The Orca Project Corp 4/15/2012 www.theorcaproject.com

Necropsy Report Killer Whale (Orcinus-orca) Kenau & fetus

Age 17 yrs — SeaWorld of Florida Name: Kenau (female) and fetus Species: Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Source: wild capture, 10-25-1976, Medallandsbugt coast, Iceland, age: est. 2 yrs Deceased: 7:15 a.m., 08-06-1991, SeaWorld of Florida, age: est. 17 yrs Reported cause of death (per NMFS MMIR data): Hemorrhagic Bacterial Pneumonia Necropsy info: Morpholic Diagnosis- Jack C. Rhyan, DVM (1991): Pneumonia, acute diffuse, necrohemorrhagic, severe, with associated gram-negative bacilli Glomerulonephropathy, chronic, multifocal, membranous, mild Abscess, with associated trematode Diagnoses and Comment- Kent G. Osborne, DVM (1991): Diagnoses:

1) lung, pleura, severe inflammation, neutrophilic infiltrate, associated with bacteria

2) lung, coagulative necrosis, hemorrhage 3) lymphnode, not otherwise specified (NOS), severe inflammation,

neutrophilic infiltrate, associated with bacteria, rods. (see necropsy report for more info)

Comment: Cause of death in this animal is probably shock associated with endotoxemia. The isolation of Pseudomonas from her calf helps to support this possibility, suggesting a terminal septicemia. Beyond this, it is difficult to determine what the initiating problem is in this case (see more in necropsy data) Diagnosis- Dr. Terry W. Campbell, Dr. Michael (Mike) T. Walsh, Dr. Kintner, Dr. Scott Wright (1991) -Acute hemorrhagic pneumonia, diffuse, severe, probably infectious in origin -septicemia (see more in the following necropsy data)

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Conclusions of the above doctors: (after histology & clinical pathology review) The cause of death in this animal was a severe, necrotizing, hemorrhagic, bacterial pneumonia that resulted in a fatal overwhelming septicemia and pulmonary anoxia. (see more in the necropsy reports that follow) T.O.P. Notes: 1. Two weeks prior to death, treatment was initiated for an infected tooth- lower 3rd right. 2. 110 lb, 12 month-old male fetus appeared to be alive until mother’s death. 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, Orlando, Florida, Kenau, Fetus

September 5 . 1991

Dr. Nancy Foster Direc tor , Off ice of Protected Resources

and Habitat Programs National Harine Fi sher ies Service 1335 East-Hest Highway, Roorn 8268 S i l v e r Spring, Maryland 20910

Dear Dr. Foster:

This i e t t e r contains the Gross necropsy and histcpathology of t h p Ki1:er Hhale i d e n t i f i e d as SWC 007602, which died August 6th a t Sea Horld of Florida.

Thi s adul t female Ki 1 1 e r Hhal e (Orcinus orca 007602) exhibited a depressed appe t i t e on 8/5/91. Pr ior to t h i s time, she was c l i n i c a l l y heal thy , except f o r a tooth infec t ion f o r which treatment wax i n i t i a t e d on 7/21/91 and which was c l i n i c a l l y normal a t the time of the necropsy. I n the afternoon of 8/5/91, stie was a l s o re luc tant t o i n t e r a c t with her t r a ine r s and unvil l ing t o present her f luke fo r blood col lec t ion . She was a l e r t and ac t ive a t t h i s time and her r e sp i ra to ry r a t e was normal. Houever, ea r ly i n the morning of 8/6/91, her condition began t o de te r io ra te rapidly. Hhen her r e sp i ra to ry r a t e increased and she began t o show e r r a t i c behavior, the medical team vas c a l l e d and emergency medical treatment was given a f t e r she was guided i n t o and held t o the s ide of the medical pool. The animal d i d not respond t o treatment and died within f ive hours of the onset of the increased resp i ra to ry r a t e .

The gross necropsy vas performed imnediately following her death. The. necropsy team consisted of Hichael T. Halsh, DVH, Sea Horld of Flor ida ; Terry H. Campbell, DVH; PhD, Sea Horld of Flor ida ; Loren D. Kintner , CW, PhD, Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services , Division of Animal Industry/Kissimee Diagnostic Laboratory; and Sco t t D . Hright , PhD, Marine M m a l Research I n s t i t u t e , Florida Department of Katural Resources. David J. Kel ly , DVH, 3 ve te r ina ry medical o f f i c e r fo r the Animal and Plant Inspection Service of the United S t a t e s Department of Agriculture vas an independent observer during the necropsy- The gross necropsy. histopathology and bacteriology indica ted tha t the animal died of a severe, necrot iz ing , hemorrhagic bac te r i a l pneumonia tha t resulted in a f a t a l overwhelming septicemia and pulmonary anoxia.

S ince re ly , I

/

f z + A A c ~ ~ Y Y-df' ,/;LJ~J LLTr - / !?yL4 / ,,;

Michael T: Halsh, DVH Terry H. Campbell , DVH, PhD Sea Horld of Flor ida Sea Horld of Florida

Arr,+i\red F: T+n Try_? Dro,jee \ n n h n ~ A7nyrg~roie~:mr,oq

Sed World of F lor~da Inc 7007 Sea \'.'arid Dr~vc - Orlando. FL 32821 - (407) 35 3 0 ,-

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L - G " ;: I t4 T t.4 E F..

