Serum Chemistry Variables of Bengal Tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) Kept in Various Forms of Captivity

Abstract

There is a dearth of published literature regarding the effect of captivity on serum chemistry variables of tigers kept in the zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. The present study was hence conducted to determine and compare serum chemistry values in tigers of Bengal origin (Panthera tigris tigris) kept in captivity at Lahore zoo (LZ) (n=4) and in semi natural environment of Lahore Wildlife Park (LWP) (n=6), Pakistan. The tigers kept at LZ had significantly (P<0.05) higher mean concentrations of Cl- (108.6±0.57 versus 105.6±0.49 mmol/l) and a significantly lower creatinine (1.78±0.06 versus 3.04±0.35mg/dl) and AST values (41.66±0.77 versus 54.88±4.22 U/l) than tigers kept at LWP. No other significant differences in serum chemistry were observed for both forms of captivity. Results would be useful for the evaluation of physiological and pathological alterations in wild and captive tiger individuals and populations not only in Pakistan but also for other countries harboring the Bengal tigers.

Keywords

• Aspartate transaminase
• Captivity
• Panthera tigris tigris
• Serum chemistry