Knowledge of the indigenous microbial flora of a captive animal can often aid in effective husbandry. Although many of these microbes are transient in the animal, their persistent presence and in numbers sufficient to evoke an antibody response is helpful in the development of rapid diagnoses of opportunistic infections.

Of 20 captive cetaceans at Ocean Park, 3 were selected from each of 2 locations in the Park and rectal and blowhole samples were taken on alternate months throughout 1989. Other animals were randomly sampled. The pH, salinity, and chlorinity of the pools were monitored daily, and identity of the total microbes in each fish shipment and pools were determined.

At least 50 species of bacteria and fungi were isolated from the cetaceans. P. mirabalis, Pr. stuartii, E. coli, Ps. putrefacians, and V. alginolyticus were the most common isolates. The antibody levels in these animals were determined in the ELISA against a panel of 13 bacteria and 4 fungi. In general, S. aureus, V. alginolyticus, and Aer. hydrophilia were a constant opportunistic challenge to the animals.

A wide variety of bacteria and yeasts were also isolated from the fish and included species that are of known human origin (e.g. Candida glabrata and Candida guilliermondii). In addition to the other standard methods for fish quality and nutrition the possibility of monitoring selected microbes as an indicator of fish-handling quality control will be discussed.

The interrelationship of the biological and chemical quality of the water, indigenous microbial flora of the animals, their food source, and potential air contamination during typhoons at Ocean Park will be discussed from a preventive medicine viewpoint.