SECRETARY’S REPORT 183 
Albatrosses—T etrabothrium cestodes. 
Snakes—Neorenifer flukes, Bothridium and Ophiotaenia cestodes. 
The bears, cats, and zebras have been repeatedly treated with pipera- 
zine compounds, but the parasites persist. The zebra paddocks are 
certainly contaminated with infective parasite eggs, but the cats and 
bears are on concrete, which should help to break the parasite cycle. 
Several of the Zoo’s more valuable large mammals died during the 
year. The first loss was the female wisent, which had a fine calf by 
her side. She died within minutes of being found down. No previous 
indication of sickness in the animal was noticed, and nothing un- 
usual was noted on the day prior to death. Necropsy was performed 
by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, but the gross post mortem 
failed to disclose the cause of death. <A condition similar to bovine 
ketosis was suspected. The 18 bacterial cultures taken from important 
organs of this animal were all negative for pathogenic organisms. 
The Indian rhinoceros received in July 1939 sickened on January 8. 
Symptomatic treatment was begun, using the projectile syringe, but 
the animal died the next day. Necropsy was performed by the Armed 
Forces Institute of Pathology. The pathological diagnosis was hem- 
orrhagic enteritis, ascending cholangitis, arterio and arteriolar 
nephrosclerosis, hemorrhagic lymphadenitis, cholelithiasis, and acute 
pneumonitis. Of the 12 bacterial cultures taken from important or- 
gans in the animal, all were negative except two blood cultures, from 
which short chain streptococcus and bipolar rods were isolated. 
The male okapi became sick on February 1 and was treated with the 
projectile method for 6 weeks until a sputum sample was obtained. 
This was examined by Dr. Feldman of the Veterans’ Administration 
and found positive for acid-fast organisms. The animal was eu- 
thanized for necropsy by the AFIP. Examination of the carcass 
disclosed pulmonary granulomas consistent with tuberculosis infection. 
The cage next to the okapi was occupied by a female African black 
rhinoceros which had been failing in physical condition for some 
months. A sputum sample obtained from the animal was examined by 
Dr. Feldman and declared heavily laden with acid-fast bacteria. The 
animal died on April 21. Necropsy revealed lesions similar to but more 
extensive and of much longer standing than those found in the okapi. 
Since these animals had some physical contact over the cage partition, 
transmission of the infection may have occurred by this route. 
A family of elands consisting of an adult male and female and a 
female calf were all found to have similar lesions during the year. 
Dr. A. G. Karlson of the Mayo Foundation was able to isolate 
Mycobacterium tubereulosis var. bovis from the okapi, rhinoceros, and 
the two adult elands. Results of examination of culture from a young 
South American tapir and an old female American bison are being 
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