Abstract
This study describes the pathologic findings of 24 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) found stranded along the Brazilian coast from 2004 to 2016. Eighteen (75%) animals evaluated were found stranded alive. From these, 13 died naturally on shore and five were euthanized. Six died at sea and were washed ashore. Of the 24, 19 (79.2%) were calves, four (16.7%) were juveniles, and one (4.2%) was an adult. The most probable cause of stranding and/or death (CSD) was determined in 23/24 (95.8%) individuals. In calves, CSD included neonatal respiratory distress (13/19; 68.4%), infectious disease (septicemia, omphaloarteritis and urachocystitis; 3/19; 15.8%), trauma of unknown origin (2/19; 10.5%), and vehicular trauma (vessel strike; 1/19; 5.3%). In juveniles and adult individuals, CSD was: emaciation (2/5; 40%), sunlight-thermal burn shock (1/5; 20%); and discospondylitis (1/5; 20%). In one juvenile, the CSD was undetermined (1/5; 20%). This study integrates novel findings and published case reports to delineate the pathology of a South-western Atlantic population of humpback whales. This foundation will aid in the assessment of the population health and establish a baseline for development of conservation policies.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bone Diseases / mortality
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Bone Diseases / pathology
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Bone Diseases / veterinary*
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Brazil
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Cause of Death*
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Communicable Diseases / mortality
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Communicable Diseases / pathology
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Communicable Diseases / veterinary*
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Humpback Whale / abnormalities*
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Respiratory Insufficiency / mortality
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Respiratory Insufficiency / pathology
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Respiratory Insufficiency / veterinary*
Grants and funding
We very much appreciate the support of Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), grants #2011/08357-0; #2012/00021-5; 2014/24932-2; #2015/00735-6 and #2015/05043-5. J.L.C.D. is a recipient of a professorship by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq (301517/2006-1). Projeto Baleia Jubarte is sponsored by Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. SeaWorld provided support in the form of salaries for authors [JASL], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of this author are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.