NORTH AMERICAN FELID TAXON ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) 2004 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN

Transcription

1 NORTH AMERICAN FELID TAXON ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) 2004 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN Editors: William F. Swanson (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) and Norah Fletchall (John Ball Zoo) Published on the Felid TAG Web Site:

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary of Annual Conference 3 Past and Future Sites and Hosts of Felid TAG Meetings 4 Narrative Summations (of presentations given at this year s conference) 5 Felid TAG Action Plan ( ) 23 Working Group Reports 29 Small Cat Workshop 39 Studbook, SSP and PMP Reports 44 Felid TAG Steering Committee Report Summary 61 Appendix I Tiger SSP Special Reports 64 Appendix II Pallas Cat Special Research Reports 78 Appendix III - Participant List 80 Cover Art: Wild Cats of the World by artist Ellen Martin, available as a limited edition print or poster with all profits supporting the Felid TAG and the International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC). Contact Pat Currie at the Columbus Zoo (pat.currie@columbuszoo.org) for purchasing information.

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Mid-year Meeting for the North American Felid Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) was held March 26-28, 2004 at the Rio Grande Best Western Inn in downtown Albuquerque, hosted by the Albuquerque Biological Park. The Felid TAG co-chairs, steering committee and meeting participants are grateful to Park Director Ray Darnell, the Host Committee (Lynn Tupa, Chair; Gwen Dragoo, Vice-Chair; Stephanie Kain, SSP Liaison; Kirsten Christensen, Icebreaker; Shelly Dicks, Zoo Day; Beth Dillingham, Volunteers) and other staff and volunteers at the Albuquerque Biological Park and the New Mexico Zoological Society for their efforts in organizing and coordinating a superb midyear meeting. As in the previous two years, the Felid TAG also is extremely indebted to the IAMS Company for their financial support of the mid-year meeting and their continuing interest in assisting the TAG with conservation efforts for nondomestic felids. We also are grateful to several local companies in Albuquerque (Furman Diversified, Western Mercantile, MWI Veterinary Supply, Service System Associates, The Printer s Press, and Desert Plastics) that provided sponsorship support for the meeting. During the mid-year meeting, speakers presented brief updates and progress reports that focused on various management, veterinary and research issues with felids, ranging from assessing the hearing of Pallas cats to rehabilitation and release of Florida panthers. Working groups also were convened to develop the Felid TAG s Three Year Action Plan (for ), focusing on five broad disciplines (animal health, animal welfare and husbandry, research, education, in situ conservation) and determining the highest priorities under each category. Following the completion of the Action Plan, four separate working groups (in situ conservation, cage space survey, education, research) were established to further define priority issues and develop strategies for addressing those priorities. At the conclusion of the TAG meeting, brief status updates were provided by population managers for many of the SSPs (Sand Cat, Fishing Cat, Ocelot, Clouded Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Tiger, Cheetah) and PMPs (Serval, Caracal, Canada Lynx, Puma). Prior the start of the mid-year meeting on March 24 th and 25th, several SSPs (Fishing Cat, Lion, Tiger) took the opportunity to convene management meetings. An all day Small Felid Workshop, organized by Danny Morris, also was held to examine and address specific issues affecting the success of the eight small cat SSPs and PMPs. One outcome of the workshop was the decision (endorsed by the TAG steering committee) to create a Small Cat Subgroup, chaired by Danny Morris and Michele Claud, within the Felid TAG to assist small cat programs in meeting their conservation goals. In keeping with the small cat theme, Jim Sanderson of Conservation International gave an invited presentation during the TAG plenary session providing an overview of his ongoing in situ research with small cats. We appreciate the efforts of all the speakers, program leaders and other meeting participants who attended the mid-year TAG meeting this year. The 2005 Mid-year Felid TAG meeting will be hosted by the St. Louis Zoo and is scheduled for March 18 th -20 th, 2005 with SSP meetings to be held on March 16 th and 17 th. Additional meeting information will be posted soon on the Felid TAG website ( We look forward to seeing each of you next year in St. Louie!! Bill Swanson and Norah Fletchall, Felid TAG Co-Chairs 3

4 Past and Future Sites and Hosts of Felid TAG Meetings 1991 Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA (David Wildt) 1992 Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA (David Wildt) 1993 Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA (David Wildt) 1994 Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA (David Wildt) 1995 S.O.S. Care, Inc., Escondido, CA (Pat Quillen) 1996 S.O.S. Care, Inc., Escondido, CA (Pat Quillen) 1997 S.O.S. Care, Inc., Escondido, CA (Pat Quillen) 1998 Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, OK (Jack Grisham) 1999 Disney s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL (Jill Mellen) 2000 Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, SC (Alan Shoemaker) 2001 Regional AZA Conference, Chattanooga, TN 2002 Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR (Michelle Schireman) 2003 Dallas Zoo, Dallas, TX (Ken Kaemmerer) 2004 Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque, NM (Lynn Tupa) 2005 St. Louis Zoological Park, St. Louis, MO (Steve Bircher) - Special topic: African felids 2006 Nashville Zoo, Nashville, TN (Rick Schwartz) Special topic: Asian felids 2007 Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA (Jack Grisham) - tentative 2008 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH (Bill Swanson) - tentative 4

5 NARRATIVE SUMMATIONS (for presentations given at the 2004 mid-year meeting) Update on Diseases and Related Research in Black-footed Cats and Cheetahs (by Karen Terio and Linda Munson) Black-footed cats Disease has been a limiting factor in the viability of black-footed cat populations in captivity. The average life-span of a black-footed cat in captivity currently is shorter than in the wild. Based on previous necropsy surveys, the vast majority of these deaths have been due to amyloidosis resulting in kidney failure. Amyloidosis is the extracellular deposition of an insoluble protein due to inadequate or defective degradation of internal proteins. The most common form of amyloidosis is Type AA which is derived from serum amyloid A, a protein synthesized by the liver in response to chronic inflammation or stress. There are examples of familial predispositions to develop AA amyloid, such as Shar Pei dog and Abyssinian cats. Other forms of amyloid also exist, but are more rare. In order to better characterize amyloidosis in black-footed cats, necropsy tissues and slides from the North-American, European, and Southern African captive populations were reviewed. Additionally, tissues from one free-ranging juvenile were available. Amyloidosis was present in 88% of animals, and was the cause of death in 55.7% of all cases. Amyloid was present in the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenal and thyroid glands of affected animals. All facilities had at least one affected animal and the free-ranging animal was also affected. Average age of affected animals was 4.67 yrs, while the average age of unaffected animals was 11.5 yrs. There was no apparent sex predilection. Adrenal hyperplasia was present in 65% of affected animals and none of the unaffected animals, suggesting that chronic stress could be associated with the development of amyloidosis in black footed cats. Chronic inflammation was present in 69% of affected animals, but was mild in most cases and also present in unaffected animals. Comprehensive evaluation of tissues from any black footed cats that die in the future will be necessary to evaluate potential risk factors. Future studies will determine the type of amyloid deposited in tissues, examine medical records for potential risk factors, and assess the relatedness of affected animals to determine if amyloidosis in blackfooted cats has a familial basis. Cheetah Ongoing studies are continuing to monitor disease prevalences among free-ranging and captive cheetah populations. The occurrence of leukoencephalopathy in the population has markedly decreased; the cause of this neurological condition is still unknown. Gastritis continues to be a considerable health problem for SSP cheetahs. A study completed this year at White Oak Conservation Center showed that antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter does not cure the disease in cheetahs, and in fact, some cheetahs worsened when treated. Long term necropsy surveys comparing wild and captive populations have demonstrated that there is a greater prevalence and severity of diseases such as gastritis, veno-occlusive disease and glomerulosclerosis is captive populations. In these surveys, gastritis was rare in free-ranging cheetahs, despite infection with abundant Helicobacter. Combined with our previous research identifying similar types of Helicobacter in wild cheetahs without gastritis and captive cheetahs with gastritis, these findings suggest that Helicobacter alone are not the 5

6 cause of gastritis in cheetahs. Ongoing studies are investigating whether differences in the immune response to Helicobacter between captive and wild cheetahs can account for these notable differences in gastritis. Plans are also underway for an international cheetah disease meeting to begin assessing differences in management and other risk factors that may influence development of disease in captive cheetah populations. Previous research in our laboratory (Amy Wells; in press, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine) demonstrated a prolonged stress response in some cheetahs moved to new facilities. Because cortisol can negatively impact concentrations of reproductive hormones through its feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and because many of these cheetahs were moved for breeding purposes, a follow-up study by Sophia Papageorgiou in our laboratory has been initiated to determine if changes in the stress hormone, cortisol, affect concentrations of reproductive hormones. Preliminary data has disclosed that corticoid concentrations in some male cheetahs were inversely proportional to concentrations in testosterone. In some female cheetahs, lower concentrations of corticoids were sometimes associated with higher peak concentrations of estradiol during estrus. These findings suggest that at least in some cheetahs, corticoid levels may affect concentrations of reproductive hormones and consequently, fertility. Further analyses will support or refute these findings. In an ongoing effort to minimize the impact of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV also known as FECV) on the SSP population, Master Plan cheetahs will be asked to participate in a new study to identify those animals that are shedding FIPV in feces. We first need to determine the minimum number of samples needed to accurately identify individuals shedding coronavirus in the feces and then plan to survey the SSP population for coronavirus shedding. Once all FIPV shedders are identified, the SSP will revisit the Master Plan so that FIPV infected animals can be included in breeding plans. Hearing in Pallas Cats - Is it Special? (by Bill Peake) We recently published a paper which showed that ears of sand cats are unusual both in their structure and acoustic properties (Huang, Rosowski, Ravicz and Peake Mammalian ear specializations in arid habitats: Structural and functional evidence from sand cat (Felis margarita) J. Comp. Physiol. 2002, 188: ). From measurements made at The Living Desert and the Cincinnati Zoo we were able to conclude that sand-cat ears are more effective in absorbing acoustic power than are domesticcat ears. With the assumption that the more central parts of the auditory system are equally sensitive, this result suggests that sand-cat hearing is better than that of domestic cat and from an analysis of sound propagation in a desert atmosphere we predicted that a sand cat s ear specialization would extend its ear shot by about half a kilometer. This extension of hearing range seemed a significant adaption of sand cat to its open, dry environment. In 2003 we had an opportunity, in cooperation with Dr. Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf to make measurements in a group of Pallas cats at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. To enhance the value of the results we added to the experimental protocol recording of electric responses to sound of the brain stem as detected by superficial electrodes on the scalp. This 6

7 portion of the measurements was the responsibility of Drs. Edward Walsh and JoAnn McGee of the Boys Town Research Hospital in Omaha, who were successful in getting measurements from four Pallas cats. The acoustic measurements indicate that the average (N = 5) acoustic-admittance magnitude at the tympanic membrane is somewhat larger (by about a factor of 2) than that in domestic cat, but is substantially below that of sand cat (by about a factor of 5). The mean threshold for detection of the electric response of the brain stem (N=4) has a frequency dependence that is similar to that of domestic cat. Further analysis is necessary to determine whether these Pallas cats auditory systems are different from domestic cats in their sensitivity to sound stimuli. Reproduction, Disease and Nutrition Studies in Pallas cats (by Bill Swanson) Our recent research has established that Pallas cats have among the most pronounced reproductive seasonality of any cat species, with females breeding only during the winter months (January-March) (Swanson et al., 1996; Brown et al., 2002). This seasonality is controlled primarily by photoperiod. Pallas cats housed under natural lighting have bred well in captivity over the past seven years with ~100 kittens being born in that time period. Unfortunately, Pallas cats also are very susceptible to toxoplasmosis, with high neonatal mortality (>50%) being observed in the captive population (Swanson, 1999). Because wild Pallas cats in Mongolia are rarely exposed to toxoplasma (based on serology and PCR analysis), we suspect that this species has not co-evolved with this parasite and lack innate immunity, especially in neonates (Brown et al., in press). Herpes virus infection, associated with use of modified-live herpes vaccines, also has been a disease problem in several founder animals. Over the past two years, research studies have focused on broadening our understanding of reproduction in Pallas cats, assessing the impact of infectious disease and nutrition and devising strategies to improve population viability. At North Carolina State University (NCSU), studies with herpes-infected Pallas cats have shown that animals maintained under artificial lighting timed to mimic natural photoperiods display typical seasonal reproductive patterns (Swanson and Stoskopf, 2002; Newell et al., 2003). Peak testosterone levels, sperm production and breeding activity are observed only during the winter months. Serum leptin levels in Pallas cats mirror changes in body fat, with leptin levels increasing prior to the breeding season and then falling dramatically between February and March (as males typically lose ~1 kg of body weight). One benefit of this study has been the production of herpes-free offspring using crossfostering of day-old neonates onto domestic cat queens. All six kittens born using this approach in 2002 have been reincorporated back into the SSP population, rescuing the founder genes of the herpes-infected sire and dam. Research also has examined reproductive function and herpes virus presence in semen samples collected from these herpes-infected Pallas cats. PCR analysis failed to find herpes virus in any ejaculate (n=33) collected over a three year time period from four herpes-infected males. Frozenthawed sperm samples (n=16) from these cats demonstrated adequate post-thaw motility and acrosome status to fertilize (mean, 46% fertilization rate) domestic cat oocytes in vitro. This study has determined 7

8 that herpes virus is not shed in semen from herpes-infected Pallas cats, permitting recovered sperm to be used for AI or IVF procedures with little risk of infecting females. Ongoing studies at the Cincinnati Zoo are examining the onset of puberty and reproductive function in Pallas cats. Based on studbook data, males do not reproduce until 1 y 7 mo at the earliest and, although a few females have produced offspring by one year of age, most do not begin reproducing until at least 2 years. In this study, six neonatal and juvenile cats (4.2) have been monitored for changes in body weight, serum leptin and fecal hormone levels, sperm production and breeding activity. Results indicate that males begin producing spermatozoa and females show estrous cyclicity and breeding activity by 10 months of age. In 2002, both females mated (based on fecal progesterone levels) with one becoming pregnant and producing 6 kittens. Comparable reproductive patterns were observed among juvenile males in both 2002 and Recent nutritional studies in Pallas cats have focused on the suitability of a processed cat food diet (IAMS moist and dry cat food) for providing adequate nutrition for all life stages while avoiding potential exposure to toxoplasmosis in raw meat diets. In a collaborative study involving the Cincinnati Zoo, the St. Louis Zoo, NCSU and the IAMS Company, blood and urine samples are being collected periodically from Pallas cats (7.4) maintained on either IAMS cat food or a raw horse meat diet (Dallas Crown) for subsequent vitamin/mineral analysis. Additional blood samples are being obtained from wild Pallas cats in Mongolia for nutrient comparison. Diet digestibility and dental parameters also are being assessed with final study results expected in early In situ research in Mongolia continues to make progress in assessing the status of the wild Pallas cat population and investigating potential threats to species survival (See Reports in Appendix II). Two new studies are being initiated in 2004 one evaluating the impact of rodenticide application for vermin control on Pallas cat prey densities and the other further assessing the natural history of Pallas cats via radiotelemetry studies in disparate parts of the natural range. Institutions interested in supporting these latter studies can receive more information on the project website ( Brown JL, LH Graham, J Wu, D Collins and WF Swanson Reproductive endocrine responses to photoperiod and exogenous gonadotropins in the Pallas' cat (Otocolobus manul). Zoo Biol. 21: Brown M, MR Lappin, JL Brown, B Munkhtsog, and WF Swanson. Exploring the ecological basis for extreme susceptibility of Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul) to fatal toxoplasmosis. J. Wildl. Disease (in press). Newell AE, S Kennedy-Stoskopf, J Levine, JL Brown, and WF Swanson Analysis of testosterone and cortisol fecal metabolites in male Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul) housed under artificial lighting conditions. Proc. Amer. Assoc. Zoo Vet pp Swanson WF, JL Brown and DE Wildt Influence of seasonality on reproductive traits in the male Pallas' cat (Felis manul) and implications for captive management. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 27:

9 Swanson WF Toxoplasmosis and neonatal mortality in Pallas' cats: a survey of North American zoological institutions. Proc. Amer. Assoc. Zoo Vet. pp Swanson WF and S Kennedy-Stoskopf Reproductive seasonality of male Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) maintained under artificial lighting with simulated natural photoperiods. Biol Reprod 66:260. Rehabilitation of Wild Florida Panthers (Puma concolor coryi) at the White Oak Conservation Center (by Karen Zeigler) The Florida panther once ranged throughout much of the southeastern US, but today only panthers remain in national and state parks and in nearby private lands in southwest Florida, making them among the most endangered animals in the world. In 1967, the Florida panther was listed as an endangered species and in 1982 became the Florida state mammal (1). White Oak is a valuable partner with the Florida Wildlife Commission and the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Florida panther recovery. Our involvement began in 1986 when we offered our facility to maintain permanently injured panthers or for any rehabilitation needs. White Oak is the only facility in the country that rehabilitates this species to be released back into the wild. Intraspecific aggression and vehicle collisions are the leading causes of death or injury among free ranging panthers, which can leave dependent kittens without a mother, or cause a serious injury requiring treatment. Orphaned, sick or injured panthers are brought to White Oak for treatment and/or rehabilitation. Their stay has ranged from 52 days to 14 months, with an average stay of seven months. Being the only facility to do panther rehabilitation, we are presented with the cats for rehabilitation but no protocol to follow. So with some common sense and past experiences... we developed a solid management protocol for rehabilitating panthers. We have found there are four very important requirements to ensure the panthers get the best chance at a successful rehabilitation. The panthers must have large, naturalistic enclosures, minimal human contact; no established routines and access to as many natural food items as possible, including live prey, which is essential for orphaned panther kittens since they lack the hunting skills they would have learned from their mother. We have several naturalistic enclosures ranging from one to ten acres that we use for rehabilitating panthers. Human contact is kept to a minimum during their entire stay, and care is taken that no routines are established. The road to the enclosures is closed to all traffic and all maintenance in the area is discontinued. Food is delivered to the enclosure at various intervals, days, times, and locations. We leave a working radiotelemetry collar on these cats during their entire stay at White Oak as a precaution since they are housed in large heavily wooded enclosures that have the risk of a tree falling on the fence allowing possible escape. Putting collars on such young cats, which is not done in the wild, presents us with an additional challenge. If the collar is put on too loose there is a risk of them getting a paw stuck in the collar while trying to remove it. The young cats grow quickly and often require the collar to be enlarged at least once, to as many as three times, during their stay, so we must be able to monitor these panthers closely, which can be difficult with secretive cats in such large enclosures. 9

10 Methods for monitoring these cats and their collars include the use of video equipment and/or a camtrak camera. A CamTrakker camera is a weather-resistant, fully automatic camera with an infrared heat-in-motion detector. When something that moves and gives off heat passes by, a silent electronic switch engages the camera to take a photograph. While both of these methods enable us to monitor the cat s condition, neither has been reliable for determining if the collar is too tight. Occasionally it is necessary to station a keeper in a blind to wait for the panther to come into view. Since we avoid any routine with regards to feeding, this can be a long wait. Sometimes we must rely on previous panther growth data to make an educated guess on when to change the collar. While we are careful not to establish routines, we still have to be able to capture the panthers for collar changes, and for their pre-release health exam. To facilitate this, the panthers have continuous access to a building/corral that is attached to their enclosure. During their entire stay they are randomly fed inside this corral in order to keep them habituated to entering this area. We increase the frequency of corral feedings as the capture date approaches. Each corral is set up with a guillotine drop door for easy capture. A food item is tied to the back of the corral and once the panther pulls on the food item the door drops quickly and captures the panther. Criteria for release back to the wild depends on the reason the cat has required rehabilitation. If orphaned, they must be at least one year of age to have achieved a level of maturity sufficient for independent survival, and they must have had the opportunity to kill live prey. A sick or injured adult can be returned just as soon as their condition improves. Each animal is immobilized for a final health exam, fitted with a new radio collar and then taken the same day to the location of their original capture, and released. Newly released panthers are monitored very closely for the first several weeks to make sure they have adjusted to life in the wild. To date, we have rehabilitated and released eight Florida panthers back into the wild since (1) Progress in the Tiger SSP (by Ron Tilson) See Tiger SSP Report (this volume) Progress in the Lion SSP (by Tarren Wagner) See Lion SSP Report (this volume) Animal Welfare Initiative in Felids (by Jill Mellen) No written report submitted 10

11 The Playa de Oro Reserva de Tigrillos, Ecuador: Research and Support of a Rainforest Reserve (by Leann Montgomery) While the struggle goes on to protect endangered big cats, the steady eradication of the smaller wildcat species continues almost unnoticed. That s why, in 1997, Earthways Foundation sponsored the development of the world s first margay reserve. The reserve 25,000 acres of virgin rainforest in northwestern Ecuador- belongs to Playa de Oro, a tiny community which has no electricity, no phones, no mail service, and no roads in. It remains as it was when it was first settled 500 years ago, only accessible by river which only a few local men can navigate. In late 2002, our organization, the Feline Conservation Federation, (also known by the initials of FCF ) which primarily consists of private sector owners and facilities, took an interest in adopting this reserve in several ways. FCF s main priority was to educate our membership in the importance of in-situ conservation and gain our members long term interest in conservation and research projects. FCF saw potential in this small struggling reserve that would give our membership hands on opportunities and first hand accounts in conservation research projects at this reserve, while at the same time assisting the reserve itself. Background of Playa de Oro Around the year 1995, the remote village of Playa de Oro was under siege by the timber companies, which had already clear-cut much of the rainforest downriver of them. At the same time, a woman by the name of Rosa Jordan, working for an organization called Earthways Foundation, was traveling throughout South America looking for a land base to establish a jungle cat reserve. When she arrived in Playa de Oro, she learned of their plight against the timber companies. The people of Playa de Oro wanted a way to sustain themselves which would not require them to cut their forest and contaminate their river. She suggested that the logging companies might be fended off if the community designated its forest as a protected area for neo-tropical felids. In order to get help for themselves, they offered to protect the cats. Although jaguars and pumas are native to the region, these big cats have not been sighted in the Playa de Oro territory in recent years. However, four smaller neotropical species are frequently sighted: ocelots, margays, oncillas, and jaguarundi. To facilitate the establishment of a jungle cat reserve, Earthways offered Playa de Oro assistance in developing a source of sustainable income for the community, in the form of an eco-lodge. It s important to understand that Earthways does not fund projects. It either identifies existing grassroots projects or develops projects, then looks for the resources to make them viable. The Playa de Oro Reserva de Tigrillos was designed with self-sufficiency in mind. But it was obvious from the onset that this would take time -- an estimated ten years. The project is now in its 6th year, and is on track with the assistance of organizations such as FCF. The project is directed by a local man, and all work is done by local people. No outside facilitators have ever been used. Earthways' role was finding donors, monitoring funds sent down to ensure that they were used as designated, and doing an on-theground inspection of the project at least twice a year to ensure that the mandate of jungle cat and habitat protection was being fulfilled. 11

12 EcoTourism at Playa de Oro We have the very human desire to want to see undisturbed habitats and wild animals before they are gone. Ecotourism is nothing new, but increasing popularity of Ecotourism over the last decade or so, is a clear outgrowth of the escalating concern for conservation of the world s resources and biodiversity. But that is not the entire story. The purpose of ecotravel is two-fold. While travelers get to experience the wildness of an undisturbed habitat, more importantly, they want to help conserve the very places they visit. This is done through the money that travelers spend in the local economy. Simply put, local people can sustain themselves better economically by participating in ecotourism, rather than cutting down rainforests for lumber or hunting animals for illegal sale. Ecotourism of course is not a perfect remedy for threatened habitats and wildlife. Some negatives have been noticed such as overuse of trails and the disruption of the natural behavior of wildlife when ecotourists intrude into their domains. On balance, however, most experts agree that in many situations, in most parts of the world, responsible ecotourism can have a positive role in conservation. Playa de Oro opened their lodge to visitors in November of 2000 to independent travelers. This being the main source of income to the reserve and their road to self-sufficently, it is important to keep a steady flow of visitors coming to the reserve. As part of FCF s desire to help the reserve thrive, in 2002, the Playa de Oro Reserve agreed to allow FCF to provide group tours to the reserve. The goal is to provide at least 3 to 4 group tours per year to help provide some stability in their income. We have completed several group tours in the last year with great response, and we even have trips booked as far in advance as January One of the reasons that the Playa de Oro community has allowed FCF to bring group tours in, is not just for the financial reasons, but that we have a special interest in the wild felines. We can bring people with knowledge, skills, and supplies that are needed by the reserve staff regarding animal care, and help fund conservation research at the reserve. All without inflating prices and lining the pockets of outsiders so that the community receives fair compensation for their lodging and services, which they do not get from the large commercial tour agencies they have tried to work with in the past. The FCF tour price provides full compensation to the Reserve for their services provided to the visitors, while also including an extra donation to the reserve and towards research projects FCF is conducting at the reserve. Tours are open to anyone, not just our internal membership. We will also provide tour services for private groups. These small-guided groups and independent travelers trickling in have less of an impact on both the environment and the community, while helping provide a steady income to the reserve and community. Research projects conducted at Playa de Oro For the most part, the reserve is still striving to establish credibility in the scientific community so that researchers will be willing to conduct research on site in the future. This is an area that FCF has assisted with by providing the reserve with contacts to field biologists and other researchers, advertising and promoting the reserve, fundraising to help pay for field studies and projects, and sharing our husbandry knowledge of wild felines with the reserve staff. Playa de Oro is located in the El Choco rainforest region and the reserve s property borders a National Reserve called Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve which is about 510,000 acres in size. The El Choco forest has one of the highest diversities of plant and bird species known in the world, and it is also known as one of the wettest regions in the world, yet it is one of the least studied. Therefore, Playa de Oro is interested in felid 12

13 conservation but will accept any type of ecology and conservation research projects to help the habitat as a whole. One of the functions of the reserve is to take in wild cats from various situations, such as confiscated cats from illegal animal traffickers, rehabilitate them, and release them back to the wild. They have had a few cats come into their care since they have opened in 2000, such as this female ocelot confiscated from an animal trafficker, and this male ocelot kitten confiscated out of a market. Track traps have been set up at the reserve in the past to collect data on cats in the area. There are occasional sightings of cats throughout the reserve. However, the inconclusive data provided by the track traps and mere sightings by the locals are not enough to help attract researchers to the reserve for further study. Clear evidence of how many wild cat species are being protected in the reserve is needed. In order to help establish the reserve's scientific credibility, the reserve teamed up with FCF and Jim Sanderson of Conservation International for a photo trap project. Four wildlife surveillance cameras were loaned to the reserve by Jim Sanderson, while FCF director of education and conservation, Tracy Wilson, provided the fieldwork by installing the cameras at the reserve and training the staff on how to set the cameras up and maintain them. The first cameras were installed in late February FCF reps are continuing support for the cameras by traveling to the reserve several times a year to work out any problems with the cameras. The torrential rains and high humidity have proved a real challenge all year in getting the cameras to operate properly. By July 2003 we pulled 3 of the 4 cameras and sent them for repairs. In November 2003, FCF was awarded a grant from the Cincinnati Zoo to purchase 3 brand new digital wildlife surveillance cameras for the reserve. The reserve and FCF owe a debt of gratitude to Cincinnati zookeeper Laura Carpenter for her key efforts in obtaining this grant. These new cameras were installed at the reserve in late November and have been functioning very well. FCF members have been very supportive of the photo trap project and have backed up their interest with a steady flow of donations this past year to maintain the cameras, as well as provide funds for various projects at the reserve. While Jim Sanderson provided training and support from afar to FCF s field workers, we quickly learned that one must have infinite patience while waiting for photos from wildlife surveillance cameras. Our first photos often consisted of someone s fingers, the sky, a person walking past the cameras, or the ground. We had much to learn, and even more training of the staff. Our first real data photos consisted of a Grand Tinamou bird, and another appeared to be a capybara. Unfortunately, the cameras were out of operation from April to November while out for repairs due to water damage. After much consultation with Jim Sanderson and the research and development team of the camera manufacturer, a simple solution to the damp environment was suggested. The camera company suggested tampons should be inserted into the camera housing to absorb humidity. In November 2003, Tracy returned to the reserve with the new digital cameras, the repaired 35 mm cameras, and a big box of tampons. After much coaxing to the male reserve staff, she convinced them the tampons were absolutely necessary for the proper function of the cameras. And indeed, this trick that seems pretty silly, seems to be working. In February 2004, new photos were taken, and this time we hit the jackpot. We have captured 4 photos of what appears to be ocelots. We just received word from the reserve staff this month that more film has been taken and is on the way to us for examination. Now that we seem to have resolved the humidity and rain problems, we anticipate that we will be 13

14 receiving a steady flow of photo data this year. It is our hope to establish an estimated population of small cats within the reserve. FCF is hopeful that any photo data from the camera traps will help attract interest from researchers willing to start a telemetry program at the reserve to help us establish existing cats territories and activities. When the reserve receives an ocelot or margay suitable for release back into the wild, the animal should be radio-collared, in order for it s progress to be monitored and to provide data for use in similar rescue operations elsewhere. Other ways FCF provides assistance When FCF director of education & conservation, Tracy Wilson, first arrived at the reserve in February 2003, a rescued ocelot being prepared for release was in poor health. The reserve had the necessary supplies on hand to treat the ocelot, but were lacking in the proper knowledge and skill to treat the cat. After overseeing the cats care, and explaining everything she was doing for the cat and why, the reserve staff watched intently and took many notes, then took over the ocelot s care upon Tracy s departure. After subsequent visits back to the reserve, and continued educational input from FCF tour members, the ocelot s health continued to improve, and was finally released in February The reserve s staff members have proven they are willing to listen to outsider s advice and are very capable of learning new skills quickly and retaining the knowledge that is shared with them. This is a very important benefit that FCF members have provided to the reserve. In July 2003, the FCF tour group enlarged an animal enclosure with supplies provided with FCF member donations. The existing enclosure was small and did not afford a cat as much privacy as it needs from people in the lodge. In November 2003, FCF members also funded a soft release cage to be built further out into the jungle for cats that need a slow gradual release back to the wild. FCF members have not only donated financially to the needs of the reserve, but have gotten involved hands on. Now that our camera traps are producing important photos of resident wildlife, we are hopeful that more researchers will conduct more studies in this area and help maintain this reserve. Rosa Jordan has stated that FCF's "adoption" of the Playa de Oro Reserva de Tigrillos makes the project far more secure, and in her opinion, virtually guarantees its permanency. This is a project that has come a long way on it s own, but it needs the assistance of outside agencies such as FCF to carry it on to a productive, credible, and viable conservation project, for it s long term survival. FCF is optimistic that our assistance to the reserve and our members enthusiasm will encourage other organizations and individuals to get involved and offer their support or expertise to the reserve to help it continue to thrive and excel in their work. And in exchange for our help, while some of our members have the pleasure to visit and see the project, we all have essentially, touched the jungle in some manner. We have all helped to save a little piece of an important rainforest in which the little jungle cats can live a little more peacefully, secure from the chaos of the outside world. Progress of Investigations on Testis Xenografting and Spermatogonial Stem Cell Xenotransplantation in Felids (by Alex Travis, Budhan Pukazhenthi and Ina Dobrinski) The loss of genetic diversity due to infertility or the premature death of valuable individuals is a significant problem in the conservation of felids. In order to preserve genetic diversity in such cases 14

15 where the cryopreservation of mature gametes is not an option, we are optimizing new stem cell technologies for use in conservation. Unlike sperm, spermatogonial stem cells are present in the testes of male animals from the time of birth. As stem cells, spermatogonia have the ability to replenish their own populations while concurrently producing cells that will differentiate into sperm. We propose to utilize these stem cells to produce mature cat sperm through the techniques of testis xenografting and spermatogonial stem cell transplantation. Testis xenografting Testes collected from domestic short hair cats (Felis catus) were sectioned into small fragments (approx. 1 mm 3 ) and grafted subcutaneously on the back of castrated SCID (Severe Combined Immuno-deficient) mice. Our results show that xenografts of 1- to 5-week-old cat testis completed spermatogenesis by 54 weeks. However, from studies in other species, increasing donor age can affect graft survival. Therefore, we are currently investigating the effect of donor age (at intervals ranging from 2 weeks to 13+ years) on the ability of testis grafts to support spermatogenesis. So far we have had successful graft development with donors aging 2 and 5 months showing that pubertal cat testes can also be xenografted successfully. We do not yet have data from older donors. Sperm derived using this technique are similar to testicular sperm which have not undergone epididymal maturation, and require the use of ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to fertilize an egg. Preliminary studies have suggested that these sperm fertilize in vitro matured cat oocytes with a similar rate of success as both testicular and epididymal sperm. Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation Transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells requires the preparation of recipient testes which have had their own germ cells depleted. We have used a linear accelerator to deplete endogenous germ cells in a number of domestic cats. These cats are being castrated at various time points (2-32 weeks) looking for any resumption of germ cell development and spermatogenesis. So far, there has been no spermatogenesis up to 2 months post-irradiation. We are working on techniques to infuse populations of mixed germ cells isolated from a donor testis into the rete testis of the recipient. The goal is to have donor spermatogonial stem cells enter the seminiferous tubules, proliferate, and produce sperm carrying the donor s genetics. The primary goals of these projects are to supplement current felid conservation efforts; in particular, they offer a means to preserve the breeding potential of male cats that die prior to reproductive maturity. Update on the ExSitu and In Situ Clouded Leopard and Fishing Cat Conservation Program in Thailand (by JoGayle Howard, Rick Schwartz, Ken Lang, Katey Pelican, Naida Wielebnowski, Bill Swanson and Peter Leimgruber) In 2002, the Smithsonian s National Zoological Park and Nashville Zoo collaborated with the Thailand Zoological Park Organization and the Clouded Leopard and Fishing Cat Species Survival Plans (SSP) to initiate a clouded leopard and fishing cat breeding project at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. This multi-disciplinary ex situ breeding effort was initiated to improve clouded leopard and fishing cat reproductive success in Thailand zoos, where the largest ex situ 15

16 population of these two species exist in all of Southeast Asia. The majority of these felids are genetically valuable, wild-born animals that have been confiscated and/or donated to the zoos. Health and reproduction were compromised due to poor husbandry, imbalanced diets and inadequate enclosures. Currently, there are 24 clouded leopards and 15 fishing cats in the project. Animals have been moved from cages suspected to induce stress (small size, lack of nest boxes and hiding places, adjacent to large carnivores such as tigers and bears) to large, vegetation-rich enclosures with nest boxes. For example, some clouded leopards lived in cages as small as 4 x 4 and then were moved to large, outdoor enclosures as large as 75 long x 25 wide x 30 high in isolated (nonstressful) areas of the zoo. Nutritionally poor diets containing high fat, low protein, low calcium and imbalanced vitamins were changed to include whole prey and vitamin/mineral supplementation. The recent births of live clouded leopard cubs and fishing cat kittens demonstrate that the changes in husbandry and nutrition have been effective for propagating both clouded leopards and fishing cats. To date, a total of 9 clouded leopard cubs have been raised successfully. To document the impact of management changes on stress and reproduction, detailed data have been collected on animal behavior, enclosure size, carnivore proximity and enclosure enrichment. Daily fecal samples have been collected from all animals before and after the improvements in diet and enclosure, in addition to during pair introductions, breeding, pregnancy and parturition. Fecal samples (n = 15,000) have been shipped to the Smithsonian s National Zoological Park, and with partial funding from the AZA Conservation Endowment Fund, will be assessed for fecal hormones to measure stress and reproductive steroid hormones. Never before have such dramatic changes in management been so thoroughly evaluated. This will provide, for the first time, a detailed record of the combined benefits of improved husbandry and nutrition on reproductive success. Another important component of this program is beginning to understand the status of these species in nature. Multiple national parks and nature reserves exist in Thailand under the supervision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. A high priority is to assess clouded leopard and fishing cat status, distribution and density across these largely unexplored, wild areas. Peter Leimgruber, ecologist at the National Zoo s Conservation & Research Center, will coordinate the in situ monitoring program. We already have established collaborations with the Thailand Department of National Parks and the non-profit organization, WildAid, in an integrated conservation project at Khao Yai National Park, the oldest and best known national park in Thailand established in Our focus here is on training Thai forestry staff in wildlife monitoring and surveys. At the invitation of the Thai government, we already have trained Thai staff in the necessary field techniques required to effectively monitor wild carnivores. Our first training course was held in October 2003 at Khao Yai National Park. Eighteen rangers participated in the 12-day training course comprised of eight modules that included survey and monitoring, motion-detection cameras, sign identification and field navigation using the Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. One highlight included a trip to Khao Kheow Open Zoo to visit our ex situ clouded leopard and fishing cat breeding programs. Trainees had the opportunity to document first-hand the morphometric variation between male and female clouded leopards and to make high quality paw plaster casts to facilitate identifying spoors (tracks) in nature. This information will be valuable as reference data for our planned field survey. Following the training course, selected rangers were chosen as the Carnivore Monitoring Team to focus on clouded leopards in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. The team also will conduct a similar survey of fishing cats in Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand. Twenty remote 16

17 infrared, motion-detection cameras have been provided by grants and donations from zoological institutions throughout North America. This in situ project involves providing the assistance and capacity to our Thai colleagues to allow a detailed survey of clouded leopards and fishing cats in nature. Specifically, this will include the development of needed maps and then on-the-ground data on species prevalence and density. Side objectives include providing additional training to developing Thai conservationists as well as inevitable supplemental data on other wildlife species information that will be an added by-product of the use of cameras in our surveyed parks. Our overall goal is to create a multi-faceted clouded leopard and fishing cat conservation program in a range country that includes in situ and ex situ conservation strategies, as well as significant in-country capacity building. These ex situ and in situ projects will provide a unique database for developing breeding projects and appropriate field strategies to conserve both of these species in zoos and in nature. Additionally, we strongly believe that this program will serve as a model for how to link zoos and the field to the protection of other rare carnivores worldwide. Update on Fishing Cat Assisted Reproduction Research (by Rose Bauer and JoGayle Howard) The North American ex situ fishing cat population is comprised of ~70 animals in 24 zoological institutions, but this population has a low founder size and is not genetically self-sustaining. Effective assisted breeding technologies, including semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination (AI), could serve as a tool for genetic management of the captive population. Before such technologies can be assessed, characterization of basic reproductive traits is necessary. Using non-invasive fecal steroid hormone monitoring, our laboratory has demonstrated that fishing cats are reproductively active yearround, with more than 50% of adult females exhibiting spontaneous ovulation. Seminal assessments have revealed that most males produce a high proportion of motile, structurally normal spermatozoa that survive cryopreservation. With this background information, ovulation induction protocols have been evaluated in the fishing cat. Preliminary studies determined the adequate dosages needed of equine chorionic gonadotropin (ecg) to stimulate folliculogenesis and human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) to induce ovulation. More recently, we have evaluated the potential benefits of pre-gonadotropin ovarian suppression with a progestogen implant (Norplant ) to improve consistency in ovarian response for AI. This suppression may be necessary in the fishing cat to avoid mid-luteal ovulation induction at a time of elevated progesterone, since many fishing cats demonstrate spontaneous ovulation. Eight fishing cats each received six Norplant rods subcutaneously in the interscapular region for d (n = 4) or no progestogen treatment (n = 4). Rods were removed, and all cats were given 100 IU ecg and 75 IU hcg 80 h later. At h post-hcg, ovarian response was examined laparoscopically. Cats with recent ovulations were inseminated with fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa and all pairings were approved by the Fishing Cat SSP coordinator. Results indicate that Norplant is successful for suppressing spontaneous ovulation and causing a more consistent ovarian response following gonadotropin stimulation in the fishing cat. Nonetheless, no pregnancies have resulted to date. Fecal samples collected for at least 2 months before and 3 months following AI are being analyzed for estrogen and progesterone metabolite patterns. The hormone profiles may indicate possible causes for 17

18 pregnancy failure, such as a secondary follicular development after AI that could disrupt implantation or pregnancy duration. With this information, revised ovulation induction protocols in combination with Norplant or alternative ovarian suppression will be investigated for the fishing cat. Assessing Stress and Reproductive Status in Reintroduced Canada Lynx (by Kerry Fanson) Since many wild populations of cats have already disappeared, reintroductions are a fundamental component of felid conservation. Unfortunately, many reintroduction efforts fail for unknown reasons. By adopting a research-based approach to reintroductions, we can begin to understand causes of failure and thereby improve reintroduction success rates. The Canada lynx is one felid species that has disappeared from much of its former range. In 1999, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) released the first lynx in Colorado as part of a sizeable lynx reintroduction effort. The CDOW has developed an exceedingly strong post-release monitoring program, which has generated detailed information about the behavior and survival of each lynx released. Yet all this data has failed to explain why it took five years for reintroduced lynx to successfully reproduce. We propose that the reintroduction process may be triggering a chronic stress response in reintroduced Canada lynx that inhibits successful reproduction. In order to assess this, we will integrate fecal hormone analysis with the current CDOW monitoring protocols in order to monitor stress and reproductive activity. Before we can address this hypothesis, we must establish the validity of fecal hormone analysis for our particular study system, and develop a basic understanding of lynx endocrinology. Once this foundation of knowledge has been created, we can begin to investigate the physiological response of individual lynx to the reintroduction process. The Canada lynx reintroduction provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand how reintroductions affect individuals, and will hopefully lead to a better understanding of why reintroductions fail. Clouded Leopard Education in Thailand (by Karen Povey) The following is a report on some of the in situ activities taking place that involve clouded leopard education. Last summer a group of American instructors traveled to Thailand to conduct an international training course sponsored by the Smithsonian. The course took place at Khao Kheow Open Zoo (KKOZ), the site of the clouded leopard and fishing cat breeding program sponsored by the two SSPs. In this course, we taught applied environmental education principles to a group of students from 12 different countries. The clouded leopard served as a model for the course, droving the development of projects and serving as an example in lessons and activities. There was also a grant incentive for the development of a clouded leopard education proposal by a course participant. In addition, the culminating project for the course was a clouded leopard festival for families and student groups at KKOZ. The festival included a variety of educational activities including a food web game and a 18

19 clouded leopard costume activity. In addition, there were clouded leopard craft activities (mask and puppet-making) designed for the young children of visiting families. After the course, we conducted a training workshop for local Thai teachers. Thailand has a new environmental education (EE) requirement in the national curriculum and teachers are struggling with how to apply it in their classrooms. We worked with training them how to integrate EE throughout their curriculum and encouraged them to use more active learning techniques instead of their traditional didactic approach. An additional goal in visiting Thailand was to assess the need for wild cat education projects that could be facilitated by the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the Zoo s Clouded Leopard Project. After meeting with teachers and the participants of the EE course from Thailand, it was clear that the need was great, especially with the new EE curriculum requirements. Because the requirements are so new, the timing is ideal to try to infuse the curriculum with EE lessons that apply to Thailand s wild cat population comprised of nine species. As a result, we have developed a proposal for a multi-year, multi-phase project to provide wild cat education for students and families in both NA and Thailand. The overall goals of this Southeast Asia Wild Cat Education Initiative are: Teach ecosystem and biodiversity concepts as they relate to Southeast Asia s wild cats. Demonstrate the role of science in understanding and protecting endangered species. Promote wild cat conservation among people living in communities near wild cat habitat. Create partnerships with existing NGO educators to work with teachers and communities. We have the opportunity to partner with WWF-Thailand educators working in Thailand s Western Forest Complex, the largest protected forest area in mainland Southeast Asia. We hope to pilot the project with them in schools in communities adjacent to the reserve that they already work with, and then later expand the project to other areas. The first phase of this project has received funding through Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Clouded Leopard Project, and the American Association of Zoo Keepers. We are seeking additional funding opportunities as well as other partners for the project. Reproductive Sciences Advisory Group (by Karen Goodrowe and Naida Loskutoff) The AZA Reproductive Sciences Advisory Group officially began in 2001 with approval of the AZA WCMC (Wildlife Conservation Management Committee who oversee the activities of all the TAGs, SSPs, SAGs, etc). It is currently one of 15 Scientific Advisory Groups or SAGs that were established in 1991 to help coordinate, facilitate, and monitor the relevant research activities of AZA's member institutions and conservation programs. These groups serve as a clearinghouse of technical advice for our institutional members. Most importantly, the SAGs outline future research priorities to the other AZA Conservation Programs. SAG members include member institution staff as well as university, government, and other outside scientists. 19

20 AZA Reproductive Sciences Advisory Group Mission Statement: To provide technical advice as a clearinghouse of information in the reproductive sciences for AZA and network members; develop cooperative relationships with a network of scientific societies and expert collaborators relating to reproductive sciences in a diverse array of species; and coordinate, facilitate, and monitor cooperative studies of the AZA s conservation and science programs in reproductive sciences. At its first working meeting the AZA s Reproductive Sciences Advisory Group (Repro SAG) identified the need to: develop a collaborative network of people who are interested in supporting studies of reproductive sciences for wildlife species; liaise with TAGs and SSPs to identify and prioritize research needs and provide advice on appropriate technology availability and utilization and develop mechanisms to communicate and educate people regarding the importance of integrating appropriate disciplines and technologies in the reproductive sciences. There is a problem with the general perception of reproductive biology the discipline is poorly understood by colleagues in the wildlife and academic communities in species other than domestic livestock, laboratory animals and humans. One reason is that reproductive scientists working with wildlife species are often perceived as routinely using only high-tech assisted breeding methods (artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer and even cloning) to breed or save endangered species. However, for most species there is a lack of a fundamental knowledge base of basic reproductive processes and factors (e.g. environmental, behavioral, nutritional) that impact on effective reproduction. The Repro SAG s goal is to act a liaison between TAG s and SSP s and the scientific community. One of its primary functions in this liaison capacity is to match conservation programs with an appropriate reproductive advisor. In communication with your group, the reproductive advisor will perform many functions including: 1) determine the status of the species; 2) assess reproductive needs and the primary issues to be resolved; 3) facilitate discussions to identify and prioritize specific problems and objectives and; 4) identify appropriate technology, resources and personnel who might be interested in assisting with the specific problems identified. Reproduction is a unique physiological event in that it involves the interaction of two individuals. Reproduction is also known to be influenced by a number of internal and external factors. Thus the term Reproductive Sciences has evolved to advocate integrative research and cooperative multidisciplinary studies that can more efficiently address wildlife management problems and effective reproduction. A variety of factors can significantly affect reproductive function. Some of the most obvious include environmental effects such as the daylight length. Or even temperature as well as rain patterns and humidity. Reproduction is also influenced by social conditions. Sometimes the effects can be obvious, such as overcrowding which can lead to aggression and fighting. It is also necessary to understand the natural social order for those species where reproduction can be suppressed by conspecifics. Reproduction can also be influenced by externally-derived factors that may not be obvious, such as environmental pollutants. Other potential disruptors of natural reproduction may be stress induced by housing certain species in close proximity to potential predators. Certain sounds may also create chronic stress that can affect reproduction and especially for those species that communicate using frequencies such as infrasound. 20

21 Proper genetic management is crucial to the long-term survival and genetic health of any species by minimizing inbreeding and preventing possible hybridization between species or true subspecies. The direct effects of nutrition on reproductive function are not fully understood; however, it is obvious that well nourished and healthy animals will thrive better than malnourished animals. It is also important to consider different nutritional needs for species at different ages or stages of development as well as for pregnant animals. Therefore, it is clear that reproduction can be enhanced by proper husbandry and enrichment of captive environments.the goal of the AZA Reproductive Sciences Advisory Group is to integrate a variety of sciences that directly or indirectly affect natural reproductive performance in a diverse array of wildlife species. This would provide the opportunity to maximize breeding management by developing a wider, more integrated approach towards understanding, monitoring, enhancing, managing or controlling reproduction Once the reproductive profile or database is available, then managers may consider the development of more advanced reproductive technologies that are appropriate for each species. In this manner, there is a higher likelihood that such techniques will be effective and repeatable. However, it must be emphasized that the application of assisted reproductive technology is not the major focus of the AZA Repro SAG but rather the understanding and communication of conditions necessary to optimize natural reproduction. One important practical technology is the measurement of reproductive hormones in urine or feces. This has proved to be useful for determining optimal periods for pairing animals for natural breeding or diagnosing pregnancy. Hormone measurements can also assist in predicting the optimal time for artificial insemination or for the retrospective analysis of fertility treatments or development of artificial insemination or embryo transfer. Artificial insemination has been the most widely applied assisted reproductive technique and for some SSPs (e.g., black-footed ferrets, African elephants, cheetah and giant panda) it has contributed successfully to their management programs. However, it must be emphasized that for this to have been accomplished, it required years of systematic collaborative research in a variety of scientific disciplines to understand natural reproduction in each species and how it can be controlled and manipulated artificially. Although embryo collection and transfer are routine and highly successful procedures in domestic livestock, successes in non-domestic species have been rare and not repeatable. This is largely due to the requirement for multiple injections of hormones to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles and physical restraint that can each create undue stress that counteract the processes. Although more technically demanding, embryo production by in vitro fertilization has been more effective for producing offspring in non-domestic species than the collection and transfer of natural embryos. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that embryo transfer in general has only resulted in few, well-publicized births after numerous attempts. It is anticipated that with further research and development, embryo transfer can become a useful tool for wildlife management, and especially since sperm and eggs (or oocytes) can be recovered from animals post-mortem for embryo production and cryopreservation. Because of several recent and well-publicized reports on the application of nuclear transfer or cloning technology to endangered species, the Repro SAG decided that it was important to draft a position statement on the issue. 21

22 DRAFT (Pending Approval by AZA WCMC) Position Statement on the Use of Cloning in AZA Conservation Programs Cloning (nuclear transfer) is an emerging technology; the application of this technology for the production of live offspring currently is inefficient and requires extensive resource commitment. Sound, effective conservation is based on using a combination of tools and actions, and it should be recognized that no single tool, such as cloning, can save an endangered species. The primary criteria that must be taken into account before cloning is applied are the long-term conservation priorities and overall population management goals for the species and endorsement from the relevant AZA conservation program. It is the position of the AZA Repro SAG that the practical application of cloning for the recovery or management of species in AZA conservation programs is not feasible at the present time; however, the technology may have relevance in the future. In addition, it is the position of the RSAG that successful application of cloning for wildlife species requires further development of fundamental knowledge of the reproductive biology, and demonstration of the feasibility and efficiency of this specific technology for the particular species being investigated. What is cloning? Cloning (nuclear transfer) is a technology that produces genetically similar copies of an individual (e.g. as in the case of Dolly the sheep). Presently, the nuclear transfer process involves collecting a tissue sample from a donor animal and developing a cell culture. Next, an egg from the same species or a closely related species has its nucleus (DNA) removed. The nucleus from a viable cell in the cell culture is then inserted into the egg and the nucleus is re-programmed to begin development from the one-cell embryo stage. This newly formed embryo is then allowed to develop until it is transferred into the reproductive tract of a recipient animal, which carries the fetus through gestation. Currently, only an intact nucleus, and not fragments of DNA, can be used to produce offspring by nuclear transfer technology. The information presented here as well as other features and activities of the AZA Repro SAG can be found on their homepage accessible through the AZA website or it can be accessed directly at: In conclusion, assisting reproduction should be perceived in its broadest sense, and that would be any initiative taken or stimulus introduced that can enhance reproductive function (e.g., changing light cycles or other environmental manipulations; providing nutritional supplements that can overcome deficiencies, such as those often encountered with pregnancies in aged ruminants; or removing social stressors by either separating territorial rivals or uniting colony members). Nevertheless, because of recent global disease outbreaks and the closure of federally required quarantine stations, we must continue with the research and development of assisted reproductive technology as a supplemental strategy that may be used for enhancing genetic diversity. 22

23 FELID TAG ACTION PLAN ( ) During the 2004 Mid-Year Meeting of the Felid TAG, attendees re-visited the TAG s Three Year Action Plan. The purpose of the Felid TAG Action Plan is to provide a framework under which the TAG concentrates its efforts related to relevant topics. This Action Plan outlines five discipline areas as follows: Animal Health, Animal Welfare/Husbandry, Education, In-situ Conservation, and Research. Within each area a number of high priority issues are listed. The Felid TAG supports and encourages cooperative research that addresses these issues either individually or collaboratively. This list is by no means exhaustive and the TAG supports proposals of merit that address issues beyond those listed below as we recognize the need for multidisciplinary training and cooperation in all areas. The TAG feels strongly that there is a critical need for national and international training programs as well as capacity building among disciplines. We place a high priority on scientific collaboration and partnerships in all disciplines and encourage researchers to pursue multi-institutional training grants. The TAG encourages increased cooperation between Universities and Zoological institutions. This will make available additional resources currently under-utilized for conservation and increase the pool of investigators and students in critical fields. The Felid TAG recognizes the AZA Biological Banking Advisory Group (BBAG) and Contraceptive Advisory Group. Goals/ Tasks Animal Health a. Contribute to and compile baseline medical and physiological databases including support of the emerging ZIMS project. b. Continue to develop, improve, and evaluate medical programs including but not limited to preventive medicine, anesthesia, and necropsy. c. Support research into the pathogenesis and medical management of infectious, emerging, and species-specific diseases primarily for those species listed in the TAG RCP. Other projects of merit for non-rcp species will also be considered. d. Collaborate with in situ conservation efforts by providing veterinary expertise and participate in the continuing education and training of international colleagues. e. Promote cross-disciplinary research efforts - including but not limited to nutrition, reproduction, behavior, and genetics f. Support the development of ZIMS g. Identify veterinary and pathology advisors for each SSP h. Pallas cat understanding the unique sensitivity of this species to toxoplasmosis, evaluation of treatment protocols, evaluation of serologic response to toxoplasmosis i. Black-footed cats explore the pathogenesis of amyloidosis j. Lion evaluate reproductive health k. Cheetahs evaluate disease and associated risk factors l. Evaluate immune function (all species) 23

24 m. Continue to investigate viral diseases (all species) including but not limited to Herpes virus, FIV, corona virus, canine distemper n. Evaluate existing and novel contraception methods o. Evaluate stress and its relationship to disease development (all species) p. Vaccine serology and evaluation of vaccination protocols (all species) q. Clouded leopards medical management and husbandry review particularly as it relates to chronic stress r. Jaguars evaluation of epistaxis s. Neoplasia - including but not limited to cystadenocarcinomas in jaguars, squamous cell carcinomas in snow leopards, transitional cell carcinomas in fishing cats t. Review morbidity and mortality of captive populations u. Conduct a disease survey of free-ranging populations v. Evaluation of existing and novel anesthetic protocols w. Investigate analgesia and pain management in all species x. Evaluate dental disease and develop prophylactic measures in felid species y. Investigate gerontology concerns in all species i. Staff training Goals/ Tasks Animal Welfare/Husbandry a. Preserve institutional memory by recording/capturing memory of experienced staff regarding best practices for felid management b. Increase amount of staff training concerning felid management c. Exchange information with range country facilities d. Compile daily husbandry information in the form of AZA Animal Standards/Husbandry manuals, animal introduction techniques (especially for reproduction), hand-rearing techniques, capture/restraint techniques. e. Pursue funding for training sessions for AZA members f. Pursue development of AZA Board of Regents course on felid husbandry g. Examine existing animal training courses to see if they meet the needs of our members ii. Management Goals/ Tasks a. Gather best practices for managing felid species b. Compare/contrast management techniques, especially with small cat species c. Assess need for and impact of animal training d. Improve exhibit design for felid species 24

25 e. Continue to develop and encourage animal enrichment programs for felids f. Evaluate the use of felids as Program animals in the following areas: safety for animal/keeper/visitor; do shows encourage ownership of felids as pets; Acq/Disp. Issues of program animals; staff training for handling felids; enclosure needs for program animals g. Conduct and support Felid welfare-related studies to determine causes/correlates of stereotypy/abnormal behavior. h. Conduct and support studies to determine the impact of animal training and human-animal interaction on animal welfare. i. Measure dynamics/functionality of enclosures using behavior/endocrine correlates (e.g. Does the enclosure promote species specific behavior, opportunities for control/choice, reproductive success?) j. Analyze studbook data to determine correlates to reproductive data (example: average litter size, age at sexual maturity) k. Support work to understand behavior/natural history of free ranging animals to encourage natural behavior ex situ l. Identify exhibit designs that meet the needs of felid, staff and visitors m. Assess the number and types of felids used as program animals in member zoos. n. Conduct studies to determine the impact of using felids in programs. i. Biological Material Resource Banking Goals/ Tasks Research a. Support optimum biomaterial viability after cryopreservation by performing basic research in low temperature biology. b. Support tissue and materials banking (sperm, oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, testis tissue, skin, fibroblasts, serum, fur, DNA, feces, histological specimens, pathology collections, etc.) c. Develop techniques for efficient use of these resources in research and propagation. ii. Bioinformatics Goals/ Tasks a. Develop information systems for biological resource banks to inventory and track biological specimens b. Develop efficacious information systems for biological resource banks for inventorying and tracking biological specimens. A comprehensive database for managing information in the following categories is needed to facilitate research in the following categories: Reproduction (sperm, oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, testis tissue) 25

