John E. Cooper

FIELD ANESTHESIA OF FREE-LIVING MOUNTAIN GORILLAS (GORILLA GORILLA BERINGEI) FROM THE VIRUNGA VOLCANO REGION, CENTRAL AFRICA

Abstract Twenty-six anesthetic procedures involving 24 free-living mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) from Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo were performed between February 1987 and October 1997. Sixteen procedures were performed to remove snares or to treat snare-related wounds, and four of the animals died without recovering consciousness because of their severe medical conditions. Ketamine was used for induction 19 times, tiletamine/zolazepam was used five times, and the agent was not recorded for two procedures. The mean (± SD) ketamine dosage for four animals of known weight was 7.1 ± 0.9 mg/kg. All induction agents were delivered i.m. by remote injection, and mean induction times for ketamine and tiletamine/zolazepam were 5.5 ± 2.6 min (n = 12) and 5.4 ± 3.7 min (n = 5), respectively. Mean recovery times were significantly shorter with ketamine compared with tiletamine/zolazepam (42.0 ± 24.9 min, n = 9 vs. 75.25 ± 22.1 min, n = 4). Low hemoglobin oxygen saturation (mean = 86.7%) was recorded in three cases under ketamine anesthesia, and oxygen insufflation is therefore recommended to prevent hypoxemia. Gorillas induced with tiletamine/zolazepam had significantly higher respiratory rates compared with animals given ketamine. Successful anesthesia and recovery, in particular, depended on the assistance of local personnel.

Pathological studies on camelpox lesions of the respiratory system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Three dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), which died from generalized camelpox with lesions in the respiratory system, were investigated. Histopathological lesions in the lung consisted of small, sometimes confluent foci of proliferated bronchial epithelium, necrosis and fibrosis. Orthopoxvirus cameli was demonstrated in all three cases by transmission electron microscopy and the virus was isolated from the lung and trachea on Dubca cells. It was proved by restriction enzyme analysis of the viral DNA that the isolates were identical. Immunohistochemical examination showed numerous poxvirus antigen-positive cells in the bronchial epithelia. Immunolabelled material was found in bronchial epithelial cells with hydropic degeneration and in infiltrating macrophages.

Future trends in forensic veterinary medicine

Forensic work concerning birds and other exotic animals and wildlife is increasing in importance. The veterinary profession, including practitioners, has an important role to play. There is a need to enhance the awareness of veterinarians, to introduce teaching and specialized training, and to provide access to information. Systems and protocols, some similar to those used in human forensic medicine, must be established and used. Research and development of new techniques are essential. Forensic veterinary medicine is as yet not a recognized discipline but is rapidly evolving. New challenges demand new approaches.

What is forensic veterinary medicine? its relevance to the modern exotic animal practice

There has been an exponential increase in litigation relating to birds and other exotic species over the past few years. Legal cases mainly concern such issues as provenance, aging and parentage, causes of death, and health and welfare. Protected species are often involved. Forensic veterinary medicine can be defined as the application of veterinary knowledge to the purpose of the law: it can also be relevant to insurance claims and allegations of professional misconduct. Certain aspects of forensic work are the responsibility of the specialist pathologist, toxicologist, or DNA technologist, but veterinary practitioners also need to have some familiarity with the subject. Important requirements summarized in this article and discussed in detail elsewhere in this issue are the use of standard techniques, meticulous investigations, proper labeling and storage of samples, and detailed record keeping. Forensic work offers a challenge to practicing veterinarians and is particularly relevant to those who work with exotic species.

Pathology, Health and Conservation – The Way Forward

This chapter summarises and builds on the previous text and looks to the future. It anticipates a continuing and growing need for research and training on the pathology and health of gorillas but, at the same time, applauds the many recent developments in diagnosis and disease surveillance. There is discussion of human health considerations, tourism and habituation and the role of ecosystem health and conservation medicine as components of ‘One Health’. The essential role of Africans and local institutions in all such work is underlined. There is a clear need for those working on the diseases and health care of the genus Gorilla to ‘think human’.

Causes of morbidity and mortality, and rehabilitation outcomes of birds in Gran Canaria Island, Spain

ABSTRACT Capsule: Anthropogenic factors were identified as the main threats to wild birds in Gran Canaria. Aims: To analyse the causes of morbidity and mortality in a large sample of selected orders of birds admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (TWRC) in Gran Canaria over 11 years, and to analyse the outcomes of such rehabilitation. Methods: The records of 2390 birds were analysed. Ten primary causes of morbidity were identified: trauma, metabolic/nutritional disorder, orphaned young birds, infectious/parasitic disease, crude oil, poisoning/intoxication, glue trapping, captivity, other causes, and unknown/undetermined. The rates of the final outcome categories (euthanasia Er, unassisted mortality Mr, release Rr, and permanent captivity Cr), the time until death, and the length of stay were studied. Results: The Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus was the species most frequently admitted (20.29%), followed by the Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula (13.47%). The most frequent cause of morbidity was trauma (27.82%). The final outcomes of birds admitted alive were Er = 16.69%, Mr = 26.53%, Rr = 54%, and Cr = 2.76%. Conclusions: This survey provides useful information for the conservation and welfare of these bird species. The successful release rate achieved at the TWRC emphasizes the importance of wildlife rehabilitation centres for the conservation of birds.

Studies on the pathology and health of gorillas

WE are currently preparing a publication about the pathology and health of gorillas, Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei , both of which are endangered species. This will consist of a book, which is being prepared by John Cooper, and an accompanying catalogue of preserved biological materials, by Gordon Hull. The available data on the pathology of gorillas are …

Ebola, primates and people

I READ with interest your news item entitled ‘Assessing the risk to people from pets exposed to Ebola virus’ ( VR , December 13, 2014, vol 175, p 575). It was an informative and illuminating report on the subject. I am astonished, however, that other, arguably far …