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

I. Social Considerations

II.Medical Considerations

III.Maternal Training

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

Unique Challenges

Subordinate group member status

Sole previous pregnancy resulted in stillbirth

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

I. Social Considerations

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

II. Medical Considerations

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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III. Maternal Training

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

Questions?