County Zoo Research Articles

VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY-ASSOCIATED LESIONS IN A COLONY OF COMMON VAMPIRE BATS (DESMODUS ROTUNDUS) IN A ZOO FACILITY.

The Milwaukee County Zoo has housed common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) since 1973. The bats are fed defibrinated cow's blood supplemented with a liquid pediatric multivitamin. From July 2013 to May 2014, multiple deaths occurred in colony bats, including five juveniles with multiple bone fractures and failure of endochondral ossification, three adults with cerebellar necrosis, and one adult with subcutaneous hemorrhage. In November 2013, an adult bat developed a nonhealing left wing hematoma and eventually succumbed 9 mo later. A postmortem examination revealed multifocal extensive necrohemorrhagic and suppurative ulcerative dermatitis with no underlying cause determined. From July to December 2014, five of nine adult bats in the colony developed similar hematomas along with gingival bleeding. One euthanized bat had a serum ascorbic acid level of 0.08 mg/dl and marked generalized subcutaneous hemorrhage. A therapeutic trial was initiated in which two bats received defibrinated cow's blood supplemented only with oral vitamin C, 100 mg/kg PO q24h for 3 d, and then 50 mg/kg PO q24h. Two other bats received nonsupplemented defibrinated cow's blood and were given vitamin K 3.3 mg/kg SC q12h for 3 d, and then 3.3 mg/kg SC q24h for 7 d. The bats supplemented with vitamin C improved, supporting a diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency. All bats were subsequently supplemented with vitamin C leading to resolution of all lesions within 10 d to 2 mo. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis, which is required for proper wound healing, capillary and cartilage strength, osteoid production, and pial membrane formation of the cerebellum. Several bat species cannot synthesize vitamin C and require a dietary source. This is the first report of vitamin C deficiency in a colony of vampire bats leading to severe chronic subcutaneous hemorrhage, bone fragility, microfractures, cerebellar necrosis, and death.

Genetic analyses in a bonobo (Pan paniscus) with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disorder that may lead to sudden death and can affect humans and other primates. In 2012, the alpha male bonobo of the Milwaukee County Zoo died suddenly and histologic evaluation found features of ARVC. This study sought to discover a possible genetic cause for ARVC in this individual. We sequenced our subject’s DNA to search for deleterious variants in genes involved in cardiovascular disorders. Variants found were annotated according to the human genome, following currently available classification used for human diseases. Sequencing from the DNA of an unrelated unaffected bonobo was also used for prediction of pathogenicity. Twenty-four variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUSs) but no pathogenic variants were found in the proband studied. Further familial, functional, and bonobo population studies are needed to determine if any of the VUSs or a combination of the VUSs found may be associated with the clinical findings. Future genotype-phenotype establishment will be beneficial for the appropriate care of the captive zoo bonobo population world-wide as well as conservation of the bobono species in its native habitat.

Personality and subjective well‐being in captive male western lowland gorillas living in bachelor groups

The purpose of this study was to determine the personality structure of eight male gorillas (five silverbacks and three blackbacks) housed at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas and to determine if personality predicts behavior and subjective well-being in male gorillas living in bachelor groups. We used the Hominoid Personality Questionnaire which contains 54 descriptive adjectives with representative items from the human five-factor model. Rates of 12 behaviors that are broadly defined as agonistic or affiliative were independently recorded and calculated. Principal components analysis yielded three reliable personality factors: Dominance, Extraversion/Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. These results are the first potential quantitative evidence for a Conscientiousness factor in a hominoid other than chimpanzees and humans. This suggests that Conscientiousness originated with the common ancestor of male gorillas and humans around 10 million years ago. These results indicate that humans can reliably assess the personality and subjective well-being of captive male gorillas living in bachelor groups with robust levels of inter-rater reliability and validity. Furthermore, personality can accurately predict behavior (r = 0.79; n = 13) and subjective well-being (r = 0.83; n = 5) in gorillas and provide convergent and discriminant validity for the personality factors. The results advocate for the use of personality questionnaires in the captive management of bachelor gorillas over long-term multi-institutional behavioral studies.

IMMUNOCONTRACEPTION OF CAPTIVE EXOTIC SPECIES: V. PROLONGED ANTIBODY TITERS IN DALL SHEEP (OVIS DALLI DALLI) AND DOMESTIC GOATS (CAPRA HIRCUS) IMMUNIZED WITH PORCINE ZONA PELLUCIDA

Native porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception has been used to inhibit fertility in more than 80 species of ungulates, although the duration of contraception efficacy varies among species in both Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla. This study examined anti-PZP antibody titers in Dall sheep and domestic goats at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and also Himalayan tahr and Armenian Mouflon sheep at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and, for comparison, Altai wapiti, lowland wisent, Javan banteng, and southern pudu at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, all were given a primer dose and booster dose of PZP. Of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park animals, the 4 comparison species demonstrated the typical 1-yr pattern of anti-PZP antibodies, whereas the Armenian sheep and Himalayan tahr showed prolonged (2-3 yr) antibody responses after a single primer and booster dose. The Dall sheep and domestic goats had significantly longer durations of antibody titers (3 yr) from a single year's treatment (primer plus booster). Analysis of the data indicates that Armenian sheep, Himalayan tahr, Dall sheep, and domestic goats have prolonged responses, and are more sensitive to PZP in that they produce a protracted antibody response.

