Causes of mortality in sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) housed in U.S. zoos
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2018 |
Authors: |
Kadie Anderson, Michael M Garner, Patricia M Dennis |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research |
Keywords: |
biliary adenocarcinoma, disease, melursus ursinus, mortality, sloth bear |
ISBN: |
2214-7594 |
Abstract:
A retrospective mortality review was performed of necropsy records from 1905-2015 to determine the mortality trends present for the captive U.S. sloth bear ( Melursus ursinus ) population. Records were obtained for 68 bears from 17 institutions. Neonates had an average age at death of 7 days (median 0 days). Neonatal mortality accounted for a significant proportion of reviewed cases (29.4%) and was most often due to stillbirth and infectious disease. Juvenile mortality was uncommon (2.9%). The average age at death for adult bears was 16.7 yr, with females surviving a few years longer than males. Biliary adenocarcinoma was the leading cause of death for adult bears (58.7-65.2%) with no apparent gender predilection. Possible causative factors for the high frequency of biliary adenocarcinoma in sloth bears are proposed and compared to other species including humans.