• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the post-thawed characteristics of leopard cat semen. In this experiment, semen was collected from two leopard cats (A and B) at wild animal center in Seoul Grand Park in Korea. After collection, the sperms were washed with D-PBS and diluted by the freezing medium (Irvine science, USA) and stored in liquid nitrogen. The post-thawed concentration was $357{\times}10^6sperms/ml$ for A and $97{\times}10^6sperms/ml$ for B. The viability of post-thawed sperm from A and B individual was 24.0% and 19.0%, respectively. Pre-freezing motility of A and B individual semen was 68.54% and 56.65. Leopard cat A had more normal sperm than that of B (69.5% vs. 54.5%). Acrosome integrity analysis detected live (14.5% vs. 9.0%), damage (39.0% vs. 44.0%) and dead (46.0% vs. 47.0%) in leopard cat A and B, respectively. The present results concluded that leopard cat semen can be collected successfully by electro-ejaculation method and cryopreserved successfullyfor future use in different assisted reproductive technologies. The cryopreservation protocol needs to be modified for increasing post-thawed viability of leopard cat spermatozoa.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.803-807
• /
• 2016

Toxascaris leonina is a common parasitic nematode of wild mammals and has significant impacts on the protection of rare wild animals. To analyze population genetic characteristics of T. leonina from South China tiger, its mitochondrial (mt) genome was sequenced. Its complete circular mt genome was 14,277 bp in length, including 12 proteincoding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 non-coding regions. The nucleotide composition was biased toward A and T. The most common start codon and stop codon were TTG and TAG, and 4 genes ended with an incomplete stop codon. There were 13 intergenic regions ranging 1 to 10 bp in size. Phylogenetically, T. leonina from a South China tiger was close to canine T. leonina. This study reports for the first time a complete mt genome sequence of T. leonina from the South China tiger, and provides a scientific basis for studying the genetic diversity of nematodes between different hosts.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.213-217
• /
• 2010

Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or Circular, and the mean size reached $254{\times}24.5{\mu}m$ and the thickness of the wall up to $2.5{\mu}m$. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2020

This case describes outbreaks of acute aspergillosis in a red-crowned crane. A six-month-old, male, crane had showed clinical signs (i.e. anorexia, performance loss, ruffled feathers and drooped wings and open mouth breathing, etc.) before death. In necropsy examination, spherical to oval nodules disseminated from the respiratory tract to other organs. Those nodules were formed predominantly in air sacs, lung, peritoneum, serosa of esophagus and trachea. The nodules varied in size from 1 mm to over 1cm and the color was white to yellow. Microscopically, most of lung architecture were replaced by multiple foci which were characterized by well demarcated eosinophilic and karyorrhetic debris and surrounded by numerous Inflammatory cell. Most within necrotic center of the nodules, large numbers of fungal hyphae were present. Microbiology result indicated fungal growths on sabroud dextrose agar and bacterial growths on blood agar. Bacteria identified as E. rhusiopathiae using MALDI-TOF (microflex, BRUKER, USA) and fungi identified as A. fumigatus, A. terreus by sequencing the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. To confirm the route of infection, we checked the existence of the same pathogens in cohabitant (i.e. mother crane). The young age and weakened immunity (i.e. bacterial infection, etc.) causes fatal aspergillosis in birds.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.299-302
• /
• 2019

A clonorchiasis case in a captive leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, was confirmed by ultrasonographic findings and egg morphologies found in the bile juice sample in the Korea. The leopard cat was introduced from the wild habitat of Gyeongsangnam-do, to Cheongju Zoo in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea in August 2014. Physical examinations were basically performed for quarantine and check-up health. The cat was comparatively good in health except anorexia. The cyst-like bile duct dilation and the increased echogenicity of gall bladder wall and hepatic parenchyma were observed by ultrasonography. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy was conducted for collecting bile juice and the specimens were observed under light microscope. The numerous small trematode eggs were detected in the bile juice sample of the light microscopy. The eggs were $25-33(28{\pm}3){\mu}m$ by $18-22(20{\pm}1){\mu}m$ in size and showed typical characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis egg, i.e., a dominantly developed operculum, shoulder rim and dust-like wrinkles in surface. To treat the liver fluke infection, 20 mg/kg of praziquantel was orally administered only once to the case. Follow-up studies including fecal examinations were conducted during 2 years after treatment. But no more eggs were detected from the case. In the present study, we described the first clonorchiasis case of leopard cat, which was confirmed by ultrasonographic findings and egg morphologies from the bile juice sample in Korea.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.103-114
• /
• 2022

