Canadian Muskoxen in Central Europe - A Zoo Veterinary Review

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: Seidel, K.B., Rowell, J.E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1996
• Subjects: Ovibos moschatus; disease; parasitology; pediatrics; zoo medicine; review; muskoxen; captivity; Europe; ovibos moschatus; Rangifer
• Online Access: https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/1200; https://doi.org/10.7557/2.16.2.1200

This paper summarizes 29 years of veterinary experience maintaining a herd of muskoxen at the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde, Berlin, Germany. The transplanted muskoxen acclimated to the zoo enviroment without fatalities. However, a few striking changes were seen. They exhibit a high sensitivity to sudden changes in weather conditions (especially falling atmospheric pressure); there is a tendency for their qiviut to become sparser with time; rutting and subsequent calving occur later than in their native habitat. Details of medical conditions in both calves and adults ate given along with information on hematology and immobilization.