DATE RECEIVED: 08/09/91

SUBHITTED BY: SEA WORLD 7007 SEA WORLD DRIVE O W D O , FL 32821

ACCESSIOS: 91-39319 RE FERRA L :

OWNER: SEA WORLD OF FLORIDA ORLANDO ,FL

PWOSE : GEKERAL DIAGNOSTIC LOCATION OF ANIMALS: ORANGE C O W , FL

COLLECTED BY: DR. CWBELL DATE COLLECTED: 08/06/91

SPECIES : UNKNOWN SMPLE IG: LIST 0:; FILE *ir*t****m*t*********t*****-:7t7k'rkM-~********-k***-: *-**i-******

Hiscopathology R e s u l t s 91-39319/91W.505:

Formal in ized c i s s u e specimens from a female k i l l e r whale and i t s f e t u s were r e c e i v e d . T i ssues v e r e r o u t i n e l y p r o c e s s e d f o r h i s t o p a t h o l o g i c examTnation.

H i s ~ o p a t h o l o g y : S e c t i o n s of lung. l i v e r , k idney , s p l e e n , lymph nodes , h e a r z , e sophagus , stomach, i n t e s t i n e , a d r e n a l , t o n s i l , t r a c h e a , pancreas , l a r g e a r c e r y , o r a l mucosa, p e r i p h e r a l n e r v e , u t e r u s , placenta, and f e c z l t i s s u e s a r e examined. S e c t i o n s o f lung r e v e a l a s e v e r e , necrohemorrhagic pneumonia c h a r a c t e r i z e d by d i f f u s e hemorrhage i n a i r w a y s , marked n e c r o s i s o f pulmonary parenchyma, and l a r g e numbers of g ram-nega t ive b a c i l l i co lon iz ing t h e n e c r o t i c i n t e r s t i t i u m . A t t h e demarcat ion between t h e pneumonic and more normal lung t h e r e a r e moderate numbers o f n e u t r o p h i l s and d e g e n e r a t i n g l eukocy tes . Many l e u k o c y t e s c o n t a i n l a r g e numbers o f phagocy t ized gram-negat ive b a c i l l i . .

Kidney s e c t i o n s r e v e a l mild t o moderate f o c a l t h i c k e n i n g o f g lomerular c a p i l l a r y t u f c and t u b u l a r basement membranes. I n one s e c t i o n o f connec t ive t i s s u e , a l a r g e e n c a p s u l a t e d accumulat ion o f mixed l eukocy tes su r rounds a n o v a l s t r u c t u r e morphological ly t y p i c a l o f a tremarsode. F e t a l l i v e r s e c t i o n s c o n ~ a i n m o d e r ~ t e e x c r a n e d u l l a r y e r y t h r o p o i e s i s . No o t h e r s i g n i f i c a n t l e s i o n s a r e n o t e d .

t lo rpho log ic d i a g n o s i s : Pneumonia, a c u t e , d i f f u s e . n e z r ~ t ~ e i n o r r h a g i c , +eveye , ' v i c h a s s o c i a t e d g ram-nega t ive b a c i l l i

Glomerulonephropathy. c h r o n i c , m u l t i f o c a l , membranous, m i l d

Abscess, v i c h a s s o c i a t e d trematode

Comments: The pulmonary l e s i o n s a r e s u g g e s t i v e o f a s e v e r e , a c u t e , bacterial pneumonia. The m i l d r e n a l l e s i o n s and t h e p a r a s i t i c l e s i o n a r e c o n s i d e r e d i n c i d e n c a l t o he c a u s e of dea th . No evidence o f d i s e a s e vas n o t e d 5 n t h e f e c a l t i s s u e s .

7W&'i r+ J a c k C . Rhyan. .V.M, H . S . G2neral Pathology and Pa;ho.logy

1nves:lga:lons S r c z i o n - - . 7 . ' - - - - - m v . .

I

- I I uo l ucl I c: J 1 P.3 t l lo 1 o y y C ~ J I t . . ~ I 1

Kt-tlt. G . Usborn, ))VM Histbp~tltolnqy R t p o r t

I

ZPC H : 9l !~ib.Jf lX.OOA Submitted b y : Sea W 1 3 r I d , F l o ! - l d a

i I

Datc Received: 013-12-91 I

D a t e Rcpot- ted: 08- TI 1 I i

11, I

~ P P C 1 es : Lpc l n u s 0 1 - c a I

! S ~ Y : female Common : h i 1 1 er w h a 1 e I fiqe: adult, 15- lh y r .

Breed : House : O o 7 h O 2 I

I

I !

D l sqrlcs--g> --

1. luna, p l c u r a . sever Q ~ n f la rnnat l o , n ~ u t r o p r ; ; ~ 1 i c i n l i l L r a i e , a s s o c i a t c d n l t h bat t c r j a

2 . l u n g , coagul a t i v e n o c r c s j 5. hedor rhagc I I I

3 . 1 ymph node, not o t 1 , t . r w l - r ' s p e c i f i e d {440S), 3evpre

l n f lsmmat,on, n e u t r o p h i 1 IL i n f 4 1 t rate. r5cociated w i t h

L a k t e r i a , r b d . , . I

4 . vein NOS. a s s o c i d l r d with i y m p h node. i n f l a m m a t i o n ,

n e u t r o p h l l ; c ~ i l t l I t r a t e

5. t r a c h e a , submucc.5d, edema, hcmdl-rhagp. in\ l r l i n i l d m m a t ion , . n e u t r o p h i l i c i r l f i l I - n \ e I

I I . t r a c h e a , S E T G S A , t-'a!e~tla, ~PTPOI-r age I 7 . u t e r u s , submucore, nl1Id r n l x e j inf 1arnmdtur y r n f ~ 1 t c - a t e , I yrnphmc.t- t i c and ? ? L I t t o ~ l l i i 1 I c

g . m e s e ? c t e r i c n o d u l e a n d lyrrph no c?, b b s c e s b d s r o c i n t - d . w i t h

k r ec r~a tod r o g : ~ . . { I

I 7. f u n d l c stomach. r ~ ~ l ~ r n u r c . ~ a , 1 ymphopl o s m a c y t ~ c in71 I t r a t p , I a s ~ o c l a t e d ~ V I t h i c p i t h e 1 a1 d e g c n e r c ? t i o n , cause

unde te rm lnc3 1 - - I

T h e f o l l o t . r l c ~ ~ L l,sue-i w ~ r e ~ x a m ~ n e n 1 l c r n s c c ~ p l ~ ; 1 1 l y and fount t r j I l e essen t i a 1 I v I r r ~ l r L 12 1 on ( 0 1 . n ~ n d c o n r ~ c c t 1 v e t I ~ - ( I P t ( E l , u 1 a ~ e n t . a (9). l y m p h rode N O S ( D ) . p a r l c r - ~ a s ( D l . L > l ~ ~ b b e r , ( F ) , I v r n g h node NOS ( F ) . c _ k r l d t a l r n u ~ c l ~ . F ) , i n e r v ~ and c o n n e C t i v P

t l s s u e ( F 1 , thy^-old ( G ) . C ~ t j n p y ( G I , he r t ( H J . l v n ~ p h n ~ d e N O S ( H I 1 I I

t r a c h e a ( k ) : The s p r U ~ J -. > n .- r( - m i ld /modera t e hemol -I -haqe . a1 s t l r f a c e h a s some p o s t

One submucora l ? l a n d c o n t a i c ~ ~ r n l I d . tifccal hemorrhage, mild

Sclbmucosa ~ r t t h l s d rca i s w i t h s c a n t hemorrhage. 1he1-c i s s u p e r f i c i a l ~ u b r n u c u a a l

Drc : t r a c h e a , submucosa , h e m o r r h a g ~ , m l I d i n f 1 arnmatlon, n e u t r o p h i l I C r D x : t r a c h e a , s e r o s a , r d e m a ,

t h r e e l a y e r s -

p r e s e n t i n t h ~ S U L * ~ I L I C ~ S S . i l d mixed i n f l a m m a t o r y

l a r g e numbers o f b i i c t r r i a l rods -Manv a r e a s w i t h l a r g e

L a c t e r l a , I . O ~ S .

tw.11 ( B ) : Most lymphoid f o l l i c l e p r e s e n t 11-t-r arw I - e a c t j v e (secondary) foll icles. L a r g c nLlm -er5 o f ??nc t er - ia l r o d 5 a r e present i n the i n t ~ r s t i t i u r n a d j a c n t t n t o n c i l a r c r y p t 5 , b t ~ t w i t l ~ u u t a s s o c i a t e d n e b l r o p h ~ I E. i he-s b a c t e r l a . a r e 51mi l a r t o t h o s e pre5nnt i n the p r e v i o u s 1 describcd lymph-hode.

section a lar-qe t h i n w a l l e d a d j a c e n t lo t h c node

w ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . * . b e ~ r r , ~ l ~ r ~ ) l i ~ ? P ; : .

1unq [ C ~ I T h c r ~ i s T P . U L ~ ~ c a ~ g u l e k ~ ~ e n c r r o ~ i s i n these two

~ U F I ~ ~ P C t i c n - , w i t h tht= p r e s r n c e 01 h r o n c t ~ i t . > l a r c a r t i 1 acjt- .tl-re m a j o r fprrturp t h a t . m.(I(Ips t h e m id n t i f I m l u n g . V r r y

l a r g e numbel-s ot b a r r e l - i . 2 1 I-oos )re ~ r k c e n t i n many a r e a s ,

w l t h o n e c_er t jar) also t l&v i r~ ; l [ lac t $ r i s i n i r r - e g u l a r c o l o n i e s .

D x : I orlq. r cgaqcr I A t i v e necr (1s .Is 1 l u n g ( P 1 : Thp 5-1- t i o n l ~ ~ n g h c r n (-,as v e r y s p v e r e hemorrhage.

I r l t r r s t i t i c 3 i t l .s r ;c~e i t - ] a t - o e l y l a c e d b y 1 si -ge numbers of b ~ c t e r . i a 1 c -od5 . 1 4 0 n I v c o l sr rue) u r o t l c l l i a ~ e p i ~ h ~ l i u r n i s r e c o g n i z a b l e ,

Dx : i ucjg . I i r n ~ c ~ r r h c - y e 1 I I

> ~ l e e 1 1 -LD): Nu I t - s i L ~ r r ~ r e r e c q n i z e d (:.ILR). L y r n p b i d p o p c ~ l a t i o n ~c m i l d / n ~ n a r r a t r , ul r10 r e a c t i \ , e f n l 1 i c l e s .

I

a b s c e s s ( D l . : l h l s is a t ~ t . 1 1 (:JI-~-CIN! c r i b e d l e s i o n w i t h a t h i c k f l b r o u s ~:nyc=s.u l e . T l ~ u c r ~ > i r r ~ L J I I ~ i r 1 5 rial K Q C ~ i n f l a m m a t o r y

i 11 f i 1 t r a t e t h d t j n c l uc jes l y r n p h o r y t 6 , p o l y m o r p h o n u c l r a r e e l 1s t - and m i j d n c ~ m b ~ r c ; . o f m a c r o p l i o q e ~ . . I hest. e r t- a s s o c i;.ted w i t h

v ~ r y 1 a r - ~ r 1runtL1er c, U'-T (retna t o d e : ~ q a s . 4 t o n e ~ d ' q ~ j S . a

population of .I y m p h o c y t e s , p o ~ s . 1 bib edge c ~ f a lymph' node.

T h i s . l e s i o n p t -obab l y c , o r r ~ q p o r ~ d s 40 t h e p e r i p a r l c r t .aLic I ymph node nodules d ~ a c r i hed A t n e c r o p j d .

D x i m e q e n t e r i c n d d t r l p a n d I h node . dbscess assoc i a t e d w j t h t r e m a t o d e e $ q s

I

I y p p t l 1313d~ N_nz-lpJ: NL ~ n f ] ~ i i t i c , ~ t i ~ n i s p r r ~ e n t l n this node. I 7 h ~ r - p i~ m o d e r a t e m y d i ~ l I d r y s111us. e r y t h r o c y t o s l s . Lympho id

p o p o ~ a t ~ o n 1s m J lcj. TLO c o r t i c a l +I 1 l c l e s A r e p r c 5 e n t . T I J ~ Y \

a r e n o n r e a r t l v e a n d have hyaj > n ~ ded f o l l l c u l a r c e n t e r s - I

y 1 q n d b l a r s t c ~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ - l E _ ) _ : M o d t . r a t p e r f i c i . a 1 m u c o s a l (3yperemi.a i s p r n s a n t i n t h e t . w n g l a n d u l h r st tiact-I 6ec t - i o n s p r e 5 e i . t h e r e . $ S u p e r i i c l a 1 mucosa] p p j t h e l . i u m is i s s i l - t q , n t o s ! I i L ~ 1 . j due t o s u t o l y s i n - No i n f larn(nat ion i.r. pi- !;ert. r f u n d i q s t u m d ~ l l ( E . ) I I I I r s u ~ e r j i ~ i a l submucora , a t t h e m u c o c a 1 / s ~ . ~ b m u c ~ s a I j u r l c t i u c t . c o n t a i n s 6 rnodera l el y 1 a rge

1 ycnphopl asrnacy t j c p o p u l a t i o n . I V e r y & n t e l 1 n j m b e r s o f

p o l y m o r p h o n u c l e a r c e 1 1s a r e ~ c a t t e k r d w i t h j r ~ t h i ~ i n f i : t r s t e - W i t h i n t l l r i t ~ i d d l t . l b y i c ~ o f nau 06a 15 v a t - ] a b l e , d i f f u s e

@ p i t h e l ial d c q e n c r a t j o n , c h a r c t e r j z e d b y b a l l o o n i n q d e g e n e r a t i rJ l i , w i t l r c p l id t . r lsed i n t ! a c y t o p l a 6 ~ i c eos i ' noph i 1 i~ p r e c j p i t a t o r T h i t i proC>db1 y c c ~ - c - e s p o n d s t o t h e 1e5ion3

r e c o g n i z e d a t nec r -ophv , t h o u g h 1 1 1 , i n o t ~n u l c e r , a s suqqested ~n t h e n r r r o p s y d ~ ~ c r i p i o n .

Dw r I

f u r l t l i c t I I I. FU b uc osa . t? lyrnphopl r 5 m a c ~ t i c i n f i.1 t - r a t ~ , a s r ~ c i a t o d w.1 t h rnucosn, e p i t h c l i d l

d r q ~ ~ t , r .I I. i c I I I . ( & ~ \ S T ~ j r . d ~ t r r r n ( r . r d Arr,+ivn< P: T+n Trr/l \~n~n~r.*?ngry,py-oi nr,'

I

- i

* 1 a v e r ( E ) : Hvderate c e n t r l l o b u l a r c o n g e s t i o n i s p i e s e n t .

p d r e n a l ( G ) : T h e r e Js n ~ o d e r a f t / m a r k e d c o r t icomedit l l a r y j u n c t i o n c o f ~ g e s t i o n . I

I

l u n q ( I , J ) r T I lese s n c t i o n s p r e a v a r i a b l e appearance . Those i n slide I a r r l a l i v ~ l y n but c o n t . ~ i n 5 c s t t e f e - j f o c i of e r ~ t h r o c v t ~ . a r ~ ~ r ~ q - f - e ~ , - r v i t i 1 oat tpr 1 a d s ~ I - c v ~ O Y I I Y d c ~ c t - i b . ~ ! , i t i d i s t a l : a i r w a y s and n e n r b y e l v e o l i. I n o t h ~ r a r e a s is n j l d / n ~ o d ~ - r a t . e , e q s i n o p h i 1 jc pul rnonery edema. E r a m .stain r t . vea !c , t he b a c t e r i a l p c j p u l a t i o n 5 t o c o n 6 i s t o f Gram negative and G ; - a m p o s i t i v e r o d s , a 5 WF! .l a s s m a i l e r number5 o f G r a m posi t j v e c o c c i . 1 in 3lide 2 , t r t c s e c t i o n s a r e S e v Q r e ly ~1 { a c t e d , w i C l t c e v e r e I > . m o r r l ~ a c j c onrl s e v e r e a c u t e I pleural i n { l a r r l n r i l i o r l , c . o n r i ~ t i g - o f 1 a r q e ' n u m b e r s o f neu t r o p h ~ 1 s. 1

