"Birth and perinatal period represent the eye of the needle of the reproductive cycle to establish a new generation and to secure the long term survival of all rhino species," says rhino specialist Prof Robert Hermes from the Leibniz-IZW's Department of Reproduction Management. Delivering a live and healthy calf is of key importance to ensure that the resources the female invested are not lost in the very last minute. The reproduction cycle in rhinos covers four to six weeks of oestrous cycle, about 16 months gestation and up to six months of lactation, summing up to a total of 1.5 to 2.5 years-one of the longest reproduction cycles in terrestrial mammals. The reproductive investment of slow reproducing species such as the rhinoceros is tremendous. The results are published in the scientific journal "Theriogenology." These data significantly improves the knowledge base for birth management and obstetrics in rhinos and will help to reduce the number of stillbirths or perinatal problems in zoological gardens. Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) together with zoo veterinarians closely monitored 19 pregnant white rhinos in six European zoos and recorded timelines for pre-birth development, milk production, hormone levels, gestation length and documented the onset of parturition, different stages of labor and fetal position at birth. When exactly is a rhino offspring born? How long does the birth actually take? Does parturition proceed normally? Answers to these and similar questions are difficult for experts in zoological gardens, since baseline knowledge of the reproduction cycle of all rhinoceros species, especially its final stage, the parturition, is scarce. White rhinoceros calf 1 hour after birth in Salzburg Zoo.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |