Captive Breeding Research Articles

Evaluation of trial reintroductions of two extinct in the wild reptile species on Christmas Island

AbstractConservation reintroductions play a vital role in the recovery of threatened species, and clear goals and objectives are essential for evaluating their effectiveness. In this study, we assessed short‐term success (<18 months) of trial reintroductions of the Extinct in the Wild blue‐tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) and Lister's gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) on Christmas Island. Our evaluation criteria focused on body condition, reproduction, habitat suitability, survival and population growth. In 2018 and 2019, 170 C. egeriae and 160 L. listeri were translocated from a local captive breeding facility to a 2600 m2 outdoor fenced enclosure designed to exclude a predatory snake. Despite body condition declining immediately following release for both species, it had improved by 6 months post‐release. We also detected successful reproduction in both species. Apparent survival was high for C. egeriae but low for L. listeri, and population growth was only evident in C. egeriae. We were unable to determine whether low survival of L. listeri in the release site was due to high post‐release dispersal (beyond the exclosure) or mortality. Both species selected habitats that contained high rock and log cover and avoided areas with low ground cover. Appropriate assessment criteria, as utilized in this study, enable objective and timely evaluations of reintroduction success, thereby facilitating the improvement and refinement of reintroduction protocols. Our study showed that C. egeriae can establish (in the short‐ to medium‐term) in a site from which a principal threat has been excluded and undergo rapid population growth, whereas under current conditions L. listeri cannot. However, we also demonstrate that such medium‐term success may not lead to long‐term success, as the rapid increase in C. egeriae population was reversed between 29 and 31 months after release because the barrier used to exclude an invasive predator, the wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus), was breached.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a Useful and Low-Cost Tool for Molecular Sexing Psittaciformes under Human Care: An Example of a Collaborative Approach in Mexico

ABSTRACT Sex determination in monomorphic birds is a precondition for captive breeding programs and management and conservation strategies for threatened species. Most species of the order Psittaciformes often present complications since these birds lack external sexual phenotypic traits, making it impossible to differentiate males and females. In the present study, we used molecular techniques to determine the sex of 31 individuals belonging to nine species of the order Psittaciformes kept under human care at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is a useful and low-cost methodology based on the analysis of the conserved region of the CHD1 gene, which was amplified by PCR with two sets of primers: P8/P2 and 2550F/2718 R. All individuals were successfully sexed with the first set of primers, while only 28 out of 31 samples (90%) could be amplified with the second set. Out of the 31 individuals analyzed, fifteen are female, and seventeen are male. This information represents a handy tool for adequately managing birds under human care, resulting in their reproduction and eventual reintegration into their natural habitat.

Genomics-informed captive breeding can reduce inbreeding depression and the genetic load in zoo populations.

Zoo populations of threatened species are a valuable resource for the restoration of wild populations. However, their small effective population size poses a risk to long-term viability, especially in species with high genetic load. Recent bioinformatic developments can identify harmful genetic variants in genome data. Here, we advance this approach, analysing the genetic load in the threatened pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri). We lifted the mutation-impact scores that had been calculated for the chicken (Gallus gallus) to estimate the genetic load in six pink pigeons. Additionally, we perform in silico crossings to predict the genetic load and realized load of potential offspring. We thus identify the optimal mate pairs that are theoretically expected to produce offspring with the least inbreeding depression. We use computer simulations to show how genomics-informed conservation can reduce the genetic load whilst reducing the loss of genome-wide diversity. Genomics-informed management is likely to become instrumental in maintaining the long-term viability of zoo populations.

