A comparison of reproductive parameters of female Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the wild and captivity

A healthy population of captive Amur tigers might assist recovery of the wild population in Northeast China if individuals were properly prepared and considered suitable for release in the wild. We analyzed the breeding records of 68 female Amur tigers from 1995 to 2010 in the Hengdaohezi Felid Breeding Center of China and compared the reproductive parameters of this population to wild female Amur tigers. We found that the reproductive parameters of the captive population (the age of first parturition, length of gestation and litter survival rate) were not significantly different from those of wild Amur tigers. Differences in birth date and litter size between wild and captive populations may be caused by management protocols for the captive population or insufficient field data from the wild population. Reproductive parameters of females giving birth after losing a litter were similar to parameters of females that did not lose a litter, except for birth date. These results provide no indication of major problems in using captive females for a breeding program for release of cubs into the wild, but additional information is still needed to assess their suitability.     

Diseases of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa: a 20-year retrospective survey.

As part of an ongoing study to determine the basis for high prevalences of veno-occlusive disease, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in cheetahs, a retrospective pathology survey of captive cheetahs in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) was conducted. The RSA population was selected because its genetic composition and captive management were similar to those of the cheetah population in U.S. zoos, in which these diseases are common. For this study, archived pathology materials at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in Onderstepoort and the Faculty of Veterinary Science, MEDUNSA, from 69 cheetahs that died between 1975 and 1995 were reviewed, and prevalences of common lesions were compared with those in the U.S. population. Gastritis associated with Helicobacter-like organisms was the most prevalent disease, accounting for close to 40% of the mortalities, including several cheetahs < 3 yr old. Glomerulosclerosis and veno-occlusive disease also were major causes of mortality in RSA cheetahs. RSA cheetahs also had adrenal cortical hyperplasia, cardiac fibrosis, lymphocytic depletion of the spleen, systemic amyloidosis, and splenic myelolipomas. The presence in the captive RSA cheetah population of the same unusual diseases that are common in U.S. cheetahs suggests a species predilection to develop these diseases in captivity.     

Detection of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) and avian polyomavirus (APV) DNA in psittacine birds in Italy

Beak and feather disease (psittacine circovirus) and Budgerigar fledgling disease (avian polyomavirus) are viral diseases that can frequently affect captive psittacine birds. We designed the first survey to investigate the presence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) and Avian polyomavirus (APV) inside the population of captive psittacine birds in Italy. Samples were collected in 18 Italian psittacine breeding centres and four trade centres over a 4-year period. A total of 1516 birds were tested for BFDV and 877 birds were tested for APV by means of a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assay. BFDV was found in 122 (8.05%) and APV in 7 (0.79%) birds. No significant difference in infection rate was found between imported and locally raised parrots. We report the first BFDV DNA isolation in wild birds imported to Italy from Papua New Guinea.     

扎龙湿地丹顶鹤种群数量调查及保护

根据野外调查以及人工驯养繁育丹顶鹤的数量统计,研究了近30 a（1981～2010年）扎龙湿地丹顶鹤种群的变动。结果表明,扎龙保护区野生丹顶鹤数量维持在300只左右,是我国最大的野生丹顶鹤繁殖种群,占世界迁徙野生丹顶鹤总数的25%,而这些主要得益于扎龙保护区再建区30 a来,通过严格管护、科学研究、社区共建、环境教育及实施有效补水等一系列举措,使保护区核心区生态完整性和原始性得以保持,湿地面积占保护区总面积的75.7%,为丹顶鹤等珍稀濒危鸟类提供了良好的栖息繁殖场所。同时保护区在人工饲养繁育丹顶鹤领域积累了丰富的实践经验,丹顶鹤人工驯养种群达到300多只,已成为中国丹顶鹤人工驯养繁育科学研究基地,保护区探索出的人工繁育丹顶鹤的野化途径和方法,对野生丹顶鹤种群数量的补充起到了积极作用。     

