Wild Animal Rescue Research Articles

Genetic Characterization of Feline Parvovirus Isolate Fe-P2 in Korean Cat and Serological Evidence on Its Infection in Wild Leopard Cat and Asian Badger.

Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a small, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA virus that infects cats. We recently isolated a feline parvovirus Fe–P2 strain from a dead stray cat in Iksan, 2017. Its partial genomic sequence (4,643 bases) was obtained, and phylogenetic analysis based on the VP2 nucleotide sequence showed that the FPV Fe-P2 strain was closely related to the FPV isolate Gigucheon in cat, 2017 (MN400978). In addition, we performed a serum neutralization (SN) test with the FPV isolates in various mammalian sera. These were from raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, Korean hare, leopard cat, and Asian badger, which were kindly provided by Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. Notably, serological evidence of its infection was found in Asian badger, Meles leucurus (2/2) and leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis (5/8) through SN tests, whereas there was no evidence in raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, and Korean hare based on the collected sera in this study. These findings might provide partial evidence for the possible circulation of FPV or its related viruses among wild leopard cat and Asian badger in Korea. There should be additional study to confirm this through direct detection of FPVs in the related animal samples.

Liver Fluke Infestation in Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

The present study reports pathological conditions associated with liver fluke infestation in a Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) at Wild Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Bengaluru. Purple herons are commonly seen in the lakes around Bengaluru and feed on the fish, snails and other fauna. One Purple heron was rescued and housed at Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Bannerghatta Biological Park. After death, the Purple heron was submitted to Wild Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy and systematically examined. Faecal samples were collected and examined; where golden yellow colored eggs of Fasciola sp. were found. On gross examination, liver was found to be enlarged with whitish necrotic spots on the surface. Kidneys were pale with enlarged ureters. Histopathologically, kidney revealed diffuse degeneration of tubular structures and accumulation of uric acid crystals in the tubules.Liver showed proliferation of bile ducts along with degenerating flukes, areas of ossification, desquamation of epithelium and periductular fibrous tissue proliferation

Pathological Conditions Associated with Physaloptera Stomach Worm Infestation in Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis

The present study reports pathological conditions associated with Physaloptera sp. stomach worm infestation in Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis). Four adult Bengal monitor lizards were rescued from the poachers and kept at Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru. Faecal samples from all were collected and examined. Physaloptera sp. ova were found in all faecal samples examined by sedimentation technique. One Bengal monitor lizard died during the period and systematically examined at necropsy for gross pathological lesions. Adult Physaloptera sp. nematodes were found to be firmly attached to the gastric mucosa causing erosive inflammatory foci. Histopathological examination of stomach revealed the presence of many immature and mature worms encapsulated within fibrous connective tissue. The intestinal villi were stunted and many cross sections of the worms could be demonstrated in the lumen. The worms also migrated to liver parenchyma and got encapsulated with fibrous connective tissue with infiltration of eosinophils in the sinusoids and the vascular tissue spaces. This seems to be the first report of Physaloptera sp. nematodiasis in Bengal monitor lizard kept under captivity for a period of 1.5 months.

한국 미기록종 뿔바다오리(Aethia cristatella)의 첫 기록

2016년 1월 13일 국내 미기록종 뿔바다오리(Aethia cristatella) 1개체가 부산광역시 서구 암남동 바닷가(35° 4"1.31"N, 129° 0"30.53"E)에서 발견되었다. 국내에서 Aethia 속으로는 작은바다오리(A. pusilla)가 기록되었으며, 본 연구는 뿔바다오리(A. cristatella)의 첫 기록으로 세부적인 특징 및 분포와 관련된 기초적인 자료를 제공한다. On 13 January 2016, one Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella was discovered by local Wild Animal Rescue Center on the beach (35° 4"1.31"N, 129° 0"30.53"E) in Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Koea. To date in Korea, only one species, Least Auklet A. pusilla in Aethia has been recorded and this is the first record of A. cristatella. This report provides a detailed description of the characteristics and an information of distribution in this species.