The investigation on stress mechanisms of Sepia esculenta larvae in the context of global warming and ocean acidification

Sepia esculenta is a tasty and nutritious cephalopod. But the trend toward global warming is accelerating with massive emissions of greenhouse gases. An increase in seawater temperature and a decrease in pH are a great challenge for artificial breeding and culture of S. esculenta. In this study, we investigated the contingency mechanism of S. esculenta larvae under both high temperature and low pH conditions by transcriptome analysis. A total of 1235 DEGs were identified. functional enrichment analysis results suggest that high temperature and low pH conditions led to malignant proliferation in exceptional cells of S. esculenta larvae. A comprehensive analysis of the KEGG signaling pathway and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) identified sixteen key genes under both high temperature and low pH conditions. The three genes with the highest quantities of interactions or involved in more KEGG signaling pathways were identified as hub genes affecting normal physiological processes in S. esculenta. In this study, the effects of global warming and ocean acidification on the metabolism and immunity of S. esculenta larvae were preliminarily investigated to provide necessary help for S. esculenta captive breeding in the face of global climate change.

Reproductive behaviour and fertilized spawns in cultured Solea senegalensis broodstock co-housed with wild breeders during their juvenile stages

The reproductive failure of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) cultured males (reared entirely in captivity from egg through to adult) that do not participate in reproductive behaviours to fertilise spawns, results in a problem to achieve reproductive control in captivity. However, cohabitation with wild males has led to an increase in the involvement of cultured males in reproductive behaviour, although their contribution to fertilised spawning is still lower than that of wild breeders. This study aimed to examine the effect of different social conditions, on the reproductive behaviour and spawning success of cultured breeders over three reproductive seasons. Before starting this study, different social learning opportunities were provided to the breeders from the juvenile to the pubertal stages of the individuals. Behaviour and spawning were evaluated in four experimental groups of cultured breeders: two groups (W1 and W2) that prior to this study were reared during the juvenile stage with wild breeders that fertilized spawns, a Culture breeder group (CB) that was previously reared with cultured breeders that spawned unfertile eggs, and a negative control group (CN) that was reared in isolation from adult fish.During the three reproductive seasons, spawning was obtained from all groups. Generally, the first year had the highest egg production and the third year the lowest. However, fertilised eggs were only obtained from W1 in the first year. A total of eight fertilised spawns were collected with a fertilisation rate of 28.02 ± 13.80 % and a hatching rate of 15.04 ± 10.40 %. The mean number of larvae obtained per spawn was 7,683 ± 5,947 and the total number of larvae from all eight spawns was 61,468. The paternity analysis assigned 64.3 % of larvae to a single couple of breeders, while 34.3 % of larvae were not assigned to any single family, but inconclusively to more than three parents. The highest locomotor activity was observed in W1, while no significant differences were observed in the number of movements within W2, CB and CN. In all groups, during the peak of locomotor activity (19h00-20h00), the main reproductive behaviours observed were Rest the Head and Follow, while the Guardian behaviour was low and Coupled behaviour was only observed in W1. Over time, the reproductive behaviours decreased, except for Follow. The social learning opportunities provided by cohabitation with wild fish during juvenile stages prior to spawning in W1, increased activity and fertilised spawning. However, the number of successful spawns was low and over time stopped in association with a decrease in reproductive behaviour. This suggests that other mechanisms of behavioural learning could be involved in reproductive success, such as reproductive dominance, environmental conditions or hormonal interactions that could affect physiological processes in the reproduction of captive breeders.

Cryopreservation of okapi (Okapia johnstoni) oocytes following in vitro maturation

Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) belong to the Giraffidae family and is the only representative of the Okapia genus. The species has been declared as endangered and due to its very elusive nature, little is known about its reproductive behavior. The wild population has continued to decrease over the last decades despite the different conservation programs developed worldwide. Captive breeding is difficult and the European population is not self-sustaining. An alternative tool to prevent the extinction of this charismatic species is the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Specifically, we introduce a novel protocol for the in vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation of matured oocytes obtained post-mortem. Out of sixteen cumulus-oocytes complexes isolated from one deceased individual, four matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes were successfully obtained following IVM. Furthermore, these matured oocytes demonstrated resilience during the vitrification/warming process and underwent sperm injection. Although no embryos were obtained, this study represents the first step towards the application of ART in okapi, providing a foundation for future reproductive interventions aimed at preserving self-sustaining captive populations.

