A health evaluation in a colony of captive collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) in the Eastern Amazon

Res Vet Sci. 2006 Oct;81(2):246-53. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2005.12.003. Epub 2006 Feb 17.

Abstract

This study pretends to determine baseline data on the health and mortality of a colony of captive collared peccaries in the Eastern Amazon (Belém, State of Pará, Brazil) during a 65-months survey. Thirty-nine out of 166 animals (23.5%) died and were examined post-mortem. Monthly mortality averaged 1.2%. The highest mortality rate was observed in newborns (74.4%). Abandonment by the mother and aggression were responsible for 24.1% and 13.8% of the total newborn deaths, respectively. Most frequent causes of non-neonatal death were food poisoning (50.0%) due to an episode of accidental bitter cassava leaves ingestion and traumatism due to aggressions between animals (10.0%). Results from serology for different infectious diseases showed that 4.9% (2/41) collared peccaries had antibodies against Brucella spp. and 9.8% (4/41) animals had antibodies to two different Leptospira spp. serovars, butembo and autumnalis. This is the first survey of morbidity and mortality in captive collared peccaries in the Amazon region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods*
  • Animals
  • Artiodactyla / growth & development
  • Artiodactyla / physiology*
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mortality
  • Reproduction
  • Swine Diseases / microbiology
  • Swine Diseases / parasitology
  • Tropical Climate