Herpes Simplex Encephalitis: Two Fatal Cases

The clinical and pathological features of the first two reported cases of herpes simplex encephalitis occurring in Saskatchewan are presented. The clinical history of an acute onset, an early organic mental syndrome followed by coma, neurologic disturbances, rapid progression and death suggests the diagnosis. The acute, diffuse, inflammatory process with predominant involvement of the temporal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres and the presence of intranuclear inclusions in nerve and glial cells are illustrated. The viral particles were found in electron micrographs from the brain tissue of both patients. The definitive diagnosis was established by the isolation, from postmortem brain tissue, of the herpes simplex virus, which was grown in tissue culture and shown to be pathogenic in suckling mice.     

A Visit to the Zoos and Aquariums in Japan II

In the year 2013, the authors, who had already visited some Japanese aquariums and zoos in 2012 (Lange & Tai, 2012), revisited several Japanese aquariums and zoos. They were accompanied by two colleagues from Basle Zoo and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who joined the tour.Their goals of the tour were focused on new innovative husbandry methods, on new aquarium buildings and new zoo enclosures as well as on rare Japanese endemic animals, which are never or seldom seen outside of Japan.The perfect new aquariums in Kyoto and Kitami City (Hokkaido), but also the very specialized aquariums like the Kamo Aquarium (for jellyfish) in Yamagata, the Chitose Salmon Aquarium (for salmons), the Otaru Aquarium (for sea mammals) and the Umi Kirara Kujukushima Aquarium (for the fauna of the Kujukushima island National Park) have been destinations for this trip. Besides the aquariums also the Asahiyama Zoo (new enclosures for endemic animals of Hokkaido), Kobe Oji Zoo, Kushiro Zoo (many endemic Hokkaido species), Nagasaki Bio Park, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo (new area for South East Asian animals) and the Sasebo Zoological & Botanical Garden were visited.During this tour it was obvious that neither the colleagues in Japan nor the staff in the zoos outside of Japan know sufficient enough about the conception and the husbandry methods in the different institutions in this part of the world. Therefore it is recommendable to organize such tours often for more people, thus both sides can benefit and learn from each other. This again will influence to help to keep the animals better, to attract more visitors in order to inspire them for the conservation of nature and environment.     

A Postzoo Future: Why Welfare Fails Animals in Zoos

ABSTRACT

Discussions on the welfare of nonhuman animals in zoos tend to focus on incremental improvements without addressing the underlying problem of captivity. But alterations to the conditions of zoo captivity are irrelevant for animals. Real zoo reform will involve working to completely change the landscape. We offer six necessary reforms to bring zoos into a more ethical future: (1) Shut down bad zoos, now; (2) stop exhibiting animals who cannot and never will do well in captivity; (3) stop killing healthy animals; (4) stop captive breeding; (5) stop moving animals around from one zoo to another; and (6) use the science of animal cognition and emotion on behalf of animals.     

Vicarious Group-Based Rejection: Creating a Potentially Dangerous Mix of Humiliation,Powerlessness, and Anger

Rejection can convey that one is seen as inferior and not worth bothering with. Is it possible for people to feel vicariously rejected in this sense and have reactions that are similar to those following personal rejection, such as feeling humiliated, powerless, and angry? A study on personal rejection was followed by two main studies on vicarious group-based rejection. It was found that merely observing rejection of ingroup members can trigger feelings of humiliation that are equally intense as those experienced in response to personal rejection. Moreover, given that the rejection is explicit, vicariously experienced feelings of humiliation can be accompanied by powerlessness and anger. Potentially, this combination of emotions could be an important source of offensive action against rejecters.     

