Capture myopathy in a corsican red deer Cervus elaphus corsicanus (Ungulata: Cervidae)

The present study focused on the importance of translocation as stressful event in an endangered cervid species causing fatal
consequences during capture operations. Fourteen free-ranging Sardinian red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) have been
captured for restocking propose in a protected area of southwestern Sardinia. The cervids were chemically immobilized,
transported to a restocking area and released in the wild. Sixteen hours after the release, a pregnant hind was found dead and
a complete necropsy was performed. Post-capture blood samples showed increased levels of creatine kinase, lactate
dehydrogenase, cortisol and potassium and were highly indicative of stress-linked muscle damage. The macro- and
microscopic lesions consisted of muscular and cardiac degeneration, and renal injury. In the kidneys, the presence of
myoglobin in intratubular casts, detected by immunohistochemistry assay, suggested an acute renal failure associated with
myoglobinuric nephrosis as a consequence of rhabdomyolysis. The pathological findings were indicative of capture myopathy
in a Cervus elaphus corsicanus. This condition has never been reported in the endangered Corsican red deer. This report
underlines that mortality from capture is a risk that must be considered during restocking programs. Further studies are
needed to minimize stress to preserve wildlife from the risk of fatal consequences due to human interactions.