|
|
Citation:
Hartup, B. K., and R. Phillips. 2022. Summary of mortality among captive cranes at the International Crane Foundation: 2000-2020. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 15:146-149.
Abstract:
We reviewed mortalities of captive cranes at the International Crane Foundation (ICF) between 2000 and 2020
to provide broad insights into contemporary factors affecting the collection’s health and survival. Sixty-three deaths were
documented in 13 of 15 crane species held in the ICF collection. The mean annual mortality during the study was 2.6% and the
mean age (±SD) at death was 28.4 (±12.7) years. The overall total number of deaths of males and females was similar, but there
was an association between sex and death of adult versus geriatric (>25 years) cranes (P < 0.01); males were more likely to die
at geriatric age than females. Deaths were commonly associated with chronic health and management problems (n = 44, 79%)
versus problems with an acute onset (n = 12, 21%). Common causes of death in captive cranes were due to musculoskeletal
problems (44%), trauma (9%), and neoplastic disease (8%). Infectious pathogens were associated with respiratory (6%),
reproductive (4%), and gastrointestinal (2%) deaths. Our findings add to previous reviews of mortality among captive cranes
by detailing problems associated with progressive aging of individuals in the ICF collection.
The North American Crane Working Group provides free and open access to articles in Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop. No additional permission is required for unrestricted use, distribution, or reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work here is properly cited. Complete Proceedings are also available for download or purchase.
© 2022 North American Crane Working Group
| |
