Delayed acute capture myopathy in three roe deer.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Wildlife Biology
• Animal Physiology

Background:

• Capture myopathy is a significant concern in wildlife management and conservation.
• Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are susceptible to capture-related stress syndromes.
• Understanding stress-induced mortality is crucial for animal welfare during scientific research.

Observation:

• Three roe deer exhibited delayed mortality (48 hours to 8 days) post-capture and transport.
• Deaths coincided with a secondary episode of human disturbance in the enclosure.
• Clinical signs were absent between capture and pre-mortem periods; gross lesions were minimal in later deaths.

Findings:

• Histopathology revealed acute myopathy and myoglobinaemic nephrosis, consistent with an ataxic myoglobinuric syndrome.
• Delayed mortality suggests a stress-induced trigger rather than immediate capture trauma.
• Simultaneous deaths, despite varied capture times, point to a common environmental stressor.

Implications:

• Second stress events can precipitate fatal capture myopathy in susceptible wildlife.
• Minimizing human disturbance in enclosures is critical for post-capture wildlife care.
• This highlights the need for careful management protocols to mitigate stress in captured animals.