Evaluation of collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented in a wildlife health reference center of São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract Deforestation and road construction have inflicted negative effects on wildlife populations. To contribute to the comprehension and preservation of wildlife species, this study aimed to evaluate collared anteater presented to a reference center located in São Paulo state, Brazil. Furthermore, the locations where the animals were most frequently found were determined. Data on collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) examined at the Center for Medicine and Research in Wild Animals (CEMPAS) were evaluated retrospectively for a period of 13 years. A total of 46 collared anteaters was examined, comprised of 14 males, 10 females, and 22 without identifying information. On average, adult males weigh 4.41 kg while adult females weigh 4.95 kg. The most common admission circumstance was vehicular strikes (36.96%), followed by dog bites (21.74%); 23.91% were considered clinically healthy. Animal outcomes were 36.96% (n=17) reintroduced, 34.78% (n=16) fatalities, 15.22% (n=7) transferred to other institutions, and 6.52% (n=3) escaped from the enclosure; and 6.52% (n=3) presented no medical record information. The collared anteaters were found mainly in the municipal areas of Botucatu (21.73%), São Manuel (17.39%), Lençóis Paulista (6.52%), and Bauru (4.34%), with SP-300 being the main highway associated with the occurrences. In conclusion, the main cause of lesion in the collared anteaters evaluated in this study was vehicular strike that that led to death. However, including all collared anteaters at least half of them had a positive outcome.

摘要：森林砍伐与道路建设对野生动物种群造成了负面影响。为增进对野生动物物种的认知并助力其保护工作，本研究针对巴西圣保罗州某参考中心收治的领食蚁兽（Tamandua tetradactyla）开展评估，并明确了该类动物的高频发现区域。本研究对13年间在野生动物医学与研究中心（Center for Medicine and Research in Wild Animals, CEMPAS）接诊的领食蚁兽诊疗数据进行回顾性分析。共计接诊46只领食蚁兽，其中雄性14只、雌性10只，剩余22只未记录身份信息。成年雄性个体平均体重为4.41 kg，成年雌性个体平均体重为4.95 kg。最常见的收治原因是车辆撞击（36.96%），其次为犬只咬伤（21.74%）；23.91%的个体经检查临床健康。诊疗结局方面，36.96%（n=17）的个体被放归野外，34.78%（n=16）死亡，15.22%（n=7）被转至其他机构，6.52%（n=3）从围栏逃脱；另有6.52%（n=3）未留存医疗记录信息。领食蚁兽的主要发现区域为博图卡图（Botucatu）、圣曼努埃尔（São Manuel）、伦索伊斯保利斯塔（Lençóis Paulista）与鲍鲁（Bauru），对应占比分别为21.73%、17.39%、6.52%及4.34%，相关高发路段以SP-300公路为主。综上，本研究中收治的领食蚁兽主要损伤原因是致死性车辆撞击。但整体而言，超半数受试个体获得了积极的预后结局。