Health Status of Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) on San Cristóbal Island Rookeries Determined by Hematology, Biochemistry, Blood Gases, and Physical Examination

• DOI: 10.7589/2015-04-084
• Publication Date: 2015-11-03T21:25:41Z
• Authors: Diego Páez-Rosas; Maximilian Hirsch...; Diane Deresienski; Gregory A. Lewbart
• Keywords: Zalophus californianus; Rookery

The Galápagos sea lion, Zalophus wollebaeki, is an endemic and endangered species subject to population decline associated with environmental variability, such as El Niño events, constant feeding stress, exposure diseases through contact introduced species. Reference blood parameter intervals have been published for some pinniped species, but baseline biochemical gas values are lacking from Z. wollebaeki. We analyzed samples 30 juvenile lions (19 females, 11 males) captured in two rookeries on San Cristóbal Island. A portable analyzer (iSTAT) was used obtain near-immediate field results pH, partial pressure of O2, CO2, bicarbonate (HCO3(-)), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin, Na, K, ionized Ca, glucose, lactate measured using a Lactate Plus(TM) analyzer. Average heart rate, biochemistry, hematology parameters were comparable healthy individuals other Hemoglobin significantly correlated body condition lions. When compared available clinically California lions, had higher total protein Hct lower Ca K levels. Our provide data that may be useful comparisons among populations detecting changes health status