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Cage restraints for rhinoceroses
Author(s) -
Schaffer Nan E.,
Walasek John G.,
Hall David C.,
Bryant William M.,
Reed Mark C.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1998)17:4<343::aid-zoo7>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - rhinoceros , biology , captive breeding , semen collection , reproductive physiology , zoology , ecology , endangered species , pregnancy , genetics , artificial insemination , habitat , endocrinology
Captive breeding programs for the rhinoceros can be enhanced by studying their reproductive physiology. To do so requires repetitive manipulations under physically controlled circumstances. To facilitate these procedures, zoos throughout the world have constructed restraint devices, or chutes. Chute designs are usually determined by the space in which they are to be situated and the budget available for their construction. In this study, eight chute designs at seven institutions were compared for efficiency in controlling rhinoceroses during ultrasonography, semen collection, and blood sampling. Procedures were conducted on 16 rhinoceroses of four species: the white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum simum ), the black ( Diceros bicornis ), the greater one‐horned Asian ( Rhinoceros unicornis ), and the Sumatran ( Dicerorhinus sumatrensis ). Chutes were evaluated for dimensions, fabricating materials, procedures to be attempted, and structural features such as shoulder restraints. Permanent, indoor, side‐adjustable, pass‐through chutes were determined to be the most efficient and convenient type because they saved time and reduced stress on the animals. Zoo Biol 17:343–359, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.