Whipsnade Zoo Research Articles

Two cases of acquired porto‐systemic shunt in association with veno‐occlusive disease in captive Northern cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) with insights into antemortem diagnostics

AbstractTwo Northern cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) were euthanased at the Zoological Society of London's Whipsnade Zoo due to old age and degenerative joint disease. Both animals were found to have mild to moderate fibrosis of the space of Disse (veno‐occlusive disease) and multiple congested, tortuous vessels running from the hepatic portal vein to the caudal vena cava (acquired portosystemic shunt). We hypothesise that the shunts result from portal hypertension caused by the veno‐occlusive disease, and that this helps relieve pressure on the sinusoidal endothelium, limiting progression of the disease. As acquired portosystemic shunt is a known sequel to portal hypertension, we believe that acquired portosystemic shunt may be more common in cheetahs with veno‐occlusive disease than is currently reported, and provide a practical protocol and gross images as diagnostic tools to aid in the postmortem diagnosis of this condition.

All My Dogs Before Me

Excerpt: "Dogs? Did C. S. Lewis own dogs?" That casual question, raised at one of the organizational meetings of the Arizona C. S. Lewis Society,1 led to a rather obscure search. Was Lewis a pet owner? It is well known that he had created two imaginary worlds filled with talking animals: Narnia and Boxen. Less well known was his opposition to vivisection. An entire chapter of The Problem of Pain deals with pain as experienced by animals. A bear at the Whipsnade Zoo, nicknamed “Mr. Bultitude” by Lewis and his brother, Warren, appears as a minor character in That Hideous Strength. The other two books in the Ransom Trilogy contain vivid encounters between man and translunary beasts (both sentient and otherwise). Lewis obviously thought well of animals. But did he have any pets of his own to nurture and deepen that affection? Yes he did, as his autobiography, diary, and letters clearly demonstrate.

A Burst of Architectural Plots: The Diverging Lives of Whipsnade Zoo Estate Bungalows (1933–2020)

In 1933, the construction of two twin bungalows, designed by Berthold Lubetkin, began on a site adjacent to Whipsnade Zoo. From their inception, they have been differently appreciated by architects and historians for their formal, technical, functional, material and environmental conditions. This article reappraises these buildings from broader multiple contexts involving human and non-human actors that have been part of their ecology, prioritizing categories of human wellbeing, pleasure and entertainment, and animal and environmental welfare. Moving through the page and the terrain as spaces for critical analysis of the built environment, I consider the multiple plots – either a piece of ground, a site, a plan or the scheme of a written work – that constitute various valid frames for understanding Whipsnade bungalows. For this purpose, I reconstruct a methodological approximation to architectural criticism from feminist and cybernetic literature on “patterns” – conceived as flows of interconnection enabling associations and analogies.

(In awe and wonder at) All Creatures Great and Small

My job as an industrial hygienist and occupational physician takes me to some very interesting workplaces. I remain in thrall and awe of hazards both great and small and the challenges for containment and control. In January 2016, I had the opportunity to literally, take a walk on the wild side. Until then, little did I know that designated zoo staff were required to hold firearm licenses to enforce public safety if a ‘dangerous animal’ escaped. My contract was to do their firearm medicals. Of course, I was not going to be charged any entry fee! And no, I was not forbidden to meet & greet the other animals. The visitors on site were in fun day mode, clustered into groups and families, doing the rounds of the animal enclosures. My singleton self, shod in Wellingtons, wearing a visitor badge, taking notes on a piece of paper, wielding a smartphone and afflicted with a serious case of the shutterbug, did arouse some strange looks (strange beings, these bipeds). I was pinching myself to be doing a workplace walkthrough (the inhabitants of the wallaby enclosure would probably prefer ‘workplace walkabout’) in what was for other people, a fun zone. Only while interviewing the staff did it sink in that I had the privilege of being the first occupational physician of the oldest zoo in the world. It turned out that in its nearly 200-year history, staff of ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo had never before spotted a specimen of the rare subspecies of doctors who call themselves occupational physicians. Need I add that I was impressed with the role of the zoos in conservation work and the hard work and dedication of the staff?

