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A main priority in conservation is the protection of species in their natural habitat. However, ex situ management of threatened species is a recognised strategy of conservation. Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) are removed from the wild due to illegal capture, nest tree destruction, or other conflict sources. This study presents a review of the current ex situ Harpy Eagle populations in Brazil and worldwide, including information on the origin, sex, and year of entrance or year of birth under human care. Worldwide, until 2020 there were 205 Harpy Eagles in 77 different facilities in 16 countries, with 40 institutions in Brazil and 37 in other countries. The largest ex situ Harpy Eagle population is maintained in Brazil, with 139 individuals (75 females and 64 males) in 40 institutions. Of these institutions, there were 24 zoos, seven conservation breeding centres, six commercial breeders, two wildlife shelters, and one wildlife sorting centre. In Brazil, 62% (n = 86) of the individuals were hatched in the wild and 38% (n = 53) were bred in captivity under human care; for the wild individuals, only 73% (n = 64) have a known state of origin, with the majority from Pará state. This investigation provided relevant information to establish an ex situ demographic database. These individuals may potentially constitute a genetically and demographically viable safety population for future conservation strategies, as well as a source for research and education applied to Harpy Eagle integrated conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which investigated hemotropic mycoplasma infection in a free-ranging black howler monkey. Hemotropic mycoplasmas refer to bacteria which infect erythrocytes and cause subclinical infections. Findings revealed a low red blood cell count and high mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. In addition, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and total white blood cell results were found to be within reference intervals.

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Science is the property of Archives of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Science is the property of Archives of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings associated with infection due to canine morbilivírus (canine distemper virus, CDV) are described in coatis (Nasua nasua). Tissue fragments of coatis (n = 13) that died at the Bela Vista Sanctuary, Paraná, Southern Brazil, were routinely processed for histopathology to identify the main histopathologic patterns as compared to that of the domestic dog. Selected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue fragments of the lungs, liver, urinary bladder and small intestine were used in IHC assays designed to identify the antigens of CDV, canine adenovirus (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2) and canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). The main histopathologic patterns identified were interstitial pneumonia (n = 9), interstitial nephritis (n = 6), atrophic enteritis (n = 4) and ballooning degeneration of the uroepithelium (n = 3). Positive immunolabelling for intralesional antigens of CDV was identified in the lung with interstitial pneumonia (n = 3), in the intestine (n = 2) and in the degenerated epithelium of the urinary bladder (n = 2). Antigens of CPV-2, CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 were not identified in any FFPE tissue sections evaluated. These findings indicate that these wild carnivores were infected by a viral disease pathogen common to the domestic dog and develop similar histopathologic findings. Collectively, these findings suggest that these coatis were infected by CDV and can serve as a potential host for this infectious disease pathogen., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The pathologic and immunohistochemical findings associated with infections due to canine distemper virus (CDV) are described in the cougar (Puma concolor), margay (Leopardus wiedii) and jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) from Southern Brazil. Tissue sections of the neotropical felids (n = 3) that died at the Bela Vista Sanctuary, Paraná, Southern Brazil were routinely processed for histopathology to identify possible histopathologic patterns associated with infections due to CDV. Selected formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections of the lungs and urinary bladder were used in immunohistochemical assays designed to identify the antigens of CDV. The main histopathologic patterns identified were interstitial pneumonia in the margay and jaguarundi, while ballooning degeneration of the transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder was observed in the cougar. Positive immunoreactivity to antigens of CDV was identified within intralesional sections of the lungs of the two wild felids with interstitial pneumonia and in the degenerated urothelium of the cougar. These findings indicate that these neotropical cats were infected by a viral infectious disease pathogen common to the domestic dog and add to the few documented descriptions of CDV-induced infections in wildlife from Brazil., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

A large number of Brazilian zoos keep many endangered species of deer, however, very few disease surveillance studies have been conducted among captive cervids. Blood samples from 32 Brazilian deer (Blastocerus dichotomus, Mazama nana and Mazama americana) kept in captivity at Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary (Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil) were investigated for 10 ruminant pathogens, with the aims of monitoring deer health status and evaluating any potential zoonotic risk. Deer serum samples were tested for Brucella abortus, Leptospira (23 serovars), Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, bovine viral diarrhea virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, western equine encephalitis virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Antibodies against T. gondii (15.6%), N. caninum (6.2%) and L. interrogans serogroup Serjoe (3.1%) were detected. The serological results for all other infectious agents were negative. The deer were considered to be clinically healthy and asymptomatic regarding any disease. Compared with studies on free-ranging deer, the prevalences of the same agents tested among the captive deer kept at the Sanctuary were lower, thus indicating good sanitary conditions and high-quality management practices at the zoo.

The avian eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 is for the first time referred naturally occurring in a non-human mammalian host. Previously, natural infections with P. lachrymosus and other species of Philophthalmus have been occasionally reported from man, with few data on experimental infections of non-human mammals. Results presented here are related to the report of two cases of philophthalmosis due to natural infections of wild Brazilian capybaras, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L., 1766 with P. lachrymosus and associated pathology. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions as well as new morphometric data on the parasite are presented.