Field Necropsies
of Pangolin
A Manual for
Compiled with the Tshwane University of Technology
and Pangolin Working Group
Free ranging animals usually die naturally, are hunted
or culled in the field, far from laboratory or pathology
services. The information each animal can yield is
critical in assuring early diagnosis of the cause of its
death, prevention of spread of infectious disease to
other animals and people, and in providing general
baseline information on the anatomy, histology,
haematology, metabolic profiles and patterns of
disease in different species. Samples can be stored
and made available for future research worldwide.
Necropsy procedure is standard for all mammals,
apart from some differences in how to sample the
gastrointestinal tract. Detailed knowledge of anatomy
is not necessary to collect and store sets of tissues and
organs, which may yield valuable information.
We here describe a rapid procedure designed for
arduous conditions and speed.This is a simple
field necropsy technique, with suggested sampling
protocols, designed to maximize the value of
information that can be obtained from each
unfortunate dead animal.
PLEASE USE THESE REFERENCES:
1. African Pangolin Working Group. Standardized
data collection protocol for Ground Pangolins
(Smutsia temminckii) www.pangolin.org.za
2. African Pangolin Working Group. Ground Pangolin
(Smutsia temminckii) DNA sampling protocol.
www.pangolin.org.za
3. Munson, L. Necropsy of Wild Animals. Wildlife
Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of California, Davis
4. Murnane R, Kinsel M J 2000 Mammal field
necropsy protocol. University of Illinois Zoological
Pathology Program
5. Woodford M H, Keet D F, Bengis R G 2000 Post-
mortem procedures for wildlife veterinarians and
field biologists. Office International des Epizooties,
Care for the Wild and the Veterinary Specialist
Group/Species Survival Commission of the World
Conservation Union (IUCN)
6. OIE 2010 Training Manual on Wildlife Diseases
and Surveillance. Office International des
Epizooties website www.oie.int
BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE FIELD
Check you have the tools you will need:
•
Essential items: sharp knife and scissors; sample
bottles, 10% buffered formalin, 10% ethanol
and ziploc bags; disposable apron, gloves, boots
and mask; paper towels, string, cellotape;
2017
September
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