IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Martinez Sanchez, F. | |
| Aspectos sanitarios y reproductivos del programa de conservacion _ex situ_ de lince iberico | |
| 2013 Full Book | |
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the only species of felid in major risk of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A captive breeding programme was initiated in 2004 in order to support the efforts for the conservation and recovery of the species in the wild. This study on the morbidity, mortality and reproduction of the species in captivity was done to improve the husbandry of the species and recommend lines of research. An Iberian lynx health program was integrated into multidisciplinary efforts, which made it possible to obtain relevant biomedical information of the species. The program also established preventive measures in the captive population in order to reduce the risk of disease development. Renal toxicosis due to the administration of supplements with an excess of vitamin D affected 40.6% (39/96) of the animals. Other diet-related conditions consisted of sporadic cases of fatal salmonellosis, dermatophytosis, and gastrointestinal episodes. Intraspecific trauma cases were predominantly observed from sibling aggression. Suspected idiopathic epilepsy and femoral neck metaphyseal osteopathy were also observed. Mycobacterium bovis was found as a secondary infection in two of the vitamin D toxicosis deceased animals. Stillbirths and premature and non-attended cubs that died from secondary bacterial sepsis, accounted for 62.5% (25/40) of the mortality in the captive population. One third of the clinical signs remained undiagnosed. Several reproductive parameters were determined in the Iberian lynx captive population and it was studied if they were affected by the age, condition (wild-born or captive-born) or origin of the breeders (Sierra Morena or Do¤ana areas). The mating period lasted a mean of 3.1 days, in which the animals copulated an average of 23 times. Captive-born males had a lower mating frequency than wild-born ones. The breeding proportion (number of births out of number of pairings) was 47.7%. Mating success of females (females that gave birth out of those that mated) was greater in older females and it was not affected by their condition or origin. Mean gestation time was 64.4 days, the average litter size was 2.4 cubs with a mean sex ratio of 1.15 (males out of females). Almost half of the litters were twins and one third triplets. As the mating frequency increased the probability of having triplets over twins increased. Although there was a tendency for bigger litters amongst the wild-born females from Sierra Morena, litter size was not significantly affected by the age, condition or origin of the female. First pregnancies registered a higher perinatal mortality and non-attended cubs (81.8%). The assistance of cubs at risk increased significantly the cub survival and the reproductive output of females at weaning. Casuistry indicated that improvement of diet-related conditions is a key factor in preserving the health of the captive population. Thus, the control of food and supplement composition, rabbit farm suppliers and hygiene should be standardized and improved. The analysis of clinical signs did not offer useful information on the health status of the captive population. Thus, more emphasis should be placed on recording data and getting diagnosis. Captivity related factors, including stress, could have had a negative impact on the lynx fitness. Low genetic variability could also be related to certain diseases and the lynx fitness. Thus, research in genetics and captive related factors should also be performed. |
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