VIVERRID (Viverridae) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Animal Welfare Committee Viverrids (Viverridae) Care Manual Viverrids (Viverridae) 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. Viverrids (Viverridae) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. p.107. Original Completion Date: 23 July 2007, revised January 2010 Authors and Significant contributors: Jan Reed-Smith, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Celeste (Dusty) Lombardi, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Mike Maslanka, Smithsonian’s National Zoo Barbara Henry, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Mindy Stinner, Conservators’ Center, Inc. Scott Roberton, Owston’s Civet Conservation Program See Appendix M for additional contributors. AZA Staff Editors: Lacey Byrnes, B.S., ACM Intern Candice Dorsey, Ph.D., Director, Animal Conservation Reviewers: Thanks go to all internal reviewers (AZA SCTAG members, AZA Animal Health Committee, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Mike Delaney, Dawn Neptune, and Anneke Moresco-SCTAG Veterinary Advisor) and the members of the AZA for their time and effort in creating and reviewing this document. Special thanks to the external reviewers: Dr. Lesley Dickie (Zoological Society of London) and Dr. Kristofer M. Helgen (Smithsonian Institution) for taking the time to share their expertise and to Mindy Stinner for her extensive participation in this project. Also thanks to Debborah Colbert Ph.D. (AZA, Vice President of Animal Conservation) and Paul Boyle Ph.D. (AZA, Senior Vice President of Conservation and Education). Cover Photo Credits: Tassilo Rau 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 Viverrids (Viverridae) Care Manual Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Taxonomic Classification ...................................................................................................................... 5 Genus, Species, and Status ................................................................................................................. 5 General Information ............................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Temperature and Humidity ............................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Light ................................................................................................................................................. 10 1.3 Water and Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Sound and Vibration ..................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2. Habitat Design and Containment .................................................................................. 11 2.1 Space and Complexity .................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Safety and Containment ............................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 3. Transport ............................................................................................................................. 18 3.1 Preparations ................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2 Protocols ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 4. Social Environment ........................................................................................................... 20 4.1 Group Structure and Size ............................................................................................................ 20 4.2 Influence of Others and Conspecifics ........................................................................................ 21 4.3 Introductions and Reintroductions .............................................................................................. 22 Chapter 5. Nutrition ............................................................................................................................... 23 5.1 Nutritional Requirements .............................................................................................................. 23 5.2 Diets ................................................................................................................................................ 25 5.3 Nutritional Evaluations .................................................................................................................. 32 Chapter 6. Veterinary Care .................................................................................................................. 34 6.1 Veterinary Services ....................................................................................................................... 34 6.2 Identification Methods ................................................................................................................... 36 6.3 Transfer Examination and Diagnostic Testing Recommendations ........................................ 36 6.4 Quarantine ...................................................................................................................................... 37 6.5 Preventive Medicine ...................................................................................................................... 38 6.6 Capture, Restraint, and Immobilization ...................................................................................... 43 6.7 Management of Diseases, Disorders, Injuries and/or Isolation.............................................. 44 Chapter 7. Reproduction ...................................................................................................................... 46 7.1 Reproductive Physiology and Behavior ..................................................................................... 46 7.2 Assisted Reproductive Technology ............................................................................................ 46 7.3 Pregnancy and Parturition ........................................................................................................... 47 7.4 Birthing Facilities ........................................................................................................................... 47 7.5 Assisted Rearing ........................................................................................................................... 48 7.6 Contraception ................................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter 8. Behavior Management ..................................................................................................... 52 8.1 Animal Training .............................................................................................................................. 52 8.2 Environmental Enrichment ........................................................................................................... 53 8.3 Staff and Animal Interactions ...................................................................................................... 55 8.4 Staff Skills and Training ................................................................................................................ 55 Chapter 9. Program Animals ............................................................................................................... 56 9.1 Program Animal Policy ................................................................................................................. 56 9.2 Institutional Program Animal Plans............................................................................................. 57 Association of Zoos and Aquariums 3 Viverrids (Viverridae)