CAMERON PARK ZOO
BIRTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
0.1BORNEAN ORANGUTAN “MEI”
STUDBOOK # 2852
Overview
0.1 Bornean Orangutan, “Mei,” is currently housed with 1.0 Bornean Orangutan, “Kerajaan.” A breeding recommendation was received from the SSP in 2012. Pregnancy was confirmed and she is expected to give birth between 10 May and 3 June of 2014. This will be Mei’s first pregnancy and infant.
Event Dates:
13 Sept 2013 – Last observed menstrual cycle date determined by hemasitx urine analysis
15 Sept 2013 – Copulation in holding stall #2 observed by keeper staff
19 Sept 2013 – Copulation in holding stall #2 observed by keeper staff
23 Sept 2013 – Copulation in holding stall #2 recorded on camera overnight
10 Oct 2013 – Labial Swelling was observed
27Oct 2013 – Nipples appeared larger and fuller
31 Oct 2013 – Clear Blue pregnancy test ran = Positive result
Alere pregnancy test ran = Positive result
First Response pregnancy test = Negative result
1 Nov 2013 – Clear Blue pregnancy test ran = Positive result
*** Expected parturition – 22 May 2014 (10 May to 3 June = 245 days +/- 12 days)
Objective
-Maximize chances of maternal-rearing by Mei
-Maximize ability to intervene if necessary
-Manage interactions between KJ, Mei and the infant, encouraging positive interactions with the ability to separate them readily if need be
-Establish Staff roles
-Establish plans for various scenarios that may arise
Relevant Social History
Mei (Studbook # 2852):
Mei is a healthy Bornean female born 1 May 1998 at Brookfield Zoo. Although this is Mei’s first pregnancy, she is parent-reared and has observed her mother give birth and rear an infant. She did try, unsuccessfully to carry her brother, “Denda.” Mei is very intelligent and has a good relationship with her keepers and mate, “Kerajaan.” Mei tends to like consistency and sometimes reacts unfavorably towards change.
Kerajaan (Studbook # 2176):
KJ is a healthy Bornean male born 11 Aug 1988 at Phoenix Zoo. He has sired previous infants and has been previously housed with various infants and juveniles. KJ is very food motivated and seems comfortable training with various individuals. He has a pretty laid back personality and most things don’t seem to bother him.
General Species Information
Parturition (Taken from Fresno Chafee Zoo/ SSP Husbandry Manual:
Reports on the duration of labor vary from 25 minutes to 4 hours depending on the health and reproductive status of the female, as well as the number of offspring she is carrying (although twinning is rare). The labor process is generally comprised of three stages. During the first stage, the female shows signs of discomfort, her activity level increases, and a clear vaginal discharge may be observed. The second phase constitutes the actual birthing process; the frequency of the contraction increases, the female may lie down (dorsally or ventrally), and the infant is expelled in a head-first orientation. The umbilicus is usually severed by the female with her teeth. The umbilicus must be carefully monitored in relation to the infant’s body to ensure it does not constrict the infant’s body in any way. Finally, during stage three, the placenta is passed. This may occur immediately or as late as several hours after parturition, it is not unusual for the female or other members of the orangutan group to eat the placenta. Any placenta tissue that is not consumed and easily retrievable should be collected in a sterile container (if possible) and given to veterinary staff for examination. Minor vaginal bleeding or continued contractions may be observed for up to several days after the birth. (Sodaro et al, 2006). As long as the amounts are small and the discharge in not abnormally odiferous or discolored, and the animal acts healthy, this is usually normal.
Mothers generally clean the mucus from the infant’s face immediately following parturition, usually with either their fingers or by suckling. Sexual behavior may also be exhibited by the female towards her neonate, such as “dorsal-dorsal mounting, oral-genital inspection and manipulation and insertion of fingers into anal-genital areas” (Sodaro et al, 2006).
Infant birth weights vary considerably, ranging from 1420 grams to 2040 grams (3.12 to 4.49 pounds) with an average of 1720 grams (3.78 pounds). They have minimal body fat at parturition, so “the rib cage is prominent and the abdomen may appear sunken” (Sodaro et al, 2006). Passage through the birth canal may cause the infant’s head to initially appear slightly misshapen (Sodaro et al, 2006). The first bowel movement is usually composed of meconium, a thick, dark stool produced in utero. Once the infant begins nursing, the stool becomes softer and pale yellow.
Lactation and Nursing (Taken from SSP Husbandry Manual):
Before birth, milk production, and even milk expression (called “milk let down”) can occur. Self-nursing during pregnancy and after birth is frequent and does not usually indicate a medical problem. Milk is present immediately after birth but breast tissue may not appear full or engorged for a few days. Colostrum (the first milk, which contains essential immunoglobulins for protection against disease) as well as milk is typically thin and watery in appearance.
Nursing bouts are normally frequent and of short duration. Suckling usually occurs within four to six hours after birth. Occasionally up to two days will pass before nursing takes place. The decision to remove the infant from its mother should be based on the physical condition and behavior of both the infant and the mother.
Diet and Supplementation during Lactation (Taken from Topeka Zoo):
During lactation energy needs doubled or tripled. It is essential that adequate levels of total calcium, with a ratio of at least two parts calcium: one part phosphorus, be provided throughout lactation. Post-parturition, diet may need to be raised due to the increased energy demands of nursing. The SSP manual suggests following the recommendation for human females by increasing the new mother’s diet by 500 kcal/day during the first six months of lactation if the female is healthy and has not put on an excess amount of weight during her pregnancy. It is imperative that the mother receives adequate concentration of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus for milk production and other biological needs. Fortunately, the requirements are typically met through commercially produced primate biscuits which are a normal part of captive diets. Additionally, an oral supplement with any standard human prenatal vitamin is recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
Signs of Potential Pregnancy Complications Previously Observed in Orangutans
(Taken from Fresno Chaffee Zoo):
Bloody vaginal discharge (especially large quantities observed late in pregnancy) / Placenta previa or placenta abruption
Signs of labor that last more than 6 hours / Dystocia or placenta abruption
Thick, creamy, odiferous, or discolored vaginal discharge / Uterine infection
Lethargy or anorexia that lasts for more than 6 hours, missing a meal / Pregnancy toxemia
Table 1 (Wells et al, 1990)
Staff Assignments
Keeper Staff:
Emily Gertiser (Mei’s primary trainer), Theresa Larson, and Laura Laverick
Pre-partum – Maintain and continue the existing maternal/paternal care training program that is currently developed for Mei and KJ. Administer prenatal vitamins daily to Mei. Continue with obtaining regular scheduled monthly weights. Continue frequent ultrasound sessions with Mei.
Post-partum – Responsible for behavior observations, detailing all aspects of birth process, maintaining post-partum maternal care training, and communicating details to Animal Care Manager, Curators and Veterinarian.
Supervisory Staff:
Managers and Curators are responsible for supporting the keeper staff activities and serving as a liaison to the Veterinarian and Director.
Veterinarian:
Dr. K is responsible for providing medical care and support for all aspects of the birth and animal health issues, having sedation protocols for Mei and KJ ready, coming up with a pre and post-partum labor assessment charts for Mei and an infant health visual guideline document, and coordinating with the OB/GYN.
Maternal and Paternal Behaviors
Labia / Presents labia area to the mesh for examination / Mei
Nipple / Presents either nipple to the mesh for manipulation / Mei
Ultrasound / Holds Belly behavior and allows gel and probe for an ultrasound up to 10 minutes / Mei
Breast Pump / Holds Nipple behavior and allows a breast pump to be operated on her breasts / Mei
Nurse / Holds object to either nipple for correct nursing placement / Mei
Show / Shows any object up to the mesh / Mei and KJ
Other / Knows that the object needs to be repositioned/ flipped / Mei and KJ
Bottle / Allows object to be held while a bottle is presented to that object / Mei and KJ
Grab and Pass / Grabs desired object and passes object – whether through under the mesh or via the baby box / Mei and KJ
Gentle Touch / Touches desired object without aggression or force / Mei and KJ
* When using a stuffed fake baby or real baby with any of the above behaviors, verbally “the baby” will be added to the verbal Sd. Ex: “Show the baby” or “Pass the baby”
Pre-partum Preparations
In General Preparations:
- Review Mei’s diet and make necessary changes for optimum nutrition with also obtaining monthly weights.
- Notify the night ranger of Mei’s due date and make sure he knows who to contact in the event that primate staff isn’t on grounds doing overnight observations.
- Masks and Gloves must be worn by everyone entering the night house with the only exceptions being Emily, Theresa or Laura.
- Dr. K will develop sedation protocols and assessment charts for the mother and infant and train keepers on them.
- Come up with a 24/7 observational schedule.
