Saturday, July 03, 1999

Aquarium loses animals

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Deaths attributed to stress of travel, existing illnesses

BY MOLLY HARPER
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Crowds fill the shark tunnel. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM

        NEWPORT — Since its opening six weeks ago, the Oceanic Adventures Newport Aquarium has lost several animals to infections and stress from travel.

        Several jellyfish died because of high temperatures during shipping. A stingray died of a fast-spreading uterine infection while in quarantine. A small American alligator died of pneumonia in the Gator Bayou exhibit, and a red-tailed catfish died of a systemic infection while quarantined with the Amazon River exhibit.

        Shawn Coyle, an aquatic investigator for Kentucky State University in Frankfort, said the number of deaths at the Newport Aquarium is not inordinately high.

        “It would be unusual if they didn't lose anything,” said Mr. Coyle.

        “Whenever you transport fish, it's the stress that causes you to lose them,” Mr. Coyle said. “They are often crowded into a small space. And even if there is enough oxygen, they still suffer physiological stress.”

        Aquarium spokeswoman Lisa Popyk said the series of events has been unfortunate, but coincidental.

        Dr. Tim Mullican, who performed autopsies on all the animals, could not be reached for comment.

        But Ms. Popyk said an alligator autopsy revealed lung scar tissue suggesting a history of pneumonia. Initial physicals are rigorous but do not include an

        X-ray, which would have detected pneumonia.

        “X-raying every animal just isn't something you do,” Ms. Popyk said. “It's above and beyond any standard physical. And there are usually other signs that indicate pneumonia.”

        Ms. Popyk said the sick alligator came from the Maryland Natural Resources Department.

        The animal probably was seized during an intensive sweep of pet shops and private collectors by the Maryland Natural Resources Police, said resources department spokeswoman Liz Kalinowski.

        Despite a quarantine earlier, consulting veterinarians are examining the other alligators in Newport's Gator Bayou for pneumonia, Ms. Popyk said.

        “These are very careful folks,” she said. “They want to be 210 percent sure the animals are healthy.”

        The jellyfish supplier didn't include cooling packs to keep the water at a tolerable temperature, so the animals appeared sick when they arrived, Ms. Popyk said. Though they were treated, several of the animals died. The supplier, whom she declined to name, replaced the lost jellyfish.

        Aquarium vets found that in infection of the red-tailed catfish was chronic. Putting the catfish in quarantine apparently prevented the infection from spreading to other exhibit fish, which have checked out as healthy.

        Ms. Popyk said it's common to quarantine animals within an exhibit to reduce stress. The quarantine is achieved by creating a temporary barrier within the exhibit.

        “We wouldn't move them here, put them in quarantine and then move them to the exhibit. That would be three moves and it would be pretty hard on them.”

        Ms. Popyk said there are several steps taken when the animals arrive:

        • A complete physical is performed.

        • Their general health and eating habits are evaluated and they are quarantined for an individualized period. Penguins usually spend 30 days isolated while some fish spend up to 45 days.

        • After being released into their habitats, the animals are monitored daily for general health and good eating habits.

        Ms. Popyk said she doesn't know how much the losses will cost the aquarium. The aquarium had a large crowd Friday typical of weekday attendance since its May 15 opening, with an average 40-minute wait. The animals are insured and the aquarium has an agreement with most of its suppliers that animals that arrive diseased or dead will be replaced.

        “When these fish come into the aquarium, we don't think of them in terms of cost,” Ms. Popyk said. “Our main concern is, "Did we do everything we should have?'”

        Three large rays were released into the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit Friday. Aquarium biologists hope the penguins' current mating season will produce some chicks. A Giant Pacific octopus' delivery has been delayed due to problems with its tank cooling system.

        Enquirer reporter Michael D. Clark contributed.

The Newport Aquarium special section
       

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