Insights into Activity of Zoo Housed Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) during Periods of Limited Staff and Visitor Presence, a Focus on Resting Behaviour

Historically, behaviour of zoo housed species during hours of limited staff and visitor presence has been poorly studied, largely due to the lack of appropriate technology. Advances in digital monitoring equipment and facility design by European elephant holders has given researchers scope to accurately evaluate behaviour for this species over 24 hrs. Various behavioural indicators of welfare have now been identified for zoo housed elephants; however the relationship between resting behaviour and welfare experience has been an area highlighted to require additional research. Lying rest is a potential positive welfare indicator for this species, with studies suggesting that engagement in lying rest can be used to monitor both psychological and physiological wellbeing. Throughout this work we aim to give insights into the behaviour of individual Asian elephants at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, specifically between the hours of 16:00 and 10:00. In addition to presenting the activity budgets of our study individuals during these times, we explore individual engagement in resting behaviour. Furthermore, we evaluate the social associations of our study group during rest. We provide evidence that unrelated individuals can form strong associations with conspecifics when resting and show that life history is a factor to consider when evaluating social compatibility between group members. Finally, we demonstrate the positive role that calves and juvenile individuals can play in facilitating meaningful associations between group members during rest. Our study highlights the importance of evaluating behaviour during understudied time periods in order to obtain a holistic view of individual welfare, further emphasising the importance of adopting an evidence-based approach to management for this species in zoos.

YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS INFECTIONS IN PRIMATES, ARTIODACTYLS, AND BIRDS WITHIN A ZOOLOGICAL FACILITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose and treat successfully. Twenty-four cases from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo were identified between 2001 and 2019. Husbandry, medical, and postmortem records for six primates, 10 artiodactyls, and eight birds were reviewed to identify common clinical signs and gross lesions. Most cases occurred during the winter; however, an outbreak in four primates occurred during the summer following a period of stress associated with increased ambient noise and activity. Common clinical signs included lethargy (6/6 primates, 4/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds) or death without premonitory signs (3/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds). Once clinical signs were observed, disease progressed quickly. Poor condition was common in mammals (6/6 primates, 9/10 artiodactyls), but often went undetected until postmortem examination. Neurological signs occurred in three of six primates. Diarrhea and anorexia were uncommon in all animals. Hepatitis was observed in all groups (4/6 primates, 2/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds), mesenteric lymphadenomegaly was common in mammals (4/6 primates, 8/10 artiodactyls), and gastroenteritis was common in artiodactyls (7/10). Erythematous, punctate rashes, which have only been reported with yersiniosis in humans, were present in three of six primates. Bacterial cultures from the liver in primates and birds or enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in artiodactyls were often diagnostic. All isolates were susceptible to marbofloxacin, oxytetracycline, streptomycin, ceftazidime, amoxicillin clavulanic acid, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin, and doxycycline, and resistant to clindamycin. Histopathology and Perl's Prussian blue stains were performed on available liver samples (n = 18). Intracellular hemosiderin was present in 17 of 18 cases. Additional research is needed to determine if there is a relationship between hemosiderosis and yersiniosis.

Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Simple SummaryZoo elephant welfare has been the topic of much debate over the last two decades, with criticisms made regarding the husbandry and welfare of these species held in European and North American zoos. The aim of this study was to evidence the value of a species-specific behavioural monitoring programme and highlight the positive improvements in elephant welfare that were made in a single collection case study, by the comparison of behavioural activity budgets (time spent performing a particular behaviour) with previous published literature. This study identifies numerous indicators of positive welfare in our collection, including species-appropriate levels of feeding, low engagement in stereotypy (abnormal repetitive behaviour), and proportions of resting behaviour that are consistent with figures published from comparative zoo individuals. Additionally, we show that positive social associations exist between individuals in our study group, with low incidences of agonistic social behaviour and high engagement in positive social interactions. Finally, we acknowledge that improvements are required to further enhance elephant welfare in zoos and we have used the data collected throughout this research programme to adopt an evidence-based approach to the husbandry and management of Asian elephants at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo.Over the last two decades, criticisms were raised regarding the welfare experienced by elephants in European and North American zoos. Concerns regarding the welfare of zoo-housed elephants in the UK and Europe were consolidated in the publication of several key reports, and media interest peaked. Throughout this study we aim to outline the behavioural measures of welfare observed in the current group of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo, using key welfare indicators for this species and comparing them to previous published work. Following the instigation of a species-specific research programme, empirical behavioural data were available to quantify any developments in care and welfare. The collection of behavioural information revealed that individuals in our study group engage in low levels of stereotypic behaviour, have formed and maintain strong associations with one another and display a high proportion of engagement in lying rest. We outline that by applying simple, low-cost methods of behavioural data collection and analysis, it is possible to collect evidence that allows us to evaluate individual level welfare. This facilitates the adoption of an evidence-based approach to zoo management as well as demonstrating compliance with updated legislation for this species.

