Observations on neonatal mortality of the Chacoan peccary, Catagonus wagneri

The considerable neonatal mortality of a captive population of Chacoan peccaries, the taguá (Catagonus wagneri), in Paraguay was investigated with the examination of six newborn animals and one adult. Most deaths occur primarily because of restriction of space resulting in competition for space and nutrition. The adult had nonlethal inhalation pulmonary anthracosis. Neonatal pulmonary nocardiosis was noted in one infant and is believed to be related to the dust storms prevailing locally. Another neonate had a duplication of the pelvis, rear extremities, and one ovary, representing a type of conjoined twin classified as ischiopagus.