IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Munson, L.; Terio, K.; Lane, E.; Robert, N.; Courchamp, F. | |
| Wild Felid Diseases: Conservation Implications and Management Strategies | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Disease threats to wild felids may be increasing due to habitat restriction, encroachment from domestic animals, and biomagnification of environmental pollutants or infectious agents. Whereas infectious diseases have likely always circulated through wild felid populations, emergence of more pathogenic strains, co-infections with other pathogens, or loss of resistance through genetic impoverishment may explain higher mortality rates in some populations. Recent epidemics of canine distemper and tuberculosis in African lions, and feline leukemia virus in Florida panthers illustrate the conservation impact of these diseases. Intervention should be justified by modeling that is based on data acquired through long-term monitoring of wild populations. Captive animals usually serve as poor surrogates, because the spectrum of diseases that affect their health often differ from their wild counterparts. Serosurveys provide valuable information on infectious agents that wild felids encounter, but not on associated morbidity or mortality. The widespread occurrence of feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies in healthy African lion populations exemplifies the difficulty in interpreting results. Monitoring should be founded on health exams during any handling of wild felids and thorough necropsies of all available carcasses. Accrual of long-term data will determine if recently recorded epidemics are unusual or part of normal felid population cycles. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |