The Evaluation of Reproduction in Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) and the Possibilities of Using Non-invasive Methods for Detection of Heat and Pregnancy

Camels are important husbandry animals which are also often bred in zoological gardens. Unfortunately, camels in European zoos are not usually trained and pregnancy diagnosis in a half-tamed camel is very difficult. Moreover, information of the maternal behaviour of camels is limited. This thesis reviewed current knowledge on camel husbandry, reproduction and behaviour and aimed to 1) examine non-invasive methods of heat and pregnancy diagnosis from urine and saliva in camels kept in zoological gardens; 2) explore their maternal and suckling behaviour; 3) describe experiences with artificial rearing of camel calves. The research into non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis was carried out from 2010 to 2012. Urine from 14 camel females kept in four European zoological gardens was collected and tested using two chemical tests -- the Cuboni reaction and barium chloride test. The Cuboni reaction was significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the pregnancy status of female camels, and its accuracy increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the period leading up to parturition. The barium chloride test did not provide reliable results. Next, the saliva of five adult female camels was sampled for more than one year and concentrations of progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) were measured. The concentrations of P4 (n = 312) and E2 (n = 310) were both significantly (p < 0.0001) affected by the pregnancy status of the animals. Maternal and suckling behaviour was observed from 2003 to 2009 in six zoological gardens, and the presented study includes partial data from this period. Allosuckling (i.e. when a female nurses a non-filial offspring) was described for the first time in camels and it represented 8.58% of all suckling bouts. The non-filial calves suckled more often in the lateral position and preferably joined the filial calf when suckling, so the results support the 'milk theft' hypothesis (stealing of milk) as a main cause of this behaviour. Finally, calf rearing in the Prague zoological garden was summarised and two camel calves were successfully artificially reared. This PhD thesis concluded that 1) the Cuboni reaction with urine and salivary P4 and E2 measurements are suitable methods for pregnancy diagnosis in half-tamed female camels; 2) allosuckling is relatively common in captive Bactrian camels; 3) the artificial rearing of camel calves with a calf milk replacer can be successful