26 Animal health sciences (skin, fibroblasts, serum, fur, DNA, feces, histological specimens/path collections) Genetics (gene markers specific for differentiating species/sub-species) c. Develop methods for integrating the entire reproduction history (including natural breeding attempts/failures, assisted reproduction, behavior) into population management programs and SSPs (i.e., submit information to Studbook Keeper for SPARKS Studbook). d. Integrate domestic and non-domestic felid comparative genomic information. iii. Genetics Goals/Tasks a. Assess extent and character of genetic diversity present in endangered and non-endangered populations, subspecies, and species as an indicator of historic demographic contraction. b. Develop gene markers and explicit genetic criteria to classify individuals (and/or specimens) into distinct taxonomic units; vis. Species and subspecies. c. Apply phylogenetic methods to quantify kinship and to determine parentage in life history studies of endangered populations. d. Apply genetic methods to quantify kinship and to determine parentage in life history studies of endangered populations. e. Apply population genetic theory to extend our ability to identify threats to endangered taxa. iv. Reproductive Sciences Goals/Tasks a. Continue developing normals for basic reproductive physiology in all felid species b. Continue to develop Assisted reproductive technology Develop new techniques Implement these techniques to be efficient for both in situ and ex situ conservation Integrate these technologies with tissues from GRB c. Investigate other factors influencing reproductive status (stress, nutrition, social and environmental factors, disease, housing) d. Continue to develop and use non-invasive techniques for monitoring Fecal hormones Laparoscopic/endoscopic techniques e. Develop reliable methods for Pregnancy detection f. Develop easy to use safe/reversible contraception techniques 26

27 Education Goals/Tasks are based on the following audiences i. Felid TAG a. Identify education advisors for management groups b. Help recruit education advisors for management groups c. Develop a comprehensive report on education projects mid-year and annual ii. Institutions (Staff/volunteers/guests/general public) iii. In-situ d. Develop and disseminate comprehensive resource package (CRP) for the eight small cat species e. Develop education programs for felid species to promote awareness of ecosystem/habitat/different geographic regions f. Develop guidelines for use of cats as program animals g. Develop AZA felid husbandry training program h. Encourage and implement marketing programs (awareness and fundraising) i. Develop training programs for zoo personnel in education, felid husbandry, nutrition, medicine, small population management, and reproductive evaluation. j. Develop educational outreach programs in countries of origin to address felid conservation issues within local communities Goals/Tasks In-Situ Conservation a. Support Protection of Species in Natural Habitats. b. Define Conservation Needs. Surveys Workshops Defining Enhancement Determining Education needs c. Support processes that promote and implement strategic action plans for conservation. CBSG (CAMPs/PHVAs) Rapid Assessment Evaluation. (CI) IUCN Action Plans 27

28 Workshops/seminars/symposiums. IUCN Red List d. Establish an effective communication for all stakeholders. Government NGOs cultural education media people Religion e. Promote capacity Building. Empowering people in conservation Train Educate Implement f. Evaluate Initiatives. 28

29 Chairs: Dusty Lombardi, Gerry Brady WORKING GROUP REPORTS In Situ Conservation Working Group Mission: Supporting Protection of Species and/or Habitat Goals: 1. List of in-situ projects 2. Develop a contact person for each species, could be the SSP coordinator or a designated person who may develop a short list who are knowledgeable on the subjects (Dusty will be contacted, for previously done work on these links.) 3. Send list of projects to Felid TAG education chair and research chair, Field TAG website, list serve, AZA list serves, and potentially to academia???? 4. Work with education committee to disseminate information to Universities 5. Attempt to get a consultant (Shoemaker?) to perform this function. 6. Adopt a document of enhancement for this group (Shoemaker?) 7. We are going to direct a link to the IUCN website in order to identify projects. Other Issues 1. Ongoing Survey Needs: Update the survey for in situ conservation Dusty and Gerry have been elected to update this. Will then make this a more accessible database that is searchable. Dusty has the material which links ex-situ and in-situ research. We will refer back to this document and resend it to this group or the Field TAG. 2. How to get funding support? 29

30 Look at AZA Conservation Support fund will check with Mike Hutchins/Ruth Allard to see if there is a database of zoo-based conservation support Designate the species coordinator to be the point person for listing ongoing field research projects. They will be responsible for making sure the lists are up to date. 3. Zoo s Committing to Conservation Barbara will contact Beth Armstrong to get information from zoo s which are involved in Zoo s Committing to Conservation. They have developed a CD from their previous conference which may be helpful. 4. Programs should include the private sector in the solicitation of support for these projects. 5. Program managers need to communicate with institutions which are attempting to import animals or vise versa. 6. Program chairs need to be able to identify authorities in range countries and apprise them of issues and individuals. Increase the relationship of all stake holders. 7. Program chairs strengthen linkages with CAP s which are applicable in their species to establish contacts and learn what projects they are supporting. Chair: Kimberly Davidson Cage Space Survey Working Group Participants: ** -indicates those willing to assist in the facilitating survey for ** Kimberly Davidson, Utah s Hogle Zoo, kdavidson@hoglezoo.org Alan Shoemaker, sshoe@mindspring.com ** Michelle Schireman, Oregon Zoo, pumacoug@aol.com ** Dana Wooster, Woodland Park Zoo, dana.wooster@zoo.org Wes Allen, Oklahoma City Zoo, wallen@okczoo.com ** Kim Clark, Living Desert, kclark@livingdesert.org ** Adam Stone, Zoo Atlanta, astone@zooatlanta.org ** Scott Wahlberg, Roosevelt Park Zoo, scottwahlberg@yahoo.com First part of the discussion was to determine who the survey is created for? Population managers Review of surveys to date: 30

31 1. Define what is meant by cage space do we care if it is holding or display? Probably not so change the survey to reflect total number of current animals delete the areas that indicate cage space and display, but still include M/F/U designation. 2. In section that talks about future needs eliminate the question regarding the number of spaces and displays, and just ask the total number of changes in animals, still including M/F/U designation. 3. Add an F choice that would be referring to aging animals loss due to attrition. 4. Add a reminder in the survey directions to be sure to include demonstration/show animals. 5. Change the question regarding the section on changes anticipated from 3-5 years, to every 1-3 years, to reflect the requirements by AZA for updating the RCP. Kimberly will update the survey form in DRAFT, and send it out to this working group, for approval. Then the institutions will be divided up between the working group members, to act as liaisons to conduct the survey. Group thought it was best to do the survey every other year so this means the next survey is due in 2005 so that the results can be announced at the mid-year, Chair: Karen Povey Participants: Dan Marsh Bonnie Breitbeil Don Goff Ken Kaemmerer Collette Griffiths Education Working Group Discussion Issues: Need to counter the perception that small cats don t make good exhibits. Encourage greater participation of educators in TAG activities and try to garner greater institutional commitment for education staff participation. Need to educate internally about efforts and activities of TAG. Education Action Plan for 2004/2005: 1. Felid TAG Audience a. Identify education advisors for management groups. 31

32 Action: Check with AZA and SSP/PMP managers and compile a list. Send information to Bonnie to incorporate into master list of TAG advisors. Karen b. Help recruit education advisors for management. Action: Publicize need on education list serve and get an agenda item for education liaison meeting at AZA national conference in New Orleans. Karen c. Develop a comprehensive report on education projects for annual report in September. Action: Submit a written and oral report for annual TAG meeting in New Orleans. Dan 2. Institutions a. Develop and disseminate a comprehensive resource package for the eight small cat species managed by the TAG (see summary at end of this report). Tasks to achieve this project include: i. Review survey done last year to align this project with institutional needs. Action: Contact Mike to obtain survey, review, and summarize. Bonnie: will send this information to Dan. ii. Conduct a follow-up survey by personally contacting SSP managers and a sampling of other education staff members at facilities holding small cats. Action: By the end of September 2004, make contacts and use the following summary and questions to form some direction to the project Dan iii. Identify central messages and themes about small cats that can be used for a variety of staff members at zoos so that they can easily incorporate these species into their existing exhibits and educational programming. Message package will emphasize presentation of themes in an interpretive style vs. factbased message delivery. Action: See iv. iv. Develop and compile resource materials for zoo staff that includes information about status, natural history, and conservation needs of the species. These materials include photos, line drawings, and fact sheets. Action: By the 2005 mid-year TAG meeting, develop a template for the resource package to present to the group for assessment and discussion. Dan and newly recruited advisors. 32

33 v. Work with the Animal Welfare Working Group to develop and compile information about exhibitry, husbandry, and management that can be used by institutions investigating adding these species to their facilities or to enhance current exhibits. Action: Create a relationship and path of communication with the Animal Welfare Working Group for future work on this issue. Bonnie 3. In-situ No actions identified for except for projects our TAG participants are already involved with and will report on at 2005 mid-year meeting. Development of Small Cat Comprehensive Resource Package An electronic educator s resource focused on the 8 species of small cats managed by the Felid TAG. The audience for this resource is the staff at our institutions, not the general public. These resources include materials to facilitate staff workshops, K-12 curricula, photos, line art, graphics templates, husbandry and management information, exhibitry examples and recommendations. CD format (not CD-ROM) with the collection of resources organized into folders for easy access. Easy to update Relatively accessible to all Imbedded links to Felid TAG and SSP websites or other pertinent sites Questions for assessing the design direction of this product to assure its usefulness: 1. Describe the project. 2. Does this project sound like something that would be useful to you? 3. Are you the person who would implement this in your institution? If not, who? 4. Do you have anything in place already? 5. Ask which components of the project would be useful to them. 6. Do you have resources to share or would you be interested in helping with this project? 33

34 Research Working Group Chair: JoGayle Howard Participants: JoGayle Howard Vimal Selvaraj Yuen-Hee Kim Jason Herrick Rose Bauer Genevieve Magarey Alex Travis Karen Terio I. General Research Priorities General Felid Health Need: Investigate infectious disease processes and new vaccines to control disease. Investigate oxolate nephrosis in felids. Action: Testing new vaccines available for felids for safety and efficacy. Action: Conducting risk assessments and determining sources of oxolate nephrosis. Action: Monitoring new vaccines for evidence of vaccine-induced disease. Action: Developing consistent testing protocol and testing location for viral diseases. Need: Develop better protocols for managing geriatric animals in captivity Action: Investigate improvements in analgesia and medical management of arthritis Action: Investigate dietary needs of geriatric animals Need: Develop better understanding of baseline diseases in free-ranging populations Action: Disease survey of free-ranging populations Action: Comparison of disease prevalence in captive vs. wild populations General Felid Reproduction Need: Develop or continue to improve upon assisted reproductive techniques that are safe, minimally invasive and effective. Action: Identify factors for consistent ovarian stimulation. Action: Optimize methods for safe and effective semen collection and storage. Action: Continue to assess factors affecting post-thaw sperm survival. Action: Improve AI, IVF and ET techniques Action: Improve practicality and potential for application of these technologies for ex situ conservation 34

35 Need: Continue to develop emerging technologies in assisted reproduction and investigate potential genetic consequences of use of these technologies. Action: Follow the genetic health and behavioral traits of offspring from ART Action: Development of stem cell technologies for preserving genetic diversity of animals where collection of mature gametes is not an option Action: Optimize protocols for increased efficiency and minimal consequences associated with these techniques. Need: Determine the causes of reduced fertility in aging animals. Action: Compare hormone profiles between old and young animals. Action: Compare gamete quality and function between old and young animals. Need: Improve contraception options for captive felid populations Action: Continue to monitor long-term safety and efficacy of existing contraceptives Action: Support development of improved contraceptives that are safe, reversible and affordable Biological Material Resource Banking Need: Continue to improve upon existing genome resource bank technologies Action: Conduct basic research in low temperature biology to allow optimum biomaterial viability after cryopreservation. Action: Continue banking tissues (sperm, oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, testis tissue) Action: Develop techniques for efficient use of these resources in research and propagation. Need: Improve upon existing methods for banking biological materials Action: Support banking of biological materials - skin, fibroblasts, serum, fur, DNA, feces, histological specimens/path collections Action: Develop techniques for efficient use of these resources in research and propagation. Behavior Need: Continue to support basic and applied research in behavior Action: Understanding behavior /natural history of free-ranging animals to encourage natural behavior ex situ Action: Continue to investigate cause of stereotypy/abnormal behavior in captive animals Action: Continue to investigate relationship between the captive environment and behavior/stress using fecal hormone analysis in conjunction with behavioral observations. 35

36 Nutrition Need: Improve understanding of nutritional requirements of captive animals Action: Investigate emerging viral diseases of food sources and how this affects felid health Action: Continue to assess how existing felid diets affect health and reproduction Action: Compare captive and free-ranging diets for nutritional content II. Species-Specific Research Priorities The following is a non-exclusive listing of examples of research priorities for specific species. Black-footed Cat Need: Develop a better understanding of the etiology of amyloidosis and herpes virus in the captive population. Action: Continued monitoring of amyloidosis in the population. Action: Continue to investigate amyloidosis, including identifying risk factors and comparison of occurrence between in situ and ex situ populations. Action: Need to conduct an epidemiological survey of herpes virus in the captive population. Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Action: Determine management factors correlated with breeding success. Need: Improved involvement and support of in situ research in range countries. Action: Identify existing field research projects and determine potential contributions from additional researchers based on shared goals. Sand Cat Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Action: Determine management factors correlated with breeding success. Need: Better understanding of physiological normals and disease prevalence Action: Identify a veterinary advisor to initiate collation of medical data. 36

37 Pallas Cat Need: Continue to develop a better understanding of the etiology of toxoplasmosis, herpes and FIV in the captive population. Fishing Cat Ocelot Action: Continue investigating the transmission of toxoplasmosis and Herpes virus and potential sources of pathogens. Action: Continue developing information on managing the diseases. Action: Investigate immune response to herpes and toxoplasmosis. Need: Better understanding of physiological normals and disease prevalence Action: Identify a veterinary advisor to initiate collation of medical data. Action: Investigate pathogenesis of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) Need: Better understanding of physiological normals and disease prevalence Action: Identify a veterinary advisor to initiate collation of medical data. Clouded Leopard Need: Better understanding of physiological normals and disease prevalence Action: Initiate collation of medical and husbandry data, including necropsy survey. Snow Leopard Jaguar Need: Better understanding of pathogenesis of papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas Action: Investigate possible underlying viral etiologies Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Need: Better understanding of pathogenesis of ovarian carcinomas and epistaxis Action: Determine prevalence of epistaxis and possible underlying causes Action: Determine if ovarian carcinomas are associated with specific genetic defects. 37

38 Lion Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Need: Determine if recent poor reproductive success is associated with underlying poor health Action: Perform comprehensive reproductive health surveys on apparently infertile individuals Cheetah Leopard Serval Need: Determine the mechanisms of interaction between behavior, management, reproduction and health. Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Caracal Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Canada Lynx Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. Puma Need: Better understanding of basic reproduction, endocrine traits and the mechanism of ovulation. Action: Identify baseline reproductive hormone patterns through non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring. 38

39 Creation of a Small Cat Sub-Group within the Felid TAG Submitted by: Danny Morris (Henry Doorly Zoo) and Michelle Claud (Santa Ana Zoo) Many of the large cat programs have been in existence for 10 to 20 years plus. These programs have benefited from active management groups and top notch advisors to aid them. At the 2003 Felid Tag steering committee meeting, a proposal to host a small cat workshop was adopted. The purpose of this workshop was to allow the small cat program managers a time to discuss their wants and needs and determine how the Felid Tag could assist them. A small cat workshop was convened on March 25 th 2004 covering many topics including science issues, education/marketing, program management, importation, enhancement etc. It was the feeling of the group that significant progress towards many goals had occurred over the past two years. The group also recognized that the relatively new small cat programs face problems not entirely the same as those of the large cat species. A matrix was developed to determine the needs of all eight managed programs. The results of this matrix will be included in the full report of this meeting. The matrix indicated that the managed programs lacked the advisory support of the large cat programs and that many of the identified needs were common over at least half of the programs. The ensuing discussion yielded many good ideas with the group reaching consensus to petition the steering committee to form a small cat sub- committee resulted with the following plan: 1. Identify people to be advisors or point people 2. Develop an action plan for small cats that includes the following steps: a. Compile what we are already doing. b. Identify where we are heading c. Identify resources and needs d. Develop a marketing and education plan e. Continue small cat meeting in conjunction with Felid TAG Danny Morris and Michelle Claud will assume the roles of co-coordinating this initiative. Significant progress could be made to having a draft of the action plan by the annual meeting. The advisors could be identified and on board by this time as well. 39

40 Small Cat Workshop - Summary of Issues I. Points of concern A. Lack of advisors B. Non-AZA populations C. Need for education programs D. Hybrids and subspecies E. Compatibility F. Contraception- need for better options G. Purpose of populations H. Husbandry Manuals I. Universal problems (across species) J. Genetic unknowns K. Disease II. Education A. Need to involve education in programs, not necessarily in a formal format B. Needs to address: 1. Identify audience 2. Develop message for said audience 3. Determine program goals 4. Evaluate 5. Produce programs and material 6. Develop in situ education programs 7. Develop guidelines 8. Develop continuing education and staff development with a volunteer training component C. Cincinnati Zoo Education Model- demonstrated information pool for zoo professionals 1. Importance of including central message 2. Identify audience a. Public b. Staff 3. Need to address our internal audience first 4. Need for SSP coordinators to provide species information (already exists- needs to be centralized by an educator) 5. Need money for nice packaging and create directory 6. Identify need to address visibility and other unique small felid issues 7. Get all parties/departments involved in the plan to sell our species to facility governing authorities 8. Need to integrate science and conservation with education 9. Does TAG need coordinated effort to market small cats? 10. Goals- get zoos to: 40

41 a. want small cats b. exhibit small cats c. get public excited about small cats D. Fecal Hormone Assays- Rose Bauer 1. Benefits and Challenges 2. FAQs 3. Process 4. Uses E. Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Sciences 1. Don t know a lot about biology of small felids 2. Dealing with small population biology a. small population size b. limited founder population c. high amount of inbreeding i. reproductive and pathological consequences 3. Tools a. semen collection b. fecal hormone analysis c. AI (laparoscopic) d. IVF e. ET f. cryopreservation 4. Applications a. basic reproduction biology b. physiological & behavioral barriers c. insurance d. assisted reproduction s biggest impact in the short term i. logistics ii. space and economic limitations 5. 5 Steps for Success a. develop technique with domestic cats first b. characterize species specific biology c. assess technique feasibility to produce offspring d. demonstrate adequate efficiency e. apply tool to become a service 6. Look at reproductive science techniques at the same time we work on population management a. can benefit population management, but need to know basic biology F. Pathology 1. gross necropsy 2. histopathology 41

