Using enzyme immunoassays, estradiol-17β(E₂) and progesterone (P₄) levels were measured in urine samples collected dairy from 2 female captive Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Mean menstrual cycles, and the length of follicular phases in one female (#1) were significantly shorter than those in the other female (#2) (mean±SEM, 17.2± 0.6 vs. 12.8± 0.5 days). On the other hand, the length of luteal phases was not significantly different between the 2 females (13.7± 0.4 vs. 12.0± 0.9 days). Based on the results of hormonal analysis, the 2 females were introduced to a male around the day of the E₂ peak, and were successfully mated. Pregnancies were confirmed using a hCG kit. During pregnancies, both females showed a similar pattern of increase in levels of both of P₄ and E₂. In the female #1, both hormones peaked around the 31^st to 32^nd weeks of gestation and then decreased. This female gave birth to a male baby 238 days after the final copulation. The female #2 is in the gestational currently.

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We investigated indices of fat deposition in wild Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) to establish a standard for assessing nutritional status. We used the external measurements of 101 Tsushima leopard cats captured for research purposes and those sheltered due to injury and other reasons between 1985 and 2007. These external measurements comprised body weight (BW), body length (BL), and hind foot length (HFL) measured at the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center. The bodies of each of the 24 deceased Tsushima leopard cats were evaluated for relative fat deposition based on the visible fat index and dorsal subcutaneous fat index (DSFI). Specimens were classified into the high fat deposit group and low fat deposit group using DSFI. Discriminant analysis was then performed on these two groups using the BW, BL, HFL, and body mass index of each specimen as independent variables. The analysis yielded the following discriminant function (P=0.047): Z=0.001(BW) - 0.014(BL) + 0.082(HFL) + 0.006(BMI) - 4.304. The discriminant function ratio was 83.3%. We suggest that this discriminant function enable the simple evaluation of body fat deposition in live Tsushima leopard cats for the assessment of their nutritional status.

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The present study was conducted to investigate whether the equilibration steps (three or five steps), whale follicular fluid (WFF) addition and type of sugars (sucrose or trehalose) were effective for the viability and in vitro maturation (IVM) of vitrified immature oocytes in three baleen whales (sei, Bryde's and common minke whales). We also performed ultrastructural observation of vitrified and IVM oocytes. The viability of the five-step group (89.1%) was significantly higher than that of the three-step group (68.3%) in Bryde's whales, but the IVM rate of the five-step group (17.8%) was significantly lower than that of the three-step group (32.0%) in sei whales. In sei whales, the viability was significantly higher in the WFF addition group (90.6%) than the fetal calf serum (FCS) group (75.7%), but the IVM rates were not significantly different between the WFF and FCS group for either sei or Bryde's whales. The viability and maturation rate in the trehalose addition group were not significantly different from those in the sucrose addition group in both sei and Bryde's whales. Additionally, the trehalose group tended to exhibit a lower level of damage to cumulus cell projection and mitochondria than did the sucrose group in both sei and Bryde's whales. The tested step number of cryoprotectant equilibration, WFF addition and type of sugars did not improve the maturation rate of vitrified baleen whale oocytes. However, the present study showed that immature oocytes derived from three baleen whales in the western-North Pacific could be vitrified and matured in vitro at about 30% levels.

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In this study we extracted DNA from feces of the Japanese serow and developed a PCR-based sex identification method using the amelogenin gene. Fecal DNA was extracted by the phenol chloroform method with purification by the CTAB method. Analysis of PCR products showed clear female and male banding patterns with one homozygous band (AMEL XX) and 2 or 3 heterozygous bands (AMEL XY), respectively, with lengths of approximately 250 bp and 200-300 bp, respectively, by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel. Determination of sex was possible for fecal samples collected from the rectum of Japanese serows in 38 of 40 individuals (95%), and the designations were completely consistent with determination by physical examination. Determination of sex was successful for 5 of 6 fecal masses (83.3%) collected in the Takizawa Forest, with 3 judged to be of female origin and 2 of male origin. As the sexual dimorphism of the Japanese serow is not remarkable, the sex determination method developed in this study can be used to estimate the sex based on field feces analysis.

