countries through bulls that are used in more than one country. Pedigree information is ignored as are all genomic data because bulls are treated as fixed. The model produces one international ranking of bulls averaging out any genotype by environment interactions which may exist. The competition model is illustrated by a small example. The limitations and advantages of the competition model are discussed.     

Livestock ectoparasites: integrated management in a changing climate

The prevalence of livestock ectoparasites is the result of a complex interaction of factors such as parasite and host abundance, host susceptibility, climate and, critically, farmer husbandry and intervention strategies, all of which change seasonally in space and time. Given the complexity of the interacting factors, the effects of any climate change on disease incidence are hard to predict, as accordingly are the optimal husbandry responses required to ameliorate any effects. Here cutaneous myiasis in sheep, by the blowfly Lucilia sericata in the United Kingdom, is used to highlight the impact of a range of such issues. Cutaneous myiasis would be expected to be highly sensitive to even small changes in climate and therefore provides a good model to illustrate the problems inherent in attempting to predict the effect of climate change on livestock disease incidence. Both simulation and spatial species distribution models, show that the range of elevated temperatures predicted by current climate change scenarios are likely to result in an elongated blowfly season with earlier spring emergence and a higher cumulative incidence of strike. Strike incidence would be expected to increase, particularly for ewes in early summer. However, under higher IPCC emissions senarios (+3 °C), parts of central and southern England may become too hot and dry for strike by L. sericata to persist in mid-summer. Under these conditions, it is possible that other, more pathogenic Mediterranean agents of myiasis, such as Wohlfahrtia magnifica could replace L. sericata. Nevertheless, the models suggest that simple changes in some husbandry practices, such as shearing or trap use, could have an important effect in reducing early season ewe strike incidences by L. sericata. The work reviewed here, suggests that climate warming is likely to increase the risk of fly strike incidence, with consequent animal welfare and economic problems. However, practical measures exist which, with modest changes in husbandry practices, should be able to manage expected increases in strike, under the range of climate changes currently predicted. The work demonstrates that attempts to predict the likely impact of climate change on disease incidence must take into account changes in farmer behaviour and animal management practices as well as parasite biology.     

应用DHI对某奶牛场奶牛生产性能的综合分析

[目的]为了解奶牛的生产性能.[方法]应用奶牛生产性能测定(DHI)体系,2006年10～11月对武汉市某牛场所有产奶牛的生产情况进行测定和分析.[结果]表明:该场牛群所产奶中体细胞数高,产奶牛中有12%患有临床乳房炎,产犊间隔长,存在繁殖问题和饲料问题,针对测检和分析中发现的问题,提出了相应的改进措施.[结论]为牛场...