Observation of infant body weight and physiological conditions of Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) in ex situ conservation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the infant body weight and physiological parameters of a Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) treated at an ex situ conservation station. This study used an infant Siamang, which was estimated to be ± 3 months old. Body weight parameters were determined based on weekly weight gain for one month. The physiological parameters measured were the heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, and rectal temperature. Physiological parameters were measured in the morning and evening for 14 d. The results showed that the average heart rate of infant in the morning was 202±11.5 BPM and in the afternoon was 184±14.9 BPM, the average pulse rate in the morning was 189±8.5 BPM and the afternoon was 174±7.8 BPM, the average respiration rate in the morning was 58±6.8 breaths per minutes and in the afternoon was 60±6.3 breaths per minutes, and the average rectal temperature in the morning was 37.1°C and 37.6°C in the afternoon. The body weight and physiology of the infant were good.