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Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, activity, and personality were assessed for 35 fennec foxes ( Vulpes zerda ) to determine whether animals managed as ambassadors differed from exhibit or off-exhibit animals. A FGM assay, pedometer, and personality assessment tool were validated. Then, fecal samples and movement data were collected during winter and summer periods. Handling was recorded, and the personality of each fox was evaluated. Generalized linear mixed models assessed the relationships between FGM concentrations, activity, personality, handling, sex, season, rearing type, and role. FGM concentrations did not differ in relation to role or handling. Foxes were most active at night; the time of peak activity did not vary with role or handling. Foxes were more active in winter; males were more active than females, and ambassador foxes were more active than off-exhibit animals. Hand-reared foxes were more sociable, and, at one institution, ambassador foxes were more sociable than foxes in other roles. These results suggest that management for ambassador programs is not associated with changes in glucocorticoid production or circadian patterns but may increase activity and be associated with greater sociability.

This study describes patterns of steroid hormone production and activity for banteng (Bos javanicus), an endangered member of the Bovidae family. Using validated assays, concentrations of fecal progestagens, androgens, and glucocorticoids were quantified for four females and one male at the Saint Louis Zoo. A commercial activity monitor was also validated for assessing movement. The devices were then used to characterize activity in relation to season, reproductive status, and fecal steroid concentrations. General linear mixed models assessed differences in activity and steroid concentrations among individuals, in regards to reproductive status and season. Ovulatory cycle patterns, changes in activity around estrus and parturition, and events correlated with increased glucocorticoid production were also documented. Cycle lengths were 24.7 ± 0.4 days, and cycle lengths varied among individuals. Females cycled year-round, but luteal progestagen concentrations, along with glucocorticoids and male androgens, increased during the summer. Activity also increased in the summer. Progestagen concentrations were greater in pregnant females, and the gestation length of one pregnancy was 254 days. Pregnant females were less active overall, but activity increased the day before parturition. Activity was also greater preceding the onset of the luteal phase. The majority of glucocorticoid concentrations were in the range of baseline concentrations. However, a small number of elevated concentrations were correlated with husbandry and veterinary events. This study is the first to validate non-invasive methods for monitoring reproduction, welfare, and activity of banteng. Our results may contribute to the improved management of captive populations., Competing Interests: Declarations of interest None., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fruit doves (Ptilinopus) constitute a genus of small to medium-sized, brightly colored arboreal birds, whose diets consist entirely of fruit. Little is known about the behavior of fruit doves because most species inhabit dense forests and are difficult to observe in the wild. This study describes the parental behavior of Jambu fruit dove pairs (Ptilinopus jambu) in a captive breeding program at the Saint Louis Zoo. Continuous video recordings were made of three pairs which raised a total of eight squabs over 2 years; daily rates of parental and squab behaviors were quantified. Overall, females were present at the nest, brooded their squabs, pecked, and attempted feedings more often than males. Parents also cared for their squabs at different times throughout the day. Males fed and brooded squabs during the middle of the day, while females fed throughout the day and brooded in the morning, evening, and overnight. Feeding rates were lower than those described for seed-eating doves (Columbinae), with hours between consecutive feedings, and squabs rarely begged before feeding events. Most squab behaviors involved initiating or terminating brooding and self-preening. These behaviors increased as squabs approached fledging, and coincided with a shift from full to partial brooding, and a decrease in parental allopreening. Older squabs also initiated feeding less frequently. Together, these data provide the first description of parental behavior in a Ptilinopus fruit dove. The results of this study may help improve captive breeding efforts, which are likely to become increasingly important for future conservation and reintroduction programs., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Great hornbills (Buceros bicornis) are a long-lived, monogamous species that forms strong pair-bonds, and mate compatibility is thought to be important for successful reproduction. Within AZA, great hornbills are listed as a red SSP. The population consists of a limited number of individuals that do not breed reliably, and improving reproduction is a top priority for the Coraciiformes TAG. To better understand mating behavior and evaluate mate compatibility, this study documented the behavior of pairs of great hornbills during and immediately after courtship. Using live observations, the study followed one female, an experienced and successful breeder, as she was paired with four successive males over 11 breeding seasons. Initially, males frequently vocalized, investigated the nest, and approached the female. As the female spent more time in the nest, these behaviors were replaced by regurgitation and food offering. The female was most often observed plastering and vocalizing. Behavioral differences between successful and unsuccessful pairs, possibly indicative of pair compatibility, included rates of approaching, billing, and biting. Numerous behaviors occurred more frequently during years that a chick hatched, including pseudoregurgitation, regurgitation, offering food items, and nest investigation. Males also spent more time in proximity to both the female and the nest during years that a chick hatched. Together, these results suggest that the amount of time pairs spend in proximity, the amount of time a male spends near the nest, and the frequency of certain behaviors may help evaluate compatibility and the likelihood of successful reproduction for pairs of great hornbills., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The ability to safely and effectively manage reproduction is central to the success of AZA captive-breeding programs. Although the AZA Wildlife Contraception Center routinely monitors contraceptive safety, there have been no studies that compare the effects of contraceptive use to separation of males from females, the