Dx: l u n g , p l r u r ' e , 5 c v e r e ir~flarnrnat i o n , n e u t r o p h i 1 ic i n i i l C r a t e , a s s o c i d t e d w l . t h b a c t e r i a D x : l ttnq , ~ ~ , I I L > C r \ . ~ a y e . I

1 C ornmp~i t

Causo of d e a t h i n t h i s a n i m a l I

p r o b a b l y hock a s s o c i a t e d with e n d o t o r ~ r n i a . The i . o l a t l o n 0:'b s e u d o m o n ~ f r o m her c a l f h e l p s t o suppol- t t h j s p o s s i b i l i t y s u g g e s t i n g a t e r m i n a l s e p t ~ c e r n i a . Beyond t h i s , i t j s d ~ l f l { u l t to d e t e r m i n e w h a t t h e i n i t i a t i n g p f o b l e r n i 3 i n t h i s c a s e . . Tqolrgh n o lesioris s u g g e s t i n g a p r i m a r y v i r a l e t i o l o g y a r e r e c o g n i z e d f t h i s d o e 5 n o t r u l e o u t thp p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t a v i r u s may hevw p r o v i d ' o d t h e i n l t i a l i n s u l t , w i t h

I the b a c t e r i a l p u l r r l u ~ ~ a r y i n ' f e c t i o n t h e n c o m i n g i n a s a s e c o n d a r y , b u t n c v e r t l ~ e l e s s m a j c r p r o b l e m .

O s b o r n , D ~ T I

Sea World of F l o r i d a

GROSS NECROPSY REPORT

FACILITY: Sea world cf Florida P B o a E C T O n : D r . Terry Cwpbell. D r . ri)ce Walsh, Dr, ~ i n t n e r , Dr. Scott Wriaht

GEXU8/8PECIB8: Qrcinus orca . .

T h i s adclt fernale k i l l e t whale e r L ? i b i t e d no m e C i c a l probleas s ince her zrrival at Sea Wcrld cf Florida on 2 / 1 8 / 5 1 u n t i l 7 / 2 1 / 9 1 wile,? she 72s tr?ete< for a n i n f e c t e d t c o t h . The animal r e m a i n e d c l i n i c a l l y norsal until 8/5/91 vhen s h e r e f u s e d t o e a t a f t e r her first meal. Although she remzined a c t - v e and alert, s h e vould not r e s p o n d t o h e r t r a i n e r s ' reques t for c c n t a c t . A t 3 : 00 a . m . , 2 u r i n g a tventy-four h o u r watch, her respiratory r a t e beqzn t o increase- The v e t e r i n a r y and c u r a t o r i l l s t a f f s were nccifieC m e d i a t e l y and. a r r i v e d t o assess h e r c a n d i t i c n . ~l'iniczlly the ani rna l ' s c a n d , i t i ~ n deteriorated ra~idly and she zppeareS t~ be i n c c l i e r e n t t o her s z r a u n d i n $ s and =ias exhibiting c j e s t r i c r e t c h i n q . S h e wzs coaxed incc t h e medic21 p o c l w h e r e s h e was giver, therapy f o r shock i n c l u d i n g g l u ~ c c ~ ~ i c c s : e r o i d ~ , a n t i b i o t i c s , v i t n a i n K , and oxycjen. Elnutes prior to her d e z t h sZe e;chzlez blood-tinged fluid from her b lov . In spite of t A e r z F Y , she C i e d a t 7 : 1 5 a.m., a p ~ a r e n t l y of r e s p i r a t o r y f a i l u r e .

Page 2 I . D . B0. 007602

GlWI9-L E m A P P E W C X : (oral cavity, e x t e r n a l n a r e s , s k i n , eyes)

The necropsy was performed with the animal in left lateral recumbency. There were no external indicators of trauma. The eyes and external nare were clear. The oral cavity appeared normal. NO swelling W a s found around the lower third right tooth which had previously been infected,

BWBDERKAL CONDZTTQN;. (blubber, muscles, l p p h nodes)

The anlraal w a ~ L A - IIV T

muscle pathology was detected and superficial l p p h nodes appeared normal.

C W I h L 8XXM: {ears, melon, ptrrygaid sinus)

No significant gross lesions vere found. The pterygoid sinus area was c l e a n and free of parasites.

CENTRAL ZTEBYOUB B Y B T e l d : (brain, pituitary, spinal cord)

The brain was removed in one piece for magnetic resonance imaging, gross pathologic, and histologic evaluation. There were no significant gross lesions.

m ~ I c C A V I T Y : (pleura)

There were occasional patchy foci of ecchymoses and petechia on the p a r i e t a l pleura and diaphragm. Diffuse ecchymoses was also found on t h e dorsal costal pleura ventral to the rete area. ~pproximately 300 cc of serosanquinous fluid was found in the right hemithorax.

REBPIPATORY EY8TEM: (nasal sacs, nares, larynx)

No significant gross lesions were found in .the nasal sacs, nzres, and l a r y n x .

