High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at one of three captive cervid facilities in Texas

Free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) across the United States are increasingly recognized as involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission cycles. Through a cross-sectional study of 80 deer at three captive cervid facilities in central and southern Texas, we provide evidence of 34 of 36 (94.4%) white-tailed deer at a single captive cervid facility seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by neutralization assay (PRNT90), with endpoint titers as high as 1280. In contrast, all tested white-tailed deer and axis deer (Axis axis) at two other captive cervid facilities were seronegative, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in respiratory swabs from deer at any of the three facilities. These data support transmission among captive deer that cannot be explained by human contact for each infected animal, as only a subset of the seropositive does had direct human contact. The facility seroprevalence was more than double of that reported from wild deer, suggesting that the confined environment may facilitate transmission. Further exploration of captive cervids and other managed animals for their role in the epizootiology of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for understanding impacts on animal health and the potential for spillback transmission to humans or other animal taxa.

Zoonotic diseases appeared to be a major hurdle to successful deer farming in Bangladesh

Background and Aim: Due to the diversified lifestyle and fancy ecology associated with Chitra deer (Axis axis), deer farming has become popular in Bangladesh. Diseases may be the common constrain of successful deer farming. This study aims to investigate the pathological, bacteriological, and nucleic acid based technologies to identify specific causes of morbidity and mortality of captive deer. Materials and Methods: Two deer farms and a park deer (designated as farm A, B, and C) entailing 87, 54, and 20 deer, respectively, showed illness and death constitute the study materials. A total of 42 deer died during this investigation. Following death, routine post-mortem examination, histopathology, impression smear staining, isolation, and identification of bacteria were carried out. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription PCR were carried out to safeguard the etiology. Results: Clinically, farm A and B showed the acute phase of illness and park deer showed chronic illness. Case fatality rates were 90%, 92%, and 100% in farms A, B, and C deer, respectively. Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus pneumoniae were identified from the visceral organs of farm A deer. Farm B deer was infected with Clostridium perfringens type A. Park deer was infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hydatid cyst. Conclusion: The infectivity in farm A deer was due to stress as induced by punishing weather. The infectivity in farm B deer was due to feeding a higher volume of protein in the diet. The park C deer may optate infection from companion man and animals living around. The diseases of captive deer identified mainly were zoonotic. It needs extensive veterinary services and specialized technologies to identify these diseases, monitor the infectivity and eliminate the public health important diseases at early onset.

Spread Risk Assessment of Invasive Axis Deer using Bioclimatic Niche Models

Ecological niche models (ENM) calibrated with data from native and invaded ranges are useful tools to manage biological invasions and can be challenged by niche shifts and non-equilibrium processes. We modeled the extent of the potential invasion by the axis deer (Axis axis) worldwide, testing the reciprocal hypotheses of niche conservatism and shift. We quantified niche overlap on the multivariate climatic space and modeled climatic realized niche based on detailed field information. We showed that the axis deer shifted its realized niche after the invasion. We rejected the niche equivalency hypothesis. Most of the climatic niche available in invaded areas is contained in the native climatic niche. Non-equilibrium between native and invasive niches of the axis deer was confirmed due to a large number of unfilled areas in invaded regions. Our projections predict that the most significant regions suitable for the axis deer are located in tropical and subtropical climates around the equator and the southern hemisphere, mostly in the Neotropics.

Effect of Sex and Age on Nutritional Content in Wild Axis Deer (Axis axis Erx.) Meat

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of sex and age on proximate chemical, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral content of axis deer (Axis axis Erx.) meat. Sixteen (n = 16) animals were hunt-harvested and assigned to groups according sex and age (sub-adult and adult). All analyses were made on m. longissimus thoracis sampled between the 9th and 13th ribs. Minor differences in nutritional composition of axis deer meat were found between analysed sex and age groups. Axis deer meat has a high protein (22.8%) and low fat (1.39%) content. Saturated fatty acids accounted for 44.97% and polyunsaturated for 29.66% of the total fatty acids. Ratios of fatty acids were within the recommended values. Glutamic and aspartic acid were the most abundant non-essential, and lysine and leucine the most common essential amino acids. The ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids was <1. Potassium and phosphorous were the dominant macro-minerals, while iron and zinc were the dominant micro-minerals. The results of this study show that regardless of sex or age, axis deer meat can be considered a good source of basic macro- and micro-nutrients, and can be recommended as a substitute for red meat from domestic animals.

Timor Deer (Cervus Timorensis) Arrest System Marind People with Tidal Local Wisdom

Deer are wildlife that has economic value because it can produce meat, leather, and velvet (young horn). Deer populations in nature have decreased due to uncontrolled wild poaching and damage to habitat. Indonesia has five types of deer, i.e., Cervus unicolor, Cervus timorensis, Axis kuhlii, Muntiacus Muntjak, and Axis axis (deer total). However, deer in Indonesia that have the opportunity to be empowered, there are several types, namely Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor and Axis axis, and in Merauke, especially in the had tribe0 has its distinctive characteristic in the process of catching deer. The purpose of the study was to know the pattern of deer arrest by the Malind tribe. The method used in this research is to conduct surveys and Wawan ways as well as observation of the field, the data in the analysis in a descriptive approach to conclude the investigation. The results showed that the pattern of deer caught in the Marind tribe traditionally done with snares, bamboo rinsing, as well as patterns carried out covering the forest burning Sawvana in the dry season of the cattle, besieged fire and dwelling on the land, and the season The community rained to the deck area (dense forest) that became the deer's dwelling and avoided the puddle of the sea, and the community captured it quickly. The chance of this research is the process of catching deer, in general, is done by the had in 2 ways that in the summer by burning and drought with the trap system.