圈养小熊猫繁殖初探

建立小熊猫人工种群开展繁殖研究是减轻野生种群压力,有效保护小熊猫的措施之一。为探索提高人工条件下小熊猫繁殖水平,2011年以来成都大熊猫繁育研究基地对圈养小熊猫的环境条件等进行了改进提高。通过对小熊猫的饲养、繁育环境条件的改善,小熊猫的繁育情况有了一定的提高,初步结果显示,改进后,小熊猫的发情率、受胎率没有显著变化,但其繁殖成活率从改进前的55. 5%极显著地提高到改进后的76. 26%(P <0. 01)。     

大连森林动物园散放区草食动物混养现状及模式初探

通过2004～2009年大连森林动物园的数据调查,从食物的营养价值,环境的丰富度,种群密度三个角度入手,针对大连森林动物园散放区草食动物在半散放混养条件下饲养繁殖及动物群体管理进行浅析,分析其驯养繁殖管理方案的优势,并从可持续利用的自然小生境角度出发,对建立稳定的动物关系群体提出建议。通过分析显示非洲的斑马,澳洲的羊驼,我国西北的岩羊比较适合大连的气候及混养的这种模式,种群数量逐年递增,繁殖状况良好,死亡率也比较低,尤其是岩羊,由于其善攀援跳跃,活动范围广,种群发展最好。长颈鹿,黑斑羚和跳羚适应能力较差,尤其是黑斑羚和跳羚,性情机警,敏感,应激反应强烈,引进后种群数量逐年递减,不适应此混养模式。作为东北地区物种的马鹿和梅花鹿,其种群情况也堪忧。鉴于这种情况,应从饲料营养和引种两方面加以改进以达到增加其种群数量的目的。     

朱鹗雏鸟几种非传染性疾病的原因与防治概述

为做好朱鹛的迁地保护工作,进行人工繁育是短时间内提高种群数量的最有效措施。浙江省德清珍稀野生动物繁育研究中心自2008年从陕西野生动物救护中心引入5对朱鹦,通过5a努力,目前存栏数已达118只,取得了一些成绩,同时也积累了一些经验教训。本文以朱鹦浙江种群的人工繁育工作实践为基础,结合现有的相关文献,对浙江省德清珍稀野生动物繁育研究中心2008—2012年饲养的138只朱鹃雏鸟的非传染性疾病进行了统计分析,同时阐述了其发病原因和防治措施。主要疾病包括：腿部疾病4种（10例,占7．25％）：船桨腿、卷曲趾、关节肿大、皮下气肿;头颈部疾病3种（15例,占10,87％）：交叉喙、长短喙、歪脖子;还有其他疾病3种（5例,占3．62％）：育雏室小气候控制不良引发的疾病、胚胎病或孵化不良引发的疾病、不明原因死亡的疾病。通过分析病因,提出防范措施,为后续的育雏工作提供指导,以避免类似的疾病再次发生,促进朱鹦人工种群的发展,对其他濒危野生鸟类的人工复壮也有一定的指导意义。     

The requirement for natural sunlight to prevent vitamin D deficiency in iguanian lizards.

To investigate possible causes of embryonic and neonatal mortality in a group of captive Fijian iguanas (Brachylophus fasciatus and Brachylophus vitiensis), the vitamin D status of adults in the colony was compared with that of agamid and iguanid lizards either housed in indoor enclosures under artificial ultraviolet light or exposed to natural sunlight (wild-caught or captive animals housed outdoors). Those under artificial lighting had a significantly lower vitamin D status than those housed exclusively outdoors, whereas the vitamin D status of Fijian iguanas that had received intermittent exposure to natural sunlight was intermediate and not significantly different from that of animals housed exclusively outdoors. However, eggs from some of these Fijian iguanas had substantially lower vitamin D content than eggs from outdoor iguanid and agamid animals. Artificial ultraviolet light, therefore, might not be an adequate substitute for natural sunlight to maintain vitamin D status of lizards. This possible inadequacy may be because either artificial ultraviolet light has a lower intensity of the wavelengths that induce vitamin D than does sunlight or the intensity of the artificial lighting is not sufficient.     

