Search

Blood parasites from the order Haemosporida infect many vertebrates and cause malaria-like diseases. In this study, a haemosporidian infection was detected in a sick grey crowned crane imported into China using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and processed for morphological identification of infective parasites using stained blood smears and microscopy. No merogony occurs in the blood cells, and sporadic pigment granules were observed. Nested-PCR assays were employed for a molecular examination, which indicated that the cytb gene of this parasite had 94.1–94.9% identity to Haemoproteus antigonis. Subsequently, its mitochondrial genome structure was determined by high-throughput sequencing using the DNBSEQ-T7 platform. The determined structure was confirmed by the Sanger sequencing using amplicons. The mitochondrial genome obtained for this parasite exhibited a low CG content (32.0%) and possessed three protein-coding genes, encoding 1068 amino acids, which constituted 53.7% of the genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this parasite clustered with Haemoproteus sp. is detected in grey crowned cranes from Africa. This parasite was likely acquired during importation of this animal; thus, strict quarantine of imported ornamental animals is required to prevent the entry of new pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report Avibacterium paragallinarum and Klebsiella pneumoniae coinfection in a grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum). The crane was recovered from illegal captivity and released at a grey crowned crane (GCC) rehabilitation facility located at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. One year after being transferred, the bird presented with clinical signs suggesting a respiratory disease. Those signs included severe dyspnoea with mouth breathing, sneezing and nasal discharge. The crane was put on a 3‐day treatment with antibiotics (ceftiofur 200 mg/ml at 50 mg/kg intramuscularly) and anti‐inflammatory drug (meloxicam, intramuscular injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg), after which the crane seemed to have recovered. A month later, the same crane presented similar clinical signs and was treated with enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg intramuscularly. Despite the treatment, the crane died 19 h later. At necropsy, adhesive air sacculitis and hydroperitoneum were observed, and a reddish fluid in air sacs and in the abdominal cavity was found. Also, a marked hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed. Samples were collected for laboratory examination. Molecular tests done on the tracheal and cloacal swabs revealed A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae, respectively. This is the first case of A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae coinfection reported in a grey crowned crane. Our study contributes to knowledge on the ecological distribution of both these pathogens in wild birds. It provides an opportunity to investigate further the clinical significance of infectious coryza in Rwanda's wild and domestic birds.

Information on breeding habits of grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) in Kenya is currently lacking. Investigations were therefore carried out between 2017 and 2020 to determine its nesting habits in Lake Ol' Bolossat basin including nest‐site features, number and distribution of territorial pairs, clutch size, eggs, and duration of breeding cycle. While 103 pairs were observed in the lake marshlands (mean density 5.00 pairs/km2), only 20 were found in upland wetlands. The number of pairs and densities (pairs/km2) in each of the lake's sections were as follows: north (24; 3.23), middle (47; 5.42), and south (32; 6.24). During this study, 61% (n = 63) of the lake marshland pairs attempted to breed compared to 80% (n = 16) in the upland wetlands. A mean of 2.23 eggs/clutch and a modal clutch of three eggs was recorded in 33 accessible nests. The range of influential factors in nest‐site selection were as follows: water depth (50–100 cm), vegetation height around the nest (60–90 cm), and an offshore distance of >100 m. Breeding cycle showed phenotypic plasticity in response to variations in local weather conditions. The number and density of cranes in this study area show its importance in the recovery and survival of the species, and which should subsequently be accorded effective protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report Avibacterium paragallinarum and Klebsiella pneumoniae coinfection in a grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum). The crane was recovered from illegal captivity and released at a grey crowned crane (GCC) rehabilitation facility located at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. One year after being transferred, the bird presented with clinical signs suggesting a respiratory disease. Those signs included severe dyspnoea with mouth breathing, sneezing and nasal discharge. The crane was put on a 3‐day treatment with antibiotics (ceftiofur 200 mg/ml at 50 mg/kg intramuscularly) and anti‐inflammatory drug (meloxicam, intramuscular injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg), after which the crane seemed to have recovered. A month later, the same crane presented similar clinical signs and was treated with enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg intramuscularly. Despite the treatment, the crane died 19 h later. At necropsy, adhesive air sacculitis and hydroperitoneum were observed, and a reddish fluid in air sacs and in the abdominal cavity was found. Also, a marked hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed. Samples were collected for laboratory examination. Molecular tests done on the tracheal and cloacal swabs revealed A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae, respectively. This is the first case of A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae coinfection reported in a grey crowned crane. Our study contributes to knowledge on the ecological distribution of both these pathogens in wild birds. It provides an opportunity to investigate further the clinical significance of infectious coryza in Rwanda's wild and domestic birds. Avibacterium paragallinarum and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the main causes of respiratory infections in domestic bird species. These pathogens are rarely reported in coinfection and never reported in wild birds. While Avibacterium paragallinarum only causes disease in avian species, Klebsiella pneumoniae is zoonotic and causes human infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis. Illegal captivity and keeping wildlife as pets could potentially be a source of pathogen spillover events between wildlife, humans, and other livestock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomorphological features of bones of hip joint which act on it of some species of the order Gruiformes were stated on the basis of comparative anatomical analysis. It was established that biomorphological features of the bones of hip joint of birds are caused by a specific bipedalism that lies in the location of the body's axis relatively to the pelvic limbs. It was defined that the bones which form the hip joint of the studied species of birds are differ in shape and size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grey Crowned CraneBalearica regulorumwas uplisted to globally Endangered in 2012. There is urgent need to determine the threats they face at local levels for their conservation. I conducted formal point-count surveys around the wetlands of eastern Uganda and observed no cranes. Groups of cranes were encountered when following directions from local inhabitants. Results from a questionnaire survey suggested that cranes make use of most of the wetlands in the region, and that the birds occur in small flocks averaging 6–8 individuals. Wetland loss through farming was reported to be the main threat, but I also documented poisoning, roost disturbance, and the collection of eggs and chicks. Rigorous conservation and education programs are needed to ensure the long-term survival of cranes and storks in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]