Health and Reproductive Assessment of a Free-Ranging Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Population Following Translocation

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 2004, a subset of a translocated population of gopher tortoises (n = 14; Gopherus polyphemus) were captured to determine the overall health of individuals and to investigate the prevalence of selected pathogens. Additionally, ultrasonography and endoscopic visualization of the reproductive tract were compared as methodologies to accurately determine sex and reproductive status. Tortoises were premedicated with butorphanol and induced with propofol. The hematology and biochemical profile values obtained were within the reference ranges previously reported for gopher tortoises. Tortoises were parasitized with Alaeuris spp. of pinworms and trichostrongyles. Ten of the tortoises (71%) were also parasitized by hemogregarines. None of the animals had clinical signs indicative of acute upper respiratory disease (URTD); however, six animals had signs consistent with previous upper respiratory infections. One tortoise had an antibody titer against Mycoplasma agassizii, considered to be positive, while ...