Obstetric management of a protracted labor in a captive Western lowland gorilla

Abstract

This article discusses the cooperative efforts of a team of physicians and veterinarians resulting in the successful assisted vaginal delivery of a Western lowland gorilla at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. A 10-year-old, captive-born female gorilla, gravida 3, para 0, aborta 2, was observed to be in labor at term after spontaneous rupture of membranes. After 36 hours of observation, she had not yet delivered her infant. A team of physicians and veterinarians intervened. After induction of general anesthesia, an assessment of fetal and maternal status was made. With ultrasonographic monitoring of fetal cardiac activity, labor was augmented with administration of intravenous oxytocin. A vaginal delivery was performed with a vacuum extractor, resulting in the birth of a viable, 2.4-kg female infant. The infant survived the neonatal period and was hand reared until she was successfully introduced to the gorilla troop at the age of 1 year. Although there are several cases of cesarean delivery in captive gorillas, this is the first reported use of labor augmentation and assisted vaginal delivery in this captive species. Captive breeding is the key to survival of the Western lowland gorilla. The collaborative work of physicians and veterinarians is an integral part of this successful program. It is reported that in the captive population approximately 30% of newborns die in the first year, with more than half of the deaths occurring just before birth or within the first day of life. This does not include early spontaneous pregnancy losses. With aggressive management of pregnancy and labor complications, it may be possible to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality in the captive gorilla population. Because gorillas are closely related to humans, with the only closer relative being the chimpanzee, it is probable that the basic principles of obstetric management in humans can be safely and appropriately applied to the captive gorilla population. With the exception of this report and the cited cesarean delivery reports, there are no other references to cross-species studies of active intervention in gorillas with human obstetric techniques. It is hoped that an increased awareness on the part of obstetricians of the importance of their knowledge and skill to zoos will lead to more successful outcomes in the captive gorilla population. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1306-11.)