A histochemical demonstration of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids was carried out in the oocytes of 8 Japanese black bears(Ursus thibetanus japonicus)captured in Niigata Prefecture during the period from September 1996 to May 1997. The cytoplasm of oocytes always contained acrolein-Schiff reactive proteins and periodic acid-Schiff reactive glycogen granules, and the amount of glycogen in the oocytes increased during folliculogenesis. The cytoplasm of oocytes from primary, secondary and antral follicles also possessed acid polysaccharides stainable with alcian blue, Sudanophilic lipids, neutral fats stainable with nile blue sulfate and lipoids reactive with Ciaccio method. The amount of these lipids in the oocytes increased with the advance of follicular development. On the other hand, the zonae pellucidae of oocytes always contained proteins, periodic acid-Schiff reactive and salivary test-resistant neutral polysaccharides, and acid polysaccharides, but not lipids.

View full abstract

For the sake of an epidemiological analysis on the helminth infection with pet tortoises sold in Ebetsu, Japan, 23 individuals belonging to 11 tortoise species were examined helminthologically. From Chelus fimbriatus (abbreviated to Cf), Chelodina siebenrocki (Cs), Testudo horsfieldi (Th) and Kinixys sp.(K), 6 nematodes, namely Thaparia sp.(host:Th), Mehdiella sp.(Th), Tachygonetria sp.(Cs, Th), Labiduris sp.(K), Capillariidae gen.sp.(Cf)and encysted larvae(Cf), were obtained.

View full abstract

Though it is well known that polar bears have lobated kidneys, actual images of it have not been published. This is an anatomical record of the right and left kidneys of a male polar bear, died of gastric and duodenal torsion at a zoo in May 1998. The estimated age was 20 years old and body weight was 300 to 350 kg. The size of left kidney was 19cm × 9cm × 4cm and right one was 17cm × 9cm × 5cm. The weight of left kidney was about 480g and that of the right one was 486g. The number of renculi(lobes)on the surface was 57 in left and 54 in right kidney. Not a few lobes contained two renculi and some had three renculi, giving a total of renculi approximatery 140-160.

View full abstract

The enteral contents of 55(16 males and 39 females)hippopotamus(Hippopotamus amphibius)were collected in July 1995 during the first culling exercise in South Luangwa game management area in Zambia. Among all bacteria isolates, 41%(246/596)and 29 %(57/198)were Gram positive while 59 %(350/596)and 71 %(141/198)were Gram nagative in small and large intestines respectively. The proportions of aquatic bacteria among Gram positive isolates from small and large intestines were 43 %(105/246)and 28 %(16/57), respectively. Among Gram negative isolates, 53 %(185/350)and 45 %(63/141)in small and large intestine were aquatic bacteria, respectively.

View full abstract

The gastrointestinal length and morphology of the cecum and vermiform appendix were recorded in one male and two female slow lorises maintained at Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Although the slow loris was a prosimian, its cecum and vermiform appendix were well developed compared to those in the Japanese monkey, rhesus, baboon, tamalin, galago and tupai. The slow loris cecum was distinctly different from the short tubular diverticulum found in tupai. The small intestine length was 30-50 cm, the large intestine length was 18-33 cm, and the lengths of the cecum and vermiform appendix were 5 cm and 2-4 cm, respectively.

View full abstract

Spiroxys hanzaki(Nematoda:Spirurida:Gnathostomatidae)was found from the stomachs of one wild-caught and two artificially-bred Japanese giant salamanders, Andrias japonicus, died of emaciation or injury. In two salamanders, the nematodes were found partially embedded their body into the stomach mucosa, accompanying ulceration around them. Occurence of S.hanzaki in the artifically-bred salamanders indicates that the infection could be acquired under rearing condition. Elucidation of its life history is desired in order to provide measures to protect salamanders from this nematode infection in an aquarium.

View full abstract

The elephant training center in the Way Kambas National Park, Lampung province, Indonesia keeps 129 Sumatran elephants which were caught from various parts in Sumatra. Several cases of disease had been reported since this center was established in 1985. Parasitic burden included ectoparasite infestation, which is one of the main diseases of elephants. In 1995, three elephants died suddenly of a clostridial infection. One species of nematode(Murshidia falcifera), 2 species trematodes(Hawkesius hawkesi and Pfenderius papillatus) and 1 botfly larvae(Cobboldia elephantis)were obtained from the gastrointestinal tract of all animals. It is assumed that these parasite infections occurred also in other elephants in this center. The elephant lice, Haematomyzus elephantis was a common ectoparasite in the Sumatran elephant and the cause of dermatopathy.

View full abstract

There was a large accident by a Russian tanker, NAHOTOKA, on 2nd January 1997. The C-type heavy oil, spilled from the tanker, contaminated large areas of coastline. The sea and coast are home to many kinds of seabirds and marine mammals. Many organizations were involved in the salvage, clean up and wild life rescue operation. This report is concerned with the medical care of seabirds.

View full abstract