Vaginal temperature and collar activity variations in relation to fecal progestagens of captive moose

Background Timing of reproductive events can be crucial for a species' population growth and stability. Accurate detection of reproductive phenology presents a challenge to scientists studying wild species, including moose (Alces alces). Currently, there are several established methods for monitoring reproductive activity and events in domestic ruminants, including the use of biologging devices. The main objective of this study was to determine whether female moose display a distinct thermal and activity pattern associated with luteal activity during the estrous cycle, which could be used to determine the onset of their breeding season. We deployed biologging devices and collected fecal samples from 12 captive female moose on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA to explore variation in vaginal temperature and collar activity and the relationship between these variables and fecal progestagen concentrations. Fecal samples were collected from mid-August to mid-October and analyzed using radioimmunoassay to determine the concentration of fecal progestagens to classify luteal activity.Results Captive female moose displayed an identifiable thermal pattern during the onset of luteal activity from mid-September to mid-October, associated with the initial estrous cycle of their breeding season. In contrast, we did not observe a distinct pattern in activity during this period. Recurring patterns in both vaginal temperature and activity were identified between mid-October and mid-November, however, which were likely associated with subsequent estrous cycles but not included in our fecal sampling period.Conclusions This study supports that female moose display an identifiable pattern in vaginal temperature which is associated with luteal activity of the initial estrous cycle of the breeding season. An identifiable pattern was observed for both vaginal temperature and activity registrations at the presumed timing of subsequent estrous cycle of the breeding season

Development and utilization of implantable cardiac monitors in free-ranging American black and Eurasian brown bears: System evolution and lessons learned

Biologgers can be used to monitor both human and animal physiology and behaviors, activity patterns, and/or environmental stressors. Monitoring of heart rates and rhythms, respiratory patterns, and activity in free-ranging bears can provide unique insights into physiological mechanisms. Such research can also influence the conservation of wildlife, the management of human-wildlife conflicts, and potentially human medicine. Here we describe our experiences with the development and utilization of three generations of implantable biologgers in American black and Eurasian brown bears (Ursus americanus and Ursus arctos arctos). These devices have enabled novel investigations into the underlying mechanisms for winter survival, including the discovery of an extreme respiratory sinus arrhythmias that acts to conserve energy while providing adequate circulation to maintain alertness (i.e., "fight or flight" behaviors). Extreme variations in heart rate have also been documented, including a 33.8s asystole and a 261beats/min sinus tachycardia in black bears and a 39.4s asystole and a 240beats/min sinus tachycardia in brown bears. Long-term data recording has also identified annual trends in heart rates and activity in both species. Combining physiological data with concurrent GPS collar locations provided insights into the impacts of human and environmental stressors (hunting, predation by other bears, road crossings, drones), which would not have been apparent through spatial data analysis alone. More recently, short-range wireless telemetry has allowed for real-time streaming of data via telemetry stations placed in remote den locations. Future iterations include transponders for biomonitoring and as an early warning system to aid in the prevention of poaching in free-ranging animals. In this review, we discuss the primary experimental capabilities of the current and next-generation systems. We highlight device evolution in terms of new physiological measurements (e.g., temperature, activity, impedance, posture), increased data storage capacity, improved wireless capabilities, and miniaturization to reduce the invasiveness of implantation procedures. These biologgers are now being applied to other species, and the possibilities seem limitless as technologies continue to advance

X-ray screening of donated wild game is insufficient to protect children from lead exposure

Worldwide hunters distribute game meat as a gesture of community bonding and as an essential nutritional resource for those facing food insecurity, especially among children and adolescents. Nonetheless, the risk of lead (Pb) contamination from lead-based bullets is not widely acknowledged. Although medical radiography (X-ray) is the standard method to detect lead in meat donations, its efficacy in conclusively identifying lead contamination in game meat samples remains unknown. To address this deficiency, hunters-provided game meat samples were analyzed using both X-ray and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). By ICP-MS, 48% of these samples contained lead levels exceeding the daily intake benchmarks for children, including the samples in which no lead was identified by X-ray screening. This finding means that food insecure individuals need to make an unenviable decision between risking lead exposure in donated meat or forgoing a potentially critical food source

