A new voluntary blood collection method for the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)

Abstract

Various training methods have been developed for animal husbandry and health care in zoos and one of these trainings is blood collection. One training method, recently widely used for blood collection in Ursidae, requires setting up a sleeve outside the cage and gives access to limited blood collection sites. A new voluntary blood collection method without a sleeve was applied to the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) with access to various veins at the same time. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of this new method and suggests improvements. Two Andean and two Asiatic black bears in Yokohama and Nogeyama Zoological Gardens, respectively, were trained to hold a bamboo pipe outside their cages. We could, thereby, simultaneously access superficial dorsal veins, the dorsal venous network of the hand, the cephalic vein from the carpal joint, and an area approximately 10 cm proximal to the carpal joint. This allowed us to evaluate which vein was most suitable for blood collection. We found that the cephalic vein, approximately 10 cm proximal to the carpal joint, was the most suitable for blood collection. This new method requires little or no modification of zoo facilities and provides a useful alternative method for blood collection. It could be adapted for use in other clinical examinations such as ultrasound examination.

Handling and Training of Wild Animals: Evidence and Ethics-Based Approaches and Best Practices in the Modern Zoo

“…PRT allows for animals to be moved into different areas of their habitats using recall and for veterinary procedures to be carried out without need for chemical or physical restraint. Introducing animals gradually to touch through the barrier can improve their comfort with various husbandry procedures, such as touching body parts commonly used for blood draws, inspecting the ears, or touching their feet [113][114][115]. It is also possible to train animals to present body parts that would not otherwise be able to be examined without physically touching the animal.…”

Husbandry Training of Mandrills (<i>Mandrillus sphinx</i>) for Blood Collection

“…2)星槎大学大学院教育学研究科 はじめに 定期的な採血は，疾病の診断や血中ホルモン濃度の モニタリングなど健康管理や研究に役立てられている (e.g. 川瀬ら，2018a, b; Otaki et al, 2015) 。霊長類の採血 は一般に，スクイズケージによる機械的保定下，麻酔 薬等による化学的保定下，および用手法による物理的 保定下で行われてきた (Fowler, 1982;林，1997;Joslin, 2007;Reinhardt, 1992) 。しかし，一部の霊長類では，ハ ズバンダリートレーニングを用いた行動的保定による 採血が報告されている (Coleman et al, 2008;Joslin, 2007;川 瀬 ら，2017;Lambeth et al, 2006;Laule et al, 1996;Murphy, 2015;Reinhardt, 1997; 鳥居ら，1993) 。ハズバン ダリートレーニングとは， 「飼育動物の生理，生態およ び心理面での管理を可能とするために必要な諸動作(の 形成) (岡崎 , 2010) 」 (括弧内は著者が追記)であり， 侵襲性が低く (Christman, 2010;Hosey et al, 2011) ，3R の原則の「改善(refinement) 」 (日本霊長類学会，2013; 上田ら，2013)に則している。さらに，ハズバンダリー トレーニングは動物と作業者の安全性を高めるとされ (Hodges et al, 2014;Hosey et al, 2011) (Coleman et al, 2008;Laule et al, 1996;Priest, 1991)…”

Anatomical Features Related to the Locomotion of the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Zeugopodium

“…In our previous research Brown bear arteries, veins, and nerves of the zeugopodium were examined and compared with the dog, cat, and human [20,21]. Devis 1941 established a similarity between the blood vessels of the thoracic limb of the Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and ursids, while a study on the Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and Himalayan bear (Ursus thibetanus) showed the most appropriate site for blood collecting from the cephalic vein [8,18]. From an anatomical point of view, the skeletal system of the bear has been widely researched [10,11,15,19].…”