In 2009 and 2010 16 Norwegian Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) were reintroduced to Knapdale, Scotland as part of a 5-yr reintroduction trial (Scottish Beaver Trial). Despite numerous reintroduction programs throughout Europe there is no published information concerning recommended health surveillance during beaver reintroduction and only one publication describing causes of mortality. We describe the establishment of a health surveillance program based on International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and governmental guidelines, and report preliminary results based on the fecal and blood samples following the completion of the first stage of reintroduction. Animals underwent at least one general anesthetic to allow collection of fecal and blood samples and a thorough clinical examination. No bacterial enteric pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., or Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated, nor were Giardia spp. or Cryptosporidium spp. However, numerous helminths including Travassosius rufus and Stichorchis subtriquetrus were detected. Five animals were positive for Leptospira antibodies. This included Leptospira saxkoebing, Leptospira canicola, Leptospira copenhageni, Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, Leptospira autumnalis, and Leptospira javanica. The highest loss of animals (20%) was during the statutory 6-mo rabies quarantine period. No common cause of death was determined. The rabies quarantine conditions were waived for four remaining animals, three of which were introduced to the wild successfully. The authors recommend the shortest possible quarantine period when introducing beavers, but allowing for the minimum recommended IUCN 35 days to allow for implementation of the initial stage of the health surveillance program, examination of animals, sample collection, and processing.
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PATHOLOGY|
October 01 2012
ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR REINTRODUCTION OF THE EURASIAN BEAVER (CASTOR FIBER) INTO SCOTLAND
Gidona Goodman;
Gidona Goodman
4
1 Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Wildlife Health Scotland, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, EBVC, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
4 Corresponding author (email: gidona.goodman@ed.ac.uk)
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Simon Girling;
Simon Girling
2 Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
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Romain Pizzi;
Romain Pizzi
2 Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
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Anna Meredith;
Anna Meredith
1 Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Wildlife Health Scotland, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, EBVC, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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Frank Rosell;
Frank Rosell
3 Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Environmental and Health Studies, Telemark University College, N-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
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Roisin Campbell-Palmer
Roisin Campbell-Palmer
2 Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
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J Wildl Dis (2012) 48 (4): 971–978.
Article history
Received:
June 02 2011
Accepted:
June 13 2012
Citation
Gidona Goodman, Simon Girling, Romain Pizzi, Anna Meredith, Frank Rosell, Roisin Campbell-Palmer; ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR REINTRODUCTION OF THE EURASIAN BEAVER (CASTOR FIBER) INTO SCOTLAND. J Wildl Dis 1 October 2012; 48 (4): 971–978. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/2011-06-153
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