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Cited by 20Animal Behavior and Welfare StudiesWildlife Ecology and ConservationVeterinary Medicine and Surgery

A retrospective analysis of mortality in captive pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) from 1912 to 2014

Flacke, Gabriella L., Tkalčić, Suzana, Steck, Beatrice, Warren, Kristin, Martin, Graeme B.·2016·Zoo Biology
DOI 10.1002/zoo.21336
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Abstract

The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is an IUCN Red List Endangered species (CITES Appendix II) that has been housed in zoological collections since 1912. As wild populations continue to decline throughout the species’ range, successful ex situ breeding and management, including an understanding of morbidity and mortality, are of utmost importance. This study is the first comprehensive review of mortality data from the captive population since 1982 and significantly expands on previous analyses. We solicited necropsy reports from 129/187 zoological institutions worldwide that currently or previously held pygmy hippos and received data for 404 animals (177 ♂, 220 ♀, 7 undermined sex), representing 43% of pygmy hippos that have died in captivity. Mortality in neonates was primarily due to perinatal causes (51.8%—stillbirth, failure to thrive, weakness, poor suckling reflex, maternal neglect) or parent‐inflicted trauma (28%). Common causes of mortality in adult and geriatric animals included cardiovascular disease (16%), degenerative musculoskeletal conditions (10%), obstructive gastrointestinal disease (9%), and renal insufficiency (13%), sometimes associated with advanced polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Although not the direct cause of mortality, a number of adult and geriatric pygmy hippos were also overweight to obese. Infectious causes of mortality in included leptospirosis and encephalomyocarditis virus, the latter usually presenting as acute death due to cardiovascular demise. This comprehensive overview presents a useful guide for recommendations in preventative veterinary care and for improved husbandry and management of pygmy hippos in captivity. Zoo Biol. 35:556–569, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Research works printed but not linked: 13

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Authors
Flacke, G. L., Tkalčić, S., Steck, B., Warren, K., & Martin, G. B.
Affiliations
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
  • Western University of Health Sciences (US)
  • Zoo Basel Basel Switzerland
  • Murdoch University (AU)
Corresponding author
Flacke, Gabriella L.
ORCID
Venue
Zoo Biology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-11
Volume
35
Issue
6
Pages
556-569
ISSN
  • 0733-3188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-2361
DOI
10.1002/zoo.21336
OpenAlex
W2550846340
Semantic Scholar
5442b3ff9e4c267cb28ada28d4b62de73986f125
Cited by
20
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2
FWCI
2.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 9 d)
Locations
  • Zoo Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of Western Australia
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Keywords
pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis, zoo animal health, autopsy reports, neonatal mortality, cardiovascular disease, polycystic kidney disease, renal failure, degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, leptospirosis, encephalomyocarditis virus, obesity, husbandry management, endangered species conservation
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Zoo, Artiodactyla, Humans, Mortality, Retrospective Studies, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Endangered Species

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