Husbandry, management and breeding of the Greater one‐horned rhinoceros <i>Rhinoceros unicornis</i> at Zoo Basel

Houwald, Friederike von

doi:10.1111/izy.12127

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…A diet based on grass hay (possibly mixed with straw) of a low nutritional quality, with a restricted small proportion of a pelleted compound feed (to ensure mainly mineral, but not energy provision), and a possible addition of browse, in the form of branches, is probably the best diet recommendation from both an enrichment and a health point of view [Clauss and Hatt, ]. Consultation of the feeding guidelines mentioned in the EAZA best practice guidelines [von Houwald, ] is strongly recommended.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body condition scoring system for greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis): Development and application

Heidegger

Houwald²,

Steck³

et al. 2016

Zoo Biology

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Preventing obesity in zoo animals is increasingly recognized as an important husbandry objective. To achieve this goal, body condition scoring (BCS) systems are available for an ever-increasing number of species. Here, we present a BCS for the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) based on an evaluation (on a scale from 1 to 5) of seven different body regions, and report resulting scores for 62 animals from 27 facilities, based on digital photographs. In animals above 4 years of age, this BCS correlated with the body mass:shoulder height ratio. Although differences between the sexes for individual regions were noted (with consistently higher scores in males for the neck and shoulder and in parous females for the abdomen), the average BCS of all regions did not differ significantly between males (4.3 ± 0.4) and females (4.1 ± 0.5). Linking the BCS to results of a questionnaire survey and studbook information, there were no differences in BCS between animals with and without foot problems or between parous and non-parous females. In a very limited sample of 11 females, those eight that had been diagnosed with leiomyoma in a previous study had a higher BCS (range 3.9-4.9) than the three that had been diagnosed as leiomyoma-free (range 3.5-3.7). The BCS was correlated to the amount of food offered as estimated from the questionnaire. Adjusting the amounts and the nutritional quality of the diet components is an evident measure to maintain animals at a target BCS (suggested as 3-3.5). Zoo Biol. 35:432-443, 2016. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body condition scoring system for greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis): Development and application

Heidegger

Houwald²,

Steck³

et al. 2016

Zoo Biology

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“…In 2007, the new indoor stables and outdoor enclosures were finished, and the substrate used for both inside and outside consists of a 50 cm‐deep untreated wood‐chip layer (von Houwald, ). This material is bouncy, easily replaced and can also be eaten or played with.…”

Section: Prevention Of Foot Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes and prevention of foot problems in Greater one‐horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in zoological institutions

Houwald¹

2016

International Zoo Yearbook

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Greater one‐horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis have been successfully maintained by and bred at zoological gardens in the past half century. Despite this success, decades ago it was recognized that this species frequently develops foot lesions. Such damage can impair the health and well‐being of an individual, and contribute to a reduction of its lifespan. The death of a breeding bull or cow will have an effect upon the success of the breeding programme. Various studies have been carried out to determine the types and causes of foot problems in Greater one‐horned rhinoceros with the aim of identifying long‐term solutions to this health concern. The most effective method for preventing lesions and improving the health of the feet in rhinoceros is to utilize an appropriate substrate (e.g. 50 cm‐deep untreated wood chips) in both outdoor enclosures and indoor stables.

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“…Considering that large mammals' feet support their body mass during gait, understanding healthy foot function is important for understanding healthy gait. This is particularly imperative in view of documented rhinoceros foot pathologies (Dudley et al, 2014;Flach et al, 2003;Galateanu et al, 2013;Harrison et al, 2011;Jacobsen, 2002;Jones, 1979;Regnault et al, 2013;Von Houwold, 2001;Von Houwald and Guldenschuh, 2002;Von Houwold and Flach, 1998;Zainuddin et al, 1990). Previous research on museum specimens found a high occurrence of enthesopathies and osteoarthritis on the phalanges of rhinoceros feet (Regnault et al, 2013)--of the 81 feet from 27 rhinoceroses studied, 54 feet from 22 individuals exhibited osteopathologies (Dudley et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #2 of "Foot pressure distribution in White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) during walking (v0.2)"

2019

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White rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) are odd-toed ungulates that belong to the group Perissodactyla. Being second only to elephants in terms of large body mass amongst extant tetrapods, rhinoceroses make fascinating subjects for the study of how large land animals support and move themselves. Rhinoceroses often are kept in captivity for protection from ivory poachers and for educational/touristic purposes, yet a detrimental side effect of captivity can be foot disease (i.e. enthesopathies and osteoarthritis around the phalanges). Foot diseases in large mammals are multifactorial, but locomotor biomechanics (e.g. pressures routinely experienced by the feet) surely can be a contributing factor. However, due to a lack of in vivo experimental data on rhinoceros foot pressures, our knowledge of locomotor performance and its links to foot disease is limited. The overall aim of this study was to characterize peak pressures and centre of pressure trajectories in white rhinoceroses during walking. We asked two major questions. First, are peak locomotor pressures the lowest around the fat pad and its lobes (as in the case of elephants)? Second, are peak locomotor pressures concentrated around the areas with the highest reported incidence of pathologies? Our results show a reduction of pressures around the fat pad and its lobes, which is potentially due to the material properties of the fat pad or the fact that our rhinoceros subjects avoided "heel" contact at impact. We also found an even and gradual concentration of foot pressures across all digits, which may be a by-product of the more horizontal foot roll-off during the stance phase. While our exploratory, descriptive sample precluded hypothesis testing, our study provides important new data on rhinoceros locomotion for future studies to build on, and thus impetus for improved implementation in the care of captive/managed rhinoceroses.

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Husbandry, management and breeding of the Greater one‐horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis at Zoo Basel

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Body condition scoring system for greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis): Development and application

Body condition scoring system for greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis): Development and application

Causes and prevention of foot problems in Greater one‐horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in zoological institutions

Peer Review #2 of "Foot pressure distribution in White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) during walking (v0.2)"

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