Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
A Retrospective Study of Mortality in Maned Wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in North American Zoological Institutions
Author(s)
Magdalena Marcinczyk; Nucharin Songassen; Elizabeth Hammond; Melissa Rodden; Denise McAloose
Published
2022
Abstract
The objective of this 38-yr retrospective study was to review and summarize causes of mortality in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in the North American Species Survival Plan® (SSP) population to inform and enhance animal health, husbandry, and conservation efforts. Pathology reports were requested from all zoological institutions housing maned wolves that died between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 2021. The data were reviewed and cause of death (COD) and concurrent diseases were summarized and compared by age group, organ system and disease process. One hundred and seventy-two wolves, 83 females and 89 males, met the inclusion criteria; the majority were geriatric (>11 yr; n=95) or adult (2–11 yr; n=67) wolves. Overall, noninfectious diseases were the most common COD across all age groups (n=95; 55.2%). In adults and geriatrics, neoplasia (dysgerminoma) and metabolic disease (urolithiasis) were the most common COD. The most common COD by organ system were digestive (n=40) and urinary (n=34) system diseases. Cause of death in the former included enteritis (n=10) and gastric dilation/volvulus (n=7). The most common comorbidities were intestinal inflammation and urolithiasis. Infectious COD was reported in 17 wolves and included viral (n=1), babesiosis (n=4), acanthocephalans (n=2), acariasis with anemia (n=1), and dirofilariasis (n=1); bacterial infections were a COD in eight wolves. A total of 135 benign and malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in 44 individuals. All but two tumors, a thymoma and astrocytoma (both in juveniles), were diagnosed in geriatric or adult wolves. Neoplasia was the primary COD in 38 individuals. Dysgerminoma was the most reported tumor (n=17) and the most common neoplastic COD (n=7).
Keywords
maned wolf; chrysocyon brachyurus; mortality; zoos
Access Full Text
Back
DMX4583900000