Cage restraints for rhinoceroses

Abstract

Captive breeding programs for the rhinoceros can be enhanced by studying their reproductive physiology. To do so requires repetitive manipulations under physically controlled circumstances. To facilitate these procedures, zoos throughout the world have constructed restraint devices, or chutes. Chute designs are usually determined by the space in which they are to be situated and the budget available for their construction. In this study, eight chute designs at seven institutions were compared for efficiency in controlling rhinoceroses during ultrasonography, semen collection, and blood sampling. Procedures were conducted on 16 rhinoceroses of four species: the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), the black (Diceros bicornis), the greater one‐horned Asian (Rhinoceros unicornis), and the Sumatran (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Chutes were evaluated for dimensions, fabricating materials, procedures to be attempted, and structural features such as shoulder restraints. Permanent, indoor, side‐adjustable, pass‐through chutes were determined to be the most efficient and convenient type because they saved time and reduced stress on the animals. Zoo Biol 17:343–359, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Science and Management in a Conservation Crisis: a Case Study with Rhinoceros

“…During decline, research on the causes of decline ( e.g., trade in rhinoceros horn; Hall‐Martin et al 1993 and how to best monitor populations ( Galli & Flammand 1995 ) are most needed. During crisis management the most urgent needs are for research into animal management and husbandry techniques because management necessarily involves animal immobilization, translocation, and captivity ( Schaffer et al 1998; Radcliffe et al 2000 ), investigations of population genetics to describe and prioritize conservation units ( Ashley et al 1990 ), and study of reproduction and disease to monitor and assist breeding and health ( Patton et al 1999; Fischer‐Tenhagen et al 2000 ). Few publications appeared during rhinoceros decline and crisis management, and they did not target these topics ( Fig.…”

Kenmerken van de voortplanting en de geassisteerde voortplanting bij de witte (Ceratotherium simum) en zwarte (Diceros bicornis) neushoorn

“…In trained animals, chute conditioning with food may help the animals entering and remaining in a free-stall chute (Radcliffe et al, 1997). Other types of cage restraints may interfere and restrict the way of working (Schaffer et al, 1998b). In case of more invasive ART, such as ovum pick-up, the animals need to be fully restrained and anesthetized to facilitate handling (Hermes et al, 2009a).…”

Operant‐conditioning programme for White rhinoceros, Black rhinoceros and Indian or Greater one‐horned Asian rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, Diceros bi cornis and Rhinoceros unicornis at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, Dunstable, UK

“…In 1998 the conditioning programme was introduced to 1.1 Black rhinoceros in order to facilitate the collection of blood samples and ultrasound procedures (Thorne & Whalen, 1996;McCaskill, 1997;Schaffer et al, 1998;Mylniczenko, 1999;Pill, 2000;Shaffstall, 2000). In captivity Black rhinoceros are more susceptible to a range of diseases, such as leptospirosis and haemolytic anaemia (Bobko, 1996;Miller, 2003).…”