An operational information system for zoo medicine

Objectives: 1. Describe a computer system built and being further developed to facilitate management of data and information relating to Zoo Medicine at the National Zoological Gardens. 2. Contextualise and evaluate this information system in terms of the original objectives, its potential, applied functionality and the manner in which it meets information systems criteria. 3. Make recommendations for further development.Dissertation (MMedVet (Fer))--University of Pretoria, 2001.Centre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesMMedVet (Fer)Unrestricte

Vulture rescue and rehabilitation in South Africa : an urban perspective

South Africa is home to 9 vulture species, of which 7 are endangered. While the cause of the population declines remains largely speculative, a vast amount of effort has been dedicated towards the protection of populations by ensuring sustainable and safe food sources for the various colonies. Limited focus was placed in the past on efforts related to the rescue and/or rehabilitation (R&R) of injured birds and the release of these birds back into the wild. This paper provides an overview of the causes, the impact and success of 3 organisations involved in R&R efforts of vultures in the Magaliesberg mountain range and surrounding areas over a period of 10 years. Study material included 162 Cape griffon (CGV) and 38 African white-backed (AWBV) vultures. Datasets include the number, sex and age of birds received, the reason the vultures were brought in for R&R, surgical interventions performed and outcomes of rescue efforts. The CGV dominated the rehabilitation attempts. Results further show that a large number of apparently healthy birds were presented for veterinary treatment. The R&R data clearly indicate that the major cause of injuries was birds colliding with overhead pylons, as a high number of soft tissue and skeletal injuries were observed. The study also shows that successful releases of rescued birds are possible. It is concluded that urbanisation has had a major negative impact on vultures around the Magaliesberg mountain rangehttp://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_savet.htm

Lead toxicity : consequences and intervensions in an intensively managed (Gyps coprotheres) vulture colony

The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) is involved in the ex situ conservation of Gyps coprotheres, the Cape Griffon vulture (CGV) and houses 24 birds in a 100-yr-old aviary. Following the death of one vulture with high liver lead concentrations, an investigation was launched to ascertain the source(s) and consequences of lead toxicity in this breeding colony. Whole blood from 24 CGV, paint from the enclosure, water, and soil sampled at various locations within the enclosure were evaluated for their lead concentration, and data were gathered from NZG’s medical records. The lead concentration in the paint, water, and enclosure soil was 5,100 lg/g, 0.5 lg/dl, and 72.48 6 21.83 lg/g, respectively. The whole-blood lead concentrations were 56.58 6 11 lg/dl. The breeding history of six pairs within the contaminated enclosure since 2002 showed 45 eggs laid, of which 44% were infertile and 24% successfully reared. The medical records revealed evidence of osteodystrophy despite adequate nutrition. As intervention measures, six birds were treated with Ca2þEDTA and the topsoil inside the enclosure was replaced. As a result, the lead concentration in the enclosure soil dropped to14.74 6 14.39 lg/g, and the whole-blood lead concentrations declined to 42.75 6 11.64 lg/dl. It was concluded that lead concentrations in whole blood in excess of 100 lg/dl leads to clinical signs of lead toxicity in the CGV. Lower levels appear to interfere mainly with reproductive potential.This project was funded by in part by the WWF South Africa and the Ernest Oppenheimer and Son Trust.http://www.bioone.org/toc/zamd/41/4mn201

Malignant catarrhal fever : an emerging disease in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

Within the tribe Bovini in the subfamily Bovinae, the water buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis), American bison (Bison bison), European bison (Bubalus bonasus) and yak (Bos grunniens) are recognized as species highly susceptible to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). In contrast, the lack of reports describing clinical MCF in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) whether free ranging or captive has led to a perception that African buffaloes are resistant to MCF. During the last decade, several cases of MCF in African buffaloes were confirmed in South Africa and experience with seven of these cases is described in this report. Detection of viral nucleic acid in blood or tissues was successful in six African buffaloes that suffered from clinical signs compatible with MCF. Four were positive for infection with ovine herpesvirus type 2 (the causative virus of sheep-associated MCF), and two were positive for alcelaphine herpesvirus type 1 (causative virus of wildebeestassociated MCF). Histopathological examination of tissue samples from all the animals yielded typical lesions that were consistent with those described for MCF in domestic cattle. Developments in the management of African buffaloes translocated from their traditional habitats have likely contributed to the identification of another susceptible host in the subfamily Bovinae.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1865-16822016-06-30hb201

Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the human/wildlife interface in a high TB burden country

This study reports on an investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases in mostly captive wild animals using molecular typing tools [Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) typing and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism typing]. The investigation included cases from (i) the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) recorded between 2002 and 2011; (ii) Johannesburg Zoo, where tuberculosis was first diagnosed in 2007 and has since been detected in three antelope species; (iii) a rehabilitation centre for vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in which M. tuberculosis was diagnosed in 2008; and (iv) incidental cases in other facilities including a sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), two unrelated cases in chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) (one of which was from a free-ranging troop) and a colony of capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus). Identical genetic profiles of the latter three isolates indicate the persistence of a single M. tuberculosis strain in this population since at least 2006. Results of the outbreak investigation in the captive vervet monkey colony indicate that it was caused by two unrelated strains, while all 13 M. tuberculosis isolates from 11 animal species in the NZG showed different VNTR patterns. A substantial increase in tuberculosis cases of 60% was recorded in the NZG, compared with the previous reporting period 1991–2001, and may indicate a countrywide trend of increasing spillover of human tuberculosis to wild animals. South Africa ranks among the countries with the highest-tuberculosis burden worldwide, complicated by an increasing rate of multidrug-resistant strains. Exposure and infection of captive wildlife in this high prevalence setting is therefore a growing concern for wildlife conservation but also for human health through potential spillback.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1865-1682hb201

Archiving primary data: solutions for long-term studies

The recent trend for journals to require open access to primary data included in publications has been embraced by many biologists, but has caused apprehension amongst researchers engaged in long-term ecological and evolutionary studies. A worldwide survey of 73 principal investigators (Pls) with long-term studies revealed positive attitudes towards sharing data with the agreement or involvement of the PI, and 93% of PIs have historically shared data. Only 8% were in favor of uncontrolled, open access to primary data while 63% expressed serious concern. We present here their viewpoint on an issue that can have non-trivial scientific consequences. We discuss potential costs of public data archiving and provide possible solutions to meet the needs of journals and researchers

Solutions for archiving data in long-term studies: a reply to Whitlock et al.

No abstract available