One of the many goals of zoological institutions is to actively breed endangered species to enhance conservation efforts. Unfortunately, many of these species are not reproducing at high enough levels to sustain populations within zoos. Low reproductive success and high infant mortality are two areas of concern for some of these species. Collecting behavioral data on developmental milestones following successful births can create a database of information to aide animal management to help make more informed decisions during subsequent births. The current study provides valuable information for African elephant calf developmental norms and demonstrates how data on first occurrences, nursing behavior and growth patterns can aide animal management. Data were collected on eleven African elephants (Loxodonta africana) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA of which ten have survived. Results show that on average African elephant calves were standing within 40 minutes, attempted to nurse within an hour and a half, and successfully nursed within six hrs. There were no significant differences in nursing rates, growth patterns, or first occurrence behaviors between males and females during the first 75 days of life and elephants gained on average 0.59 kg/day over that same period of time. Results also show a significant change in nursing behavior on day 22 for the elephant calf that died. This information is intended to serve as a resource for elephant managers with newborn African elephants and to serve as a model to develop similar type databases for other species in need within zoological institutions.

A randomized clinical trial was performed to test the hypothesis that a laser-heated probe is superior to standard techniques to reopen occluded femoral arteries. Twenty patients were treated with a standard guidewire and balloon dilation method. In a second group of 20 patients, the laser probe was initially used as a nonheated mechanical device. If the probe was unsuccessful in mechanically reopening the artery, an Argon laser was activated to heat the probe. The mean length of occlusion was 15.9 +/- 10.3 cm. The success rate for the laser probe was 15 of 20 (75%), which was not significantly different from the standard method, 19 of 20 (95%). Most of the success in the laser-probe group was due to the probe's mechanical properties. The laser probe was successful as a cold, mechanical device in 13 of 15 (87%) arteries. It was necessary to heat the probe in 5 patients. When heated, the laser probe assisted recanalization in 2 but perforated the artery in 3 cases. The results of this randomized trial do not support the hypotheses behind the use of the thermal laser probe. The laser probe functions primarily as a mechanical device. The thermal activation does not significantly improve the success rate without increasing the risk of perforation. This small additional benefit does not justify the large cost of current thermal laser devices. This controlled study also demonstrates a higher success rate in long occlusions than previous reports of mechanical balloon recanalization. This is due to a combination approach of retrograde and anterograde probing of the occluded segment.