Page 3 I . D . YO. 0 0 7 6 0 2

U V E R R E ~ P ~ R A T O R Y BY6TgWz ( t r a c h e a , b ronch i , l u n g s , lymph nodes)

The trachea con ta ined a s m a l l amount of blood t i n g e d f l u i d . There were no g r o s s t r a c h e a l o r b r o n c h i a l l e s i o n s . The a n t e r i o v e n t r a l o n e - t h i r d o f each l u n g was congested with t h e i n c r e a s e d d e n s i t y g i v i n g it a dark red c o l o r , Each lung had a 15 t o 2 0 cm e l e v a t e d s p h e r i c a l area on t h e d o r s a l border: one- third of the way from the a n t e r i o r leading edge. The spheres bulged 6 t o 10 an above the surrounding lung c o n t o u r . These lesions blended impercep t ib ly i n t o t h e more normal lung t i s s u e . Hemorrhage and p a n i a l l i q u e f a c t i o n n e c r o s i s when viewed on t h e c u t s u r f a c e . The l e s i o n s had no odor. T h e major pulmonary v e s s e l s appeared normal and free O f embol i . Approximately

sl L

i n both lungs. These t r a c t s , p o s s i b l e lymph c h a ~ e l 5 , were l o c a t e d on the c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of t h e l u n g and appeared t o c o n t a i n diluted blood. Both s k i r t lymph nodes ( t h o s e a t t a c k e d b y t h e v e n t r a l lung s u r f a c - ) were edematous w i t h semi-clear f l u i d . Conges t ion and hemorrhage were p r e s e n t i n a p o r t i o n of t h e s e lymph nodes.

~ ~ o v k s c ~ t A R 8Y6TEH: ( h e a r t , a o r t a , major v e s s e l s )

p e r i c a r d i a l p e t e c h i a and ecchymoses were seen i n i s o l a t e d a r e a s . The h e a r t con ta ined w e l l formed c u r r e n t j e l l y c l o t s and b o t h v e n t r i c l e s s topped i n d i a s t o l e . The h e e r t and v e s s e l s w e r e normal. There w a s zpprox imate ly 500 ml of amber co lo red p e r i c a r d i a l f l u i d t h a t c o n t a i n e d p a r t i c u l a t e m a t e r i a l .

ZLBPOHINAL, (lymph nodes)

The abdominal c a v i t y c o n t a i n e d a s m a l l amount o f c l e a r f l u i d . There was a g e n e r a l i z e d enlargement o f the lymph nodes. Several 5 cz s i z e d lymph nodes ( m e s e n t e r i c ) n e a r t h e pancreas c o n t a i n e d up t o 3 or 4 fibrous s p h e r e s 8 mi

i n d i a m e t e r . These spheres had n e c r o t i c centers and a p p e a r e d t o be healed granulomas due t o p rev ious parasltisa o r i n f e c t i o n ,

Q I G E S T I V ~ 8 Y B T E X : (esophagus, s tomach, i n t e s t i n e , cecum, r e c t u n , l p p h nodes1

The f i r s t compartment of t h e stomach c o n t a i n e d a s m a l l amount of sand and s m a l l round s t o n e s . ?LC G . S c n h e a l e d mucssal u l c e r s were found in t h e junction between the first a n d second compartment of t h e s tomach. A por t ion of the second stomach compartment had e v e r t e d i n t o Che first compartment. Occas iona l ecchymotic l e s i o n s w e r e found on t h e s e r o s a l s u r f a c e of t h e intestine beginning a t t h e m e s e n t e r i c j u n c t i o n and r o t a t i n g b i l a t e r a l l y over t h e i n t e s t i n e . The mucosa was normal. One smal l ecchymot ic l e s i o n was found i n the nucosa c o l o n .

) I

LITER: ( b i l i a r y system)

The l i v e r was normal i n size and s h a p e . No s i g n i f i c a n t cjross l e s i o n s Were found .

I . D . NO. 0 0 7 6 0 2

The pancreas w a s of normal size and. shape. It had a uniformly gray surface . The visceral surface contained a fe& petechial le6ions. Several 0.5 a sized sacculations of f the pancreatic duct contained a few 1 to 2 mm concretions.

The spleen appeared normal except for a single 1.5 cm diameter outgrowth.

The uterus contained a 12-month male fetus that appeared to have Seen alive until the dam died. A large corpus luteum was found on the left o v a r y .

U R X l € A R Y SYSTEM: (kidneys, ureter, bladder, urethra)

Kidneys were of normal size and shape. No significant .gross lesions .we.re found in the urinary tract.

The right adrenal gland was diffusely discolored from hemorrhage. The - l e f t adrenal gland had a red cortex and a non-remarkable medulla.

B X E L E W 8YSTgM:

No significant gross lesions.

No parasites were found.

Tissues submitted for histopatholoqy, cytology of fluids, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures, 'mycotLc cqltures, virus investiqatian and toxicolq; .

Fage 5 I.D. NO. C c 7 5 Q 2

- Bilateral pulmonary lesions characterized by hamorrhaye, congestion, and liquefaction necrosis- diffuse, severe

- milmonary pleura and pericardial petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhage, mderate - Generalized lymphadenopathy

- Hemorrhage of the right adrenal- severe - 110 lb. male fetus

- ~ c U t e hemorrhagic diffuse, severe, probably infectious in origin - septicemia

CONCLUSION^: (after histology & clinical pathology review)

The cause of death in this animal was a severe, necrotizing;, hemorrhagic, bacterial pneumonia that resulted in a fatal overwhelming septicemia and pulmonary anoxia.

