Analysis of the Impact of Life Under Human Care on the Health of Felids Through Necropsy Investigations

The management of wild felids in controlled environments plays an increasingly important role in conservation, research, and education, but also raises concerns about animal welfare and health. Controlled environments impose restrictions on space, behavior, and social interactions, exposing animals to chronic stressors that can predispose them to some diseases. This thesis investigates the impact of life under human care on felids' health through the necropsy analysis of 46 individuals from twelve species housed in zoos, circuses, and private facilities. The study was conducted at the University of Padua over 17 years (2007–2024). A complete necropsy and histopathological examination were performed on each subject, allowing for the identification of both immediate causes of death and chronic lesions. The results reveal a recurrent pattern of pathologies affecting multiple systems. Respiratory alterations were the most common (39/46), followed by hepatopancreatic (34/46), urinary (32/46), and gastrointestinal (30/46) lesions. The cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems were also frequently affected, while musculoskeletal, nervous, and genital alterations appeared less frequently but with significant clinical implications, such as arthritis or pyometra. The findings suggest that extended lifespans in captivity, combined with environmental and dietary constraints, contribute to the onset of degenerative diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cardiomyopathy, and joint disorders, rarely observed in wild populations. At the same time, stress-induced immunosuppression and hygiene issues appear to facilitate the onset of infectious and inflammatory diseases, including pneumonia and enteritis. Overall, this work highlights how necropsy investigations represent a valuable tool to assess the welfare of felids in managed environments, offering concrete evidence of the links between captivity-related stressors and pathological outcomes.