42 3. Incorporates epidemiology, genetics, nutrition, microbiology, and molecular methods 4. Why we have a. standardize diagnoses b. identify early lesions c. morbidity and mortality- not just cause of death d. keep large data base e. monitor trends f. identify and investigate diseases of concern i. toxoplasmosis in Pallas cats ii. transitional cell carcinoma in fishing cats iii. renal amyloidosis in black-footed cats g. coordinate with clinical veterinary advisor h. create protocols and improved health care i. assist with management of captive and in situ populations 5. Collect everything in necropsies, not just certain pieces. a. submit suspicious pieces b. can keep rest to submit for further analysis if warranted G. Importation of Founders 1. Need founders! a. SSP/PMP managers need to identify sources b. good contacts in EEPs/TAGs c. Europe not always the best place d. need new founders every couple of years 2. Responsibilities for SSP/PMP managers a. create list of enhancement projects i. show several years worth ii. shopping list of projects b. coordinate importations i. group zoos together for permits ii. group species together for permits iii. delineate goals for USFWS in permits -they like coordinated projects!! iv. process is complex and takes time -plan ahead -include info in institutional collection plan H. Effective Program Management 1. Know institutional representatives and contact periodically 2. Keep up on updates and publishing deadlines 3. Get all new info out in a timely manner 4. Maintain good bibliography 42

43 5. Follow up 6. Keep up on issues I. Improving communication amongst small cat programs 1. Develop action plan for small cats a. start by compiling what we are already doing b. identify where we are heading i. subgroup with group of advisors c. identify resources and needs d. identify common grounds for all 8 species e. identify people to be advisors or point people f. identify structure of group g. husbandry techniques i. continue small cat meeting in conjunction with Felid TAG i. themed part of meeting j. develop marketing plan k. branch out to non-felid people l. develop felid training course m. identify people to lead this group 43

44 Fishing SSP Status Report (by Bill Swanson) SSP AND PMP REPORTS The Fishing Cat Species Survival Plan held a SSP meeting and master planning session on March 24, 2004 in Albuquerque, New Mexico in conjunction with the mid-year Felid TAG meeting. The SSP meeting was attended by 21 individuals representing 10 AZA member institutions and 3 non- AZA institutions (i.e., one private cat facility, one university, and one NGO). The current demographic and genetic status of the SSP population was reviewed (see Master Plan for detailed analysis). As of March 2004, the SSP population consisted of 71 cats ( ) in 23 institutions. In the past year, there were 9 (4.5) kittens born in 4 litters and the death of 11 (6.5) cats for a loss of two individuals. Of the 11 SSP recommended pairings in 2003, three pairs (San Francisco, Chicago-Brookfield, Minnesota) reproduced but only one pair (at San Francisco) had surviving offspring. Deaths were offset by the importation of 9 (5.4) full or partial founders from Southeast Asia (see below) resulting in a net gain to the SSP population of 7 cats. Founder importation in 2003 increased the total size of the SSP founder population (actual plus potential) from 8 to 15 individuals, improving genetic diversity (GD) from 0.83 to 0.85 and providing a potential GD of Mean inbreeding is still high (F = 0.19) but is expected to decline over time with improved management and founder incorporation. In 2003, nine full or partial founders were imported from three Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore). The Nashville Zoo imported 2.2 captive-born cats from Thailand and the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound, with partial financial support of Omaha s Henry Doorly Zoo, imported 1.1 captive-born cats from Cambodia and 1.2 captive-born cats from Singapore. Consistent with the SSP s previous decision to manage the North American population on a species rather than subspecies level, these founders are the offspring of parental stock originating from two geographically-isolated wild populations (mainland Asia and Sri Lanka). These potential founders were given the highest priority for pairing during the Master Planning session. Efforts to develop a captive breeding program for fishing cats in Thailand moved forward as a collaborative project involving the Fishing Cat SSP, the Thai Zoological Parks Organization (ZPO), the Asian Wildlife Consultancy, the Smithsonian s National Zoological Park, the Nashville Zoo and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. In early 2003, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was drafted between participating institutions to establish a fishing cat breeding program based at the five Thai public zoos and the Royal Forestry Department. Demographic and genetic analysis of studbook data from the Thai captive fishing cat population would be used to select breeding pairs, with an emphasis on pairing of wild-caught individuals. In October 2003, as one component of this program, a training workshop in population management was presented to ~24 Thai zoo veterinarians and university professionals. Course participants, working with instructors from the National Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo, developed the first Master Plan for Thai fishing cats, with the recommendation to create 7 breeding pairs in Thai zoos. Most offspring from these pairings would remain in Thailand as part of the managed captive population but, as specified in the MOU, up to 10 of the offspring may be imported to the U.S. for incorporation as founders into the SSP population. Additional funding is needed to support the Thai fishing cat breeding program. As new founders are imported from Thailand, priority for placement will be given to those AZA institutions that have provided financial support. Interested institutions should contact the 44

45 SSP coordinator. In 2003, reproductive research with fishing cats continued in both the U.S. and Thailand. Rose Bauer, a PhD candidate at the Smithsonian s National Zoological Park, has conducted extensive studies using fecal hormone analysis to characterize basal reproductive patterns in captive fishing cats. Her more applied studies are focused on down-regulation of ovarian function to improve ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins for artificial insemination (AI). In collaboration with scientists from the National Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo, Thai veterinarian Khongsak Thiangtum of Kasetsart University completed studies in 2003 characterizing seminal traits and investigating sperm cryopreservation in Thai fishing cats. Effective sperm freezing protocols are a necessity if cryopreserved samples are to be used for AI or IVF procedures as a means to improve gene flow between isolated populations. Dr. Genevieve Magarey, a post-doctoral fellow at the Cincinnati Zoo, will be exploring the use of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from U.S. and Thai fishing cats for IVF procedures as a means to generate embryos for subsequent transfer and production of offspring. In situ research with wild fishing cats in Sri Lanka and Thailand also received emphasis in In Sri Lanka, Dr. John Seidensticker of the Smithsonian s National Zoological Park continues to assess the status of wild fishing cat populations, particularly near the capital city of Columbo. More information about this field project is available at the National Zoo s website ( In Thailand, a camera trapping study was initiated in late 2003 by Thai field biologists Passanan Boontua and Budsabong Kanchanasaka, in collaboration with the National Zoo with funding provided by the Fishing Cat SSP and the Cincinnati Zoo. In this study, prime wetland areas in the large (~1100 km 2 ) Klong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Klong Saeng - Khao Sok Forest Complex, on Peninsular Thailand are being assessed for the presence of fishing cats to identify priority areas for conservation. More detailed information about this project is available on the website ( Additional funding is needed to continue both field projects in Institutions interested in helping to support this critical research should contact the SSP coordinator. International Studbook Keeper Lynda Roberts is leading efforts to compile a Fishing Cat Husbandry Manual. A rough outline of the manual has been completed and individuals with expertise in fishing cats are being contacted to contribute brief chapters to the final document. Completion of the husbandry manual in not anticipated until mid-2005 at the earliest. Monitoring of health problems in the fishing cat SSP population in ongoing. The primary veterinary concern is related to the high prevalence of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in older fishing cats. At least 14 cases have been observed in the last 10 years, a very high percentage for such a relatively small captive population. An excellent research paper, authored by Dr. Meg Sutherland-Smith at the San Diego Zoo, that describes several case reports of this disease in fishing cats currently is in press in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. Drs. Karen Terio (kterio@lumc.edu) and Michael Kinsel (mkinsel@lumc.edu), pathologists at the University of Illinois, have offered to conduct full histopathological evaluations of deceased individuals managed in all five of the small cat SSPs, including the fishing cat. More information about tissue requirements and shipping procedures is available on the Felid TAG website ( In addition, a veterinary pathology resident in Dr. Terio s program has initiated a comprehensive study of TCC in this species to attempt to determine the underlying etiology. Dr. Terio may be contacted directly for more information about this study. The SSP encourages all fishing cat holding institutions to participate and provide requested samples. 45

46 To date (since 2001), the sale of fishing cat limited edition prints and note cards has raised about $4000 for the SSP. All of these funds were used to support the Thailand Fishing Cat Survey conducted in late 2003 and early 2004 in Klong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary on Peninsular Thailand. Several institutions (eg., Exotic Feline Breeding Compound, Oregon Zoo, Mill Mountain Zoo) have received prints and note cards on consignment, sold the items and returned the proceeds to the SSP. Interested institutions should contact the SSP coordinator for more information. (Note: Per AZA policy, sales tax must be charged on all items sold to support SSP programs). Pallas Cat SSP Status No report given. Editors note: The new Pallas Cat SSP coordinator and International Studbook Keeper is Dr. Martha Caron, Conservation Biologist at the Minnesota Zoo. She may be contacted at: Sand Cat SSP Status Report (by Kim Clark) Current Population: 167 ( ) in 44 institutions worldwide 52 (29.23) in 15 institutions in North America 24 (11.13) in 8 AZA institutions of which only 8.8 are pure harrisoni (soon to be in AZA institutions after the shipment). The Felid TAG has set a target population of 80. Eight (4.4) animals are being imported from Qatar, increasing the # of founders from 9 to 12. Factoring these new animals into the population, the current GD is with a potential of , as opposed to GD currently. One female is being transferred to Hai Bar Yotvata in Israel to become part of their breeding program. The Israeli institutions are looking into the possibility of starting a captive breeding and release program, in which the SSP will be happy to participate in whatever capacity needed. The SSP is also endorsing the reproductive research being proposed by Drs. Bill Swanson and Jason Herrick at Cincinnati Zoo s CREW. Ocelot SSP Status Report (by Ken Kaemmerer) One of the Ocelot SSP s main goals the importation of a future founder base of Brazilian ocelots (Leopardus pardalis mitis) into the North American population, has made progress on several fronts. The first Endangered Species Permit for 2.2 Brazilian ocelots was written for Cleveland 46

47 Metroparks Zoo and Oklahoma City Zoo and should be granted soon. To document for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and amplify enhancement activities of in situ Brazilian ocelot populations, some of the ten Brazilian Ocelot Consortium (BOC) members began formally supporting a Brazilian ocelot field researcher, Anael Jacob. This is in addition to the support given to the fieldwork component of the BOC agreement by all members. The BOC agreement itself was revised at the request of the Brazilians to remove IBAMA as a signatory. The agreement was also translated into Portuguese and the revised document was signed again by the various Brazilian representatives and the ten U.S. AZA institutions. Nationally, a population master plan is in the final stages of production. Presently there are 111 ( ) generic ocelots in 45 AZA institutions and 16 (10.5.1) Brazilian ocelots in 7 AZA institutions. We decided to maintain breeding of generic ocelots at a very low level, which results in a negative 5% population decline. This is to keep enough total ocelots to fill requested space, but still allow for growth of the Brazilian ocelot captive population. Most Brazilian ocelots are being paired to breed. There are two SSP sanctioned research studies in the starting phase. Out of the 2003 SSP meeting arose a need to determine the factors that contribute to the incompatibility of a pair of ocelots being introduced; likewise what factors result in a compatible pair. A Master s degree student from Michigan State University, Anna Fleischman, has accepted this project and is working with me (Ken Kaemmerer) to send a survey to ocelot holding institutions with husbandry questions. The second project will start this year and is an experimental study of the contraceptive Deslorelin under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Asa of the St. Louis Zoo. Presently there are no safe reversible forms of contraception for carnivores and this study is one of the first in cats to determine if they will return to a normal estrus cycle after six months with a deslorelin implant. Ten generic females are needed and their cycles will be monitored through fecal hormone analysis to determine efficacy, and more importantly, the reversibility of the deslorelin. Finally, the SSP supports the efforts of the USFWS Ocelot Recovery Team. After five years of inactivity, the Recovery Team was re-formed and met at the Gladys Porter Zoo in The team is composed of both U.S. and Mexican representatives and has two co-leaders, Dr. David Maehr from the U.S. and Arturo Caso from Mexico. The team is divided into two committees: the technical committee, composed primarily of biologists who have technical knowledge of ocelot biology, habitat, and range, and the implementation committee, composed of representatives from NGO, governmental agencies and private land owners, who will be charged with implementing a recovery plan recommended by the technical committee. As SSP chair, I (KK) serve on the technical committee. Up to the present we have written a review of all that is known on ocelots or been done on their behalf. In April 2004 we will have the next meeting in Dallas. The main purpose is to do a Population Viability Analysis on the different sub-populations of Leopardus pardalis albescens in Texas and northeastern Mexico; Dr. Phil Miller from CBSG will be facilitating the PVA analysis. Clouded Leopard SSP Status Report (by Norah B. Fletchall) No written report submitted. 47

48 Snow Leopard SSP Status Report (by Lynn Tupa for Dan Wharton) No written report submitted. Lion SSP Status Report (by Tarren Wagener) The managed North American lion pedigreed population is (68) animals. There are also an additional 0.6 sterilized or non-reproductive animals. All of these lions are in AZA institutions. In 2003, the SSP planned 15 pairs and 13 transfers for the upcoming year. This was more than double the number of recommended pairings in previous Master Plans. Since these recommendations were made, only 4 successful breedings have occurred (resulting in 2.2 cubs at three institutions), and 9 transfers have been completed. A pregnant female is suspected at a fourth institution and cubs are pending. Breeding introductions are currently underway at an additional three institutions, and four additional pairings will be underway pending the remaining transfers. Despite repeated efforts, breeding has been unsuccessful at four institutions. It is too soon to tell if there will be any additional problems at the institutions just beginning breeding introductions. In addition to poor breeding success due to timing as well as potential reproductive issues at some institutions, 30-day cub mortality has been high. To compound the situation, an additional 21 institutions are seeking cats over the next two years. Pedigreed lion demand FAR exceeds the supply. One institution is currently pursuing an import to meet their needs. In response to these needs, the most current Breeding and Transfer Plan was prepared Thursday, 19 February, 2004 at the Fort Worth Zoo by the SSP Coordinator and the SPMAG advisor using survey responses from all Institutional Responses. A Working Document was then circulated to all Institutional Representatives for comments for 30 days. The draft document is now posted and following a 30-day comment period, the recommendations will become final. Since the institutional needs remain so high, and the supply of pedigreed cats is so low, these recommendations include an aggressive strategy to optimize breeding success. In early years, we tried to optimize institutional needs and match mean kinships of recommended pairs in the master planning process. Therefore, cats were moved across institutions to ensure optimal pairings. However, in some cases this resulted in difficult introductions as well as a significant delay in completing breeding recommendations due to delayed movement. Since the institutional needs remain so high, and the supply of pedigreed cats is so low, we have adopted a different, yet equally aggressive strategy to optimize breeding success. We began this strategy shift last year and continue the shift to the strategies below this year. Strategy I. In cases where compatible pairs had bred previously, those same cats were recommended for breeding again this year at the same institution. In some cases then, institutions will receive multiple breeding recommendations (one male breeding each of two females housed with them). Since we know that these cats have bred in the past, we are capitalizing on the likelihood that they will produce cubs again. In addition, some cats towards the bottom of the mean kinship list are also recommended for breeding. Or, in other cases, cats with relatively high mean kinships are recommended for breeding with cats with low mean kinships. These recommended pairings are not 48

49 jeopardizing our genetic diversity significantly yet, but will hopefully allow us to meet the extremely high institutional need for animals in the short term. Strategy II. Any cats that are available for placement are placed in the following order (from first priority to last priority): --those institutions with an empty exhibit --those institutions with a single animal (generic or pedigreed) --those institutions anticipating a single animal situation in the immediate future (example: two very aged animals, one with known serious medical complications) --those institutions wanting to breed or to increase the number of animals for social/exhibit purposes Strategy III. If an institution is asked to move offspring from previous breeding recommendations, that institution is receiving a breeding recommendation for the current year. Strategy IV. For all institutions currently experiencing problems with conception despite repeated breeding, please contact the SSP Coordinator and the Reproductive Advisor as soon as the problem is identified. For institutions currently attempting breeding introductions, please be aware that some institutions have experienced problems with conception, and the SSP is examining this challenge as a potential emerging health issue. To accomplish the SSP goals outlined above, the SSP has planned 20 pairs and 13 transfers for the upcoming year. This is more recommended pairings than in any of the previous Master Plans. As an additional resource for SSP institutions seeking cats, Adam Stone (Zoo Atlanta) will work with the husbandry advisors to develop a list of non-aza facilities that can be contacted for generic lions as needed. Co-vet advisors Dr. Suzan Murray (National Zoo) and Mike Briggs (Brookfield Zoo) discussed some potentially emerging health issues within the SSP that may impact the growth of the population as well. They identified complications with anesthesia at several institutions and also several cases of pyometria within the population. They will be examining these issues across the population. In addition to discussing the status of the population at the mid-year meeting, the group also moved forward on the development of the husbandry resource manual. The group agreed that they would use the Large Felid Standards as a guide and expand the information to include more lion specific data. The group identified 7 chapters that will be included: natural history and conservation status, management and behavior, design, enrichment and training, health, reproduction and nutrition. With the exception of management/behavior and design, all chapters will be authored by SSP advisors. The Management and Behavior as well as the Design chapter will be authored by the SSP representatives, and edited by Bill Gersonde (Tautphaus Park) and Dominic Calderisi (Lincoln Park) before forwarding them to the SSP Coordinator for additional editing. In addition, the Management Group will review all authored chapters as well. An extensive appendix will be developed as well and will include a Management Ethogram (Ingrid Russell, Santa Barbara), Select Bibliography (Sue Pfaff, Riverbanks Zoo), and a Research Resources section (e.g. what types of samples are needed by the SSP) that will be coordinated by Adam Stone (Zoo Atlanta). Chris Waldron (Philadelphia Zoo) with assistance from Pat Currie (Columbus Zoo) will be compiling a list of AZA sponsored lion research projects as well as in situ projects seeking support. This document will also be included in the Husbandry Resource Manual. A working draft of the entire manual will be completed by September and circulated for comment. 49