Review of the distribution, population trends, threats, and conservation options for the endangered Zambezi flapshell turtles (<i>Cycloderma frenatum</i> Peters, 1854) in range states

The endangered Zambezi flapshell turtle, Cycloderma frenatum Peters, 1854, is endemic to southern and eastern Africa. Habitat ecology and usage are not well known for the Zambezi flapshell turtle, although its population has been reported to have undergone massive declines in recent years. This review examined the i) population trends, ii) habitat range shifts, and iii) threats and conservation options for the Zambezi flapshell turtle in its range states. The species is data deficient because of a lack of assessments of trends in population size and distribution. Trafficking, overfishing, poaching, habitat degradation, and infrastructural developments in riparian zones affect the distribution of the Zambezi flapshell turtle. Conservation options such as deterrent punishments and protection of aquatic habitats are important, although they need to be consistently implemented. Carefully managed harvest plans supported by captive breeding, highly controlled incubation of eggs, hatching of larvae, and remotely sensed tracing of specimens to curb trafficking are potentially effective conservation options for the Zambezi flapshell turtle. Inclusion in international wildlife trade regulations, integration of local ecological knowledge into management, and development of connectivity conservation strategies are priority actions for sustaining the Zambezi flapshell turtle populations across the shared basins where it is endemic.

Effects of captive-breeding conditions on metabolic and performance traits in an endangered, endemic cyprinidontiform fish

Abstract Captive breeding and stocking are commonly employed strategies for enhancing fisheries and conserving endangered fish species. However, hatchery-raised fish often exhibit reduced performance in the wild, displaying alterations in physiological, morphological, and behavioral traits. We tested for differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals of the Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus) from 2 different populations. Furthermore, we experimentally tested if these changes translated into fitness differences after their stocking into the wild. There were significant differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals and also between the 2 populations. Captive-bred individuals displayed consistently lower metabolic rates than wild individuals from the same population (30–76% lower). Critical swimming speed rather differed between the 2 populations. Sex-specific differences were observed in maximum and standard metabolic rates, with wild individuals and females generally exhibiting higher values but with some exceptions. During a 3-month experiment, survival rates did not significantly differ between wild and captive-bred fish. Captive-bred individuals started smaller but exhibited rapid growth during the experiment. Initially, larger captive-bred fish had lower body conditions than their wild counterparts, but these differences progressively diminished. In summary, captive-bred individuals of this fish species showed lower metabolic rates, although the differences with wild individuals slightly depended on sex and size.

How admixed captive breeding populations could be rescued using local ancestry information.

This paper asks the question: can genomic information be used to recover a species that is already on the pathway to extinction due to genetic swamping from a related and more numerous population? We show that a breeding strategy in a captive breeding program can use whole genome sequencing to identify and remove segments of DNA introgressed through hybridisation. The proposed policy uses a generalized measure of kinship or heterozygosity accounting for local ancestry, that is, whether a specific genetic location was inherited from the target of conservation. We then show that optimizing these measures would minimize undesired ancestry while also controlling kinship and/or heterozygosity, in a simulated breeding population. The process is applied to real data representing the hybridized Scottish wildcat breeding population, with the result that it should be possible to breed out domestic cat ancestry. The ability to reverse introgression is a powerful tool brought about through the combination of sequencing with computational advances in ancestry estimation. Since it works best when applied early in the process, important decisions need to be made about which genetically distinct populations should benefit from it and which should be left to reform into a single population.