Culicoides species composition and molecular identification of host blood meals at two zoos in the UK

BackgroundCulicoides biting midges are biological vectors of arboviruses including bluetongue virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV). Zoos are home to a wide range of ‘at risk’ exotic and native species of animals. These animals have a high value both in monetary terms, conservation significance and breeding potential. To understand the risk these viruses pose to zoo animals, it is necessary to characterise the Culicoides fauna at zoos and determine which potential vector species are feeding on which hosts.MethodsLight-suction traps were used at two UK zoos: the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo (LZ) and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (WZ). Traps were run one night each week from June 2014 to June 2015. Culicoides were morphologically identified to the species level and any blood-fed Culicoides were processed for blood-meal analysis. DNA from blood meals was extracted and amplified using previously published primers. Sequencing was then carried out to determine the host species.ResultsA total of 11,648 Culicoides were trapped and identified (n = 5880 from ZSL WZ; n = 5768 from ZSL LZ), constituting 25 different species. The six putative vectors of BTV, SBV and AHSV in northern Europe were found at both zoos and made up the majority of the total catch (n = 10,701). A total of 31 host sequences were obtained from blood-fed Culicoides. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, Culicoides dewulfi, Culicoides parroti and Culicoides punctatus were found to be biting a wide range of mammals including Bactrian camels, Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephants and humans, with Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus also biting Darwin’s rhea. The bird-biting species, Culicoides achrayi, was found to be feeding on blackbirds, blue tits, magpies and carrion crows.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to directly confirm blood-feeding of Culicoides on exotic zoo animals in the UK and shows that they are able to utilise a wide range of exotic as well as native host species. Due to the susceptibility of some zoo animals to Culicoides-borne arboviruses, this study demonstrates that in the event of an outbreak of one of these viruses in the UK, preventative and mitigating measures would need to be taken.

Financial planning required to keep elephants in zoos in the United Kingdom in accordance with the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for the next 30 years

In June 2017, the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) were updated with an appendix relating specifically to elephants (Appendix 8.8: Elephants). This update was published to bring elephant management standards in line with recognized advancing best practice. All zoos in the UK holding elephants are inspected against the new appendix, in accordance with the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, by dedicated Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)‐appointed inspectors. Achieving the standards set out within the new appendix will require financial investment and careful planning from all the zoos holding elephants within the UK. At the time of writing, the annual cost of keeping a breeding group of elephants at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK, was calculated from data collected over the last 10 years and the financial investment required to achieve SSSMZP compliance was estimated. The commercial benefit that elephants bring to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo was also quantified using feedback from visitor surveys. The cost of keeping a breeding herd of elephants at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo was estimated at £593 021–£641 863 per year, excluding indirect staffing costs, ground rent and contributions made by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to field‐conservation projects. Costs for achieving SSSMZP compliance will be considerably greater with substantial capital investment required. The commercial benefit was found to be extensive; with predicted significant increased visitor dwell time and secondary spend in the presence of elephants. Using ZSL Whipsnade Zoo as an example, this paper aims to consider holistically the financial costs when planning and implementing an optimum, welfare‐centred, sustainable future for elephants in zoos.

Gangly giraffes walk in slow motion

![Figure][1] Giraffes walking on the force plate runway installed in their enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo, UK. Photo credit: John Hutchinson. Sauntering gracefully across the savannah, giraffes could be the definition of unconventional. ‘There's a lot of stuff written about how weird and

Zoo keeper to vet student

Eleanor Taylor was a zoo keeper at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo before gaining a place at the Royal Veterinary College. Now in her final-year at vet school, her research project involves working with ZSL London Zoo’s penguin colony. After the disappointment of not achieving the A level grades to study veterinary medicine, I had to make some decisions. I was determined to be vet, so I continued studying for the subjects I needed to retake and reapplied to university. I had some spare time and needed something else to do – but what? I wanted it to be animal-related work and remembered a two-week placement I’d done with the bird team at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire earlier in the year. At the end of the placement I’d been encouraged to apply for a job as a seasonal zoo keeper, but the timing didn’t work out alongside my studies. As luck would have …

Equine atypical myopathy associated with sycamore seed ingestion in a Przewalski foal

One of the 172 UK cases of equine atypical myopathy (EAM) reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group (AMAG) in 2014 was that of a five-month old male Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), resident at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK. The foal presented initially with sudden-onset and repeated stretching of the neck as if dysphagic, with progressive weakness (including lying down), sweating and an unresponsive demeanour. General anaesthesia, induced with a combination of etorphine, midazolam and hyaluronidase, was required for each examination and subsequent treatment of the foal. Initial biochemical analysis showed a markedly increased plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity of 105,001 U/L, an increased aspartate amino transferase (AST) activity of 4194 U/L and a mildly increased inorganic phosphorus concentration of 2.35 mmol/L. The foal was unresponsive to treatment and had to be euthanased. Skeletal musculature and the myocardium showed the most significant pathological changes, with histological evidence of rhabdomyolysis, whilst urine organic acid analysis and an abnormal organic acid serum profile were supportive of multiple acyl Co-A dehydrogenase deficiency typical of EAM. This is the first description of EAM in a non-domestic equid.

