Causes of mortality in captive Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) at the San Antonio Zoo, 1997-2000

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2002 Sep;33(3):236-41. doi: 10.1638/1042-7260(2002)033[0236:COMICA]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

Necropsy records for 102 Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) that had been captive-reared and had died at the San Antonio Zoo over a 4-yr period were evaluated to determine the causes of mortality. Gross necropsy, histopathology, and bacterial culture findings are summarized. Mortality was highest in young birds (<6 mo) and embryos. Husbandry- and gastrointestinal-related diseases were the most common causes of mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo*
  • Bird Diseases / congenital
  • Bird Diseases / mortality*
  • Birds / embryology
  • Birds / injuries
  • Cause of Death*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / abnormalities
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / mortality
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary