Wildlife Diseases

Wildlife is the most important reservoir of Trichinella spp. worldwide. Although the Balkans are a recognized European endemic region for Trichinella infections, data on wildlife are scarce. To monitor the circulation of these zoonotic parasites in the Central Balkan region, the wolf (Canis lupus) was selected because of its abundance (>2,000 individuals) and because it is at the top of the food chain. A total of 116 carcasses of wolves were collected in Serbia and in the neighboring areas of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) between 2006 and 2013. Trichinella spp. larvae were found in 54 (46.5%) wolves. The great majority (90.5%) originated from Serbia, where 52 of the 105 examined animals were Trichinella positive (49.5%; 95% confidence interval  =39.9-59.1). One positive animal each was found in B&H and Macedonia. All larvae were identified as Trichinella britovi. The high prevalence of Trichinella infection in wolves suggests that this carnivore can be a good indicat...

Seventy-two free-ranging American martens ( Martes americana ) in Michigan were immobilized using isoflurane from 2011 to 2015. In total, 129 anesthetic procedures were performed with no mortalities. Hypothermia and hyperthermia were the most common anesthetic complications, and the mean rectal temperatures were significantly higher during summer than in winter. Dental abnormalities were common; the majority of abnormal findings were broken or discolored teeth attributed to previous dental trauma and were not trap-induced. Blood (n=72) was analyzed from 53 martens for venous blood gas, lactate, hematocrit, and/or selected serum biochemistry analytes. Lactate concentration was measured by two different devices (VetScan i-STAT 1 and Lactate Plus) and compared for clinical agreement for 26 samples. Both methods for lactate measurement provided statistically similar results. Using domestic feline reference ranges, the acid-base status and relative arterial oxygen saturation of anestheti...

Baseline reference ranges of serum chemistry and hematology data can be important indicators for the status of both individuals or populations of wild animals that are affected by emerging pathogens, toxicants, or other causes of disease. Frequently, reference ranges for these values are not available for wildlife species or subspecies. We present hematologic and serum chemistry reference ranges for moose (Alces alces) adults, yearlings, and calves in Norway sampled from 1992-2000. Additionally, we demonstrated that both induction time and chase time were correlated with initial rectal temperature, although they were not significantly correlated with cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, or creatine kinase. Overall, the reference ranges given here are similar to those given for American moose, with a few differences that can be attributed to environment, testing methodology, or subspecies or species status. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of reference ranges for moose in Norway.

Avian influenza has emerged as one of the most ubiquitous viruses within our biosphere. Wild aquatic birds are believed to be the primary reservoir of all influenza viruses; however, the spillover of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the recent swine-origin pandemic H1N1 viruses have sparked increased interest in identifying and understanding which and how many species can be infected. Moreover, novel influenza virus sequences were recently isolated from New World bats. Crocodilians have a slow rate of molecular evolution and are the sister group to birds; thus they are a logical reptilian group to explore susceptibility to influenza virus infection and they provide a link between birds and mammals. A primary American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) cell line, and embryos, were infected with four, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strains to assess susceptibility to infection. Embryonated alligator eggs supported virus replication, as evidenced by the influenza virus M gene and infectious virus detected in allantoic fluid and by virus antigen staining in embryo tissues. Primary alligator cells were also inoculated with the LPAI viruses and showed susceptibility based upon antigen staining; however, the requirement for trypsin to support replication in cell culture limited replication. To assess influenza virus replication in culture, primary alligator cells were inoculated with H1N1 human influenza or H5N1 HPAI viruses that replicate independent of trypsin. Both viruses replicated efficiently in culture, even at the 30 C temperature preferred by the alligator cells. This research demonstrates the ability of wild-type influenza viruses to infect and replicate within two crocodilian substrates and suggests the need for further research to assess crocodilians as a species potentially susceptible to influenza virus infection.

As part of conservation efforts between 1997 and 2001, more than 25% (332 animals) of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) population was sampled in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to viruses, bacteria, and parasites known to cause morbidity and mortality in other marine mammal species. Antibodies were found to phocine herpesvirus-1 by using

Waterfowl are the natural hosts of avian influenza virus (AIV) and disseminate the virus worldwide through migration. Historically, surveillance and research efforts for AIV in waterfowl have focused on dabbling ducks. The role of diving ducks in AIV ecology has not been well characterized. In this study, we examined the relative susceptibility and pathogenicity of clade 2.3.4.4 H5 highly pathogenic (HP) AIV (HPAIV) in two species of diving ducks. Juvenile and adult Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) and juvenile Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were intranasally inoculated with A/Northern Pintail/WA/40964/2014 H5N2 HPAIV. Additional groups of juvenile Lesser Scaups were inoculated with A/Gyrfalcon/WA/41088/2014 H5N8 HPAIV. The approximate 50% bird infectious doses (BID50) of the H5N2 isolate for adult Ruddy Ducks was <10(2) 50% egg infectious doses (EID50) and for the juvenile Lesser Scaups it was <10(4) EID50. There were insufficient juvenile Ruddy Ducks to calculate the BID50. Th...