PENGEMBANGAN PROGRAM PEMBELAJARAN KETERAMPILAN OTOMOTIF PADA SISWA TUNAGRAHITA KELAS XII DI SKhN 02 LEBAK

Pembelajaran keterampilan otomotif pada siswa tunagrahita tingkat SMAKh telah dilaksanakan dengan baik di SKh Negeri 02 Lebak, akan tetapi masih terdapat beberapa hal yang perlu dikembangkan. Program pembelajaran yang selama ini digunakan diadopsi dari kurikulum yang belum disesuaikan dengan kemampuan siswa. Sehingga berbagai kesulitan dialami oleh siswa tunagrahita dalam mengikuti pelaksanaan pembelajaran dan kompetensi yang dicapai tidak optimal. Untuk itu penulis melakukan ekplorasi dan analisis terhadap pelaksanaan pembelajaran keterampilan otomotif pada siwa kelas XII di SKhN 02 Lebak. Kemudian merumuskan dan melaksanakan program pembelajaran keterampilan otomotif pada siswa tunagrahita di SKhN 02 Lebak. Diharapkan dapat membantu guru dalam pelaksanaan pembelajaran keterampilan otomotif pada siswa tunagrahita kelas XII di SKhN 02 Lebak dan kompetensi yang dicapai siswa lebih optimal. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah researchand development, dengan dua tahapan penelitian. Tahap pertama perumusan program dan tahap kedua pelaksanaan program. Hasil implementasi program yang telah dilaksanakan menunjukan bahwa program tersebut dapat bermanfaat dan berguna bagi guru dan siswa tunagrahita kelas XII di SKhN 02 Lebak. Adapun manfaat bagi guru antara lain: program ini dapat digunaan sebagai acuan dalam proses pembelajaran; program ini dapat membantu guru dalam perencanaan, pelaksanaan, dan evaluasi pembelajaran; dan program ini dapat membantu guru dalam merencanakan tindak lanjut setelah pelaksanaan pembelajaran. Sedangkan dari sisi siswa, setelahmengikuti pelaksanaan program keterampilan otomotif inisiswa memperoleh bekal keterampilan dalam: mencuci motor, tambal ban, dan mengganti ban sepeda motor. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi acuan dan bahan pertimbangan bagi guru dalam memberikan pembelajaran keterampilan otomotif pada siswa tunagrahita. --- Automotive skills learning process on students with mental disability has been implemented well at SKhN 02 Lebak but there are several issues that needs to be developed. Learning program that has been utilized, adopted from the curriculum that has not been adjusted to students’ capacity. Hence, there are some difficulties, which students with mental disability have to face in conducting the learning process and the targeted competency is cannot be reached optimally. For this reason, the writer conducted exploration and analysis towards the implementation of automotive skill learning process on twelfth grader students with mental disability at SKhN 02 Lebak. The writer formulated and conducted automotive skill learning process on twelfth grader students with mental disability at SKhN 02 Lebak. It is expected that this research can help the teachers in implementing automotive skill learning process on twelfth grader students with mental disability at SKhN 02 Lebak and the students’ competency can be reached optimally. The method used on this research is research and development with two steps of research. The first step is program formulation and the second step is the implementation of the research. The result of program implementation that has been conducted has proven useful and helpful for students with mental disability at SKhN 02 Lebak. The advantage of this program for the teachers is helping them to plan, implement, and evaluate the learning process. For the students, this program helps them to achieve the skill in washing the motorbike, patch tires (tambal ban), change motorbike’s tire. The result of this research is expected to be a benchmark and consideration for the teachers in giving automotive skill learning process on students with mental disability

Immobilization of free-ranging moose (Alces alces) with medetomidine-ketamine and remobilization with atipamezole

Seventeen free-ranging moose {Alces alces) (2 adult males, 13 adult females and 2 female calves) were immobilized with a combination of medetomidine hydochloride (MED) and ketamine hydrochloride (KET) in early autumn (August-September). Drugs were administrated with plastic projectile syringes fired from a dart gun, either from a car or by approaching the animals on foot. MED at 30 mg/adult and 15 mg/calf in combination with KET at 400 mg/adult and 200 mg/calf induced complete immobilization with sternal or lateral recumbency and loss of the corneal reflex in all individuals. The mean ± SD time from darting to when the animals were found was 18.3 ± 8.7 min for adults and the mean distance covered by these animals between darting and recumbency was 320 + 200 m. No side effects of clinical significance were detected and registration of the rectal temperature (38.8 ± 0.5°C), heart rate (44 ± 7 beats/min), respiratory rate (31 ±20 breaths/min) and relative arterial oxygen saturation (89 ± 3 %, n=8) during immobilization in adults showed that these physiological parameters were within the safe ranges established for moose. Blood samples from adults were analyzed for 17 haematological and 33 serum biochemical constituents and the results were compared to corresponding values found in moose immobilized with etorphine (ETO). Although the lower levels (p<0.05) found for haematocrit, red blood cells, haemoglobin and Cortisol in the MED-KET group may indicate a difference in the stress response, the low muscle enzyme levels in both groups show that these immobilizing drugs and capture methods induce very little physical stress in moose. A hyperglycaemic response was found in MED-KET treated animals. Atipamezole hydrochloride (ATI) rapidly remobilized all animals and the time elapsing from ATI administration to standing was 3-9 ± 1.8 min after i.v./s.c. treatment (n=7) and 6.9 ± 3.4 min after i.m./s.c. injection (n=8). No side effects were detected after reversal. In conclusion, medetomidine-ketamine and atipamezole can be recommended for reversible immobilization of free-ranging moose in early autumn

The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear (Ursus arctos) movement and physiology

Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling. Determining the severity and duration of these interventions on the animal’s physiology and behaviour allows for refining study methodology and for excluding or accounting for biased data. In this study, 39 Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) captured either while hibernating in winter or via helicopter in summer and that underwent surgery as part of a human health project had their movement, body temperature and timing of onset of hibernation compared with those of 14 control bears that had not been captured during the same period. Bears captured in winter and summer showed decreased movement from den exit until late summer, compared to those in the control group. Bears captured in summer showed reduced movement and body temperature for at least, respectively, 14 and 3 days, with an 11% decrease in hourly distance, compared to pre-capture levels, but did not differ in the timing of hibernation onset. We reveal that brown bear behaviour and physiology can be altered in response to capture and surgery for days to months, postcapture. This has broad implications for the conclusions of wildlife studies that rely upon invasive sampling

Effects of medetomidine and atipamezole on serum glucose and cortisol levels in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Serum concentrations of glucose and Cortisol were measured in five adult captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) at 24 h and 10 min before, and at 0.5, 1,2,4, 8, 12 and 24 h after, treatment with 60 p.g/kg of medetomidine i.v. followed by 300 jig/kg of atipamezole i.v. 60 min later. The experiments were performed in January and repeated in July-August. The animals were used as their own controls and treated with saline in July-August. The wash-out period between experiments in summer was 2 weeks or more. No obvious seasonal differences were observed. Mederomidine induced a 2.5-fold increase in glucose (mean ± standard error of the mean being 15.4 ± 0.6 mmol/1 at 1 h) and a 3.5-fold increase Cortisol (349 ± 28 nmol/1 at 0.5 h). Serum glucose reached control levels within 12 h, and Cortisol declined to baseline levels within 4 h after injection og medetomidine. The use of blood concentrations of glucose and Cortisol to assess nutritonal status, body condition and stress may be significantly biased in animals chemically immobilized with medetomidine or other alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists

Chemical capture of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) with medetomidine-ketamine

Seventeen free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) (12 calves and 5 yearling hinds) were immobilized with a combination of medetomidine hydrochloride (MED) and ketamine hydrochloride (KET) in winter (January-March). Immobilizations were performed with plastic projectile syringes fired from a dart gun. Mean (SD) doses of 0.147 (0.024) mg MED/kg and 2.5 (0.4) mg KET/kg induced recumbency in 5.0 (2.0) minutes in the calves and all of them were completely immobilized. The initial doses in the yearling hinds were 0.099 (0.016) mg MED/kg and 1.9 (0.2) mg KET/kg but three of them required addirional dosing for induction of reliable restraint. The distance covered by the animals between darting and recumbency ranged from 40-250 m for calves and 100-300 m for yearling hinds. The animals were translocated to deer farms for breeding purposes and were given 12.5-25.0 mg of atipamezole hydrochloride before transportation. All animals recovered completely. Haematological and serum biochemical comparisons between free-ranging calves immobilized with medetomidine-ketamine (n=3) and captive unmedicated calves (n=4) showed that chemical capture induce very little stress in red deer

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Lead-based ammunition (gunshot and bullets) frequently leaves small lead fragments embedded in the meat of wild-shot game animals. Australia produces several commercial game meat products from wild animals harvested with lead-based ammunition and has a growing population of recreational hunters. However, no studies have previously investigated the frequency of lead fragments or lead concentrations in Australian game meat. We examined 133 Australian minced game meat items of four types for evidence of lead contamination. Samples were meat from kangaroos (Macropus and Osphranter spp.; n=36) and Bennett's wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus; n=28) sold for human consumption, and deer ('venison'; multiple spp.; n=32) and stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis; n=37) harvested for private consumption by recreational hunters. All packages were studied by digital radiography to detect the presence of radio-dense fragments, assumed to be lead fragments from ammunition. Visible fragments were absent in commercially available kangaroo products, but were present in 4%, 28% and 35% of wallaby, venison and quail, respectively. Mean meat lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were 0.01 +/- 0.01 for kangaroo, 0.02 +/- 0.01 for wallaby, 0.12 +/- 0.07 for venison, and 1.76 +/- 3.76 for quail. The Australian food standards threshold for livestock meat (0.1 mg/kg w.w.) was not exceeded by any kangaroo or wallaby products but was exceeded by 53% and 86% of venison and quail, respectively. Radiography only detected 35% of samples that were above the food safety threshold. While average lead concentrations in commercially available macropod (kangaroo and wallaby) meat were low, those in recreationally harvested game meat may pose health risks for hunters and associated consumers