Necropsy Report

Killer Whale (Orcinus-orca) Kahana

Age 15 yrs SeaWorld of Texas
Name: Kahana (female) Species: Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Source: wild capture, 1978, Tvisker coast, Iceland, age: est. 2 yrs Deceased: 6:09 a.m., 05-14-1991, SeaWorld of Texas, age: est. 15 yrs Reported cause of death (per NMFS MMIR data): Severe Trauma, Intestinal Ganglioneuroma Necropsy info: Conclusion- Leslie M. Dalton, DVM (1991): The animal had an intestinal neoplasm of neural origin which is of a type known to be capable of producing excruciating pain. During agonal throes, the whale collided with the side of the pool, which induced multiple fractures of the skull and cerebral contusions. These lesions resulted in severe hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, and death. Pathology- Ronald R. Crawley, DVM, University of Texas (1991): 1. intestinal neurofibroma 2. granulomatous pneumonia, focal, mycotic 3. meningeal hemorrhage, multifocal of varying severity 4. hepatitis, multifocal, minimal

See the extensive Necropsy Report data on the following pages.

The Orca Project Corp

3/11/2012

www.theorcaproject.com

Notes: Prior to reforms of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in 1994, holders of marine mammals for public display were required to submit necropsy reports (animal autopsy reports) for deceased animals, making the documents available to the public and scientific community. Presently, marine mammal parks in the U.S. are only required to provide a cause of death to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) which maintains Marine Mammal Inventory Reports (MMIR). Details of marine mammal deaths are now a closely guarded secret at U.S. entertainment facilities. The Orca Project acquired the following documents from the National Marine Fisheries Service (U.S.A) via the Freedom of Information Act for deaths that occurred prior to implementation of the 1994 MMPA changes. For more information visit www.theorcaproject.com

Necropsy, Autopsy, Veterinarian, NOAA, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, MMIR, Marine Mammal Inventory Report, MMPA, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Killer Whale, Orca, Shamu, Death, Die, SeaWorld, San Antonio, Texas, Kahana, Hammond Consultants

The Orca Project Corp

3/11/2012

www.theorcaproject.com

$a j
J u l y 3, 1991

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01 T e r a r
.. .

D r . Nancy F o s t e r D i r e c t o r , O f f i c e o f P r o t e c t e d Resources a n d H a b i t a t Programs N a t i o n a l Marine F i s h e r i e s Service 1 3 3 5 E a s t - W e s t Highway, Room 8268 S i l v e r S p r i n g , Maryland Z U Y lD

3ezr D r .

Foster:

P l e a s e f i n d e n c l o s e d a g r o s s n e c r o p s y a n d h i s t o p a t h o l o g y r e p o r t for a f e m a l e k i l l e r whale o f a p p r o x i m a , t e l y 1 4 t o 1 6 y e a r s , i d e n t i f i e d a s SWF-00-7803. The a n i m a l d i e d s u d d e n l y a n d w i t h o u t w a r n i n g n e a r dawn o n May 1 4 , 1991. F o r s e c u r i t y r e a s o n s , k i l l e r w h a l e s a t S e a World o f T e x a s a r e a t t e n d e d t w e n t y f o u r h o u r s a d a y . . The t h r e e w h a l e s ( o n e m a l e , two f e m a l e s ) m a i n t a i n e d a t Sea World o f T e x a s h a d s p e n t a n u n e v e n t f u l ' n i g h t r e s t i n g together. The o f f i c e r o n d u t y o b s e r v e d a s u d d e n t u r b u l e n c e o f w a t e r around one o f t h e w h a l e s . T h e . o t h e r two w h a l e s r e m a i n e d q u i e t and u n d i s t u r b e d i n a d i s t a n t p a r t o f t h e p o o l . The o f f i c e r p r o c e e d e d i m m e d i a t e l y t o th.e s i t e o f t h e d i s t u r b a n c e and o b s e r v e d e v i d e n c e o f some b l e e d i n g f r o m t h e mouth o f t h e whale i n v o l v e d . The o f f i c e r immediately informed t h e p a r k d i s p a t c h e r of a n a n i m a l emergency. C u r a t o r i a l p e r s o n n e l w e r e promptly n o t i f i e d b y t h e d i s p a t c h e r and a r r i v e d a t t h e k i l l e r - w h a l e p o o l w i t h i n t e n m i n u t e s o f t h e emergency r e p o r t . The g o v e r n m e n t was n o t i f i e d o f t h e d e a t h , a n d a n e c r o p s y was p e r f o r m e d . T h e i m m e d i a t e c o n c l u s i o n drawn from t h e g r o s s n e c r o p s y r e p o r t i s t h a t t h e a n i m a l d i e d a s a r e s u l t of s k u l l f r a c t u r e s a n d b l o o d l o s s . F u r t h e r review o f t h e p o s t mortem f i n d i n g s i d e n t i f i e s a n i n t e s t i n a l t u m o r o f n e u r a l o r i g i n which i s o f a t y p e kl~own t o b e c a p a b l e o f producing excruciatinq pain. We b e l i e v e t h e k i l l e r whale e x p e r i e n c e d a s u d d e : ~ and s i g n i f i c a n t amount o f p a i n w h i l e r e s t i n y , c a u s i n g ? p a n i c k e d and u n c o n t r o l l e d r e s p o n s e . A s a result, she c o l l i d e d w i t h t h e p o o l w a l l c a u s i n g m u l t i p l e s k i l l f r a c t u r e s which i n d u c e d r a p i d l o s s o f b l o o d an,l c e r e b r a l c o n t u s i o n s l e a d i n g t o a s w i f t death.
A b r i e f h i s t o r y o f t h e a n i m a l is n e c e s s a r y f o r a n u n d e r s ' t a n d i n g o f

t h e circumstances surrounding her death.

Sea World of Texas 10500 Sea Vdorld Drive San Anlon~o..TX-78251 (5 12) 523-3000

C R u x l l Enrcrrainrrx.r~c
I ."?

Corporation

T h e a n i r a l was c o l l e c t e d i n 1 9 7 8 a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y t w o y e a r s o f a n d w a s i n a p p a r e n t good h e a l t h . u n t i l l a + O c t o b e r 1 9 9 0 . In s e v e n t h m o n t h o f h e r f i r s t p r e g n a n c y ( 1 7 month g e s t a t i o n ) , e x h i b i t e d a c u t e s i g n s o f abdominal p a i n , f e v e r , inappetence, lethargy,

age the she and

A team o f s t a f f a n d c o n s u l t i n g v e t e r i n a r i a n s diagnosed her c o n d i t i o n a s impending spontaneous m i s c a r r i a g e . T h e a n i m a l was p l a c e d o n a p p r o p r i a t e m e d i c a t i o n and t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r c a r e and observation.

The animal w a s c o n s i d e r e d i n serj-ous c o n d i t i o n u n t i l a f t e r t h e Ti1e November 6 , 1 9 9 0 e x p u l s i o n o f a 3 3 " d e c o m p o s i n g f e t u s . p l a c e n t a w a s p a s s e d two d a y s l a t e r , a n d h e r m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n b e g a n t o i m p r o v e s u b s t a n t i a l l y . By J a n u a r y 2nd t h e c l i n i c a l p i c t u r e was w i t h i n a normal r a n g e f o r t h i s a n i m a l . The o n l y r e m a i n i n g c o n d i t i o n o f n o t e was a v a r i a b l e a p p e t i t e f r o m p r e - m i s c a r r i a g e l e v e l s . D u r i n g t h e weeks b e f o r e d e a t h , h e r c l i n i c a l a n d b e h a v i o r a l A s previously s t a t e was c o n s i d e r e d w i t h i n normal p a r a m e t e r s . n o t e d , d e a t h w a s u ~ e x p e c t e da n d s u d d e n o n May 1 4 , 1 9 9 1 .
W e w o u l d l i k e t o r e - e m p h a s i z e t h a t t h i s a n i m a l w a s i n a p p a r e n t good h e a l t h p r i o r t o t h e onset of the i l l n e s s preceding t h e miscarriage. A f t e r a recovery period, s h e r e t u r n e d t o a c l i n i c a l l y and W e had no r e a s o n t o s u s p e c t t h e b e h a v i o r a l l y normal c o n d i t i o n . p r e s e n c e o f a n y i l l n e s s . I n a n y case, t h e t e c h n o l o g y n e c e s s a r y t o d e t e c t and treat cancer o f t h i s t y p e i n k i l l e r whales does n o t exist.

Sincerely,

Staff veterinarian

si
Facility:

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G R C S S !:ECROPSY

REPORT

S e a World o f T e x a s

Frosector: ID t :
--

C r a w d e ~ r , Younq, SWF-00-7803 ~ e m kg a

riiilncs, kndcrso;.

~enus/Species: Orcinus orca

Age:

Approximately 15 y r s . 5/14/91 0609 h r s .

-.Sex:

D a t e of D e a t h :

D a t e of N e c r o p s y :

5/14/91

0900 h r s .

E X T E R N A L MORPHOMETRICS: WEIGHT:

(metric o n l y )

2 0 7 7 . 2 7 kq 508 c m 2 2 6 . 1 ~ ~ 1 . 312.4 c m
GIRTH AT A X I L L A : FLUKE X I D T H :

T O T A L LENGTH: GIR'rHATANUS:

289.6 c m
. .

1.34.6 c m .

