Loro Parque presents Udra, the first zebra shark born in an aquarium in Spain

Puerto de la Cruz, April 17th, 2018. Udra is the name of the female zebra shark that became the first specimen of this species born in an aquarium in Spain. The team of the Loro Parque’s aquarium, whose efforts have enabled this breeding success, is very proud to confirm that the animal has completed the required quarantine period, during which it was receiving all the necessary care and attention. Now it is enjoying its new, spacious home in the mangrove of Aqua Viva. It also means that the guests of the park have a unique opportunity of seeing it, for the first time, in this exhibition of the park, which was recognized by Trip Advisor in 2017 as the best zoo in the world.

Since its birth, Udra has been participating in unique shark training program developed by the experts of the Loro Parque’s aquarium. Thanks to this training, such important procedure as voluntarily blood extraction was made possible. Moreover, through this training, it has become accustomed to regular voluntary veterinary check-ups, which not only allow the aquarium team to ensure its maximum well-being but also provide researchers and scientists with valuable information about this species. From now on, the visitors of the park will be able to observe the training sessions with Udra. 

Udra is an offspring of two other zebra sharks of the park, Marylin and Elvis, who, since then, have had more young ones.  Nevertheless, Udra has a special meaning for the aquarium’s team, because it was the first specimen of this species to be born under their care, converting the aquarium into the first among the aquariums of Spain to have bred this species. The young shark has been progressing steadily since her birth in October 2016. Weighing originally only 0.072 kg, it is now at 0.390 kg, and it has grown from the original 27.3 cm to 118 cm.

What is curious about these animals is that they received their common name, zebra shark, due to their appearance at birth. While they are young, they display while stripes over darker bodies, hence the name. The appearance changes as they grow, and by the time they become adults, the stripes will have evolved into black spots. These sharks are slow but elusive swimmers; they do not chase their prey, but rather corner it using their large flexible body to prevent it from escaping.

Breeding and reproduction work carried out at Loro Parque is essential to provide scientists with the vital and much-needed information about the conservation of not only of this particular species but also of other, much more threatened species. Thus, Loro Parque Foundation, with the support of its primary sponsor, Loro Parque, among many others, has been successfully conducting marine wildlife conservation and protection projects. Among them, are the projects with such species as the angelfish (Squatima squatima), considered to be the most endangered shark in the world, and the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna sp.), a species that finds itself  under a lot of pressure primarily due to aggressive fishing techniques and other adverse conditions.

Loro Parque Welcomes a Newborn Chinstrap Penguin Chick

This birth is considered a true success story as breeding of this delicate species represents quite a challenge

The penguin colony at Loro Parque has recently welcomed a new family member as a Chinstrap penguin chick was born in PlanetPenguin. This birth is considered a real success as it is a very delicate penguin species, which poses quite a challenge in its breeding.

The chick was born weighing 88 grams and spent its first days in a hatcher of BabyPenguin where it was hand-reared. At this time, the penguin chick received 10% of its weight in blended fish, as well vitamins and calcium. During its first month and a half, the chick receives this formula five times a day every three hours; then this frequency is reduced to two meals a day, after which the young penguin starts eating solid food.

Presently, the chinstrap penguin chick weighs 736 grams and has already started the integration process by adapting to its new environment until it is fully integrated with the rest of the penguins at Loro Parque.

Chinstrap penguins inhabit the shore waters of the Antarctic Ocean; they are a medium size (46-61 centimeters) and weigh between 5 and 8 kilos. They are able to dive up to 70 meters deep, and their diet is mainly based on Antarctic krill, although they can also eat fish and other crustaceans whenever these are available.

This new addition to the penguin colony, along with four other rockhopper penguin chicks, promises yet another successful year at the penguinarium of Loro Parque. The birth of new chicks is, above all, a good indicator of adequate animal welfare as it demonstrates that all the necessities of the animals are effectively and properly covered, and they can reproduce normally.

Loro Parque considers every single detail when it comes to animal care. In PlanetPinguin not only that their natural habitat is recreated, with 12 tons of snow generated daily, but also the Antarctic light cycles are respected all throughout the year. Presently, the penguin family at Loro Parque is enjoying the polar summer with plenty of light and longer days than in winter.

Jay Hyman

Jay D. Hyman, DVM, passed away August 1, 2017. He was a beloved son, father, brother, husband and generous philanthropist. He endowed a chair for Wildlife Health at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, supported and helped curate exhibits at Cornell's Johnson Museum of Art. He was a founding member of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine and the major initial donor for the IAAAM Medway Award. He supported the Touch the Jungle/Earthways Foundation, and the Cornell Esbaran Field Laboratory. He founded the Society for the Advancement of Latin American Arts and supported the Palm Beach Zoo as well as many other charities. He was a member of the Explorers Club. He showed us all how to conquer adversity. He will be remembered for his courage, dedication, adventurous spirit and love of life.