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To assess the possible incidence of mosquito-borne diseases in Yokohama Zoological Gardens, mosquitoes were collected from May to September in 2005 using sweep nets, Centers for Disease Control traps with dry ice, and gravid traps. A total of 2,623 mosquitoes belonging to 14 species in nine genera were collected. The two most abundant species, the Culex pipiens group and Aedes albopictus, accounted for approximately 85% of all specimens collected. The mosquito species collected at the study site account for 53.8% of all mosquito species reported to occur in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, suggesting that the diversity of habitats present in the zoo provide a variety of breeding sites for mosquitoes. In addition, the finding that 10.6% of the collected females had fed suggests that the mosquitoes feed on captive animals. The establishment of an effective strategy for controlling and preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases among zoo animals is therefore considered to be important for the ex situ conservation of captive endangered species.

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A parasitic helminths survey was carried out on the mongoose captured on Okinawajima Island, Japan between January 2002 and September 2008. Here we report the results of several preliminary examinations conducted by various methods. Initial fecal sample survey with ether-formalin sedimentation of 186 mongooses detected the eggs of Trichuris, Hookworm, and Ascarid, as well as Coccidium oocysts in 42.5%, 22.6%, 2.2%, and 81.2%, respectively, of the samples. Follow-up survey of mongooses (n=175) for Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection showed that the parasite was not found in the lung and heart of any of the mongooses. Further, no Trichinella sp. larvae were obtained from the diaphragm by the compression method (n=161) nor from the masseter muscle, diaphragm and the inside of hind leg by the artificial digestion method (n=144) in a survey conducted 5 years later. Based on the gastrointestinal sample (n=158) survey, three nematode specices (Protospirura sp. (0.6%), Uncinaria sp. (0.6%), Toxocara sp. (0.6%) and one cestode species (Mesocestoides sp. (3.8%) were detected. To examine the localization of coccidium within the alimentary tract, mongooses (n=8) were kept on a controlled diet for three days, and sacrificed. Coccidia were detected in the epithelium of the duodenum and ileum from paraffin-embedded sections of 2 individuals.

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Birds collided with window glasses on the campus of Tsuru University in Yamanashi Prefecture were collected between April, 2003 and March, 2009; the resulting number of birds is 43, 22 species. With some exceptions, it seems that trees near the windows are a factor for the collision. Pale thrushes Turdus pallidus tended to collide in the morning from November to January. As urgent collision preventions, the curtains should be closed and the bird-savers should be placed over the windows.

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In this study, we examined for gastrointestinal parasites in a total of 68 feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) caught in the Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, during the period from 2006 to 2007. As a result, 8 species of parasitic helminthes were found, including 2 unidentified nematode species, 2 unidentified trematode species (Echinostomatidae gen. spp.), and 4 acanthocephalan species (Southwellina hispida, Porrorchis oti, Sphaerirostris lanceoides, and an unidentified species). All of the identified parasitic helminthes in the feral raccoons were native to Japan. The raccoons examined in the present study had relatively simple gastrointestinal parasite fauna compared to the animals living in their natural habitat, North America.

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A free-flying mountain hawk eagle with emaciation and dysstasia for traffic accident were carried into the research center for wildlife management, Gifu university. It was recovered once by treatment, but died on the 34th day. As a result of pathological examination, renal adenocarcinoma, necrotic hepatitis and parasitic gastritis were diagnosed. This is a rare case that a wild animal with renal adenocarcinoma was rescued for traffic accident.

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The lungs of Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) collected between August 2006 and August 2009 were histologically examined. Only one bear found dead in Yakumo had a small number of Hepatozoon sp. schizonts; whereas, none of the 24 bears killed in Nakasatsunai, Urahoro, Rausu, and Kitami were infected with Hepatozoon sp.

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Two aged female green iguanas (Iguana iguana) were brought to our clinic with swollen abdomens, and clinical examinations including blood tests, X-ray examinations, and ultrasound examinations revealed large masses within their abdominal cavities. These tumors were removed and diagnosed as adrenal cortical adenocarcinomas based on the results of histopathological tests. The tumors are thought to be related to factors of aging and hormone imbalances from earlier removal of the ovaries and oviducts.

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A captive 10-month-old male Szechuan bharal (Pseudois nayaur szechuanensis) presented with stranguria and depression. Physical examination, serum biochemistry analyses and radiographic evaluation indicated a urethral obstruction that was successfully treated by prescrotal urethrotomy. Postoperative severe uremia was treated with intravenous fluid administration. Following surgery, the stranguria and depression were resolved. The calculi causing the urethral obstruction were composed of calcium carbonate. As a first-line treatment of this condition, urethrotomy may be preferable over urethrostomy because urethrotomy decreases the risk of urinary tract infection and allows the maintenance of normal physiologic behaviors, including urination and breeding. The bharal has continued to urinate normally for 2 years following surgery.

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