engleski

Haematological and biochemical indicators in Croatian free-ranging brown bears or how to sample a bear

Haematological (H) and biochemical (B) values are important to assess the health of animals on individual and population levels, as well as nutritional status, environmental stressors and habitat quality. In Croatia, capturing and radio-collaring of brown bears have been part of brown bear research since 1981. In this study we present the results of H and B values in 13 captured and radio collared brown bears in 2015-2017. The aim of this study was to assess the health status of the animals by determing H (14 values) and B (20 values) indicators, and to compare them with the available literature. In Gorski kotar, 5 bears (males) were captured and radio-collared as part of the LIFE DINALP BEAR project activities. Eight bears (3 females, 5 males) were captured and radio- collared in the Plitvice Lakes National Park as a part of the Park’s bear project activities. Bears were captured using spring activated foot snares, baited with corn, apples and roe deer carcasses, and they were immobilized by a combination of tiletamine and zolazepam hydrochloride with medetomidine hydrochloride. Bears were ftted with GPS-collars with a time (3 years) and remote controlled drop off system. The bears were clinically healthy. The study was conducted on 13 blood samples. Within H values, only the white blood cell count (WBC) was higher than that reported in the available literature (23.2 x109/L vs. 12.9 x109/L). Results for 7 B values were higher than those reported in the literature (urea: 7.7mmol/L vs. 0.4-4.0 mmol/L ; aspartate aminotransferase, AST: 368 U/L vs. 101 U/L ; alanine aminotransferase, ALT: 68 U/L vs. 12-41 U/L ; creatinine kinase: 5078 U/L vs. 342 U/L ; lactate dehydrogenase: 1893 U/L vs. 421-1060 U/L ; α-amylase: 300 U/L vs. 22.6 U/L ; lipase: 170 U/L vs. 9-158 U/L). Females (N=3) had a signifcantly higher number of erythrocytes and AST, ALT and γ-glutamyl transferase activities than males (N=11). The obtained differences may be due to differences in bear habitats. According to the results, we recommend taking all possible measures to shorten the time from capture by snare until immobilization of the bears.

hematologican and biochemical indocators, brown bear

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