Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 43(3): S105–S107, 2012 Copyright 2012 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians IOD IN RHINOS—VETERINARY GROUP REPORT: REPORT FROM THE CLINICAL MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY WORKING GROUP OF THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON IRON OVERLOAD DISORDER IN BROWSING RHINOCEROS (FEBRUARY 2011) Scott Citino, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.Z.M., Benn Bryant, B.V.Sc., M.V.S., Mary Duncan, Ph.D., Dipl. A.C.V.P., Greg Fleming, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.Z.M., Marcus Hofmeyr, B.V.Sc., Eric Miller, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.Z.M., Michele Miller, Ph.D., D.V.M., Natalie Mylniczenko, D.V.M., M.S., Donald Paglia, M.D., and Robin Radcliffe, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.V.M. INTRODUCTION This report summarizes what is known and unknown of iron overload disorder in browsing rhinoceros, sets priorities for research, and rec- ommends developing selected resources. WHAT IS KNOWN 1) Excess iron stores are present in captive Black rhino but not in free-ranging Black rhino (Diceros bicornis). 2) Iron stores increase over time in captive Black rhino. 3) The best measures of iron status in Black rhino are transferrin saturation, ferritin, and tissue iron concentration. 4) Iron is found primarily in macrophages (Kupffer cells) within the tissues of Black rhino. 5) Browsers–selective feeders overall are much more difficult to keep healthy in captivity. WHAT IS NOT KNOWN 1) A good definition of this ‘‘iron storage syndrome’’ with biomarker correlates a) Hemosiderosis versus hemochromato- sis 2) Reference parameters for a ‘‘healthy Black rhino’’ 3) Improved biomarkers of health and disease in Black rhino a) Good markers of inflammation b) Body condition scores 4) The association of iron storage with other disease syndromes in Black rhino a) A better understanding of the role of iron storage in development of disease in Black rhino 5) The relationship of ‘‘stress’’ to iron storage in Black rhino 6) Behavioral profiles of healthy versus sick captive Black rhinos—behavioral markers of health and disease 7) Comparative data on worldwide Black rhino management 8) An explanation of the waxing and waning of disease syndromes in captive Black rhino 9) Why are browsers–selective feeders more difficult to keep in captivity? 10) Does iron storage have a negative effect on the longevity of the captive population and its sustainability? 11) Ultimately, is the Black rhino suited for maintenance in captivity? 12) Does the conservation potential of the cap- tive Black rhino population outweigh the health and welfare tolls on the animals þ the costs of trying to maintain them healthy? 13) The best methods of prevention and treat- ment 14) Criteria for treatment 15) Centralized data center 16) Standardized lab testing and pathology review 17) Involvement of all holding institutions 18) Disease correlate of iron score by specific criteria by 1 þ pathologists From White Oak Conservation Center, Yulee, Florida 32097, USA (Citino); The Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia (Bryant); The Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA (Duncan, E. Miller); Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830, USA (Fleming, Mylniczenko); The Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, South Africa (Hofmeyr); The Palm Beach Zoo, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405, USA (M. Miller); The UCLA Hematol- ogy Research Laboratory, School of Medicine, Univer- sity of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA (Paglia); and The College of Veterinary Medicine, Conservation Medicine Program, Cornell University, Lansing, New York 14882, USA (Radcliffe). Correspon- dence should be directed to Dr. Citino (ScottC@wogilman.com). S105