~lthough a variety of bacteria were isolated by culture and seen cn histol-, primary pathogen was pseudomorlaS aerusinosa. The hemorrhage from the blow prior to death resulted from the hemorrhagic lung lesiors and/or terminal disseminated intravascular coagulation [DICj as determined by a positive fibrin split products test. The generalized lymphadenopathy, petechia, and ecchymoses found on gross necropsy were associated vith the septicemia and DIC. The histologic changes seen in the liver and kidneys were associated with anoxia caused by the cardiovascular collapse just prior to death. Several nodules along the gastrointestinal tract contained trematode eggs indicating a previous infection with trematode parasites. The fluid found in the thoracic cavity and pericardial fluid resulted from the infections process. The corpus lute- was a corpus luteum of pregnancy. The agonal, erratic swimming observed in many dying cetaceans vhich often results in additional trauma did not occur in this case because the animal was restrained by personnel in the medical pool which did not allow for swimming room.

Page 6 I . D . NO. Go7602

pseudc~onas p e n s - has been recovered from numerous Cetaceans which have not shovn any evidence of clinical illness and it widely distributed in many areas including the gastrointestinal tract of mMuna1~. The sane organism in the lung was also found in the intestinal t r a c t . The toxins t h a t can be produced by pseudomonas aemqinosa include hemolysin, f ibrinolysin, elastase coagulase, endotoxin, enterotoxin and exotoxin. Some of these may contribute to its pathogenicity. The rapid decline Of this a n h a l vas due to the overvhelming loss of functional lung t i s sue resulting from the b a c t e r i a l pneumonia and D I C .

DATE : BIGflD1 Michael T. Walsh, DVM Sea World of ~ l o r i d a 7007 Sea World rive Orlando, FL 32821

- -

DATE : / /

8 I G E E D : 5% ~//lGcw~&!?s,& Terry ~ J c d r n ~ b e l l , ~ V M , P ~ D Sea World of F lo r ida 7007 Sea World Drive Orlando, FL 32821

DEPARTMEST OF COMPARATIVE ASD EXPERIMESTAL PATHOLOGY

I THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

C c l l c ~ c of \ c ;cr~nar! !.!c:.;snc PO BOA 1WI;J Caincr\illc. Florida .':6104lI:! .,

(W) 392-1221 (9o.r) 392-5426 FAX

September 2 4 , 1991

Mr. A r t J e f f e r s O f f i c e o f P r o t e c t e d Resources Un i t ed S t a t e s ~ e ~ a r t m e n t o f Commerce N a t i o n a l Oceanic and Atmospher ic A d m i n i s t r a t i o n N a t i o n a l Mar ine F i s h e r i e s S e r v i c e 1335 Eas t West Highway. S i l v e r S p r i n g , MD 20910

i 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 ment ioned 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 of 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 wha le s a t t h e Sea World F a c i l i t i e s l o c a t e d i n Texas and F l o r i d a t o me. I . i n d e p e n d e n t l y rev iewed t h e s e 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 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 . I c a n n o t d e t e c t any e v i d e n c e t o 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 knowingly 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 whale 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 nec ropsy 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 due t o Pseudomonas g . , a w e l l r e c o g n i z e d pa thogen . A l though 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 organism t o grow, it is 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 cause o f d e a t h of t h e wha le a t t h e Texas 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 of t h e s e c u r i t y g u a r d and t h e l e s i o n s found a t n e c r o p s y s u p p o r t t h e d i a g n o s i s of trauma a s t h e immedia te c a u s e o f d e a t h . I d o n ' t b e l i e v e , 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 d e t e r m i n e d 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 , gang l ioneu ro rnas h a v e 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 gang l ioneu romas 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 . Whi le I k n o ~ of n o c a s e i n which v i o l e n t behav io r o c c u r r e d b e c a u s e of 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 cause 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 t rauma c o u l d n o t b e d e t e r m i n e d a t n e c r o p s y , 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

' S i n c e r e l y , I

LR: jgm

1 L o i s Ro th , D . V . M . , Ph .D . D ip loma te , A . C . V . P .

,Arr,Chi\rmd p: T+m Trr,~ nrojne \~n~n~r.*?n~rr,p3roinr,:.r,oq

J H1111t M~llcr Hcalth Sclcncc Ccntcr - Insr~ru'c 0 1 Food and Agr~culrural Sclcnccs

H A M M O N D C O N S U L T A N T S , I N C . 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 Hlg hway 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 that are well known for their ~~nb lased work. n

2. The description of 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.

/

Revlew of Necropsy reports of Klller Whale SWC 00-7803 (animal died May 14, 1991 at Sea W d d of San Antonlo, Texas.

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 U e" mark inp caused from teeth ra- The descriptions given in the necropsy report and the night watchman are all in keeping wlth self Induced trauma.

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. I f the tumor was malignant or not is academic at this point since there was only one tumor found. The question remains i f this tumor could crate sufficient pain to cause the anlmal to traumatize itself resulting in its own death.

I find that the most probable working hypothesis Is that the presence of the 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 in 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~~ccessful

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 '

Douglds (Ted) .Hammond D . v . ~

I P

U n i v e r s i t y of Florida

Instctute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

School of Forest Resources a n d Conservation

11 UnavcnsITy Of fLomIoA 1) DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

Telephone: 9041392-96 17 September 27 , 1991

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

M r . A r t J e f f e r s O f f i c e o f P r o t e c t e d R e s o u r c e s

c e a n i c a 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 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 rev iewed 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 co r r e spondence f o r k i l l e r w h a l e s #SWF-00-7803 and ,#SWC-00- 7602 which d i e d i n Sea World p a r k s e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r . With your p e r m i s s i o n , I forwarded t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n t o D r . L o i s Ro th , 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 .