other option for preventing reproduction. We used retrospective medical records and pathology reports submitted by AZA and related facilities for the seven AZA-managed canid species to assess rates of uterine pathology relative to female reproductive life histories. Our results showed that the prevalence of both pyometra and endometrial hyperplasia (EH) was associated not only with treatment with the two most common contraceptives (Suprelorin® and MGA implants) but also with the number of years barren (i.e., not producing a litter and not contracepted). Rates of pyometra and EH were especially high in African painted dogs and red wolves, but lowest in swift and fennec foxes. The number of years producing a litter had a low association, suggesting it could be protective against uterine pathology. A more recently developed Suprelorin® protocol using Ovaban® to prevent the initial stimulation phase, followed by implant removal when reversal is desired, may be a safer contraceptive option. These results concerning the relationship between reproductive management and uterine health have important implications for AZA-managed programs, since the unsustainability of many captive populations may be due at least in part to infertility. Managing a female's reproductive lifespan to optimize or maintain fertility will require a reconsideration of how breeding recommendations are formulated., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Careful genetic management, including cryopreservation of genetic material, is central to conservation of the endangered Mexican gray wolf. We tested a technique, previously used to vitrify human and domestic animal oocytes, on oocytes from domestic dogs as a model and from the endangered Mexican wolf. This method provided a way to conserve oocytes from genetically valuable older female Mexican wolves as an alternative to embryos for preserving female genes. Oocytes were aspirated from ovaries of 36 female dogs in December and March (0 to 65 oocytes per female) and from six female wolves (4 to 73 per female) during their physiologic breeding season, or following stimulation with the GnRH agonist deslorelin. Oocytes from dogs were pooled; half were immediately tested for viability and the remainder vitrified, then warmed and tested for viability. All oocytes were vitrified by being moved through media of increasing cryoprotectant concentration, placed on Cryotops, and plunged into liquid nitrogen. There was no difference in viability (propidium iodide staining) between fresh and vitrified, warmed dog oocytes (65.7 and 61.0%, respectively, P = 0.27). Oocyte viability after warming was similarly assessed in a subset of wolves (4 to 15 oocytes from each of three females; total 29 oocytes). Of these, 57.1% of the post-thaw intact oocytes were viable, which was 41.4% of all oocytes warmed. These were the first oocytes from a canid or an endangered species demonstrated to have maintained viability after vitrification and warming. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that vitrification of oocytes with the Cryotop technique was an option for preserving female gametes from Mexican wolves for future use in captive breeding programs, although in vitro embryo production techniques must first be developed in canids for this technique to be used., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fennec foxes make popular pets because of their small size, minimal odor, and highly social behaviors. They are kept in zoos for conservation and educational programs. The exotic animal practitioner is most likely to be presented with fennec foxes that are overweight because of inappropriate diets or excessive feeding. Clients attempting to hand-rear fennec foxes need advice about formula selection, amounts to feed, protocols for keeping pups warm, and weaning. This article provides information on social behavior, reproduction, and parental behavior, nutrition, and hand-rearing.

Melengestrol acetate (MGA) implants were used for contraception in three addax and three Arabian oryx females housed at the Saint Louis Zoo. Serum estradiol and progesterone or fecal estrogen and progestin analysis and ultrasonography of reproductive tracts were used for monitoring changes before, during, and after MGA treatment. Follicular development and irregular uterine fluid accumulation were detected in all females during MGA treatment. Although housed with an intact male for all or most of the contraceptive period, no pregnancies occurred.One female addax may have ovulated, based on sustained elevated progesterone levels, and another showed continued follicle development, as seen by fluctuating estradiol concentrations. Reversibility was documented in two of the three addax that resumed reproductive cycles post-MGA-implant removal, whereas the third, a peripubertal female, did not cycle before, during, or after treatment. Addax females were lost to further follow-up after transfer to another institution, so the possibility of subsequent pregnancies is not known.All three Arabian oryx ovulated during the initial MGA treatment, but two of the three females had implants past the typical 2-year efficacy period. They had regular ovulatory cycles after implant removal, with mean cycle length of 27.5+/-1.5 days and mean luteal phase duration of 15.2+/-0.7 days. Reversibility was further shown in all three oryx by pregnancies after placement with a male approximately 2 years after MGA implant removal. Two produced healthy calves, but the third died owing to an unrelated terminal illness in the mother. Zoo Biol 26:299-310, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Changes in serum oestradiol and progesterone were measured to study their dynamics during ovulatory cycles in six female addax, an endangered antelope. Blood was collected three times per week, during chute restraint, for 3 months (November to February) before introduction of a male, and continued until pregnancy was diagnosed with ultrasound. Serum was analysed by enzymeimmunoassay. Mean luteal phase, interluteal phase, and cycle durations were 22.7 +/- 2.0, 8.78 +/- 0.5 and 32.3 +/- 1.7 days, respectively. Ultrasonography revealed coiled uterine horns and maximum follicle and corpus luteum diameters of 15 and 27 mm, respectively. Each female experienced an anovulatory period, during which oestradiol continued to fluctuate, but progesterone remained below 2 ng ml-1. These periods ranged from 39 to 131 days and were not synchronous; ovulatory cycles resumed spontaneously in all females. All four females placed with a male conceived. Because addax give birth all year round, they are not considered seasonal breeders. The sporadic periods of anovulation that occurred during the winter months of this study suggest a possible seasonal effect. However, systematic sampling has not been conducted during summer and early autumn and will be necessary to address this question.