Abstract

The Carnivora comprise 15 families¹ and they are identified as one of the mammal groups most threatened by infectious agents.^2-4 However, in the case of Ursids, several authors have suggested that members of this family have a high resistance to infectious diseases^5-11 and therefore infectious disease wouldn’t be relevant for their management. In order to document the relationship between pathogens (viruses, protozoa, and bacteria), susceptibility to infection and clinical disease in ursids, a literature review was conducted.

Reports (which included pathology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, isolation and serum titers) document susceptibility to infection by 43 different pathogens. Additionally, at least 65 clinical reports documented disease caused by 20 pathogens, with viruses being the most common pathogen type associated with clinical disease. Although these reports mostly document individuals being affected rather than entire wild populations, it is very important to take infectious diseases into account for ex situ and translocation management programs. Thus, biosecurity and preventive medicine protocols may be established for selected pathogens as an important issue for captive bear populations and translocation programs. In conclusion, further studies about the relationship of infectious pathogens and Ursidae family may be conducted.

Literature Cited

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11.  Schaul, J.C. 2006. Baylisascaris transfuga in captive and free ranging populations of bears (family: Ursidae). PhD thesis. The Ohio State University.