Systematic assessment of the impact of adenovirus infection on a captive reintroduction project for red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris)

PCR was used to amplify adenoviral DNA, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect adenovirus particles in tissue and intestinal content samples from red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) associated with a reintroduction study on Anglesey (North Wales), from other populations on the island and from stock held at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, 38 km to the east. Samples were collected during the routine surveillance postmortem examinations of all 60 red squirrels with carcases retrieved in a suitable condition between 2004 and 2010, including 29?captive and 31 free-living animals. Following significant clusters of mortality in captive red squirrels, adenovirus was identified retrospectively in faecal material from 12 of 13 (92 per cent) examined carcases from squirrels captive on Anglesey, and 14 of 16 (88 per cent) from the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Virus was identified in 13 of 31 (42 per cent) free-living wild animals, with evidence of both subclinical and clinically significant enteric adenoviral infections in wild squirrels. Without ancillary PCR and TEM testing, the extent of adenovirus infection in such populations would have been underestimated. Screening protocols that include examinations for adenovirus should, therefore, be part of the routine biosecurity measures protecting reintroduction or captive breeding programmes for red squirrels.     

Farm and slaughter survey of bovine tuberculosis in captive deer in Switzerland

In 1998, a survey was conducted by postal questionnaire to gather basic knowledge about the management, health and productivity of captive deer in Switzerland. In addition, lymph nodes were collected from slaughtered deer from 124 of the 262 holdings surveyed, and tested for Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The total farmed deer population was 8389 animals kept on 485 holdings; 87 per cent were fallow deer, 8 per cent red deer, 4 per cent sika deer, and there were small numbers of other species. The median herd sizes were 12 for fallow deer and eight for red deer. Few owners had handling facilities or crushes. In none of the lymph nodes examined were lesions typical of bovine tuberculosis observed, and neither M bovis nor M tuberculosis was cultivated from any of the samples.     

An epizootic of adenovirus-induced hemorrhagic disease in captive black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus).

Ten fawns and four adult black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in a captive herd died as a result of adenovirus-induced hemorrhagic disease. Acute, systemic infections were characterized by hemorrhagic enteropathy, pulmonary edema, and occasional ulceration of the upper alimentary tract. Localized infections were limited to the upper alimentary tract and included stomatitis, pharyngitis, mandibular osteomyelitis, and rumenitis. In deer with acute, systemic infections, a diagnosis was made by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The serum neutralization test was useful for confirming a diagnosis in animals with prolonged, localized infections. Deer originating from herds with a history of adenovirus infection should not be transferred to other captive herds or released into free-ranging populations because they may serve as carriers of adenovirus.     

基于线粒体Cyt b基因和CR序列的养殖貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)种群遗传多样性和结构分析

貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)是一种重要的经济动物。经过50年的人工驯养繁育,国内养殖种群不断扩大,但对其遗传多样性和结构了解很少,难以开展有效的遗传管理。本研究分析了东北、华北地区养殖貉种群(N=160)的线粒体细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因和控制区(CR)序列,并与已经发表的同源序列进行比较。结果定义了5个Cyt b基因和6个CR序列单倍型,其中与俄罗斯产乌苏里亚种共享单倍型分别是3个和4个。种群遗传多样性分析表明,养殖貉种群单倍型多样性处于临界点(Hd=0.50)、核苷酸多样性处于较高水平(Pi>0.5%),但二者均明显低于俄罗斯野生乌苏里貉种群。这种遗传多样性模式可能主要是由奠基者效应(founder effect)导致的。此外,红褐色型貉遗传多样性水平显著低于野生型和白色型貉。系统发育分析表明国内养殖貉种群分为3个世系,主要是乌苏里亚种、与同亚种的俄罗斯野生种群亲缘关系密切。研究还发现有1个单倍型(CH5-DH5)与越南产指名亚种共享同一个单倍型世系。这说明建群引种中可能偶然引入了华南地区分布的指名亚种。综上分析,我国养殖貉种群已经出现遗传多样性下降的迹象,需要监控种群遗传多样性的变化,引入具有新基因型的野生貉种,制定科学的交配模式,避免近交衰退。     

