The following research has been conducted at the HESC:
Fertility in male cheetahs
This is primarily an investigation of the fertility of the male cheetahs and a continuation of Professor Meltzer’s thesis in this regard. The purpose is to establish which males can be used in the breeding programme. Semen is collected from males at least once a year and evaluated.
Measurement of stress in cheetahs : studies of the response to a stressor in captive cheetahs (paper submitted April 2007)
Stress results in a depression of the immune response and disease may follow. Cheetahs are low density animals and do not live in large groups in nature. They are now collected and kept together in close contact. Does this result in higher levels of stress? Some cheetah breeding projects both here and in the USA have a high incidence of chronic gastritis in the cheetah populations. A bacteria Helicobacter spp has been isolated from these animals and from animals that do not suffer from gastritis. Although Helicobacter is seen in humans with gastric ulcers and gastritis, the hypothesis is stress probably is the underlying cause of this problem in cheetahs. From this the search for a good parameter of stress levels which we don’t have at this stage.
Immobilizing drug mixtures in cheetahs, wild dogs and lions
Immobilization of herbivores is a relatively safe procedure because the drugs used have antidotes (antagonists). This means that when the level of drug effect is severe, and may kill the animal, this can be reversed. The drugs used in carnivores cannot be reversed easily. Lack of reversal also means that the animal may be down for long periods and must be watched and protected until it is awake. We use different drug combinations to be able to reverse drug effects and to reduce the period of immobilization.
DNA Studies
Identification of the DNA of the king pattern will be an important tool in the breeding programme. Further applications of these studies include the identification of parents and the identification of specific cheetahs. DNA studies are proposed as obligatory by the National Cheetah Conservation Forum (NCCF). We are members of this organisation which has the mission of maintaining a viable metapopulation of cheetahs in South Africa.
Behavioural study on black-footed cats in captivity
Two students from Denmark visited the HESC in February 2010 for a period of three weeks to do a behavioural study on black-footed cats in captivity, focusing mainly on their reproductive tendencies. Their aim was to ascertain the influence of stress on the reproductive success of the cats, and in so doing – to figure out a way to eliminate these triggers.
They also included a new angle for optimizing the reproductive success of these endangered animals in captivity, as suggested to them by their supervisor at the University of Aarhus. He offered additional information on the genetic health and variability of the animals, as well as on choosing the most optimal breeding pairs within the small population.
All information was gathered via DNA samples harvested from the animals’ hair follicles.
The students did extensive research on the cats and their environment before arriving in order to familiarize themselves, and to prepare for the study.
They kept a detailed journal during their stay. This they kindly left with the HESC, along with a preliminary report on their findings. They will send their data and conclusions once they have completed their study.
Feeding
Investigations into the Cause of Illness and Deaths of Cheetah at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) 2010 – Position statement 01/10
Compiled By Prof F Reyers
Click here to read the full report.
Anthrax
We experienced a devastating Anthrax outbreak at the Centre in October 2010. We lost three cheetahs in the process, one of which was pregnant. The expectant female died just ten days prior to giving birth.
The cubs were all alive at birth, but none of them survived beyond eighteen hours. This was due to the fact that even though they all had strong heartbeats, their lungs were not yet developed enough to sustain them. There were five cubs in total, two of which were King cheetahs.
We vaccinated all the animals resident at the Centre as soon as we realised there had been an outbreak. Unfortunately some of the cheetahs were on antibiotics at the time, and therefore couldn’t be vaccinated immediately as their antibodies would have been compromised.
We suspect that the disease was spread by the vultures having eaten infected meat, and then bathing in the surrounding dams and water sources. Animals drinking from this water were then exposed.
Since vultures cover a really large area, it cannot be ascertained precisely where they ate the meat. It is also very dry all over the lowveld at the moment, which puts the area is at even greater risk as there is no rain to flush out the drinking water.
We subsequently cleared the ‘vulture restaurant’, and dug a huge hole in which to bury the bones. Although it is unlikely that the contaminated meat came from the HESC, as a precautionary measure we burned all meat in our fridges too.
We rigorously cleaned and sterilized all open areas with chlorine, and brought in fresh drinking water from the borehole.
No meat is currently being allowed in or out of the lowveld area.
The northern region of the Kruger National Park is currently experiencing an anthrax outbreak of its own. Outbreaks of this nature are a natural occurrence in the northern Kruger ecosystem and occur approximately every ten years.
They are usually linked to high buffalo and kudu population densities during dry periods, and the arrival of the first summer rains generally puts an end to these outbreaks.
The State Veterinary Services and SANParks ranger staff will carry out continuous surveillance and monitoring of the outbreak until the matter is resolved.
It is important to note that there is absolutely no disease risk to staff or tourists, unless they handle or consume material from infected carcasses.
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Most species develop a rapidly fatal septicemia that results in sudden deaths. There are effective vaccines against anthrax, and some forms of the disease respond well to antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of the disease vary depending on how it was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days.
Click here to learn more.
