RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN NORTHERN SULAWESI BABIRUSA (BABYROUSA CELEBENSIS) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGIC INSTITUTIONS FROM 1995 TO 2021.

Abstract

Northern Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) are endangered wild pigs native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Since the 1970s, babirusa have been managed and bred in zoological institutions. To date, an analysis of the medical conditions affecting this species has not been reported. A retrospective study of the causes of morbidity and mortality in babirusa managed from 1995-2021 by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions in North America was performed. Medical (149) and associated pathology records (41) from babirusa at nine institutions were reviewed. Trends associated with age, sex, cause of death, disease process, and organ system were examined. Of the 503 morbidity events, the most common systems affected were musculoskeletal (n = 184), digestive (n = 119), and integumentary (n = 106). Adult males were more likely than adult females to experience dental trauma due to the presence of large maxillary canine tusks. The study population's average lifespan was 12.1 years for animals surviving at least one year, and females lived longer than males. Inflammatory processes were the cause of death in eight individuals. Non-infectious disease processes, particularly degenerative joint disease (n = 6), neoplasia (n = 5), and anesthesia-related (n = 5) were the other common causes of death/euthanasia. Organ systems most commonly affected by disease process causing mortality were the digestive (n = 11), musculoskeletal (n = 10), cardiovascular (n = 5), and respiratory (n = 5). Given the high prevalence of degenerative joint disease, captive management of babirusa should focus on developing strategies for early diagnosis, management, and prevention of joint disease. Consideration should also be given to the high incidence of tusk trauma, which may be decreased by modifications in exhibit design.