Published in The New York Times on Aug. 13, 2017

Neylan Anthony Vedros (1930 - 2017)

IN MEMORIAM

Neylan Anthony Vedros

Professor Emeritus, Medical Microbiology and Immunology,
University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health
Vedros Biosciences Laboratories

Dr. Neylan Vedros, a long-time member of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, a world-renown microbiologist, and a dear friend and colleague passed away in Healdsburg, CA in late June 2017 at the age of 87.

Born in the bayous of Louisiana, Neylan was the epitome of grace and class. He had an intellectual curiosity that infused his collaborative and diverse scientific research. His earliest research in the 1970s, while stationed at the Naval Bioscience Laboratory in Oakland, CA, focused on meningococcal disease in humans and established a Neisseria Reference Center for the World Health Organization.  

During the 1970s, he also became enamored with marine mammals and the marine environment, publishing manuscripts on San Miguel sea lion virus and leptospirosis in pinnipeds, as well as examining antiviral substances in California marine algae, and calicivirus (SMSV-5) infections in opaleye fish. 

He expanded his marine mammal work in the 1980s and 1990s, working with Ocean Park in Hong Kong and DolphinQuest in Hawaii, developing quantitative assays for determination of immune system health in bottlenose dolphins, as well as investigating pharmacokinetics in healthy bottlenose dolphins, and designing a polysaccharide vaccine against Pasteurella multocida for sea lions, fur seals, and dolphins.  

After his retirement from UCB in 1991, he founded Vedros Biosciences Laboratories, where he created and marketed topical demulcents for use on viral and inflammatory skin diseases, in particular, topical dermatological products, such as medicated shampoos, and skin and hair lotions for use on domestic animals, reptiles, birds, and horses. 

I met Neylan nearly 40 years ago when I tracked him down at UCB to ask him questions and work in his lab (gratis) investigating leptospirosis in California sea lions. Our first meeting initiated a long-term friendship and collaboration with him, his family, and his laboratory. I was honored to housesit his dog, fish, and birds at his Alameda, CA water-front home, when he and his wonderful wife Beryl, were away on travel. My husband and I saw both Neylan and Beryl at their home in Healdsburg, CA in summer 2015, and were happy to see he retained his jovial humor and his pipe-smoking professorial demeanor!

He was a member of the American Society of Microbiology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, where he served as IAAAM President from 1985-1986.

His creative wit, his humor, and his collaborative spirit will be sorely missed.

Leslie A Dierauf, VM

Minutes of the 2017 IAAAM Business Meeting

You can view the minutes of the 2017 IAAAM business meeting by clicking this link: 2017 IAAAM Business Meeting Minutes.

Rhonda Patterson, Ph.D. (1965 - 2017)

Rhonda Ann Patterson, Ph.D. 1965-2017

The IAAAM Board mourns the passing of past IAAAM President Dr. Rhonda Ann Patterson in May 2017. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. The family has asked that friends “Please Pay Her Gifts Forward in Your Lives!”    

A scholarship fund in Dr. Patterson’s name has been established at Western Kentucky University. Information on contributing to this fund may be obtained from Jessica Carver, College Heights Foundation, WKU, 1906 College Heights Blvd, #41016, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

Rhonda's Biography

Rhonda Ann Patterson was born September 19, 1965 in Carthage, Missouri to Ronald Ray and Patricia Ann Patterson.  The family settled in St. Louis, MO where Rhonda graduated from Pattonville Senior High School in 1983, then graduated from the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Sciences, in 1987.

Rhonda entered the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS set on earning her Master of Science with a study of echolocation in marine mammals, specifically dolphins, working in conjunction with the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, MS and the US Navy in San Diego, CA. Unfortunately, when the dolphin she was working with became ill and died, Rhonda was advised to direct her studies towards a doctorate thereby skipping the Master’s program. She earned her Doctorate of Microbiology with a specific interest in Immunology from Southern Miss in 1998 continuing her research with the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and the US Navy, helping them diagnose diseases in their dolphins and determine strategies to produce antibodies to protect them in their high-stress work environments in oceans through the world.

As a member and officer of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Dr. Patterson traveled extensively including trips to Australia and New Zealand. She served as President of IAAAM in 2005 – 2006. Recognized for her expertise in working with marine mammals, she presented papers at conferences in Holland and Portugal as well as sites throughout the United States. Additionally, she collaborated with the research staffs of The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, AK.

Dr. Patterson began teaching at Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Fall 2005. During her tenure at WKU, she taught classes in the biological sciences on South Campus as well as on Main Campus. Barren River Area Safe Space recognized Dr. Patterson and her students in March 2009 for collecting hundreds of cell phones and chargers for their recycling program to help victims of domestic violence. This was an ongoing project that meant a lot to Dr. Patterson. She was also instrumental in establishing the Women in Transition (WIT) program which provides computer resources and scholarships to assist nontraditional female students.

