Retrospective serological study to monitor the health status of Apennine chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata)

Abstract

The Apennine chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) is a geographically isolated subspecies of chamois currently living only in limited areas of Central Italy. It is included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To assure long-term conservation of the species, the number of individuals needs to be increased creating a consistent and viable population. Accordingly, relocation for reintroduction programs is being planned. However, this could lead to the introduction of infectious diseases. Thus, knowledge on the health status of the Apennine chamois is important for the management of this species. In the absence of existing data, retrospective investigation is useful. A serological retrospective survey on 119 Apennine chamois, captured for routine marking or reintroduction operations from 1990 to 2008 at the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise (PNALM), was performed to detect antibodies against pestiviruses, bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (PI-3), bluetongue virus (BTV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), Brucella spp., Chlamydophila spp., Coxiella burnetti, and Leptospira spp. Serums were negative for PI-3, BTV, BHV-1, Brucella spp., Chlamydophila spp., C. burnetti, and Leptospira spp., while three animals in 1992 and five in 2008 were positive for pestivirus antibodies. Although the number of samples per year was often limited, inference to evaluate the infectious status of the overall population in the PNALM was attempted. Better planning of sampling activities and a specific surveillance program for infectious diseases are needed, especially in a small and limited population like the Apennine chamois, in which reintroduction programs are considered strategic for conservation and risk factors, like sharing of grazing with wild and domestic animals, exist.