Retrospective study of mortality in Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) in the European breeding population between 2000 and 2014

Abstract

Although the European population of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) has been managed under the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) since 1990, little is known about the health status of the population. This study was designed to characterize mortality for this population through examination of the studbook and other records on 392 Asiatic lions living in the EEP between 2000 and 2014. A total of 270 animals died during the period with 80% of them being under 1 year old. The mortality rate for under 1 year olds was 54%, while the odds of survival of cubs within a litter increased if the dam had had litters previously. Survival to reproductive age was 44%. Post-mortem reports were requested and the cause of death was obtained for 133 animals. Trauma inflicted by a conspecific and lack of care were common causes of death (26% and 22%, respectively) and were also responsible for most of the neonatal mortalities. Congenital defects were responsible for 9% of deaths, although the true prevalence is likely underestimated. A common necropsy protocol for all Asiatic lion collections is needed to facilitate future studies. Zoo Biol. 36:66-73, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bilateral pyelonephritis due to Escherichia coli infection in a captive jaguar (Panthera onca)

“…In addition to the renal lesions, the jaguar from this case presented also a widespread uterine leiomyoma, periovaric cysts, degenerative joint disease in multiple joints, keratitis and anterior uveitis, and hyperplasia of parathyroid glands. Most of these lesions were reported for geriatric animals in previous studies of pathology of wild felids (Hope & Deem 2006, Junginger et al 2015, Metz et al 2017.…”

“…The diagnosis of bilateral bacterial pyelonephritis due to uropathogenic Escherichia coli was based on pathologic, bacteriological and immunohistochemical findings. The causes of death in captive nondomestic felids vary in the literature, including chronic renal disease (Junginger et al 2015), trauma (Metz et al 2017), and stillbirths or neonatal (Hope & Deem 2006) as the most important. The neoplastic disease was considered an important cause in most studies, mainly for geriatric animals (Hope & Deem 2006, Junginger et al 2015, Metz et al 2017.…”

Spinal disease in a captive population of Panthera species: Review of 86 cases (2003–2021)

“…17,43 Developmental lesions were primarily in adult and aged animals, perhaps signifying that these lesions did not clinically impact early life or that some were acquired lesions (syringohydromyelia). While developmental lesions of the spine are relatively uncommon in Panthera spp., there have been previous reports of syringomyelia in 2 unrelated pairs of Asiatic lion cub siblings, 20,35 hydromyelia in 2 lions with partial cerebellar herniation, 47 and syringohydromyelia in a lion and a bobcat (Lynx rufus), both secondary to a Chiari-like malformation. 42 One lion in the current study had cerebellar herniation associated with cervical syringohydromyelia, 14 similar to a previous report.…”

“…with no apparent sex predilection. 8,15,22,25,27 Vertebral malformations have included congenital occipitoatlantoaxial malformation in male juvenile lions ( Panthera leo ), 9 and spinal cord malformations reported consist of syringomyelia, 20,35 hydromyelia, 47 or both in juvenile lions. 42 Spinal neoplasms have also been reported.…”

What is the role of the studbook in zoo and aquarium research?

“…For example, all holders of a species could be contacted through the studbook as part of a global husbandry survey (Fuller et al, 2013; Ryan et al, 2002). Similarly, existing records such as morbidity and mortality reports (Metz et al, 2017) can be used to investigate the most common causes of death and disease, to make informed decisions to advance husbandry and animal management. Aspects of species life history, such as sex ratio (2019) and longevity can be pulled from these resources; these data would be difficult to source from most wild animal populations.…”