圈养条件下小熊猫指名亚种雨季的活动规律

2008年8⁹月,在姚家坪小熊猫繁育基地采用目标取样法和瞬时扫描取样法对19只圈养小熊猫指名亚种的活动规律进行了研究。结果表明:小熊猫雨季每天大部分时间用于休息(48%),其次是摄食(17%)和活动(14%),标记占10%,其他行为分配的时间较短。在行为节律上,休息行为所占比例最高,出现2个休息高峰,分别为10:009月,在姚家坪小熊猫繁育基地采用目标取样法和瞬时扫描取样法对19只圈养小熊猫指名亚种的活动规律进行了研究。结果表明:小熊猫雨季每天大部分时间用于休息(48%),其次是摄食(17%)和活动(14%),标记占10%,其他行为分配的时间较短。在行为节律上,休息行为所占比例最高,出现2个休息高峰,分别为10:00¹1:00、13:0011:00、13:00¹5:00时;活动行为在16:00和19:00时形成波峰;摄食有3个高峰,分别为9:00、11:00和20:00时,标记行为在9:00、16:00、19:00和20:00时出现频率较高;梳理行为只在17:0015:00时;活动行为在16:00和19:00时形成波峰;摄食有3个高峰,分别为9:00、11:00和20:00时,标记行为在9:00、16:00、19:00和20:00时出现频率较高;梳理行为只在17:00¹9:00时超过10%;其他行为所占比率较低。不同年龄组间小熊猫的行为时间分配有差异,老年在休息行为上明显高于幼年和成年,约占总行为的70%;幼年的活动行为高于成年及老年;成年的修饰及标记行为明显高于幼年和老年。     

Endocrine correlates of gender and throat coloration in the southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

The southern ground-hornbill (SGH) is a cooperatively breeding bird endemic to eastern and southern Africa, but is endangered in its southern distributional range. The national conservation restoration program harvests redundant chicks for captive breeding and reintroduction; with sexing and social grouping of the species evaluated by throat-skin coloration, with adult males displaying a completely red color compared to dark blue within the red observed in adult females. However, recent findings indicate that dominant and subordinate adult males exhibit patches of blue throat-skin. To optimize SGH management practices, it is vital to determine the role of red and blue coloration, as well as the possible drivers thereof. As a prerequisite, an enzyme immunoassay for monitoring fecal androgen metabolite (fAM) concentrations in SGH was established. Following this, fresh fecal samples were collected from 78 SGH, of various demographics and origin, across 12 captive institutions, to determine whether fAM concentrations differ between blue (B), partially blue (sB), and fully red (R) throat-skin colored SGH. Furthermore, fAM concentrations were compared between males housed in different social groups of different age and sex classes. Individual median fAM concentrations of B, sB, and R adult males did not differ significantly but were considerably higher in B and sB males compared to R males. Social dynamics within captivity, for example, dominance, played no role as a driver of male gonadal activity or throat skin coloration. The results of the study indicate that androgens and apparent social dynamics are not primary determinants of throat coloration in male SGH.     

黄腹角雉笼养种群与野外种群的遗传多样性——为再引入项目进行的种群内近交水平评估

利用笼养种群在适宜栖息地开展再引入工作是保护和恢复濒危动物野外种群数最的有效方法.近交衰退是影响笼养种群健康程度的主要风险,因此需要在开展再引入项目前对笼养种群的近交程度进行评估.本研究以微卫星为遗传标记,对我国特有濒危雉类——黄腹角雉(Tragopan caboti)的一个笼养种群和一个野外种群的近交水平进行了评估和...     

中国动物园圈养鹤类现状调查及分析

报道了中国动物园协会主要饲养鹤类会员单位的鹤类调查结果,目的是更好地了解中国动物园圈养鹤类的种群数量及目前会员单位鹤类饲养管理的现状、存在的问题与相关需求,从而提高鹤类饲养管理水平,最终形成健康的、可持续发展的种群。本调查于2011年8月向中国动物园协会120家会员单位发出了调查问卷,截止到2011年10月11日共收到中国动物园协会主要饲养鹤类的56家会员单位(包括动物园、野生动物园与自然保护区)的回复(回收率为46.7%)。在回复的56家单位中共饲养鹤类12种1 836只(8只杂交鹤除外)。种群数量比1997年增加了58.4%。近一半的单位认为饲养设施处于一般水平。近80%的鹤类向游客展出,并且大部分都采用成群饲养的展出方式。有85%的单位能够实现个体识别,更多的单位选择脚环和芯片标识鹤类。在人工育雏过程中,雏鹤的腿病和由于混养引起打斗而造成的外伤是存在的主要问题。疾病是造成全国圈养鹤类死亡的主要原因,其次是由于外伤造成骨折引起的死亡。各会员单位希望今后能够开展鹤类性别鉴定、人工育雏、人工授精的培训。根据本次调查结果,提出了8项建议。     

