Blood Biochemistry Reference Values of Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus) in Rehabilitation Center

The Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) is an endemic primate species to Java Island, Indonesia. Currently, their conservation status is critically endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. As a consequence of the pet trade, wild-caught slow lorises are confiscated or handed over to centers like IAR Indonesia Rescue Center. Rescued lorises present multiple health issues following stress, trauma, and miss-treatment after being kept as pets. During the medical evaluation, besides physical examination, blood biochemistry provides valuable diagnostic information. However, data on physiological values are unavailable and therefore interpretation of results is difficult. The objective of this study was to establish blood biochemistry reference values for wild, rehabilitant healthy adult Javan slow lorises in captivity. We anesthetized 20 individuals of Javan slow loris (10 males and 10 females) for pre-release check-up procedures. Blood samples were collected for blood biochemistry analysis on an in-house Vetscan VS2 (Zoetis), after which the results were statistically analyzed for mean and standard deviation. Results showed different values between the male and female group, however, they were not significant (p>0,05). Comparison with available biochemistry data (ZIMS) for other loris species in captivity: Nycticebus pygmaeus and Nycticebus coucang, did not show significant differences. Although the sample size of this study was limited, this study provides the first preliminary reference ranges for healthy adult wild, rehabilitant Javan slow loris in captivity. Further data collection is necessary for more accurate ranges and will be done during the future pre-release health check

Multiple Trichoepithelioma pada Kukang (Nycticebus coucang) Jantan di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia: Studi Kasus

Berbagai macam neoplasia telah dilaporkan di prosimian tetapi masih sedikit sekali kasus tumor kulit pada kukang yang dilaporkan. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk membahas kasus multiple trichoepithelioma pada kukang sumatra (N. coucang). Seekor kukang sumatera berjenis kelamin jantan, dewasa, memiliki berat 670 gram, telah diterima oleh Pusat Rehabilitasi Primata Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (PRP-YIARI), Bogor pada Mei 2014. Pada pemeriksaan fisik ditemukan sebanyak 18 buah bentukan masa di kulitnya dengan diameter yang bervariasi 5-25 mm dan tersebar di seluruh tubuh mulai dari kaki, tangan, punggung, perut dan dahi. Hasil biopsi jaringan menunjukkan adenoma kelenjar sebaseous dan pemeriksaan histopatologi lanjutan menunjukkan trichoepithelioma. Merujuk dari hasil histopatologi dan keberadaan jumlah tumor yang banyak, maka diagnosa dari kasus ini adalah multiple trichoepithelioma dengan prognosa fausta. Terapi berupa eksisi tumor dengan pembedahan telah dilakukan dan cukup efektif. Masih belum diketahui apakah penyakit ini telah ada pada kukang sejak hidup liar di alam atau terjadi ketika dipelihara dalam lingkungan captive.Kata kunci: kukang, IAR Indonesia, multipel trichoepithelioma, neoplasia (Multiple Trichoepithelioma pada Kukang (Nycticebus coucang) Jantan di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia: Studi Kasus)A variety of neoplasia have been reported in prosimians, but only a few skin neoplasia were reported in slow lorises. The objective of this case study is to report a case of multiple trichoepithelioma on sumatran slow loris (N. coucang). On May 2014, Pusat Rehabilitasi Primata Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia  (PRP-YIARI), Bogor, has been rescued an adult male Sumatran slow loris with 670 gram of body weight. During the physical examination, he was found with 18 masses in his skin, in varies diameter (5-25 mm) and spread in his whole body from hand, foot, back, stomach and forehead. The result of tissues biopsy shown that the masses were sebaceous gland adenoma, but further histopathological examination shown that it was trichoepithelioma. Due regard of the histopathological result and the amount of the tumour, we diagnosed this case study as multiple trichoepithelioma with good prognosis. Treatment by surgical tumour excision has already done and had quite effective result. It still remind unclear whether this case happen since the slow loris live in the wild or during in captivity.Keywords: slow loris, IAR Indonesia, multiple trichoepithelioma, neoplasi

Implanted Radio Telemetry in Orangutan Reintroduction and Post-release Monitoring and its Application in Other Ape Species

Designed as a new method to facilitate the reintroduction and post-release monitoring of orangutans and other apes, implanted radio-telemetry (IRT) was developed and first deployed in 2009. Since that time, it has been necessary to collate and review information on its uptake and general efficacy to inform its ongoing development and that of other emerging tracking technologies. We present here technical specifications and the surgical procedure used to implant miniaturized radio transmitters, as well as a formal testing procedure for measuring detectable transmission distances of implanted devices. Feedback from IRT practitioners (veterinarians and field managers) was gathered through questionnaires and is also presented. To date, IRT has been used in at least 250 individual animals (mainly orangutans) from four species of ape in both Asia and Africa. Median surgical and wound healing times were 30 min and 15 days, respectively, with implants needing to be removed on at least 36 separate occasions. Confirmed failures within the first year of operation were 18.1%, while longer distances were reported from positions of higher elevation relative to the focal animal. IRT has been a transformational technology in facilitating the relocation of apes after their release, resulting in much larger amounts of post-release data collection than ever before. It is crucial however, that implant casings are strengthened to prevent the requirement for recapture and removal surgeries, especially for gradually adapting apes. As with all emerging technological solutions, IRT carries with it inherent risk, especially so due to the requirement for subcutaneous implantation. These risks must, however, be balanced with the realities of releasing an animal with no means of relocation, as has historically been, and is still, the case with orangutans and gorillas

Multiple Trichoepithelioma pada Kukang (Nycticebus coucang) Jantan di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia: Studi Kasus

