Intestinal volvulus as cause of death in two killer whales kept under human care

ALONSO ALMOROX, PAULA; ARBELO, MANUEL; SIERRA, EVA; FIORITO, CARLA; SUÁREZ-SANTANA, CRISTIAN; RIVERO, MIGUEL; CÂMARA, NAKITA; ACHILLE-CONSOLI, FRANCESCO; ALCARAZ RICO, LUIS; SÚAREZ-GONZÁLEZ, ZULEIMA; MOLPECERES-DIEGO, IGNACIO ; NAVARRO-SARMIENTO, JOSÉ ; MARRERO-PONCE, LUCÍA ; CASTRO, AYOSE; COLOM-RIVERO, ANA; FELIPE-JIMÉNEZ, IDAIRA; GRANDE, FRANCHESCO; BERNALDO DE QUIROS, YARA; FERNÁNDEZ, ANTONIO

Simposio; 52nd Annual Symposium European Association for Aquatic Mammals; 2024

Two female killer whales (ages 3 and 17) died in 2021 at Loro Parque Zoo. Necropsies were carried out within a 24-hour post-mortem period, and a detailed pathological study, as well as complementary laboratory analyses were performed. These two animals were determined to have died due to intestinal volvulus.Intestinal volvulus has been recognized throughout the literature as the cause of death in 18 cetacean individuals. All cases originated from under human care institutions (11 facilities) and included both captive bred (n = 9) and free-ranging (n = 9) animals. When clinical history was available (n = 9), animals consistently demonstrated acute dullness 1 to 5 days prior to death. In 3 of these animals (33%), there was a history of chronic gastrointestinal illness. The pathological findings were similar to those described in other animal species and humans and consistent with intestinal volvulus. Potential predisposing causes were recognized in most cases (13 of 18, 72%) but were variable. Through the present poster, we will examine and deeply analyze these two intestinal volvulus cases in killer whales, adding valuable information to the discussion around an important cause of death in cetaceans kept in zoological facilities.