Atypical systemic mycobacteriosis in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni)

Background: Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a near threatened species found throughout southern Europe. Captive breeding of endangered species is subject to health risks, such as the stress of captivity and ambient conditions that may favor the emergence of infectious diseases. An episode of systemic atypical mycobacteriosis was investigated in six Hermann's tortoises from a captive population. The symptoms appeared in the form of anorexia, weakness, and lethargy, with inflammatory and edematous lesions of the hind limbs and tail. Four of the affected tortoises were euthanized and necropsied. Methods: Blood samples and joint aspirates were obtained for assessment. Euthanasia of four affected animals was performed. Postmortem examination included necropsy, histopathology, and mycobacterium detection by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the other two animals, only hematology and blood biochemistry was carried out. Results: Hematological and blood biochemistry analyses gave inconsistent results. In joint aspirates, mononuclear cells with phagocytozed bacillary structures were observed. Ziehl-Neelsen stain revealed the presence of acid-fast bacteria. Granulomatous lesions were observed in liver, lungs, spleen, heart, muscle, kidney, and ovaries. Culture and identification were positive for mycobacteria and molecular sequencing led to the identification of Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Although mycobacteriosis is rare in reptile collections, strict hygienic and prophylactic measures in species of high ecological value must be performed, especially if the animals are to be used for reintroduction projects.     

复齿鼯鼠人工养殖技术研究

1992～ 1 998年 ,在陕西省商州市北宽坪区和丹风县留仙坪等地进行鼯鼠人工养殖试验 ,根据野生鼯鼠的生物学特性 ,研究了人工条件下鼯鼠饲养方式 ,管理方法和常见疾病防治     

蓝鹇免疫流感疫苗后抗体消长研究

杭州动物园从北京动物园引进5对蓝鹇种源。日常食物主要是青菜、稻谷、家鸡用颗粒料、少量苹果。饲养过程中发生的主要疾病有细菌性肠炎、发情期的雄性打斗后的外伤等。杭州动物园经过精心饲养,3a繁殖达60多只。蓝鹇在杭州动物园的饲养和繁殖是全国人工饲养繁殖最好,且是全国最大人工种群。由于没有蓝鹇等野禽专用禽流感疫苗,杭州动物园使用家禽禽流感疫苗对蓝鹇进行禽流感免疫。根据家禽的禽流感免疫方法,每年对蓝鹇进行2次禽流感疫苗免疫,由于它的飞翔能力较强,每次免疫进行捕捉时均会乱飞,有时还会造成应激死亡,但最终免疫结果是否有效也未曾进行过检测。本研究中蓝鹇流感疫苗抗体检测采用的方法是：禽流感病毒H5抗体酶联免疫（ELISA）的检测方法。结果证明家禽流感疫苗对蓝鹇有效,经胸部肌肉注射0．5ml／次,每4个月肌注1次,每年免疫3次。雏鹇首免应在出壳后第8天、第9天或第10天。     

Comparative frequency of osseous macroscopic pathology and first report of gout in captive and wild-caught ratites

This systematic survey of museum ratite (Pterocnemia, Rhea, Casuarius, Struthio, Dromias and Apteryx) skeletal collections was performed to reevaluate previous perspectives and assess effect of captivity on macroscopically detectable pathology. Trauma-related pathology (e.g. focal periosteal reaction, malformed vertebrae) was significantly more common in captive birds (chi2 = 13.414, P < 0.0001) with variable timing of the different injuries. Pathology unrelated to trauma was equally represented in captive and wild-caught ratites. The latter included osteophytes of osteoarthritis, osteochondritis dissecans, infectious arthritis, gout (reported for the first time in a ratite) and neoplasia.