We evaluated impact of the needle length, sex, and body condition on chemical immobilization induction time in 50 (29 males and 21 females) free-ranging fallow deer (Dama dama) in Sweden, 2006-2011. Induction time is probably the single most important factor when immobilizing free-ranging wildlife with the use of a remote drug-delivery system (RDDS). Induction times should be short to minimize stress and risk of injury, and to ensure that immobilized animals can be found and clinically monitored as soon as possible. We measured the distance between the darting location and where we recovered the immobilized animal and also the time occurring between the two events. We used two types of needles: 2.0 × 30- or 2.0 × 40-mm barbed needles with side ports. The most important result is that a 10-mm-longer dart needle can reduce the retrieval time substantially (>20 min) until an animal is under monitoring. On average after the darting, the retrieval time decreased from 51 to 29 min and ...

Giraffe skin disease (GSD) is a disorder of undetermined etiology that causes lesions on the forelimbs of Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). We estimated occurrence and prevalence of GSD in six wildlife conservation areas of Tanzania. The disjunct spatial pattern of occurrence implies that environmental factors may influence GSD.

We surveyed 13 carcasses of marine mammals (12 Trichechus manatus and one Stenella clymene) that had stranded in northeastern Brazil during 1990-2013 for infectious diseases by screening tissues from the collection of the Brazilian National Center of Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammal, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium spp. were investigated by culturing and PCR of tissue samples, whereas Sarcocystidae parasites, Leptospira spp., and Morbillivirus were surveyed for using specific PCR assays. Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium spp. were not isolated through microbiologic culturing, and all animals were negative for detection of Sarcocystidae parasites, Leptospira spp., Mycobacterium spp., and Morbillivirus by PCR assays. All manatees were negative for Brucella spp. infection, but Brucella ceti was detected in the brain tissue of an S. clymene calf by using a PCR assay.

Background and Aim: Worms from nematodes are the most numerous and the most detrimental in elephants. Most adult worms are located in the digestive tract. Nematode infection is at higher risk in young elephants, which caused several cases such as anemia, hypoalbuminemia, enteritis, and even death. This study aimed to determine the morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants in Way Kambas National Park area. Materials and Methods: Nematode samples were obtained from Sumatran elephants' feces (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, after being given Kalbazen® containing albendazole 1000 mg at a dose of 10 mg/kg by the veterinarian in charge of the National Park area. For the morphological and morphometric examinations, we used an Olympus BX 51 microscope equipped with Olympus DP 12 camera and were conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The scanning electron micro...

Leptospirosis is a neglected disease of zoonotic importance and rodents have a known role in epidemiology of Leptospira globally. Paucity of information on the prevalence of leptospirosis in wild rats used as games in Zaria, Nigeria informed the study. The study aimed to detect Leptospira interrogans in wild rats in Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 71 wild rats comprising 57 Rattus norvegicus and 14 Cricetomys gambianus were sampled over a period of 3 months (April-June 2019). Fisher exact test was used with confidence interval set at 0.05 to ascertain associations between positive cases and species. Blood was collected from 56 rats and harvested sera screened for Leptospira interrogans antibody using rat IgG competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Following humane euthanasia of rats, 71 samples (62 kidney tissues and 9 urine samples) were collected in sterile labeled tubes and cultured using Ellinghausen Mc-cullough Johnson Harris (EMJH) enrichment and basal medium. Results indicated over all Leptospira spp antibody detection of 73.2 % (41/56) in Rattus norvegicus (60.7 %) and Cricetomys gambianus (12.5 %). No significant difference (P > 0.05) existed for the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibody in the species of wild rats. Over all occurrence of Leptospira interrogans were 74.2 % (46/62) in kidneys and 55.6 % (5/9) in urine samples. Based on species of rats, Rattus norvegicus recorded prevalence of 76.9 % (40/ 52) and 40.0 % (2/5) in kidney and urine samples respectively. Prevalence of 60.0 % (6/10) and 75.0 % (3/4) in kidney and urine samples respectively were recorded for Cricetomys gambianus. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans in kidney samples of both wild rats. These species of rats could be reservoirs of Leptospira interrogans. The result showed high prevalence of Leptospira spp in the wild rats and the possibility of domestic animals and humans contracting the disease. This study is the first documentation of evidence of pathogenic Leptospira species in wildlife used as games in Zaria, Nigeria.