In her late 20s, Dr. Patterson was diagnosed with Essential Tremors which typically involves a tremor of the arms, hands or fingers but sometimes involves the head, vocal cords or other body parts during voluntary movements such as eating and writing. Although only fifty-one when she passed away, she had experienced increasing difficulty resulting from the tremors which were unsuccessfully treated with medication. The KY Department of Agriculture approved her mini-farm, equipment and sheep to use for producing antibodies necessary in her research but this dream had to be abandoned when the tremors affected her manual dexterity. Teaching was always her first love, and now she focused all her knowledge and energy on her students.

Some of the comments from students include, “Thank you so much for being a fantastic biology professor. . . Thank you for your patience, passion, and willingness to help. . . I didn’t have Dr. Patterson but many of my friends did, and said that she was a terrific teacher, always willing to help, was patient and kind. . . She will be greatly missed.”

Rhonda passed away on May 19, 2017, at her home in Brownsville, KY. Besides her mother, Patricia Streng, she is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Schneider (Steve) of Kansas City, MO; brother, David Patterson (Vickie) of Austin, TX; four nieces, Erin Zimmerman (Tim), Meredith Schneider, Marilyn Robinson, Priscilla Robinson; and one nephew, Ian Schneider. 

2017 IAAAM Conference Student Presentation Winners

Congratulations to this year's winners of the IAAAM Student Presentation Awards.

Student Poster Competition

Bryce Miller, veterinary student, University of Florida
Discrepancy of Plasma Iron Concentrations with Tissue Iron Stores in Chronically Debilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) with Inflammatory Disease

1st Place- Undergrads/Vet Students/Masters Students Presentation Competition

Mauricio Seguel, PhD Student, University of Georgia
Hookworm Clearance in South American Fur Seal pups (Arctocephalus australis): Mechanisms and Role in Pup Survival.

2nd Place- Undergrads/Vet Students/Masters Students Presentation

Jacob Rodgers, Veterinary Student, Colorado State University
Optimization of Diagnostic Approaches in Marine Parasitology and Specific Gravity Determination of Helminth Eggs in Pinnipeds

1st Place- Intern/Resident/Post-Doc Student Competition

Laura Thompson, Post-Doc, Mystic Aquarium
The Complement Cascade In Marine Mammals As A Mechanism To Avoid Damage From Nitrogen Bubbles During Diving

2nd Place- Intern/Resident/Post-Doc Student Competition

Brittany Stevens, Aquatic Animal Health Fellow, UC Davis
Ultrasonographic Determination of Normal Juvenile Koi (Cyprinus carpio) Anatomy and Gender
 

2017-2018 IAAAM Board Members

After the recent 2017 IAAAM Conference and Meeting, there was a change to the IAAAM Board for the upcoming year.

• Past President: Pam Tuomi, DVM (moved from President)
• President: Martin Haulena, DVM, MSc, DACZM (moved from President-Elect)
• President-Elect: Michael S. Renner, DVM (new)
• Treasurer: Tonya Clauss, DVM, MS (continuing)
• Secretary: Todd Robeck, DVM, PhD (new)
• Board Member for Membership: Hendrik Nollens, DVM, PhD (continuing)
• Board Member for Education: Kathleen Colegrove, DVM, PhD, Dip ACVP (continuing)
• Board Member for Communications: Michael B Briggs DVM,MS (continuing)

Contact information for these board members can be found on the About IAAAM web page.

Congratulations to the 2016 New ACZM Diplomates

The International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine congratulates the following IAAAM members who have been named 2016 ACZM Diplomates.

• Elsburgh Clarke
• Genny Dumonceaux
• Jennifer Flower
• Jennifer Meegan

SAVE THE VAQUITA - Aquarium of the Pacific and AZA

The Aquarium of the Pacific along with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have teamed up to help save the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise.

Vaquita populations have declined to extremely low levels with an estimated 30 animals remaining. This is down from an estimate of 60 only one year ago. In order to protect the last remaining vaquita, it has been determined that ex situ conservation, or collecting and bringing the remaining few vaquita into a protected sanctuary, is an urgent and necessary course of action. Experts from the eighth meeting of the Comité Internacional para la Recuperación de la Vaquita (CIRVA 8) have determined that current conservation actions are happening too slowly and that this effort is needed to protect the remaining vaquita. Vaquita are rare and shy animals. They avoid boat noise and will prove difficult to locate and capture. To support this effort, the Mexican Government has solicited the United States Navy to use trained US Navy dolphins to support the location and collection of vaquita. This invitation has been accepted and plans are underway to develop the protocols and personnel that will be needed to accomplish this task and all of the other components of the project. 

This effort will be difficult, and while all necessary experts are being engaged, nothing like this has ever been attempted. However, there are no viable alternatives left for the vaquita. If we don’t do this now and continue to establish conservation measures within their native habitat, the vaquita will go extinct in as little as three years. We cannot let this happen.

AZA, along with a number of zoos and aquariums, are supporting this vaquita rescue plan, but we need your help. Collectively we have been able to generate only about half of the one million dollars needed to begin making preparations for the vaquita rescue. We have until the end of the month to raise the remaining support. Will you help? A donation of any amount will help to make this happen. 

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/safevaquita

To learn more about the rescue effort go to VaquitaCPR.org.