Parturition and Neonatal Parameters of Three Species of Rhinoceros under Managed Care in the United States.
Authors: Brenner Emily E, Howard Lauren L, Capiro Jonnie, Hernandez Jorge A
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Conservation breeding programmes for endangered rhinoceros species depend on successful reproduction in captivity, yet baseline data on normal parturition and early neonatal development remain sparse compared to other large mammals. Researchers analysed 47 births across three species (4 black, 21 greater one-horned, and 22 southern white rhinoceros) in US facilities, using video recordings, medical records, and keeper observations to characterise labour duration, presentation, and early neonatal milestones. First-stage labour averaged 153 minutes, second-stage 28 minutes, and third-stage 205 minutes; anterior presentation occurred in 59% of births, though posterior presentations were associated with significantly prolonged second-stage labour. Critically, greater one-horned rhinoceroses accounted for 83% of stillbirths in the dataset compared to 17% in southern white rhinoceroses, and calves of this species took substantially longer to stand (median 64 minutes versus 30 minutes), suggesting species-specific vulnerabilities during the perinatal period. These normative parameters provide facility veterinarians and managers with evidence-based reference points to identify dystocia and neonatal compromise early, allowing timely intervention in a species where every breeding success is vital to species survival.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •This study is not applicable to equine veterinary practice as it focuses exclusively on rhinoceros reproduction under managed care
- •While the authors reference equine parturition parameters as a model for comparison, the data and conclusions are specific to rhinoceros species
- •Equine veterinarians should note the methodological approach (video analysis, medical records review) as a model for documenting and analyzing parturition events in their own practice
Key Findings
- •Median durations of parturition phases I, II, and III were 153 min, 28 min, and 205 min respectively across three rhinoceros species
- •Posterior calf presentation (41% of births) was associated with significantly longer phase II labor compared to anterior presentation (p = 0.04)
- •Greater one-horned rhinoceros had 83% of stillbirths versus 17% in southern white rhinoceros, suggesting species-specific risk differences
- •Median time from birth to standing was 64 minutes in GOHR versus 30 minutes in SWR (p = 0.02), indicating species differences in neonatal development