Understanding the captive breeding, spawning behavior and early ontogeny of Chromis viridis (Cuvier, 1830): A systematic study

The sustainability of aquarium trade relies on successful captive breeding and seed production practices to prevent the long-term consequences of wild collection, which can result in irreversible damage to natural populations. To establish comprehensive breeding and seed production protocols, it is imperative to gain a deep understanding of the reproductive characteristics of the fish, encompassing aspects such as sexual dimorphism, spawning behavior, embryogenesis, and the crucial period of larval survival. Hence, in this study, we document the captive breeding, spawning behavior, embryonic development, and early larval stages of Chromis viridis, a highly sought-after marine ornamental fish that plays a prominent role in the aquarium trade. Fish were sourced from Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, and reared in controlled conditions. Mature fish (6–9 cm) were kept in 500 L FRP tanks with regulated salinity (35.4 ± 0.5 g/L), temperature (27.1 ± 0.54 °C), and a 12-h light-dark photoperiod. After four months in captivity, spawning commenced, characterized by intense substrate cleaning and rapid swimming motions of the male. Each spawning event yielded 3562 to 20,651 eggs. Egg development included five stages over three days at 27.1 ± 0.54 °C, with hatching on the third day. Egg dimensions varied along both axes and egg volume changed over three days. Newly hatched larvae lacked eye pigments and paired fins, with an average total length (TL) of 1.97 ± 0.35 mm. Larval mouth opening occurred at 38 h, and yolk absorption was complete by the third day post-hatch. Continuous captive reproduction was observed with a spawning frequency of 5.59 ± 0.96 days. This study offers valuable insights for standardizing captive propagation techniques and advancing marine ornamental aquaculture for C. viridis by documenting its breeding, embryonic development, and early larval stages in captivity.

Making decisions under demographic, management, and monitoring uncertainty with value of information

AbstractLearning and resolving uncertainty should be important components of management decisions, but not every type of uncertainty is equally important to resolve. For rare, threatened, and endangered species, information may be limited and there is often great urgency to halt potential population declines. Therefore, the most important uncertainties are those that would lead to different decisions intended to improve outcomes for species of interest. The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is an endemic species to the northeastern United States and is listed as a species of special concern, threatened, or endangered in all states in its current range. States within the historical New England cottontail range have made substantial investments in habitat management, captive breeding, and research, but considerable demographic, management, and monitoring uncertainties remain. Connecticut is the geographic core of the current range of the species and therefore has been the focus of many management efforts, including improving habitat, creating new habitat patches, removing eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), and releasing captive‐bred New England cottontails. We used a value of information analysis to identify the optimal management decision given current uncertainty and to evaluate how sources of uncertainty might lead to changes in management decisions. Given the current understanding of the New England cottontail in Connecticut, we identified the optimal management decision as improving existing habitat patches without monitoring for the species and managers could expect a 3.4% increase in populations if decision‐making uncertainty could be fully resolved. Multiple sources of uncertainty influenced results, but variation in New England cottontail density and the response of the species to the removal of eastern cottontails were most likely to result in changes to management decisions. At lower New England cottontail densities, releasing captive‐bred individuals competed with improving habitat as the optimal management action. Accounting for the value of information benefits New England cottontail management by guiding research efforts toward information that is most beneficial for decision‐makers and providing insights into parameter thresholds that would lead to changes in management decisions.

Breeding in captivity for conservation and livelihood: insights into the early ontogeny of the Indigo barb, Pethia setnai (Chhapgar and Sane 1992), a threatened endemic species of the Western Ghats of India

Breeding in captivity for conservation and livelihood: insights into the early ontogeny of the Indigo barb, Pethia setnai (Chhapgar and Sane 1992), a threatened endemic species of the Western Ghats of India

Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.