Welfare and conservation: the role of one tiny wildlife sanctuary in wildlife survival worldwide

Malawi is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, yet has one of the fastest growing populations in Africa. The result? Immense pressure is being placed on natural resources, the wildlife and a rich and vital biodiverse habitat. The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust is a charitable organisation working towards wildlife rescue and habitat conservation throughout the country. With the help of over 100 volunteers a year, they undertake wild animal rescue and research programmes, while inspiring and facilitating local and, increasingly, national communities to protect their natural heritage through education and sponsorship of eco-friendly living programmes.

Subcutaneous Canthariasis due to Tenebrio Molitor Larva (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) In Egretta Intermedia

Canthariasis is a phenomenon where act as parasites and infect humans and other animals temporary by ingesting the beetle larvae This report highlights the rare subcutaneous canthariasis finding in an avian species Egrettaintermedia due to a yellow mealworm On August a bird was transferred to the Chungnam National University wild animal rescue center Republic of Korea from the wild envelopment where it died and was anatomized A single larva was detected in the space between the esophagus and trachea of bird after skinning The larva was identified to be a yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor

New Record of Schistorophus cirripedesmi (Nematoda: Acuariidae) from a Bar-Tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica baueri (Charadriformes: Scolopacidae) in Korea.

In July 2014, a nematode species, Schistorophus cirripedesmi Rhizhikov and Khokhlova, 1964, was recovered from a bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica baueri that was stored in a -20˚C freezer in the Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. The bird was collected in 2012 from the coastal region of Pyeongtaek-si (City), Gyeonggi-do (Province) in the Republic of Korea, although the exact date is not clear. At necropsy, 9 nematodes were found in the gizzard of the bird. The parasites had 4 horn-like cephalic cuticular ornamentations. After morphometric comparison and morphological observations, including scanning electron microscopy, the nematodes were identified as S. cirripedesmi. This is the first description of a nematode species in a shorebird in Korea. This is also the first time this genus and species have been found in Korea.

Three Nematode Species Recovered from Terrestrial Snakes in Republic of Korea.

The majority of parasitological studies of terrestrial snakes in Korea have focused on zoonotic parasites. However, in the present study, we describe 3 unrecorded nematode species recovered from 5 species of snakes (n=6) in Korea. The examined snakes, all confiscated from illegal hunters, were donated by the Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center and Korean Broadcasting System in July 2014 and February 2015. Light and scanning electron microscopies on the shapes of spicules that are either bent or straight (kalicephalids) and the presence of the intestinal cecum (ophidascarids) figured out 3 nematodes; Kalicephalus brachycephalus Maplestone, 1931, Kalicephalus sinensis Hsü, 1934, and Ophidascaris excavata Hsü and Hoeppli, 1934. These 3 species of nematode faunas are recorded for the first time in Korea.

TINGKAH LAKU MAKAN ELANG LAUT PERUT PUTIH (Haliaeetus leucogaster) DI PUSAT PENYELAMATAN SATWA TASIK OKI SULAWESI UTARA

INGESTING BEHAVIOUR OF WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) IN TASIKOKI CENTRAL WILD ANIMAL RESCUE IN MINAHASA UTARA. This study aimed to describe the ingesting of white bellied sea eagle (Halliaetus leucogaster) in Tasikoki Central Wild Animal Rescue on safeguarding cage as one of the conservation strategy for translocation purpose. The expected benefits was to provide information about ingesting behavior of white bellied sea eagle and the reference knowledge information in the field of wild life conservation measures. This research was conducted using observational methods and instantaneous animal sampling technique of 14 animal samples. Study began at 07.00 am until 17.00 pm. The variables observed is observing prey, catching prey and ingesting prey of white bellied sea eagle as the variables of this study. The observing result is showed that white bellied sea eagle was ingesting fish and other eagle (cannibal animal). The ingesting behavior was affected by the kind of prey, which one of the favorite prey of white bellied sea eagle. The other eagle and the agonistic behavior mostly happened when they prey the other eagle. White bellied sea eagle observed the prey and other thing around the cage with the percentage of 3%. White bellied sea eagle only catches fish with a percentage of 1%. White bellied sea eagle was ingesting prey with a percentage of 96%. The animal was very sensitive in ingesting fish more than ingesting other eagle. Keywords : White bellied sea eagle (Halliaetus leucogaster), Ingesting Behavior, Tasikoki Central Wild Animal Rescue Tasikoki.