Evaluation of Enrichment for Reptiles in Zoos

Studies on environmental enrichment for reptiles are lacking in the scientific literature. Although the literature reflects a limited take on reptile enrichment in the zoological community, it may not be the case in reality as enrichment is generally considered an important aspect of the care of nonhuman animals in captivity. This project investigated the current state of reptile enrichment as it is being used in zoos. Although respondents were disproportionately accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the results showed many forms of enrichment being used for reptiles in zoos and happening at much greater levels than what has been suggested in the scientific literature. There were significant differences between a) reptile groups for each form of enrichment, and b) enrichment forms within each reptile group, except with the use of natural enrichment devices and structural/habitat design, which did not differ across all reptile groups. Enrichment goals, assessment methods, and sources of information for reptile enrichment used by zoos suggest the need for more scientific publications for facilities to make evidence-based decisions to improve the welfare of reptiles in captivity.     

The Welfare of Bears in Zoos: A Case Study of Poland

The welfare of captive bears became a big issue of concern in Poland when a case of a bear being ill-treated became a high-profile case in the media. This case created a challenge to verify, study, and understand the main problems associated with bear keeping so that zoos could significantly improve the conditions in which they keep bears or ensure they keep bears at the minimum required standards. The results presented here are from 1 of the few countrywide studies of captive bear conditions conducted in all the captive institutions in Poland that keep bears. Thirteen institutions kept bears at the time of the study (2007–2009), including 54 individuals of 5 species. Major welfare problems were identified, and the results have been used to challenge zoos to address the changes required and focus the government's attention on areas that require legislative improvement.     

Parasites in Captive Animals: A Review of Studies in Some European Zoos

There are a number of specific characteristics in the system parasites–zoos and lots of studies in this connection have been carried out. In the present work a literature review of the parasitological investigations performed in some European zoos is presented. The summing-up and analyses of the literature data gave us grounds for drawing the following conclusions: Helminths represent the most frequently reported parasites in the animals inhabiting Europe's zoos. According to the frequency of the reports the most widely-spread among the helminths are the nematodes, followed by the cestodes and trematodes. The nematodes are most often represented by those of the Ascaridida order followed by Strongylida, Enoplida (Trichuridae, Capillariidae), Oxyurida and Rhabditida. Protozoa rank second after the nematodes according to the frequency of reports. The ones affecting the gastrointestinal tract and developing without intermediary hosts are most often established (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Eimeria). Often parasites causing zoonoses are recorded in the zoo animals. Most often these are primates with the nematodes from the genera Trichuris, Ascaris, Strongyloides and Enterobius being the most common zoonoses agents.     

A Survey of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors in North American River Otters Housed in Zoos

Stereotypic behaviors, indicating poor welfare and studied in a variety of species (especially carnivores), appear related to characteristics of current and past environments. Although North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) often develop abnormal, repetitive, possibly stereotypic behaviors, no published reports describe otter housing and management or characterize how these variables relate to abnormal repetitive behavior (ARB) occurrence. The first author developed surveys to gather data on housing, individual history, management, and the prevalence of ARBs in otters housed in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Consistent with anecdotal evidence that otters are prone to ARBs, 46% of river otters in the study exhibit them. ARBs were mostly locomotor and often preceded feeding. Exhibits where otters were fed and trained housed a greater percentage of nonhuman animals with ARBs. This study supports the Tarou, Bloomsmith, and Maple (2005) report that more hands-on management is associated with higher levels of ARBs because management efforts are only for animals with ARBs. Escape motivation, breeding season, feeding cues, and ability to forage may affect ARBs in river otters and should be investigated.     

Semantic Profiles of Zoos and Their Animals

ABSTRACT

I administered surveys to 156 university students to explore issues related to animal charisma or show value. Specifically, students ranked species as to their desirability to see on a zoo tour and to work with professionally as a zoo biologist; rated the semantic connotations of these species; rated the semantic connotations of the zoo, wild animal park, and nature reserve; and rated the connotations of two charismatic and two biophobic animal species in three habitats. On a zoo tour, respondents want to see species that are large, attractive, strong, and uncommon, but prefer to work professionally with species that are friendly and safe. Students viewed the zoo as a somewhat active, large place, with overall positive connotations. However, it ranks lower than the wild animal park and the nature reserve on the value dimension. Species are considered less active and less strong when caged than when free in their natural habitat or in an animal sanctuary. The different habitats had less effect in the value dimension. This is true for both charismatic and biophobic species.     