Wild birds inhabit in a wide variety of environments and can travel great distances. Thus, wild birds can possibly spread antimicrobial resistance along the way, and this may represent a potential public health concern. We characterized antimicrobial resistance in fecal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in wild raptors in the southeastern US. Cloacal samples were collected from 118 wild raptors of 17 species from 18 counties in Alabama and 15 counties in Georgia. A total of 112 E. coli and 76 E. faecalis isolates were recovered, and we found significantly more antimicrobial-resistant E. coli (20/112, 18%) than E. faecalis (6/76, 8%; P=0.05). Five antimicrobial-resistant genes: blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-1, tet(M), cmlA, cat, and gyrA, were identified in antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates. Five of 13 (38%) ampicillin-resistant E. coli harbored both blaTEM-1 and blaCTX-M-1 genes, indicating they are extended-spectrum β-lactamase-carrying strains. Both of the tetracycline resist...

Between 2011 and 2020, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre's veterinary hospital admitted 6,335 turtles of eight different species, with 3,246 being midland painted turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata). At the time of admission from the wild, aural abscesses were present in 26 of the painted turtles (0.8%). Aural abscesses were never observed in juvenile turtles and were not found in any other species of turtle admitted to the hospital. An equal number of males and females were affected. All cases showed signs of chronicity. Abscesses alone did not appear to affect the overall health of turtles regardless of clinical signs. All turtles with abscesses as the sole cause for admission were released after successful treatment.

Backyard poultry is one of the key sources of protein for the rural people of Bangladesh. This study was carried out in the Barlekha upazila under Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh with the aim of assessing the management system and production performance of backyard poultry. Data were collected from 26 randomly selected households in the Barlekha upazila and analysed statistically. Farmers in the study area were low producers having average flock size of chicken, duck, geese and pigeon were 6.5, 6, 5, and 4 respectively. Most (53.85%) of the poultry houses were made shortly with wood and tin. Litter materials used by the farmers were sand, ash, rice husk and jute bags. About 15.38% farmers did not use any litter materials in their poultry houses. About 38.46% farmers provided boiled rice, rice polish and broken rice. About 15.38% of the farmers provided additional paddy, rice or wheat along that. Pond water, tube well water and water from nearby river and canals were supplied by 46.15%, 30.78% and 23.08% farmers respectively. Almost all the poultry raisers reared their poultry through free-range scavenging system. In 84.62% of the households, women were the main poultry raisers. Most (69.23%) of the farmers did not vaccinate their poultry. Newcastle disease was identified as the major threat to the backyard poultry. Two causes of death of poultry were identified - 76.92% due to different diseases and 23.08% death due to predators. Egg production of chicken and duck were 30-45/year and 60-80/ year respectively.

This chapter represents a preliminary effort to provide guidelines for the medical management of great apes (orang-utan, gorilla, chimpanzee and bonobo) in European zoos. The guidelines should facilitate the exchange of animals between zoos easily and without major health risks. A veterinarian in charge of non-human primates will find a lot of information in a wide spectrum of veterinary literature and existing guidelines of the EEP and SSP for various species. The Transmissible Disease Handbook of the IDWG (Infectious Disease Working Group) of the EAZWV (European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians) might be a valuable tool for diagnosis and therapy. Additionally, the O.I.E. International Animal Health Code (Zoonoses transmissible from non-human primates, 1999), the application of Annex C to Council Directive 92/65/EEC (BALAI), as amended by council Regulation (EC) No 1282/2002 of 15 July 2002 (OJ L 187/3) in approved zoos and some relevant requirements of the Council Directive 2000/54 EC of 18 July 2000 (Biological Materials, Biostoff Verordnung) must be taken into consideration and should harmonize with the guidelines.

Digestive systems, nutritional quality of herbage, role of reserve forage, seasonal variations, mineral excesses and deficiencies, secondary metabolites in relation to forage use, feeding habits, supplementation, physiological indicators of condition Paper  objectives 1) To understand the basic concepts and principles relevant to wildlife nutrition 2) To study nutrient metabolism and nutrient requirements by wild animals 3) To understand comparative aspects of digestive physiology, morphology and strategies of different taxa of wild animals 4) To study how to evaluate food habits of wild animals 5) To learn how to evaluate food quantity and quality for wild animals 6) To understand the application of physiological indicators in assessing the condition of wild ungulates Learning outcomes By the end of the paper the reader will be able to: 1) To identify and describe the roles of the various nutrients in wildlife nutrition 2) Describe how energy and protein are metabolised in wild animals 3) Describe the digestive morphology, physiology and strategies in wild animals 4) Assess the chemical composition of wildlife foods 5) Evaluate wildlife food habits in the field 6) Describe how to assess wildlife food quantity and quality, and factors influencing these parameters including secondary metabolites 7) Describe the use of physiological indicators in assessing the condition of wild ungulates

Sick Wildlife The Tip Of An Iceberg

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is ravaging wildlife in many regions across North America. It’s part of a larger epidemic of neurological disease that is killing millions of people, wildlife and livestock around the world. Once again, wildlife are serving as the proverbial canary in a coal mine.