50 Upon completion, the group decided that the Husbandry Resource Manual will be distributed to all lion holding institutions in AZA via CD ROM. Bill Gersonde (Tautphaus Zoo) has graciously agreed to provide funding for this task. In addition to the Husbandry Resource Manual, the CD ROM will also include a compilation of case studies resulting from specific management scenarios (e.g. introductions, pregnancy etc.). Marilyn McBirney (Pueblo Zoo) will be coordinating this task. The SSP has also identified a Lion SSP Education Advisor Kristen Lewis from the Philadelphia Zoo. Her first tasks will be to identify lion curricula currently being used in AZA institutions and to work with Chris Waldron to identify and integrate in situ lion education priorities into the conservation project list. The group agreed that using discussions from the meeting and additional contact with advisors, the SSP Coordinator will develop a detailed action plan for the SSP that will be submitted to AZA in the next 30 days. The SSP has received a draft CEF proposal from SSP Reproductive Advisor Dr. Buddha Pukazenthi at the Smithsonian to gather baseline data on the reproductive status of the population and target specific individuals for genome banking as needed. The Management Group endorsed the pursuit of this project and will review the final draft prior to submission to the CEF. Tiger SSP Status Report (by Ron Tilson) Submitted by Ronald Tilson (Minnesota Zoo), Gerry Brady (Potter Park Zoo), Mike Dulaney (Cincinnati Zoo), Kathy Traylor-Holzer (CBSG-Tiger SSP Population Management advisor), Kimberly Davidson (Utah s Hogle Zoo), Douglas Armstrong, DVM (Henry Doorly Zoo-Veterinarian and Reproductive advisor) and Albert Lewandowski, DVM (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo-Pathology advisor). Two Tiger SSP activities were accomplished at the mid-year meeting of the AZA Felid TAG meeting; one was a general meeting of the Tiger SSP and the other was a presentation to general assembly of the Felid TAG on the status and activities of the Tiger SSP. This report focuses on these events and includes additional reports or information as submitted by advisors and colleagues (listed below). Because the subject matter overlapped in both the meeting and the presentation, we have combined both events into a single report. Special reports that give more detail on selected issues include: (see Appendix I of the TAG Proceedings) #1: Malaysian Tiger Importation Summary Report, Douglas Armstrong, #2: Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan Update, Douglas Armstrong and others, #3: Preliminary Studies on the Morbidity and Mortality of Amur tigers, #4: Tigers Use Infrasound to Warn Off Rivals, New Scientist, #5: Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program, Ronald Tilson and others, #6: Tiger Cub Born by Artificial Insemination at Omaha, Douglas Armstrong. 50

51 Tiger SSP Meeting The meeting was held from 3-5:00 PM at the host hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Management group members present were Ron Tilson (Minnesota Zoo), Gerry Brady (Potter Park Zoo), Kimberly Davidson (Utah s Hogle Zoo), Norah Fletchall (John Ball Zoo outgoing member), Steve Bircher (St. Louis Zoo), and newly elected 2004 members Bret Sellers (Woodland Park Zoo) and Don Goff (Connecticut s Beardsley Zoo). Members unable to attend were Randi Meyerson- McCormick (Toledo Zoo), Donald Kuenzer (Cleveland Metro Park's Zoo), and Mike Dulaney (Cincinnati Zoo) as well as new members Larry Sorel (Seneca Park Zoo) and Amos Morris (Pittsburgh Zoo). Attendees included: Jack Grisham, Alan Shoemaker, Karen Goodrowe, Beth Jo Schoeberl, Michelle Schireman, Dana Wooster, Karen Ziegler-Meeks, Leann Montgomery, Nanette Bragin, Jim Schnormeier, Pat Currie, Stephanie Lubianske, Rhonda Votino, Chris Waldron, Daryl Hood, Adam Stone, Wes Allen, Barbara Palmer, and Kevin Van DerMolen. SSP Management Group Elections Secretary Kimberly Davidson announced results of elections for 2004; Norah Fletchall ended her term of service and was thanked for her efforts. Vacancies were also left from previous management group members, so the terms are being staggered for new members, based on tally of votes. Bret Sellers (Woodland Park Zoo- term expires end of 2006), Larry Sorel (Seneca Park Zoo term expires end of 2006), Don Goff (Beardsley Zoo term expires end of 2004) and Amos Morris (Pittsburgh Zoo term expires end of 2004) were announced as new members of the management group. The three coordinators, Ron Tilson (Tiger SSP and Amur Tigers), Gerry Brady (Sumatran Tigers) and Mike Dulaney (Indochinese Tigers) each received a vote of confidence from institutional representatives and will continue in their capacity for three years. Martha Caron, Ph.D., conservation biologist at the Minnesota Zoo was appointed education and behavior advisor to the AZA s Tiger SSP. One of her first tasks will be to coordinate the revision of the Tiger Husbandry Manual and development of a web site for the Tiger SSP. Ideas from management group members were requested to address possible structure and content of the web site, and as one of our first priorities, assign certain chapters of the husbandry manual to key editors. Alan Shoemaker offered to modify the AZA Husbandry Guidelines for large cats to reflect needs of tigers for consideration by the management group. The Tiger SSP ARKS report for 2003 (Amur, Sumatran and Indochinese) was submitted to the AZA Office of Science and Conservation for posting on the organization s website. Next Tiger SSP Meeting In a previous memo, Kathy Traylor-Holzer explained all of the reasons why the Felid TAG midyear meeting in March is not the best time to hold the tiger master plan meeting. Central to this premise is that in March most tiger breeding recommendations are either scheduled, underway, already accomplished but the female may or may not be pregnant, or problems are being encountered. Seldom are cubs born before this date, and if they are, we still want to wait at least 30 days and preferably up to 90 days before we factor them into the living population. Simply put, we are not in a position to analyze the entire population genetically or demographically, and thus are not in a position to make informed decisions on future transfers and breeding recommendations. 51

52 Given all the complicating factors the most opportune time for our tiger master plan meeting should be sometime in August. A communiqué will be passed around to management members and advisors to try and decide when we can achieve the most attendance, or at least reach a quorum of ¾ members present. Steve Bircher has tentatively offered St. Louis Zoo as the host pending the zoo s consent. We will be in touch soon to organize the date. There was a discussion on the loss of institutional memory regarding procedures and programs that relate to the successful breeding of felines. Some of the poor results we are experiencing from breeding recommendations may be a result of inexperience at various institutions. The Felid TAG is considering submitting to AZA the initiative for a training program, (not unlike the crocodilian training that is available) for the care and husbandry of felines. This AZA Professional Training Program would provide professional development and training for the care and husbandry of felines, targeted for zoo and aquarium professionals. The training program would concentrate on not only the captive maintenance techniques and husbandry but highlight the breeding, and special requirements for the care and successful propagation of felines. The Tiger SSP endorses this pursuit. Special thanks to the staff and director of Albuquerque Biological Park for hosting the meeting and making our time there so enjoyable. Amur, Indochinese and Sumatran SSP Updates (March 2004) Three of five Panthera tigris subspecies (P.t. altaica, P.t. corbetti, and P.t. sumatrae) are currently managed by the AZA Tiger SSP, as recommended by the IUCN/SSC CBSG Tiger Global Conservation Strategy (GCS) and ratified at the 1992 Annual AZA Tiger SSP Meeting in Toronto. Each population will be managed to maximize the retention of 90% gene diversity over a 100-year period. As of March 2003 there are 90 SSP member institutions holding 267 tigers: 145 Amur tigers (56%); 57 Sumatran tigers (21%); 40 Indochinese tigers (14%); and about 25 generic tigers (9%). For the present, the Tiger SSP plans to expand the captive tiger population to a total of 450 spaces 1 suggested by the AZA Felid Taxon Advisory Group, allotting 150 spaces to each subspecies. The Amur tiger population will be held stable at approximately 150 tigers, while the Sumatran and Indochinese tiger populations will be expanded The current Amur tiger SSP population of 156 individuals is derived from 57 founders and retains 96.7% gene diversity. This captive population has a stable age structure and good reproductive success. The Sumatran tiger population will be expanded from its current size of 71 to 150 tigers as carrying capacity permits. About breeding recommendations are made each year. The population is derived from 16 founders and represents 91.1% gene diversity. Inbreeding will become more of an issue in the future. 1 The term spaces is unambiguous and does not implicitly describe what is needed. The Tiger SSP wants to increase its total population to 450 tigers (150 for each subspecies). The space assessment performed several years ago by the Felid TAG identified available spaces in zoos, but available spaces and actual zoo carrying capacity is not the same. Put in other words, every available space cannot be filled with tigers, it is impossible to manage them cheek to jowl. Felid TAG co-chair Nora Fletcall volunteered to take this issue to the executive committee meeting for discussion. 52

53 Tiger Demographic Summary Table Amur Sumatran Indochinese Current size of managed population 109 ( ) 59 ( ) 45 (24.21) # excluded from management Mean generation time 8.1 years 8.5 years 6 years Potential population growth rate # Births in past year # Deaths in past year The Indochinese tiger population of 47 individuals will be expanded to approximately 150 tigers. This growing population demonstrates good reproductive success and survivorship. The population before the five imports (see below) was derived from 4 founders and represented 84.4% gene diversity. The situation improved considerably with the importations, increasing potential founder size to 10 and gene diversity to 94.0%. The continued importation of new founders is a high priority and will be essential for the viability of this population. Five wild born Indochinese tigers were imported from the Malaka Zoo located in Peninsular Malaysia during 2003 (see special report #1). A consortium of three zoos, Omaha s Henry Doorly Zoo, Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society) and San Diego Zoo, working with Nashville Zoo, applied for and were issued an ESA permit by the USFWS s Division of Management Authority (DMA). In Malaysia the Department of Wildlife and National Parks approved of the export in return for support of tiger and rhino protection units in Peninsular Malaysia coordinated through the International Rhino Foundation and the Malaysian Rhino Foundation. The tigers were transported to Henry Doorly Zoo last month for medical evaluations, quarantine procedures and eventual transshipment to the Bronx and San Diego zoos (see special report #2 below). The permit written by Alan Shoemaker was approved for the importation of six tigers, but one of the females destined for the Bronx Zoo gave birth at this time and was left in Malaysia as transfer posed significant risk for her and the cubs. A new application has been submitted to DMA for her export once the cubs are independent. Demographic Trends The Amur tiger population has been managed at about 150 animals over the past 15 years. Generation time for this stable population is 8.0 years, sex ratios at birth are equal, and the average litter size is 2.5 cubs. Mortality prior to reproductive age is about 40%. On average about 15 breeding recommendations are being made each year, with a 44% success rate in producing a litter. Importation of new individuals from Russia and Europe occurs periodically on an opportunistic basis. Mortality prior to reproductive age is about 40%. For Sumatran tigers, a breeding moratorium was enforced from pending results of DNA testing to verify subspecies purity, resulting in a gap in the population s age structure. The 53

54 Sumatran tiger population has been constant at since the breeding moratorium despite the resumption of breeding in This population is becoming demographically insecure as the majority of the breeders age. Post-moratorium recruitment has been low. In Indonesia Gerry Brady represented the AZA Tiger SSP in discussions regarding acquisition of founder Sumatran tigers with the Director of Biodiversity Conservation in the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Department. Forestry officials are working on the concept of developing semi- wild tiger sanctuaries to provide both short-term and long-term solutions for problem tigers. These sites will provide temporary holding for problem tigers; some would be trans-located to other forests, some to zoos. Potential sites and partners for this project have been reviewed and tentatively approved by both local and national government agencies. We hope to link support of this development with the future acquisition of founder Sumatran tigers for the SSP/EEP/ASMP tiger programs. For Indochinese tigers the success of breeding recommendations over the past two years has been lower than expected and more assistance will be provided to institutions to increase reproductive success. The Indochinese tiger population has grown dramatically from 10 to 40 individuals since population expansion was sanctioned at the 1998 master plan meeting, resulting in a young age structure. Demographic parameters for Sumatran and Indochinese tigers are similar to those for Amur tigers, except that mean litter size is larger (3.0 cubs) and generation time is shorter (5.87 years) for Indochinese tigers. Population Genetics Gene drop analyses of the Amur managed population indicate that 96.7% of the gene diversity has been retained in the population, representing founder genome equivalents (FGE) from 57 founders. Gene diversity has gradually increased for the past 20 years due to population management and the periodic incorporation of new genetic founders from Europe and Russia. Current inbreeding levels are relatively low (mean F = 0.008). A genetic analysis of the Sumatran population indicates that 91.3% of the gene diversity has been retained. Sixteen founders (5.74 FGE) are represented in the population. Inbreeding is becoming more prevalent (mean F = 0.035), and new founders will be needed to maintain 90% gene diversity. 54

55 Tiger Genetic Summary Table Amur Sumatran Indochinese 1 Founders Founder genome equivalents Founder genome surviving Gene diversity retained Population mean kinship Mean inbreeding Ne / N % of pedigree known Once the imports breed the population has the potential to increase founder size to 10, gene diversity to , and FGE to Before the importation the Indochinese tiger population retained 80.8% gene diversity (FGE = 2.68) and was descended from four founders (as stated above, these numbers are vastly improved with the importation of five potential founders). All potential breeders are now related, and inbreeding will quickly increase from its current level (mean F = 0.079) without genetic supplementation. Recruitment of new founder stock for the Sumatran and Indochinese tiger programs is thus a high priority and remains essential for the viability of these SSP populations. Genetic Alert: Phylogeography and Genetic Ancestry of Tigers In a paper under consideration for publication, Phylogeography and Genetic Ancestry of Tigers (Panthera tigris, Shujin Luo (and other authors) from Steve O Brien s laboratory at the National Cancer Institute presents results of an investigation of the species recent natural history. The data is based on voucher specimens of blood, skin, hair and/or skin biopsies from 134 tigers with verified geographic origins or heritage across the tiger s distribution range. They found relatively low genetic variation with mtdna, DRB, and microsatellite loci, but significant population subdivision was apparent among five living subspecies. The key issue for our discussion is the premise that the current population of Indochinese tigers in Asia has two genetically distinct populations a southern population from Peninsula Malaysia, and a northern population from Thailand and adjacent tiger range countries. One consequence is that the Tiger SSP may have to consider managing these two populations separately. As more information and feedback becomes available, we will advise the management group accordingly. Recent Genetic Bottleneck in Wild Amur Tigers The following is a short abstract of a research proposal submitted by Michael Russello and others from Wildlife Conservation Society and CBSG. During the 1940 s some wild Amur tigers escaped persecution in the Russian Far East. They are now restricted to three subpopulations comprised of some adults and another 100 young. The captive North American population stands at 150 tigers descended from 57 founders. The research question is Does the captive population have more genetic variation than that found in the wild, and if so, what that mean for the future management of both ex-situ and in situ populations? This is an exciting idea to elucidate and 55

56 once they are ready to proceed the Tiger SSP may be asking certain zoos to help support their efforts. Stay tuned South China Tiger Update 2 A brief update of the results of a Sino-American field survey seeking evidence of South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis in the wild was revisited. In 2001 and 2002 field surveys were conducted in eight reserves in five provinces identified by government authorities as habitat most likely to contain tigers. The surveys evaluated and documented evidence for the presence of tigers, tiger prey and habitat disturbance. There were no wild South China tigers, few prey species, and no livestock depredation by tigers reported in the last 10 years. Forest areas designated as tiger reserves, averaging about 100 km 2 in size, are too small to support even a few tigers because commercial tree farms and other habitat conversion is common, and people and their livestock dominate these fragments. Since this report was written no additional evidence has been discovered by Chinese authorities. Since the captive population of some 47 tigers is genetically impoverished, hopes for the recovery of this subspecies are slim. A recovery program that is training cubs to be independent hunters at a site in South Africa is highly criticized by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, South African and other international conservation foundations. Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program After two and one-half years of negotiations, the Sumatran Tiger Project signed a five-year (plus five-year automatic extension) Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Department of Forestry (PHKA). The MoU focuses exclusively on tiger conservation management and provides an umbrella agreement under which tiger conservation activities may be carried out anywhere in Sumatra. The State Secretariat of Parliament has ratified the agreement at the highest level. The report on field activities in Way Kambas and Bukit Tigapuluh National Parks describes progress in mapping illegal activities and boundary problems in the parks, surveying tiger and prey distribution, initiating remote camera monitoring, and inventorying general biodiversity. Tiger antipoaching teams and intelligence networking are an important component of this project. Because of its length it is placed after this general report to the Felid TAG (see special report #5 below). VETERINARY RELATED ISSUES Douglas Armstrong, DVM (Henry Doorly Zoo-Veterinarian and Reproductive advisor) Tiger Vaccination & Contraception: No changes since last review (see special report #3) Tiger Pathology Review (see special report #4) 2 Dramatic decline of wild South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis: Field survey of priority tiger reserves. Ronald Tilson, Hu Defu, Jeff Muntifering and Philip Nyhus. Oryx (2004), 38:

57 Molecular Genetics The molecular genetics lab at the Henry Doorly Zoo developed a set of microsatellite genetic markers to be applied by the Sumatran tiger field project in studies involving individual animal identification, paternity testing to establish social relationships and in studies of wild population genetic diversity and viability. Acoustics A current investigation of vocalization and hearing in tigers underway at the Henry Doorly Zoo we believe will lead to the development of noninvasive, atraumatic techniques for turning potentially problem tigers away from areas of human habitation through broadcast of tiger infrasonic territorial vocalizations and a method for censusing tigers through detection of infrasonic vocalization (see special report #4 below). Assisted Reproduction The development of assisted reproduction continues in collaboration with Omaha s Henry Doorly Zoo, National Zoological Park, Minnesota Zoo and others. The long-term objective of this program, to provide tools for the preservation of the genetic diversity of tigers, may be extremely important for species conservation in the future. Current efforts are focused upon improving the overall efficiency of techniques such as artificial insemination and in vitro embryo production, cryopreservation and transfer by testing new hormonal treatment regimens for ovarian stimulation and synchronization. The third birth of a tiger by artificial insemination occurred at Omaha on August 7 th 2004 (see special report #6). Considerable effort has been made to produce recombinant tiger gonadotropins using genetically transformed CHO cells. Other projects include the development of non-animal protein cryodiluents for semen and methods to disinfect semen from a variety of pathogenic agents which would aid in future attempts to import and export tiger semen for use in assisted reproductive techniques. Immobilization Training Starting in 2000 the Henry Doorly Zoo collaborated with the Wildlife Conservation Society project biologists and veterinarians in providing an ongoing problem tiger management and 57

58 immobilization training program for Russian biologists that have to deal with "problem tigers". Historically the only option available to these biologists was to shoot the cats. The training program was designed to give them the option to immobilize and capture the cats for possible translocation to uninhabited areas. A group of 22 biologists were trained, primarily by lectures, in Russia in the spring of 2000 by instructors from the Henry Doorly Zoo, Hornocker Wildlife Institute and the Wildlife Conservation Society and others from the U.S. and Russia in veterinary techniques, capture techniques and response strategies. Later that year five workshop participants were brought to the United States for more intensive training, including a week of hands on tiger immobilization at the Henry Doorly Zoo. Immobilization and veterinary equipment was provided to teams that deal with problem tigers. In addition Henry Doorly Zoo staff collaborated with Wildlife Conservation Society staff in investigations of diseases in wild tiger populations and in the publication of data as well as papers presenting ideas and concepts from this program as models for in-country conservation infrastructure building. This may be incorporated into conservation programs for other species. This program was carried out again in 2002 and 2003 with a week long workshop in Russia in the fall of 2002 attended by 12 Russian biologists instructed by representatives from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Henry Doorly Zoo. In the spring of 2003 seven Russian biologists and veterinarians came to the United States for intensive problem animal management training, including a week of hands on tiger immobilization training at the Henry Doorly Zoo. An advanced training program in Russia is planned for the fall of Genome Resource Banking Cryopreservation of semen and embryos currently appears to be effective but is not finally confirmed through the production of live tiger cubs from frozen semen or embryos. At present all SSP institutions should consider opportunistic electro ejaculating males and cryopreserving and storing semen when SSP males are immobilized for other reasons. When males or females die, institutions should attempt to collect ovaries or testicles immediately post-mortem for semen or oocyte collection and cryopreservation at their institutions or at a cooperating institution with appropriate facilities. If cubs are produced using frozen semen then a program to establish an SSP Genome Resource Bank should be established. This includes identification of a minimum of two storage sites and a program to cryobank all genetically important males in the SSP. Cheetah SSP Status (by Jack Grisham) No written report submitted. Caracal PMP Report (by Kim Clark for Diane Versteeg) Current Population: 305 ( ) in 94 institutions worldwide 161 (75.86) in North America 33 Caracal caracal caracal in 15 institutions in NA 58