A hundred-year-old mystery—the reproductive mode and larval morphology of the enigmatic frog genus Allophryne (Amphibia; Anura; Allophrynidae)

Frogs of the Allophrynidae are an enigmatic family from South America. To date, published information is lacking regarding this group’s reproductive biology and larval morphology. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the reproductive mode, developmental mode, and tadpole morphology for Allophryne ruthveni. We developed a captive breeding and rearing protocol for this species and then conducted a series of observations to describe aspects of its reproductive biology. In captivity, this species exhibits aquatic oviposition, where single eggs are laid ungrouped within a simple jelly capsule and are scattered free in the water column before sinking to develop on benthic substrates. We did not observe parental care nor any parental interactions with eggs post-fertilization. Tadpoles are characterized by an oval body, anteroventral oral disc, a labial tooth row formula of 2(2)/3, and a dextral vent tube. The buccopharyngeal cavity is marked by the presence of two pairs of infralabial papilla and four lingual papillae. Cranial morphology is characterized by the presence of the commissura quadratoorbital. This species possesses an additional slip of the m. rectus cervicis and of the m. levator arcuum branchialium III. We discuss our results in comparison with glassfrogs (Centrolenidae).

Mitogenome-based genetic management of captive Great Hornbill in Thailand: Implications for reintroduction

The Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is globally vulnerable due to high rates of deforestation and hunting and are therefore a target for restoration. Captive breeding programs in Thailand maintain many Great Hornbills, however active genetic management of captive hornbills was not incorporated into the species recovery plan. With Great Hornbill reintroductions planned for northern Thailand in the immediate future, lack of genetic profiles and phylogenetic relationships among potential founders might hamper population recovery efforts. We assessed the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) diversity, genetic structure, and evolutionary history of 97 captive Great Hornbills across five zoos in Thailand. Among the 97 samples, we found 21 haplotypes with a haplotype and nucleotide diversity of h = 0.81336 ± 0.021 and pi = 0.00108 ± 0.00040, respectively. The maintenance of mitogenome diversity and no genetic differentiation between five captive populations (FST = 0.00000–0.09723, p > 0.05) might be a result of frequent founder exchange among facilities. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of a southern clade BBITH13, indicating a genetically distinct southern population. To protect these genetic lineages and maintain adaptability of hornbills that have been reintroduced, breeding facilities that contain unique haplotypes should be given high priority in breeding plans. Our data support the evolutionary value of the captive hornbill population in Thailand and highlight the significance of incorporating active genetic management strategies into the species recovery plan for Great Hornbills.

Identification and characterization of a novel strain of Decapod hepanhamaparvovirus in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) from Madagascar that does not cause histological lesions

Decapod hepanhamaparvovirus (DHPV) is a single-stranded DNA virus that primarily affects the early life stages of penaeid shrimp, potentially leading to significant losses in hatchery operations. In an interesting finding, we observed that a small portion Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) originating from Madagascar harbored DHPV even in the absence of any discernible clinical signs. Detailed histopathological analysis of P. monodon post-larvae individuals revealed an absence of distinctive histological lesions typically associated with DHPV infection. However, sensitive molecular techniques, including PCR and real-time PCR and reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) confirmed the presence of viral DNA and DHPV encoded transcripts in these specimens. The complete genome sequence of this newfound viral isolate, spanning 6254 nucleotides, showed a 96.9% nucleotide sequence similarity to a previously documented DHPV strain also originating from Madagascar. Moreover, it exhibited a genetic resemblance of 80.7% to 88.2% when compared to DHPV strains from other geographical regions. These findings underscore the unique genomic and histological characteristics of this novel DHPV isolate. This knowledge proves to be of paramount significance for the screening of broodstock and post-larvae in captive breeding programs, as it aids in identifying the presence of DHPV. Furthermore, it paves the way for future investigations into unraveling the precise role of viral-encoded proteins in shaping the clinical and histological manifestations of DHPV infections.

Detection and Differentiation of Entomopathogenic Serratia spp. to Inform Reintroduction of the Critically Endangered Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Dryococelus australis.

