The feeding behaviours of the Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) were investigated in an enclosure imitating the early phase of a commercial coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) grove. Unexpected behaviours, such as the eating of coconut flowers and the picking of young coconut fruits, were observed. Additionally, we conducted experiments in which we fed several different parts of the coconut palm to the animals. We found the following: 1) coconut seedlings and leaflets were not eaten; 2) the babirusas preferred to eat staminate flowers rather than carpellate flowers; 3) the babirusas were able to crush the young coconut fruits with its teeth, but failed to open the mature coconuts; 4) the maxillary and mandibular incisors gripped the coconut, and the tip of the mandibular incisor was then used to penetrate the coconut surface to crack it open; 5) the palatable parts were the kernel and haustorium of the mature coconut. The coconut parts eaten by the babirusas in the experiment were concordant with the pieces of broken kernels and haustorium scattered over coconut groves in copra production. These pieces have no economic value for the farmer. There was insufficient evidence to support the view that babirusas moving through coconut groves constitute vermin for the coconut farmers and copra producers.

　 Aspergillosis is an important fungal disease in captive birds, but preventive measures, diagnostic methods, and therapies have not been established. Because Aspergillus fumigatus, the main causative agent of aspergillosis, is common in natural environments, it occasionally infects caged birds, often leading to their death. To establish measures for preventing A. fumigatus infection of captive king penguins （Aptenodytes patagonicus）, gentoo penguins （Pygoscelis papua）, and cape penguins （Spheniscus demersus） in the Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe （Hokkaido, Japan）, the source of A. fumigatus in the aquarium environment was investigated. Air and soil sampling data implicated the soil as the major source of A. fumigatus. Therefore, measures were taken to minimize penguin contact with the soil. After taking preventive measures, aspergillosis has not been observed at the aquarium. Results of this study confirmed that estimating the source of contamination in a rearing environment in advance, taking measures against outdoor contaminants, and taking measures against indoor contaminants are all important for preventing A. fumigatus infection.

The orf virus infects sheep, goats, and Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus). It was first reported in Japanese serows in Iwate Prefecture in 1973, and has since spread among them throughout Japan. Because orf virus-susceptible livestock such as sheep and goats inhabits in Japan, there are the risk of transmission of Japanese serow-derived orf viruses to livestock. In this study, we determined nucleotide sequences (1,137 bp) of open reading frame (ORF) 11 of six strains isolated from Japanese serows and the Iwate strain isolated from sheep. Deduced amino acid sequences (378 aa) among them were 99-100% identical, indicating that ORF11 is highly conserved. Analysis of other regions of these viruses is needed to clarify the molecular epidemiological correlation among the Japanese strains.

　 Three humbolt penguins（Spheniscus humboldti）bred at the zoo in Japan showed symptoms of anorexia and vomiting. After about twenty-days-ill-period, all three cases died. Macroscopically，ulceration of the gastric mucosa and thickening of the gastric wall were observed in all cases. Histological examination showed alveolar growth of epithelial-like tumor cells including signet-ring cells invading into muscle layer from the mucosa membrane of proventricular. Metastasis to other organs and peritoneal dissemination were also observed. Based on those findings, three cases were diagnosed as proventricular adenocarcinoma.