Zoos and aquariums in Japan have various problems related to veterinary medicine, such as shortage of human capital, lack of technical training and educational opportunities, limitation of equipment and budgets, and lack of cooperate organizations. In Oga Aquarium GAO, the shortage of human resources is the biggest issue, and it has been difficult to carry out treatments such as anesthesia and operation of large animals. In order to overcome the problem of human resource shortage, we have carried out various treatments in cooperation with external veterinarians; such as dental treatment for California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), planning of examination under anesthesia and necropsy for polar bear (Ursus maritimus), and Computed tomography (CT) examination for spotted seal (Phoca largha). However, there are still unresolved issues, and further efforts are needed to resolve the issues as individuals and organizations.

　SENDAI UMINO-MORI AQUARIUM, which has been open for five years, is facing various challenges. In this paper, we focus on "health management and medical system of domestic animals", and describe four items in detail, and introduce our efforts to solve them. The solution of each issue is to protect the lives of rare breeding animals under a thorough health management and medical care system, to actively engage in breeding, and to display animals on a long-term and permanent basis. It is thought that it will lead to the practice of health management that considers the welfare of breeding animals, which is the mission of the zoo and aquarium, and eventually the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment. It is important to maintain the high awareness of the staff at the root of problem solving, and must work in parallel with problem solving. It is necessary for the entire aquarium to unite with a high level of awareness, and for the entire aquarium in Japan to cooperate and disseminate to the entire society.　　

　Author started “investigation and research” that had not been actively pursed so far at Ichihara Elephant Kingdom Zoological Park. Although there were various difficulties in zoo-centered research activities, such as securing time and collaboration with cooperating laboratory, we were able to compile several research results on Asian elephants after trial and error. The measurement of blood biochemical bone markers in Asian elephants and the rapid diagnosis of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, which were the results of research, were able to be reduced to daily routine work, and contributed to today’s veterinary practice. Through the publication and presentation of research, Japanese zoo’s research activities were shown all over the world and we were able to meet various researchers. Although the importance of research at zoos has permeated and approach between zoos and research has progressed, there are various restrictions and difficulties in researching zoo yet. We hope to overcome these obstacles and continue to conduct research activities mainly in zoos, and inspire research activities at zoos and aquariums in Japan. (168/240)

　 Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are one of the most popular dolphin species housed in aquaria in Japan. Previous studies have demonstrated that respiratory infections, mainly caused by bacteria and occasionally fungi, are one of the most common diseases in this species. Both Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. are the most important species as the cause of respiratory fungal infections for this species in Japan. Since these fungi are ubiquitous in the environment surrounding dolphins and aquaria, and the spores may scatter easily in their habitats (poolside), it is very difficult to remove these fungi from their habitats. Therefore, in aquaria in Japan, preventing respiratory fungal infections and treating these infections appropriately in this species including in pregnant and lactating animals and their calves are necessary to maintain the health and number of the current population; this approach must also be applied for respiratory bacterial infections. In this review, to gain a better understanding regarding respiratory fungal infections in this species, the current status of these infections and results of clinical studies in the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium (PNPA) are described. Moreover, future issues that have been revealed as a result of treating these infections in this species including in pregnant and lactating animals and their calves in the PNPA and that need to be solved are described.

This study evaluates the utility of previously developed microsatellite markers in a paternity test of captive loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Two candidate males, one female, and 40 offsprings from three distinct clutches were genotyped for 14 markers. The number of alleles and observed heterozygosity per locus ranged from three to five and 0.488 to 1.000, respectively. Based on these multi-locus genotypes, paternity of all offsprings could be successfully determined. The results of this study indicate that these microsatellite markers provide reliable information for DNA parentage testing of loggerhead turtles.