Factors influencing interactions in zoos: animal-keeper relationship, animal-public interactions and solitary animals groups

Interactions that animals experience can have a significant influence on their health and welfare. These interactions can occur between animals themselves, but also between animals and keepers, and animals and the public. Human and non-human animals come into contact with each other in a variety of settings, and wherever there is contact there is the opportunity for interaction to take place. Interaction with companion animals are well known, but human–animal interaction (HAR) (Hosey, 2008) also occurs in the context of farms (Hemsworth and Gonyou, 1997; Hemsworth, 2003), laboratories (Chang and Hart, 2002), zoos (Kreger and Mench, 1995) and even the wild (e.g. Cassini, 2001). This project proposes a permanent monitoring scheme to record animal-human interactions and animal-animal interactions in zoos. This will be accompanied by a survey of animal personality for welfare, husbandry, breeding programs and reintroduction purposes. The pilot project is currently based on direct monitoring of animal behaviour, use of time lapse cameras and animal personality questionnaires completed by experienced keepers. The goal of this project is to create a network between zoos to explore the aforementioned interactions to produce husbandry protocols and explore personality and behavioural traits in multiple species. We present provisional data regarding polar bear (Fasano Zoosafari, Italy), Sumatran tigers, Amur tigers and Asiatic lion (ZSL London and Whipsnade zoo) interactions with humans and conspecifics. This data is collected across a broad range of environmental conditions and outlines the monitoring protocols developed to collect this data. The first year data show the great adaptability of these species to ex situ environments, low or absent negative impact of visitors’ presence and the relevance of individual personality in these interactions.

Effect of a Cognitive Challenge Device Containing Food and Non‐Food Rewards on Chimpanzee Well‐Being

Exploration and problem-solving are highly motivated behaviors in non-human primates, but little research has focused on whether cognitively challenging tasks can enhance primates' psychological well-being, particularly in the absence of food rewards. We evaluated whether a novel cognitive challenge device (CCD) consisting of a maze of opaque tubes enhanced the well-being of a group of six adult chimpanzees housed at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK, over a two-month period. Chimpanzees had the opportunity to interact with two versions of the CCD: the first contained tokens which fell into a transparent chamber when extracted from the CCD and could not be eaten. The second contained unshelled Brazil nuts, which could be extracted and eaten. CCD-use was low over the study, occupying on average 2.5% of observation time. However, compared to baseline levels, chimpanzees exhibited more problem-solving behaviors (directed toward the CCD) and spent significantly more time engaged in social play when the CCD was present. Cage exploration was rare whether the CCD was present or not. Chimpanzees used the CCD (including tool-use) significantly more when it contained tokens. The relationship between the presence of the CCD and self-directed behavior (rough-scratching) was difficult to interpret. Although rough-scratching was significantly higher in the cage when the CCD was present and 18% of these scratching events occurred within one arm's length from the CCD, rough-scratching decreased when device use increased. This study provides a preliminary investigation of the CCD and two reward types, and suggests how the design could be modified to enhance its effects.

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Equine Cushing's Disease) in an Onager (Equus hemionus onager)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as Equine Cushing's disease, is most often diagnosed in older horses and ponies. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no reports of its diagnosis in captive nondomestic equids. A 13-yr old onager (Equus hemionus onager) at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo showed clinical signs suggestive of PPID, including hirsutism, fat redistribution, weight loss, laminitis, and chronic infections. A dexamethasone suppression test was performed to confirm PPID. Subsequently, adenomatous hyperplasia and microadenoma of the pars intermedia were identified postmortem. Four months later, this onager's dam died suddenly, and adenomatous hyperplasia of the pars intermedia was diagnosed following necropsy. The dam had shown no clinical signs of PPID. Examination of archives identified eight other adult onagers that died or were euthanized between 1993 and 2007. The brain was not examined in four of these, but pituitary glands were described as enlarged during necropsy in three animals based on the subjective assessment of an experienced zoo and wildlife pathologist, making an overall prevalence of enlargement of 83.3%. Hyperplastic pituitary changes are positively correlated with age in domestic equids, and this may also be the case in onagers. Alternative etiologies are also discussed.

