Department of Animal Health, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA
Abstract
Jaguars (Panthera onca) are the largest felid species in the new world and the only member of the genus Panthera, the roaring cats, that occurs in the Americas. It is estimated that 10,000 jaguars are left in the wild with an unknown number in captivity throughout Latin America. There are currently 81 jaguars held at 38 AZA institutions.5 Jaguars housed at AZA institutions can serve as ambassadors to instill concern for the conservation of this species and the diverse ecosystems in which jaguars live.
In 2003, the Jaguar Species Survival Plan (SSP) guidelines for captive management of jaguars was published.2 These guidelines provide information from natural history to health care. Additionally, the Jaguar SSP website (https://jaguarssp.net/) (VIN editor: Original link was modified on 2–02–2021) was recently updated and provides a great deal of information on the biology and care of jaguars.
Data from a study conducted in 2003 on the morbidity and mortality of captive jaguars at AZA institutions can be used for making recommendations on captive husbandry and veterinary care.1 This study confirmed that cage mate aggression is a frequently encountered problem and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Dental disease, often consisting of canine fractures, is also very common. Both these problems can be minimized with proper housing. In this study, gastrointestinal disease associated with parasites was common among all age groups; thus, the need for routine fecal evaluations and preventive anti-helmintic measures is warranted. Diseases associated with advanced age included arthritis, spondylosis, intervertebral disk disease, and renal and urinary bladder diseases. The study also found that epistaxis was surprisingly common within all age groups. It is recommended that jaguars that present with epistaxis receive complete diagnostic work ups to determine etiology. Female jaguars are known to have a high prevalence of reproductive tract neoplasia and disease.3,4 This was confirmed in the 2003 morbidity and mortality study. It is interesting to note that the presence of a MGA implant increased morbidity associated with the female reproductive tract but not mortality.1 These data support the recommendation that the safest contraceptive measure is ovariohysterectomy.
There are a number of in situ and ex situ projects of which the SSP is currently aware. A sample of these projects will be presented in this talk. Dr. Linda Munson continues her studies on female reproductive tracts. The SSP requests that all tracts be sent to Dr. Munson. Dr. Rebecca Spindler, the Jaguar SSP reproduction advisor, and her colleagues are studying male and female reproductive health both in North and Latin American captive jaguars and free-living jaguars in Latin America. Dr. Kay Backues and her colleagues at the Tulsa Zoo are working in Honduras and Guatemala on captive jaguar health issues. In Bolivia, the SSP is working with the Santa Cruz Zoo to import confiscated jaguars currently housed in captivity in Bolivia. Imports of healthy jaguars from home range countries are important due to the low genetic diversity of the captive population in North America. Jaguars to be imported should only be those that have been confiscated from the illegal animal trade or considered problem animals and that are known to be healthy and free of transmissible diseases.
The Jaguar SSP veterinary advisor welcomes submissions of published, anecdotal, and experimental findings related to jaguar health. Information gathered by health professionals working with jaguars is the key to expanding our knowledge on jaguar health and diseases. The SSP veterinary advisor has a working bibliography on jaguar health issues. This bibliography can be sent to all interested persons.
Literature Cited
1. Hope K, Deem SL. A retrospective study of morbidity and mortality of captive North American jaguars (Panthera onca): 1982–2002. In: Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians/Wildlife Disease Association/American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians Joint Conference, San Diego, CA. August 27–Sept 3 2004.
2. Law C, ed. Jaguar species survival plan guidelines for captive management of jaguars. Pp. 91.
3. Munson L. A high prevalence of ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma in jaguars (Panthera onca). Vet Pathol. 1994;31:604.
4. Munson L, Gardner A, Mason RJ, Chassy LM, Seal US. Endometrial hyperplasia and mineralization in zoo felids treated with melengestrol-acetate contraceptive. Vet Pathol. 2002;39(4):419–427.
5. Wiese RJ. AZA North American Regional Studbook for the Jaguar (Panthera onca) Database. 2003.