SUCCESSFUL LEFT PELVIC LIMB AMPUTATION IN A WHITE-HEADED MARMOSET (Callithrix geoffroyi) FOLLOWED BY RELEASE INTO THE WILD

Resumo

Surgical reports involving wild animals are still scarce in the literature, particularly those documenting successful survival through surgery and postoperative handling stress in captivity. This study aims to present a case of Callithrix geoffroyi following total pelvic limb amputation. A young female white-headed marmoset weighing 395 grams, rescued by highway patrol in Guarapari – ES, with anatomical and functional deformities of the pelvic limb, including a multi-fragmented femoral shaft fracture. Given the severity of the fractures and limitations in applicable osteosynthesis techniques, amputation was necessary, considering spinal canal size, animal behavior, and potential for successful release. The white-headed marmoset resumed activity three hours post-surgery and was transferred to the Wildlife Sector at the Veterinary Hospital, housed in a wireframe cage with balanced nutrition, water, and environmental enrichment. Daily monitoring over 10 days assessed behavior, pain, nutrition, and surgical site healing. Upon complete wound recovery, the marmoset was transferred to wildlife management authorities for planned release. During this process, no aggressive behavior was observed from other white-headed marmosets, prompting the opening of the cage and the white-headed marmoset's voluntary movement towards a fruit tree among conspecifics.