ABSTRACT Aerial translocation of captured black rhinoceroses ( Diceros bicornis ) has been accomplished by suspending them by their feet. We expected this posture would compromise respiratory gas exchange more than would lateral recumbency. Because white rhinoceroses ( Ceratotherium simum ) immobilized with etorphine alone are hypermetabolic, with a high rate of carbon dioxide production (VCO 2 ), we expected immobilized black rhinoceroses would also have a high VCO 2 . Twelve (nine male, three female; median age 8 yr old [range: 4–25]; median weight 1,137 kg [range: 804–1,234] body weight) wild black rhinoceroses were immobilized by aerial darting with etorphine and azaperone. The animals were in lateral recumbency or suspended by their feet from a crane for approximately 10 min before data were collected. Each rhinoceros received both treatments sequentially, in random order. Six were in lateral recumbency first and six were suspended first. All animals were substantially hypoxemic and hypercapnic in both postures. When suspended by the feet, mean arterial oxygen pressure (P a O 2 ) was 42 mm Hg, 4 mm Hg greater than in lateral recumbency ( P =0.030), and arterial carbon dioxide pressure (P a CO 2 ) was 52 mm Hg, 3 mm Hg less than in lateral recumbency ( P =0.016). Tidal volume and minute ventilation were similar between postures. The mean VCO 2 was 2 mL/kg/min in both postures and was similar to, or marginally greater than, VCO 2 predicted allometrically. Suspension by the feet for 10 min did not impair pulmonary function more than did lateral recumbency and apparently augmented gas exchange to a small degree relative to lateral recumbency. The biological importance in these animals of numerically small increments in P a O 2 and decrements in P a CO 2 with suspension by the feet is unknown. Black rhinoceroses immobilized with etorphine and azaperone were not as hypermetabolic as were white rhinoceroses immobilized with etorphine.

abstract The Javan rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros sondaicus ) of Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) is the crown jewel of Indonesia's rich natural history. The park lies on a peninsula surrounded by coastline and agriculture-dominated landscapes. The invasion of water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) into the park carries a substantial health risk to the Javan rhinoceros and threatens plans to establish a new population outside of its only current range in UKNP. Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS), known locally as septicemia epizootica and caused by Pasteurella multocida B:2, could thwart Indonesia's efforts to expand the range of the Javan rhinoceros. Because HS was considered eradicated from Banten Province, few preventative programs have been available to farmers. During June 2012–July 2013, biologic samples were collected from 770 water buffalo in 19 villages. Deep nasal swabs ( n =85) were taken for bacterial culture and blood samples ( n =770) were collected for serologic testing. No animals were positive on culture. The prevalence of antibody to P. multocida in this population was 1.8% (14 of 770 animals). A structured questionnaire was used to gather information about possible risk factors. Husbandry practices associated with presence of antibody in water buffalo included lack of a permanent area to house buffalo at night, low body condition score (=2), high body temperature (≥40 C), a history of clinical signs or sudden death in the previous year, and a grazing system that utilized significant forage inside the park. Antibody was not associated with sex, age, vaccination status, or season. Understanding HS disease dynamics in the buffalo adjacent to UKNP may improve the livelihoods of people and health of endangered rhinoceroses in this ecosystem.