Birth and mortality of maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1811) in captivity

Abstract

The aims of this study were to verify the distribution of births of captive maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus and the causes of their deaths during the period from 1980 to 1998, based on the registry of births and deaths in the International Studbook for Maned Wolves. To determine birth distribution and average litter size, 361 parturitions were analyzed for the 1989-98 period. To analyze causes of mortality, the animals were divided into four groups: 1. pups born in captivity that died prior to one year of age; 2. animals born in captivity that died at more than one year of age; 3. animals captured in the wild that died at any age; and 4. all animals that died during the 1980-98 period. In group 1, the main causes of mortality were parental incompetence (67%), infectious diseases, (9%) and digestive system disorders (5%). The average mortality rate for pups was 56%. Parental incompetence was responsible for 95% of pup deaths during the first week of life. In group 2, the main causes were euthanasia (18%) and disorders of the genitourinary (10%) and digestive systems (8%). Euthanasia was implemented due to senility, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, and trauma. In group 3, the main causes were digestive system disorders (12%), infectious diseases (10%), and lesions or accidents (10%). The main causes of mortality of maned wolves in captivity (group 4) were parental incompetence (38%), infectious diseases (9%), and digestive system disorders (7%).

Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound study of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

“…Although this canid inhabits large areas, it is classified as "vulnerable" according to the Brazilian fauna national species list of animals threatened with extinction (IBAMA 2003); in spite of this fact, these wolves are commonly found in Brazilian zoos (Maia & Gouveia 2002).…”

Maned Wolves of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

“…All diseases reported in free-living MW (except gunshot wounds and trauma caused by vehicle contact) are also commonly reported in captive MW, including some not yet identified in free-living individuals, such as dermatitis, proliferative gingivitis, neoplasia, and spondyloarthropathy (Fletcher et al, 1979;Hammond, 2012;Maia and Gouveia, 2002;Norton, 1990;Reid et al, 2005;Maned Wolf Husbandry Manual, 2007;Rothschild et al, 2001).…”

Hematology and Blood Chemistry Parameters Differ in Free-Ranging Maned Wolves (Chrysocyon Brachyurus) Living in the Serra Da Canastra National Park Versus Adjacent Farmlands, Brazil

“…No systematic study has been conducted to explore the influence of age, gender, and adjacency to human development/activities on hematology and blood chemistry normal values. Interestingly, there is a substantial database on health issues associated with maned wolves living ex situ in zoological collections that spans almost 30 yr (Fletcher et al, 1979;Bush, 1980;Norton, 1990;Maia and Gouveia, 2002). This includes detailed information on species hematology and serum biochemistry (Barbiers and Bush, 1994) and overall sensitivity to rabies, canine distemper, and parvovirus (Fletcher et al, 1979;Norton, 1990).…”