Search Results (5)

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the health and physiology of tigers (Panthera tigris), influencing digestion, immune function, and overall well-being. While numerous studies have characterized the gut microbiota of domestic carnivores and some wild felids, comparative analyses across different tiger subspecies under varying environmental contexts remain limited. In this exploratory study, we investigated the gut microbiome diversity and composition of 15 captive tigers, including both Siberian (P. tigris altaica) and Bengal (P. tigris tigris) subspecies, housed in two different regions in Korea. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples, we analyzed microbial diversity across multiple taxonomic levels. Preliminary analyses revealed significant differences in microbial composition between geographic locations, whereas sex-based differences appeared minimal. Alpha and beta diversity metrics demonstrated substantial inter-individual variability, likely influenced by regional and environmental factors. Given the small sample size and the confounding between subspecies and housing location, the findings should be regarded as preliminary and not generalized beyond this specific cohort. Nevertheless, these insights highlight the potential utility of gut microbiome profiling for health monitoring and management in captive-tiger populations. Future research incorporating larger, more diverse cohorts will be essential to validate these trends and clarify the roles of diet, health status, and enrichment in shaping the gut microbiota. Full article

The conservation of Siberian tigers, the apex predators in the Asia–Pacific region, hinges on a thorough understanding of their physiological statuses and adaptive mechanisms. In order to fill a critical gap in our knowledge of this endangered species, we conducted comprehensive analyses of Siberian tiger whole blood and serum using modern hematology and biochemical analyzers. The blood samples were collected from subadult (2–3 years old) Siberian tigers (n = 15 for hematological analysis and n = 7 for biochemical analysis). In the present study, distinct hematological patterns including an elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) and a higher red cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) were observed, which were possibly triggered by pre-anesthesia resistance movements. Notably, the neutrophil percentage in Siberian tigers was found to be significantly higher than that in domestic cats and Bengal tigers, suggesting species-specific immune adaptations. In addition, serum biochemical analysis provided refined parameter ranges for subadult tigers. Unlike previous studies encompassing a broader age range, our data specifically characterize biochemical profiles in subadult tigers, offering vital baselines for health monitoring and conservation strategies. These results not only enhance our understanding of the biology of Siberian tigers but also provide scientific support for targeted conservation efforts, fostering population recovery and ecological balance in their natural habitats. Full article

The gut microbiome is essential for the health of carnivorous mammals, including the endangered Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). However, limited research exists on the gut microbiome of captive Siberian tigers, especially regarding how diet and health status influence microbial diversity. This study addresses this gap by investigating the gut microbiome diversity and composition of six captive-born Siberian tigers housed at the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in South Korea, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The study aimed to examine how diet and health status influence microbial communities, providing baseline data for managing captive tigers. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant variation in microbial richness and evenness, with Tigers 2 and 6 exhibiting the highest microbial diversity and Tiger 3 the lowest, likely due to its surgical history and limited diet. Beta diversity analysis showed distinct microbial community structures influenced by diet and health. Taxonomic profiling identified Firmicutes and Bacteroidota as the dominant phyla, with Clostridium sensu stricto more prevalent in healthier tigers, while Escherichia-Shigella and Proteobacteria were abundant in tigers with lower diversity, suggesting dysbiosis. Comparisons with other tiger species confirm that diet, health, and captivity significantly shape the gut microbiome. These findings highlight the need for personalized health management in captive environments. Full article

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a member of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1, is one of the most fatal pathogens of domestic and wild carnivores. The virus endemically infects domestic carnivores worldwide and its cross-species transmission threatens endangered wild carnivores, including Siberian tigers. In this study, a fatal FPV infection in endangered Siberian tigers was investigated to trace the origin of the virus and elucidate the reason behind FPV’s infection of the vaccinated tigers. Our genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus detected in the infected tigers, designated as the KTPV-2305 strain, was closely related to FPV strains circulating in Korean cats, suggesting that it might have been transmitted from stray cats wandering around the zoo. Compared with the prototype FPV reference strains, the KTPV-2305 strain carried three distinct amino acid (aa) mutations in the VP2 protein sequence (I101T, I232V, and L562V) in this study. These three mutations are commonly found in most global FPV strains, including Korean strains, indicating that these mutations are common evolutionary characteristics of currently circulating global FPVs. The reason why the vaccinated tigers were infected with FPV was most likely the insufficient protective immunity of the affected tigress or vaccine failure triggered by the interference of maternal-derived antibodies in the affected tiger cubs. These findings suggest that improved vaccination guidelines are urgently needed to save the lives of wild carnivores from this fatal virus. Full article

Given the endangered status of tigers (Panthera tigris), the health of each individual is important and any data on blood chemistry values can provide valuable information alongside the assessment of physical condition. The nature of tigers in the wild makes it is extremely difficult to obtain biological samples from free-living subjects, therefore the values obtained from captive tigers provide very useful data. Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of a number of diseases. In this study, we evaluated agarose gel serum protein electrophoresis on samples from 11 healthy captive tigers. Serum electrophoresis on all 11 tiger samples successfully separated proteins into albumin, α₁, α₂, β₁, β₂ and γ globulin fractions as in other mammals. Electrophoretic patterns were comparable in all tigers. Mean± standard deviation or median and range values obtained for each protein fraction in healthy tigers were, respectively: 3.6 ± 0.2, 0.21 (0.2–0.23), 1.2 ± 0.2, 10.7 ± 0.2, 0.4 (0.3–0.6), 1.2 (1–1.8) gr/dL. The results of this preliminary study provide the first data on serum electrophoretic patterns in tigers and may be a useful diagnostic tool in the health assessment of this endangered species. Full article