Capture myopathy in a corsican red deer Cervus elaphus corsicanus (Ungulata: Cervidae)

Capture myopathy in a corsican red deer Cervus elaphus corsicanus (Ungulata: Cervidae)

The present study focused on the importance of translocation as stressful event in an endangered cervid species causing fatal consequences during capture operations. Fourteen free-ranging Sardinian red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) have been captured for restocking propose in a protected area of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Italian journal of zoology Vol. 81; no. 3; pp. 457 - 462
Main Authors: Nuvoli, S, Burrai, G. P, Secci, F, Columbano, N, Careddu, G. M, Mandas, L, Sanna, M. A, Pirino, S, Antuofermo, E
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis 01-01-2014
Subjects:
Anaesthesia
blood
Cervus elaphus
conservation areas
cortisol
creatine kinase
degenerative muscle condition
humans
immunohistochemistry
kidneys
lactate dehydrogenase
mortality
muscles
myoglobin
necropsy
nephrosis
potassium
renal failure
rhabdomyolysis
risk
Sardinia
wild ungulates
Sardinia
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Summary:The present study focused on the importance of translocation as stressful event in an endangered cervid species causing fatal consequences during capture operations. Fourteen free-ranging Sardinian red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) have been captured for restocking propose in a protected area of southwestern Sardinia. The cervids were chemically immobilized, transported to a restocking area and released in the wild. Sixteen hours after the release, a pregnant hind was found dead and a complete necropsy was performed. Post-capture blood samples showed increased levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, cortisol and potassium and were highly indicative of stress-linked muscle damage. The macro- and microscopic lesions consisted of muscular and cardiac degeneration, and renal injury. In the kidneys, the presence of myoglobin in intratubular casts, detected by immunohistochemistry assay, suggested an acute renal failure associated with myoglobinuric nephrosis as a consequence of rhabdomyolysis. The pathological findings were indicative of capture myopathy in a Cervus elaphus corsicanus . This condition has never been reported in the endangered Corsican red deer. This report underlines that mortality from capture is a risk that must be considered during restocking programs. Further studies are needed to minimize stress to preserve wildlife from the risk of fatal consequences due to human interactions.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2014.942712
ISSN:1748-5851
1125-0003
1748-5851
DOI:10.1080/11250003.2014.942712