Once rodents have been successfully eradicated from Lord Howe Island, Australia, the critically endangered Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier)) may be reintroduced, a century after it was thought to have become extinct. In captive populations of D. australis, elevated mortalities have been associated with bacterial pathogens. To better define the infectious risk posed by entomopathogens to the reintroduction program, we investigated the bacteria isolated from captive D. australis kept at Melbourne Zoo and on Lord Howe Island and from environmental samples and free-living invertebrates collected on various parts of the island. At Melbourne Zoo, Serratia and Pseudomonas spp. were the bacteria most frequently isolated between 2013 and 2019. Serratia spp. were also the organisms most frequently isolated from insects sampled in April 2019 from the captive population on Lord Howe Island. In addition, Serratia spp. were isolated from a range of environmental samples collected on Lord Howe Island during March-April 2019. These environmental isolates had a broader range of biochemical and molecular characteristics than those obtained from the captive insect populations. A large proportion of these isolates were urease positive and had biochemical profiles previously not described for Serratia spp. This study highlights the need for better surveillance for potential pathogens in understudied regions and sites. We conclude that infections caused by Serratia spp. might pose a problem to the captive breeding program for D. australis but that the risk of introducing novel pathogens to Lord Howe Island through infected insects is low. Our study explores some of the potential risks involved in captive breeding and provides a valuable example of using pathogen surveillance to better inform an invertebrate conservation program.

Captive breeding of endangered betta fish, Betta rubra, under laboratory conditions

Captive breeding of endangered betta fish, Betta rubra, under laboratory conditions

Surviving at the highest and coldest: Nutritional and chemical components of fallback foods for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys.

Fallback foods (FBF), categorized into staple and filler types, are suboptimal food sources chosen by animals in response to a scarcity of preferred food items during specific periods. Using lichens as FBF by Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) represents a distinctive ecological adaptation and evolutionary development within nonhuman primates. This study delves into the annual dietary choices of the species to address issues, elucidate the nutritional value, and understand the ecological significance of lichens for this primate species, which resides at the highest altitudes and experiences the coldest weather among global primates. The findings reveal that the lichens consumed by the monkeys serve as the staple FBF, with Bryoria spp. and Usnea longissima being the primary dietary species. The former is the preferred choice, providing higher digestible fiber (neutral detergent fiber) levels but lower tannin, fat, ADF, and energy levels. During the dry season, lichens dominate as the monkeys' primary food and nutritional resources. In the wet season, they act as a fundamental food selection rather than an ideal dietary choice, substituting nutrients from fruits, seeds, and leaves. Compared to other Asian colobine counterparts, this species exhibits the highest lichen consumption but the lowest proportions of leaves, flowers, and seeds. This study provides valuable evidence and information for developing or amending conservation strategies and guidelines for the dietary management of captive breeding of monkeys, one of the world's critically endangered primate species.

Biometrical Analysis of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in Laal Suhanra National Park, Pakistan

The Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), commonly referred to as the Indian Rhinoceros, is an endangered species inhabiting the floodplains and grasslands of the Indian subcontinent. Once abundant, the species now faces a vulnerable status in its homeland, as confirmed by the International Union for The Conservation of Nature IUCN’s assessment. Objective: To record Rhinoceros unicornis' biometric body measurements for the first time. Methods: The following study delves into the significance of body biometry data for the conservation of this remarkable species Indian One Horned Rhinoceros housed at Lal Suhanra National Park, Punjab, Pakistan. In order to give conservationists, the resources they need to develop more effective methods involving habitat management, population monitoring, and captive breeding programs, a thorough analysis of the physical characteristics, growth trends, and sexual dimorphism of 42-year-old Indian Rhinos via the evaluation of the body measurements was conducted. Results: This study presents comprehensive body measurements of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros which have never been published before. The length of the rhino itself spanned 143 inches, encapsulating the magnitude of this magnificent creature. These insightful observations are crucial for protecting the threatened species, particularly considering the growing threats caused by habitat loss, poaching, and the effects of climate change. Conclusions: Biometric analysis of large mammals assumes a pivotal role when designing enclosures and estimating the enclosure dimensions.