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MUSTELID (Mustelidae) CARE MANUAL

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MUSTELID (Mustelidae) CARE MANUAL MUSTELID (Mustelidae) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Animal Welfare Committee Mustelid (Mustelidae) Care Manual Mustelid (Mustelidae) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Small Carnivore TAG 2010. Mustelid (Mustelidae) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. p.136. Original Completion Date: 29 July 2008, revised January 2010 Authors and Significant contributors: Jan Reed-Smith, Mustelid ACM Coordinator, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Celeste (Dusty) Lombardi, Small Carnivore TAG Chair, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Mike Maslanka, Smithsonian’s National Zoo Barbara Henry, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Anneke Moresco, UC Davis, University of California Kerrin Grant, Dept. of Forest, Range & Wildlife Sciences, Utah State University AZA Staff Editors: Lacey Byrnes, B.S., ACM Intern Candice Dorsey, Ph.D., Director, Animal Conservation Felicia Spector, M.A., ACM Intern Reviewers: Thanks go to all internal reviewers (AZA Small Carnivore TAG members, AZA Animal Health Committee; AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Don Moore, Katie Kimble, John Carnio) and the members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for their time and effort in creating, reviewing, and using the Mustelid Care Manual. Special thanks to the external reviewers for taking the time to share their expertise: Dr. Gilbert Proulx, Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd. Dr. John Organ, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dr. Rachel Santymire, Endocrinologist, Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology Dr. Candice Dorsey, AZA Director of Animal Conservation Dr. Debborah Colbert, AZA, Vice President of Animal Conservation Dr. Paul Boyle, AZA, Senior Vice President of Conservation and Education Cover Photo Credits: Deb Arndt – wolverine; Peg Dwyer - fisher Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in animal care and welfare. The manual should be considered a work in progress, since practices continue to evolve through advances in scientific knowledge. The use of information within this manual should be in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning the care of animals. While some government laws and regulations may be referenced in this manual, these are not all-inclusive nor is this manual intended to serve as an evaluation tool for those agencies. The recommendations included are not meant to be exclusive management approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and may require adaptation to meet the specific needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in each institution. Commercial entities and media identified are not necessarily endorsed by AZA. The statements presented throughout the body of the manual do not represent AZA standards of care unless specifically identified as such in clearly marked sidebar boxes. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2 Mustelid (Mustelidae) Care Manual Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5 Taxonomic Classification ........................................................................................................ 5 Genus, Species, and Status ................................................................................................... 5 General Information ............................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1. Ambient Environment ...........................................................................................12 1.1 Temperature and Humidity ..............................................................................................12 1.2 Light ................................................................................................................................12 1.3 Water and Air Quality ......................................................................................................13 1.4 Sound and Vibration ........................................................................................................13 Chapter 2. Habitat Design and Containment .........................................................................14 2.1 Space and Complexity ....................................................................................................14 2.2 Safety and Containment ..................................................................................................18 Chapter 3. Transport ...............................................................................................................21 3.1 Preparations ....................................................................................................................21 3.2 Protocols .........................................................................................................................21 Chapter 4. Social Environment .............................................................................................24 4.1 Group Structure and Size ................................................................................................24 4.2 Influence of Others and Conspecifics ..............................................................................24 4.3 Introductions and Reintroductions ...................................................................................25 Chapter 5. Nutrition.................................................................................................................26 5.1 Nutritional Requirements .................................................................................................26 5.2 Diets ................................................................................................................................30 5.3 Nutritional Evaluations .....................................................................................................38 Chapter 6. Veterinary Care .....................................................................................................39 6.1 Veterinary Services .........................................................................................................39 6.2 Identification Methods .....................................................................................................41 6.3 Transfer Examination and Diagnostic Testing Recommendations ...................................41 6.4 Quarantine ......................................................................................................................41 6.5 Preventive Medicine ........................................................................................................43 6.6 Capture, Restraint, and Immobilization ............................................................................48 6.7 Management of Diseases, Disorders, Injuries and/or Isolation ........................................50 Chapter 7. Reproduction ........................................................................................................56 7.1 Reproductive Physiology and Behavior ...........................................................................56 7.2 Assisted Reproductive Technology .................................................................................58 7.3 Pregnancy and Parturition ...............................................................................................59 7.4 Birthing Facilities .............................................................................................................60 7.5 Assisted Rearing .............................................................................................................63 7.6 Contraception ..................................................................................................................70 Chapter 8. Behavior Management ..........................................................................................72 8.1 Animal Training ...............................................................................................................72 8.2 Environmental Enrichment ..............................................................................................73 8.3 Staff and Animal Interactions ...........................................................................................76 8.4 Staff Skills and Training ...................................................................................................76 Chapter 9. Program Animals ..................................................................................................78 9.1 Program Animal Policy ....................................................................................................78 9.2 Institutional Program Animal Plans ..................................................................................79 9.3 Program Evaluation .........................................................................................................81 Chapter 10. Research .............................................................................................................82 10.1 Known Methodologies ...................................................................................................82
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