Zoological Parks house exclusive animal species, thus creating a source of education and awareness for visitors. Big cats like tigers and leopards are among the most visited species in zoos globally. However, they often display stressful or stereotypic behaviours. Such behaviours are influenced by multiple factors including visitors, animal history, and captive environment. To understand this impact, we investigated the behavioural response of tigers and leopards to visitation, captive, and biological factors. The behaviour of eight big cats housed in the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, was monitored using focal sampling technique during May and June 2019. We recorded the captive and biological factors and visitor density for the subjects. The study revealed high proportions of inactive and stereotypic behaviours amongst the species. Tigers and leopards were found to perform stereotypic behaviours for 22% and 28% of their time, respectively. Generalised Linear Models revealed a significant variation of stereotypy in association with the factors. Stereotypy was influenced by visitor density, age, sex, breeding history, coat colour, and enclosure design. Adults, males, white-coated, previously bred, and those housed in smaller and simple enclosures display more stereotypy than young, females, normal-coated, unbred, and those housed in larger and complex enclosures, respectively. A high density of visitors induced more stereotypic behaviours amongst the big cats. As providing entertainment and awareness amongst the public is one of the fundamental objectives of the zoo, visitors can not be avoided. Thus, we suggest providing appropriate enrichments that would reduce stereotypies and promote naturalistic behaviours.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.200-210
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this paper is to analyze Hirata Oriza's three plays, "Scientific Minds," "Monkeys on the Northern Limit Line" and "Balkan Zoo" with Lyotard's postmodern scientific view. Liotar, who claims that science and narratives follow the rules of their own pragmatic use, talks about the incommensurable parallelism between the two. Hirata Oriza points out that humans rely on narratives in the postmodern world. This paper analyzes Hirata Oriza's plays in three aspects. First, in the postmodern world where the master narrative has disappeared, it identifies the point where the boundaries that define the identity of human beings under the lost and developing science technology are fading. Second, we look at the pattern in which the parallelism between scientific knowledge and narrative knowledge is constantly diluted due to the characteristics of humans who understand the world by leaning on narrative. Finally, the aspects of small narratives are idetified, raised by individuals to comfort themselves toward a world where the master narrative disappears and is justified only by maximizing performance.

• Journal of Software Assessment and Valuation
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.11-24
• /
• 2019

Using cross-platform development frameworks, mobile app developers can easily implement mobile apps for multiple platforms in one step. The frameworks also provides adversaries with the ability to write malicious code once, and then run it anywhere for other platforms. In this paper, we analyze the ratio of benign and malicious apps written by cross-platform development frameworks for Android apps collected from AndroZoo's site. The analysis results show that the percentage of benign apps written in the frameworks continues to increase, accounting for 45% of all benign apps in 2018. The percentage of malicious apps written in the frameworks accounted for 25% of all malicious apps in 2015, but that percentage has declined since then. This study provides useful information to make a suitable choice when app developers face several challenges in cross platform app development.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.52.1-52.10
• /
• 2024

Importance: Kidney disease is prevalent among veterinary species, including zoo animals; however, investigations into this condition in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are scarce. Diagnostic tools for kidney diseases in this species also remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess the utility of symmetric dimethylarginine as a biomarker for kidney disease in captive striped skunks in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study analysed 11 striped skunks housed at the Everland Zoo between 2017 and 2021. Blood samples were collected during health checks. Kidney function was assessed through blood analysis and diagnostic ultrasound, with necropsies conducted on deceased animals. Symmetric dimethylarginine levels were measured in 27 plasma samples collected from 11 skunks. Results: Over the study period, seven skunks were diagnosed with kidney disease. Analysis of 27 blood samples revealed a concurrent increase in SDMA levels with concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine. In 3 of the 7 skunks with kidney disease, symmetric dimethylarginine exceeded 14 ㎍/dL prior to the elevation of blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine above the upper reference limit. Conclusions and Relevance: To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating symmetric dimethylarginine in captive striped skunks in Korea. Our findings suggest that symmetric dimethylarginine may serve as an early and consistent biomarker for renal dysfunction in striped skunks. Further studies with larger clinical sample size from striped skunks are needed to validate the clinical utility of blood symmetric dimethylarginine concentration.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2015

Changgyeongwon emerged as pleasure grounds following the creation of a museum, zoo and botanical garden in Changgyeonggung Palace during the Japanese colonial period. Pleasure grounds offer space for entertainment and have maintained the image of a paradise apart from reality. This study examined the creation process of pleasure grounds within a royal palace and the following spatial changes. By analyzing the image of Changgyeongwon as an artificial paradise, this study explored its landscape and cultural aspects. Literature reviews on the intention and process showed that the Changgyeongwon pleasure grounds were created as a 'royal garden' for the amusement of Sunjong, as well as 'public pleasure grounds' in the process of colonization. It was one of the first public spaces open to everyone who could afford the entrance fee. The layout of Changgyeongwon was studied by a comparison and analyzation of modern plans and photographs. It was composed of the central museum zone, northern botanical garden zone, and southern zoological garden zone. A conservatory and greenhouse to exhibit and maintain tropical plants were intensively built in the botanical garden zone while an aviary was created on the zoo pond. In the vicinity of the aviary a vivarium was constructed. Museum exhibition facilities included a main building as well as existing buildings, and a western flower garden was created between the buildings. Space for children including a playground and horse-riding course were created in the 1930's. The paradisiacal image and pleasure grounds culture of Changgyeongwon were studied as follows. Firstly, it shows that Changgyeongwon's paradisiacal image where rare animals and exotic plants were open to the public was promoted by the zoo and botanical garden. This led to the creation of new popular leisure activities such as flower appreciation and animal watching. Secondly, Changgyeongwon offered an urban leisure space, symbolizing the 'non-urban nature within the city' where the urban residents could escape from the daily routine. Thirdly, Changgyeongwon was known for its 'fantastic night landscape' by its night opening during the cherry blossom season. This cherry blossom viewing at night sadly degenerated by various shows and drinking, and as a result, an image of a deviant paradise was given to Changgyeongwon. Changgyeongwon contributed to creating a new space with its diverse facilities, and the public embraced the urban culture through experiences of pleasure and entertainment.