Berbagai macam neoplasia telah dilaporkan di prosimian tetapi masih sedikit sekali kasus tumor kulit pada kukang yang dilaporkan. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk membahas kasus multiple trichoepithelioma pada kukang sumatra (N. coucang). Seekor kukang sumatera berjenis kelamin jantan, dewasa, memiliki berat 670 gram, telah diterima oleh Pusat Rehabilitasi Primata Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (PRP-YIARI), Bogor pada Mei 2014. Pada pemeriksaan fisik ditemukan sebanyak 18 buah bentukan masa di kulitnya dengan diameter yang bervariasi 5-25 mm dan tersebar di seluruh tubuh mulai dari kaki, tangan, punggung, perut dan dahi. Hasil biopsi jaringan menunjukkan adenoma kelenjar sebaseous dan pemeriksaan histopatologi lanjutan menunjukkan trichoepithelioma. Merujuk dari hasil histopatologi dan keberadaan jumlah tumor yang banyak, maka diagnosa dari kasus ini adalah multiple trichoepithelioma dengan prognosa fausta. Terapi berupa eksisi tumor dengan pembedahan telah dilakukan dan cukup efektif. Masih belum diketahui apakah penyakit ini telah ada pada kukang sejak hidup liar di alam atau terjadi ketika dipelihara dalam lingkungan captive.Kata kunci: kukang, IAR Indonesia, multipel trichoepithelioma, neoplasia (Multiple Trichoepithelioma pada Kukang (Nycticebus coucang) Jantan di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia: Studi Kasus)A variety of neoplasia have been reported in prosimians, but only a few skin neoplasia were reported in slow lorises. The objective of this case study is to report a case of multiple trichoepithelioma on sumatran slow loris (N. coucang). On May 2014, Pusat Rehabilitasi Primata Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia  (PRP-YIARI), Bogor, has been rescued an adult male Sumatran slow loris with 670 gram of body weight. During the physical examination, he was found with 18 masses in his skin, in varies diameter (5-25 mm) and spread in his whole body from hand, foot, back, stomach and forehead. The result of tissues biopsy shown that the masses were sebaceous gland adenoma, but further histopathological examination shown that it was trichoepithelioma. Due regard of the histopathological result and the amount of the tumour, we diagnosed this case study as multiple trichoepithelioma with good prognosis. Treatment by surgical tumour excision has already done and had quite effective result. It still remind unclear whether this case happen since the slow loris live in the wild or during in captivity.Keywords: slow loris, IAR Indonesia, multiple trichoepithelioma, neoplasi

Plasmodium pitheci malaria in Bornean orang-utans at a rehabilitation centre in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Background Plasmodial species naturally infecting orang-utans, Plasmodium pitheci and Plasmodium silvaticum, have been rarely described and reportedly cause relatively benign infections. Orang-utans at Rescue Rehabilitation Centres (RRC) across the orang-utan natural range suffer from malaria illness. However, the species involved and clinical pathology of this illness have not been described in a systematic manner. The objective of the present study was to identify the Plasmodium species infecting orang-utans under our care, define the frequency and character of malaria illness among the infected, and establish criteria for successful diagnosis and treatment. Methods During the period 2017-2021, prospective active surveillance of malaria among 131 orang-utans resident in a forested RRC in West Kalimantan (Indonesia) was conducted. A total of 1783 blood samples were analysed by microscopy and 219 by nucleic acid based (PCR) diagnostic testing. Medical records of inpatient orang-utans at the centre from 2010 to 2016 were also retrospectively analysed for instances of symptomatic malaria. Results Active surveillance revealed 89 of 131 orang-utans were positive for malaria at least once between 2017 and 2021 (period prevalence = 68%). During that period, 14 cases (affecting 13 orang-utans) developed clinical malaria (0.027 attacks/orang-utan-year). Three other cases were found to have occurred from 2010-2016. Sick individuals presented predominantly with fever, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. All had parasitaemias in excess of 4000/mu L and as high as 105,000/mu L, with severity of illness correlating with parasitaemia. Illness and parasitaemia quickly resolved following administration of artemisinin-combined therapies. High levels of parasitaemia also sometimes occurred in asymptomatic cases, in which case, parasitaemia cleared spontaneously. Conclusions This study demonstrated that P. pitheci very often infected orang-utans at this RRC. In about 14% of infected orang-utans, malaria illness occurred and ranged from moderate to severe in nature. The successful clinical management of acute pitheci malaria is described. Concerns are raised about this infection potentially posing a threat to this endangered species in the wild.ISSN:1475-287

Global demand for natural resources eliminated more than 100,000 Bornean orangutans

Unsustainable exploitation of natural resources is increasingly affecting the highly biodiverse tropics. Although rapid developments in remote sensing technology have permitted more precise estimates of land-cover change over large spatial scales, our knowledge about the effects of these changes on wildlife is much more sparse. Here we use field survey data, predictive density distribution modeling, and remote sensing to investigate the impact of resource use and land-use changes on the density distribution of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Our models indicate that between 1999 and 2015, half of the orangutan population was affected by logging, deforestation, or industrialized plantations. Although land clearance caused the most dramatic rates of decline, it accounted for only a small proportion of the total loss. A much larger number of orangutans were lost in selectively logged and primary forests, where rates of decline were less precipitous, but where far more orangutans are found. This suggests that further drivers, independent of land-use change, contribute to orangutan loss. This finding is consistent with studies reporting hunting as a major cause in orangutan decline. Our predictions of orangutan abundance loss across Borneo suggest that the population decreased by more than 100,000 individuals, corroborating recent estimates of decline. Practical solutions to prevent future orangutan decline can only be realized by addressing its complex causes in a holistic manner across political and societal sectors, such as in land-use planning, resource exploitation, infrastructure development, and education, and by increasing long-term sustainability