Time Specific Preparations:
IMMEDIATELY
- Start more frequent random separations between Mei and KJ
- Increase hand feeding between keeper and Mei
- Continue injection maintenance training with Mei and KJ. Continue and complete maternal/paternal behaviors. All trainers should be able to maintain these behaviors with Mei and KJ in the event of sickness, vacation, or availability in the area.
MARCH 1ST 2014
- No more Behind the Scenes tours/training with Mei and KJ
- Randomly start bedding stalls heavily
- Take down large hammocks and potentially hazardous stall furniture in 2 of the 4 night stalls that Mei will have access to
APRIL 1ST 2014
- 1 keeper will stay 1 night a week throughout the month
- Take down large hammocks and potentially hazardous stall furniture in the remaining night stalls Mei will have access to
APRIL 10TH 2014
- The kitchen light will be left on with the solid holding door left open with the curtain in the window closed
- All stalls will be bedded heavily all the time
- All necessary hand rearing supplies should be down at the orangutan night house (incubator, bottles, nipples, formula, thermometer, blankets, scale, and nursery record sheets)
MAY 1ST 2014
- Keepers will stay 2 nights a week until May 10th
- Two random checks throughout the night will be done when doing a shift consisting of turning on the lights to the night house and going in and checking on Mei
- Dr. K will come in randomly during these shifts as well
- Mei and KJ will be separated overnight, every night from here on out
MAY 10TH 2014
- Mei will not have access to the Day Yards or Exhibit from this point until after birth
- 24/7 observation starts
- Primate staff will be doing the majority of shifts
Birth
- If Mei gives birth at any time and Emily isn’t on grounds, keepers will notify her immediately.
Day Birth:
- At first signs of labor, primate staff will separate Mei from KJ
- Keepers will notify Manda and Dr. K (The phone chain will then be activated by Manda to notify all other necessary management and staff)
- The condition of Mei and the infant will be assessed per Dr. K’s assessment charts
- Dr. K will notify Diane Sawyer
- Once the infant is born, 24 hour watch will continue for 72 hours with limiting access to the night house so Mei and infant aren’t disturbed
- Only Primate Staff and necessary personnel will be permitted into the Orangutan barn
Night Birth:
- Attending keeper will notify Manda and Dr. K
- The condition of Mei and the infant will be assessed per Dr. K’s assessment charts
- Emily will continue to watch Mei and the infant throughout the night
- The phone chain will then be activated by Manda to notify all other necessary management and staff
- Dr. K will notify Diane Sawyer
- Once the infant is born, 24 hour watch will continue for 72 hours with limiting access to the night house so Mei and infant aren’t disturbed
- Only Primate Staff and necessary personnel will be permitted into the Orangutan barn
Assessing the condition of the infant
Dr. K’s assessment chart will be followed when observing the infant. If no nursing is observed after the first 24 hours, Emily will intervene and attempt maternal training to encourage the behavior. If the condition of the infant deteriorates within 24 to 36 hours, it will be removed for examination by Dr. K and attempts will be made to have Mei nurse through the mesh via maternal training or utilize the breast pump on Mei. If this improves the condition of the infant, then we will place it back with Mei and continue to monitor the situation.
If at any time Mei becomes aggressive towards the infant, we will remove the infant and start hand-rearing with focus on maternal training for reintroduction.
Scenario where the Infant has medical issues requiring intervention
If possible the infant will remain in the night house with close proximity to Mei. Maternal training will be utilized with Mei. If possible have Mei feed the infant – through the mesh or via breast pump. If Mei doesn’t produce enough milk, then formula will be supplemented.
Scenario where Mei will not care for the infant
The first attempt to get Mei to care for the infant would be to utilize maternal training. Then if that failed sedate Mei, allow the baby to nurse, and then wake Mei up with the baby physically on her. If that didn’t work, then the baby would be removed for hand-rearing with attempted reintroduction to Mei. If there was absolutely no interest from Mei, then a combination of hand rearing and paternal training with KJ would be attempted. If all the above is not successful then the last resort would be to send the infant to another institution to a proven surrogate orangutan.
Reintroduction of KJ to Mei and Infant after birth
If all goes well with the birth and Mei in concerns with caring for the infant, KJ will be reintroduced as soon as three days after birth if no aggression or issues arise with his behavior that is observed by staff. If there are complications then it will be taken situational and any possible training will be utilized to aid in getting them back together.
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