GIRTH AT U M B I L I C U S : HISTORY:

DORSAL F I N H E I G H T :

67.31 c m

his a n i m a l h a d b e e n i n a p p a r e n t good h e a l t h f r o m t h e t i m e o f h e r a r r i v a l a t S e a W o r l d u n t i l O c t o b e r 2 3 , 1 9 9 0 when s h e p r e s e n t e d w i t h a c u t e l e t h a r g y and inappetence. She appeared t o h a v e abdominal p a i n a n d w a s immediately s t a r t e d on m e d i c a t i o n . Due t o t h e leukogram and t h e progesterone l e v e l s monitored s i n c e c o n c e p t i o n i n March o f 1990, a t e n t a t i v e d i a g n o s i s o f impending s p o n t a n e o u s a b o r t i o n was made. T h e a n l n a l a b o r t e d a 3 3 i n c h , 1 6 l b . p a r t i a l l y a u t o l y z e d . f e t u s o n November 6 , 1 9 9 0 . The e n t i r e p l a c e n t a was After t h e miscarriage, s h e began t o p a s s e d o n November 8 , 1 9 9 0 . r e t u r n t o n o r m a l a s r e f l e c t e d by a p p e t i t e , b e h a v i o r , c h e m i s t r i e s , a n d hemogram. M e d i c a t i o n s were d i s c o n t i n u e d o n November 2 0 , 1 9 9 0 . I n t e n s i v e m o n i t o r i n g c o n t i n u e d a f t e r m e d i c a t i o n was s t o p p e d u n t i l F e b r u a r y 6 , 1 9 9 1 when s h e was r e t u r n e d t o a r o u t i n e m o n i t o r i n g s c h e d u l e which i n c l u d e d d a i l y v e t e r i n a r y o b s e r v a t i o n s and monthly physical examinations. S h e had r e t u r n e d t o n o r m a l w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f h e r a p p e t i t e which remained v a r i a b l e . During t h e weeks p r i o r t o h e r d e a t h , h e r b e h a v i o r and c l i n i c a l p i c t u r e w e r e e x c e l l e n t and a p p e t i t e appeared t o b e s t a b i l i z i n g . Death nccurred w i t h o u t w a r n i n g a t 6 : 0 9 a . n . on May 1 4 , 1 9 9 1 .

GENERAL E X T E R N A L A P P E A W C E :

(oral cavity, external nares,

skin, eyes)

T h e r e is a 4 c m o v o i d superficial a b r a s i o n o v e r t h e m a n d i b u l a r symphysis. T h e r e is a d e g l o v i n g wound o v e r t h e a r e a of t h e mandibular symphysis. Multiple l a c e r a t i o n s o f t h e gingivae a r e p r e s e n t . The d e n t i t i o n o f t h e l e f t m a n d i b u l a r a r c a d e i s c l i s r u p t e d . Two t e e t h a r e m i s s i n g f r o m t h e a n t e r i o r a s p e c t o f t h e l o w e r a r c a d e . kJo r e c e n t r a k e m a r k s a r e p r e s e n t - o n t h e s k i n .

r'

PAGE 2
SUBDERKAL C O N D I T I O N :

X0r SKf-00-7803

( b l u b b e r , m u s c l e s , lymph: n o d e s ;
c m which

T h e b l u b b e r t h i c k n e s s is a p p r o x i m a t e l y 7-8 T h e r e i s a c o n t u s i o n a r o u n d t h e l e f t o r b i-* . t
-. .

is normal.

C R A N I A L EXAM:

( e a r s , melon, p t e r y g o i d s i n u s )

T h e r e is a s l a b f r a c t u r e T h e m a n d i b u l a r s y m p h y s i s is s e p a r a t e d . of t h e a n t e r i o r d o r s a l a s p e c t o f t h e m a n d i b l e w h i c h i n c l u d e s t h e T h e r e is a c o m p o u n d f i r s t t w o t e e t h on t h e l e f t and r i g h t side. c o m m i n u t e d f r a c t u r e o f t h e m i d - l e f t h o r i z o n t a l r a m u s . T h e r e is a n . . F v ~ ~ t r ~ rf n t h n lrrht. t;tl r ; l m l ~ - T h e r e , hq-rl. r-)-- h- C I Z - l are h a i r l i n e f r a c t u r e s of t h e r i g h t f r o n t a l , parietal, and o c c i p i t a l b o n e s . T h e r e is a s i m p l e f r a c t u r e e x t e n d i n g t o t h e r i g h t t e m p o r a l bone.
L

. L U L L

. ,. L.L

L L UULUL

-1-

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:

(brain,.pituitary, spinal cord)

T h e d u r a m a t e r i s l a c e r a t e d o v e r t h e r i g h t cerebral h e m i s p h e r e . T h e r e is a 5 c m s u b d u r a l ecchymotic hemorrhage o v e r t h e r i g h t m i d d o r s a l cerebrum. T h e r e is a l o c a l i z e d a r e a o f , s u p e r f i c i a l h e m o r r h a g e o v e r t h e l e f t cerebral h e m i s p h e r e .

THOF-WIG C A V I T Y :

(pleura)

T h e r e is e v i d e n c e o f e x t e n s i v e hemorrhage i n t h e mediastirium. No source f o r t h e apparent mediastinal h e m o r r h a g e c a n be identified. ~ uf u s i o n h e m o r r h a g e i s p r e s e n t a l o n g t h e s e r o s a l f s u r f a c e o f t h e t h o r a c i c esophagus.

U P P E R R E S P I R A T O R Y SYSTEM:

(nasal sacs, nares, larynx)

Appears normal qrossly.

LOWER R E S P I R A T O R Y SYSTEM:

( t r a c h e a , b r o n c h i , l u n g s , lymph n o d e s )

T h e l e f t l u n g l o b e c o n t a i n s two b u l l o u s a i r - f i l l e d s t r u c t u r e s . T h e r e is a 9 c m d i a m e t e r mass w i t h a 2 c m d i a m e t e r c a s e o u s c e n t e r . T h e r e is f r o t h p r e s e n t i n t h e m a j o r b r o n c h i .
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:

( h e a r t , a o r t a , major v e s s e l s )

Appears normal q r o s s l y .
ABDOMINAL C A V I T Y :

(lymph n o d e s )
A l l

A l l o r g a n s appear d r y and appear t o c o n t a i n v e r y l i t t l e blood.

lymph n o d e s appeared v e r y prominent and exuded a w h i t i s f i f l u i d o n c u t surface.

1

D I G E S T I V E SYSTEM:

. ( e s o p h a g u s , s t o r . a c h , i n t e s ~ i n e ,cec;ir.. lymph n o d e s )

rtctuin,

The jejunum c o n t a i n s t h i c k brownish-red U q u i a . The mucosa i s f r i a b l e . T h e r e a r e s e r o s a l p e t e c h i a e and ecchymoses i n v o l v i n g t h e d i s t a l s m a l l . i n t e s t i n e . T h e r e is a s o l i d w h i t e 6 c m by 3 c m mass i n t h e d i s t a l s m a l l i n t e s t i n e t h a t e x t e n d s from t h e mucosal s u r f a c e t o t h e s e r o s a l s u r f a c e . . No g a s t r o i n t e s t i n a l u l c e r s a r e p r e s e n t .

LIVER:

( b i l i a r y system)
~ l ~ ~ l ~ ~ l

T h e g r o s s a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e i i v e r is
PANCREAS :

p pears
SPLEEN:

normal g r o s s l y .

T h e s p l e e n is s m a l l w i t h f i b r o i s t a g s o n t h e c a p s u l e . significant gross lesions.

R E P R O D U C T I V E SYSTEM:

There a r e no

(testicles, ovaries)

The r i g h t ' o v a r y c o n t a i n s s e v e r a l d e v e l o p i n g f o l l i c l e s and one atrophic corpus luteun. T h e r e is a l a r g e r o u n d 1-1.5 c m c o r p u s l u t e u m n o t i c e a b l e on t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e l e f t o v a r y . The r e m a i n d e r o f t h e o v a r y a p p e a r s t o b e composed o f l u t e a l t i s s u e . T h e r e is a 2 c m c y s t i n t h e l e f t mesovarium. T h e c y s t is f i r m a n d f l u i d f i l l e d . T h r e e s m a l l , f i b r o u s p l a q u e s a r e p r e s e n t on t h e s e r o s a o f t h e l e f t u t e r i n e horn. These a p p e a r t o be s c a r s , n o t a c t i v e lesions. The r e p r o d u c t i v e t r a c t a p p e a r s e s s e n t i a l l y normal.
URINARY SYSTEM:

(kidneys, ureter, bladder, u r e t h r a )

Appears normal g r o s s l y .
ADRENAL G W D S :

Appears normal g r o s s l y .
S K E L E T A L SYSTEM:

Appears normal g r o s s l y .
PARASITE SUMMARY:

S e e c r a n i a l exam

N p a r a s i t e s found. o

SPECIAL TESTS:

Histopathology Microbiology ~ a g n e t i cresonance imaging (brain)

G R O S S SUMMARY:

1.
2.

3.
4.

intestinal mass pulmonary mass multiple fractures of the skull and mandible laceration of the cerebral dura mater rnediastinal hemorrhage

6.

H I S T O P A T H O L O G Y SUPNARY:

1.
2.

3.

4.

intestinal neurofibroma / ganglioneuromatosis meningeal hemorrhage, multifocal of varying severity granulomatous pneumonia, single focus, mycotic-inactive hepatitis, multifocal, minimal-insignificant

. M I C R O B I O L O G Y SUMMARY:
.

No significant findings.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

I J o significant lesions.

The animal had an intestinal neoplasm of neural origin which is of a type known to be capable of producing excruciating pain. 'During agonzl throes, the whale collided with the side o f the pool, which induced nultiple fractures of the skull and cerebral contusions. These lesions resulted in severe hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, and death.
Date:

d .& /?4/ x

signed;

. .- .
.

. ..

. , ..
/

' ~ I I C . ~ I I IC~. ~ . I I J I

(,I I.~..~:I.

- 3 1
..-

14calth S\-ic.ncc i c ~ ~ r ;I[ r \ . I " c

\~icorlio

?703 Fluiti c2ri I J I : \ - c

San Anrunlo. Texas ;S'2S4-;.-'>*.

. .,. .
. .

-.- .. - -

. -. .

--.- - --

--. /.

6 1 2 ) 567-6166

Deparrment ol Laboratory Animal Resources

. .

J u n e , 20,

1991

L & .

QlFpr;
* . A . . 4

Animal number: S u b m i t t e d by:

-- . 1 1 6 377 532 D r . Dalton

A.

i n t e s t i n e - mucosa a u t o l y t i c , i n c r e a s e d c e l l u l a r i t y i n v o l v i n g t h e m ~ e n t e r l c plexus. T h e r e is marked s p i n d l e c e l l p r o l i f e r a t i o n around t h e m y e n t e r i c g a n g l i a and a l o n g n e r v e s i n t o t h e i n n e r c i r c u l a r smooth m u s c l e l a y e r s and o u t e r l o n g i t u d i n a l smooth muscle l a y e r s . After traversing the m u s c l e l a y e r s t h e s p i n d l e c e l l s form a d e n s e l a y e r between t h e i n n e r c i r c u l a r muscle l a y e r a n d t h e subrnucosa. Likewise a d e n s e l a y e r of s p i n d l e cells is formed between t h e o u t e r l o n g i t u d i n z l muscle l a y e r and t h e serosa. M i t o t i c f i g u r e s are n o t found i n t h i s population o f s p i n d l e cells. The s p i n d l e c e l l s h a v e a s i n g l e o v a l n u c l e u s w i t h wavy c y t o p l a s m i c p r o c e s s e s e x t e n d i n g from e a c h e n d . The cells are a r r a n g e d w i t h p a r a l l e l cytoplasmic processes which s t a i n f o r c o l l a g e n with a trichrome stain. i n t e s t i n e - s i m i l z r t o A b u t w i t h more p r o n o u n c e d i n v o l v e m e n t o f t h e s u b n u c o s a l and s u b s e r o s a l a r e a s . There a r e a l s o g l o b o i d m a s s e s a r i s i n g from t h e g a n g l i o n a r e a S ~ t w e e n t h e muscle layers. Tnere a r e g a n g l i o n cells which a p p e a r t o b e t r a p p e d i n t h e s e n a s s e s . T h e masses a r e c o m p o s e d c f l o o s e l y a r r a n g e d s p i n d l e cells f o r m i n g w h o r l s a n d i n t e r d i g i t a t i n g bundlesT h e s e c e l l s h a v e l o n g wavy c y t o p l a s m i c p r o c e s s e s t h a t s t a i n l e s s i n t e n s e l y f c r c o l l a g e r l t l - ~ a r i. t h e c z i l s 2; t h d t y e x t e n d o u t w a r d a l o n g n e r v e s f r o m t h e s e masses. M l r n p r e s s i o n is t h a t t h l s l e s i o n r e p r e s e n t s a n e u r o f i b r o m a a n d i s composed o f f i b r o b l a s t s a n d Schwann c e l l s . 1 c a n n o t determine l f t h e ganglion c e l l s are part of t h e n e o p l a s t i c process o r a r e entrapped wlthin the neoplastic t i s s u e . I f t h e gangllon cells are p a r t of the neoplastic process t h e diagnosis 1s ganglioneurofibrona. , i n t e s t i n e - same a s B intestine
-

B.

.C -

D.

edge of h

~ . c c e s s i o nnuribel-: Animai n u m b e r :

51,5-E7 116 3 7 7 5 3 2

Page,

.?

-::

E.

s u b m a n d i b u l a r l>mph n o d e - f a t t y i n f i l t r a t i o n , a c c u m u l a t i o n i n medullary macrophages, s u b m a n d i b u l a r lymph n o d e - same , a s E m e s e n t e r i c lymph n o d e - n o l e s i o n m e s e n t e r i c lymph n o d e - n o l e s i o n

hemoslderln

F.
G.

H.

J.

l u n q - H&E, f o c a l cjranulomatous pneumonia w i t h c a s e o u s e x u d a t e c o n t a i n i n g numerous h y p h a l s t r u c t u r e s w i t h t h e t y p i c a l J The l e s i o n h a s a t h i c k c a p s u l e m o r p h o l o g y o f A s p e r q i l l u s S. o f f i b r o u s c o n n e c t i v e t i s s u e , lymphocytes, plasma c e l l s , and f o r e i g n body g i a n t c e l l s . T h e r e is c h r o n i c o b s t r u c t i v e pulmonary d i s e a s e i n t h e lung t i s s u e surrounding t h e mycotic l e s i o n . The a d j a c e n t b r o n c h i o l e s and a l v e o l i a r e d i l a t e d and c o n t a i n a mucoid s e c r e t i o n . lung G S M
-

J.

same a s J H & E

K.
K. L. L.

l u n g H&E - s e c t i o n o f l u n g a d j a c e n t t o m y c o t i c g r a n u l o m a w i t h c h r o n i c o b s t r u c t i v e p u l m o n a r y d i s e a s e a s d e s c r i b e d i n J. lung G S - negative fungal elements M l u n g H&E lung G S M lung lung

-

.a

same a s J sane a s J

N.
0.

no l e s i o n K

- s a m e as

lung fo8:us of subacute t o c h r o n i c bronchopneumonia c h a r a c t e r i z e d by e x u d a t i o n o f m i x e d p o p u l a t i o n o f l e u k o c y t e s and crc;ar,izing f i b r i n 'intg brorlchioles and- a l v e o l i . lung
-

P. Q-

no l e s i o n

s m ~ - l li n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c m u c o s a , n o l e s i o n s m a l l i n t e s t i n e - prominent Brunners g l a n d s , i n f i l t r a t e s of p l a s m a c e l l s and l y m p h o c y t e s a t t h e i n t e r f a c e of B r u n n e r s g l a n d s and t h e s u p e r f i c i a l mucosa.

I

R.

small intestine small intestine

a u t o l y t i c mucosa, no l e s i o n a u t o l y t i c mucosa, no l e s i o n

.L.n

.L.:cessi.zr. nunbsr: ima 1 n u n b e r :

2 1T5-67 i i 6 3 7 7 532,

S.

small i n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c mucosa, n g l e s i o n l a r g e i n t e s t i n e -a u t o l y t i c mucosa, g u b s e r o s a l hemorrhage , s m a l l i n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c mucosa, n o l e s i o n small i n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c mucosa, n o l e s i o n s m a l l i n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c mucosa, n o l e s i o n g l a n d u l a r stomach - n o ' l e s i o n g l a n d u l a r stomach - no l e s i o n ' n o n g l a n d u l a r stomach - no l e s i o n s m a l l i n t e s t i n e - a u t o l y t i c mucosa, n o l e s i o n ovary ( l e f t )
-

T.

U.
,-

X.
Y.

l a r g e corpus luteum, no l e s i o n

ovary ( r i g h t ) - corpus a l b i c a n s and few p r i m o r d i a l f o l l i c l e s i n s t r o m a - no l e s i o n h e p a t i c lymph n o d e - m i l d e d e m a a n d m i l d e r y t h r o p h a q o c y t o s i s pancreas lesion

-

2.
AA.

mild

interstitial no l e s i o n

edema,

slight

autolysis,

no

BB.
CC.

adrenal gland

k i d n e y - e a r l y a u t o l y s i s - , no l e s i o n s p l e e n - no l e s i o n s u b l u m b a r lymph n o d e k i d n e y - no l e s i o n a d r e n a l . - no l e s i o n h e a r t - no l e s i o n s p l e e n - no l e s i o n heart heart heart heart heart heart

-

DD.

no l e s i o n

EE.
FF.

GG.

no l e s i o n no l e s i o n no l e s l . a n no l e s i o n no l e s i o n no l e s i o n

HH.
11.

JJ.

h e a r t - no l e s i o n t h y m u s - no l e s i o n

?,zccssicn nunber: P.nimal number:

91T5-87 115 3 7 7 5 3 2

XK.
LL.
MM.

s k e l e t a l m u s c l e - no l e s i o n t h y r o i d g l a n d - no l e s i o n s k e l e t a l muscle - no l e s i o n

l i v e r - minimal h e p a t o c y t i c v a c u o l i z a t i o n ; e x p a n s i o n o f s p a c e of Disse, occasional f o c a l accumulation o f mononuclear leucocytes.

p e l v i c iympn node
-

NN.

siighi

erieilld

1.

a n t e r i o r cervical s p i n a l c o r d - m i n i m a l h e m o r r h a g e i n q r e y m a t t e r around c e n t r a l c a n a l , minimal sponqy change i n w h i t e m a t t e r w h i c h is i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m e a r l y a u t o i y s i s . c e r e b e l l a r c o r t e x - no l e s i o n c e r e b e l l u m , choroid p l e x u s , medulla - hemorrhage i n meninges vermis of cerebellum meningeal hemorrhage posterior colliculus
I

2. 3.
4 .

congested meningeal v e s s e l s w i t h focal no l e s i o n

5.
6.
7.

l e f t cerebrum - e x t e n s i v e meningeal hemorrhage t h a l a m u s - no l e s i o n roof of 3rd ventricle white matter cerebral c o r t e x

-

8.

hemorrhage,

mainly p e r i v a s c u l a r ,

in

9.

no l e s i o n

10.

l e f t c e r e b r a l cortex - extensive meningeal hemorrhage over s u r f a c e a n d e x t e n d i n g down s u l c i , p e r i v a s c u l a r h e m 0 r r h a g e . i . n u n d e r l y i n g w h i t e m a t t e r o f ,, g y r u s .

11.

1c:fc c e r e b r a l c o r t e x ( a c o u s t i c a r e a ) r i g h t cerebrum right cerebral hemorrhage

-

11c.

lesion

12.
13.

no l e s i o n cortex (.r)ccipital)
-

minimal

meningeal

;-.ccession n u m b e r :
Animal number:

91T5-87 116 2 7 7 5 3 2

Diaqnoses:
#

1.
2. 3.

4.

intestinal neurofibroma granulomatous pneumonia, focal, mycotic meningeal hemorrhage, multifocal of varying severity hepatitis, multifocal, minimal

D.V.M., Ph.x.
Veterinary Pathologist RRC: tc

Ref:

RRC1/91T5-87.SW

Dr. Nancy F o s t e r Di r e c t o r . , O f f i c e o f Protected Resources and H a b i t a t Programs. N a t i o n a l Marine F i sherles S e r v i c e

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Dear Dr. F o s t e r :

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This responds t o your request f o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e d e a t h o f a k i l l e r whale a t our San A n t o n i o f a c i l i t y . We would a l s o l i k e t o comment b r i e f l y on a l e t t e r t o t h e S e r v i c e from t h e H a r i ne Mammal C o m i ssion. F i r s t , we have submi'tted w i t h t h i s l e t t e r t h e f o l l o w i n g documents which you have s p e c i f i e d :
o o

~ a r r a t i v ed e s c r i p t i o n o f o b s e r v a t i o n s b y t h e Sea World s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r who observed t h e animal s i ' n q u e s t i o n ; L a b o r a t o r y r e p o r t s re1 a t i ng t o t h e n e u r o f i broma, i n c l u d i n g John M. P l e t c h e r , DVM, MPH and R o b e r t 8. Moel l e r , DVM, Armed Forces I n s t i t u t e o f P a t h o l o g y . H a s h i n g t o n . D.C., and R. C r a i g Platenberg, HD, ( M R I R e p o r t ) ; Communications from a d d i t i o n a l m e d i c a l e x p e r t s : Sam H . Ridgway, DVH, PhD; C l i f f o r d J . H i x s o n , VMD; Wayne R. P a t t e r s o n , PhD; D. L. Chumley, MD; and Steven Schenker, MD A copy o f the APHIS r e p o r t .

..

Sea' World. Inc. 7007 Sea World Drive Orlando. FL 328218097 (407) 363-2155

. . . Throughout our i n v e s t i g a t i o n , we have been thorough, u t l l i z i n g v e t e r l n a r l a n s and other l n d l v l d u a l s i n the medical f i e l d . I t I s tf1e combined judgment of these e x p e r t s . both i n s i d e and outsiGe of S E ~ Horld, t h a t led us t o our oplnions and conclusions regarding the cause o f t h e a n l m l ' s death. Again. t h e experts we have r e l i e d upon include t h e following:
-..

-.. -

Lesl i e H. Dalton, DVH S t a f f Veterinarian Sea World o f Texas San Antonio, TX 78251 Ronald Crawl ey, DVH Veterlnary P a t h o l q i s t Universl t y of Texas Health Science Center San Antonlo, TX 78284 Gary Anderson, DVM Veterinarian Lackland Air Force Base San Antonio, TX 78236

P John M. Pletcher, OW, H H Robert B . Moeller, DVM ( i n consul t a t i o n with t h e Neuropathol ogy Department) Armed Forces I n s t i t u t e of Pathology Hashi ngton, DC- 20306 Sam H . Ridgway, OW, PhD Naval Ocean Systems Center San Di ego, CA 92152 Dr. Sr. Sea San James McBain S t a f f Veterinarian Horld of California Diego, CA 92109-9980

He have considered a l l of t h e points r a i s e d by t h e Marine Mammal C o m i s s i o n . Our d e l i b e r a t i o n s a r e r e f l e c t i v e of a p r o f e s s i o n a l , competent and d e t a i l e d i n q u i r y and we stand by our opinions and conclusions. Regarding the Conmission's comments about the animals t h o r a c i c c z v i t y , t h e f a c t t h a t no source f o r t h e apparent mediastinal hemorrhage was i d e n t i f i e d d i s t i n c t l y i n d i c a t e d the lack of involvement of any l a r g e blood v e s s e l s . The amount of blood involved was s u f f i c i e n t t o pr3duce t h e suffusion hemorrhage a s described i n our r e p o r t . Hy correspondence on July 1 1 , 1991. t h a t the " l i k e l y cause of t h i s hemorrhage was trauma t o mediastinal t i s s u e caused by t h e sudden d e c e l e r a t i o n of the r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e cetacean h e a r t " i s a good f ~ i t h a t t e m p t , by a number of professionals, t o d e s c r i b e what appears t o have been the most l i k e l y s c e n a r i o t o have r e s u l t e d in t h e l e s i o n noted. Archiv~d T n C ~ C Y-oipc: 2: C p F w. th~~rcmro,i~c:. COT

The bleedlng t h a t produced t h l s leslon was o f . c a p l l l a r y orlgln and not the r e s u l t of esophageal laceration. laceration of any other type, o r trauma from outside the thorax. I f any other cause f o r the hemorrhage would have seemed l i k e l y , our reports would have indicated t h i s . In any event, w can s t a t e with confidence t h a t no foreign object was e present a t the necropsy. As we have stated before, we have no indication of aggressive behavior t h a t would have caused a c o l l i s i o n wi th a pool wall. As previously s t a t e d , the other whales were inspected a f t e r the death of t h e i r companion.- Nothing unusual was detected during the exam1 nation r e a d r l n u f u r t e r observatlon o r treatment: consequent1 v there i s no documenta-tion of the examination. Also, contrary t o the information recently received by the Marine Hamal Commission, there i s no survei! lance video cf t h e an!rnzl's death. F i n a l l y , w did not s t a t e o r imply that t h e neurofibroma was e ma1 ignant. Details about the tumor are contained i n the necropsy report. This concludes our report on the death of the k i l l e r whale i d e n t i f i e d as SHF-00-7803. Two copies of the marine mammal col 1 ection/inventory report are attached. Sincerely,

Brad Andrews Vice President Zoo1 ogi cal Operat ions Attachments

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1 u-d b q b n loddng foc the F a d e Whale end cuuld not find h w , d w to t h e r a t e r i t h pwl being Wfy clody ud dibtwbod. The oth*r U d e rrd Famd4 Ifhalea vem tward t h front of the t i g h t pl calm Mb fioatirq err tM &&a. 5M i n j d F1 -. m a l e uc undorwrtar and W hot 4 ~ ~ f r c e d A t oxi irately 0618htr . DAn/CUWiTCR arrived at N~SADIM. [ * 1 1 b d v l s e d ~ C f O f i n c i k n t anQC'I], [*13, Famkqm 1cski.q f w t b i n j u r i e d P o d * Whsle. Lal] VU hblt t o e p t the injutled 4 ~ t h e -la in w p t e r of the right , a_n4 c t t h l a t= d ! ths vkttrr M c1-4 with f i u h eras$-, to lights. ["I] asked K K f ? if ha Vould l i k e ( ~ ; ~ @ * ~ t o sakr furthac &mcgtncy notifications. s o p l i d yea.& a d 4 t o coiltact Y W , ~ U Z P X T N Q I ~ U XI= of ~ m tf1C;DtULt atM?tXl= notlfi-tiocra u r n mccbr bylj>;tt-a%GJviethl) tdlepban-

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D r . Les D a l t o n Sea W o r l d o f Texas 10500 Sea Elo'rld D r i v e San A n t o n i o , TX 78251

1
DATE:

CPU -v jhP/i?BM/rnab 19 June 1991

I
A F I P DIAGNOSIS:

CONSULTATION REPORT ON CONTRIBUTOR MATERIAL

11 6377532 1 . I n t e s t i n e : Gang1 i o n e u r o m a t o s i s , k i l l e r whale, c e t a c e a n . Lung: Granuloma, c a s e o n e c r a t i c , f o c a l l y e x t e n s i v e , s e v e r e , w i t h f u n g ? l nyphae c o n s l s t e n r ~ 1 1 t h s p e r - g l l l u s sp. ana z a j z c e n t q r d n u l o m a t o u s A inflamnation. .. 3. G r a i n , meninges: zemorrllcge, m u l t i f o c a l , n i l c . 4. L i v s r : H e p e t i t i s , n c c r o ; i z i n g , a c u t e , a u l t i f x z l , m i n i m a l .

2.

'

C.oment: - T h i s case was r e v i e w e d by t ! Clepartrnents o f V e t e r i n a r y ' P a t h o l o g y , ~ Tti~ cause o f .ths abnor;nal b e h z v i o r of l ~e~ro:,ctholo~~ and..'G3strointek t i n a l ~ a t l l aogy. t h i s x n a l e p r i o r i o d e a t h c a u l d n o t 5 2 i 6 2 n i i i i e 3 I l i s r : o l o g i c a l l y . The i n t e s t i n a l $?n.?i i o n e u r o n ~ t o i s :.:as c h z r a c t e r i z e t by gro;riifient b u n d l e s o f spincile c e l 1 s s 1 i n f i 1 t r a t i ng i n t o . t h e t u n i c a 1 n u ~ c ua r i s . r n a set-3sa. S c d r t e r e d &?angst r i i e s e . s p i n a l e ' c e l l s Here i n d i v i d u a l g a n g l i o n c e l l s . The s p i n d l e c e i l s :/ere 5-100 p o s i t i v e . The f o c a l g r z n u l o m a i n t h e l u n o s c o n t a i n ? d nurn2raus f ~ l n g z l l l y p h i which are c o n s i s t e n t w i t h Asper i l l u s sp. A l t h o u g h A s p e r g i l l u s i n f e c t i o n s can be s ? r i o u s i n w h ? i e s , t h i s l e s i o n wzs r o c a and w e l i ? n c a p s u l a t e d . Tnc f i e m o r r h ? y i n r h e CiIS may hav? r e s u l t e d f r o m t n e xz1'. t r z u ~ z - o fc o l l i d i n s w i t n t h e p o o l

k n i m z l s a f f e c t e d w i t h i n t e s t i n a l g a n g l i o n e u r o i m a t a s i s have d e m o n s t r . a t e . d . c l i n i c a ~ s i g n s o f c o n s t i p a t i o n and tenesmus. I n man, t h i s neoplasm has been a s s o c i a ' t e d w i t h a t y p e o f f z r n i l i a l . m u l t i p l e e n d o c r i n e n e o p l a s i a , k:hich i n c l u d e s pheochromocytorna and medul ! a r y t h y r o i d carcinoma, an3 von Reck 1 i n g h a u s e n ' s d i s e a s e ( n e u r o f ib r o r r ~ a t o s i s . ) I n d i v i d u a l s a f f e c t e d are u s u a l l y asyrnptomaric b u t can show symptoms o f c o n s t i p a t i o n , cra-qs 2 n d I c r a b d m i n a l d i s t e n s i o n . Acerher such s i s n s i n a wndle would cause e r r a t i c s w i m n i r ~ g and a c o l l i s i o n i s unknown. Thank you f o r s u b m i t c i n g ' t h i s i n r e r e s t i n g case t o t h e i egis try' o f V e t e r i n a r y P a t h o l o g y .

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P L E T C H ~ ~0Vr.1, MPH, , C o l o n e l . VC. USA

Chairman, Department o f V e t e r i n a r y ~ z f h o l o ~ ~

ROBERT B. MOELLER, DVm LTC, VC, USA Department o f V e t e r i n a r y Pathology

'.- .- .. ;..i.>-.'-.:,:. 2. :.:> : <

>5:::..:

S U B J : ' O R ~ . - ffRI TO: L e s Dal:on

DVH

TECHNLQUE : H u l t i p l e s p ~ n c h o a n d g r a d i e c : e c h o s e q u e n c e s w e r e d o n c on 2 e G E 1 . 5 T e s s l a SICNA s y s t e m . T1 w e i g h t e d s a g i t t a l , a x l a l and c o r o n a l v i e w s w e r e u n d e r t a k e n w l t h iP./TE o f 6 0 0 - 6 5 0 / 2 0 m s e c s . 1; w e i g h t e d a x i a l v i e w s w e r e d o n e c i t h TR/TE o f 3 , 0 0 0 / 3 0 , 8 0 m s e c s . SPCR images w i t h a f l i p a n g l e o f 5 0 d e g r e e s , TR/TE 3 7 / 9 a n d CAE l m a g e s w i t h a f l i p a n g l e o f 4 5 d e g r e e s a n d TR/TEof 2 7 / 1 2 w e r e a l s o o b t a i n e d . FINDINGS: A s o l i t a r y p u n c t a t e a r e a o f i n c r e a s e d s i g n a l on T2 c e i g h t e d i m a g e s is noted i n the r i g h t thalznus. T h i s o b s e r v a t i o n i n hunans c o r r e s p o n d s l d is ted V X Z ~ ~ ~ t 3 = . ! i ~ ~ h ~ r h p n ; a G3 o r g l i o s l s which i s u s u a l l y s e e n i n h y p e r t e n s i v e i n d i v i d u s l s . The s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h i s f i n d i n g i n t h e O r c a s p e c i e s i s unknown. ::o a a s s , m a s s e f f e c t , s i g n i f i c a n t s i g n a l a b n o r m a l i t y n o r 8 : ~ ; s a n ~ t o z i c; s y m m e t r y were detected. IMPRESSION: K O s i g n i f i c a n t a n a t o m i c 2 b n o r ~ ~ ! i t y . N o KRI e v i d e n c c f c r i L l e c t i o n . n e o p l a s i a nor hemorrhage.

, Thank y o e f o r t h i s n o s t i n t e r e s t i n g o p p o c t u n ! t y t o a s s i s ; you i ~ y o u r e v a l u a t i o n o f t h i s 2rnazing s p e c i e s . . I f i may b c of f v r c ~ ~ r 5e1?. p l e ~ s e f e e l f r e e t o c o n t a c t me.

Sincerely,

R.

Craig

1
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ltc

tJnivcrsi(y 01 To-as:

Health Science G n t e r a t Saa A n t ~ d o 7703 Floyd Curl Drive Sar! Antunio, 7-txiis 76263-7876

Department of M d c i n c
D;ricriono Ga6trocn:olo;n. and Nutrition f

August 23, 1991

Dr. Les Dalton

Veterinarian

SEA WORLD S t r , Antcilio, Tcx&

FAX NO. 523-3739

T ~ i is a follow up on you: 1;lephan.- e cozczr.nl~;g l ~ c a b c>f rhc ivhzle s ,- . l 1 r d

As

:. I

Sca \V~:it!.

I understand Ir, O I I au:opry a 6 x 3 cnl runwr, spznniug 1/3 irf LIIC ci~.cu~nrersl~ct rm'dlj IntcSinc, of the wzs found. This runlor 2pparzn:ly invacl.2 the muscul;ir-ir and dle serosz. Appacrzdy h i s XG 2 ncurocndocrine tumor.

me quesrion is whether such a ruinor c-11 cluse pzill which, in turn, u.ruld rzsui: i l l ekciiclllel>t of rhc znimal and s m n d a r y injury. Obviously I h w e no expcricnn wid1 whalcs (clhough my collmgucs 1 1 x rhzr 1 a1.n a 'whale of a clouor'). However, cxu;lpola(ing from humnn rncdicinc. ~ ~ z r l i@l!siructio: f1011l al thc tumor a u l d cause dis12mion of tlic bowel and thus pain. This would be rhe lust likcly cnusz of any pain p r a e n t in S U ~ a slru:tion. Concei~xh!y,i n v u l \ . ~ ~ n zo ,l~ I r pzin receptor5 in 2 suctc>d bowel wall could be mother mechanism of pzin. Small boivcl runlors in pztients often u e sileni znd dift-icolt 10 d ? ~ e cunless rllcy bleed or cause ohsrnrc~lo~~ pzin. T n u b , whilr 1 caiirrui s 2 j ~har t wit11 l!lz cilale Ilzc pain, dlis could havz b c n t ! c probleln.

Good wishes..
Sincerely,

Stevcn Schcnkcr, M.D.

Professor of M-cilclnc ~ n Pharmacology d Chief, Division of Gaxcou;tcrology and Nutrition Staff Plrysician, Audic L. Murplly Memorial Voteram' Hospital

SS/am
c'c: John P. Howc.

M.D.. President

September 3 ,
To:

1991

D r Les D a l t o n Seaworld o f Texas

RE:

p a i n A s s o c i a t e d With S m a l l B o w e l Tumors

It i s t h e f e e l i n g of D Wayne P a t t e r s o n a n d myself t h a t a r small bowel tumor of n e u r a l o r i g i n c o u l d , i n some c a s e s , c a u s e p a i n , e s p e c i a l l y i f t h e tumor i m p a i r e d bowel f u n c t i o n r e s u l t i n g i n

strangulation.

L-

~ i ~ l o r n a k : nerican C o l l e g e of Xreterinary P ~ t h o l o g i s r s A

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R. P a t t e r s a n , Ph-D. 3eputy D i r e c t o r , C l i n i c a l 'Research ~ l l f o r dH a l l U S X F M e d i a l C e n t e r

3 1.Cxumley. h4.D J Thcmas %on. t4.D b h i c k A Masters. M D

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Lcs D a l t o n , D . V . 5 . World o f T e x a s 1 5 5 0 3 S e a World D r i v e 5:: A ~ t z z 3 , ~ .e z e T 7fi>5l

Dza:

DT. D a l t o n :

I 2 3 v r i t i n g t 3 - . ? e r i f y 6:) p r e . ; i ~ u s c c z v e r s a t i o n w i t h y o u . 5 a s c C upon m y . . t r a i n i p g a n d e x p e r i e n c z and t k ? a s d i c z l l i c e r s t u r e , i t i s n y o p ~ a ~ ot h a t n ne-:agenic t u m o r s w h i c h i n . ~ o ! v z t h e ;a3il 5 o v e l c s n p r o d u c e n o t o n l y m e l c n c 6 c d * i n c u s a i l s c e p t i o n bc: a ! s 3 ~ b d o x i a a i p s i n . f u r t h e r m o r ~ , c h i s p a i n can bc t r a n s i e n t and c - l i c k y i n n a c c r ? o r s a y b e v e r y s e v e r e d e p e n d i n g upon t b ? . . l o c ~ c i ~and s i ' z e 0 5 t h 2 a c a r c g s n i c cumor. n T n e s e s y m p c o n s c a n o r l ~ ~ n a cF c 3 m r a r y n e u r s g e n i c tamor szch e s -?arofI5rorna. gang1 i a n e u ; o i n ~ o r n e u r i l c n o c s .

To: D r . Les D a l t o n Veterinarian Sea World o f T e x a s San ~ n t o n i o , ; X T T e l . 5 1 2 5231-3278 F a x : 512 5 2 3 3299 F r o n : D r . Sam ~ i h g w a ~ NOSC . -Lwae ~ L O / S a n ~ i e g o ,CA 92152 F E X : 61s 5 5 3 1 3 5 5 T e l : 619 553 1374

P l e z s e a c c e p t r ~ y2 2 o l c q y f o r tzklng s o l o n 5 t o cjet y o u s o z e t h i n g i n w r i t i n g c o n c e r x l 2 g t h e k i l l e r xh.212 b r a i n u e e e z n i n e d i n t h e conpany of D r . P l ~ t t e n h e r g , 2 r . s u r o l o ~ i s t f r o n , K i l f o r d Hz11 M e d i c a l C e n t e r , l a s t Xzy. You i d e n t i f i e d t h e b r a i n t o n e z s f r o a a f e m a l e o f S C 6 C X I ,2 0 7 5 j : ~c n a 1 4 t o 1 6 y e a r s o f z q e h z v i n g . b e e n zzken i n I c e l z n d i c w r t e r s 2: 2 vcuzg'age i n 1 9 7 8 . T T ~ E z n i n a l . hzd been a t S e z l l c r l d f ~ c i 1 i c i e . s s i r , c e t 3 2 t t i m e . The . S r z i n wzs f i x e d in f o r n a l i n znd c z r e z ~ - ~ - frcz t h c f i x x e i g h e d 21 6299 g . As you r-.zy r e c a l l , . ye s e c t i c ~ e d . the b r z i n i n slices 0 2 a b o u t 1 cn a n d examined ezeh s l i c e t h c r o u g h l y . The p z t h o l o g i s t t o o k s e v e r a l s p e c i m e n s f o r ~ i c r o s c o p i ce x c n i n z z i o n . Ny e x z ~ i ~ a t i o n t h e f i x e d b r z i z reveal^? no q r c s s ~ t n o r r ~ a l i t i e s , of - 2s I n e n t i o n e d zt t h e ~ o 5 ~ l ~ : i cf ~ : : 2 i n s s ? c ~ i c 2ZT;C I n o u r an sz:bsequent t e l e p h o n e c o n v e r s e : i o n z .
L.

F e h z v e d i s c u s s e d y o u r :scro?sy r ~ r s r t( I S S i i T - 0 0 - 7 2 0 3 ) . T?:E i n t e s t i n a l r i ~ u r o f i b r o z zi s t h e f i r s : r e F o r t s d f r o 3 a v h a l e . C e r t a i n l y it i s worthy o f c z r s f u l c o n s i e e r 2 t i o : 2s t o t h e w d e r l y i n g c a u s e of d e a t h . Over f i f t y t u n o r s ka:c 3 e s n r e p o r t e d . , . ~ o s t l y o r n wild cnimals o r strznded cetaceans, 3 ~ nevzr t h i s f r . 2xzst kind. P o s s i b l y pai!: iro:n t h e zilaor c o c ; e t ; ? ~ r x i t h t h e r ~ p t u r eo f . f o c a l g r a n u l o m a c o c s l u z g l e s i o n s cocld k s v e r s s u l t e d i n v i o l e n t , l i k e l y i n v o l u r l t 2 r y , z c t i v i t y c t d e ~ t ? . Tne l a c k of q r o s s d a n z g e t o t h e b r a i n s u q y e s t s t i ~ z ; t h e rr;t.r:i.r;qezl h e x u r r l i a g e x s s z c u t e l y t e r m i n a l o r evEn 2 g o n 2 l .
,
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DEPARTMEST OF COMPARATIVE ASD EXPERIMESTAL PATHOLOGY

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C c l l c ~ c \ c ; c r ~ n a r ! !.!c:.;snc of

PO BOA 1WI;J
Caincr\illc. Florida .:14I! '60l: (W)392-1221 (9o.r) 392-5426 F A X
.,

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

September 2 4 , 1991

Mr. A r t J e f f e r s O f f i c e of Protected Resources U n i t e d S t a t e s ~ e ~ a r t m e n f Commerce ot N a t i o n a l O c e a n i c and A t m o s p h e r i c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n N a t i o n a l Marine F i s h e r i e s S e r v i c e 1335 E a s t West Highway. 20910 S i l v e r S p r i n g , MD

D e a r Mr. J e f f e r s : .

..

Thank you f o r t a k i n g t h e t i m e t o t a l k t o me t o d a y . A s I m e n t i o n e d i n o u r phone c o n v e r s a t i o n , D r . Ruth F r a n c i s - F l o y d p r o v i d e d c o p i e s o f t h e n e c r o p s y r e p o r t s and l e t t e r s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e d e a t h s o f t h e two k i l l e r w h a l e s a t t h e S e a World I .independently reviewed t h e s e F a c i l i t i e s l o c a t e d i n T e x a s and F l o r i d a t o me. documents and b e l i e v e t h a t t h e d e a t h s o f t h e s e two a n i m a l s were n o t r e l a t e d . The I c a n n o t d e t e c t any evidence t o f a c t s a r e p r e s e n t e d c l e a r l y and h o n e s t l y . s u g g e s t t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n h a s been k n o w i n g l y o m i t t e d . The c a u s e o f d e a t h i n t h e w h a l e l o c a t e d i n F l o r i d a seems c l e a r c u t , a s g r o s s n e c r o p s y f i n d i n g s , a l o n g w i t h h i s t o p a t h o l o g i c a l o b s e r v a t i o n s and c u l t u r e r e s u l t s s u p p o r t t h e d i a g n o s i s of a c u t e , s e v e r e , n e c r o t i z i n g pneumonia d u e t o Pseudomonas SJ., a w e l l r e c o g n i z e d p a t h o g e n . A l t h o u g h s e v e r a l p r e d i s p o s i n g c o n d i t i o n s m y a l l o w t h i s o r g a n i s m t o grow, i t i s o f t e n n o t p o s s i b l e t o . i d e n t i f y t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s by t h e t i m e a n a n i m a l becomes c l i n i c a l l y ill. The c a u s e o f d e a t h o f t h e w h a l e a t t h e T e x a s f a c i l i t y is less s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d The o b s e r v a t i o n s o f t h e s e c u r i t y g u a r d a n d t h e l e s i o n s f o u n d a t n e c r o p s y s u p p o r t I d o n ' t believe, t h e d i a g n o s i s o f trauma a s t h e i m m e d i a t e c a u s e o f d e a t h . however, t h e r e a s o n f o r t h i s a n i m a l ' s v i o l e n t b e h a v i o r p r i o r t o d e a t h can be determined w i t h c e r t a i n t y . A s i n t h i s c a s e , ganglioneurornas have p r i m a r i l y o c c u r i n younger a n i m a l s . Some o f t h e c l i n i c a l s i g n s a s s o c i ' a t e d w i t h i n t e s t i n a l ganglioneuromas d e s c r i b e d i n a n i m a l s i n c l u d e s t r a i n i n g , c o n s t i p a t i o n , o r gaseous d i l a t a t i o n o f t h e i n t e s t i n e s . W h i l e I k n o ~ f n o c a s e i n which v i o l e n t b e h a v i o r o o c c u r r e d b e c a u s e o f t h e p r e s e n c e o f a g a n g l i o n e u r o m a , I would n o t a b s o l u t e l y r u l e o u t t h i s p o s s L t i l i t y . Though I would p e r s o n a l l y p r e f e r t o s a y t h a t t h e c a u s e o f t h e a p p a r e n t l y s e l f - i n d u c e d trauma c o u l d n o t b e d e t e r m i n e d a t necropsy, r e l a t i n g t h e s e f i n d i n g s is a r e a s o n a b l e i n t e r p r e ' a t i o n . Thank you f o r p e r m i t t i n g m e t o r e v i e w t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n 'Sincerely,
I

L o i s Roth, D . V . M . , Ph.D. Diplomate, A.C.V P

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H A M M O N D CONSULTANTS, INC.
ANIMAL SPECIALISTS
123 N. STECKEL DR. SANTA PAULA. CA. 93060 TEL: (835) 525-9544 Fax# (805) 643-0490

Ms. Ann Terbush, Chief, Permit Division U.S. Department of Commerce, OPR, NMFS, NOAA Permlt Division, -SSMCI, Room 7324 1335 East-West Hlghway Sllver Sprlng, MD 20910 September 24, 1991 .Dear Ms. ferbush: I have reviewed the material you sent to me concerning the death of a Killer Whale at Sea World of Florlda and a second animal's death at Sea World of San Antonlo, Texas. I have also had Informal talks with some of the Sea World anlmal husbandry and veterlnarlan staff. There appears to be three areas of review concerning the deaths of these two Killer Whales: a. Is the death of Killer Whale SWC 007602 due to an infective process? b. Is the death of Killer Whale SWC 007803 due to trauma, and i f so, was It self Induced? c. Are there any anlmal husbandry or veterinarian policies or procedures thet merit changlng?
, Revlew of Necropsy reports of Klller Whale SWC OG7602 (animal died b g u s t 6 1991 at S_ea World of Florida).

