Obstetric management of a protracted labor in a captive Western lowland gorilla

This article discusses the cooperative efforts of a team of physicians and veterinarians resulting in the successful assisted vaginal delivery of a We stern lowland gorilla at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Washington. A IO -year-old, captive-born female gorilla, gravida 3, para 0, aborta 2, was ob served to be in labor at term after spontaneous rupture of membranes. After 36 hours of observation, she had not yet delivered her infant. A team of p hysicians and veterinarians intervened. After induction of general anesthes ia. an assessment of fetal and maternal status was made. With ultrasonograp hic monitoring of fetal cardiac activity, labor was augmented with administ ration of intravenous oxytocin. A vaginal delivery was performed with a vac uum extractor, resulting in the birth of a viable, 2.4-kg female infant. Th e infant survived the neonatal period and was hand reared until she was suc cessfully introduced to the gorilla troop at the age of 1 year. Although th ere are several cases of cesarean delivery in captive gorillas, this is the first reported use of labor augmentation and assisted vaginal delivery in this captive species. Captive breeding is the key to survival of the Wester n lowland gorilla. The collaborative work of physicians and veterinarians i s an integral part of this successful program. It is reported that in the c aptive population approximately 30% of newborns die in the first year, with more than half of the deaths occurring just before birth or within the fir st day of life. This does not include early spontaneous pregnancy losses. W ith aggressive management of pregnancy and labor complications, it may be p ossible to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality in the captive gorilla population. Because gorillas are closely related to humans, with the only c loser relative being the chimpanzee, it is probable that the basic principl es of obstetric management in humans can be safely and appropriately applie d to the captive gorilla population. With the exception of this report and the cited cesarean delivery reports, there are no other references to cross -species studies of active intervention in gorillas with human obstetric te chniques. It is hoped that an increased awareness on the part of obstetrici ans of the importance of their knowledge and skill to toes will lead to mor e successful outcomes in the captive gorilla population.