Positive Skin and Serologic Test Results of Diagnostic Assays for Bovine Tuberculosis and Subsequent Isolation of Mycobacterium interjectum in a Pygmy Hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis)

A 20-yr-old male pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis), weighing 250 kg, arrived at Zoological Society London Whipsnade Zoo (United Kingdom) from a captive collection in Portugal. A quarantine health check was performed including a comparative intradermal tuberculosis (IDTB) test. Assessment of the comparative IDTB test at 72 hr revealed a strong positive reaction at the bovine site. Serum was tested with a rapid immunochromatographic assay (TB STAT-PAK) and was positive for tuberculosis antibodies. The tuberculosis tests were repeated 6 wk later with the same positive test outcome. In addition, a broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) was submitted for mycobacterial culture. The positive IDTB test and TB STAT-PAK results were supported by multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA). Based on these results, the animal was suspected to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms and was euthanized. No gross or histologic signs of tuberculosis were found at postmortem examination. Mycobacterium interjectum was cultured from the BAL but not from necropsy samples. The antigens used in the TB STAT-PAK and MAPIA tests are reportedly specific for the M. tuberculosis complex, and so it is possible this animal presented with a latent case of tuberculosis or had a previous tuberculosis infection that resolved prior to testing. Cross-reactions with nontuberculous mycobacteria have been described with TB STAT-PAK and MAPIA tests. However, Western blotting analysis using serum from this animal did not recognize M. interjectum proteins of equivalent size to the M. tuberculosis-Mycobacterium bovis proteins recognized in the MAPIA. Thus, antigenic cross-reactivity with M. interjectum can be deemed less likely, but other nontuberculous mycobacterial proteins cannot be ruled out. It is therefore possible that false-positive reactions were obtained. These results highlight the difficulty of diagnosing tuberculosis in the absence of pathology and the presence of nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Retrospective Study of Campylobacter Infection in a Zoological Collection

Little is known about the epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. in wild animal populations. However, zoological collections can provide valuable insights. Using records from the Zoological Society of London Whipsnade Zoo compiled between 1990 and 2003, the roles of a range of biotic and abiotic factors associated with the occurrence of campylobacteriosis were investigated. The occurrence of campylobacteriosis varied widely across host taxonomic orders. Furthermore, in mammals, a combination of changes in both rainfall and temperature in the week preceding the onset of gastroenteritis were associated with isolation of Campylobacter from feces. In birds, there was a weak negative correlation between mean weekly rainfall and isolation of Campylobacter from feces. Importantly, in birds we found that the mean weekly rainfall 3 to 4 weeks before symptoms of gastroenteritis appeared was the best predictor of Campylobacter infection. Campylobacter-related gastroenteritis cases with mixed concurrent infections were positively associated with the presence of parasites (helminths and protozoans) in mammals, while in birds Campylobacter was associated with other concurrent bacterial infections rather than with the presence of helminths and protozoans. This study suggests that climatic elements are important factors associated with Campylobacter-related gastroenteritis. Further investigations are required to improve our understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology in captive wild animal populations.

Seasonal changes in rumen papillary development and body condition in free ranging Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)

Available information on the history, population dynamics, body weight and kidney fat indices in free‐living Chinese water deer at Whipsnade Zoo were briefly reviewed.Fifty eight culled animals were examined quantitatively for changing rumen papilla morphology through different seasons using surface enlargement factors (SEF). The results show a much reduced SEF of below four in winter and rarely above eight in spring, summer and autumn. This is atypical for the entire group of concentrate selectors and even for intermediate feeding types. The inference from the data is that the seasonal rumen development was poorer than expected perhaps indicating that this population was undernourished.

Poverty, wealth, and health, or getting the dosage right.

Shortly before the second World War, when visiting Whipsnade Zoo, I was given a brochure full of facts and figures. From it I learnt that the big elephant which gives rides to children was then earning at the rate of ?600 pa. This fact struck me with peculiar force because ?600 pa happened to be the exact salary I was myself receiving as Director of Studies for the University of London Tutorial Classes Committee.... I found myself wondering what other occupations stood on the same rung of the ladder as the elephant and myself, which would be above and which below, and why.

TUBERCULOSIS OF A PUMA CUB (FELIS CONCOLOR) ACCOMPANIED BY SKELETAL DEFORMITIES RESEMBLING RICKETS

SUMMARY A case of bovine tuberculosis is described in a ten month old captive puma which was born at Whipsnade Zoo. The organs affected were the liver, kidneys, and left adrenal gland. The disease was associated with severe symptoms of rickets which are supposed to have been secondary to tuberculosis of the kidneys. It was thus a case of osteodystrophia fibrosa of renal origin.