Weight as an indicator of enclosure suitability in Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii).

Obesity is common in zoo animals, and both dietary management and the provision of adequate opportunities for exercise are needed to tackle it. We used 30 years of records from Jersey Zoo to compare the weight and forearm length of wild and captive-born Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii), and to assess the impact on weight of enclosure space. The mean capture weight of wild-caught male Livingstone's bats was 657 g, significantly higher than that of females (544 g). In both wild and captive-born bats, males had significantly longer forearms than females, but there was no effect of birth location. Males weighed more in the mating season than at other times of year. Both sexes gained more weight during development if born in enclosures that restricted flight rather than a large aviary; this was particularly noticeable in females. After reaching maturity at 3 years, weights of bats born in restricted enclosures continued to increase, reached a peak of over 1000 g at 8-10 years, and then declined in both sexes. The weight of bats born in the aviary remained more stable after the age of three. Like wild bats, adult females born in the aviary weighed less than males. However, females born in restricted enclosures weighed more than males born in the same enclosures. Enclosure designs that maximize opportunities for flight can limit excessive weight gain in captive fruit bats and may therefore improve fitness and health, essential in planning for future reintroduction programs.

RENAL PATHOLOGY IN CAPTIVE ADULT ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMURS (HAPALEMUR ALAOTRENSIS).

Full medical histories from captive Alaotran gentle lemurs or Bandro (Hapalemur alaotrensis) > 1 yr old that died between 1990 and 2016 were requested from holding institutions. Eighty-six individuals died during the period analyzed. Full postmortem reports were received from 40 (46.5%) animals from 16 different institutions across Europe (15) and North America (1). Eighteen animals (45%) showed azotemia within three months of death, with accompanying histological renal lesions. Another 17 (42.5%) showed histological renal lesions, but no renal function assessment was carried out antemortem, or results were within normal limits. Only five animals (12.5%) showed no renal lesions. Of the 35 (87.5%) animals with histological renal lesions, 18 were females, and 17 were males, 11 were wild caught, and 24 were captive born. Twenty-seven animals were euthanized, seven were found dead, and in one case, no details were provided. Sixty-four blood samples from 22 animals were available. Azotemia was observed on average 407 d antemortem, with a case observed as early as 2,318 d antemortem. Twenty-nine urinalyses from 12 animals were carried out antemortem. All animals showed hematuria or proteinuria in at least one antemortem sample. A pH decrease from 8.5 to 5.0 was observed in two animals antemortem. Gross renal lesions most frequently reported were irregular surface (n = 14), abnormal shape (n = 12), and/or presence of cysts (n = 9). The most common histological lesions were interstitial nephritis (n = 25), interstitial fibrosis (n = 26), tubule dilation (n = 16), and glomerulosclerosis (n = 12). Development of additional diagnostic tools, standardization of ante- and postmortem diagnostic protocols, and further investigation into potential etiologies, such as diets offered in captivity and genetic factors, should be considered as the next steps for the veterinary management of this species in captivity.

Individual, social, and environmental factors affecting salivary and fecal cortisol levels in captive pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor).

Pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) are endangered New World primates, and in captivity appear to be very susceptible to stress. We measured cortisol in 214 saliva samples from 36 tamarins and in 227 fecal samples from 27 tamarins, and investigated the effects of age, sex, pregnancy, rearing history, social status, weight, group composition, and enclosure type using generalized linear mixed models. There was no effect of age on either fecal or salivary cortisol levels. Female pied tamarins in late pregnancy had higher fecal cortisol levels than those in early pregnancy, or nonpregnant females, but there was no effect of pregnancy on salivary cortisol. Females had higher salivary cortisol levels than males, but there was no effect of rearing history. However, for fecal cortisol, there was an interaction between sex and rearing history. Hand-reared tamarins overall had higher fecal cortisol levels, but while male parent-reared tamarins had higher levels than females who were parent-reared, the reverse was true for hand-reared individuals. There was a trend towards lower fecal cortisol levels in subordinate individuals, but no effect of status on salivary cortisol. Fecal but not salivary cortisol levels declined with increasing weight. We found little effect of group composition on cortisol levels in either saliva or feces, suggesting that as long as tamarins are housed socially, the nature of the group is of less importance. However, animals in off-show enclosures had higher salivary and fecal cortisol levels than individuals housed on-show. We suggest that large on-show enclosures with permanent access to off-exhibit areas may compensate for the effects of visitor disturbance, and a larger number of tamarins of the same species housed close together may explain the higher cortisol levels found in tamarins living in off-show accommodation, but further research is needed.

SEVOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN LIVINGSTONE'S FRUIT BATS ( PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII).

Fourteen captive Livingstone's fruit bats ( Pteropus livingstonii) were anesthetized for routine veterinary health checks, including echocardiography, using sevoflurane. In addition, three specimens suffering from cardiac disease and a pregnant specimen were anesthetized for clinical assessment. No anesthetic complications were observed in any of the specimens. Significant differences in the core body temperature were found between the esophageal and rectal measurements. A significant decrease in blood glucose was noted through the anesthesia, suspected to be related to an extended fasting period prior to the procedure.

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN A PIED TAMARIN (SAGUINUS BICOLOR).

An intact male pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) presented with a hunched posture while moving, dysuria, pollakiuria, and hematuria. After diagnostic imaging assessment and prostate biopsy, benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed. Treatments with delmadinone acetate and osaterone caused clinical signs and hematuria to resolve temporarily for a variable period of time. Because of frequent recurrence, elective surgical castration was performed, leading to resolution of the clinical signs.