Words from the Earth's Wild Bounty: The Milwaukee County Zoo | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Words from the Earth's Wild Bounty: The Milwaukee County Zoo | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Words from the Earth's Wild Bounty: The Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Words from the Earth's Wild Bounty: The Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alternative Therapeutic Options for Medical Management of Epilepsy in Apes

Phenobarbital has been the primary antiepileptic drug used in primates, but the dosage required for seizure control is frequently associated with significant side effects. Newer antiepileptic drugs and adjunctive therapies currently being used in human medicine provide additional options for treatment of nonhuman primates. This report describes different drug regimes used for control of epileptic seizures in apes at the Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.), including the addition of acetazolamide to phenobarbital, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, and the use of extended cycle oral contraceptives to assist seizure control in female apes with catamenial epilepsy.

Ultrasonographic monitoring of fetal development in unrestrained bonobos (Pan paniscus) at the Milwaukee County Zoo

The bonobo, Pan paniscus, is one of the most endangered primate species. In the context of the Bonobo Species Survival Plan(®), the Milwaukee County Zoo established a successful breeding group. Although the bonobo serves as a model species for human evolution, no prenatal growth curves are available. To develop growth graphs, the animals at the Milwaukee County Zoo were trained by positive reinforcement to allow for ultrasound exams without restraint. With this method, the well being of mother and fetus were maintained and ultrasound exams could be performed frequently. The ovulation date of the four animals in the study was determined exactly so that gestational age was known for each examination. Measurements of biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were used to create growth curves. Prenatal growth of P. paniscus was compared with the data of humans and the common chimpanzee, P. troglodytes. With respect to cranial structures, such as BPD and HC, humans have significant acceleration of growth compared with P. paniscus and P. troglodytes. In P. paniscus, growth of AC was similar to HC throughout pregnancy, whereas in humans AC only reaches the level of HC close to term. Growth rate of FL was similar in humans and the two Pan species until near day 180 post-ovulation. After that, the Pan species FL growth slowed compared with human FL. The newly developed fetal growth curves of P. paniscus will assist in monitoring prenatal development and predicting birth dates of this highly endangered species.

Coccidioidomycosis in a Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

A 5-yr-old female black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was euthanized 11 mo after arrival at the Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) from Glen Rose, Texas (USA) for a severe progressive rear leg lameness of 6-mo duration. Gross necropsy revealed complete rupture of the capital ligament of the left femur with synovitis and osteomyelitis. Multifocal lymphadenopathy with chronic suppurative lymphadenitis of the tracheobronchial, left supramammary, and iliac lymph nodes was present. Granulomatous pneumonia with a focal abscess was also noted. Histologically, fungal elements were seen in the lung, lymph nodes, and synovium, and Coccidioides immitis was isolated on fungal culture. Coccidioides immitis is not endemic to Wisconsin; therefore, the animal had to have been infected, although asymptomatic, at the time of arrival at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Whether the disease was active at the time of arrival or whether it was quiescent and then became active with the stress of shipment or injury is unknown.

An Evaluation of Alternative Forecasting Methods to Recreation Visitation

This study examines the advantages and disadvantages of basic, intermediate, and advanced methods for visitor use forecasting where seasonality and limited data are characteristics of the estimation problem. The monthly use rates at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Wisconsin are used to illustrate the seasonal time series techniques. Forecasting methods include the Naive 1, Naive 2, single moving average (SMA) with the classical decomposition procedure, single exponential smoothing (SES), double exponential smoothing (DES), Winter's, and the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA). The variation in visitor rates over the years makes the visitation trend for the Milwaukee County Zoo appealing in this empirical application. The series ranges from January 1981 through December 1999, a total of 228 months. The last 12, 24, or 60 months of those data are excluded from the original analysis, and used to evaluate the various methods. SARIMA and SMA with the classical decomposition procedure are found to be roughly equivalent in performance, as judged by modified mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and modified root mean square percentage error (RMSPE) values of a longer estimation period with shorter period ahead forecasts. This study also finds that the SMA with classical decomposition method is more accurate than other techniques when a shorter estimation period with longer period ahead forecasts are included. While this study may not speak to all users of leisure related data, it serves as a comparative reference for those who seek guidance in deciding among a set of forecasting tools.

The Zoo Science Program: A Successful Zoo/University Partnership

ABSTRACTIn 1988, Friends University and the Sedgwick County Zoo, both located in Wichita, Kansas, began a cooperative undergraduate program in zoo science. This program combines a modified biology curriculum offered through a medium‐sized, private university, with the specialized instruction and practical experience provided by curators and keepers at a zoo. Students who complete the zoo science curriculum meet the needs of zoos seeking to fill entry‐level positions. The program has grown in size, and now has more than 50 majors. About one‐half of all zoo science students come from outside Kansas, and about one‐half enter the program as transfer students. Graduates find entry‐level positions in zoos, aquariums, nature and environmental centers, and veterinary clinics; others go on to graduate or veterinary schools.