. Fol lowing c a r e f u l r e v i e w of a l l documents , it is my - o p i n i o n t h a t t h e r e is no a s s o c i a t i o n between t h e two d e a t h s . Each 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 be tween 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 whale (#SWF-00-7803) which d i e d s u d d e n l y , and t r a u m a t i c a l l y , on May'14, 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 Sea World o f Texas . 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 . Necropsy o f t h i s an imal was i ~ i t i a t e d w 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 i n c l u d e d an 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 v e t e r i n a r i a n .

T h e r e seems l i t t l e d o u b t t h a t t h e immedia te c a u s e of d e a t h i n t h i s an ima l was head t r a u m a c a u s e d by 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 . The 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. The 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 ema le w h a l e s were . . . v e r y ca lm , and f l o a t i n g on t h e s u r f a c e 1 '

r\rr,+i\rne rA 'he 9 r - c ~ 0 r ~ i - e .

WAAAAI * b n g r r , p ~ r ~ i n r * r The InTt'ule ol fax and Agr-ural Scaences 1s en Equal Enployrnc>t Opponunlry - Afl~rrnal~ve Anion Ernpbrer aulnorlred lom-& r e S 8 a c e d u ~ i r ~ g ~

*n'3frnallon 2-C ocher swvlces only lo 1na0v6duals and nnst~tuleons !hat lunclon vllhoul regard lo race 0x1' sex age handaca; 01 nallOra 3r'g'n

r M D C C : - ' . ' F C Y T c r ~ C l n h l u m R Y IN AGRICI I IT I~RF ~ h 3 HOLIE ECONOMICS STATE OF FLOR13A IF= U N I V E R S I ~ ) OF FCC= A?

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 been 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 l i k e l y x o u l d h a v e b e e n swimr;,ing a r o u n d 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 . Lack 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 " r e c e n t r a k e m a r k s u o n t h e d e a d a n i m a l , a n d l a c k o f t r a u m a o r r a k e marks o n t h e s u r v i v i n g w h a l e s .

The 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 e n o u g h 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 by 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 . C e t a c e a n s a re p a r t i c u l a r l y p r o n e t o a b d o m i n a l d i s c o m f o r t f rom bowel d i s t e n t i o n b e c a u s e o f t h e restr icted 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 n e c r o p s y 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 t h i c k b r o w n i s h - r e d l i q u i d i n t h e j e junum, a n t e r i o r t o t h e t u m o r . 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 , 1990) . T h e a n i m a l ' s a p p e t i t e h a d b e e n i r r e g u l a r f o r a t l e a s t 6 m o n t h s p r i o r t o d e a t h , a n d t h i s b e h a v i o r h a d 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 f rom 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 1 9 2 0 .

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 enough 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 . Jesse 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 address and p h o n e number 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 e v e n t .

A f i n a l p o i n t c o n c e r n s s p e c u l a t i o n a b o u t a n " u n i d e n t i f i e d 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 body 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 w h i c h d ied s u d d e n l y , however , 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 mind , t h e s e v e r i t y o f t h e t r a u m ? which was o b s e r v e d s e e m s s u f f i c i e n t t o c a u s e 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 which 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 are 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 is g e n e r a l l y c o n s i d e r e d a p r e v e n t a b l e d i s e a s e (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 w h e r e p u b l i c vkewing is p e r m i t t e d . S e a World 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 a s s i g n m e n t 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 w h a l e p o o l a r o u n d - t h e - c l o c k .

The d e a t h o f whale t SWC-00-7602 a t Sea 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 August 6 , 1991, less t h a n 2 4 h o u r s a f t e r t h e wha le 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 n e c r o p s i e d t h e same day. P r o s e c t o r s i n c l u d e d two s t a f f v e t e r i n a r i a n s , and 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 n e c r o p s y w e r e s u b m i t t e d 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 from 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 whale died of a n a c u t e nec ro t i z ' i ng pneumonia o f b a c t e r i a l o r i g i n . The pa thogen 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 wha le a s w e l l a s f rom t h e 1 2 month f e t u s which d i e d in u t e r o . 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 ~ m i 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 of 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 imag ine 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 is 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 iong 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) and 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 is q u i t e advanced (Sweeney, 1990) , .

I n summary, t h e loss of S e a World k i l l e r whales #SWF-00-7803 and #SWC-00-7602 is a t r a g i c l o s s , b u t it is my o p i n i o n t h a t t h e d e a t h s o f t h e s e a n i m a l s 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 each a n i m a l . I n f o r m a t i o n has

' been p r e s e n t e d i n a f o r t h r i g h t and h o n e s t manner by S e a World s t a f f .

Thank-you f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o r ev i ew t h e s e m a t e r i a l s . I f I c a n b e of 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 do n o t h e s i t a t e t o c o n t a c t me.

S i n c e r e l y ,

Ruth Fraacis-Floyc!, DVM, M S A s s i s t a n t P r o f e s s o r

A q u a t i c Animal Medicine

Archived st TCne Orca, Oroje-C: WWA~. t h ~ o ~ c ~ ~ r p i e c t . COT

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.

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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