1. The necropsy was conducted In the presence of several competent professlonals. The tissue samples were sent to publlcly funded faclllties n that are well known for their ~ ~ n b l a s e d work.

2. The description o f the gross pathology, histopathology and bacteriology confirm that the Klller Whale SWC 00-7602 died from bacterial pneumonla that was the result of a termlnai overwhelmlng septicemla and pulmonary anoxla.

' ~ 0 pL. ' \nRnRn~.~~morcParOimP,~.cO~~~

Revlew of Necropsy reports of Klller Whale SWC 00-7803(animal died May 14, 1991 a Sea W d d of San Antonlo, Texas. t
1. The etlology of the death of this animal Is from trauma and the resultlng Injuries It suffered. The source of the trauma had to be sushnled from a vloient Impact. I f the two accompanylng whales had been involved In traumatlzlng this whale, all anlmais connected wlth the encounter would have had some degree of injury. Physical examination of the two surviving whales did not show any signs of trauma. The whale 00-7803 had none of the classic e" m a r k i n p caused from teeth a r The descriptions given in the necropsy report and the night watchman are all in keeping wlth self Induced trauma.
U

2. The assumption has to be made that whale SWC 00-7803 died from trauma it received when the animal struck its body against the wall@) of the pool resultlng In It own death. The difficulty remains as to how to account l o r the animal's behavlor resulting in striking its body against the pool wall. The necropsy and hlstopathology reports confirmed the presence of a small tumor. There are medical reports that this cell type (see various pathology reports in this brief), has in some species, produced sever pain. If the tumor was malignant or not is academic at this point since there was only one tumor found. The question remains if this tumor could crate sufficient pain t o cause the anlmal to traumatize itself resulting in its own death.

I find that the most probable working hypothesis Is that the presence of t h e tumor could have caused a functional colic condition as well as produclng a primary source of pain. I experienced "colic" behavjor in a killer whale In Hong Kong. This anlmal would have sustained substantial bodily harm to itself had we not dralned the pooi and restrained .the whale. A functional obstruction Is one In which there Is no torsion or physical blockage of the Intestinal tract. A section of intestines lacks motility and/or is in muscle spasm resultlng in gas formation within the intestinal tract. This symptom alone Is sufficient to cause excruciating pain similar to thbt seen i n horses with colic.
Based upon the information given and having experienced treating a Killer Whale with colic, I feel the correct diagnosis has been made of death dl le to skull fractures and blood loss. The whale had experienced excruclatlng pain in part or as the sole resuit of a tumor of neural orlgln. A resulting "collc like" condition developed causing the whale striking its head and body against the pooi wall.
I

Review of Anlmal Husbandary Procedures and Pracitices at Sea World: Sea World has had a marlne breedlng program for several years. Thelr dolphln breeding program has produced some 35 calves. In fact, Sea World has not had to capture any dolphins for their performance or feedlng pools slnce the late 1970's. Thls Is by far the best breedlng program of any faclllty world wlde. Sea World has undertaken to breed Killer Whales and, has had 7 s ~ ~ c c e s s f u l

of all Killer Whale calves In the wild die within the first 18 months of life, the longevity of the calves at Sea World Is exceptional. When any killer Whale becomes ill or requires any unusual medical treatment, the veterinarian attending the whale immediately faxes ail pertinent Information to all other veterinarlans at the various parks in the Sea World complex. This affords the other veterinarians a chance to participate from the immediate onset of the problem to its conclusion. In addition, there are weekly telephone conference calls between all veterinaiians at all locations. Each veterinarian responslble for marine mammals, visually checks his anlmals twice dally and meets with the trainers and lay staff at least.once a day. Routine physlcal and blood and b.low hole samples are taken at that tlme. The success of the dolphin breeding program provides a strong indication of how successful the anlmal husbandry,program Is at the various Sea World

locations.
I find no reason for Sea World Inc. to change any of Its procedures or policies regarding the husbandry of Killer Whale or Dolphin programs.
Sincerely yours,.,"
P
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Douglds (Ted) .Hammond D . v . ~

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U n i v e r s i t y of Florida
I n s t c t u t e of

Food a n d A g r i c u l t u r a l Sciences

S c h o o l o f F o r e s t R e s o u r c e s a n d Conservation

11

U n a v c n s I T y Of

fLomIoA

1)

DEPARTMENT

OF FISHERIES AND

AQUACULTURE

Telephone: 9041392-96 17

September 27, 1991

7922 N.W. nsl street Gainesville. Florida 32WW300

Mr. A r t Jeffers O f f i c e of Protected Resources

ceanic an N a t i o n a l Marine F i s h e r i e s S e r v i c e 1 3 3 5 ' E a s t West Highway S i l v e r S p r i n g s , MD 2 0 9 1 0 Dear M r . J e f f e r s ;

A t your r e q u e s t , I have reviewed t h e n e c r o p s y r e p o r t s and r e l a t e d c o r r e s p o n d e n c e f o r k i l l e r w h a l e s #SWF-00-7803 a n d ,#SWC-007602 which d i e d i n S e a World p a r k s e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r . With y o u r permission, I forwarded t h i s information t o D r . L o i s Roth, a board c e r t i f i e d v e t e r i n a r y p a t h o l o g i s t , f o r i n d e p e n d e n t r e v i e w ; D r . Roth w i l l forward h e r f i n d i n g s u n d e r s e p a r a t e c o v e r .

. F o l l o w i n g c a r e f u l r e v i e w o f a l l d o c u m e n t s , it i s m - o p i n i o n y t h a t t h e r e is n o a s s o c i a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o d e a t h s . E a c h s l o r t a l i t y r e p r e s e n t e d a n i s o l a t e d i n c i d e n t , a n d , i n my o p i n i o n , n e i t h e r e v e n t c o u l d have been a n t i c i p a t e d o r p r e v e n t e d . It is a n u n f o r t u n a t e c o i n c i d e n c e t h a t t h e s e m o r t a l i t i e s o c c u r r e d w i t h i n a few months o f e a c h o t h e r , b u t I see n o l i n k a g e b e t w e e n them. From t h i s p o i n t o n I s h a l l d i s c u s s t h e two m o r t a l i t i e s s e p a r a t e l y .

The f i r s t i n c i d e n t i n v o l v e d a m a t u r e f e m a l e k i 1 l e . r w h a l e (#SWF-00-7803) w h i c h d i e d s u d d e n l y , a n d t r a u m a t i c a l l y , on M a y ' 1 4 , 1 9 9 1 n e a r 6:00 am. The e v e n t o c c u r r e d a t S e a World o f T e x a s . The i n c i d e n t was o b s e r v e d , a n d r e p o r t e d i m m e d i a t e l y , by s e c u r i t y s t a f f . Animal c a r e p e r s o n n e l a r r i v e d w i t h i n 10-15 m i n u t e s . N e c r o p s y o f t h i s a n i m a l was i ~ i t i a t e d i t h i n t h r e e h o u r s o f d e a t h . P r o s e c t o r s w i n c l u d e d a n i n d e p e n d e n t v e t e r i n a r y p a t h o l o g i s t a n d a n indepenaen'c veterinarian. T h e r e seems l i t t l e d o u b t t h a t t h e i m m e d i a t e c a u s e of d e a t h i n t h i s a n i m a l was h e a d t r a u m a c a u s e d b y c o l l i s i o n w i t h t h e c o n c r e t e p o o l w a l l . T h e p r i n c i p l e c b n c e r n , t h e r e f o r e , seems t o be what c a u s e d t h e whale t o b e h a v e i n s u c h a v i o l e n t , and u l t i m a t e l y f a t a l , manner.
I

The s e c u r i t y r e p o r t seems t o a d e q u a t e l y r u l e o u t i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h o t h e r w h a l e s which might h a v e i r e s u l t e d i n f a t a l i n j u r y t o w h a l e t SWF-00-7803. T h e s e c u r i t y r e p o r t s t a t e s , " t h e o t h e r n a l e a n d f e m a l e w h a l e s were . . . v e r y c a l m , and f l o a t i p . g ~ , 0 , ~ , ~ ~ h ~ ~ ~ u / 5 ;

The In9,:ule ol

fax and

AgraAural Scaences is an Equal Enployrnc>t Opwnunlry

- Atl~rrnal~ve n ~ o nErnpbyer A

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*n!3frnal;on 2-C ocher sewlces only lo inaov6duals and nnst~tuleons !hat lunclon wllhoul regard lo race. &a:. sex. age, handaca; 01 nallOra 3r'g1n UNIVERSlr) O F FCC= >A. rMDCc:-'VF C Y T c r ~ C l n h l m R Y IN AGRICIIITIIRE ~ h . 3 u HOL!E E C O N O M I C S STATE OF FLOR13A IF=

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d u r i n g t h e i n c i d e n t . I f o n e o r S c t h o f t h e s e a n i m a l s had b e e n i n v o l v e d i n t h e i n c i d e n t t h e y ~ o s c i k e l y x o u l d h a v e b e e n swimr;,ing l around t h e p o o l a t a r a p i d r a t e o f s p e e d , p o s s i b l y c h a s i n g t h e a n i m a l w h i c h d i e d . T h i s was n o t o b s e r v e d . L a c k o f i n v o l v e m e n t by t h e o t h e r w h a l e s seems t o be f u r t h e r s u b s t a n t i a t e d b y t h e l a c k o f "recent r a k e marksu on t h e dead animal, and l a c k o f trauma o r r a k e marks on t h e s u r v i v i n g whales. T h e q u e s t i o n remains a s t o w h a t w o u l d c a u s e t h i s a n i m a l t o t h r a s h v i o l e n t l y enough t o i n c u r m u l t i p l e s k u l l f r a c t u r e s and f a t a l i n j u r y . S e a World h a s h y p o t h e s i z e d t h a t a c u t e a b d o m i n a l p a i n , c a u s e d b y a t u m o r (neurofibroma/ganglioneuroma) i n t h e d i s t a l s m a l l p l a u s i b l e . Cetaceans are p a r t i c u l a r l y prone t o abdominal discomfort f r o m bowel d i s t e n t i o n b e c a u s e o f t h e r e s t r i c t e d s p a c e w i t h i n t h e p e r i t o n e a l c a v i t y ( S w e e r ~ e y , 1 9 9 0 ) . D i s t e n d e d l o o p s o f bowel were n o t r e p o r t e d o n t h e g r o s s necropsy r e p o r t f o r t h i s a n i m s l , however p r o s e c t o r s d i d o b s e ~ e h i c k brownish-red l i q u i d i n t h e jejunum, t a n t e r i o r t o t h e tumor. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e a n i m a l ' s h i s t o r y o f e r r a t i c a p p e t i t e is c o n s i s t e n t w i t h i n t e s t i n a l d i s e a s e (Sweeney, 1 9 9 0 ) . T h e a n i m a l ' s a p p e t i t e had been i r r e g u l a r f o r a t l e a s t 6 months p r i o r t o d e a t h , and t h i s b e h a v i o r had been a t t r i b u t e d t o c o n v a l e s c e n c e from a n a p p a r e n t l y . u n r e l a t e d m e d i c a l p r o b l e m w h i c h was s u c c e s s f u l l y t r e a t e d i n t h e f a l l o f 1920.
It is w o r t h m e n t i o n i n g t h a t t h e r e is p r e c e d e n t f o r s e l f i n f l i c t e d i n j u r y i n c a p t i v e k i l l e r w h a l e s . I n t h e e a r l y 1970s a m a l e k i l l e r w h a l e h o u s e d i n Miami h i t a n o b s e r v a t i o n window w i t h e n o u g h f o r c e t o b r e a k t h e window, c a u s i n g l o s s o f a s i g n i f i c a n t volume o f water, a n d s l i c i n g o f f t h e e n d o f h i s n o s e . T h e a t t e n d i n g v e t e r i n a r i a n f o r t h a t i n c i d e n t was D r . J e s s e W h i t e . I h a v e l i s t e d Dr., W h i t e ' s p r e s e n t a d d r e s s a n d p h o n e n u m b e r a t t h e e n d o f t h i s l e t t e r s h o u l d you w i s h t o c o n t a c t him w i t h s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n s a b o u t t h a t event.
A f i n a l point concerns speculation about an "unidentified f o r e i g n body" c o n t r i b u t i n g t o h e m o r r h a g e i n t h e m e d i a s t i n u m o f t h e dead w h a l e . I n g e s t i o n o f f o r e i g n b o d y c e r t a i n l y h a s a p l a c e o n t h e d i f f e r e n t i a l d i a g n o s i s f o r a c a p t i v e c e t a c e a n which died suddenly, h o w e v e r , i n t h i s case t h e f a c t s s e e m t o e f f e c t i v e l y r u l e o u t t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y . I n my own m i n d , t h e s e v e r i t y o f t h e t r a u m ? which was observed s e e m s s u f f i c i e n t t o cause s u b s t a n t i a l s o f t t i s s u e i n j u r y w h i c h c o u l d i n c l u d e h e m o r r h a g e i n t h e m e d i a s t i n u m . The e s o p h a g u s a n d m a j o r b l o o d v e s s e l s i n a n a n i m a l of t h i s s i z e a r e s u f f i c i e n t l y l a r g e t h a t a l a c e r a t i o n o r o t h e r a b n o r m a l i t y s h o u l d be a p p a r e n t d u r i n g g r o s s n e c r o p s y . I n a d d i t i o n , i n g e s t i o n o f f o r e i g n body i s generally considered a preventable disease (Sweeney, 1 9 9 0 ) . P r e v e n t i o n is a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h c l o s e s u r v e i l l a n c e o f p o o l s h o u s i n g m a r i n e mammals, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e where p u b l i c vkewing is p e r m i t t e d . S e a W o r l d h a d t a k e n t h i s p r e c a u t i o n a s e v i d e n c e d by assignment o f s e c u r i t y p e r s o n n e l . t o t h e k i l l e r whale pool aroundthe-clock.

The d e a t h o f w h a l e t SWC-00-7602 a t S e a World i n O r l a ~ d o o c c u r r e d n e a r 7:00 am on A u g u s t 6 , 1991, l e s s t h a n 2 4 h o u r s a f t e r t h e w h a l e f i r s t showed b e h a v i o r a l s i g n s o f i l l n e s s . The a n i m a l was necropsied the same day. Prosectors included two staff v e t e r i n a r i a n s , a n d two i n d e p e n d e n t p a t h o l o g i s t s . T i s s u e s c o l l e c t e d d u r i n g t h e g r o s s necropsy w e r e submitted t o t h r e e s e p a r a t e v e t e r i n a r y p a t h o l o g y l a b o r a t o r i e s . The f i n a l d i a g n o s i s was t h e same f r o m e a c h o f t h e s e i n d e p e n d e n t l a b o r a t o r i e s . The w h a l e d i e d of a n a c u t e n e c r o t i z ' i n g pneumonia o f b a c t e r i a l o r i g i n . The p a t h o g e n Pseudomonas a e r u q i n o s a was i s o l a t e d from t h e r e s p i r a t o r y t r a c t o f t h e d e a d w h a l e a s w e l l a s f r o m t h e 1 2 month f e t u s w h i c h d i e d in utero. F a t a l consequences o f t h i s a c u t e b a c t e r i a l i n f e c t i o n
I

n r . l i ~ C J ~ d senti c ~ im . a

nrobah&

d i s s e m i n a t e d i n t r a v a s c u l a r c o a g u l a t i o n (DIC) Given t h e g r a v e n a t u r e o f t h e s e s e q u e l a e it is d i f f i c u l t t o i m a g i n e how t h e outcome f o r t h i s a n i m a l might h a v e b e e n changed. The r a p i d o n s e t o f i l l n e s s and n o r t a l i t y r e p o r t e d i n t h i s a n i m a l i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h o t h e r Pseudomonas i n f e c t i o n s r e p o r t e d i n c a p t i v e c e t a c e a n s ( L i o n g e t a l . , 1 9 8 5 ) . B a c t e r i a l pneumonia is t h e most common c a u s e o f m o r t a l i t y i n c a p t i v e d o l p h i n s (Sweeney, 1986) a n d it is n o t uncommon f o r b e h a v i o r a l s i g n s o f d i s e a s e t o be masked u n t i l t h e d i s e a s e p r o c e s s i s q u i t e advanced (Sweeney, 1 9 9 0 ) , . I n summary, t h e l o s s o f S e a World k i l l e r w h a l e s #SWF-00-7803 y a n d #SWC-00-7602 is a t r a g i c l o s s , b u t it i s m o p i n i o n t h a t t h e d e a t h s of t h e s e animals c o u l d n o t have been a n t i c i p a t e d o r p r e v e n t e d . I n d e p e n d e n t p a t h o l o g i s t s and o t h e r s p e c i a l i s t s have c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e knowledge b a s e f o r e a c h a n i m a l . I n f o r m a t i o n h a s b e e n p r e s e n t e d i n a f o r t h r i g h t a n d h o n e s t manner b y S e a World staff. Thank-you f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e v i e w t h e s e m a t e r i a l s . I f I c a n b e o f f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e t o you p l e a s e d o n o t h e s i t a t e t o c o n t a c t me. Sincerely,

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DVM, M S R u t h Fraacis-Floyc!, Assistant Professor A q u a t i c Animal M e d i c i n e

Literature Cited: Sweeney, J.C. 1990. Marine Mammal Behavioral Diagnostics. In: Handbook of Marine a m Medicine: Health, Disease, and Rehabilitation, L.A. Dierauf (ED). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp 53-72.
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Liong, E.; Hamrnond, D.D.; Vedros, N.A. 1985. Pseudomonas pseudomallei infection in a dolphin.(Tursiops gilli) : a case study. Aquatic Mammals 11:20. Sweeney, J.C. 1986. Infectious Diseases (marine mammal section). In: Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Second Edition, M. Fowler (ED). Additional Resource: (Re: self-inflicted trauma in,captive killer whales) Dr. Jesse White 12025 N. Elkcam Blvd. Dunnellon FL 32630 (904) '489-8142
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