Canine microsatellite polymorphisms as the resolution of an illegal animal death case in a Hungarian Zoological Gardens

Several animal carcasses were found in the paddocks of a Hungarian County Zoo during 1 week. The 14 animals killed were thought to be the victims of a dogfight training. The primary suspect was the security guard of the Zoo with his guard dogs. DNA tests were carried out on hairs and bloodstains and 10 canine-specific STR loci were analysed by fluorescently labelled multiplex PCR using the ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. The results confirmed that the killer was a single animal and all of the guard dogs were excluded.

Cage restraints for rhinoceroses

4Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas Captive breeding programs for the rhinoceros can be enhanced by studying their reproductive physiology. To do so requires repetitive manipulations under physically controlled circumstances. To facilitate these procedures, zoos throughout the world have constructed restraint devices, or chutes. Chute designs are usually determined by the space in which they are to be situated and the budget available for their construction. In this study, eight chute designs at seven institutions were compared for efficiency in controlling rhinoceroses during ultrasonography, semen collection, and blood sampling. Procedures were conducted on 16 rhinoceroses of four species: the white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum simum), the black (Diceros bicornis), the greater one-horned Asian ( Rhinoceros unicornis), and the Sumatran (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Chutes were evaluated for dimensions, fabricating materials, procedures to be attempted, and structural features such as shoulder restraints. Permanent, indoor, side-adjustable, passthrough chutes were determined to be the most efficient and convenient type because they saved time and reduced stress on the animals. Zoo Biol 17:343‐ 359, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hand‐rearing Ruppell's griffon vulture Gyps rueppellii at Paris Menagerie, Milwaukee County Zoo and Burger's Zoo, Arnhem

The hatching procedures followed for a severely dehydrated Ruppell's griffon vulture Gyps rueppellii embryo at Paris Menagerie, as well as rearing techniques, development and vocalizations of the nestling are described. Supplemental data on food, feeding techniques and growth of chicks hand‐reared at Milwaukee County Zoo and Burger's Zoo, Arnhem, are also presented.

Social behavior in a group of orang-utans ( Pongo pygmaeus abelii) in a zoo setting

A group of orang-utans ( Pongo pygmaeus abelii), consisting of one adult male, three females and two young, were observed at the Sedgwick County Zoo (Wichita, KS). A quick, reliable, time-sampling technique was used throughout the day under conditions of public exhibition. Social interactions were defined and recorded as associations based on contact between and among animals, and in terms of close spatial relationships without contact (non-contact association). The activities of the two offspring, of one of the adult females and the adult male were primarily responsible for social groupings with different animals which were not constrained by the conditions of captivity. The data gathered by this non-intrusive technique corroborated observations under other conditions reported in the literature including those of one of our animals in another zoo setting.

Fatal toxoplasmosis and enteroepithelial stages of Toxoplasma gondii in a Pallas cat (Felis manul).

Toxoplasma gondii was found in tissues of a six-year-old female Pallas cat (Felis manul) from the Milwaukee County Zoo. Toxoplasma gondii meronts (types D and E), gamonts, and oocysts were present in the epithelium of the small intestine. Numerous unsporulated oocysts were present in the intestinal lumen. The cat died of acute, overwhelming toxoplasmosis. Necrotic enteritis, multifocal necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis, and pneumonia were the prominent lesions.

Private, City, County, Federal and State Natural Areas in Kansas

In the past ten years, Kansans have begun to realize the importance of natural areas for educational purposes at various levels apart from colleges and universities. Private conservation organizations, including local Audubon chapters, The Grassland Heritage Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Land Institute have natural areas within the state that are utilized for educational and research purposes. The Parks and/or Recreation Commissions of several cities and even county entities, including the Sedgwick County Zoo, have developed educational programs to utilize natural areas found in urban settings. The state has a number of natural areas, most of which are operated by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. Several federal agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers, are also utilizing some of their land for educational and research purposes. Following is a list of these areas, separated into categories of ownership.

Some comparisons between siamang and gibbon behaviour.

A family of captive siamangs at the Milwaukee County Zoo was observed for 100 h during an 8-month period. The adults were originally feral animals which have been mated in captivity. All of the offspring, a subadult female, a juvenile male and an infant are theirs. They exhibit a family composition known to exist in the wild. Behavioural similarity to wild gibbons was noted, particularly in the peripheralization of the subadult female, whose isolation is both spatial and social. She was almost never the object of grooming activity and she was allowed to eat only when the family had finished eating. Aggression at feeding time, particularly by the adult male, was both covert and overt. This isolation of the maturing young seems to be but one of the indicators of the similarity between gibbon and siamang behaviour in the wild and in captivity.