Abstract
Simple SummaryThis study aimed to assess the pathogen exposure status of recently captured feral donkeys from Death Valley National Park, California. Assays to detect the presence of antibodies to equine herpesvirus 1, equine influenza virus, West Nile virus, and Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) were performed on serum samples from these feral donkeys. The results indicate that this population is mostly naïve and likely susceptible to these common equid pathogens upon removal from the wild. Recent removal and relocation of feral donkeys from vast public lands to more concentrated holding pens, training facilities, and offsite adoption locations raises several health and welfare concerns. Very little is known regarding the common equid pathogens that are circulating within the feral donkey population in and around Death Valley National Park, California, USA. The aim of this study was to utilize serologic assays to assess previous exposure of these donkeys to equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), equine influenza (EIV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease). The results of this study indicate that this feral equid population is mostly naïve and likely susceptible to these common equid pathogens upon removal from the wild.
Highlights
The feral donkey (Equus asinus), or burro, was introduced to North America as a result of Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century
Approximate ages of the 98 donkeys removed from the Death Valley National Park ranged from 4 months to 20 years, with a median of 6 years (48 females and 48 males)
A total of 92 serum samples were tested in the equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) risk evaluation assay
Summary
The feral donkey (Equus asinus), or burro, was introduced to North America as a result of Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century. As is the case with many introduced species, feral donkeys are the subject of much debate regarding the perceived associated positive and negative ecological impacts. Some studies allege these feral burros are problematic due to competition with native animals for limited resources, changes to vegetation, damage to soils, and negative impacts on springs [2,3]. Other researchers have studied the feral burros of the Sonoran Desert and found beneficial ecological impacts where they are noted to dig deep groundwater wells that are subsequently utilized by several other species of mammals and birds [3,4].
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