59 The Felid TAG has set a target population of 80. The PMP has decided to concentrate on one sub-species, Caracal caracal caracal, due to the greater founder size, a better demographic profile and the future availability of additional founders. Current GD of this population is with 19 founders. There is the potential of 2 additional founders and a GD of Canada Lynx PMP Status (by Scott Wahlberg) There are currently 78 Canada lynx at 37 institutions. 47 animals are at 22 AZA institutions. 31 animals are at 13 non-aza institutions. Regarding the AZA institutions there are 25 animals with all or some ancestry that is unknown. The non-aza institutions have 15 animals that have some degree of unknown ancestry. Current gene diversity for the total captive population (AZA non-aza) is 90.71% descended from 12 known founders. There is some genetic potential in 10 additional animals not yet represented. These animals are currently located in zoos in Canada. This fall I sent a wants/needs survey to 110 institutions. The survey was sent to institutions that currently house Canada lynx, and institutions located in the northern tier part of the USA. After receiving 85 responses, I found out that 10 institutions want lynx in the very near future. I was also able to find out that 9 institutions want Canada lynx in the future (1 to 8 years out). The survey shows that there is a demand for Canada lynx in North American zoos. This information will give me a good base to start looking at the Canada lynx PMP. Before I go any farther with the PMP, I am going to step back a step, and look closer at the studbook to find out more information on the unknowns in this population. I will also be contacting the zoos in Canada to ask them if they are going to participate in the Canada lynx PMP. I am hoping to move on this quickly, and get a first draft out by the end of August Serval PMP Status (by Bonnie Breitbeil) The first edition of the Regional Studbook was published in Currently, I am working with Colleen Lynch at the Population Management Center (PMC) in Chicago, IL to develop the Population Management Plan (PMP). Colleen is developing an analytical studbook to assist with the PMP. The main issue with this population is that 94% of the population is unknown. In 2003 there were 3 (3.0.0) births, 5 (2.3.0) deaths, 3 (2.1.0) acquisitions into AZA facilities and 2 (1.1.0) dispositions out of AZA facilities. The current population: (82) in 38 AZA facilities. The AZA Felid TAG has set a target population of 80 servals in member institutions. A survey conducted in February 2004 indicated a drop in facilities interested in holding servals (from 38 to 33) but that several of the remaining facilities would be interested in maintaining more servals than they currently house. 59

60 Puma Studbook/PMP Status Report (by Michelle Schireman) Target population: 120 Present Population: (128) in 63 Institutions Founders: 61, with 51 wild-caught individuals and approximately 29 post-reproductive. Deaths in 2003: 1.1 Births: ZERO Transfers: 2 within AZA Institutions We placed 13 cubs in our institutions from the wild in Six new holding institutions were added which brought 11 living animals to this population in Since 2000 we have placed 26 cubs from the following state game and wildlife departments: 5 CA, 5 UT, 3 NM, 4 MT, 2 MINN, 2 TX, 1NE, 1 OR, 1 WA and 1 AZ. Also 2 of these were from a TX SPCA and 12 were from Public or UNK sources. 60

61 FELID TAG STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT SUMMARY (by Bonnie Breitbeil) The following Steering Committee (SC) members met at the Albuquerque Biopark on March 27th, 2004: Bill Swanson, Norah Fletchall, Steve Bircher, Gerry Brady, Ken Kammerer, Kim Davidson, Tarren Wagener, Jim Schnormeier, Karen Goodrowe, Bonnie Breitbeil and Alan Shoemaker. The following members were absent: Robert Evans, Dusty Lombardi, Daniel Morris, Alan Sironen, Kelley Snodgrass and Sam Winslow. Vacancy for Pallas' Cat SSP Coordinator and International Studbook Keeper: The preference of the SC would be to identify one individual to hold both positions. A position posting will be sent by the TAG secretary (Bonnie) to the AZA (Ruth Allard) and Peter Olney, the coordinator of International Studbooks, will be contacted regarding the position. The deadline for submitting the posting to AZA is the 8 th of each month. Bonnie also will post the position announcement on the Felid TAG listserve and C&S listserve. Because Pallas cats are a seasonally breeding species, this position must be filled as quickly as possible to allow issuing of breeding recommendations in The closing date for the position will be 30 days after posting. All applications will be circulated to the Felid TAG SC for review and election of the most qualified candidate. Editors note: Martha Caron at the Minnesota Zoo was subsequently selected as the new SSP Coordinator and International Studbook Keeper. IAMS: Bill Swanson met with Dan Carey of IAMS in late 2003 to update him on Felid TAG progress and to discuss IAMS support of the Felid TAG. IAMS offered to provide funding and laboratory analyses for two research studies in cat species that had pressing nutritional issues, with the focus on one large cat and one small cat species. The relevant information was routed to the SC, and cheetahs and Pallas' cats were selected by the SC as the two species that would most benefit from this research. One of the ongoing IAMS-funded studies is an in depth comparison of IAMS cat food to Dallas Crown as an optimal diet for Pallas' cats (see narrative report, this volume). Development of a nutritional study in cheetahs was deferred to the Cheetah SSP and the SSP Nutrition Advisor, Dr. Ellen Dierenfeld. IAMS continues to provide support for the Felid TAG mid-year meeting, contributing $4,500 in Although IAMS has supported the mid-year meeting for the past three years, the Felid TAG cannot assume that funding will be available every year. Copies of the 2004 Mid-year Meeting Proceedings will include the IAMS logo on the cover to acknowledge their support, and several printed copies of the Proceedings will be presented to IAMS. Editor s note: IAMS has offered to provide financial support for the 2005 Mid-year TAG Meeting in St. Louis. Thank you once again, IAMS! Treasurer: Norah Flecthall has established an account for Felid TAG funds at the John Ball Zoo. The Silent Auction held at the 2003 Mid-year Meeting in Dallas raised approximately $1,000 for the Felid TAG account. However, the AZA has raised concerns about TAGs and SSPs selling merchandise because of questions regarding sales tax. The SC is still interested in continuing the silent auctions to raise funds for the TAG and the issue will be investigated further. The SC agreed that Norah would continue maintaining the Felid TAG's account at the John Ball Zoo. 61

62 Alan Shoemaker s Contract: In 2002, the Felid TAG contracted informally with Alan Shoemaker to assist the TAG in the day-to-day management of its numerous felid conservation programs. Funding from the TAG was used to reimburse Alan for his expenses in overseeing the various TAG programs and attending relevant felid management meetings. In 2004, a new contract was created that further defines the various services that Alan provides to the Felid TAG, the types of expenses for which the TAG will provide recompensation and the terms of service. The Felid TAG is pleased to report that Alan has consented to serve as the TAG s Special Advisor for the next two years (i.e., up to but not including the 2006 Felid TAG Mid-year Meeting). The Felid TAG has agreed to provide Alan with a total of $2000 under the terms of the new contract and thank Alan for his continued devoted service to this management group. Felid TAG Website and Listserve: Julie Calfee at the Fort Worth Zoo has agreed to take over the maintenance of the Felid TAG website and list serve from Lance Miller at Disney s Animal Kingdom. In addition, the Fort Worth Zoo staff is interested in updating the Felid TAG website. SC members were encouraged to review the website content and submit any ideas for changes to Alan Shoemaker. Alan will review any proposed changes before sending them to Julie for updating. Tarren Wagener suggested that the Jaguar SSP website might be a good model for revising the Felid TAG site. It might be possible to re-format the website to allow SSP Coordinators to update their own information on the website. It also was noted that Lance Miller has done a tremendous amount of work on the existing website and the Felid TAG is very grateful to him for his efforts. Geoffroy's cat: There still is an interest from the private sector (the Feline Conservation Federation; FCF) to develop a population management program for Geoffroy's cats. A copy of the updated Geoffroy s cat studbook, listing animals held mostly in FCF facilities, was given to Alan Shoemaker. If the FCF is successful in developing a private SSP for Geoffroy s cat, it may be possible to link this program with the Felid TAG at some future date. Alan agreed to evaluate the studbook and provide a report to the SC on the population status. Mid-year Meeting Host: There were two candidate institutions to host the 2005 Mid-year Meeting: the St. Louis Zoo and the Woodland Park Zoo. St. Louis was selected as host by the SC. Kim Davidson will identify possible dates in March and April for the 2005 meeting and poll the SC for preferences. The exact meeting dates will be determined before the start of the 2004 AZA Annual Conference in September. Editors note: The dates of March 18 th -20 th, 2005 were chosen for the next Felid TAG meeting. Check the Felid TAG website for updated meeting information. The meeting location for the 2006 Mid-year Meeting also was discussed. Candidate host institutions included Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Nashville. Nashville was selected as the 2006 host institution by the SC. It also was tentatively decided that the National Zoological Park would host the meeting in 2007 and the Cincinnati Zoo in 2008 but no formal decisions were made. AZA Felid Husbandry Course: The Felid TAG had received an earlier inquiry from Jeff Walton at the Naples Zoo about the possibility of holding a Felid Husbandry Course, modeled after the 62

63 Crocodilian Husbandry Course. Tarren Wagener also expressed interest in conducting such a course and submitted a course application form to the AZA for approval. She will forward a copy of the application form to Norah for review. The SC agreed that the development of a Felid Husbandry Course was worth pursuing. Small Cat Subcommittee: Danny Morris has offered to co-chair this sub-committee and has suggested Michelle Claud as the other co-coordinator. The SC agreed to go forward with the development of this sub-committee. Asian International Lion Studbook: A staff member at an AZA institution expressed interest in becoming the studbook keeper for the International Asian Lion Studbook. It was decided by the SC that since no Asians lions are maintained in AZA zoos, it was more appropriate for the studbook to be maintained by one of the European or Indian zoos. Education Advisor: Mike Weddle from the Oregon public school system is the current Felid TAG education advisor and has done an admirable job in this role. It was suggested that having a co-advisor at an AZA institution might help facilitate projects for the Felid TAG. Bill will talk to Dan Marsh at the Cincinnati Zoo about the possibility of serving as an education co-advisor Pathology Advisor: Karen Terio of the University of Illinois offered to serve as the small cat pathology advisor for the Felid TAG and the small cat SSPs. In this role, Karen volunteered to perform histopathological assessments (at no cost to the submitting institution) for any deceased cat from any of the five small cat SSP populations. The SC approved Karen as the pathology advisor. CEF Grant Proposals: Assessing Stress and Reproductive Status in Reintroduced Canada Lynx, submitted by Kerry Fanson. The SC agreed to endorse this project for CEF support. Reproductive Biology of the Black-footed Cat and the Sand Cat, submitted by Bill Swanson and Jason Herrick. The SC agreed to endorse this project for CEF support. 63

64 Appendix I Tiger SSP Special Reports Special Report #1 Malaysian Tiger Importation Summary Report Submitted by Douglas L. Armstrong, DVM Five (3.2) wild caught Indochinese tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti) were imported for the AZA North American Tiger SSP population on November 17, A sixth female tiger which is part of this group will be imported at a later date. The tigers were imported as part of a cooperative program among the Henry Doorly Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks- Peninsula Malaysia, the International Rhino Foundation and the Melaka Zoo. The tigers were all animals that had been removed from the wild by the Malaysian authorities because they posed a significant risk to humans and their livestock. These tigers were originally housed at the Melaka Zoo in Malaysia but due to the large number of such animals, the zoo was having increasing difficulty housing them with limited space available. The 5 tigers were initially quarantined at Omaha. Subsequently San Diego has received a pair of the animals. A third animal scheduled to go to WCS is still at Omaha pending importation of the 6 th animal. The Henry Doorly Zoo, the San Diego Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society are providing USFWS mandated in situ enhancements by supporting field activities of anti-poaching teams in Malaysia as part of this program. A cooperative tiger captive management review program has also been proposed as part of this project and is pending approval by Malaysian authorities. These tigers are significant potential founders for the Indochinese Tiger Species Survival Plan. If they all reproduce as expected, the founder base of this SSP will increase from 4 to 10 animals, substantially increasing the genetic diversity of this population and enhancing the long term viability of the population. On December 23, 2003 one of the recently imported female Indochinese tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti) delivered 3 cubs at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE. The sire was one of the recently imported males that arrived at Omaha on November 17, The animals had apparently been paired for breeding in Malaysia prior to shipment. The pregnancy was undetectable at the time of the transfer with available procedures as she was only in her second trimester. The birth of these three cubs increased the gene diversity of the SSP population from 82.11% to 84.36% Summary of Facts and Tests Participants: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, San Diego Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society Number of animals: Originally permitted for six Indochinese tigers, Panthera tigris corbetti Origin of cats: All cats were wild caught in Malaysia and held at the Melaka Zoo. The importation was from the Melaka Zoo Importation date: Crated at Melaka Zoo on November 15, Arrived in U.S. and uncrated at Omaha on November 17,

65 Quarantine: Minimum of 4 weeks at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE. Blood collected initially November 17, 2003 Viral Screen: Cornell- Canine Distemper Virus (SN), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (ELISA and Western Blot), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (KELA), Feline Leukemia Virus (ELISA), Feline Toxoplasmosis (KELA) CBC: Nebraska Medical Center- RBC Count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCHC, RBC Distribution Width, RBC morphology, absolute and per centage manual differential white blood cell count, platelet comment and count Chemistries: AST, Alkaline Phosphatase, Bilirubin Total, Calcium, Total Protein, Albumin, Glucose, Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine ratio, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Osmolality, Carbon Dioxide, Anion Gap, ALT Fecal Float: 3 at least 3 days apart Fecal Cultures: 1 planned on each animal for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and Yersinia Health Evaluation Summary One female is missing part of her left lower leg as a result of amputation due to traumatic injury several years ago. Some of the cats have some broken canines with exposed canals. At least one of the cats had some issues with its molars as well, some gingival recession and some molar loss. Three out of the five cats have lung flukes, probably Paragonimus westermani. It is common for wild caught tigers to have lung flukes and they were previously treated in Malaysia with praziquantel which suppressed shedding of eggs but did not clear the flukes. Treatments attempted after arrival in the U.S. were unsuccessful to date. There were some ascarids and coccidia. Most of the cats are positive for toxoplasma but were negative for the viruses, including canine distemper, run at Cornell. Serum chemistries were normal, no renal issues. The cats were vaccinated with Fort Dodge FVR-CP including leukemia, Merial rabies and Merial Canine Distemper recombinant vaccine. Collection and Medical Information on Tigers Designated Location Omaha Omaha San Diego San Diego WCS WCS Studbook # T Melaka # ZM52 ZM4 ZM909 ZM1041 ZM3 ZM846 Melaka name Mai Paka Awang Relak Mek Degong Belahat Transponder C203C 412D450B41 Intrascapular 412D2C6BO Confirmed 412D Confirmed 412D Confirmed Omaha ISIS Sex Female Male Male Female Male Date Birth- 20 Feb 1997 March 1998 April estimated Age- estimated 6 years/ 9 mo. 5 years/ 8 mo. 2 years/ 6 mo. 4 years 4 years Capture Site Gambang, Pahang Teregganau Kampong Sungai, Relak, Jeli, Kelantan Felcra air Degong, Jeli, Kelantan Kampong Belahat, Jeli, Kelantan Original Capture 16 July 1997 October July 2001 August 2002 May Transponders are at base of left ear 65

66 Date Physical Abnormalities Serum Chemistry Abnormalities CBC Abnormalities Disease Titer Abnormalities Prior vaccinations Parasitology & fecal culture Treatments- as of 3 Dec None Slightly decreased MCHC. Negative for all. 23 July, FRCPV Hookworm None noted, teeth good Slightly elevated AST Giant Platelets noted Toxoplasmosi s Positive 1:49 Oct. 7, FRCPV Coccidia, Hookworms 5 Slightly elevated AST, slightly elevated total protein Slightly elevated band cells, Giant platelets noted Toxoplasmosis High negative 1:47 Toxocara, Hookworms. Flukes seen historically April 03 None noted, teeth good Slightly elevated AST, low glucose, slightly elevated potassium 7 8 Toxoplasmosis High negative 1:46 Toxocara, hookworms, lung flukes 6 Elevated AST, Low calcium, Slightly elevated sodium and chloride Toxoplasmosis Positive 1:52 Lung flukes (Paragonimus westermanii?), coccidia Fenbendazol Fenbendazol Fenbendazol Fenbendazol Fenbendazol Special Report #2A: Draft of paper prepared for the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2004 Annual Meeting. Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) Species Survival Plan Update Submitted by Douglas L. Armstrong, DVM 1 *, Kari Morfeld 1, Albert H. Lewandowski, DVM 2, Genevieve Dumonceaux, DVM 3, Kathy Quigley, DVM 4 1 Henry Doorly Zoo, 2 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 4 Wildlife Conservation Society/HWI March 24, 2004 Pathology Review 4 Missing lower left front leg from humero-radial articulation. (July 30, 1997). Possibly pregnant on palpation. Reported bred to male in Malaysia 5 Scrape on nose, Missing all 4 canines, fragments present, missing first premolar top right, missing first premolar bottom right, all bottom right molars fractured 6 Both elbows have substantial fluid filled pockets over the point of the elbow. Both lower canines and upper right canine tips are fractured off and canal is exposed. Right side of face and forehead mildly abraded. 7 Elevated red blood cell count, elevated hematocrit, decreased MCHC, Lymphocytosis, Giant platelets noted 8 Elevated WBC, elevated band cell count, slightly low MCHC, giant platelets noted. 66

