Global Impact Journal: Zoological Research

Evaluation of Tissue Concentrations and Liver Histopathology Following Single and Multiple Doses of Itraconazole via Immersion Bath in Panamanian Golden Frogs (Atelopus zeteki)

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Itraconazole is an antifungal drug used to treat chytridiomycosis, one of the leading causes of global amphibian decline in species such as the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki). Despite its widespread use for prophylaxis and treatment in both assurance colonies and free-ranging amphibians, there is minimal pharmacologic information to guide dosing. In experiment A, frogs were exposed to 0.01% itraconazole for 10 min and tissue samples were analyzed at various time points from 1 to 84 h. In experiment B, frogs were divided into six groups and exposed to itraconazole in different combinations of concentration (0.01% or 0.001%) and time (5, 10, or 15 min) over 10 days of treatment. Tissue concentrations were quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography. In experiment A, following a one-time dose, itraconazole concentrations remained high until the end of the experiment at 84 h. In experiment B, at 0.01% itraconazole daily for 10 days, skin and liver concentrations were high and increased substantially over the 10-day treatment course. Frogs exposed at the lower concentration (0.001%) had tissue
concentrations that appeared to remain steady. At the reported doses over 10 days, there was no histologic evidence of hepatic toxicity, although one frog was found dead in the low-dose bath at 84 h and could not be further analyzed. This experiment is an excellent example of assurance colonies providing evidence-based information for the improved care and welfare of amphibians in order to prepare for future free-ranging populations.

The Making of a Flagship: Nile Lechwe Kobus megaceros in Rome’s Giardino Zoologico

Spartaco Gippoliti, Dario Fraschetti — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Antelopes are a crucial part of Western fascination with African ecosystems but are generally well behind other charismatic species. The Nile lechwe Kobus megaceros is a threatened antelope endemic to the Sudd Swamps in Southern Sudan and to neighbouring Ethiopia. It is currently managed as an ex-situ population by both the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria). Currently, more than thirty European institutions keep the species, while in the 1990s only a handful of European zoos kept it. The foundations of this success story lay partially on the initiatives carried out in the last decades of the 20th century by the staff of the Giardino Zoologico di Roma (now Bioparco), where the species had been kept since 1959 and where in the 1990s one of the then largest European breeding groups of this species was formed. This paper aims to gather all the data, both from published and unpublished sources, on the management and development of this species in the Giardino Zoologico di Roma in the second half of the twentieth century, and to highlight the research, education, and conservation initiatives started by ungulate curator Elisabetta Falchetti. The history of post-World War II Nile lechwe populations in zoos is also discussed. The ex-situ initiatives on the Nile lechwe are also discussed in light of its potential role as a flagship species for the conservation of the wetland ecosystems of South Sudan, which are often overlooked in the education messages conveyed by zoos. This case study illustrates how ex-situ populations may integrate a scientific perspective with a broader cultural and environmental vision so that zoological gardens enhance their conservation message behind the usual flagship species.

You Otter Not Talk: A Preliminary Study of Asian Small-Clawed Otter Vocalizations and Activity in the Presence of Visitors and Staff

Paige Klingner, Bridget Cooper-Rogers, Eduardo J. Fernandez — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Otters spend a considerable amount of time vocalizing within zoos and other captive settings. Although associations between these vocalizations and social activity have been investigated prior, it is not always clear how this is reflected in interactions with people under typical zoo conditions, including interactions with zoo visitors and staff. In addition, the implications for zoo welfare and their relation to vocalizing are also not clear, warranting greater investigation to identify potential future welfare metrics for otter species. We examined zoo Asian smallclawed otter vocalizations and general activity in the presence of people, including both visitors and staff. Our focus was on measuring vocalizations as a binomial response (yes/no) in relation to two variables: (a) people, and (b) time. In addition, we alsomeasured differences in vocalizations during sessions, when visitors were present with or without staff. Finally, we measured general otter activity during sessions when 50%ormore of the observation intervals had people present (More People), as opposed to sessions where less than 50% of all intervals had a person present (Less People). Overall, otters were statistically more active and less out of sight when more people were present; a weak to moderate correlation was observed between vocalizations and people, a weak correlation was observed between vocalizations and time, and there was no statistically significant difference in vocalizations of the otters in the presence of visitors regardless of staff presence. These results suggest that the measured variables showed no evidence of an overtly negative visitor effect for the otters and may have produced a potentially enriching effect. In addition, measuring multiple variables, including time of day, diurnal patterns, feeding patterns, weather, and providing experimental control could aid in identifying the potential visitor effect for otters and other zoo animals.

Spice-Based Olfactory Enrichment Increases Behavioural Diversity in Captive Felids: Individual Responses and Practical Implementation

Neville Pillay, Claire Reddy — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Olfactory enrichment is recommended for captive felids, but systematic evidence on practical implementation in multiple species and institutions is limited. We evaluated a simple, keeper-safe scent diffuser delivering spice-based odours to captive lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), jaguars (Panthera onca), leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and pumas (Puma concolor) at two zoological institutions in Johannesburg, South Africa. Behaviour was recorded during baseline and scent-exposure conditions in 23 individuals. Behavioural diversity (number of distinct behaviours per 15-min session) was the primary outcome. Engagement duration, latency to approach and individual response consistency were also quantified. Animals were exposed to a compound spice blend and four component spices (coriander, paprika, black pepper and garlic) and subsequently to decreasing concentrations of their most preferred scent. Behavioural diversity increased significantly during scent exposure at both institutions (1.9 times greater at Lory Park and 1.8 times greater at Johannesburg Zoo), with large effect sizes at both sites (Cohen’s d ≥ 1.2). Spice type did not significantly affect behavioural diversity, but individual animals showed consistent engagement preferences, approach latencies and response profiles during repeated exposures. Full odour concentrations showed significantly longer engagement durations than low concentrations at both institutions (approximately twofold at Lory Park and threefold at Johannesburg Zoo), but behavioural diversity did not differ significantly between concentration levels. No significant species differences were detected, indicating that assessment by individuals is more informative than species level predictions for enrichment planning. Spice-based diffusers provide a practical, low-cost enrichment tool suitable for multi-institutional implementation. Moreover, enrichment programmes should be evaluated and tailored at the individual animal level.

Is Distance a Reward? Using Operant Conditioning Integrating Negative and Positive Reinforcement to Reduce Aggression in Tigers (Panthera tigris) Under Human Care

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Managing tigers (Panthera tigris) under human care poses significant risks, particularly with individuals exhibiting aggressive behaviors. Although operant conditioning is widely recommended, structured protocols for reducing aggression in large carnivores remain scarce in the literature. This study investigated the efficacy of a constructional approach, using negative reinforcement as a methodological bridge to positive reinforcement in three adult tigers with a history of generalized aggression. The intervention was based on functional distance applied through negative reinforcement by the trainer’s withdrawal as a consequence of the desired behavior, where the researcher’s presence acted as a functional stimulus and strategic retreat was contingent upon micro-behaviors of calmness. This methodology allowed the animals to exert control over the social interaction, facilitating a systematic transition to positive reinforcement and strengthening voluntary approximation. The results indicated a significant reduction in agonistic responses and a rapid transition toward cooperative behaviors. This work provides detailed evidence on how the constructional approach can overcome food refusal and establish a secure training foundation. We conclude that the protocol offers a replicable methodological framework for managing aggression in wild animals initially resistant to traditional methods, promoting safety and welfare through structured behavioral interactions.