CWD is part of an incurable spectrum disease called transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The operative word is “transmissible.” Mismanagement of pathogens associated with the disease are contributing to a broader epidemic of neurological disease among wildlife, livestock and people.

TSEs, including chronic wasting disease, are caused by a deadly protein called a prion (PREE-on). Prion disease is unstoppable. Prions defy all attempts at sterilization and inactivation. Victims can spread the disease even further via their bodily fluids and cell tissue. Victims often are contagious long before they appear sick. Their saliva, urine, blood and feces, for example, spread the pathogen further every day. Prions linger in the environment and on objects infinitely. They migrate, mutate, multiply and kill with unparalleled efficiency. Because of the dynamics, Canada has declared CWD unstoppable.

Seventeen desert tortoises, Xerobates agassizii, with upper respiratory tract disease were examined; thirteen were euthanatized for necropsy. Four normal control desert tortoises from a clinically healthy population were similarly evaluated. Hemoglobin and phosphorus values were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) lower and serum sodium, urea, SGOT, and cholesterol values were significantly higher in ill tortoises compared to controls. No significant differences in concentrations of serum or liver vitamins A and E were found between the two groups. While no significant differences were found for concentrations of lead, copper, cadmium, and selenium, the livers of ill tortoises had higher concentrations of mercury and iron. Lesions were found consistently in the upper respiratory tract (URT) of ill tortoises. In all ill tortoises dense infiltrates of lymphocytes and histiocytes obscured the mucosal epithelium and underlying glands. The mucosal epithelium was variably dysplastic, hyperplastic, and occasionally ulcerated. Electron microscopic studies revealed small (350 to 900 nm), pleomorphic organisms resembling Mycoplasma sp., in close association with the surface epithelium of the URT of ill tortoises. Pasteurella testudinis was cultured from the nasal cavity of all ill tortoises and one of four control tortoises. A Mycoplasma sp. was cultured from the nasal passageways of four ill tortoises and was ultrastructurally similar to the pleomorphic organism present on the mucosa in tissue section.

The Sampling of the study area and the data collection was done for only three days, starting
from 1st July, 2016 to 5th July, 2016 on flora and fauna in the Nimule National Park (NNP).
The main aim was to develop species checklists for flora and fauna, to determine species richness and diversity, by using rarefaction curve, abundance as rank abundance curve and
interspecific body size variation in birds. Adding to that, conservation and management challenges facing the park were identified on the various categories in the buffer zone as well
as inside the park. The survey was conducted twice in a day, every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at different selected locations for birds and vegetation in riverine habitat using stratified systematic sampling designed. The riverine habitat was divided into two; riverine 1 and 2. In which riverine 1 start from commando (at the base) towards Fulla 1 & 2 and riverine 2 starts from the commando towards landing site and wooded grassland habitat northeast of the buffer zone. Birds were studied using point count and opportunistic count methods. Mammals were studied using opportunistic count method as well as amphibians and reptiles. Nested quadrat technique was used for vegetation. Therefore, for the statistical data analysis, species checklists, estimate S Software S (est), MS Excel, Jack 1 Mean were used to determine the species diversity richness, abundance and distribution patterns.

A new salamander disease is spreading around the world and we need your help to find out where it's going! Please join my citizen science project to help save the salamanders: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/saving-salamanders-with-citizen-science

With your help, we might be able to detect salamander chytrid in the USA much faster than with traditional field surveys alone.  So next time you go for a short walk in the park or a long hike in the wilderness, keep your eyes peeled and camera (phone) ready for salamanders!  If you find a dead or sick salamander in the wild, please take pictures and upload them to my iNaturalist project as soon as possible! Whether you see just one dead salamander or a bunch, everything you see is important.  So please join this project and help us save the salamanders!

In the memory of Egyptian rights, a Pharaonic civilization carried the seeds of the rights of people with special needs before the storms of universal human rights, and the ancient Egyptians became the first to be saints and respect for the disabled.
Before the advent of the heavenly religions, the ancient Egyptian state was able to grant human rights to its children, without distinction in type, form, physical construction or special circumstances. Jobs, until some of them came to power and became king of Egypt.
Unlike the civilizations bordering Egypt, which dealt with the disabled and the disabled outside the natural context of citizenship, they were seen as an anomaly, according to the survival rule of the fittest, and their disabilities were seen as a kind of jinn touch, and getting rid of them was a kind of magic jaw.

The study was divided into three main elements:

First: Types of obstructions in ancient Egypt:
Perhaps one of the most famous examples of people with disabilities in ancient Egypt is:
- Visual impairment.
Hearing impairment.
Mental disability.
- Terminal disability

Second: Disability in literary texts

Third: Examples of disability in ancient Egypt:
- Blinds
- Lame
- Troll