Veterinary assessment for free-ranging Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) chicks in southeastern Mongolia.

Working as a veterinarian in remote field locations can be physically and intellectually challenging. A collaborative multi-disciplinary approach is often required for successful data collection. Technologies and methodologies frequently need to be modified to work in these harsh field environments.

The crucial contribution of veterinarians to conservation biology.

Conservation biology is a relatively new (began in the 1980s), value-based discipline predicated on the belief that biological diversity-from genes to populations to species to communities to ecosystems-is good and extinction is bad. Conservation biology grew from the recognition that the Earth has entered its sixth great extinction event, one that differs from previous great extinctions in that a single species-Homo sapiens-has caused this biodiversity crisis. A diverse, interacting set of variables drive current extinctions.

25-OH-D(3), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase content in sera from captive polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs at the Denver Zoological Foundation.

After the development of rickets in two hand-reared polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs at the Denver Zoological Foundation we initiated a project opportunistically evaluating sera 25-OH-D(3), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels in seven mother-reared polar bear cubs. From one to three serum samples were obtained while the cub was still in the den with no access to natural sunlight and one after the cub exited the den. The sera 25-OH-D(3) increased as the cubs grew (108+/-37 nmol/L [n=7] while in den, 184.

Myasthenia gravis in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

A 14.6-yr-old, female, multiparous polar bear (Ursus maritimus) acutely developed an apparent hind limb weakness. Physical examination and diagnostic tests including a hemogram, serum biochemistry, electrolytes, radiographs, and myelogram did not provide a definitive diagnosis.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii).

A 22-yr-old, 86-kg, morbidly obese female orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) was immobilized and transported to the Denver Zoological Gardens hospital for a routine physical examination. Immediately after arriving at the hospital, cyanosis and apparent inadequate ventilatory efforts were noted. Clinically significant hypoxia occurred despite attempts to ventilate the orangutan through face mask, and attempts to place an endotracheal tube began.

Intracapsular lens removal in a Przewalski's wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii).

A 11.5-yr-old female Przewalski's wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii) presented for unilateral blepharitis and drainage from the left eye. The left cornea was not ulcerated, and intraocular evaluation was hampered by severe corneal edema.

Toxoplasmosis in Pallas' cats (Otocolobus felis manul) at the Denver Zoological Gardens.

In May 1996 the Denver Zoological Gardens obtained two male and two female Pallas' cats (Otocolobus felis manul) that were wild-caught in the Ukraine. These animals were part of a group of 16 wild-caught adults (eight male and eight female) imported to the United States and Canada between 1995 and 1996. The Denver Zoological Gardens cats were quarantined at the zoo hospital for approximately I mo.