中国动物园动物种类与种群大小

2007～2008年,我们开展了中国动物园物种编目与易地保护抽样调查,抽样调查了68家动物园。抽样动物园饲养了789种[(包括虎(Panthera tigris)和金钱豹(P.pardus)的亚种]野生动物,比20世纪90年代初中国动物园饲养的600种野生动物,增加了180多种;抽样动物园饲养展出野生动物中有国外野生动物种类267种,比20世纪90年代初中国动物园饲养的100种国外野生动物,增加了160种。抽样动物园展出的中国哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和两栖类种类数分别占中国哺乳类(607种)、鸟类(1332种)、爬行类(384种)和两栖类(302种)种类总数的25.0%、28.2%、22.7%、4.0%。这些抽样动物园饲养了234种国家重点保护野生动物和254种CITES附录物种,其中,饲养的国家Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物分别占国家Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物总数的70.57%和47.09%;饲养的列入CITES附录Ⅰ、附录Ⅱ及附录Ⅲ的中国动物分别占列入这些附录的中国动物总数的64.21%、60.86%和50%。中国动物园成功繁殖了大熊猫(Ailuiopodidae melanoleuca)、金丝猴(Rhinopithecus roxellanae)、雪豹(P.unicia)、华南虎(P.tigris amoyensis)和亚洲象(Elephas maximus)等濒危物种,也成功繁殖了从国外引入的猎豹(Acinonyx jubatus)、大猩猩(Gorilla gorilla)、美洲狮(Puma concolor)等动物。然而,调查发现,(1)抽样动物园仅饲养了四分之一左右的中国哺乳类、鸟类及爬行类动物种类,饲养的两栖类更少;(2)抽样动物园饲养种群小,多数物种没有形成可繁殖种群。抽样调查的动物园两栖类、爬行类、鸟类及哺乳类种群大小分别为5.09(±2.15)只、5.69(±4.28)只、15.00(±6.63)只和10.08(±2.91)只;(3)一些动物园,特别是小型动物园动物饲养空间小,一些动物表现出刻板行为;(4)中国动物园饲养繁殖的大熊猫、华南虎、鹤类已经建立了谱系,其他一些物种的谱系正在建立之中,然而,多数动物还没有谱系;(5)一些小型动物园存在笼舍不清洁,仅饲养了单只动物,展出动物名牌错误等问题。动物园是人类社会的重要组成部分。应当重视动物园的发展,加强国际交流与合作,为更多动物建立谱系,加大动物园的投入,增加动物种类,增大动物园面积,丰富圈养环境,发挥大型动物园的示范作用,以充分发挥动物园的动物展示、科学普及与物种资源保存功能。     

动物园大型猫科动物犬瘟热的免疫监测

虎、狮、豹等大型猫科动物可发生犬瘟热(CD),有必要进行预防。采取某动物园未免疫的东北虎、非洲狮、猞猁血样,用中和试验检测,结果显示这些动物的犬瘟热病毒(CDV)抗体水平均小于1:5。用CD弱毒疫苗接种以上动物,幼龄动物免疫14d逐步产生抗体;成年动物体内抗体水平在两月内迅速升高,并维持在1:64以上,9～11个月后逐步下降,加强免疫后抗体又迅速升高至≥1:112。该疫苗对所有接种的动物均安全可靠。白化的孟加拉虎接种疫苗后不能产生CDV中和抗体。     

动物园大型猫科动物犬瘟热的免疫监测

虎、狮、豹等大型猫科动物可发生犬瘟热(CD),有必要进行预防.采取某动物园未免疫的东北虎、非洲狮、猞猁血样,用中和试验检测,结果显示这些动物的犬瘟热病毒(CDV)抗体水平均小于15.用CD弱毒疫苗接种以上动物,幼龄动物免疫14d逐步产生抗体;成年动物体内抗体水平在两月内迅速升高,并维持在164以上,9～11个月后逐步下降,加强免疫后抗体又迅速升高至≥1112.该疫苗对所有接种的动物均安全可靠.白化的孟加拉虎接种疫苗后不能产生CDV中和抗体.