doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.39-41 Mortality pattern in non human primates in Assam, India 1

Aim: The study was conducted to know the mortality pattern in non human primates in Assam. Materials and Methods: A total of 27 deaths were recorded in six different species of non human primates of Assam State Zoo and Department of Forest and Environment, Government of Assam during the period from August, 2009 to December, 2009. The cause of death was determined on the basis of gross and histopathological examinations conducted at Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam. Results: The causes of death attributed to specific diseases in non human primates were tuberculosis (22.22%), pneumonia (18.57%), enteritis (11.11%), encephalitis (11.11%), nephritis (11.11%), septicaemia (03.7%), malignant neoplasm (03.7%), zygomycotic gastritis (03.7%), traumatic injury (03.7%), poisoning (03.7%), stress (03.7%) and senility (03.7%). Conclusion: The study viewed that it is important to know the causes of death of non human primates for preservation and conservation of these endangered wild species.


Introduction
with high mortality in some primate colonies [3].
For conservation of these wild species, many of Northeast India comprising the states of Arunachal which are globally endangered, developing long-term Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, strategy is of utmost importance.Although, a majority and Tripura is the richest in terms of primate diversity of the population is protected in the various parks and with 9 confirmed species records and 3 other species sanctuaries, the coverage is still inadequate.To reduce whose sightings need confirmation [1].The pattern of the mortality of wild animals, the study of their distribution of different species and the role of rivers, pathological condition is necessary to take preventive both large (Brahmaputra and Dibang) and small measures and control programmes.Keeping the above (Sankosh, Manas and Barak) as zoogeographic barriers facts in view, the present study recorded the causes of in dispersal is intriguing.Except for the golden langur death of non human primates in Assam.(Trachypithecus geei) and phayre's langur (Trachypithecus

Materials and Methods
phayrei), all other species have a large extent of occurrence in the region.The rhesus macaque (Macaca The study recorded mortality of non human mulatta), capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) and primates of Assam State Zoo and Department of Forest the Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) are the and Environment, Government of Assam during the most abundant species in this region [1].
period from December, 2007 to November, 2009.A Mortality patterns in non human primates are total of 27 deaths of six different species of non human influenced both by diet and degree of environmental primates were recorded.Data pertaining to history, age, seasonality [2].Emerging and reemerging infectious sex, species, date and cause of death were examined.diseases remain a major threat to these animal colonies.
The cause of death was ascertained on the basis of gross Due to the close genetic relationship between non human and histopathological examinations conducted at primates and humans, disease causing organisms are Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary easily exchanged between them.Often these animals Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, carry and transmit diseases without any visible signs.
Guwahati, Assam.They are more likely to contract hepatitis A, measles or

Results and Discussion
poliomyelitis from humans or as part of laboratory experiment to transmit these diseases to humans.
In the present study majority (22.22%) of animals Diarrhoea and respiratory diseases were major causes died due to tuberculosis (Table-1).Tuberculosis was a of morbidity in non human primate and were associated common as well as a major killer disease in non human primates [4].Rajknowar et al. [5] made a detail study and capture injury was recorded.Chemical immobilizations on tuberculosis of non human primates of Assam State for restraint might have been another factor in decreasing Zoo and recorded tuberculin positive in captive and the number of deaths due to capture injury.In accordance free living animals to be 25% and 15% respectively.
of the present findings, Pathak [14] also reported The presence of tuberculosis infection in zoo animals is organochlorine poisoning in free living golden langurs.not only a potential danger to the workers and One slow loris died due to stress associated with veterinarians working there, but also to the general capture myopathy.Stress related diseases were an public who visit the zoo.
important cause of death in many animals, including The study recorded 11.11% pneumonic death.
humans.During capture of wild animals, physical, Pneumonia always plays a significant role in the environmental and psychological factors effect upon mortality of captive animals as these animals always the animal simultaneously and the effects were remain under stress.Enteritic disease recorded in the accumulative.Death due to senility was recorded in a present study was 11.11%.Enteric diseases, specifically rhesus macaque in the study.Senility cause of deaths of diarrhea, are frequently associated with morbidity and animals was also recorded by former researchers in mortality in nonhuman primates in captivity.Enterodifferent zoos.pathogenic E.coli may be a significant pathogen for Conclusion nonhuman primates to cause enteritis.In addition to the impact these bacteria may have on the health of Non human primates can carry a variety of zoonotic diseases.Therefore proper care should be taken by colonies of animals held in captivity, there is also the anyone handling these animals to prevent potential potential risk of transmission to humans, which exposure to zoonotic pathogen.To facilitate the detection characterizes the zoonotic potential of these infections.and control of potential pathogens, all facilities that In concurrence of the present exploration, encephalitis house non human primates should implement was recorded earlier in barbary macaque (Macaca comprehensive microbial quality programs.This will sylvanus) [6] and in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) [7].
help to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these wild In the present investigation, 3 animals (11.33%) died animals.due to nephritis.Similar reports of nephritis in pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) [8] and in woolly Author's contribution monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) [9] had been published.
BGN done this study under the guidance of AC.This Death due to septicaemia with isolation of E. coli study is the part of MVSc thesis of BGN and AC was had been encountered in non human primate in the the major advisor.Both author read and approved the present study.Zygomycotic gastritis recorded in a free final manuscript.living golden langur was in conformity with the