Expecting the Unexpected: Birth Management Plan for a 20 year- old Subordinate Pongo Abelii at St. Paul’s Como Zoo By Sarah Johnson Primate Intern October 2007
Expecting the Unexpected: Birth Management Plan for a 20 year-old Subordinate Pongo Abelii at St. Paul’s Como Zoo
By Sarah Johnson
Primate Intern
October 2007
Como’s Collection
0.1 Pregnant Sumatran Orangutan, Markisa, is currently housed in a group of 2.2 other orangutans
Due date between Dec. ‘07 – Jan. ‘08
Estimation based on:
Observed copulation dates
Last observed menstruation
Goals for Birth Management Plan
Prevent medical complications through emergency preparedness
Ensure infant is parent-raised Formulate strategies for confronting possible
scenarios Establish staff responsibilities and a chain of
command
Markisa: 20 year-old Sumatran
Parent-raised No younger sibling
experience Infant experience with
other unrelated group member
Subordinate status
Jambu: 21 year-old Sumatran (Sire) Close
relationship with Markisa
Previous infant experience
Represents least threat
First in a reintroduction plan
Amanda: 30 year-old hybrid Dominant female Permanently
contracepted Previous infant exposure,
but little interest Generally positive
relationship with Markisa Second in reintroduction
plan
Willie: 8 year-old hybrid Markisa’s
preferred playmate
No experience with infants
Jealousy, inexperience biggest concerns
Joy: 32 year-old hybrid Dominant female until
recent group dynamic shift
Has raised previous infants
Staff concern that she may steal the infant
Possible surrogate
Reintroduction Strategies
Enrichment:
Liberal employment of most popular options
Emphasis on time consuming food-related activities
Awareness of potential hazards to infant
Enrichment Ideas for Reintroduction Browse Treat tubes Foraging for small
pieces of diet
Avoid: Pools of water
Heavy branches
Additional Safety Measures
Use of creep doors if smaller ape is introduced to larger ape
Diazepam to control aggressive behavior
Trial run in advance
Especially important for Joy
Previous Stillbirth Analyze signs that preceded the event
Consult with human OB/GYN
Compare to similar documented cases in the literature
Formulate potential diagnosis
Take steps to prevent reoccurrence
Stillbirth: May 2005
Initial signs of labor normal
Delay in delivery (10 days between initial signs and delivery of full-term dead neonate)
Abnormal discharge: pink then orange, odiferous
Lab results of sample indicated uterine infection, minor internal hemorrhaging
Necropsy of Neonate Lung lesions suggestive of dystocia with
aspiration of amniotic fluid and meconium
Overall postmortem condition of the fetus indicated that it had died very recently
Examination of placenta revealed necrosis and neutrophilic infiltration to deeper areas, indicating of infection
Human OB/GYN hypothesis: placenta previa
Precedent in Literature
Placenta previa Case in Medical Management of the Orangutan, 1990:
Symptoms similar to Markisa’s Resulted in death of mother from massive internal
hemorrhaging
Tentative Diagnosis:Tentative Diagnosis: placenta previaplacenta previa
When to Intervene . . .
pregnancy toxemia
lethargy or anorexia that lasts for more than 6 hours, missing a meal
uterine infectionthick, creamy, odiferous, or discolored vaginal discharge
dystociasigns of labor that last more than 6 hours
placenta previabloody vaginal discharge (especially large quantities
observed late in pregnancy)
Possible ProblemObservation
Additional Miscellaneous Medical Notes Failure of oral contraceptive due to
administration of ampicillin for severe injury
Oral contraceptives were continued for first several months of pregnancy
Metronidazole administered to treat Giardiaduring early pregnancy
Progesterone?
Nutritional Supplementation
Daily adult multivitamin exchanged for daily prenatal multivitamin
Fish oil supplementation
Image Source: https://www.premieromega3.com/index
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Maternal Training Goals
Encourage maternal behavior
Enable Markisa to move herself or an object upon request
Reduce stress during medical procedures
In progressUrine collection for pregnancy tests or general
health monitoringUrinate into PVC collection
apparatus
TrainedAllow vaginal swab to be obtainedPresent vagina
TrainedNon-invasive method to monitor weight and
general healthStand on scale
TrainedEliminate need to perform traumatic darting if
sedation requiredPresent arm for hand injection
PolishedAllow separation from group or infant if neededShift into holding
PolishedAid in ultrasounds and examinations
Present abdomen and allow it to be touched with probe or
hands
Trained
Desensitize nipple for nursing infant, aid in feeding through the mesh if infant must be
removedPresent nipple and allow it to be
manipulated
Level of MasteryBenefitBehavior
Key: Polished = any trainer can successfully request behavior; Trained = only specified trainers can successfully request the behavior; In progress = behavior is still in process of being shaped; Not trained = shaping for behavior has not yet begun
Maternal Training Behaviors and Benefits
UltrasoundStrategies: Markisa presses
abdomen to mesh Holds position for
sufficient time to visualize fetus
Small convex 6.5 MHz probe
Allow Jambu to remain in holding during sessions
UltrasoundChallenges: Acclimation to gel Lack of focus when
veterinary staff present
Small mesh holes (2 x 2 in) limit size of probe
Accessing lower abdomen
Correct placement of probe on gorilla at Busch Gardens (NOTE: probe has been modified to accommodate large abdomen)
Additional Sections of Birth Management Plan not Covered: General species gestation information
Staff roles
Pre/post partum and delivery procedures
Complete reintroduction plans
Interim hand-rearing strategies