67 A review of Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) pathology records from has been completed. The mean age at death was 12.1 (+/- 5.9) years, with females living longer than males (12.8 vs.11.3 yrs). Neoplasm was the most common diagnosis on necropsy, occurring in 25.5% of the reports. Degenerative musculoskeletal problems were noted in over 20% of the cats and renal disease was seen in over 25%. A complete review of the data is in preparation for presentation at the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians annual meeting in Records are incomplete and any zoos who have not submitted information should contact Albert Lewandowski, DVM. Vaccination The veterinary advisor for the Tiger SSP recommends the vaccination of normal healthy tigers for Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Panleukopenia, Feline Leukemia, Rabies and Canine Distemper with killed vaccine. Only killed vaccines should be used in tigers, not modified live vaccines due to the potential risk of inducing disease. The following vaccination protocol is suggested for use in all Tiger SSP managed animals: 1 ml. given intramuscularly of Purevax Ferret Distemper Vaccine, Merial, Inc., Athens, GA, USA. (Commercial killed vaccines for canine distemper are not available, this recombinant canarypox vectored vaccine has been used extensively in tigers with no observed problems.) 1 ml. given intramuscularly of Fel-O-Vax LV-K, Fort Dodge Laboratories Inc., Fort Dodge, IA, USA. 1 ml. given intramuscularly of Purevax Feline Rabies Vaccine, Merial, Inc., Athens, GA, USA, or Imrab 3 from Merial or other killed rabies vaccines. Some institutions use 2 ml. doses due to the greater body weight of tigers. Although there is no direct evidence that this is more effective, it also does not do any harm. Animals never before vaccinated should receive at least 2 and preferably 3 booster vaccinations approximately 3 weeks apart after 6 weeks of age. Previously vaccinated animals should receive an annual booster. There are no vaccines, including those listed above, that are legally approved for use in non-domestic felids. This is particularly relevant with rabies vaccines where human exposure through bites may occur, especially in privately owned animals. We do not know how protective these vaccines actually are or statistically how effective they might be. It is known that most species of large felids are susceptible to canine distemper virus 1,2,7,9,11,13 and the virus should be regarded as a significant potential threat to zoo populations. Training Programs During the past three years professionals from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Siberian Tiger Project, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and WCS zoo and field program professional staff as well as other groups have been active in building capacity in the Russian Far East (RFE) by training professional Russian tiger protection personnel who are required to respond to problem tiger situations. This is a group of trained Russian professionals that has the responsibility and capacity to respond with a variety of tools to problem tiger situations involving tiger conflict with humans. Through a series of 67

68 workshops with their North American counterparts, Russian personnel responsible for dealing with problem tigers received intensive training in techniques dealing with this problem including wildlife health and disease management (including necropsy technique), immobilization and safe animal handling practices, and methods of animal human conflict resolution. The two groups worked together sharing ideas and procedures to develop methods for coping with various aspects of the problem tiger issue. This training was made up of four workshops, carried out in Russia and the U.S. 12. An advanced program is planned for the fall of This project has been supported by the Trust for Mutual Understanding. Special Report #2B: Draft of paper prepared for the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2004 Annual Meeting. Tiger Contraception Submitted by Genevieve Dumonceaux (Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay) and Douglas Armstrong (Henry Doorly Zoo & Tiger SSP Veterinarian Advisor) Contraception Methods While there are several methods of contraception in felids being investigated currently, none are currently useable. The recommended methods for contraception of large cats including tigers are as follows: Physical separation: Typically the safest, most effective, reversible method with least risk of side effects. Available space, resources and facilities tend to be the limiting factors with this management method. Male vasectomy: This involves the surgical removal of a section of each vas deferens to prevent transmission of semen to the female. Testicles are left intact. This method is very effective when performed properly. It does not inhibit testosterone-related behavior. It is not reversible and incurs an anesthesia and surgical risk. Female tubal ligation: This is tying the fallopian tubes to prevent transmission of the sperm to oocytes at ovulation. The entire reproductive tract is left intact. This may or may not be reversible depending on technique, animal involved and the skill of the surgeon. This technique does not inhibit female estrogen-related behavior. This method incurs anesthetic risk and laparoscopic or surgical risk depending on the method used. Neutering: This involves castration of the male or spaying the female for complete and permanent sterilization. This method is recommended primarily for animals of little or no future genetic value. It is 100% effective for contraception. There is anesthetic and surgical risk with this procedure. 68

69 Melengesterol acetate implants: Currently still the method of choice for temporary, reversible, minimally invasive contraception. This has proven to be successful as a primary means of contraception in felids and primates. This method is recommended for use for a maximum of 2 consecutive years at a time to minimize the risk of development of reproductive pathology. Repeated, continuous use of implants significantly increases the pathology risk. Pregnancy following or between implants may reduce the risk. This method does incur brief anesthetic and surgical risk. Methods under Investigation Leuprolide acetate injections: An option for cat contraception but still very expensive at about $600 per injection per Dr. Asa. Details on the use of this agent are still pending discussion with Dr. Briggs who has used it in various carnivores. Deslorelin implants: As GnRH analogs this drug has potential for contraceptive action in the big cats. However, currently it is no longer available due to changes with companies manufacturing the product and FDA issues. Undetermined if it will be available in the future. Investigators including Dr. Cheri Asa of St. Louis Zoo are looking into other GnRH analogs but no available agents yet. Zona Pellucida vaccine: Has been investigated in domestic cats and shows no immunocontraception in them per one study from University of Georgia. More information forthcoming. Summary There are still no 100% effective, safe and reversible methods for contraception in large cats. Still the method of choice seems to be MGA implants as a temporary means of contraception but with significant side effects if used beyond 2 years. Investigations continue in better, longer term safer means of contraception. Assisted Reproduction In 1990 and 1991 single successes were achieved using fresh semen with each of the assisted reproduction techniques of in-vitro fertilization 4 and by laparoscopic artificial insemination 5,6 at the Henry Doorly Zoo in a cooperative project with the National Zoo and the Minnesota Zoo. The birth of Siberian tiger cubs following transvaginal artificial insemination with fresh semen was reported in 2000 by a team in Portugal 2. There were no subsequent successes with any of these techniques in this species, in spite of multiple attempts with each until 2003 when a single cub was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo. The pregnancy had been produced by intrauterine insemination with fresh semen introduced to the uterus by laparoscopy. The cub was born after a 107 day gestation and had to be hand raised due to maternal neglect. It subsequently died at approximately 3 weeks of age due to pneumonia (see special report #6) At the present time, we believe that the primary problems preventing repeatable success with these techniques are attributable to the use in tigers of hormones derived from other species (human, 69

70 equine, bovine) to manipulate the reproductive cycles. In essence the hormones used historically in these projects seemed to decline in effectiveness after initial use in any individual animal, possibly due to immunologic responses although this is not confirmed. In order to resolve this issue, we collected the pituitary gland from both an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and from a snow leopard (Panthera uncia), extracted follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitaries and then determined the amino acid sequence for the FSH and LH for each of these species. These sequences were then compared to the known FSH and LH sequences for other species including canine, bovine, porcine, equine, ovine, and human. The protein structures for pig most closely matched the sequence for tiger hormones of all of those that were commercially available. Porcine FSH and LH were evaluated for efficacy in tigers during trials at the Henry Doorly Zoo. Although improved over hormone regimens utilized previously, the regimen of porcine hormones still proved less than ideal. The cats were inconsistent in the formation of corpora lutea and abnormalities in ultrastructure were found during electron microscopic evaluation of the oocytes 8. Concurrently during the above trial, a second project was undertaken to produce tiger hormones via transfection of cell cultures with the DNA sequence to produce tiger FSH and tiger LH. Plasmids containing the DNA sequences for the FSH and LH hormone subunits of tigers were produced and were used to transfect Chinese hamster ovary cell lines and cat kidney cell lines with these sequences. These cells were cultured, lines were selected for maximum hormone production by Western Blot analysis and these were propagated. Currently the effluent from these selected cell lines is in the process of being assessed for biological activity in vitro in rat Leydig and rat granulosa cell bioassays. Large scale production is being investigated by the National Cell Culture Center in Minnesota. Additional work remains, particularly determining the steps needed to produce purified hormone for injection. Initial hormone purification was done using a FLAG Tag system. It is not clear at this time whether additional purification steps will be needed or not. This project will have wide application to improve the success of assisted reproduction techniques in a variety of endangered cat species besides tiger. Initial support for this hormone production project came from the Morris Animal Foundation. References 1. Appel, M.J.G., R.A. Yates, G.L. Foley, J.J. Bernstein, S. Santinelli, L.H. Spelman, L.D. Miller, L.H. Arp, M. Anderson, M. Barr, S. Pearce-Kelling and B.A. Summers Canine distemper epizootic in lions, tigers and leopards in North America. J. of Vet. Diag. Invest. 6: Blythe, L.L., J.A. Schmitz, M. Roelke and S. Skinner Chronic encephalomyelitis caused by canine distemper virus in a Bengal tiger. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 183: Chagas e Silva, J.N., R.M. Leitao, N.E. Lapao, M.B. da Cunha, T.P. da Cunha, J.P. da Silva and F.P. Paisana Birth of a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) cubs after transvaginal artificial insemination. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 31:

71 4. Donoghue, A., L. Johnston, U. Seal, D. Armstrong, R. Tilson, P. Wolf, K. Petrini, L. Simmons, T. Gross and D. Wildt In-vitro fertilization and embryo development in-vitro and in-vivo in the tiger (Panthera tigris). Biology of Reproduction 43: pp Donoghue, A., A. Byers, L. Johnston, D. Armstrong, and D. Wildt Timing of ovulation after gonadotrophin induction and its importance to successful intrauterine insemination in the tiger (Panthera tigris). Journal of Reproduction and Fertilit., 107: pp Donoghue, A.M., L.A. Johnston, D.L. Armstrong, L.G. Simmons and D.E. Wildt Birth of a Siberian Tiger cub (Panthera tigris altacia) following laparoscopic interuterine artificial insemination. J. Zoo Wildlf. Med. 24: Fix, A.S., D.P. Riordan, H.T. Hill, M.A. Gill and M.B. Evans Feline panleukopenia virus and subsequent canine distemper virus infection in two snow leopards (Panthera uncia). J. Zoo Wildlf. Med. 20(3): Gjorret, J.O., E.G. Crichton, N.M. Loskutoff, D.L. Armstrong and P. Hyttel Ultrastructure of oocyte maturation, fertilization and early embryo development in-vitro in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) Molecular Reproduction and Development 63: Gould, D.H., and W.R. Fenner Paramyxovirus-like nucleocapsids associated with encephalitis in a captive Siberian tiger. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 183: Lewandowski, A.H.. Preliminary studies on the morbidity and mortality of Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). In Preparation 11. Montali, R.J., C.R. Bartz, J.A. Teare, et. al Clinical trials with canine distemper vaccines in exotic carnivores. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 183: Quigley, K. S., D.L. Armstrong, D.G. Miquelle, J.M. Goodrich and H.B. Quigley Health Evaluation of wild Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) in the Russian Far East. American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Annual Conference, Orlando, FL., Sept , Pp Roelke-Parker, M.E., L. Munson, C. Packer, et.al A canine distemper virus epidemic in Serengeti lions (Panthera leo). Nature 379:

72 Special Report #3 Preliminary Studies on the Morbidity and Mortality of Amur Tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from Albert H. Lewandowski, DVM (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) Summary The necropsy records of 165 Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) submitted to the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) by participating institutions were reviewed to determine causes of morbidity and mortality from The mean age at death was 12.1 (+/- 5.9) years, with females living longer than males (12.8 vs.11.3 yrs). The most common diagnosis was neoplasm (25.5%) with mammary adenocarcinoma the primary neoplasm in females (51.9%). Degenerative problems were noted in a majority of tigers (79%). Musculoskeletal abnormalities, including arthritis, spondylitis, and dysplasia, occurred in 21.8% of the cases. Renal disease was noted frequently (27.3%). Trauma was occasionally noted as the primary cause of death (12%), most frequently in neonates. Anesthetic related deaths (7%) were associated with systemic abnormalities and were infrequently the primary insult. Infectious processes of all types were reported at 18% and developmental problems, as noted in previous compilations1, were evident at 14%. Differences in the pathologic examinations, especially early on, as well as reporting bias are a significant concern in the analysis of the data. Institutional reporting improved in the 1960 s with the creation of the International Tiger Studbook. Management of the studbook and annual publication by Liepzig Zoo 2 since 1976 has significantly enhanced the accountability. Further improvement in data collection and reporting in North America resulted from the establishment of the SSP in Of the reporting institutions, nine facilities (18%) account for 57% of the information gathered thus far. Nearly half of the data has been collected from Accurate, complete, concise, and forthright reporting from all participating institutions significantly enhances the value of morbidity and mortality analysis in helping improve the medicine, genetics, nutrition, and husbandry of endangered species in captivity. Acknowledgements The author would like to thank all of the participating institutions of the Amur Tiger SSP. Literature Cited 1. Griner, L.A Pathology of Zoo Animals. Zool. Soc. Of San Diego, San Diego, California, USA. 2. Muller, P International Tiger Studbook. Zoologischer Garten Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Seal, U.S. and T. Foose Species survival plan for Siberian tigers in North American zoos. Proc. Am. Assoc. Zoo Vet. Pp

73 Special Report #4 Tigers Use Infrasound to Warn Off Rivals From New Scientist, 30 April 2003, Mick Hamer, Nashville Tigers appear to rely on booming low-frequency sounds - much of it inaudible to humans - to drive rivals away from their territory and to attract mates. The discovery may explain how the animals maintain large hunting territories, and may also help conservationists to protect the endangered animals. Tigers produce a wide variety of sounds, from deep roars and growls to the raspberry-like "chuffing" they use to greet each other. A roar followed by a growl is probably designed to intimidate rivals. Tiger watchers have long suspected that the animals' vocal repertoire helps them maintain their hunting grounds. Now Ed Walsh and his colleagues at the Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, have found that a common feature of all the tiger calls is the large amount of acoustic energy at low frequencies. Low-frequency sound carries better than high frequencies. "It is less likely to be affected by climatic conditions such as humidity," says Walsh. It is also less affected by ground cover, which is important for forest-dwelling tigers. "An effective propagation distance of five miles [eight kilometers] is frequently quoted," says Walsh, "but I don't know of an actual study associated with the claim and doubt that anyone really knows the answer." Walsh hopes to extend his study to provide one. When the researchers analyzed the frequency spectrum of the roar of a Siberian tiger, they found that the peak power was around 300 hertz and that it included components that stretched down into the infrasound range, below 20 hertz. "All of the utterances tend to contain acoustic energy in the low-frequency bands," says Walsh. The researchers confirmed the importance of low-frequency sounds to tigers by examining the auditory response of the brain of anaesthetized Amur, Sumatran and Bengal tigers at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. The responses of the three subspecies were similar, and show that the animals' peak response to sound is around 500 hertz. Human hearing is most sensitive to frequencies around 1000 hertz. The shape of tigers' inner ear confirms that they can almost certainly hear infrasound frequencies, Walsh says. The long-term aim of the project is to discover whether the sounds made by individual tigers are distinctive enough to act as an "acoustic fingerprint". If so, conservationists would be able to carry out censuses of the animals by placing microphones in the forest. The problem is very complex, says Walsh. But he hopes that the loudness and duration of the sounds, coupled with their frequency distribution, will be distinctive enough to distinguish one individual from another. "Certainly tigers can recognize each other. Females with cubs have to make sure that this is the guy they want to have around," says Walsh. "Keepers at the zoo can recognize different tigers from the sounds they make." The new research was presented at the Acoustical Society of America's annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. 73

74 Special Report #5 Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program Edited by Ronald Tilson from reports by Neil Franklin, Waldemar Hasiholan, Bastoni, M. Yunus and Sumianto: Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program 9, Indonesia Summary of Field Activities Since the SARS epidemic across all of Asia and the intermittent terrorist s bombings in Indonesia, travel to Indonesia has been reduced. Nevertheless, Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program staff report that general activities in Way Kambas National Park have included the continuation of remote camera monitoring of the core tiger distribution, the evaluation of current crisis conditions inside and around the park, and development of an advocacy network from NGOs operating within the park and in the surrounding province. Preparatory work for the initiation of Tiger Protection Units in the park has been completed. For more information about this work go to Another related breakthrough is an agreement between tiger and rhino conservation programs operating in Sumatra that reduces overlapping administrations to streamline anti-poaching patrols in Way Kambas National Park. In response to increasing threats from poaching, human encroachment, and illegal logging, four groups concerned with saving Way Kambas National Park in Lampung Province, Indonesia, collaborated to recruit and deploy two new rhino and tiger protection units. The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program (STCP), the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and their Indonesian Rhino Conservation Program (IRCP), and the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) agreed to combine their efforts and reduce overlapping administrations to streamline anti-poaching patrols. Grants from the American Association of Zoo Keepers (Bowling for Rhinos Fund), The Tiger Foundation (Canada), and the Sumatran Tiger Trust (UK) conservation partnership fund the program. In Sumatra the distribution of rhinos and tigers shows considerable overlap. They also face similar threats. Poachers are after both species using steel snares. Other threats from human encroachment and illegal logging impact both equally. In the past, different approaches were employed by different programs to protect these species and their habitats, with varying degrees of success. In the future the new collaborative agreement between IRCP and STCP will ensure that the multiple funding sources available to the two programs be optimally harnessed to implement both rhino and tiger protection units in an efficient and cost-effective manner throughout priority habitats facilitating communication, intelligence sharing, and field operations at every level. For more information on this story go to news/field/anti-poaching%20teams%20merge.pdf. Field activities in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park include the mapping of illegal activities and boundary problems throughout the park area, surveying of the general tiger and prey distribution, the 9 The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program is a conservation partnership between the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation in Indonesia with The Tiger Foundation (Canada) and Sumatran Tiger Trust (UK). Ron Tilson, Minnesota Zoo, initiated the program in 1995 and since 2002 serves as senior advisor to the program. 74

75 initiation of remote camera monitoring in priority areas, and general biodiversity inventory. Coordination with local organizations and government departments has been strengthened. New Tiger Reserve Created in Central Sumatra A new initiative to secure a significant new area of tiger habitat as a dedicated tiger conservation reserve and holding center for future problem tigers at a site called Sungei Senpis is underway. Since February 2003 the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program (STCP) has assisted the local government of Dumai city, Riau Province of Sumatra, to cope with a series of tiger-human conflict issues in mixed estate crop and production forest located just north of the city. In the past year there have been numerous accounts from terrified villagers about tigers entering their villages and killing their livestock. In the last two years more than 20 confirmed attacks on humans and livestock have occurred, resulting in the death of six people. Eight tigers were captured and six of them were transferred to a zoo in Bogor. The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation and the local Government of Dumai identified the immediate need for a wild sanctuary where these problem tigers could be relocated. In an unprecedented initiative by the Mayor of Dumai logging concessions were suspended in a 60,000 hectare region near Dumai and in August the Senepis Tiger Conservation Area was formally declared. This represents the first dedicated wild tiger reserve in Indonesia. Since then two wild Sumatran tigers in conflict with humans ( problem tigers) have been safely captured and successfully released into the reserve. Resolution of tiger-human conflict in this way, including the creation of a 60,000 hectare wild tiger reserve by local government authorities represents a ground-breaking trial that may present solutions for troubled tiger populations in many other parts of Asia. Capacity Building of Tiger Law Enforcement in Jambi/Riau Provinces The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program is working with the CITES Tiger Task Force in Indonesia, a national agency for coordination and oversight of law enforcement of wildlife crime, to help tigers. This project will link major stakeholders at a national level - Police, Forestry, Military, Judiciary, Customs & Excise - with the international agencies - CITES, TRAFFIC and Interpol. The intent is to help develop a new national program to support law enforcement of tiger related crime that will bring together government agencies that investigate and prosecute tiger poachers and traders on both a national and provincial level. Its goal is to create a coordinated approach to combating wildlife crime. Capacity will be built by training key personnel within the various provincial agencies and by expanding the number of qualified investigators within the Department of Forestry. A database on tiger crime will be developed for use in investigations, and as a tool in a wider analysis of poaching and trade to define the most efficient means by which conservation resources can be allocated to fight wildlife crime. 75