Abstract

In the field of animal protection and research, B-ultrasound technology is playing a vital role. Due to the nature of mammals, the use of routine pregnancy tests in captive medium and large wild animals may be limited. In this study, Malayan tapirs from Beijing Zoo were used as the research objects, and B-ultrasound examination was carried out to determine the pregnancy and fetal status of the Malayan tapir in the mother’s non-anaesthetic state, and basic data such as fetal heart rate, thoracic length, amniotic fluid depth, and fetal umbilical artery blood flow parameters were obtained. Maternal respiratory frequency, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, heart rate and other parameters were collected. This study not only avoided the risk that anaesthesia may bring to the Malarian tapir, minimized the disturbance to the animals, filled the gap in the biological pregnancy data of the Malarian tapir, and provided a reference for the reproduction of the Malayan tapir. The results demonstrated that non-anaesthetic B-ultrasound is feasible for monitoring the pregnancy of large captive wild animals. This study not only avoided the potential risks associated with anaesthesia for the Malayan tapir but also minimized disturbance to the animals. Furthermore, it filled the gap in the biological pregnancy data of the Malayan tapir, providing a scientific reference for the ex-situ conservation and reproductive management of this endangered species.

Keywords:B-ultrasound technology; Malay tapir; Non-anaesthesia; Pregnancy