Serum Chemistry Variables of Bengal Tigers
(Panthera tigris tigris)
Kept in Various Forms of Captivity
U. Farooq*, S. Sajjad1,M. Anwar1
and B.N. Khan2
University College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, The Islamia
University of Bahawalpur; 1Department of Zoology, Lahore
College for Women University, Lahore; 2Lahore Zoological
Gardens, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
There is a dearth of published literature regarding the effect of captivity on
serum chemistry variables of tigers kept in the zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
The present study was hence conducted to determine and compare serum chemistry
values in tigers of Bengal origin (Panthera
tigris tigris) kept in captivity at Lahore zoo (LZ) (n=4) and in semi
natural environment of Lahore Wildlife Park (LWP) (n=6), Pakistan. The tigers
kept at LZ had significantly (P<0.05) higher mean concentrations of Cl-
(108.6±0.57 versus
105.6±0.49 mmol/l) and a significantly lower creatinine (1.78±0.06 versus
3.04±0.35mg/dl) and AST values (41.66±0.77 versus 54.88±4.22 U/l) than tigers
kept at LWP. No other significant differences in serum chemistry were observed
for both forms of captivity. Results would be useful for the evaluation of
physiological and pathological alterations in wild and captive tiger individuals
and populations not only in Pakistan but also for other countries harboring the
Bengal tigers.