Report on the Deaths occurring in the Society's Gardens during the year 1943

During the year under review, the number of deaths investigated by postmortem examination was 375, of which 79 were Mammalian, 288 Avian, and 8 Reptilian.The average strength of Mammals (inclusive of many short-lived species) and Birds, respectively, and the ratio of deaths for the year 1943 are tabulated Ratio of deaths per average strength.19.7 per cent.29.9 ,, ,, 26.9 ,, ,.below :- TABLE I.The commonest causes of death amongst all classes of Mammals and Birds were :- Mammals. Birds.1. Diseases of the Digestive System .... 13 (or 16-4 p.c.) 74 (or 25.7 P.c.) 2. Diseases of the Respiratory System . .40 (or 13.9 P.c.)No deaths are attributable to enemy action during the year under review.The mortality rate for Mammals is the lowest on record since statistical data have been recorded (1928 to 1943 inclusive).The increase in Avian mortality is due to the presentation of large collections of small, ill-conditioned Finches, etc., including over 70 Budgerigars.16 (or 20.3 p.c.) 3. Injuries and Accidents ............ 14 (or 17.7 p.c.) 34 (or 11.8 P.c.) I. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.Three Green Monkeys (Cercopithectts sabzus) died from acute gangrenous enteritis.These monkeys were in the same cage in the Monkey House: they all died between 18th of February and 3rd of March.In one case examined before death, the stools consisted of blood-stained mucus, pus, inflammatory debris and shreds of necrosed mncosa.No intestinal parasites were found.The inflammatory reaction was most intense and destructive in the lower half of the ileum.In the czcum, colon and rectum some of the mucous membrane was gangrenous and detached from the wall of the gut.In all cases the morbid anatomical changes, viz., coagulation necrosis and exfoliation of necrotic mucosa, abscesses in the diverticula and lymph follicles of the large bowel, with secondary inflammatory reaction in the liver and spleen, indicated an acute bacillary infection.It has not been possible to isolate bacterial organisms by culture during the war, but past experience of dysenteric infections in monkeys and baboons suggest Bacillus xrtrycke or B. morgan No. 1 as the most likely causal organisms in the cases above noted.A Brown Lemur (Lemur fulvus), born in the Zoo 3 weeks before death, died from acute gangrenous appendicitis and terminal peritonitis.The appendix in this species is long and funnel-shaped and a direct prolongation of the ciecum, An Indian Wild Swine (Sus cristatw) died from fracture of the sternum, 14697998b, 1944, 3, Downloaded from https://zslpublications.