Voluntourism product development and wildlife conservation for Thailand

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to explore how an international business model was successfully developed to protect the environment, specifically, how the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation (WARF) of Thailand designed its unique eco-voluntourism products.Design/methodology/approach– Primary qualitative data were collected through ethnographic research, involving researcher participation and interviews, with the founder and the management team. Secondary data were also gathered through undergraduate and graduate students' experience with WARF, a television news reporter, and social media data from WARF's eco-voluntourists.Findings– It was found that the business model of WARF evolved through trial-and-error, whereby voluntourism projects were created in collaboration with stakeholders from both public and private sectors. The success of voluntourism lies in ensuring that the experience was rewarding for all stakeholders.Practical implications– WARF's voluntourism business model has high market potential to be developed cross-continents. The findings are optimistic and encouraging for managers and policy makers, particularly for countries that are endowed with natural resources. Eco-tourism and non-service green businesses also found good ideas from WARF to apply to their operations.Originality/value– It is extremely challenging to offer a tourism product that could add more value to eco-volunteers who already have high levels of knowledge in ecology. The WARF case demonstrates how extensive stakeholder collaboration makes it possible to create and manage experiences that would be perceived as a rare opportunity for educational eco-tourism.

Analysis of Home Range of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) by WT-100

This study aimed to estimate the home range of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) from May to November 2012. Bubo bubo were rescued by Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. WT-100 weigh 83g. Analysis of home ranges used a SHP File and ArcGIS 9.0 for GIS, and used a Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) for analysis. Home range were 39.1 km2 (MCP) and 27.8 km 2 (KDE 95%), 20.9km2 (KDE 90%), 4.2km2 (KDE 50%). Home range of Bubo bubo showed very similar results to the previous study. That is result of opportunistic foraging tactics to selecting prey.

Mammary adenocarcinoma in lioness

A lioness was brought for postmortem at the Wild Animal Rescue Centre, Kodanad Kerala India. The right mammary gland was extremely enlarged and was completely invaded by coalescent yellowish granular masses and whitish connective tissue. Histopathology of the organs revealed proliferation of round or polyhydric mild anaplastic cells, with round hyper chromatic nuclei, evident nucleoli and eosinophilic cytoplasm and with moderate anaplasia. The cells formed solid masses surrounded by fine connective stroma. Mitotic figures were conspicuous and in many areas the tumor cells invaded the blood and lymphatic vessels. There were metastatic changes in the retro-mammary lymph node and other organs of the pelvic, abdominal or thoracic cavities with similar characteristics of primary tumor. Key words : anaplastic cells, mammary gland, metastasis

Malignant Melanoma in a Seagull (Larus fuscus): Morphological and Immunohistochemical Approach

A common seagull (Larus fuscus) was found near the southern coast of Italy by the veterinarians of the local wild animal rescue center. Physical examination of the bird revealed an ulcerated mass involving a majority of the oral cavity; the mass did not allow for normal feeding. After the bird died necropsy was performed and the mass was histologically and immunohistochemically examined. The morphology and the immunoreactivity for Melan-A and S-100 antigens led to a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. This is the first case of malignant melanoma described in a seagull, and herein we compare the characteristics of the present case with malignant melanoma already described in domestic animals.